1. Bamboo and Sisal Rugs
2. Wool, Nylon and Olefin Rugs
3. One of a Kind Persian Rugs

Bamboo and Sisal Rugs

Our newest and most practical collection of rugs are the Bamboo and Sisal varieties we now offer. They start at just $19 and are made of economically friendly materials that are good for high traffic areas. Not only do they look great, but they all feature a non-slip latex backing, so they don’t require a separate carpet pad. Choose from Natural, Honey, Chocolate and many more colors to add a warm inviting touch of the Far East to your home.

Wool, Nylon and Olefin Rugs

These rugs are brought to you by Shaw Rugs, one of the nation’s leading flooring and rug specialists.  Our offering includes such collections as the Kathy Ireland Home Collection and Regal Heritage by Nourison.  These are classic, timeless designs that are sure to inspire you.

One of a Kind Persian Rugs

This wonderful collection starts at $895. It features hand-made Persian rugs that are one of a kind! Act quickly or you will lose the opportunity to own one of these heirloom quality rugs. Large area and border rugs are available in a variety of colors and designs.

If you are still having trouble deciding which rugs is best for you, Decorate-Redecorate.com offers some useful tips on decorating with Area Rugs.  Check them out and get started on your next home makeover project.

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Asian Rugs Buying Guide

Rice Paper Material

The earliest known reference to rice paper exists in writings dating back to the Tang Dynasty in China (618-907 AD). It was initially manufactured out of rice straw, but as with many other Chinese traditions, rice paper traveled throughout Asia and was modified by each culture it encountered. Modern rice paper differs in “recipe” from one country to another—some lanterns are still made of rice straw, some of mulberry, some of bamboo, some of combinations thereof, or other less common plants.

Despite the “recipe”, however, all rice paper shares a few elements: while rice paper crinkles readily, and crinkled rice paper is the main element in many lanterns and lamps, it can be crumpled and folded without damage, it is highly absorbent and sturdy, and it resists rot and mold.

Rice paper is widely used not only for lanterns but also for shoji screens (or room dividers) — you can see many beautiful examples of the art of shoji elsewhere on our website.

Lanterns are typically held together by ribs of wire or bamboo, but other materials can be used as well. Also, modern lanterns are often made of fabric or other materials as well as rice paper; some lovely examples of this can be seen in our extensive lighting galleries.

Use Of Lanterns

Rice paper lanterns are used for a multitude of purposes, from simple illumination, to everyday decoration, to very specific holiday and ceremonial duties. They are strongly tied with Buddhist tradition, and as such, different shapes and colors of lanterns, painted with a wide range of symbols, are linked with Buddhist practices and holidays.

While the round lantern is used in multiple different countries and cultures, the Japanese do have a specific indigenous style of lanterns, which are short and rectangular in design, and feature wooden frames with translucent rice paper windows. These lanterns produce a soft ambient light best suited to quiet moods enhanced by subtle rather than bright lighting.

Red Lanterns

Red is a very frequently used ceremonial color in China, because it is the color of good luck and abundance. Red is thought to ward off evil of all kinds, so nearly every positive event in Chinese family and religious life is marked with red decorations, red clothing, and of course, red lanterns! Births and marriages are particularly linked with red; wedding dresses are red, and red eggs are a traditional gift celebrating a new baby. The New Year is also lit with the vibrant red glow of thousands of red lanterns and wall-hangings, as well as the punctuating explosions of firecrackers, traditionally employed to ward off evil spirits. Your new red lantern will bring your family luck and joy, as well as serving as a lovely accent piece.

Purple Lanterns

In the practice of Feng Shui, purple signifies Yin (the female half of Yin/Yang), spiritual awareness, and both mental and physical healing. In China, a red so deep it is considered purple is highly auspicious, symbolizing good luck and fame. As such, a purple lantern can be an excellent focus for meditation and spiritual thought, and will bring you good fortune, as well as a beautiful subtle lighting effect.

Yellow Lanterns

Yellow is another richly significant color in Asian culture. In China, it is a nourishing, sacred, and imperial color, linked with the color of the earth and the color of skin. In Buddhism, it is linked to wisdom; in Japan, it connotes courage. A yellow lantern throws a gentle golden glow which fits into a wide range of indoor color schemes, and is greatly comforting.

White Lanterns

While white is the color of mourning in both China and Japan, in Korea, it is a highly sacred and much-used color. It is linked with the Buddhist idea “come empty, return empty”, and thus is related both to birth and to death. It also connotes purity, innocence, and morality. A white lantern matches nearly any other item in your home, and produces a pure, bright light for you and your family to enjoy.

Green Lanterns

In many cultures all over the world, green is associated with nature and growing things, and this holds true in the tradition of Feng Shui, where green represents the feminine Yin, as well as wood, harmony, health, and growth. A slightly more hair-raising connotation comes from China, where green is the color of exorcism! A green lantern promotes an excellent atmosphere for study and spiritual growth.

