Embrace The Style of Many Cultures

So whether it’s arranging your personal travel treasures, hunting down flea market favorites or scouring the Internet, you have many options when it comes to showing off the world in your living room, guest room or home office.

Here are a few ideas on how to get started.

What’s Hot

Today, our homes are taking cues from colors, fabrics and environments from regions once relatively unknown to the West. Aspects of Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East have been noted as "trendy" in 2006. Orange-y reds (think China’s national flag) are popular as are natural textures (bamboo rugs) and animal carvings (elephants, tigers and turtles). Incorporating items you already have is practical and worthwhile, too. Try adding exotic fake flowers, reeds or bamboo to an old vase or framing beautiful fabrics in simple, old frames.

The trick is not to find a single piece of furniture or an expensive work of art, but rather discovering several small ways you can incorporate the inspiring textures and colors of other cultures into your own home. Everyday items like string curtains come in interesting materials and finishes like bamboo and teak wood. Mount them on your windows, or try hanging them on their side to serve as a one-of-a-kind room divider.


Less is more

No matter the country of origin, professional designers are united by one philosophy: uncluttered. You can make a strong, unique international statement with just a few smart choices. For example, try finding one big piece like a stunning animal statue or interesting print, and build quietly from there. You might use the bold red in an exotic scarf as a room’s overall accent color or match pillows and blankets with a cool Tibetan rug.

Interested for life

If you want to showcase your interest in a certain culture, begin a collection and find a room to artfully display your lifetime finds. For instance, purchase interesting masks and hang them on a wall. Create a gallery-style hallway or transition space by displaying travel pictures or found art of your favorite place. For more understated tastes, try collecting various scarves, trinkets or adornments that simply represent your favorite culture and arrange them in a curio cabinet, on an end table or atop a bookshelf.

What To Do

The world is literally at your fingertips. Search online for "Latin American décor," "African décor" or "Asian décor." Some sites will describe in detail where shoppers found look-alikes, too; expect stories about unlikely places such as home décor chains and second-hand shops.

Scour Internet auction sites for authentic or replicas of vases, jewelry, scarves, rugs, prints, sculpture and more. Like any other Internet purchase, it’s advised that you make sure you’re buying from a reputable dealer and a secure site. If brick-and-mortar is more your style, check boutiques and independent shops for authentic wares from international artisans.

Another approach is to find inspiration from magazines, books or friends’ homes and then shop flea markets, antique fairs and local shops for similar pieces. Your finds might not be exactly like your observed favorites, but they will definitely infuse your own style and personal favorite cultures into your home.

If you’re a seasoned traveler, make it a habit of taking one or two décor pieces home with you. Then accessorize a favorite room for a "world marketplace" look and feel, turning your space into a place for storytelling and conversation!