Pluralism in Interior Design
The idea of incorporating foreign or exotic culture into design
works is not new. Since the days of Marco Polo, people have always
been fascinated by the unfamiliar form, color, and texture imported by
those who have traveled to far away lands.
At first, the interchanging of design culture took place only at
adjacent areas. For example, the Romans borrowed column order
from the Greeks. Islamic onion domes seeped into Catholic kingdom
resulting in marvelous architecture like the Hagia Sophia.
However, when examine closely, the early interchanging
method was mostly by the way of directly replicating the design
elements. This can be done through sophisticated study of design
elements such as the Vitruvius manuscript of Greek order or the Owen
Jones’s elaborately illustrated “Grammar of Ornament”.
The exotic designs were often carefully documented thus giving
the authority to those who had accumulated the manuscripts. In
interior spaces, designer often romanticized the otherness and used it
as a way to escape from reality.
Western world in particular has always been interested in the
Eastern world or mostly referred to as the “Oriental”. The paradigm
was in considering culture other than one’s own as inferior.
The theory of Orientalism overarched in many discipline was not
in trying to understand other culture but rather in finding ways to
conquer other culture. There was a time when sophistication
depended on how much one can relate to other culture.
However, as the history progressed, the world became smaller as
people can connect to each other more easily. The two world wars
had given the people valuable lessons and it was no longer
appropriate to discriminate against culture other than one’s own.
Since then, the paradigm of studying about other culture had
shifted from mere documenting to understanding the underlying
philosophy and other dimension of the culture. Other cultures are
considered equally significant and should be treated with respect.
Furthermore, the advent of paradigm shift in design discipline
from Modernism to Post-Modernism fueled the idea of individualism
and pluralism. Designers celebrated the diversity of cultures.
The incorporation of other culture into design work can be done
by various degrees. Some designers advocated a radical break from
the Modern tradition. Some, however, in order to continue the Modern
tradition soften the design with local sensibility.
But the sharing goal is to demonstrate deeper understanding of
the culture instead of merely incorporating known forms.
Constructs of Orientalism

Other cultures are superior or inferior to one’s own culture

Culture is represented in direct application of known forms (from
documentations)
Derived Style
Chinese influence in furniture
Frank Lloyd Write Japanese influenced style
Constructs of Pluralism

