Contrary to popular belief, Goth style and décor is not all gloomy black. Actually, several types exist within this often misrepresented subculture. In this article we’ll explore home decorating ideas for a lesser known version, the Asian Goth.
The appearance of an Asian Goth home would evoke a sense of the Orient. Glossy black or wicker furniture, wall scrolls, and Buddha statues could be used. Woven floor mats, gold candleholders, and folding fans are also nice accent touches.
Colors include bright reds, gold, ivory, black, and jade. Fabric choices could include Chinese brocades, silk, and metallic embroidery. Be careful not to overdo a pattern, though, as the Asian Goth is more minimalist.
Furniture should be sleek and dark, preferably black, although deep wood colors could work too. Futons or modern sofas and loveseats can fit in very well. A bamboo plant or bonsai tree would be a nice touch.
Now that we have an idea of what we are trying to achieve, the next question is where to find what we need?
For the fabrics, you may have to look a little farther than your local fabric store. Here are a couple of online resources.
http://www.goodorient.com – This site carries a great assortment of brocades, as well as cushion covers and other items.
http://artisticchinesecreations.stores.yahoo.net/chinesefabric.html – In addition to a collection of brocade fabric, this site also has several Chinese home décor items.
For accents and accessories, be sure to look at places like Pier 1 (for the oriental style) and Ikea (for the minimalist theme). There are also several online sources.
http://www.asianideas.com – This website includes beautiful wall scrolls, vases, and blinds.
http://www.chinasprout.com/shop – This site offers candles, wall décor, furnishings, and much more to complete your Asian Goth look.
http://oriental-decor.com – Interesting bamboo rugs, lanterns, wall fans, and more are available on this site.
http://www.thetravelledhome.com – This website has wall art, vases, Buddha statues, and bamboo items.
And for those Asian Goths who really want to give their living space an oriental feel, here are some craft projects.
http://www.wise4living.com/hdcover/mattress.htm – If you already have a futon, you can follow these instructions to make a custom mattress cover.
http://www.artsparx.com/asianfurniture.asp – Tips and advice for creating Asian themed furniture from either unfinished items or pre-painted furnishings.
Being a Goth doesn’t have to mean that everything you own is black and morbid. It isn’t expensive or hard to personalize your space without sacrificing your Goth status. And should your tastes veer away from the gothic subculture, an Asian Goth influenced home would still look elegant.
