Eastern Influences On Western Interiors: Japanese Décor - Part I of II - Color, Texture and Contrast, Display

The topic of eastern influences on western interiors is a very broad subject. Many countries, such as China, Japan, Tibet, etc., have had an influence. Therefore, I have chosen to focus on one country for this article, Japan.

Characteristics of Japanese Interiors

1.. COLOR:

Japanese interiors generally use neutral, natural colors, to provide a simple background. Interiors emphasize architecture, and as a result, provide a sense of geometric order. In addition, natural colors minimize a feeling of clutter, which is also essential to eastern design and its philosophy of simplicity. When a statement is made in a Japanese interior, it is usually through a single strong exclamation of color or a predominant texture.

Eastern art colors are pure. Unlike western art, which mixes color and refines sketches, eastern art is original. This means the initial color and/or brush stroke is the final result. Western art is often complex, whereas eastern art is simple, strong, and graphic.

Black is often considered a "non-color" in western society, yet, it is very important in eastern interiors. The use of black in oriental rooms lends definition and form. For example, black is a color in its own right, when used with white rice paper in a shoji screen.

2.. TEXTURE & CONTRAST:

Some Japanese textures and materials that immediately come to mind are cedar, rice paper, maple, bamboo, stone, and woven wicker. One might also think of textured silk, tatami floor mats, and the elaborate needlework of kimonos and obi's.

Japanese culture seeks to balance opposites in all aspects of life (yin and yang), and interiors are no exception. Interior finishes can be highly opposing and contrasting, and yet achieve balance. Examples are, highly polished floors with heavily textured mats, a lacquered box displayed on top of a rough wooden table, or white pebbles on a polished black granite ledge around a tub.

3.. DISPLAY:

Western homes typically use an object on the perimeter as a focal point, such as a fireplace, a painting, or an elaborate window treatment. Eastern interiors, on the other hand, focus on a central object, such as a hearth (irori), a garden, an altar, or an elaborate still life composition.

Japanese homes also commonly have display alcoves, called tokonoma. Objects placed in these alcoves generate two types of feelings, either (1) a natural or organic feel, by displaying an odd number of objects together, or (2) an ordered and disciplined environment by using an even quantity. For example, three calligraphy brushes in a cup would be organic, and four pebbles on a dish would be disciplined.

Japanese displays are fluid. In other words, a Japanese alcove may display a scroll one-week, and a set of pots the next. Eastern cultures tend to store and rotate objects. (This is probably for two reasons; (1) limited space, and, (2) visual pollution, outside the home, as the population increases.) Japanese displays are a reflection of the season, celebration, or honored guest. This minimal approach focuses on the quality and craftsmanship.

Instead of rotating objects, westerners tend to "display it all." (I guess its because they we're afraid someone whose given us something may come over and we won't have it out?) A westerner would also tend to add to a display to create a balance, whereas an easterner would create harmony by taking away. To easterners, less is more, order is harmony, and there is a place for everything and everything is in its place.

This concludes Part I. Part II of Eastern Influences on Western Interiors: Japanese Décor will focus on the Tea Ceremony, Furnishings, and Antiques or Reproductions.

About The Author

Catherine McGivern is a professional interior designer who hosts www.aboutdecorating.net. About Decorating is devoted to home decorating information and resources. And, to helping visitors find the best decorating products at economical prices. The site also features a free newsletter, and free 20MB community web sites.

Japan florist : send flower to japan, japanese florist

Why DO the Japanese Have The Longest Lifespan?

A recent statistic in the World Bank Group states that the Japanese have the longest lifespan in the world. Japanese men live be 78 years old on average while the average lifespan of a Japanese woman is 85. How do the Japanese do it?

After personally experiencing the Japanese lifestyle in Tokyo for five years, I learned a little about why Japanese people live so long and will share a few of their secrets. This month will feature Part 1: It’s All in the Food. Part 2: Live the Lifestyle will appear in the April edition of eNews at www.magneticrevolution.com

Part 1: It’s All in the Food

The Japanese diet does not center on delicacies eaten solely for taste. In fact, most dishes are consumed based on the health benefits people gain from them. Conscious decisions are based on ‘What would be good for me?’ as opposed to ‘What do I feel like eating?’ This leads one to contemplate what is the diet for the average Japanese person and what are their secrets?

Secret #1: Eating fish instead of red meat lowers the risk of heart attacks.

