Transform Your Living Room With Classic Oriental and Western Furniture by Karl Springer

Karl Springer and his wife, Flora, met in Vienna during World War II. He was 17 years old and fighting off boredom. His first piece, a chair, was rejected several times by art directors. But his enthusiasm for art would spark his passion for furniture, which led to a series of highly successful businesses that would span continents and span decades.

Karl Springer became a mentor to many contemporary artists, most notably Andy Warhol, whose early works (which often appeared in the New York Review magazines) were inspired by the architecture and art Deco style of Karl Springer. Karl was so committed to his craft that he would not even show his work until it was completely finished, feeling that he had already achieved perfection with his chair. As such, his pieces were always considered "Karl Springer originals." His wife, Flora, was often involved in the creation of pieces, often assisting him with the drawing stage.

In addition to Karl Springer beds , chairs and table, there are also a series of unique art Deco mirrors that Karl Springer made for his "Boutique Row" business. Each mirror is unique, with a different geometric shape and a unique, antique Chinese style. They each bear a distinct hallmark of Karl Springer's "Chinatown." Some have ballrooms-like folds on their backs that were reminiscent of traditional western saloons. Others feature intricate carvings, floral accents, and symmetrical shapes.

There are also several beautiful, hand-carved Chinese vases from Karl Springer's collection. They are all created in the same pattern, but with a slightly different style. Karl's vases bear some resemblance to the famous Calla older piece, but they have a different style of lacquering: they are hand-carved, with scrollwork and lacquered parchment backing. Karl's signature styles are the shagreen vase and the shingle vase.

One of Karl Springer's most famous products is his shagreen bedspread. Made in the famous Calla lolder pattern, this bedspread is hand-carved with leaves and branches from the original calla older trees in China. The bold, dark-colored shagreen pattern is available in either full-size (standard) or compact sizes. Karl Springer's shagreen is made using 100% natural silk with Hessian thread backing, making it soft and luxurious against the skin. It comes in a white and cream color with shabby chic details, similar to those of the duchess collection.

For something totally different, try the duchess shagreen duvet cover. The rich, deep color of the burgundy silk bedspread is softened by the soft texture of the Jean Michel cotton fabric. The comforter sets perfectly on top as it hugs the sides of the bed. This comforter also features the authentic silk lace edging. It is completely reversible, so you can easily make the bed look as elegant as the duchess. Goatskin bed is also one of the unique piece Karl Springer has created.

Dressing up a living room with exotic materials isn't restricted to just the comforter, pillow cases, or curtains. Choose an attractive tea cozy or a beautiful kimono for display. Display them in your favorite area of the house, the kitchen or the dining room. You can even dress up the collection with some decorative chopsticks. The chopstick holders are made of wood, bone, horn, ivory, glass, or clay.

You don't have to be limited to oriental or classical Chinese pieces. If you prefer something bolder, try an antique rugs. The silk rugs are available in a variety of sizes and colors. For a more modern touch, opt for the rugs that are made of bamboo and other organic materials. You can match this silk oriental rugs with antique furnishings and antique accessories.

In western design, the style usually follows the western culture's structure of space. You have to take this into consideration when choosing your furniture. If you have a large living room, then going with a huge sofa would not be a good idea. Instead, select a comfortable love seat or armchairs instead. The great thing about Japanese and Asian contemporary design is that it bases its pieces on the ratio of space to the size of the furniture piece. It doesn't matter how big the piece is, if it doesn't fit with the space available, then it will look out of place and out of proportion.

Smaller pieces can make your collection look bigger. A simple table will make a huge difference when placed beside a recliner, or in front of an oriental couch. Try to go with the lightest pieces in the beginning, like simple chairs and end tables. As your collection grows you can add more expensive pieces, such as tables, couches, coffee tables and mirrors. For those who are just starting out, try to go with pieces made from wood, as they are usually the most affordable and easiest to find.

Karl Springer offers a wide variety of pieces, including tables, chairs, coffee tables, bookcases and even some very unique lamps and lanterns. Because everything is made from wood, whether you're buying an antique piece or a contemporary piece, it will match with other elements in your home effortlessly. The best thing about pieces from Karl Springer is that you don't have to worry about them fading or molds forming, unlike many other options for antique and oriental collections. With Karl Springer, your furniture will always look beautiful no matter what the seasons are.