| Now
and Zen
A
casual blending of East and West, our “Now & Zen”
theme is a celebration of natural materials and an appreciation
for beauty in even the most mundane items. Asian influences
are versatile, and adapt easily, blending into other decors,
adding a touch of the exotic as they do so. Taking our cue
from our many travels overseas, “Now & Zen”
brings together diverse elements to combine in new and exciting
ways, perhaps taking a traditional Oriental item, and interpreting
it differently, using it in another manner entirely.
An
appreciation for the natural world is at the heart of this
theme, and natural materials, bamboo, reeds, grasses and
other fibers are used extensively for everything from furniture
to chopsticks. The sound of melodious chimes, stirred by
gentle breezes, a simple, yet elegant bamboo tray, inviting
one to take time for tea, this is “Now & Zen”.
Quiet colors, organic materials, places that suggest that
you sit, and perhaps take time to muse in a personal journal,
all are part of the ambiance of this look.
But
all is not contemplative and serene. Our take on this theme
is also playful; a bouquet of Bamboo
Flutes that takes the place of a vase of flowers,
a pair of Zen Sand Brooms hanging, like artwork, on the
wall, and Bamboo
Paper Clips combine perfectly with Bamboo
Pens for that journal writer in your life (even
if its you).
Bamboo
is, most probably, the most frequently used material in
Asian culture. Highly renewable, it is an environmentally
responsible material to work with, and its adaptability
makes it the ideal material for almost everything.
Our Zen Bamboo Tea Table
& Chair
are great for either indoor or outdoor use. The low Zen
Bamboo Tea Table, at 24” x 28”
x 15-1/2” (high) has a casual feel, and is just the
right size for two. The Zen
Bamboo Tea Chair sits 9-1/2” off the
floor and measures 18” x 19” x 28” (back),
inviting you to sit, relax for awhile and take tea.
Probably one of our most popular pieces, the Bamboo
Meditation Bench/Coffee Table is really a versatile
piece. With it’s seagrass cushion, it is an excellent
bench for quiet sitting, OR remove the cushion and you will
find a beautiful bamboo “strip” top that can
either be used “as is”, or you could add a glass
top (maybe some seashells, a starfish, dried foliage, etc.
under the glass?) 43” x 13-1/2” x 18”
(high)
Mood lighting plays an important role in this look and the
mood it creates is often more important than the light that
is provided. Add a colorful, contemporary look with our
Parlor
Shades, made of natural raffia cloth that has
been crinkled around a metal frame. Available in five rich
colors, they measure 8” x 8”x 14” (not
wired, ready for a light kit available in home improvement
stores)
Matting,
in all types of natural fibers are used for floor coverings
or wall hangings. Our Straw
Grass Hanging Sumi Mats are closely woven and
highly flexible. The same grass matting is also available
in matching pillows.
If
traditional is more your “cup of tea”, so to
speak, then you will love our Chinese
“Antique” Frames. The Chinese countryside
still has villages where the homes have not changed for
decades, sometimes centuries, making for rich hunting grounds
for the “old ways”. Copied from wooden frames
found in houses, public buildings, and sometimes temples,
these lend an exotic and timeless flavor to any décor.
To add to the authenticity of these pieces, our frames have
images from our own private collection of turn-of-the-century
photos from both Japan and China.
Handmade paper has always played a large role in Asian culture.
Whether it is in a beautiful package presentation, or a
“paper wall”, in the form of shoji screens,
it is an important element. Hand thrown sheets with beautiful
kanji scripting can be used for everything from individual
pieces of artwork, ready to be frame and hung, to virtually
art/craft project that you can imagine. We offer two collections
that bring this design element to you:
And
if you are into doing your own creations, whether those
are something as small as a personal journal, or as large
as creating an entire room, it is the details that make
the difference. Our Japanese
“Luck” Stones are great foor adding
that extra “touch”. Traditionally made for the
Japanese market, they are used for everything from packaging
to trims on curtains, lampshades, added to artwork, etc.
Whether
you love the quiet, earthy ambiance of the Asian countryside,
or the trendy, colorful look of the busy cities, the look
is Now, the mood is Zen.
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