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The Zen interior design style is one of the popular interior decorating styles. It evokes a calming and relaxing ambiance that is perfect in any home or space. Though little is known of the origins of the design style, many homeowners and designers prefer it in their homes. Various decorative elements have been created to help achieve the Zen design style. Posters were also designed as inspired by Zen. These prints feature plants, landscapes, and other earthy elements that will help in achieving the style in your homes. 

What is Zen?

Experts believe that the Zen design style is inspired by Buddhist principles. The principles are focused primarily on loving-kindness, calmness, and meditative and open attitudes. Based on the Japanese term for meditation, Zazen, the key elements of the style feature minimalism with a focus on harmony and balance. 

How to achieve Zen design style

Achieving the Zen interior design style may be challenging and four elements need to be considered to be successful with the decorating project. Creating interior design style is exciting especially when all the elements are added. 

The first element is the flow of energy. This means that all the other obstacles such as clutter should be removed to allow the energy to flow freely within the room. Having an open space is important and can be compared to a smooth flow of clear water. As such the rooms dissolve easily with each other. 

It is also of utmost importance to allow daylight to enter and artificial light that mimics the light from the sun. With these, the harmonious colors of the room will be revealed making the interior look more inviting and cozy. Think of adding colors that are close to the elements of nature such as bamboo green, stone gray, matte white, and other soft neutral colors. With the addition of poster art and fabric that have the said colors, you can easily get the job done correctly.

A simple mind is a clear mind. Creating a minimalist room interior can help you live a calm and restful life. Add storage areas to stock your belongings to avoid the accumulation of clutter. Hidden built-in cabinets, for instance, are perfect to store books, kitchenware, clothes, and others.

Lastly, the interior should also evoke versatility wherein every part of the room can be multifunctional to avoid it from being cramped and congested. One good example is a bed that can be transformed into a sofa during the daytime. 

Zen-inspired posters

Think of the walls as a blank canvas to design your wall art. The display of posters is one of the easiest and fastest ways to achieve the Zen interior design style. Many poster prints feature elements of nature and have captured the essence of Zen principles. These prints, when properly arranged on the walls can give an ambiance that is relaxing and comfortable. 

Posters that feature plants, mountains, and the sea are not only attractive. They also evoke a feeling of being at one with the surroundings. Displaying them in the living room can help in setting the mood, especially after coming from a stressful environment. 

Yoga and other light exercise enthusiasts will surely have a great time while enjoying the view displayed on their walls. Not only that these prints evoke beauty, but they will also keep the mind and body calm for better health. 

Chinese lanterns have been in existence since ancient times. They were used to provide light and in religious practices. Nowadays, Chinese lanterns are used for decoration and as modern forms of celebration and worship. They are likewise symbols of national pride in China and are commonly seen in homes and public areas. Traditionally, the lanterns are seen in the color red and adorned with gold or red tassels. Do not be surprised as well if you see them in various shapes.

A brief history of Chinese lanterns

The earliest recorded Chinese lanterns were during the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220). Lanterns were used as lamps or covers during that period. The lanterns were used in several religious practices like Buddha worship. Buddhism was known to spread in China due to the efforts of the Eastern Han emperor. The emperor ordered that lanterns be lit every 15th day of the first lunar month to worship Buddha. Eventually, this celebration became the famous Lantern Festival. 

During the Tang dynasty in 618-907, paper lanterns were displayed to celebrate the peaceful life and power of China. This led to the popularity of lanterns throughout the country. 

The appearance of Chinese lanterns

During ancient times in China, making lanterns was a collection of crafts including painting and paper-cutting. There are various materials used in making lanterns, and the most commonly used were bamboo, wood, wheat, straw, paper, and silk. Illustrations were also seen in traditional lanterns and these show some of the beautiful landscapes of China, portraits of key personalities, mythical creatures like dragons and phoenixes, birds, and fish. 

The colors of lanterns and their meanings

Colors say a lot about the culture and tradition of China. They have different meanings and are used on various occasions. Red lanterns represent wealth, fame, and prosperity. These lanterns are usually used at weddings, family reunions, and several festivals to show joy and harmony.