Understanding of culture that have produced design

Diversity is good design

Design should be sensitive to local context

All cultures are equally significant
Derived style

Ethnicism

East –West Style

Fusion Style

Tropical Modern
Excerpts from “ Home sweet (and tranquil) home by Dyer Lucinda
Publishers Weekly; v. 247 no41 (Oct. 9 2000) p. 43-54
INFLUENCES FROM EASTERN PHILOSOPHIES
For several years now, the ancient practice of feng shui has played an
important role in interior design. While Williams at Barnes & Noble reports
that sales of feng shui titles "seem to be leveling off," Sterling's Nurnberg
is still a passionate supporter. "We are doing feng shui and we will
continue to do feng shui. I definitely think it's here to stay--it's no longer
just a trend, it has all the earmarks of becoming a category." Coming next
month, Nurnberg reports, is Feng Shui Chic, in which Sharon Stasney
offers stylish designs for harmonious living. Feng shui is also going strong
at Rainy Day Books. "There are growing number of feng shui practitioners
in Kansas City," Jennings says, "and the books are doing very well for us."
Simon Brown, a feng shui consultant whose clients include British
Airways and The Body Shop, launches Thorsons's new First Directions
series with Feng Shui (Jan. 2001), an accessible, pocket-size introduction
that explains the basic tenets. Stephen Skinner serves up ideas for
everything from kitchen accessories to bed linens, children's rooms and
garden pathways in Feng Shui for Modern Living, due in April from
Trafalgar Square. Speaking of children's rooms, parents might want to
give their kids' good chi a boost with Nancilee Wydra's Feng Shui for
Children's Spaces: A Parent's Guide to Designing Environments in Which
Children Will Thrive (Contemporary, Nov.).
Feng shui, say its practitioners, is not limited to the home. Gill Hale's
Feng Shui for a Successful Office is, says Anness sales director Vicki
Warthen, "the perfect response to the dehumanizing cubicle environment
of the Dilbert world." After discovering that her home office was located in
a "relationship corner," Warthen immediately added something red (a
photo of her significant other in a red frame) and reports that matters
have taken a decided turn for the better.
Vastu, the ancient Hindu science of design and architecture, has been
popular in the U.S. for only the last year or so. One of the earliest trade
books on the subject was Vastu Living: Creating a Home for the Soul by
Kathleen Cox, which was released in August by Marlowe and Co. Last
month, Destiny Books published Vaastu. The Indian Art of Placement-Design and Decorate Homes to Reflect Eternal Spiritual Principles by Rohit
Arya. Juliet Pegrum, whose The Feng Shui Handbook sold some 123,000
copies, hopes for similar success with The Vastu Vidya Handbook: The
Indian Feng Shui (Three Rivers Press, Dec.)
DESIGNS FROM DISTANT LANDS
International style books, says Williams at B&N, "are perennial backlist
titles for us." But it's no longer just French country or English cottage, she
adds, that are drawing customers into bookstores. "Fusion decorating,
combining Eastern and Western design, is coming on strong"--a report
that seems to bode well for Watson-Guptill's Fusion Interiors by Martin
Waller and Dominic Bradbury. Billed as a virtual travel book for the home,
this October release blends ideas from many different cultures into unique
interiors.
Tuttle's commitment to all things Asian began more than 50 years ago
when founder Charles Tuttle translated Japanese books into English for the
American market. Today, says sales director and acting president Steve
Fischer, "every shelter magazine seems to have a piece about an exotic
Balinese hideaway or a so-called Zen retreat. Americans aren't going to
start living in tatami rooms (where would you keep the remote?), but
there's a growing market for people who want to combine East and West."
Three forthcoming titles from Tuttle's Periplus Editions should help satisfy
this audience. Japan Modern by Michiko Rico Nose focuses on
reinterpreting the traditional in contemporary Japanese design; Alexandra
Black and Noboru Murata's The Japanese House: Architecture and Interiors
is a photographic tour of 15 homes ranging from the very old to the
ultramodern; and Contemporary Eastern by Alice Whately features
sumptuously photographed interiors whose designs meld East and West-fromJohn Malkovich's L.A. bedroom to Betsey Johnson's New York City
apartment.
Other publishers, too, are realizing the popularity of Eastern style
influences. Kodansha's The Japanese Dream House (Apr. 2001) by Azby
Brown looks at how technology and tradition are shaping home design in
Japan and focuses on the use of recycled materials in making the modern
home. Vivienne Tam's just-published China Chic, says ReganBooks
marketing director Carl Raymond, "is full of lush imagery, fabrics,
interiors, ceramics--all of which have contributed to her sense of design
and style."
Flammarion has traveled the world for great design, as seen in three
titles released earlier this year. Franck Ferrand offers a lavish look into the
exclusive world of French design in Jacques Garcia: Decorating in the
French Style; Gilles de Bure demonstrates how Asian objects and
furnishings can be integrated into Western homes in Asian Style; and
Stephane Guibourge shows how to create a sophisticated modern look in
homes using the bold sculptural forms, rich earth colors and sensual
textures of African Style.
Designer Sharne Algotsson's first book, The Spirit of African Design,
published in 1996 by Clarkson Potter, created a new market--AfricanAmericans looking for a personal style that reflected their heritage and
experience. It also, reports editorial director Lauren Shakely, "received
more press coverage than any design book we have ever done." In this
month's African Style: Down to the Details, Algotsson uses photos, helpful
tips and simple how-to projects to transform visions of an African interior
into reality.
This month Trafalgar Square launches its Global Designs for New Look
Interiors Series with Marion Elliot's Tibet and Japan. In March, she'll follow
up with Africa and Mexico. The series, says managing director Feldstein,
grew out of a commitment to continue to do "something unique and
different with our design books--hands-on projects inspired by foreign
lands."
Perhaps the ultimate wish book for lovers of the tropics, Tim StreetPorter's Tropical Houses: Living in Nature in Jamaica, Sri Lanka, Java, Bali,
and the Coasts of Mexico and Belize (Clarkson Potter, Nov.) takes readers
to some of the most beautiful paradises on earth. Along similar lines is
Tuttle's Tropical Living (Mar. 2001), as Elizabeth Reyes visits
contemporary dream houses in the Philippines. And while you're dreaming,
check out the publisher's Bali Modern: The Art of Tropical Living by Gianni
Francione. (Who knew there was an art to it?)
In The Illustrated Cottage (Hearst), Country Living editor-at-large Niña
Williams shows how she decorated her family's cottage as a life-size
storybook, complete with characters and landscapes from the tiny
Provencal village of Sault, circa 1918. Published in August, the book has
already hit regional bestseller lists, says publisher Jacqueline Deval, and is
"streaking out of the stores. We're going back to press to be fully stocked
for Christmas."