This style focuses on a clean design, clutter-free  with well lit spaces setting the stage for a few chosen object des arts. Many rooms end up with a minimalistic look, which should contribute towards a zen-style sense of balance rather than alienate. To achieve the right effect, be prepared to invest in a few well-chosen items that will set the tone of the entire room.

Here are a few options for you to consider. All of these items can be ordered from Amazon with the provided links and delivered to your doorstep anywhere within the continental US, so go ahead and bring the Japanese magic into your home.

This Classic Japanese Shoji Screen allows you to install an instant wall in your room, possibly delimiting the Japanese styled area, or simply assisting in creating separate living areas in a larger space. It’s versatile enough to fit into any room, as you can order a combination of three to six panels. With other shades available, you can custom fit this into your color scheme, always retaining that distinct sense of natural materials and a balanced clean look. Click Here for the Japanese Shoji screen on Amazon

This classic tatami floor mat provides a clean chic Japanese touch to any room. The contrast between the natural woven grass shades and the sheer black border makes this item a great match to any modern Japanese room design. It’s also eco-friendly and fairly inexpensive, so definitely an item worth considering. Click here to read more and buy it online.

This gorgeous wall clock encompasses the clean de-cluttered look of contemporary Japanese style.  Large and metallic for an added modern edge, it has Japanese symbols in lieu of numbers. With the chopsticks like arms, it clearly conveys a sense of that unique look you’re going for. Click here for full specs, price and availability.

For your choice of furniture, try to stick to black solid items, with clean lines and a minimalistic look. This black table is a wonderful example of modern Japanese furniture. Use it as a living room table, or as a mantle piece on which you can display artwork, plants or even a small minimalistic zen garden. Click here for the Product page.

Last, but not least, consider introducing a natural element into your room setup. Goldfish will add to your feng shui design, but certainly require looking after. If you prefer not to have to deal with goldfish care, a plant is always an option. For the easiest low-maintenance element, a quality artificial plant works best, and you can’t go wrong with a couple of potted  Japanese bamboo plants. Click here to see details and price.

Finally, for more information and inspiration about Asian design do check out this site: Feng Shui Decorating.

Enjoyed these ideas? Do leave us comments and let us know what you think about this decorating style.

What if you like the calming effect of horizontal lines, but you can’t stand cleaning Venetian blinds? Here is a great solution. The Roman blind is not a dust trap like the slotted Venetian blind, and is more durable, with no rotating, and nothing to get bent. Cotton canvas and wood are a practical pair. They are also an attractive pair. This blind comes in seven colors to match your decor. The lighter shades, like this one in the photo, are translucent, while the darker shades are opaque. All provide privacy.

This design is versatile. You can include this shade in a Japanese style room, as it reminds one of a Shoji screen, but the blind will look equally at home with a rustic country decor, an ultra modern decor, or a beach home with models of sailing ships. You can even work them into a children’s room decor. They are not overly busy looking, and will help create a restful sleeping environment.

The great thing about this brand is that they come in five sizes to fit your windows.  If you have several in one room, they look good because the horizontal lines at the same height lend continuity, and subconsciously create the sense of looking out over a great distance. being able to retract them as much as you like, allows for you to reveal as much of the window as you prefer at any given time. In this way, you can cut the glare from the sun while allowing a breeze to enter.

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Look closely at this window film by Artscape. It looks just like rice paper, doesn’t it? Great detail! This is perfect for creating the look of a traditional Japanese Shoji screen. If you have a series of small square framed windows, or long panel shaped windows, this rice paper design will transform them to look just like the real thing.

The company makes this window film in long narrow strips, but you can merge them seamlessly like wall paper to cover larger areas, and trim them down to fit your window size and shape exactly.  The film is self- adhering without the use of adhesives, so you can take it off easily, without damage or mess, even after years of use. The film filters out UV rays, and is not harmed by heat, cold, steam, or humidity.

You get the benefit of a translucent material that is not transparent. Your window will still let the light in, while giving you privacy.

The Shoji screen design instantly gives your room an understated look of elegant sophistication, and the clean lines that inspire tranquility and peace in your home or office. This would be perfect for a studio or meditation center as well. We should all be so lucky as to have such a serene environment to live in.

