A Touch Of Nature With Ohara Koson

Two Peacocks on Tree Branch poster in interior

Ohara Koson is one of the popular printmakers for kacho-e in the 20th century. Kacho-e is the Japanese term for prints of birds and flowers. A well-known painter and woodblock print designer, he was able to create around 500 prints. 

A brief biography of the artist

Ohara Koson was born in 1877 in Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture in the North of Japan. He was originally called Ohara Matao and studied Japanese painting under Suzuki Koson. In 1904, he made Russo-Japanese war prints. However, during these times the popularity of the art of ukiyo-e is slowly dwindling. In contrast with the prints with scenes of the Sino-Japanese War, these were sold out within the day. 10 years, later, fans of the art became less and were eventually replaced by photography.

The art of Ohara Koson

Many viewers and fans of Ohara Koson would oftentimes compare the prints of birds and animals with those of watercolor art. The kacho-e of Ohara Koson was performed with expertise and a high degree of craftsmanship. This is observed through the details seen in the bird’s plumage. 

Over the years, the artist used different signatures and seals such that the exact dating of his prints is difficult to determine. Many experts believe that the prints were made after 1923, the year after the great earthquake in Japan. 

Shin Hanga artists

In addition to being a popular artist, Ohara Koson was also known for being a teacher at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts. One of his American colleagues, Ernest Fenellosa, convinced him to make woodblock prints in traditional style. As such, his first flower and bird prints in the tanzaku format were published by Matsuki Heikichi. 

In 1926, Ohara Koson continued the design of kacho-e prints and most of these were published by Watanabe Shozaburo. Watanabe was the one who initiated the Shin Hanga movement. Almost all of the prints of Ohara Koson were exported to the USA. This was the time that Japan had lost its sense of traditional values. 

Bring the art into your home

Giving your home a touch of nature is one of the best ways to make it look vibrant and refreshing. Framed posters of sceneries are one of the most common ways of achieving the goal. We all know that having a view of nature in our homes offers lots of benefits in terms of the ambiance and health. 

Sometimes, having a personalized wall art of nature could boost the overall appearance of the interior. Philippine sceneries are usually displayed to give the interior an ample amount of shades of green. On the other hand, some owners would like to be unique with other nature-inspired art. The art of Ohara Koson is old in terms of the age of the art. However, they evoke a modern touch that is perfect with any interior design style. In fact, your home does not need to have that Asian look so that you can display the art of Koson. 

The hues and shades seen in the images are rather subtle and will not overwhelm the style that your home has. Moreover, they can be displayed in any room, from the bedroom to the kitchen. If you are looking for a cool way to spruce up your room, then the art of Ohara Koson will give the look that will make your decorating project a success. 

Kissable poster

Kissable poster

Decorate your walls with a unique and interesting poster design. Bring your room to the next level and flaunt it to your friends.

Textured black shapes poster with Black Frame

Textured black shapes poster

A simple yet compelling poster design that will beautify your walls. Create a modern and stylish room decor with a poster that features different shapes in abstract form. Perfect to be displayed in the bedroom or living room as this art evokes beauty that radiates through the rooms.

Lines and shape no. 4 poster with Black Frame

lines and shape no. 4 poster

Trendy and stylish poster design that will spice up the wall of your living room, bedroom, or dining room. The neutral and subtle colors can make your home look spectacular. In abstract form, you will be able to add mystery as well as awesomeness to your wall. A perfect art that can perfectly blend to any room decor and design that you have.

Lines and shape no. 3 poster with Black Frame

lines and shape no. 3 poster

Simple and awesome poster art that will level up your room. Art in abstract form that features lines and shapes with neutral colors. The display of this poster can create a modern-looking room that is perfect for the family. This poster can likewise blend well to any color of the wall as well as various interior decorations.

