Maharajah interiors: creating a sophisticated oriental style in the interior

The interiors of the maharajas are fabulous oriental-style palaces

The interiors of the maharajas are the collective name for the oriental style in the interior; in fact, it is a synonym for luxury. However, Maharaja Maharaja is different, in fact, he may turn out to be not only a Raja, but also an Arab sheikh, a Chinese or Japanese emperor, and this is a different East. Each interior will be radically different from each other with its unique features.

Moroccan motives in the interior of the maharajas: the predominance of light shades, arched elements and large windows

Mirrored floors, arches instead of doors and floral patterns in the interior add even more lightness and “flight” to the interiors of the maharajas

Hall in a maharajah-style house: huge palm trees, a high domed ceiling, stairs and floral motifs on the ceiling and floor

The diversity of the East

In general, the oriental style in the interior is divided into five directions..

Interiors of the East:

• Arabic style is a common name for the rich interiors of Islamic countries, where even the decorations go side by side with religion, and all movements are guided by the Koran. For example, in this holy book there are clear lists of animals and even people forbidden to depict, and therefore the leading element is neutral flowers and geometry. Since the Arab countries have a very hot climate, air fluttering curtains are used as partitions. On the one hand, they are designed to hide female beauty from prying eyes, on the other hand, they allow air to circulate freely. It is customary for Arabs to emphasize high social status, and therefore there is a lot of gold in the decor. The interiors are distinguished by an abundance of pillows, carpets, fabrics, etc. Once a tree was not particularly accessible here and was literally worth its weight in gold, therefore, carved partitions, decorative objects were made from it, but they were very rarely used as a material for furniture, they simply regretted.

The interior of the maharjas in the Arabian style is made in cream and sand colors. Mirror surfaces, lighting, gilding furniture and tiles with traditional patterns can be supplemented with modern technology (plasma, air conditioning, etc.)

• The Moroccan style is a great “diplomat” who managed to combine Arabic religious chic and light romantic elements of the Mediterranean direction. On the Arab side, these are rich and bright fabrics, an abundance of textiles in the decorations, zoning with curtains, wooden battens, carved furniture, etc. The Mediterranean is visible in colors – blue and white plus terracotta, tiled floor, lancet windows with wrought iron gratings. In all this splendor, peaceful silver sets of dishes and severe steel weapons on the walls coexist equally harmoniously..

In the Moroccan style, the interior of the maharajas surprises with forged and carved elements, luxurious patterned lamps, painted walls, bright pillows and green plants as decor

• Japanese style is an abundance of light and a minimum of things, austere and light minimalism, where functionality is given priority, not beauty and luxury. These are sliding screens, doors, folding or built-in furniture, every detail is thought out as much as possible and is strictly in the right place. All details are ideally emphasized by the general restrained color palette of the rooms..

Japanese motives in the interior of maharajas are the predominance of wood in the interior, simple lines and traditional paintings from the life of Japan

• The Chinese style is similar to the Japanese trend in simplicity and functionality, but restraint has given way to a love of glitter, the main colors of the rooms are red or blue with gold. Without these shades, China is not China! An additional distinctive feature is considered to be geometric images or drawings with favorite scenes from the palace life of the ruling dynasties. These are plots with gardens of paradise, outlandish birds and animals, creatures from Chinese folk myths. All unnecessary or necessary, but not particularly pleasing to the eye items are cleverly hidden behind shining screens and cabinets.

Chinese style in the interior of maharajas: images of animals on the ceiling and walls, a fireplace with white and blue painting, forged chairs and a round window

• Oh India! Hindus are adherents of measured life and yoga, they constantly meditate and strive to improve their karma. The indigenous Indian style would have required ivory, carved stone, massive columns, or at least carved wooden walls. Modern India is more democratic: there are enough panels with imitation of natural material and natural flooring. The color scheme should be kept in warm colors – pinkish, pleasing to the eye reds, yellowish, brown, etc. Sometimes there is a clear design in the style of gold with black, dark blue and olive shades. The rooms are traditionally filled with handmade woven carpets, they are also used as panels and bedspreads. All the furniture is low and decorated with paintings or carvings, the doors resemble shutters. Chests are practiced instead of dressers, rattan furniture is often used.

