The choices for which color to paint on your walls are almost endless. Go with a simple plain white or muted neutral, put up bold and lively shades or let a location or region be your inspiration: Santa Fe, Tuscany, the Southwest or even Asia. Asian design lends itself to numerous paint ideas.
Palette Picks
Traditional Chinese colors include red, blue, black, yellow, green and gold. You are not limited to simply painting the same color on your walls. Do tone-on-tone treatments, even polka dots, and do not ignore the ceiling! In Japanese culture, the blue and white color combination is very common, and red and white is considered lucky. Try alternating walls or stripes in these colors.
Pretty Printing
Asian characters are very beautiful, so much so that they are considered an art form. Have a saying in Japanese or Chinese characters painted on an accent wall or paint a short phrase such as "Welcome home" or "God bless." Alternatively, use Asian calligraphy for just one or a few words such as "friends," "light, laugh, love," "family," "believe" or something else meaningful and inspiring. Instead of putting oriental lettering in just one area, paint it in a continuing motif on the walls.
Painting Pictures
Painting an Asian-inspired mural is a great idea. Get inspiration by looking for ideas online and in books. The options for what to paint are widely varied, including murals featuring plants, birds, dragons, lakes, oceans, mountains, fish and much more. Hire an artist skilled in this type of art, or try your hand at painting it yourself.
Proper Plants
Plant life plays prominently in Asian culture. In Chinese culture, narcissus flowers signify purity; lotus, success; chrysanthemums, strong life; azalea, wealth; and orchids, virtue and elegance. For the Japanese, favorite flowers include chrysanthemums, daisies and cherry and plum blossoms. Paint a mural featuring any of these plants, or paint a different flower in each room.
