Ethnic interior design and decoration. Ethnic Fusion Interiors.

February 11, 2010 0

Ethnic elements in interior design have become an important trend in decoration. Sometimes defining the entire room, from flooring and wallpaper to furniture and decoration; in other cases, ethnic style is brought by the incorporation of only some objects, complementing other style.

An ethnic room is characterized, mostly, by the presence of objects from different cultures (those cultures that are exotic to us –the western civilization- and that are seen as peripheral cultures). The majority will associate ethnic style with African decoration but ethnic interior design (that is not kitsch) can be achieved by different reminiscence such as the ones from Thailand, India, Morocco, Brazil, Indonesia, Ester Island, gypsy elements, Nepal, and Andean Latin-American cultures: anything that is utterly different.

Sometimes, only a single object can communicate the spirit of a remote community and add to the fusion and mixture that is to be brought to a room. These ethnic objects will point to a different place, a different time, and an entire different conception of life; that is the reason why these objects will stand out. These objects will achieve the fusion with interiors with furniture that can go from rustic and antique to –why not if you have the skills?- to minimalist and contemporary style.

The basic idea of ethnic fusion spaces will be the mixture of ornaments and furniture from different cultures but it is highly important to grant the room a special and well thought atmosphere that adequately frames the ethnic objects. (For a better idea of mixture in interior design see my article “Mixture as monstrosity, avoiding kitsch and achieving impact”).

The predominance of natural materials and simple solutions (without any excess nor over cluttering of ornaments) is a good start for the achievement of an ethnic interior design style: few objects but stunning and impressive ones.

Colors, materials and lighting for ethnic fusion interior design.

Widely used colors are earthy and red tones (from maroon to orange tones). Nevertheless, black and white will also provide a good framing for culture fusion.

The materials for ethnic style will seek warmth and a personal touch: wood (specially craved wood), natural fabrics and vegetable fibers, hand painted fabric, stone and clay.
Light is another important element: soft and diffusive illuminations with accent lights to highlight the ethnic ornaments, always with warm tones. Candles, lanterns, paper and bamboo lamps, amongst other options provide an ethnic touch along with scents and aromas. (Remember to delight as many senses as you can: sight, hearing with music, touch with textures as well as taste and smell).

If you are a traveler, you will not find it difficult to acquire a variety of authentic objects with a genuine sensibility of these cultures at a good price. Even if you travel to a city, you will find that there is a past or many pasts (take Argentina for example, you will find Inca style objects in the North but also gaucho style, mostly leather ornaments and rugs). If you don’t get to travel that much, try garage sells, or shops that specialize in a specific region (these will usually be more expensive) or shops that have a little bit of everything. Another option is to do it yourself!!! That is the only way to be certain that your ornament is truly hand crafted!!

To achieve ethnic fusion in interior design you don’t need to obey many guidelines, the idea is to get a final product something personal and unique, something impressive and outlandish that allows you to travel through time and space without moving from your house.

Here are some fabrics that have grown in popularity thanks to its excellent quality and exoticness: Alpaca, Llama, Camel, Goat, Kashmir goat, Angora goat (mohair), Angora rabbit (angora), Vicuna, Yak, Guanaco, Beaver, Nutria (otter).