Asian decor book: Contemporary Chinese interiors

China is fast becoming an economic power and with that comes fast development and changes in the people’s lifestyles, living standards and contemporary culture. This rapid development in a country with rich history and culture has brought about a unique evolution in Chinese design trends and styles.

Traditions provide a strong background to new designs, bringing about a harmonization of the old and the new, with the exploration of contemporary design concepts.

Such contemporary Chinese designs that showcase a unique palette of textures, colours, and elements is representative of Chinese roots and at the same time presents a set of aesthetics that is appealing to the modern world.

In recent years, contemporary Chinese designs have not only become popular in Asia, they have also gained a strong following in the western world.

This book features a collection of projects from the Asian region including China, Hong Kong and Singapore which will hopefully inspire designers the world over to continue to bring this design phenomenon to a higher level.

Turn the page and indulge yourself in a where acid jazz plays against traditional Chinese lanterns and antique furniture.


Available at ASIA BOOKS

Preview other books on Asian decor at: Asian decor books

Asian decor: reaping full benefits from the www promise

asiannouveau.com, prefiguring the new generation of online marketplaces, offers Asian home decor producers and exporters a cost-efficient way to generate new industry trade contacts and B2B sales on the world-wide-web


Today, Internet is the most researched source of information for buyers, journalists and consumers and developing an active internet presence is key to any exporter’s success. But with the ever increasing number of websites on the world-wide-web (the world-wide-web is growing at a rate of approximately 7 to 8 Million new web pages everyday and Google currently indexes in its database a total of over 8 billion pages!), a website needs to be constantly updated and improved to rank well in search engine, attract new visitors and generate new qualified sales leads.


“Developing a user-friendly and comprehensive website is a significant investment. Search engine optimization is necessary but extremely time consuming or expensive when outsourced”, explains Damien Pfirsch, the founder and managing director of asiannouveau.com, who also regularly writes a column on search engine optimization for the Bangkok Post, Thailand first English language newspaper. “Many Asian home decor producers and exporters have already developed their own website, but due to a lack of time to update their site and optimize it for search engines, their online venue is enjoying limited traffic and generates very few new trade enquiries for their companies”.


asian nouveau’s goal is to give Asian home decor producers a cost-efficient way to be seen, noticed and contacted by trade buyers on the internet. For an affordable yearly fee, the company presents on its website Asian home decor accents and furniture producers and their creations.


“But unlike most online marketplace, we do more than just listing products on our site, and we go to great lengths to present our exhibitors in the best possible light: we write and edit all texts in English and French and take all pictures ourselves. Furthermore, we promote their company through our newsletters, and publish their news releases on our online news section. We promote as well our site to international media to generate more traffic to our site and increase our exhibitors’ exposure”, explains Mr. Pfirsch. The website has for example already been showcased in the Miami Herald Tribune and Lufthansa in-flight magazine, among other international media.


www.asiannouveau.com is the most visited website specialized in home decor creations from Asia (source: alexa.com). The site ranks at the top of major search engines (for example n.1 in Yahoo! Search and n.3 in Google.com (USA) for “Asian decor”) and welcomes an average of 400 unique visitors per day, who browse the website for longer than 4 minutes and view over 7 pages. “We offer exhibiting Asian decor producers and exporters a truly international exposure focused on Western markets: 55% of our visitors are from the US, 12% from France, 20% are from Canada and other European countries and 13% from the Asia Pacific zone”, says Mr. Pfirsch.


True to their mission to raise the international profile of Asian designers and serve as an advocate of the new trends in Asian decor, asiannouveau.com also features more than 60 designers and artists portraits as well as 150 texts resources on Asian art and Asian decor traditions and recent developments. “We want to support Asian producers’ exports growths, by giving them international exposure on the www. We also want to grow the international awareness of contemporary Asian design by advocating the latest trends in Asian home decor. Our mission is not only to generate new trade contacts for Asian exporters, but also to contribute to the growth of the global market for modern Asian design”, says Damien Pfirsch. “We strongly believe that with the growing need for targeted information, niche online marketplaces that offer user-friendly navigation, extensive and quality contents in terms of products but also the industry they cover, represent the future of international B2B promotion.


asian nouveau plans to further develop its reach by cooperating with international online and offline publishers, and working closely with government agencies and private industry association. “Today, the internet is mostly dominated by large website from the US and Europe. They appear the highest in search engines, enjoy the most traffic, and have the greatest impact on online audiences. Teaming-up together with government agencies like the Department of Export Promotion in Thailand and private industry associations, we could have an even greater impact and give Asian producers and exporters further opportunities to reap the full benefits from the information globalization on the www” says Damien Pfirsch.


To lean more on Asian Nouveau initiatives, visit the website online media room: asiannouveau media room

New book on Asian decor: Building the Japanese house today

The traditional Japanese house is universally admired for its clean lines, intricate joinery, and unparalleled woodworking. The authors of this elegant volume, Peggy Landers Rao and Len Brackett, show how a classic Japanese- style house can be built to offer the warmth and comfort that modern homeowners require.

Len Brackett, rigorously trained in traditional architecture in Kyoto, has spent decades adapting the ancient Japanese design aesthetic to Western needs. He builds traditional live-on-the-floor houses, as well as versions that accommodate furniture. Both types provide the essential features expected in today's new homes - central heating, insulation, weather stripping, thermal glazing, streamlined kitchens, computerized lighting systems, and the latest electronics.

The book's primary focus is on a single guesthouse in California, but pictures of other adaptations of the traditional Japanese house in America exemplify various points.