Lines and shape no. 1 poster with Black Frame

lines and shape no. 1 poster

Trendy and stylish poster design that will spice up the wall of your living room, bedroom, or dining room. The neutral and subtle colors can make your home look spectacular. In abstract form, you will be able to add mystery as well as awesomeness to your wall. A perfect art that can perfectly blend to any room decor and design that you have.

Chubby sad lady poster with Black Frame

Chubby sad lady art print poster

A minimalist image of a woman in a pose. This is a poster that can be used to start a wall gallery. Simple and impressive the art appears, it is a perfect decor to add to your homes. Display this in the bedroom, bathroom, or office and you will have a unique and trendy room appearance.

Why Framing Matters

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There are different ways of pulling off the interior of a room. From the walls, windows, flooring, household items, and decorative items, you tend to choose the ones that will suit your taste. The display of art and photos also come into mind, however, the use of frames comes as an afterthought, just like designing a wall art. Many experts believe that the use of frames in any art or photos is significant in adding beauty to the interior. Here are a few tips that will help you in making your interior look fantastic with the use of frames. 

Boost the room appearance

If you want to upgrade the appearance of your room, then framing artworks is the key to achieving it. Framed artworks will also level up a minimalist room. These will add vibrancy to any room interior. An appealing wall piece can help accentuate the earthy colors used with the minimalist design style. Creating wall art composed of framed posters will instantly make any room look extraordinary. 

Can act as the focal point of the room

Every room needs a captivating view. A focal point refers to that one thing that will capture the attention of anybody as soon as they enter the room. There are many items that can be used as the room focal point. For instance, a large vase, an intriguing poster design, or classic art. People may have a hard time choosing the right room focal point. If this is the case, then it is much easier to go with a framed wall piece. As such, you can draw the attention of your guests with lovely art or by the frame used.  In addition to these, you will likewise be able to personalize your room.

Framing can bring a sense of texture

Frames come in different varieties of textures and finishes. Choose a frame that will blend well with the atmosphere of the room. It is recommended that the surface of the frame should be able to complement the theme of the room.

Color palette to the room

The right picture frame adds to the color palette of the entire room. No need to worry about this as there are tons of frame designs and colors to choose from. Sometimes if you are unsure, it is best to use neutral colored frames such as black or white

How to frame your artwork

Whether you are framing a painting or a poster, you need to keep in mind a few things so that they will look absolutely stunning. First, you need to be sure that the frame does not overshadow the artwork. Choose a style and color that will complement the artwork. 

It is also advised to use mats as these can prevent the work from touching the glass, allowing airflow around the art. This is important so that the artwork will not stick to the glass over time. Choose a mat that is lighter than the work of art but somehow darker than the wall. 

Be conscious of size and proportion such that the mat and frame should never be equal widths. The matting should be wider than the frame. As a rule of thumb, the larger the painting or poster, the wider the frame must be. 

Reasons Why You Should Personalize Your Space

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Personalizing your home or apartment is important. Many experts and homeowners believe that a home should represent who you are and serve your needs well. You can never call it home unless the place is close to your heart and you can spend the whole day staying in it. Though there may be other reasons why homeowners prefer their spaces to be personalized. Here we have some of the primary reasons why personalizing your homes is important. 

The colors you use can control moods

One of the fundamentals of home decorating is choosing beautiful and appropriate shades of colors to create visual harmony around you. We all are aware that colors are divided into warm and cool colors. Each also has its respective meanings and effects on the home interior. For instance, soothing colors and bright shades can help alleviate your mood and create a positive vibe.

Your home shows who and what you are

How often do you receive guests in your home? Although, these days we have to be a little careful due to COVID 19. A beautifully designed home will make your friends and other guests feel comfortable. If you are inviting your colleagues from work, a good home environment can help you have a good relationship with them. For instance, a cool poster design displayed in the living room can be a great conversation starter. 