During imperial times, yellow lanterns were displayed in palaces as the color represents the emperors of ancient China. As such, it was forbidden to use yellow lanterns by the public. These days, yellow lanterns are displayed to bring good luck to students. 

White lanterns, on the other hand, are used in any event that has something to do with death. Therefore it is common to display or see white lanterns during funerals. While green lanterns symbolize health, prosperity, and harmony. These are likewise seen during temple fairs or the infamous Lantern Festival. 

The Lantern Festival

These are the days to feast your eyes on colorful and beautiful Chinese lanterns. The tradition of viewing lantern displays can be traced back to the Han Dynasty around 2000 years ago. One of the favorite activities during the Lantern Festival is guessing lantern riddles. People gather around the displayed lanterns and guess the answers to the riddles. It is a form of competition wherein the person who answered the most number of riddles win.

Blank walls may be considered to be a sign of emptiness and loneliness. Though some people may disagree with this, it is an eyesore having to see rooms with blank walls and it may leave a bad impression on your visitors. These days, wall art is becoming a necessity in every home. Many designers would often agree that a wall without nice and personalized wall art is like an artist without creativity. 

Valuable wall art makes any wall look fun and exciting. Say goodbye to boredom as every home with personalized wall art will have a vibrant and dynamic room atmosphere. Styling your wall with paint is a thing of the past. With carefully selected pieces, you will have the interior appearance of your dreams. Though sometimes choosing the right pieces may be quite a challenge since they need to blend well with the overall style of your home. Read on to know about the advantages of having good personalized wall art. 

Create a focal point in your room

Every room requires a focal point that captures the attention of your family and guests. A fine and valuable wall art reflects everything of who and what you are. Take for instance a framed poster of a landscape or seascape. Scenes like these can boost the appearance of the room and can be called your very own. 

Making the walls vibrant

If you get the chance to visit classrooms these days, you will notice that the walls are covered with posters. This is so that students may not feel lazy or sleepy. They will have something to look at and can somehow stimulate their mind and interests. The right wall art can set the mood in the room where you can relax, dream, and imagine. Wall art also helps in transforming any depressing environment into a lively place. 

Wall art reflects who and what you are

The wall arts on your walls are all about your interests. For instance, your interests are in sports or any outdoor escapades. The wall art that you create somehow tells your story uniquely and interestingly. As such, you must choose the pieces carefully and according to your preferences. 

Create conversation starters

Tired of the routine and boring conversations? Experts believe that if you share the same interest with someone, you will be able to initiate a conversation that may last long. As such, it should be fun and engaging. Personalized wall art is a great conversation starter. 

Pick the perfect color palette

Wall art decorations help you to pick the colors of the paint to complete the beauty of your place. With wall art, you will now have a complete picture of what colors to add to your room. With the wall art in place, the process of choosing the right color palette will be easier than usual. With the use of framed personalized art, the color palette of your room can be chosen according to the colors that are seen in the art. For instance, art that has cool colors mean that the palette may be in blue, green, or any other cool hues. The bedroom for instance can be dominated by cool colors for a more relaxing and comfortable ambiance. 

Henri Matisse is regarded as the greatest colorist of the 20th century. He is best known for the expressive color and form of the Fauvist style. He practically worked on all media such as painting, sculpture, and printmaking. His subjects usually include nudes, figures in landscapes, portraits, and interior views. His use of colors has made him one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. 

Early life

Henri Matisse was born on December 31, 1869, and grew up in the small town of Bohain-en-Vermandois in France. His family worked in the grain business and at a young age, he started to work as a legal clerk. He studied law for 2 years and returned to a position in a law office in the town of Saint-Quentin. As a hobby, he started attending drawing class in the morning before going to work. He began painting when he was 21 while recuperating from an illness. 

He then moved to Paris in 1891 to begin his artistic training. He attended the Academie Julian and the Ecole des Beaux-Arts. In addition to these, Matisse was also exposed to the Post-Impressionist works of Paul Cezanne and Vincent van Gogh. 