For a source of protein, fish is a common staple in most meals. Red meat is significantly more expensive and less frequently consumed. Fish is healthier and the fresher it is the better. Keep in mind that not all fish in Japan is consumed raw, there are many ways that fish is prepared (grilled, baked, fried, poached, etc) and served. Furthermore, Japanese women believe that the skin on fish helps bring out the natural beauty of their skin and improves their complexion.

Secret #2: Soy products help reduce heart disease and high blood pressure and are a great source of protein.

Tofu and soy products are also staples in the Japanese diet. Considering that saturated fats from meat and dairy products increase cholesterol, it is encouraging to know that foods derived from plants such as soy actually have the opposite effect. Soybeans provide adequate protein without the saturated fat and cholesterol of meats and high-fat dairy. Soy sauce, tofu, and natto (soy beans mixed with raw egg served over rice) are a few examples of soy products consumed daily.

Secret #3: Wheat and buckwheat flour helps in the digestive process.

The consumption of starches is at a minimum and usually contains no white flour. Japanese noodles are made from wheat flour or buckwheat flour. Both are significantly healthier than enriched white flour. Rice is a staple in the diet but consists of a small bowl at meals. The significance is to cleanse the mouth when changing dishes. Rice will remove the flavor in one’s mouth much like cheese and crackers when sampling wines.

Secret #4: Smaller portions reduce the opportunity for excessive eating.

Traditional Japanese meals are about half the regular portion of western dishes. Even though most dishes are viewed as healthy, portions are still relatively small.

Secret #5: Oolong tea counter balances some of the effects unhealthy food has on the body.

Finally, the consumption of Japanese green tea or Chinese oolong tea, served hot or cold, has numerous health benefits. Tea has half the caffeine of coffee. Oolong tea, in particular, helps to break up oil in the digestive system and is usually consumed at mealtime, particularly when fried or breaded foods are being served.

These five secrets help to explain why the Japanese are so healthy and have the longest life expectancy. Part 2: Live the Lifestyle will appear in next month’s edition of eNews at www.magneticrevolution.com, and will describe daily life habits in Japan. If you have any comments or questions please send them to: info@magneticrevolution.com.

Here’s to your health!

Peter McGarry
info@magneticrevolution.com

About The Author

For additional free information on health issues regarding fitness, nutrition, environment and financial well-being please visit www.magneticrevolution.com. This site is a guide to improving your quality of life.
info@magneticrevolution.com

Japan florist : send flowers to japan, japan florists

Italian Village Vacation: A Completely Different Experience

Traveling through Italy allows a wealth of options. Its northern regions feature the permanently snow capped Italian Alps and its southern regions are at a similar latitude to northern Africa. The beaches range from hidden little coves unknown to all but a few local residents on the shores of Sardinia or Sicily to those that are so crowded in August you can not rent a chair after 10 am. The cities range from the highly cosmopolitan, multi million inhabitants metropoli of Rome and Milan to medium sized but growing cities such as Florence and Bologna and reach to the amazing beautiful little villages that are scattered throughout the peninsula from the heel of the boot on northward. You can arrange everything from slow, relaxing holidays in Italy to a frenetically paced whirlwind tour.

If you have already done the type of vacation where you have only 2 3 days in a city with an itinerary packed chock full of sight seeing, museums and tight travel schedules, maybe it is time to consider one of the different holidays Italy has to offer. Some cities seem to suit themselves to faster paced travel. Who could imagine Milan during Fashion Week on a slow pace? While other parts of the country embrace the mentality of relaxing holidays in Italy, with the Italians themselves spending multiple weeks bronzing themselves on Mediterranean shores in August. A small, tranquil location surrounded with natural beauty and the characteristic charm that defines the Italian scenery may be just the escape you need.

Along with the growth of the Slow Food movement, there is increasing interest in a Slow Travel movement. A different holiday in Italy, from the jetting from Milan for two days to Rome for two days, taking the train to Florence for one day and then back on the train up to Milan, is becoming more popular. The idea of really soaking up the essence of a city or village, and unpacking only once, is becoming more and more appealing to people. The rush from airport to train station to taxi to hotel and back is beginning to take a back seat to the idea of taking at least a week in one place. Enjoying a relaxing holiday in Italy, either in a quiet village or on a sun soaked shore and really exploring and getting to know the people and the culture is a plan almost everyone can gives a thumbs up to.

Taking the quiet route, with a slower pace, and making the next trip a different holiday in Italy than previous trips may be exactly what many people need to recharge after the stress of the everyday depletes their energy stores. The appreciation for a slightly slower pace of life and enjoying all that surrounds you; whether it is scenery, your spouse or your dinner will make most people breathe more easily and smile more frequently. Taking the time to walk slowly, stop and speak to the locals and savor all the fresh local food that the surrounding countryside brings to your table will send you back home not needing a vacation to recover from your vacation.

