Designing interior courtyards will generally follow the same rules for designing small gardens. The real major difference is in paying more attention to vertical space – the walls that surround courtyards. Some small gardens do require this attention but almost all courtyards have this extra consideration.
Generally, the first thing that comes to mind for decorating walls and vertical space is to cover them in climbing vines. While this has a lot of good character, it only decorates the existing boundary without creating a depth or illusion of boundary.
In most cases I’ve found that creating an independent source of height in front of courtyard walls and /or in corners can create a 3d effect much like that found in paintings. In a sense, it makes the independent element a focal point while using the decorated walls as a backdrop or framework. Framing an element this way helps create depth of boundary behind that element.
Some good elements to use are small trees with tall trunks, tall pots, pots on stands, groups of pots, trellis works, and decor. Creating beds next to walls, filling them with the same vines as the walls, and placing a few tall specimen plants or trees also has a nice dramatic framework effect with a lot of depth.
The color of your walls also makes a big difference in the depth, atmosphere, and mood of the courtyard garden. Bright and light colors have a closer closed in feel while darker colors add more depth and a sense of more space and distance.
Wall decor, wrought iron wall decor, clay ornaments, and wall fountains are also some good elements for effectively using vertical space in small closed in gardens. When using elements like this, pay special attention to the principles of unity, simplicity, and repetition. Stay consistent. Using more and varied objects can start to look very cluttered.
Small garden design and designing for courtyards needs to pay closer attention to detail rather than filling up space. Using more is not always better. And sticking to just a few elements a few basic design principles will create a much classier clean atmosphere.
By: Steve Boulden
Asian Interior Design Tips For Decorating Your Home
by admin
Asian interior design is a stylish and classy way to decorate your home. There are many ways to use this design influence in your space. Some people, however, are a little lost when it comes to using Asian design in their own home. Here are a few ideas to help you begin.
Using Japanese influence in your Asian decorating theme is a popular choice. There are many different ways to use this style. Japanese Shoji screens are one of the most popular choices. These are wooden frames with a lattice design. The cutouts are filled with rice paper. Some shoji screens are plain and some have beautiful designs. These screens can be used as a room divider or simply as decoration. Another thing to add to your Japanese inspired room is the Kotatsu table. This is a rectangular table in a dark finish with clean lines. Many have heaters in the middle, and are considered in Japan to be the emotional center of a home.
Woven straw mats with colored borders are popular floor coverings in Asian interiors. These mats are called goza mats. In Japan, these mats are used for walking, sitting, and sleeping. They have two separate layers. One is the straw center and the other is the soft reed outer edge covered in cloth. These floor and bench coverings will add an authentic touch to your Asian style room.
Another classic element of Asian interior design is the gong. There are several different types of gongs, and the one you choose may have much to do with the size of your space. Some gongs are very large, so your room needs to be large to accommodate them. A more manageable size would be a hanging gong. These are usually 12 inches or so and come with a mallet to ring the gong. You can find ones with a beautiful scroll design to accent your Asian decor. You can also purchase a classic gong that hangs on your wall as an art piece. These are lovely and help to tie an Asian inspired space together.
Using Japanese and Chinese calligraphy is a classic and elegant way to decorate your walls for an Asian decorating theme. You can purchase these works of art already framed or just the print. If you buy just the print, it is usually most striking to frame them in black. Look for simple frames with clean lines. This will help enhance the Asian style.
As you can see, there are many ways to use Asian interior design in your own home. There are a plethora of websites and retailers that specialize in Asian interior design. You can find the materials and products that you need to create your perfect Asian inspired space with relative ease.
By: Lee Dobbins