During the mid-1890s, Matisse began showing his work in exhibitions in Paris, which include the Salon de la Societe Nationale des Beaux-Arts. He traveled to London and Corsica and married Amelie Parayre in 1898 wherein they had 3 children. 

The Breakthrough Period

The 20th century was said to be a turning point in the life of Henri Matisse. His works were significantly influenced by Georges Seurat and Paul Signac, who painted in a “Pointillist” style with small dots of color rather than full brushstrokes. 

His major creative breakthrough was in 1904 and 1905. His visit to Saint-Tropez in southern France inspired him to paint bright,light-dappled canvases such as Luxe, calme et volupte (1904-1905). His stay in the Mediterranean village of Collioure one summer produced Open Window and Woman with a hat in 1905. This is one of his major works that was exhibited in the 1905 Salon d’Automne exhibition in Paris. 

In a painting style, known as Fauvism, Matisse continued to highlight the emotional power of sinuous lines, strong brushwork, and acid-bright colors. One example of this style is The Joy of Life, a composition of female nudes in a landscape. Just like in his other works, this artwork featured the mood of the scene rather than trying to depict the world realistically. 

His fame and success

Upon establishing his style, his fame rose, and was able to travel to Italy, Germany, Spain, and North Africa to search for inspiration. He bought a studio in Paris and signed a contract with art dealers in Galerie Bernheim-Jeune. Prominent collectors such as Gertrude Stein and Sergei I. Shchukin bought his art. 

Matisse began spending winters on the Mediterranean in 1917 and moved to the French Riviera in 1921. He mostly painted female nudes in his studio and used warm lighting and patterned backgrounds. Moreover, Matisse worked on printmaking during these years and was able to publish his first scholarly book in 1920. 

His death

Henri Matisse died on November 3, 1954, at the age of 84 in Nice. He was buried in Cimiez and up to these days, Matisse is regarded as one of the most influential and innovative artists of the 20th century. 

A blank wall is considered to be a sign of emptiness and loneliness. Though some people may think otherwise. However, it is an eyesore having to stare at blank walls and it may leave a bad impression on your guests. These days, creating wall art is becoming a trend in every living space. Many experts believe that a wall without a captivating and personalized wall art is like an artist without creativity. 

Wall art makes any wall look fun and exciting. Styling your wall with paint is a thing of the past. With carefully selected pieces, you will have the interior appearance of your dreams. Though sometimes choosing the right pieces may be quite a challenge since they need to blend well with the overall style of your home. Read on to know about the advantages of having good personalized wall art. 

Create a focal point in your room

Every room looks better with a focal point that captures the attention of your family and guests. A beautifully designed wall art reflects everything about you. A framed poster of a landscape or seascape can boost the appearance of the room and can be called your very own. 

Make any wall look vibrant

If you get the chance to visit classrooms these days, you will notice that the walls are covered with posters. This is so that students may not feel lazy or sleepy. They will have something to look at and can somehow stimulate their mind and interests. The right wall art can set the mood in the room where you can relax, dream, and imagine. Wall art also helps in transforming any depressing environment into a lively place. 

Wall art reflects your personality

The wall arts on your walls are all about your interests. For instance, your interests are in sports or any outdoor escapades. The wall art that you create somehow tells your story uniquely and interestingly. As such, you must choose the pieces carefully and according to your preferences. 

Stimulates conversation

Tired of the routine and boring conversations? Experts believe that if you share the same interest with someone, you will be able to initiate a conversation that may last long. As such, it should be fun and engaging. Personalized wall art is a great conversation starter. 

Choose the right color palette

Wall art decorations help you to pick the colors of the paint to complete the beauty of your place. With wall art, you will now have a complete picture of what colors to add to your room. With the wall art in place, the process of choosing the right color palette will be easier than usual. With the use of framed personalized art, the color palette of your room can be chosen according to the colors that are seen in the art. For instance, art that has cool colors mean that the palette may be in blue, green, or any other cool hues. The bedroom for instance can be dominated by cool colors for a more relaxing and comfortable ambiance. 