The Indian style is dominated by reds and dark woods. A stained-glass window depicting shrines can be used instead of a window.

Advice! If you want to clearly arrange Indian notes, you need to place not ordinary, but oblong decorative pillows in the resting place – it is this detail that brightly embodies the Indian interior!

Whatever the differences, these styles have one thing in common – uniqueness with a touch of mystery. Exotic, which you want to try forever, but in the end it is imperative to “bite through” all the nuts-riddles – this is what an interior in oriental style is. Photos of the rooms at first glance attract attention, take your breath away and remain forever in your memory, attracting with their dissimilarity to the apartments familiar to the European look.

All interior styles of maharajas have common features: traditional notes of the East, high ceilings, large windows, characteristic curtains and expensive furniture.

The interiors of the maharajas: oriental subtleties in the interior

The interior of a room in an oriental style does not imply a strict division into a bedroom, a living room, a nursery, etc. In fact, in any of the directions, zoning is used more: curtains in the Arab interior, Japanese and Chinese – screens, in Moroccan – textiles and carved partitions.

A screen in the Japanese-style interior of the maharajas is used both for zoning and as a decor item

Color and light

Since East and East are different, in order to hit the target for sure, just in case it is worth adhering to the general intersection – warm tones and their harmonious combination. It’s the same with drawings – they love geometry everywhere, let it be abstract patterns. In addition to the typical warm colors, you can use a combination of yellow with turquoise, this will make the room brighter and more elegant..

As for lighting, any type of interior in the East means spaciousness and huge windows with curtains and thick curtains on the sides. In the morning, the principle “there is never too much light” works, and by the time of rest, annoying rays per second will be muffled by a heavy curtain with gold embroidery, fringe and tassels, which, by the way, are also found in all rooms as an element of decoration..

Sand colors in decoration, carved elements and access to a terrace the size of a whole wall – a living room in the interior of the maharajas

Zoning

A typical division into zones in any type of oriental interior is a place for rest, cooking and eating. In the first, the center of the universe is a huge sofa with a bright bedspread and a ton of pillows, and underneath there is a secret! They hide a hookah and a small table for it..

Zoning a Japanese-style house by arranging furniture

A special space is reserved for a meal, there should be a small low table and all the same pillows or mini-poufs. Yes, in the East they do not eat at a high table, keeping their back straight and sitting on a chair. Here, convenience is a priority, food intake is almost reclining..

Advice! If you are not used to pillows on the floor, you can also use a regular table with chairs, just the table should be round, and covers with oriental ornaments should be sewn onto the furniture..

The Moroccan-style dining area is separated from the living room by an arched opening. Traditional pendant lamps and a vase of flowers were used as decor

The third zone is a place for cooking, it is like an invisible room, which is not considered a functional room at all, rather, it is a workplace where only servants and cooks go. But we do not live in the ancient East, but in the modern world, and therefore we cannot be so scattered about the footage. The designers found a way out and showed that, taking into account our time and the level of development, the kitchen of a modern maharaja and sheikh can be!

Kitchen interior in oriental style

Since our apartments rarely differ in a large area, we will also make an oriental fairy tale out of the kitchen.

Moroccan style kitchen: the white kitchen set contrasts with the cooking area

Finishing

• Smooth walls, since hinged panels are rarely used, but mainly decorative plaster or themed wallpaper is practiced.
• The background should not be variegated and of high quality, the East does not like falseness and imperfections, and painted walls are best. Emphasized large natural wooden beams look very beautiful.
• Instead of wallpaper, you can use a dense washable fabric with thematic patterns, and it is better if it is an ornament or flowers: you must admit that a herd of elephants philosophically leaving into the sunset would look very strange on the kitchen walls.
• There can be wood or tiles on the floor, we will say a categorical “No” to linoleum.
• Ceiling – no wallpaper or foam boards, just good plaster or carved hinged wood planks.
• Windows and doors – only wood or its imitation, unfortunately, the convenience of white plastic will have to be decisively abandoned. We use carved or just wooden shutters and the same sliding doors.

