Design Problem: My kitchen is ‘80s blah! How do I give it an up-to-date look with an Asian flare?
Design Solution: No matter what your budget, an Asian aesthetic can be achieved through the use of materials, color, shapes or patterns, and cultural iconography.
Bamboo can give your space an exotic, Asian feel. If your budget has room, consider new bamboo cabinets (such as from Mr. Bamboo www.mrbamboocabinets.com). Using bamboo or another wood, you can also select a cabinet design with an Asian style (for example cabinets such as those offered at Green Tea Design www.greenteadesign.com/kitchen-cabinets/kitchen-designs/loft-kitchen.html). Consider having custom cabinet doors that invoke the feel of a shoji screen using mullions and rice paper or an Asian pattern (I used the design from this headboard www.westelm.com/products/f834/?pkey=cheadboards-beds).
Make sure not to forget the cabinet handles and knobs; these little details can have a huge impact on the overall design, and can in some instances transform old, outdated cabinets. For ones with an Asian flare, check out the Haiku collection from Anne at Home (www.myknobs.com/anneathome-haiku.html) and the Hickory Hardware Bamboo collection (www.myknobs.com/hickory-bamboo.html).
Red is a prominent Asian design color. Consider doing a backsplash in red or with red accents; I used architectural glass from 3form with ginkgo leaves – an Asian cultural reference - on a pomegranate-colored background (www.3-form.com/inspiration-you_create.php). You can also paint a small wall red or add red accessories such as those listed below.
If you can’t afford the big ticket items, accents with an Asian flavor can tie the space together. Whatever you do, don’t go overboard with Asian inspired bric-a-brac, just find a few choice items that complement rather than compete! Some accents you may consider (but not all together) are a bamboo inspired lamp shade (e.g. www.lampsplus.com/products/Earth-Bamboo-Tapered-Drum-Giclee-Ceiling-Light__M1074-M2978.html), a red bamboo knife box (www.vivaterra.com/pls/enetrixp/!stmenu_template.main?complex_id_in=482007.488301.493429.2006390.page) or a knife block with an Asian design aesthetic (e.g. www.totallybamboo.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=349), a bonsai tree or a Buddha on the window sill, an Asian-style teapot (e.g. www.amazon.com/Rosseto-Japanese-Style-Teapot-Ounce/dp/B001RCTAVK), a lacquered vase, or a piece of Asian wall art.
Here are some stores with a nice selection of Asian style furniture and accents:
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