Move freely with properly designed homes

Imagine yourself living in a place where there is clutter everywhere or even misplaced furniture pieces. In short, there are obstructions that can be stressful and discomforting. A well-designed living space can give you the freedom to move anywhere and anyhow. As such, you will be exerting less effort and energy when moving around your home. 

The arrangement of your home also depends on your lifestyle. If you are newlyweds, then the arrangement of your home must be private with a romantic vibe. The interior somehow becomes a little complex when the kids arrive. So if you are looking for an apartment or building a new home, design it according to your needs and preferences. 

Proper home design meets the needs of the household

A properly designed home will meet your requirements as well as all the other people who are living in it. One good example is setting up a playroom or kids’ room. As such, all of the toys and other kids’ stuff are displayed and stored in that room only. With this, you will be able to avoid toys cluttering in various areas of your home. School children also need a space where they can study and do their school works. Time to assign a spot for a reading nook or study area. Adults can also use this spot for reading and working, especially nowadays that many are in a work from home set up. 

Final Thoughts

Personalizing your home is not only about adding furniture pieces and home decorations to make it look and feel better. It is about creating a space that will be close to our hearts. As such, you will need various items to create a compelling home interior. Start with the wall and everything else will follow.

Apartment Hunting Tips You Should Know

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Would you agree if we say that hunting for a new apartment is like choosing a partner? Finding the right place may mean that you have to meet some of your requirements, if not all of them. Sometimes the process is tedious and would take some time and lots of effort. Just like dating, once you find an apartment, you can either fall in love with it or keep your options open. We understand that looking for a new place is not an easy task. Here, we’re going to give you some interesting tips that hopefully you can use when looking for an apartment. 

Know and stick to your budget

Before checking the internet or the classified ads for apartments, better to check your bank account so you can get a feel for your price range. The ideal expenditure for an apartment rent is 30% of your income. So if you are earning around Php 20,000 a month, you can set aside around Php 6,000 for the rent. There is also another way to survive in this ordeal, the 50/30/20 rule. 50% on fixed needs like rent, utilities, and transportation; 30% on daily expenses, such as shopping, eating out, and others; 20% on long-term goals like debt and retirement. Whatever your goal in life, you need to crunch some numbers before you go hunting for an apartment. 

Check different websites

The good thing about technology these days is that almost everything can be accessed online. From food delivery to clothing, things can be searched and ordered online. It is recommended to check for local websites for affordable apartments. Check various social media sites as many companies and communities use them to advertise their properties. Facebook and Instagram are two of the best sites to check as there are millions of users in the country alone. Join several “apartment/condo/house for sale or rent” groups to get good deals. Just be careful with dealing with different people so you will not experience some regrets while looking for a place. 

Keep track of your progress

Many people want to be organized, especially when they are on a quest. Use maps to know the areas that you have covered or plan to visit. Spreadsheets will also help you keep track of the different apartments as well as their lease terms, requirements, and locations. You may also want to know the utilities and other perks included. Add also notes about redecorating the apartment. Of course, there is a chance that you want to personalize the apartment. Ask the landlord if this is possible so that you can buy the decorations you will need, such as wallpaper, posters, and floating shelves. 

Inspect the apartment

It is always best to make visits and personally inspect the apartment. Be sure to check anything, especially some parts that the owner wants to hide. Check inside cabinets and on top of shelves as there may be vermin living inside. It is also recommended to bring a phone charger to check if all outlets are working. See if sinks and showers are working properly. Check for leaks so that you will not encounter any problems later. 

Prepare the apartment

After searching, you may already have your eyes on one. After signing the contract and approving the terms of the landlord, it is time to check for the things that you will be needing. If the owner agrees on doing some decorating, then get the items that you need. Start with the walls as this is the fastest and easiest way to decorate. Create wall art or display anything that will make the room look or feel more like home. If you want to display prints or photos, have them in frames to give your new place a touch of elegance.  Do not forget to keep things organized and clean. Look for storage areas or if the apartment lacks one, there are space-saving storages that you can purchase.