Blue Lanterns

In China, blue is a feminine color, representing Yin, and more specifically often used for little girls, in a reversal of the European/American blue/pink. In Feng Shui, it also carries the more familiar meanings of water, peace, and relaxation. A blue lantern creates a restful atmosphere.

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Does Color Matter when Buying an Asian Lantern?

1. Japanese Design Wood Frame & Paper Shoji Screens

Wide Range Available: This category is by far the largest, with the widest range of design, number of panels, height and color options. This category also has the widest range of price points, depending on the quality of the design, materials, construction and finish.  These room dividers (or shoji screens) are reproductions of original classic Edo period Japanese designs built from carefully kiln dried lumber with traditional Asian style joints and fine wood finishes.

Extra Light & Portable: Paper panels are the lightest material available, easiest to open, close, and move. This is particularly important for 4, 5, & 6, panels screens & 7 foot tall panel screens as they are heavier.

Translucent Panel Screens: Unlike heavier solid wood, fiber, fabric, faux leather, or bamboo panels, only the rice paper panels allow light to pass though, & diffuse the light beautifully throughout the room.

Simple Designs, Amazing Color Choices: The classic Japanese style lattice work offers interior decorators a blank slate of sorts, unlikely to clash with furnishings in the room, and the huge range of color options still offer the opportunity for unique decorative accent.

2. Wood Slat – Shutter Style Room Divider

Comparatively Heavy Room Dividers: Though these are still quite portable, wooden room dividers are definitely heavier than paper screens, and so less prone to blow over or get knocked over. Some designs with offset wood slats, or adjustable blinds will allow air to flow though.

An Effective Folding Privacy Screen: There are designs with staggered wood slats that let some light through, and some have adjustable blinds, offering the choice to keep out or let in the sunshine. Thick & substantial, this category works well for creating a sense of privacy.

Simple, Neutral Design Floor Screen: With traditional European and American design elements, these screens won’t clash with either eclectic, modern, contemporary interior décor, or more formal traditional decorating. Great for urban apartments or cabins in the woods.

A Solid & Durable Folding Screen: These designs require a somewhat heavier wood frame, extra rigid, making for a stronger, sturdier piece of furniture, and can provide inexpensive office partition alternative, compared to commercial room dividers or cubicle systems.

3. Asian Style Woven Plant Fiber Folding Room Divider

Comparatively Light, Portable Room Dividers: These room divider screens are generally as practical and convenient as Japanese style wood & paper screens. Available in woven grass, rattan, wicker, or spun plant fiber panel shades. They’re  somewhat heavier and more substantial than shoji paper screens, but lighter than the all wood screen category.

Mostly Opaque Privacy Screens: With a few exceptions, woven grass, rattan, wicker, or spun plant fiber panel shades are woven tight, in a variety of patterns. Designed to block light and sound, providing more privacy to create a more effective room partition, compared to Japanese style paper screens.

Simple, Neutral Design Floor Screens: Though there is a tropical design influence, they don’t clash with traditional European and American interior design elements, urban shabby chic, and work well with modern eclectic, contemporary Asian influenced décor.

Solid, Durable Folding Panel Screens: Frames are kiln dried soft wood, the panel shades are woven fiber wrapped around the frame, creating more solid, rigid panels. The woven plant fiber is much more difficult to damage than paper, so a better choice for constant use for either commercial or consumer purposes.

4. European Style Faux Leather Folding Screens

Heavier, More Substantial, But Very Portable Room Dividers: These faux leather room dividers are covered front back and all edges with a relatively thick textured vinyl faux animal skin, making for a heavier and more substantial folding panel floor screens. Certainly the 3 panel six foot versions are still pretty easy to fold up and move around for most customers.

Entirely Opaque, Sound Damping Privacy Screens: The faux snake skin, alligator skin, leather, crocodile skin and even Zebra skin vinyl is absolutely opaque, no light comes through whatsoever. Also, the vinyl is somewhat helpful in blocking and absorbing sound; vinyl is known for it’s sound deadening properties. Great choice for roommates in a dorm, or studio apartment.

Striking, Colorful Design Floor Screens: Real leather, and other animal skin covered panel screens come from Europe originally. The dark colors work very well with formal and traditional American and European interior design motifs. But this category also offers remarkably beautiful, even glamorous, decorative finishes – arctic white and ivory, shiny silver and gold, and a rich red snake skin.

Solid, Durable Folding Panel Screens: The frames of these faux leather screens are also kiln dried Pine or Spruce, same as the fiber, fabric, and graphic art screens. The center cross member is meant to reinforce the strength and rigidity of the panel. The faux animal skin is wrapped around the panel frame giving the panel even greater structural integrity. For commercial purposes, these are probably the most long rugged, long lasting category, where a room divider may be in constant use.

OrientalFurniture.com offers a wide variety of Room Dividers as well as fine Asian home furnishings to fit most all decorating styles.

Post from: Asian Style by OrientalFurniture.com

Room Divider Buying Guide