Click here for price and more details

Excellent! Not only do you get the beauty of bamboo blinds, with their warm tasteful color and texture, and their understated elegance; you also get the beauty of a traditional Chinese brush and ink painting of bamboo on the shade, which turns your closed window into a portal to a lovely forest or garden. Perfect combination!

From the point of view of a Feng shui consultant, this is an impeccable choice. The bamboo material and image will enhance your positive “Chi” (vital energy) and cure “Sha Chi” (negative energy), as bamboo is very auspicious and said to have magic properties that aide in healing.

Even if you simply like the way it looks, you’ll enjoy the peaceful serene feeling you get with this image.

The first thing your guests will notice is your good taste and your sophistication. Not only are these beautiful, they also help the environment. Bamboo is a quickly renewable resource, not requiring pesticides.

This blind would look lovely in a room with bamboo or rattan furniture, and bamboo wood floors.

The blind is even available in a variety of sizes: 2 ft, 3 ft, 4 ft, 5 ft, or 6 ft wide.

This makes a great house warming gift!

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Here’s a cool decor idea, go black. The drama and elegance of a mat black curtain can be stunning in the right place. Imagine a Gothic style bedroom where you can truly darken the room and sleep in the daytime. Hung on a rod like the one in the photo, this makes a very beautiful yet clean line, and the aged silver colored metal is the perfect accent.

Now picture an ultra modern dining room with Japanese Raku pottery or sushi plates, and a black porcelain Neko cat for good luck. The table is set with a row of transparent slender vases featuring single stemmed red flowers. Your guests are amazed and impressed by your sense of style and sophistication…..like this fantasy? Make it come true with this daring black curtain.

What if you need two layers of curtains, one as a blind, and the other as a decoration? Layer this tab top black curtain behind your decorative curtain, and viola! You can gut the glare in the living room so your movie images are sharper, and yet keep the decor coordinated. This curtain is very practical and versatile.

The curtain measures 95/96 inches, and is made of cotton fabric that is machine washable.

Click here for price and more details

This is a wonderful design idea. The clean lines and serenity of bamboo are elegant and beautiful without being gaudy. The color is perfect for rooms featuring a sand colored pallet. Blond wood looks right at home with this window decor.

Window film by art-scape self adheres without adhesives, so it can be easily removed even after years insitu. The white background and golden bamboo are translucent but not transparent, so they allow the room to be bathed in beautiful muted natural light, while providing privacy. The design is visible from both sides, so you enjoy the look of stained glass in more than one location. The pattern repeats like wallpaper, so you can add panels top, bottom, left, or right, and it and can be trimmed to fit your window size and shape.

Bamboo is a powerful Feng Shui remedy, so using this window film could raise the positive “Chi” (vital energy) in the rooms, home, office, clinic, or studio where it is used. It also makes a good privacy screen for a glass shower, as the wood energy helps to balance the excess water energy and compensate for the drains.

Even if you simply enjoy the Asian Aesthetic, and appreciate the peaceful and relaxing feeling you get with the Japanese decor , you’ll be glad you chose this window film instead of curtains.

The film filters out UV radiation, and stands up well to heat, cold, humidity, and steam.

Click here for price and more details

The white shade is shaped like a paper fan and will create an elegant understated look that will not dominate the room. It will add atmosphere and an Asian flavor without demanding attention. The pleats are a perfect way to add texture in a white on white decor theme, and therefore avoid the flat look you get when a monochrome room lacks texture.

This 36 by 72 inches window shade is so easy to install, you can stick it on instantly when you need privacy or to block the light. The shade can be trimmed down to fit even a window that is 36 inches wide, or left as is for a window that is 72 inches wide. It comes with a self adhesive holder for windowsill mounting, and can be installed in seconds. The shade is made of durable paper, and can be easily removed. This is an economical way to shade a half circle shaped window.

Here’s a suggestion: Use this fan shaped shade on the window, and then add a few Asian accent pieces around the room. Try a Japanese theme, with an iron tea pot and Raku glazed ceramic cups. Add a floral arrangement of cherry blossoms on long thin branches, and throw in a white porcelain Neko cat for luck.