For centuries, Oriental decor has influenced Western decor. The Asian-inspired decor is basically based on Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese traditions. The Oriental decor is basically not confined to any one country or culture and spans centuries. The decor can highly be ornamented, with carved surfaces and bold color, or simple lines, free of ornamentation with soothing neutral tones. 

You can choose from the various elements when creating your own Oriental-inspired home interior. What important are the balance and clutter-free features of your home?

Characteristics of Oriental design style

The Oriental decor is broad in the sense that there are many countries with their own decor style. The decor evokes an image of serenity and calmness. The style greatly helps people who are in a fast-paced kind of lifestyle. The decor style can be successfully achieved by ushering in harmony and balance. Precision and clear thought allow you to do away with unwanted additions. 

The Oriental decor is greatly inspired by the colors of nature and often mimics scenic landscapes and colors to suit the interior. With these, it is recommended to keep the backdrop in neutral colors. The backdrop, as much as possible, must be soothing and offer a relaxed and laid-back ambiance. 

The decor is popular for having vibrant accent hues that stand out when placed in a calm and neutral setting. Combining a soft neutral backdrop with exquisite golden tones creates a majestic room. A hint of gold can create a trendy and fashionable statement as well.

Balance is an important element when you want to achieve the Oriental decor in your home. What you need is the right harmony of colors, textures, and elements. Natural stone decorations, wooden floors, bamboo blinds, and some organic textures will do the trick.

Water is another great way to create an Oriental atmosphere in your home. The sound of flowing water in your rooms, as well as the exterior, can create a welcoming and calming mood. A pond is one way to achieve this style, and this can be the focal point of your room.

Just like in any other interior style, lighting can greatly influence the overall appearance of your home. It adds to the visual and accentuates the theme. Examples are hanging paper lanterns, sculptural lighting installations, and a few candles. 

Organic and sustainable materials are highly recommended to achieve the Oriental style in your home. Smooth polished stones, sustainable bamboo blinds, intricately woven tatami mats, and potted plants and shrubs will bring nature into your home. 

Oriental decor in your rooms

Oriental-inspired rooms must be natural, serene, soothing, calm, and Zen. Many rooms, which are Oriental-inspired, bring the outdoors inside through the use of natural materials and the colors of nature. A minimalist approach is also one of the features of the design style. 

In order to achieve the Oriental decor in your room, certain things need to be considered, such as natural color palette, simplicity, bringing nature indoors, and the incorporation of nature-themed wall decor. 

Oriental decor in the backyard

The backyard is fun to design with Oriental decor. As long as you achieve and incorporate the elements for the design style, you will be able to achieve the desired output. Keep in mind that Oriental decor is also nature-inspired, incorporating the elements of nature such as water, earth, plants, and colors. A Japanese garden is one of the perfect examples of an Oriental-inspired backyard. The garden is composed of a koi pond, a Zen garden, bamboo, plants, shrubs, and others. Looking at this type of garden is truly calming, refreshing, and rejuvenating. You will love this kind of backyard and will surely enjoy staying and contemplating it. This is highly recommended for people who want to go home to a place where they could relax after a stressful day at work or school. 

If you are planning for a getaway this summer, then there may be a lot on your list. You do not even have to leave the country for the vacation you deserve. Throughout the year, we have been hectic with our schedules. From the deadlines that we need to beat at work, to the errands we have to accomplish at home. Our plates may sometimes be overflowing with things to do that we tend to forget to take a break to destress and recharge ourselves. 

In the Philippines, there are a lot of travel destinations that can meet our needs. You can choose from a wide range of places. Depending on your budget and availability, there is always the right vacation spot for you. For many of us, there are only two types of places to go. It’s either the mountains for some adventure camping or the beach for a cool and refreshing break. Whatever the choice is, the goal is to go on a furlough. 

Going on mountain climbing is not for the faint of heart. Depending on the mountain that you would like to try, it takes a lot more than just the desire and love for nature. We know that getting close to nature is one of the keys to rejuvenating. However, you also need the strength and stamina to move up and reach the summit. If you have done this trip when you were at the right age, then you must have remembered the very first time you tried this activity.

