Pillows trimmed with sari fabric and Moroccanlamps and side tables

Tag : Melange Fabric
A home decorated with African masks, an altar table fromChina and a Moroccan lamp used to mean the occupants were eitherworld travelers or very wealthy.
No more.
Today, you don't have to leave South Florida or hire an interiordesigner to import furnishings from around the world. You can findinternational accents almost everywhere -- from upscale furniturestores to discounters like Target, HomeGoods and Cost Plus WorldMarket.
"Global Design" continues to be a big trend, according to the ColorMarketing Group and the American Home Furnishings Alliance, a tradegroup for the furniture industry. One reason is many of theexporting countries have cheaper labor, so prices are low while thestyle quotient is high. And it's an easy way to distinguish yourhome from a neighbor's.
"I see it as something that is a constant," Michele Lamb, publisherof The Trend Curve newsletter, said in a telephone interview."Consumers seem to have a love affair particularly with things thatare Asian and African."
Along with literal interpretations of ethnic designs, she said thetrend is morphing into other variations, including streamlinedstyling, such as a stainless steel "bamboo" chair by Alex Davis.African decor has more authentic colors and forms are getting moremodern. Lamb said we are also seeing Suzanis, embroidery fromUzbekistan.
"The big thing is African, Asian and Moroccan keep gettingtweaked," she said. "There are paisleys, onion shapes, punched hemsand intricate fretwork."
Use the Internet
Someone who is no stranger to Global Design is Jennifer Garrigues,a Palm Beach designer known for decorating with a melange ofcultures. Rooms she has decorated for Red Cross Designers' ShowHouses in Palm Beach County are distinguished by her cross-culturaldetails -- Buddhas, pillows trimmed with sari fabric and Moroccanlamps and side tables.
Born in England, Garrigues has a genetic knack for mixing culturesin a room. English homes are known for mixing furnishings fromfar-off lands. Her father was no exception. He traveled to India,Burma and China and brought back rugs, furniture and hand-carvedivory elephants.
"The world is getting smaller as more people have traveled and aregetting more educated to how the other half lives," Garrigues said."If we can't travel, the world is coming to us in every shape andform."
But how does a novice begin?
She suggested doing an Internet search for furnishings of thecountries you prefer. Print out your favorites and lay them out todecide which pieces you like. You don't have to make a biginvestment. Start small with a textile on the back of a sofa or anend table from China.
"Be careful," she said. "Simple Chinese blends with any kind offurniture. It's very transitional and always looks good. TheMoroccan thing is a little more difficult. Try a great lantern in apowder room. Who can go wrong with that?"
Other items that can add a global look to a room are Buddhas, aChinese ladder with textiles hung over the rungs, three or moreblue-and-white china vases.
"Create a small area and give it a go," she said. "You do have tobe a bit brave."
Global Fusion
Target introduced its first Global Bazaar Collection in January2005. Since then, there have been three more collections. Anotheris planned for 2009, according to a company spokeswoman.
One of the latest stores on the global bandwagon is HomeGoods,which recently launched its "Global Fusion" promotion withtelevision ads and signs pointing out the products in stores.
"We have seen this before years ago, but not this dramatic," saysPhil Tracey, HomeGoods decorating expert. He calls this latest pushto Global Design "a reinterpretation of the trend."
"The global trend is bringing pieces of the entire world to yourhome without ever having to leave your neighborhood," Tracey said."You can bring in Buddhas, silk pillows, lamps, rugs hand-wovenfrom India and artwork inspired from the Silk Route. There's evenpainted accent furniture and eclectic dinnerware with a paisleyfeel."
He suggested updating your look with colorful pillows in red andlavender, an exotic lamp and a Buddha on a mantel, which makes aninstant focal point. Or just perk up a bedroom with new bedding.
But be careful not to overdo.
"It all comes down to one or two pieces that can make the world ofdifference," he said.
Charlyne Varkonyi Schaub can be reached at cschaub@SunSentinel.com;954-356-4729 or 561-243-6600, ext. 4729.
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