Click here for price and more detail

The traditional Bagua mirror is an important part of Feng Shui decor and design. This authentic Chinese Bagua mirror features the traditional 8 sided trigram frame, and the concave reflective surface to reverse negative energy. Made of shiny metal rather than glass, the Bagua mirror is tough enough to weather the elements without breaking.

The Bagua mirror is always used on the outside of your home or office, unless you are in an apartment where you can not access the outside walls of the building. In that case, you would hang the bagua mirror in the window facing out.

Placement of the mirror depends on which Feng Shui cure is needed. If you place it on the out side of your door, you deflect Sha Chi (negative energy) trying to enter. If a neighboring building has a corner pointing at yours building, that is considered a “poison arrow” that brings Sha Chi. The cure is then to put a Bagua mirror on the outside wall of your building where the poison arrow would hit, to deflect the Sha Chi. If you live at a T junction, or other type on intersection, you may need to hang a Bagua mirror on a tree trunk or external wall to deflect the Sha Chi from the road.

This Bagua mirror is so affordable, you can buy as many as you need to cure your Feng Shui problems.

They make great gifts too!

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To achieve a balance of energies from the five elements, water, wood, fire, earth, and metal, one must have them each proportionally represented in a room.

To be sure that Chi flows at the right pace and in best pathways, without stagnating or overwhelming any particular place in a room or home, refer to the above mentioned article.

With a little bit of knowledge, you can improve the well being of occupants in any space using the Feng Shui principles. Not only does it work to improve your health, it also improves your relationships and makes your decor more beautiful.

The best part? You’ll be saving the planet while you make your kitchen beautiful. Bamboo is the most sustainably grown and eco friendly wood there is. It grows to harvest height without pesticide or fertilizers in only 3-5 years. Going green actually improves the look of your Decor.

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This lustrous serving bowl is so beautiful, you’ll want to display it even when not in use. It’s footed design makes it a great center piece for both elegant upscale decor and country themes.

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The cutting board with carved in mincing bowl is the perfect companion piece for avid home cooking chefs. After chopping and mincing ingredients, and separating them from their peels on the board, they are ready to be added to your salad or pasta in the the serving bowl.

Your culinary creation deserves to be caressed by fine utensils. Natural Home’s matching mixing spoon, slotted spoon, solid turner, slotted turner, and spaghetti fork are fine work tools, and so pretty, you’ll want to display them on the counter in Natural Home’s Bamboo crock. The oval shape allows for easy viewing of utensils while saving counter space.

Using the crock as a stand, make a bouquet of beautiful, strong, and durable bamboo utensils:

The slotted versions are enlarged for viewing.

Great gift ideas, these cooking and serving ware products by Natural Home are so affordable, you can get the whole matching set. Perfect for wedding gifts and bridal registry!

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This dust pan and wisk broom are so pretty, you’ll want to clean more often. The convenient handle makes it easy to grip and hang. The lovely wood color will compliment any decor, be it formal and ellegant or a rustic country design. This set is very strong and water resistant! Made of bamboo wood and long lasting palmyra bristles, this tool is completely eco friendly, and durable. So are the matching iron and sink brush.

Bamboo wood does not absorb water like other woods do, so it wont crack, mold, or harbor bacteria.

Bamboo grows to harvest height in only 3-5 years, making it the most sustainable crop for the manufacture of furniture and accessories. Bamboo farming needs no pesticides or fertilizers, so there are no toxins poisoning our land, air, and water. You can feel proud to support the bamboo industry.

The same materials were used to make this lovely shaving brush and stand. There are no plastics or any other petrolium products used in the manufacture of Natural Home products. They feel good to hold in your hands, and as displayed accessories, they make the home look classy and cozy.

Here’s a nostalgic tribute to your childhood.  Memories of the country side, of your mother, aunts and grandmother solving all the worlds problems over a steaming pot of tea at the kitchen table. The ritual, the aroma, the bonds of kinship, hearth, and home, all come flooding back to you when you pour yourself a cup of something hot and sweet from this teapot. It is at once classically elegant and homey, a beautiful display piece for your dining room or kitchen table, and yet sturdy enough to use everyday and put in the dishwasher or microwave. Practical and decorative, this teapot makes any table look as though dressed in a bouquet of roses. Images of an English garden, or the deep south in spring time come to mind when you see this lovely hand painted stoneware teapot. The colors are cheerful without being garish, and would blend well with a variety of room decor color themes. The rosy pinks,  light sage greens and hint of amber are so romantic, you’ll want to fall in love all over again.

