In the melting pot of our society, we have access to the beautiful designs of many cultures. Every day our lives are enriched by the unique offerings of each culture. In one day you can go out for sushi, shop for French fashion, go to a yoga class, and get a Swedish massage. International influence has also become a huge factor in decorating. Any exotic paradise you can imagine can be realized in your home decor. From tropical themes to minimalist Zen designs, today’s design market is taking its cue from a vast array of cultural influences. While international influence is now prevalent in almost every aspect of decorating, a great place to start is your bedding. The bedding market is awash with cultural influence and by choosing a bedding set with international flair, you will be well on your way to creating an exotic home environment.

Thomasville is a well known name in the bedding industry, and they are also known for producing a wide variety of patterns based on international influences. Marrakesh and Sultan are two beautiful ensembles based upon a Middle Eastern influence.
Marrakesh is based on the designs found in traditional Persian rugs, while Sultan is inspired by the intricate designs of ancient Moorish tiles. Another fabulous pattern inspired by the Middle East is Opulence by Croscill which is a luxurious ensemble in rich spice tones. This pattern takes its cue from Moroccan design. Journeying down into South Africa, Croscill found the inspiration for Kalihari. This rich ruby and gold paisley is a reminder of the vast riches of South Africa.

Asian inspired bedding has become increasingly popular over the last few years. From simple Zen designs to the rich silks of the ancient Chinese dynasties, the Asian culture has much to offer in the way of form and design. Lawrence Home Fashions, based out of Canada, has recently become enamoured with Japanese and Zen patterns, and has created the Sky collection which is based on this theme. Silence and Haze are two of the most popular patterns from this collection. Silence is an earth toned ensemble featuring a scattered bamboo pattern in shades of oatmeal and charcoal. Haze is dreamy watercolor ensemble which features a delicate floral pattern in shades of celadon, turqoise, and teal. Veratex has also produced several beautiful ensembles which draw their inspiration from Asian influences. Waterlily is one their top selling patterns which is a minimalist Zen inspired pattern in shimmering shades of almond and taupe. Dynasties is another pattern by Veratex which recalls the regal silks of the Chinese royalty in saffron and ginger hued silk dupioni.

In our tour of global inspirations, we can’t forget our European countries. Gustavia by Veratex is named after the Swedish King Gustav. This ensemble keeps with the Swedish style of simple elegance in a neutral color scheme of ivory and taupe. If Italian style strikes your fancy, try San Marco by Thomasville. This ensemble is inspired by the Italian Renaissance and combines lush jewel toned velvets with a stunning woven tapestry design. Or, if British style is what you seek, take a look at Townhouse by Croscill which is a throwback to the plush styles of turn of the century London homes.

No matter what country you dream of visiting, you can easily translate its styles into exotic home decor. Why not bring a little culture and a little romance into your home and set the stage for adventure?