All of us take an understandable and joyful pride in our ethnic
heritage. Americans love to celebrate their
”
roots
”
in myriad ways: marching in (or watching) our spirited parades
like the St. Patrick’s or Puerto Rican Day parades, tracking down
our ancestral family trees on the Internet or, the ultimate
– a family vacation in England or Sweden or Italy or Africa to
trace the steps of our ancestors.
All of us take an understandable and joyful pride in our ethnic heritage. Americans love to celebrate their “roots” in myriad ways: marching in (or watching) our spirited parades like the St. Patrick’s or Puerto Rican Day parades, tracking down our ancestral family trees on the Internet or, the ultimate – a family vacation in England or Sweden or Italy or Africa to trace the steps of our ancestors.
As an unabashed design enthusiast, I found myself drawn to the paintings and prints, the textures and fabrics of that land of my forebears, the lush Irish countryside – especially the rich traditions of the Irish “hunt” country.
I became an aficionado of articles, books and exhibits on Irish design and searched out pieces in antique shops and flea markets. My Irish collections add an emotional layering to my home decor, and I became so enamored of the Irish influence that I’ve used the colors, textures and fabrics of the Irish Hunt as inspiration for a line of furniture, upholstery and accessories that I created.
And, even though I have no French blood flowing through my veins, I have made annual visits to France over the past 20 years to visit my younger sister, who lives there, and during that time I have developed a passion for French design in all of its wonderful manifestations – from the rich colors of Pierre Deux Fabrics to the rugged integrity of French country furniture to the classic lines of a Jean Michael Frank coffee table. So although I can claim no legitimate French ancestry (except for my “French” sister), I really do feel an authentic kinship to great French design. And I always find myself seeking out French objects at flea markets and tag sales whenever I travel.
I’m sure you might already have incorporated some of your ethnic “roots” into your home’s decor. Nevertheless, here are some of the wonderful inspirations that might come from some of the countries or continents of our ancestors:
• Africa: African design elements have influenced much of what we identify today as “modern” in that the shapes and forms of many styles of African furniture and art are so clean and pure. Tribal benches, curved seats, tables carved from single pieces of wood; these all are pieces found today in many modernist homes. But African design also encompasses rich texture and pattern: the detailed bead work of Northern Nigeria, the intricately patterned and textured fabrics such as “Kuba cloth” of Zaire or the hand-woven geometrics of Mali.
• Italy: As if fabulous food wasn’t enough to mark a nation and its provinces, Italian design celebrates the diversity and craftsmanship of the various regions. Venetian glass chandeliers, the dense and colorful pottery of Deruta, the woven textiles of Florence and Rome and the innovative and imaginative modern furniture from Milan all are great ways to bring Italy back home to the states.
• China: Thanks to the great Chinatowns in many larger cities, Americans, whether of Chinese heritage or not, can showcase Chinese design and its influences in the Western home furnishings industry – from the early 1600s export porcelain to the Chinoiserie styles – European interpretation of Chinese design that has been used to ornament furniture, porcelain, wallpaper, fabrics, tiles and tapestries since that time.
• Sweden: Historically, Swedish design was modeled on Northern European furniture styles that were white-washed to disguise inexpensive wood and to brighten homes that spent half of the year in near darkness. Now Scandinavian style is marked by light wood finishes and simplicity of design. Color, too, is a way to bring the design heritage of Sweden home – the bright combinations of red and white, blue and white or brilliant floral statements.
Whether you’re celebrating your own heritage or just one you admire, there are wonderful books on nearly every country and continent that will show in photographs and words all the various ways to use those style elements in your home. Or maybe you’ve inherited pieces of furniture, linen, artwork or dishes that can be used as building blocks to developing a design motif. Today more than ever, the world is our oyster. Gather the pearls and explore the design that is right for you.