About the Author: Roberta Leoni collaborates with many tour operators and writes for http://www.italianvillagevacation.com, the best place where to spend different, relaxing holidays in Italy.

Buy Flower : Flowers italy, Flowers japan, flowers to japan

Cheap Ideas For Family Holidays

Holidays have never been this exciting as today. The development of tourism and travel amenities have changed vacation retreats and ventures from how they were used to be. But when holidays are on the hype and summer is fast approaching, money problems have hindered families to enjoy a few days of vacation.

Planning a vacation holiday with your family can be difficult, especially when finances is the real concern. But there are some companies that provides great discounts on resort vacation exclusively to their members. They do this by making agreements with resorts for lodging accommodations and give those discounts to their members.

To keep the cost down and to be able to come up with a wonderful vacation for you and your family, people are now getting into the holiday programs that purchase accommodations at resorts across the globe. Fees are relatively affordable and they also offer one time upfront fees for you to receive lifetime memberships to take advantage of their best packages. The best thing abut these programs is the money you save on your vacation lodging will quickly pay for the membership.

You can get lodging as cheap as $300 for a whole week stay. Plus, they have contacts to resorts worldwide in some of the best destination to spend the holidays. You can go for a cold vacation and enjoy skiing in places like Lake Tahoe, Utah, or Switzerland. You can also find great bargains on lodging whenever you decide a trip going to Disneyland or other theme parks or cut off prices from your tropical getaway in Hawaii.

Since everyone or every family likes to get some time off and unwind for a short while by taking vacations, the travel business became one of the largest industries in the world. But keeping the prices to accessible for the average family is getting a lot more difficult because the cost of amenities, fare and even food is rising. One alternative many vacationers have used in the past is getting a time share program. They do this by buying a certain week at a vacation condo, and you go there each year during that week. You pay the initial cost to be able to get into the program and then you have yearly dues. But you can deed your ownership of your time share to someone else, or give it to your children. Sometimes you can trade your week so you can have a different week, or go to a different place within their system.

Motor homes also provides another great way for people to enjoy a holiday vacations. Though the initial cost is a bit high but you are free to go where you want as long as there are campgrounds and accommodations in the area you are headed. You can have a very flexible schedule and you can hit theroad anytime . You can keep your motor home stocked up and ready to roll at a moments notice. You can usually find RV campgrounds near most resort areas.

About the Author: Know how to enjoy a holiday while paying lesser than usual at Cheap Holidays 24 (http://www.cheapholidays24.co.uk/). Visit us and read our latest article for Cheap Holidays: Cruises (http://www.cheapholidays24.co.uk/cruises.aspx) for more excellent tips.

Buy Flower : flowers australia, Send Flowers Germany, flowers germany, Send flowers italy

Cheap Cruise... The Absolute Best Kind of Cruising Experience

Do you want to take a cruise… a really cheap cruise?

Are you looking for the best cruise deal? Do you want to get great discounts?

Here are a few ways you can go on a cheap cruise:

1. One way is if you check out sites like Travelocity and Hotwire to see what kind of deals they have on cruise vacations. Travelocity cruise collects many travel packages from many of the ship lines (including Holland America and Norwegian)together so you can select the best deals that are right for you. You’re sure to find deals there!

2. Another way is to go directly to the cruise lines websites and ask to speak directly to one of their expert planners through their toll free reservation numbers. They may have the “inside scoop” on ways to get a cheap cruise from their site.

For additional information, click to the sites like Royal Caribbean or Princess or Carnival. If you speak to enough of their reservation specialists, you’re sure to find a cheap cruise!

3. Another way to get great rates is to book a reservation at the last minute. Like many other businesses in the hospitality industry, ships have a capacity they try to run at. If they haven’t sold out their capacity – a certain number of reservations – they’ll give great discounts at blow out rates.

The result? A cheap cruise for you! This is probably the best way to go… ...the only drawback is that you have to make your travel plans at the last minute. But if you’re the kind of person who just wants to go on a cruise – and you’re able to leave at a moment’s notice – the end result is that you can enjoy some of the best bargains around.

4. Still another way to go is to find a few of your closest friends who also want to take a vacation and all of you book at once. Many of the cruise lines offer multiple passenger discounts when you make a group reservation (for example) ten people or more. If you can find that number of people who are willing to go, you get to go on a holiday for free! Or, you can split the discounts between you and so that everyone pays a very low rate.

