Holidays abroad may never be the same again. Adopt the universal style (brightly colored walls, gorgeous ceramic tiled floors & hunter ceiling fans gently circulating the air) in your home and your days of boredom on the beach will be swapped for early-morning trawls through local markets, exciting expeditions to souks and fascinating time whiled away in artisans' workshops. Briefly, your vacations will take on a whole new meaning and may even inspire trips further afield to search for yet more exotic finds.
It's not essential to go to Disneyland to discover that it is a small world. The late twentieth century has seen the idea of the global village reflected in so many aspects of our lives. Just as the meals we eat might feature sun-dried tomatoes from Italy, coconut milk from the Caribbean & seaweed from Japan, so this trend is echoed in the furnishing of our homes, and the chance to decorate with the nice mix of sunshine, color and crafts from lots of lands becomes irresistible - along with the obligatory hunter ceiling fan in the main reception rooms.
There is nothing new in ethnic style. Throughout history, fashions in beautification have been significantly influenced by the introduction of foreign elements. The acceptance of the French rococo style in the early 18th century, the fad for chinoiserie in Regency times and the introduction of Greek motifs in the early 19th century are all examples.
Inspiration is all around - we have the world to search for ideas. We only have to imagine the colors of an oriental carpet, the designs of West African textiles and the shapes of continental pots to realize what a rich palette we need to draw on. Materials, also, play a huge part in ethnic decoration. Terracotta, rattan, native woods, tin, bamboo, papier-mache & woven textiles of every description all contribute, as do designs of paisley, ikat and batik.
Remarkably, mixing items from several ethnic sources doesn't present a problem - you only have to look at the newest hunter ceiling fans with lights to see that. It might seem strange, but the colors, textures and designs emerging from these remote locations have surprising parallels. Perhaps it's the reliance upon natural color pigments, simple shapes and forms and crude implements that produces this pleasing combination of disparate cultures.
An added bonus for decorators of universal style is one of cost. Based, as this style is, on more native materials of the different cultures from which it derives, items that are hand-made, sometimes in local workshops and of locally sourced natural materials, are unlikely to claim very large a portion of the decorating budget. Neither should the provision of an appropriate background for all these treasures. The expensive expertise of a specialist are not what is necessary here, but rather the inspiration of the innovative amateur who will naturally render the style in all its naivete.
Recycling is a vital element of ethnic decoration. The conversion, for the cost of a tin of paint, of everyday items is part and parcel of the tribal tradition. What better use for that thrown out baked-bean can than for it to be painted an excellent color only to reappear as a plant pot?
There's not even a requirement to move out of your own environment to gather goodies for this colorful style. Nowadays 'trading posts' are to be found in or near most of the major cities. Imported in bulk, items are gathered from the four comers of the world, and it's the importer who has the burden of excess baggage. Other treasures might be picked up at charity shops, antique fairs and rug auctions. A visit to an anthropological museum could yield yet more contributions.
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