| It used to be that people would have to travel abroad | | | | of decorating with products made from these plants is |
| to find and collect exotic treasures and decor to | | | | that they are considered sustainable or renewable |
| display in their home. It was usually only the wealthy | | | | resources. This is because these types of plants grow |
| that could afford the time and money, traveling to | | | | very rapidly and controlled harvesting of them actually |
| exotic locations in search of cultural artifacts to proudly | | | | promotes rapid regrowth. Other items found in tropical |
| display. Exotic decor not only enhanced the look of | | | | areas that help bring natural elements and textures into |
| one's home, it also provided interesting and stimulating | | | | a tropical decorating theme include seashells, coral, |
| conversation pieces. | | | | starfish, polished stones, sand and tropical plants such |
| Today, we literally have the world at our fingertips with | | | | as palms and ferns. Although making a trip to the |
| access to the internet. One no longer has to invest the | | | | tropics to acquire ideas and materials would be |
| time and expense of personally voyaging to the far | | | | preferred by most, online shopping makes an easy, |
| corners of the Earth to be able to find and collect | | | | convenient alternative. The casual, natural, relaxed |
| exotic or cultural decor. While missing the adventure of | | | | atmosphere that a tropical theme can bring to your |
| the journey itself is arguably a disadvantage, you can | | | | home is an appealing idea after a hard day of work at |
| still bring an exotic energy and experience to the look | | | | the office, job site, etc. |
| of your home without ever having to leave it. These | | | | There are many ways to add an exotic touch to any |
| beautiful treasures can be conveniently delivered right | | | | space. So many different styles and mediums of art |
| to your doorstep. | | | | are an excellent source for inspiration. Metal wall art is |
| The first thing to do is decide what type of exotic | | | | a great way to add both texture an dimension. Copper |
| decor appeals to you. For example, you could use the | | | | is often used by artists because of it's versatility. |
| term "Asian Decor" to search for decorating ideas. | | | | Copper looks beautiful when its polished and shiny but |
| You might be surprised how many different cultures | | | | can also be chemically treated to create intensely |
| and styles of decor you would find using these | | | | interesting patterns and designs in the finish. Even |
| keywords on different search engines, websites and | | | | leaving copper exposed to the elements results in a |
| online directories. Asia is the largest continent in the | | | | naturally occurring, protective coating called patina. |
| world and includes 69 different countries. So a search | | | | Some prefer this antique look. |
| for "Asian Decor" could bring back results such as | | | | Hand blown art glass is another highly sought after |
| oriental style decor, (which could include styles | | | | collectible art. Watching a professional glass blower |
| influenced from cultures found in China, Japan, Korea | | | | create this exotic art can be absolutely mesmerizing. |
| and Vietnam) middle Eastern or Persian styles, art and | | | | The results are an infinite combination of colors, |
| decor from India, Arabia and even Russian decor. As | | | | shapes and designs. A glass blower might create a |
| you discover the abundance and diversity of culture | | | | piece that looks identical to a beautiful seashell or |
| and style this vast continent has to offer, you may | | | | create a completely abstract sculpture. Glass blowing |
| need to narrow your search using the terms that best | | | | is a technique hundreds of years old. Hand blown art |
| describe the style of decor you are most interested in. | | | | glass makes a great conversation piece, a unique gift |
| Another style of decor that brings an exotic feel to | | | | and can easily become a collector's passion. Some |
| your home is tropical decor. This is the type of decor | | | | people even take up glass blowing as a hobby. |
| that you would expect to see in a luxury island resort. | | | | Exotic can mean something of foreign origin or |
| Tropical style decorating typically includes a lot of | | | | something not native to your area. Collecting and |
| pastel or natural colors in varying shades of blue, | | | | displaying artifacts, tools and art from different tribal |
| green, beige, pink, orange and brown. These colors | | | | cultures is a common way to add an exotic element |
| mimic the shades found naturally occuring in the ocean, | | | | to any decorating theme. This can include artifacts |
| coral, seashells, beaches, sand, palm trees, bright blue | | | | from different areas of the country or all over the |
| skies and sultry sunsets. You can also use bright, vivid | | | | world. Many people love to collect and display artifacts |
| colors in shades of red, yellow, orange, green and | | | | from different Native American tribes. Art and decor |
| purple to represent the gorgeous and striking shades | | | | from Mexico is also hugely popular. Tribal African art |
| found in tropical flowers, tropical birds, tropical fish and | | | | and exotic animal prints such as cheetah, leopard, tiger, |
| coral reefs. Natural elements and textures are | | | | giraffe and zebra are excellent ways to add an exotic |
| important aspects of tropical style decor. Examples of | | | | look. The possibilities are endless. So even if you |
| this include furniture and decor made from tropical | | | | haven't traveled abroad, the only limitation to an |
| plants like bamboo, teak, rattan and abaca. One benefit | | | | exotically decorated home is your own imagination. |