| If you wanted to redesign your home interior in the | | | | imagine how much easier it would be if you could also |
| Zen style, what would it look like and where would | | | | reflect these very same qualities in your home. |
| you start? You might imagine scenes of peace and | | | | The first step would be to go from room to room |
| tranquillity, perhaps a link with nature, for some it | | | | and clear away any unnecessary objects, ornaments |
| might conjure up images of a minimalist Japanese | | | | and knick knacks. Clear the clutter and clear the mind. |
| style. There certainly wouldn't be any clutter or loud | | | | Ask yourself if you really need a particular item and if |
| colours and complex patterns to distract the eye, or | | | | you could do without it. Be brutal. What you do |
| extra bits of furniture, or lots of ornaments and | | | | decide to keep should serve a purpose. If you find it |
| paraphernalia. Zen is anything but tangible so how can | | | | hard to dispose of something that you don't really |
| we best describe it? | | | | need then find a place where it can be stored neatly |
| What is Zen? | | | | away and preferably right out of sight. |
| Even though the Zen style is becoming increasingly | | | | Get rid of any extra pieces of furniture, Zen is about |
| popular in interior design, it is possibly one of the | | | | functionality and space and the more open the space |
| most difficult styles to define because in a way, it | | | | the better. Don't forget the walls, ceilings and floors |
| isn't really a style at all, neither is it just a religion or | | | | too. Anything that is elaborate and fussy is just not |
| an art form or a philosophy even though it could be | | | | Zen. |
| said to be all of these things. It is probably more | | | | Think about colour. Colour schemes would be |
| relevant to describe Zen as a pure state of being. | | | | soothing and easy on the eye so no loud colour |
| Many people associate Zen with the Japanese but it | | | | contrasts and bold statements. Go for colours that |
| actually originated in China. In the most simplistic of | | | | are neutral and reminiscent of nature, perhaps subtle |
| ways, Zen could be described as a branch of | | | | shades of blues, greens, beige and browns. There |
| Buddhism that focuses on meditation to gain | | | | would be no complex patterns either; lines would be |
| enlightenment. It is about inner awareness, | | | | simple, smooth and streamlined. |
| experiential wisdom and true awakening of the pure, | | | | What furniture you do have would be laid out in such |
| Buddha mind within oneself. However, it is almost | | | | a way as to promote harmony and space so there |
| impossible to use words to define it because words | | | | should be easy access in and around the furniture in |
| inadequately express the true nature or essence of | | | | each room, no possibility of tripping up and bumping |
| Zen. | | | | into things as you go. Everything should promote the |
| However, this doesn't mean it is difficult to create | | | | free flow of energy in and around the home, put |
| the Zen style in your home, anything but. All you | | | | your rooms into a meditative state. |
| have to do is follow a few basic principles. | | | | There aren't any pieces of furniture or wall hangings |
| Creating the Zen style n your home | | | | or artefacts as such that are specifically Zen. It is |
| With today's busy lifestyles, modern technology and | | | | how you arrange the items in your home that give it |
| generally fast paced living it isn't hard to see why | | | | the Zen look and feel and so the fewer items you |
| Zen is becoming more popular. Coming home to a | | | | have the better. |
| calm and peaceful environment after a long day at | | | | Finishing off the look |
| work can be a tonic for the soul and allow you the | | | | You could try a bowl of pebbles, a simple landscape |
| chance to revitalise yourself, to relax and unwind, to | | | | painting or a picture of a waterfall, an actual water |
| reflect and to remind yourself of what is truly | | | | fountain or water feature, a single flower in a vase, a |
| important in life. | | | | pot plant, a wooden ornament, a piece of crystal, |
| The easiest way to bring the essence of Zen into | | | | seashells, a display of candles, basically anything from |
| the home would be to imagine it first as a state of | | | | nature. If you follow the 'less is more' principle and |
| mind, a focus on the here and now, on calmness, on | | | | combine this with serenity and simple beauty then |
| stillness, and on just being present. Just as it is | | | | you are on your way to achieving the Zen style in |
| desirable to cultivate these elements in one's mind, | | | | your home. |