5. Yet another way to go on a cheap cruise is to book a shorter duration or make a reservation on a ship line that is not as well known. For example, if you’re willing to forego a great Bermuda or that glorious Alaska cruise, you can find a a discount by taking a Yangtze (up the Yangtze river in China) or a Galveston cruise or a Nile cruise or a Mississippi cruise. So many options! Or, save your money this year for a great world cruise next year and just book a dinner cruise for you and a loved one. You’ll enjoy it… and you’ll enjoy saving for your holiday in the future.

6. The last way to get a great trip is to get a job on board. If you work on these floating hotels, you’ll be able to go on the trip and get paid for it! Sure, you won’t spend as much time on the deck soaking up the sun, but you’ll still be cruising around on the ocean in a beautiful and luxurious environment. It won’t be as a passenger, but it will be a cheap cruise trip you won’t forget.

About the Author: To get a really great cruising experience, be sure to visit the highly rated website at: http://www.Cruise-Tips.com. This quality site has cruise information on all the major ship lines including getting helpful information about a cheap cruise along with vacation tips, hints and ideas.

Buy Flower : Malaysia florist, flower delivery malaysia, Flowers malaysia, Australia flower delivery

A Short Guide To Having Fun In Italy

The best time to go to Italy could well be, well, anytime. In reality the best time is between April and June as the flood of school holidays hasnt yet hit the roads, the countryside is at its fullest bloom and the weather isnt uncomfortably hot yet.

When deciding at which time of the year to go to Italy it may be worth scheduling around a couple of festivals as they are invariably spectacular occasions.

Here is a shortlist of the best on offer:

Festa dei Ceri, Umbria in May
Il Palio, Siena in July and August
Carnevale, Venice in February
Festa di San Gennaro, Naples in December
I Candelieri, Sardinia in August
Palio delle Quattro Antiche Repubbliche Marinare, Venice / Pisa / Amalfe / Genoa in May / June
Processione dei Serpari, Abruzzo in May
Sa Sartiglia, Sardinia in February
Umbria Jazz, Perugia in July

In August prices tend to skyrocket across the country along with the weather, so is best avoided. However, that is not true of the whole of the country. In a country such as Italy the weather is incredibly diverse, ranging from stifling heat in the low-lands of Florence to the snow-capped chills of the Alps and the Dolomites.

Overall you can expect long hot summers the further south you are, with Sicily and Sardinia enjoying the best of all, where sea swimming is possible right into mid October.

Italy is a fairly expensive country with accommodation being the single most costly aspect of a trip. You may find cheaper accommodation out of the city centres and in surrounding satellite towns. Expect to pay around 12 to 20 euros for a youth hostel, 25 to 45 euros for a basic pensione or small hotel, and around 70 to 120 euros for a mid-range hotel.

Eating out is an incredible experience throughout Italy. As any Italian will tell you, there really is no such thing as Italian food, as each region tends to be known for its particular specialities. Budget for around 20 to 35 euros for a great full-course meal with a house wine on average.

The delectable Cucina Italiana is never far away in Italy. If youre a bit of a gastronomic connoiseur then id recommend touring around the Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna and Umbria regions for the quintessential food tour.

Shop for Italian delights to take home in the Mercato delle Erbe in Bologna, then head off to nearby Modena for a bottle of perhaps the worlds finest balsamic vinegar.

Next pick up a delicious antipasto in the most well-known food town of Parma - see Parma ham and Parmesan cheese.

For you first dish perhaps Umbria for some umbricelli (pasta served with shaved truffles). If you can try to get your hands on the ever-elusive tartufo nero or black truffle from Norcia.

For the next course perhaps a taste of the infamous bistecca alla fiorentina from Florence or head to Perugia for a porchetta, an Umbrian speciality of suckling pig stuffed with its own liver plus a handful of wild fennel and rosemary.

What to drink with these delights? Head to the Chianti region for a rocking red, or Orvieto for a succulent and sharp white.

Round off this tour with dessert in Siena in the form of a slice of panforte, a hard flatcake of candied fruits and nuts, or perhaps cantucci e vin santo (yes you guessed it - a biscuit doused in sweet white wine), a Tuscan speciality.

Getting around Italy is relatively easy and cheap, although car hire prices are on the rise. If you decide to take a train the regionale (local stopping trains) are much cheaper than the diretto (fast intercity and eurostar trains) and in my opinion are far more rewarding as you get to see more and take photos along the way.