The teapot is FDA approved, holds 44 oz, and stands 6 and 3/4 inches high.

A great gift idea for house warming, bridal showers, birthdays, and thanking your hosts, this teapot is affordable and beautiful.

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To make this gift even more special, add Octavia Paradise Certified Organic & Fair Trade Loose Tea

The exotic flavor of passion fruit, apricot and mango is delicious hot or iced.  Octavia’s Paradise organic tea is rich in antioxidants and anti-aging properties. The loose and colorful tea stays fresh because of the designer tin that holds 4 oz  (approx. 50 servings). Only the finest hand picked teas and ingredients are good enough for Octavia, and fair trade is their halmark.

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What a pretty carpet. The understated colors are elegant and tasteful with a whimsical natural motif that avoids the monotony of absolute symmetry. This carpet would look good over stained wood or stone floors and walls. Doesn’t this carpet remind you of a Japanese floral arrangement, with its long lines and changes of plane and direction? Why not add a few Japanese style accessories to complete the room decor? This would look lovely with a display of Japanese Cast Iron Tea Pot Tea Set /Pine Copper

or the Dragon Red, both by Kafu, or the Rosseto Japanese Style Cast Iron Tea Pots Gold Gray 18.6 Ounces.

The Glazed Ceramic 3 Pcs Japanese Sake Set In Gift Box would add just the right touch on display near this carpet too.

Bamboo accessories would also look great with this carpet.

Try the Lewis Hyman 0108106 Natural Laguna Bamboo Roll-Up Blind. 60″ W x 72″ L

Natural Bamboo Roman Shade – 52×72

This carpet is 100% Olefinm, a synthetic which  is resistant to abrasion, mildew, moisture, and static electricity. Olefinm is easy to clean. The fibers are colorfast because the dyes are mixed with the polypropylene during the production process. The carpet features Action Back Backing and Machine-Woven Loop Pile Weave.

Cream colored upholstery and wood furniture (unfinished or stained) with brown leather accessories will change the flavor of the decor to a more western style, while still maintaining the understated elegance and good taste this carpet inspires.

The Saddle Leather Wall Clock – Brown

and the 

Oxford Brown Leather Triple Time Zone Clock by PhotoFramesPlus

would be great for that purpose, as would be a hope chest made of sustainably grown wood and brown leather straps.

In 2 Green Baby Eco Herringbone offers soft neutral toned blankets,

and

Park B. Smith Agra Recycled Cotton 18 by 18 Decorative Pillow, Natural

is just the right sofa pillow to blend with the natural tones of the Mohawk Home Asian Woven Rug (coconut).

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You just can’t go wrong with a gorgeous Persian style carpet. This one has the best color combo you could ask for, in a traditional design that has a timeless beauty. It’s a design element around which to base a room’s decor, and looks great with both unfinished and stained wood furniture. The sage green, wine, cream and peach accents give you several tasteful options for drapes and upholstery.  Lay this Area Rug over hard wood floors, earth tone colored ceramic tile, and cream colored wall to wall carpets for elegant visual harmony.

The rug is made of polypropylene fibers, so it can withstand the wear and tear of daily foot traffic and spills. However, the Home Dynamix Royalty Traditional Area Rug is so pretty, you may want to hang it on your wall with tall twin potted plants on either side of it, or a  chaise-longue underneath it.  It makes an excellent receding horizon at the end of a hall way or at the top of a stair landing, because of its layered design depth. If your room has structural arches or arched windows, this rug is a must-have. Add a few West Asian copper accesories, like a Morrocan style round table (or this Glass-Top Console Table – Copper)

, and the Turkish Coffee Set for Two

,or a tall traditional Arab tea pot/server like the one in this poster, which would look great framed on an adjacent wall.:

Old Arabian Coffee Pot and Jars, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Middle East Photographic Poster Print by Amanda Hall, 24×32.