Architects will find reference charts of the prescribed set of proportions and dimensions normally passed down through a strict system of apprenticeship. Builders and woodworkers can turn to explanations about selecting grain and anticipating shrinkage of various woods. A remarkable tool used to lay out precise joints is described in detail. Various sources are given for materials, including where to find a contemporary version of the distinctive, traditional earthen plaster.


Discover the latest published books on Asian decor at: Asian decor books

Asian decor book: India Modern

A superb coffee table book presenting unpublished photography by leading Asian photographer Michael Freeman and showcasing the latest trends in contemporary Indian design and Indian inspired interiors.

Stunning, previously unpublished photography by leading Asian photographer Michael Freeman showcases the best of contemporary Indian interiors, focusing on domestic interiors and also presenting hip bars, boutique hotels, and luxurious shops.

Today Indian design is a fascinating mixture of local styles and modern interpretations and many of the interiors featured reflect the best in Indian craftsmanship in contemporary decor and interior design.

The gorgeous photography of modern Indian interiors reveal the changing face of Indian interior design, and the innovative ideas being introduced not only by Indians but also by foreign architects and designers who have moved to India. This book unveils a modern India that is still relatively unknown.

India Modern
Author: Michael Freeman
Publisher: Michel Beazley
Available at ASIA BOOKS

Review more books and publications on Asian decor at: Asian decor books

home decor fair: the 2nd International Art & Antique Expo – Dubai

The 2nd International Art & Antique Expo – 19th - 21st April, 2006, Dubai


The 2nd edition of The International Art & Craft Expo, renamed as \'The International Art & Antique Expo\' will be held from April 19th - 21st , 2006 at the Madinat Jumeirah Conference Hall in Dubai , United Arab Emirates, with the earnest support and patronage of \'Dubai Cultural Council\' and \'Emirates Fine Art Society\'. Further, based on the success of the International Art & Craft Expo 2005, the International Art & Antique Expo will strengthen Dubai\'s position on the international art scene.

The International Art & Antique Expo 2006 is a special exhibition being organized, with the purpose to enhance the cultural exchange and the globalization of the affluent art market in the Middle East.

The exhibition will provide the opportunity for art and antique professionals and lovers to see and learn, to evaluate the market and to help expand the collector market by reaching out to new collectors and art enthusiasts. The Fair is intended for two types of buyers: a core group of trade agencies and a larger group of interested people wanting to buy a beautiful piece to complement their surroundings.

As a result of the exhibition\'s stated goal to continuously improve its attendance and presentation by adopting intensive and extensive marketing strategies, the 2nd edition of this prestigious show will no doubt fulfill the expectations of the most demanding collectors among them !

The Middle East being a budding market for the art & antique industry, an exhibition of this nature is expected to attract over 250 exhibitors from over 30 countries and draw trade visitors from all over the Middle East and neighboring region.


For more information, contact Ms. Sarita Lakhiani: sarita@globallinksdubai.com

To learn more on future Asian decor and home decor fair, visit Asian decor news

Asian decor aromatherapy

Asian decor interiors are filled with aromatherapy products and aromatherapy accessories to soothe all senses.

Discover a luscious selection of relaxing Asian fragrances presented in elegant silk boxes aromatherapy gifts sets at: aromatherapy

Asian decor company: Doi Tung

Reviving handicraft traditions to alleviate rural powerty

To alleviate the hardship experienced by the inhabitants of the harsh mountainous terrain of the northern areas of Thailand, Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindara, late mother of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, inaugurated the Doi Tung Development Project under The Mae Fah Luang Foundation in 1988.

The Doi Tung Development Project promotes alternative occupations as well as vocational training courses to provide new employment opportunities. Staff employed by the Doi Tung handicrafts centre work under the guidance and close supervision of designers and experts, who are engaged by the project to oversee the design and product development, and to take the lead in developing creative elements such as style, colors, fabric design and design innovation.


Decorative accents handcrafted from natural raw materials

Doi Tung home decor products are handcrafted from natural raw materials, many of them grown or harvested from the surrounding area. Natural cotton and silk are used in the production of textiles. Hemp and jute or reeds are used for handmade interior décor products to create innovative textures.

Doi Tung offers today a rich collection of modern handcrafted decorative accents:

- rugs and carpets: hand tufted and hand woven carpets in various sizes and forms creatively mixing cottons and other natural fibers such as hemp and reeds.
- home textiles fabrics and accessories in cotton and silk (throws, pillow cases, placemats…).
- an extensive collection of decorative ceramics characterized by sumptuous glazes: vases, bowls, plates and dishes.
- a growing collection of practical home decorative items made of mulberry paper (Saa papers): boxes, notepads, photo albums…


Recognized by the UNODC label

In view of its success in alleviating rural poverty and the effectiveness of its drug eradication initiatives, the Doi Tung Development Project Under Royal Initiative is internationally recognized as one of the world’s most successful projects in sustainable development.

As a result of these notable achievements, the Doi Tung Development Project was awarded permission by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to affix the UNODC label on Doi Tung products.
The UNODC label reads: "United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The sale of this product contributes to the achievement of drug free world. Through alternative sustainable development, villagers who once depended on opium production and use can now earn secure legitimate incomes by making these products."

By purchasing creations from The Doi Tung Development Project, you not only acquire high quality handmade home decorative accents but also support its initiative and provide a brighter future to the inhabitants of remote areas of Northern Thailand.

To discover some of their handcrafted decorative creations, follow: Doi Tung