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8 Ways to Bring In Peace & Calm
For those in search of calm and contemplation, China, Japan and other Asian nations are wonderful sources. Objects are filled with the iconography of peace. Many Chinese symbols are visual puns. Vase (ping 瓶) and peace (pingan 平安) are homonyms; crab (蟹) and harmony (协) share the xie sound. The phoenix and the Buddha are […]
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Chrysanthemum Day Flower Festival
Chinese and Japanese citizens welcome autumn with Chrysanthemum Day. An auspicious flower, chrysanthemums are also known as one of the “Four Gentlemen of China” along with the plum blossom for spring, the orchid for summer and the bamboo plant for winter. Chinese speakers pronounce chrysanthemum: ju. It’s phonetically similar to the word jiu, which can mean either “long time” […]
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Blue & White: The Perfect Pair
Adaptable to any style, season or era, blue and white has long been a favorite of interior designers and artists. This classic color combination can be traced back to the 9th century, originating from the Middle East and perfected in China, where imperial artists hand-brushed cobalt pigments onto vases and ceramics. Today, blues and whites retain a […]
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Built for Life: Chinese Cabinets
In dynastic Chinese design, there were no closets: only cabinets. Clothes, bed linens, robes, books and cookware were all stored in tapered cabinets, noodle cabinets and stacked cabinets. Today, timeless cabinets work equally well in the kitchen, bedroom or living room — the perfect alternative to built-ins. Searching for the perfect place to store your […]
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Fit & Trim: The Art & Architecture of Chinese Joinery
We all know the physical and metaphorical truth of the idiom, “There’s no use in trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.” Did its origin come out of woodworking techniques? It’s not a stretch to think so: For thousands of years, both Chinese woodworkers and Chinese architects have used mortise-and-tenon joints to […]
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Caring for Chinese Furniture: Love of a Lifetime
The craftsmanship of traditional Chinese furniture is unrivaled. Constructed without nails or screws, antique cabinets, tables, and beds are held together by carefully carved joints that fit one another like individually forged locks and keys. Many Chinese antiques were crafted centuries ago, and—with the proper care—will continue to last several lifetimes. Prized Patinas Furniture-makers of […]