China Style Goes Global
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Chinese style is most often associated with ornate carvings, complex patterns and a searing palette of rich reds and glitzy golds. But what is often overlooked is that there is a deep-rooted modernity inherent in Chinese design-an age-old classicism with a sense of balance, order and harmony that appeals to the most modern of minimalists.
With the current global preoccupation with Asian Style from food to interior design to philosophy—it was only a matter of time before attention came to rest on the Chinese aesthetic. Since the opening up of post-Cultural Revolution China in the late 1970s, the country has changed beyond measure. Today, 21st-century China is firmly focused on the race to become a major world player and, in architectural terms, much has been--and is being–destroyed. Traditional dwellings are being replaced with gleaming banks of skyscrapers, but within this cacophony of change, there is a growing band of designers who prefer to look to their roots to find valid decorative directions for the future.
Such designers, many of whom have studied overseas, are blending an international outlook with a pride in their Chinese heritage to produce a new vocabulary of design. Tending to steer away from the ornate, opulent approach, they are basing their ideas on a new kind of Chinese influenced modernism, which incorporates balance lines, natural textures and muted colors.
This restrained approach is not entirely a new one. The Chinese philosophy-cum-religion of Confucianism (551-479 BC) taught that propriety and ritual are the key to social order. Slightly earlier, Taoism, advocated by the Chinese scholar Lao-Tse (604-531 BC) stressed the importance of a simple existence and the need to live in harmony with nature and the world. As the pace of modern life gains tempo, more and more city dwellers-both in China and around the world--are finding that such classical serenity fits neatly into contemporary living.
In today’s interiors, space and light are key. We want comfortable, relaxed spaces that feel as good as they look. This may account for the current international preoccupation with feng shui, an ancient Chinese practice that focuses on achieving the perfect balance. Feng (meaning wind) and sui (water) emphasizes living in harmony with your environment to enable energy (chi) to work for you to promote well-being and good fortune. In the East, feng shui is an integral part of life practiced by all, from the most powerful tycoon to the regular person on the street. Whilst it is an ancient art, many of its precepts are based on simple common sense: an uncluttered home is likely to leave you calmer and more productive; light interiors are good for the soul; and water features and plants in the home reflect our basic desire to live in conjunction with the natural world.
With such a rich history and culture that goes back thousands of years, China provides a vast bank of references to draw on. In the Han dynasty (206 BC- 220 AD) architecture was an accomplished art; under the Tang dynasty (618-907 AD), literature, painting, ceramics, lacquer and metalwork flourished. The Ming dynasty (1368-1644) is known for its fine porcelains and furniture, for its sophisticated society dominated by literati and prosperous merchants. By the time of the final Qing dynasty (1644-1911), more ornate, colorful works were embraced and Chinese objects and themes had a lasting influence on European architecture and décor. Today, classic hardwood furniture, ranging from ultra-minimal to elegantly ornate, is one of the most instantly recognizable examples of Chinese design; some of it is so modern-looking that it could have been designed today.
China Style by Sharon Leece