And what to do? East is a delicate matter.

We figured out the finishing, we proceed to the choice of furniture.

Japanese-style kitchen: the use of wood in decoration, kitchen units, marble countertops and painted backsplash

Suitable furniture

If you want a headset, it should also be wooden, but carved or simple – depends on the choice of the direction of the oriental flavor. The Chinese emperor loves simplicity and brevity without “bells and whistles”, but give the maharaja and sheikh a monogram.

The table should definitely be round or oval; instead of chairs, ideally, it is better to use armchairs or at least half-chairs. In the Japanese style, everything should generally happen on the floor, but taking into account the modernity, you can simply beat the furniture in strict forms and beige and black tones..

Dining area in the interior of the Chinese style maharajas

No open shelves – the oriental interior is filled with luxury and secrets. Everything that should emphasize the splendor is on display in advance, but the lockers with everyday life should be closed.

Stove and oven. This is a kind of hearth, the energy heart of the house, and therefore a maximum of decorations are used – tiled mosaics, mirrors, images of food, polished dishes made of silver and copper, displayed on the stove as a symbol of prosperity. You can put collectible knives on the tables, even the reserved Japanese love it. In general, the heart of the house should be “rich” and pure..

Ethnic interior items

Ethnicity of the East is diverse, but there are also common moments.

What is the oriental flavor:

• If you rely on chandeliers and other lamps, you can get to the point without looking. In all oriental cultures, a carved base, beaded braiding, stone inlay and chasing are actively used. Carved furniture is also equally revered..

Lamps in the Moroccan style amaze with their grace. Textured walls, low tables and wall-to-wall mirrors add a touch of chic.

• Carpets are different, but the choice of the right motives becomes obvious even to a beginner. We all watched and read fairy tales, and therefore we are unlikely to buy a silk Chinese carpet for an Arab palace..

Oriental carpet harmoniously combines with pillows and curtains in the interior

• Pads, pads and pads again! They are everywhere except Japan and China. In Arab countries and Morocco, these are square and round dummies, in India – elongated oblong pillows resembling huge candies.

Pillows are an indispensable thing in the interior of the Arabian style

• Hookah. It is not necessary to use it, but if you have conceived the style of an Arab sheikh, you should at least have it as a decoration. By the way, it will come in handy in the Maharaja’s palace..

Hookah smoking room

• Dishes. Copper, porcelain and silver with unobtrusive plant images and carved “lace”.

Chinese porcelain dishes can be a great addition to the dining room in the interior of a maharajah.

• And again about India. The ethnics of this country is distinguished by a special flavor – statues of gods should be present everywhere, most often among the “European Hindus” we can see Buddha, Shiva and Ganesha. They are all friendly and bring happiness and good luck. In addition to statues and images of deities, elephants are present everywhere, because this animal is practically a symbol of India itself, it is revered and protected for many centuries, and therefore is used in home decoration.

Buddha statue and elephant figurine in the interior in Indian style

Advice! In the East, there are no trifles, any insignificant detail is of great importance, and therefore, be careful not to let an extra thing in the design..

Oriental style in interior design instantly conquers sensitive souls with its alluring beauty and visible softness. Many people take it as an idea for the embodiment of their fantasies, which have remained in their memory since the time of reading unusual oriental fairy tales and myths. Whether to leave one room the “pearl of the East” or to make the complete interior of the apartment in an oriental style is up to the owners to decide – it all depends on the scale of their love for oriental motives. But, having taken up the design on your own, remember that the East is really a delicate matter, and strict rules are hidden behind the external softness: it does not tolerate cumbersomeness and fuss.