It youre in search of good reading to help in capturing the spirit of Italy then id recommend picking up a copy of Il Gattopardo by GT di Lampedusa, The Aeneid by Virgil, La Storia by Elsa Morate or perhaps Grazia Deledda's Canne al Vento.

Have fun!

About The Author

Jacob Fiennes is an enthusiastic traveller and photographer with a passion for discovery. He is a founder and regular contributor to the hugely popular worldwide hotel reservations site TravelBX.com. Visit the site for your next hotel room reservation, flight ticket, tailored holiday package and much more.

Worldwide Flower Delivery : italy florists, italy flowers delivery, florists in italy

Gap Year in Italy, The Ideal Program To Study Abroad In Italy

Once again, Scuola Leonardo da Vinci, one of Italy's largest provider of in-country Italian courses in Italy, is announcing the new programs for the year 2006 presenting innovative plans to promote the learning of the Italian language. Now, universities, colleges, community colleges, high schools and students worldwide are invited to read about our wide choice of Italian language and cultural courses.

This year following the great success of the inaugural Academic School Year in 2005, Scuola Leonardo da Vinci will feature the Academy School Year course in Italy in all its school centers (Florence, Milan. Rome and Siena).

The "Academic Year" is a 32 week language and culture course for students who wish to experience living and studying in Italy. The course combines not only language courses with Italian culture classes at the Scuola Leonardo da Vinci but the syllabus also incorporates the fundamental elements of level C2 of the European Language Portfolio. "All in all, the course offers students the opportunity to see at first hand the various aspects of Italy’s rich history and culture", said Chiara Poggi, the Head of Studies of the Italian School in Florence.

Needless to say, lessons are taught only in Italian from the very start. "At the end of the course, the student is ready to write a final dissertation on a topic related to Italian culture (art, history and business Italian)", said Wolfango Poggi, director of the Italian language school Leonardo da Vinci in Milan.

Created to provide an opportunity for motivated and deserving students to experience the magic of study abroad one year, the Academic Year Program in Italy aims to:

* progress from the Beginner and/or the Elementary level to the Intermediate stages, working on the basics of Italian grammar (articles, prepositions, present and past tenses) to more complex subjects such as the subjunctive.

* develop speaking and listening skills through daily conversation classes

* give an introduction to the everlasting beauty and charm of Italian art

* take you through the world of business and current affairs and the world of fashion: a sector where Italian artists are at the leading edge, where we aim to reveal some of the secrets behind the “Made in Italy” label.

* allow you to understand the mixture of tradition and change which characterizes contemporary Italy.

When asked about her experience, Sanda S., who studied in Milan with Scuola Leonardo da Vinci last year, commented: "I was delighted at the chance to travel to Italy and attend Scuola Leonardo da Vinci for 32 weeks. I believe the programme helped me to improve my Italian in a friendly and supportive environment. I really enjoyed meeting people from around the world. Being able to study in Italy also helped me gain an understanding of the Italian culture. It was certainly an experience I will never forget and intend to repeat in the future."

Program details and supporting information, including students opinions and histories on the Academic Year Experince in Italy, may be found on the Scuola Leonardo da Vinci Web site at http://www.scuolaleonardo.com/gap-year-in-italy.php. Next Starting dates, as written on the Web Site, are 02 January, 08 May and 25 September 2006.

For 29 years, Scuola Leonardo da Vinci (www.scuolaleonardo.com), the market leader in in-country Italian language courses, has been exclusively dedicated to the teaching of Italian to foreigners. Each year the company welcomes students from 60 countries to its schools in Florence, Milan, Rome and Siena. The company’s Web site, www.scuolaleonardo.com, an Italian language portal offering informations and pages of Italian language courses, culture and resources on 12 languages, receives more than 3,000 visits daily.

For general questions, contact the Marketing Office of Scuola Leonardo da Vinci.

Information and Registration Center (Florence, Italy)
Tel.: +39-055-29.03.05 - Fax: +39-055-290396
http://www.scuolaleonardo.com - scuolaleonardo@scuolaleonardo.com

About The Author

Scuola Leonardo da Vinci is one of Italy's largest provider of in-country Italian courses in Italy since 1977. It is present in the most beautiful cities of Italy (Florence, Milan, Rome and Siena). Each year the company welcomes students from 60 countries to its schools: http://www.scuolaleonardo.com

Worldwide Flower Delivery : italy florist, italy flower delivery, send flowers to italy, send gifts to italy