For romantic lighting try the 2 Arabian Palace Amber Candle Holder lanterns

For the final touch, add an Aladin style lamp ( check out the 5″ Brass Aladdin Incense Lamp, Embossed)

Burn exotic incense to complete the ambiance, and you’ll feel like you’re in a West Asian palace.

It all starts with the right rug.

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Do you have kids in that awkward stage of development, sharing a room, and embarrassed to dress in front of each other? This screen will solve the problem.

Is your ugly computer hardware set up and messy work desk ruining the look of an otherwise pretty room? This screen will solve the problem.

Do you live in a studio, loft, or home with an open floor plan? Do you need a beautiful and versatile way to divide the space as needed for different activities? This screen will solve the problem.

Does your baby refuse to fall asleep when there is too much visual stimulation? This screen will solve the problem.

Nexxt by Linea’s Bota triple-panel floor screen divides a room while adding a lovely peaceful view of tree branches and birds, as if you were seeing them through a second story window. The design keeps the room feeling light and airy.

The Triple panel screen is freestanding and constructed of white stretched canvas. The silk screened image is done in layered,  burnt red and taupe silhouette providing interesting depth and dimension in any space. The screen is also available in black and taupe.

The Triple Panel floor screen comes fully assembled.

Dimensions of the screen are: 48 inches wide by 71 inches high by 1 inch deep when open.

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Also check out the Shoji collection for triple panel screens with classic Asian designs.

Bamboo is the fastest growing renewable resource. When you buy bamboo products you help save our environment. Your guests will notice that you are educated enough to make responsible choices when you shop. The timeless beauty of bamboo shows that you have, both, excellent aesthetic taste and values they can respect. You’ll be proud to recommend Joyce Chen bamboo products.

Bamboo is also extremely tough, and can stand many years of wear and tear. Finished bamboo is also much better than other woods are for items that are likely to get wet, as bamboo originates in a very wet environment and evolved to resist rot. This tray is strong enough to support your heavy mugs and bowl’s full of soup, and yet, it only weighs 4 pounds to ship this beauty.

The easy grip handles and raised edges prevent your culinary creations from ending up on the floor.The tray has dimensions of: 14-inch by 21-inch by 3/4-inch and comes in a black gift box.

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While you’re at it, check out the Iron Chef 12 inch burnished bamboo steamer for healthful meal preparation and the gorgeous selection of bamboo cutting boards and cooking utensils on Amazon’s Green Cook’s Tools.

Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants on earth, and therefore a very sustainable and eco- friendly material for furniture and accessories. Additionally, it is aesthetically pleasing and its neutral colors are easy to match and combine for interior design.  This ladder shaped rack is perfect for drying extra guest towels, organizing magazines, or displaying a collection of quilts. Lean it against a free wall and move it from room to room as you see fit.  Bamboo is light weight, very sturdy, and water resistant.  This product is handmade in Vietnam by fair trade partners. Extremely practical, durable, good looking, and affordable, you can be socially and environmentally responsible while creating beautiful home designs that won’t stress your wallet. What more could you ask for?

The Gaiam bamboo ladder has dimensions of 72″L x 15″W; and weighs 6 lbs.

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Also, check out the Gaiam bamboo bath tub cady, and the Umbra Boomba tooth brush holder tumbler, and soap dish, all made of bamboo, for a coordinated bathroom theme.

Strathwood’s Bali wing chair is a  wicker seat made from rattan core and peel, a very durable material harvested from palm trees. This renewable resource is extensively used to make wooden furniture. Rattan is lightweight, durable, and flexible. The corner-blocked frame and sturdy legs are made from hardwood . Elasticized fabric spring decks make the seat more comfortable.

The hand-crafted chair arrives completely assembled, with white cotton cushions, that beautifully compliment the various shades of brown in the wicker weave.

Strathwood furniture is rigorously tested for durability, and assembly instructions are easy to follow. The elegance of the classic design combined with the rattan’s warm earthy appeal makes this chair a treasure. Rattan furniture is light and easy to move for easy house cleaning or rearranging.

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This coffee table was inspired by the magical architecture of Morocco. It is made of quick growing rattan, which is a renewable resource.

