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Go for minimalism in decor
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Be it the use of pastel hues or the fixation for simple uncluttered furniture, the Japanese have a lot to say.
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Free of clutter: The Japanese go for minimalist designs
The emergence of colours is what most paint companies or furnishing businesses talk about today. Contemporary decor no doubt has brought in a melange of colours for the wall and upholstery, but it is not that basic balancing colours are in a stupor. This is where fundamental design ideas from the world of Japanese interior design come into play. Use of colour, texture and focal points make a statement here and the eastern styles more or less underline the Japanese tastes t
hat is said to act as a balance in the universe.
Blacks and whites
It is habitual to disregard blacks and whites as colours in interior design but they are significant colour elements for the Japanese eye. “It’s all in your perception,” says interior designer Suhasini Rathod, who specialises in Japanese makeovers. “We aren’t talking of patches of black and white on your walls, or bringing in metres of black on your window furnishing. A judicious mix of these basic colours is what we are talking of. The distinctive use is in defining a portion and aligning a structural form or treating an area with a colour or fabric that speaks for itself colourfully, mind you with these basic colours only! Never think black and white isn’t colour.”
This system of the Orient most widely uses interior colours like off-whites and neutrals that take their cue from nature. Black does not clash, it defines, and works in harmony. White is soothing, calm and forms the background for making a statement. Adds Suhasini, “If an opaque white wall divides a room with polished black wooden frames as a cross-bar wall decor, wouldn’t this take you on a calm drive?”
Colours should never interfere in architecture, but be a stand-alone point of interior design where it enhances the overall look of the space. “Neutral colours will help you imply an orderliness for an underlying objective of your entire Japanese decorating plan,” says the design expert.
A single object can take the primary colours to define itself, but don’t dabble with multiple hues. “Vivids in assorted applications can make a jarring statement, so use the Japanese themed décor of pastels in restricted spaced intervals.”
Search for balance
Materials of contrasting finish and texture can be a path to tranquility in keeping with the Japanese ‘yin’ and ‘yang’, widely known Buddhist doctrines of balancing opposites.
“This is where we explain the theory of bringing in both strong hues and pastels for visual harmony. Or have dark golden brown Andaman wooden piece for a corner that can take a beautifully crafted lacquer or brass artefact to bring out the glisten, and stretch a golden yellow shimmer against a pastel white sheer curtain. This can bring in simplicity and not make you ponder on the improbable and complex décor,” says Suhasini.
The underlying Japanese fixation is on simplicity in approach with fluid rules in furniture display. Japanese design has the centre as the focus point with free visual flow on the sides. Furniture grouping, perhaps against a wall, has to be based on facilitating conversation and serenity will vanish if there is a clutter.
Your walls should become an element in the overall scheme. Don’t be afraid to allow open spaces to speak for themselves.
White as a theme
In fashion, white has stolen the hearts of many a designer.
There was a craze for the pale shade on every ramp, but homes avoided bringing them home, as the uninspiring sterile hue only reminded one of hospitals and clinics. But thanks to ingenious designers, the urban home soon brought in a contemporary sophistication and a timeless appeal by using them at the right place and in the right combination. A zen-like atmosphere is created with white interiors in meditation and prayer rooms. But in drawing rooms, one needs to avoid the harsh gleam white but get in off-whites beige, creams, ivory, magnolia and the like.
Textures are important when you go in for whites too. Linen, raw silk and tussars for curtains or blinds can highlight bamboo or cane furniture in the best way, even as textured walls in hues of white can be a muted majesty for wall hangers. And, don’t forget, gleaming white makrana marble flooring can transport one to the Royal Rajasthan heritage.
White, therefore, has a timeless appeal that can be complemented with more colour for a visual balance of the area.
RANJANI GOVIND
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