Starting from the foot of the mountain, you will see yourself about to take on some of nature’s challenges. You will walk for some kilometers with gears that weigh almost the same as you. This is why it is highly recommended to pack lightly. Take only the things that you need. The most important stuff to have are water and food. Believe us when we say that you will need them a lot on this trip. 

Traversing the hiking path is fun and exciting. You will have the opportunity to breathe pure and clean air along with the sight of luscious greens. Walking up the path will also give you the chance to meet other hikers. This trip will also make you feel how to be on top of the clouds and see the world from another angle. 

Seeing the mountains and being part of it is a new kind of adventure. The fun and excitement are at a different levels. The adrenaline rush is unexplainable. Some of the best mountains to climb in the Philippines are Mt. Halcon, Mt. Pinatubo, Mt. Pulag, and Mt. Apo. 

On the other hand, if mountain climbing is not your thing, then you may choose to go to the seas and beaches. Having 7,100 islands, the country is filled with beach resorts and diving sites. The sophisticated details, such as underwater rivers and cave formations add an element of exotic adventure to your vacation. The dry season or summer is considered to be the best time to visit these paradises. Therefore, start planning your vacation between November to April. 

All beaches in the country are captivating. Along with breezes and soft sand, they have something remarkable to offer that cannot be seen in other countries. They are simply stunning and you can feast your eyes on caves, corals, and marine life. 

So, choosing between the two may be difficult at times. Why suffer when you can have both of the best worlds. With the different modes of transportation we have, reaching your chosen destinations will not be a problem. Only by going to these places, you will truly say that the Philippines is rich in beautiful places and biodiversity.

It’s summertime again and we know that there is a lot on your plate. By now, you may be thinking of the best getaway with your friends or family. Although many kids still have school these days because of the change in the school calendar, it is still a tradition to spend some fun adventures during this season. If up to this day you are still wondering what to do, then do some research first. 

The internet is a great source of information and you can check various websites first for some interesting ideas. Some of the top ideas to do for summer are often times listed by bloggers and even in various articles. 

Doing some water activities never goes out of trend and there are different ways to enjoy the warmth of the water. Are you ready for some vitamin “sea”? Many resorts have already opened their doors to travelers. With the number of COVID 19 cases decreasing and the lowering of alert levels, we may be able to enjoy going to the beach again. Imagine all the memorable activities that can be done with the fam!

The Philippines is packed with wonderful beaches and some of them are recognized internationally. Boracay is one of the popular places to visit and is known for its infamous white sand beaches. If you want to be different, then the country has other amazing travel destinations, like Palawan, Bolinao, and Bohol. 

Of course, some of these vacation ideas may be costly, but sometimes it is worth spending for a fun and memorable escapade. If money is an issue, no need to worry as there are other remarkable ways to spend the summer and still have limitless fun and excitement. There are still many resorts in the country that are far more affordable. 

Want to go nature tripping? We have tons of sites to choose from and are likewise affordable. Mountain climbing may be challenging yet once you have reached the summit, the feeling is surreal! Take your selfies and be proud of your achievement. 

If you do not want to go far and you live in the metro or in the suburban areas, then there are parks and museums in many cities and municipalities that you can visit anytime. Manila, for instance, is a historical city with old places worth visiting. Many of these tourists spots were built centuries ago. That is why you will have a crash course in history while strolling around the city. 

While others love the outdoors, there are those who enjoy the indoors for various reasons. Probably, for some, this is not the time yet to immerse themselves in crowded areas. Or simply, they do not like the outdoors. As such, you can still bring nature to your home with some decors. Indoor plants are best to give your room a touch of nature. Plants also evoke positive effects on health. They are also good for the sense of vision as natural colors can be refreshing and rejuvenating. 

If you are afraid that plants will just die in your arms, then add wall decors, such as personalized framed posters. Posters have thousands of designs and will surely add life to your walls. A decorated home is also a great place to enjoy the summer while binge-watching K-dramas or movies. 

Now that you have these ideas, there are no more excuses not to enjoy summer with your family and friends. Make this year’s summer more memorable than the other summer vacations.