The hand crafted frame is  made of rattan and leather bindings, and has a glass table top inset. The curved rattan poles are interlaced with leather strapping in a design that creates an open and exotic looking pattern that is gorgeous against any carpet. The open base creates a spacious silhouette and keeps the piece feeling light and airy. The natural color is easy to match and combine when designing a room, and the light shade keeps the room looking larger and brighter.

The coffee table measures measures 40 inches wide by 40 inches deep by 18 inches high. The table is easy to assemble.

This console is part of a Strathwood collection that includes matching console and end tables.  Rattan is harvested from palm trees to make sturdy wooden furniture that is lightweight and durable.  The inset glass tabletop is pretty and very easy to wipe clean.  Strathwood furniture is rigorously tested for durability, and assembly instructions are easy to follow. Strathwood furniture is easy to move when cleaning or rearranging, because it is so light weight.

Click here for more details.

This console table was inspired by the magical architecture of Morocco. It is made of quick growing rattan, which is a renewable resource.

The hand crafted frame is  made of rattan and leather bindings, and has a glass table top inset. The curved rattan poles are interlaced with leather strapping in a design that creates an open and exotic looking pattern that is gorgeous against any wall. The open base creates a spacious silhouette and keeps the piece feeling light and airy. The natural color is easy to match and combine when designing a room, and the light shade keeps the room looking larger and brighter.

The console table measures 29-3/4 inches high by 55-1/2 inches wide by 13-1/2 inches deep, and its shipping weight is 20 pounds. The table is easy to assemble.

This console is part of a Strathwood collection that includes matching coffee and end tables.  Rattan is harvested from palm trees to make sturdy wooden furniture that is lightweight and durable.  The inset glass tabletop is pretty and very easy to wipe clean.  Strathwood furniture is rigorously tested for durability, and assembly instructions are easy to follow. Strathwood furniture is easy to move when cleaning or rearanging, because it is so light weight.

Click here for more details.

The beauty of this piece is that it also conveys a sense of simplicity, that makes it easier to incorporate as an Asian touch in almost any style of decor, particularly more formal styles. A selection of four colors (black, natural pine, honey oak or the cherry rosewood shown here) making it even more compatible with almost any bedroom. The diffused light adds warmth and softens the formality of the squared lattice.

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Now, this specific fountain is quite interesting, when it comes to its decorative value. Made of four steps that appear to be floating one above the other, it manages to incorporate an Asian feel with a definite retro style of design.

Try this 10 1/2″ high fountain in your living room, or office, as its sleek granite-like dark surface will fit well into a more formal feel. Alternatively, work it into an area dedicated to meditation, covered with soft silks, Indian or Oriental prints, candles and incest, for a more relaxed atmosphere, that can even be incorporated into your bedroom.

Its various uses and overall sleek look and feel, make this a wonderful gift for anyone. They are bound to find it not only useful and relaxing, but also easy to incorporate into any room decor.

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It conveys more than just an Asian style though. Its peacefulness and serenity radiate spirituality and it is perfect for a small meditation niche, in any room of the house. Surround it with flowers and candles, for a small household shrine, as the Thai people do, and create a unique spiritual corner that is not so much religious as it is meditative.

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This quality item is ecologically sound too and earth friendly, providing the local craftsmen of Northern Thailand with a source of income while encouraging them to celebrate local traditions.

In terms of style, it blends in wonderfully in any Asian styled room, and its wooden texture and color means it can fit in with some country styles, and even a more formal decor as well.

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In black and white neutrals, it could also work with other, more eclectically themed rooms, creating a subdued, yet effective barrier for added privacy. It’s perfect for clinics or beauty salons, or anywhere where you wish to instantly create a more private space.

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This functional item has non-slip latex backing, that safely and securely keeps the mat in place, be it at the front or back door, or even in front of your kitchen sink.

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Asian Decorating – Learn to Live Exotic
By Charlotte Sneddon

To find out more about the different styles, and view pictures and photos to inspire your project look at these Asian decorating ideas.

Check out http://www.interior-design-it-yourself.com for a website designed to help you use professional interior design tips and techniques, to bring that wow factor into your own home.