9 Elements of Asian Style

Denise Vilim Awesome ideabook! Infused with so many Feng-shui elements, it's hard not to feel utterly at peace in any one of these spaces.

Andre Rothblatt Architecture Suggesting that one uses a Buddha, a sacred religious symbol, as decoration especially in a bathroom, is culturally disrespectful and inappropriate. To me, its like suggesting that a crusifix would make a great tie rack.

Andre Rothblatt Architecture sorry for the typo, thats crucifix

ds design studio andrerothblatt, My sincere apologies, I meant no disrespect. I appreciate your comment and have made revisions.

Danielle I'm sorry Andre, I humbly disagree that using a Buddha as 'decoration' is disrespectful and inappropriate. I feel that any statue, crucifix, idol, etc. can be appreciated for it's esthetic beauty (to the eye of the beholder of course) whether or not it's 'religious signifigance' is understood, acknowledged or ideology adhered to. My home is infused with diverse spiritual iconographic images which reflect a personal interest and passion rather than any particular belief. It is still beautiful and truly, I find it interesting when a guest is intuitively drawn to something in particular, regardless of that object's associated dogmatic history. Debbie, I don't feel you have anything to apologize for...the issue was not with anything you did, it is how it was perceived by one individual, that's all. Please don't mistake someone's personal opinion as 'fact'; I cringe to think you would make a revision based on one person's perceptions. Of course, I named my dog Buddha so I should probably just hush now...:)

Karen Schaefer Louw I totally agree with mizd...

Kamini Raghavan I too agree with mizd. Beauty can be found everywhere...

meenal bishnoi I have my reservations about using religious symbols in the bathroom...as long as its done in any other room and with due respect, I'm fine with it.

debleavy I understand Andre's point about the bathroom. But for thousands of years, most art has had religious purposes, yet can and should be appreciated as art as well. My own preference is that I don't put images of food in a bathroom, but find it ideal for nudes!

Sierra Fournier this ideabook is sooo clever!!

Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR Love the serene and minimal style of these bathrooms. Just makes you want to say aaaaahhhh ...

Lively debate! Now you know why you should remove all religious symbols from your home prior to putting your home up for sale. You never know who you may offend.

As far as living with religious icons or symbols in the home for the aesthetic appreciation rather than because of religious belief -- if you truly do appreciate the artistic value and historical aspect of the pieces then I think you will treat them with respect. The sculpture in the bathroom looks like it is right across from the tub (my guess in seeing the stool with towel and the edge of a step on the left). Anyway - for this person I would imagine this imparts a particular feeling of serenity and gives a sense of well-being in a room that is increasingly being used as a place to relax, refresh and restore yourself. I doubt the placement was in any way disrespectful or thoughtless decoration.

I do hate it though when using religious symbols in decor becomes a brainless fashion trend. When you see pink velvet Buddhas in large chain home decor stores it has gone way too far!!

anasaw As an asian person born in Thailand where 97% of the people are Buddhists and speaking from a Buddhist point of view, the only place for Budda statue in our houses are on an altar. For Buddists, Buddha statue neither an idol nor a decoration item. We treat the statue with utmost respect. We meditate and chant to recite his teachings in front of his statue. The statue in itself is a constant reminder of our aspiration.

I truly believe that when using an object associated with religious undertone for art purposes, one should be considerate and respectful to its origin.

Danielle And of course, different people define "altars" in different ways. Everything in my home is there because it brings me joy. None of my Buddhist friends find anything at all disrespectful in that. Interestingly enough, when I was in Thailand and had occasion to take taxis, I remember thinking to myself that a rear view mirror with a small Buddha statue was kind of cheesy. Then I thought, well, why not? If I had to drive around this place (it was in Bangkok) I'd want to be reminded of my spiritual connection too!

Danielle I meant that the small statue was hanging from the mirror...:)

remodeling_project I have been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to have travelled to Asia on a number of occasions. Some of my trips have included long stays in the homes of my Japanese, Taiwanese, etc., friends. I don’t ever recall seeing nor would I expect to find a statue of the Buddha in somebody’s bathroom. The same can be said about an image of the Virgin of Guadalupe in any of my Hispanic friends’ bathroom either.

The fact that some of the religious statues found in Seville, for instance, such as the Macarena or Jesus del Gran Poder are considered artistic masterpieces as well as religious icons does not mean that one would therefore expect to find copies of these images in any Spaniards’ bathroom. While somebody’s preference to see either of them as merely “spiritual iconographic images” is a personal choice, I feel that should not be interpreted to mean that it is therefore appropriate to use them as decoration in bathrooms. I believe a reader here said it best: “…when using an object associated with religious undertone(s) for art purposes, one should be considerate and respectful of its origin(s).” [I think the same applies to giving one’s pets names of religious figures -- Jesus, Buddha, Mohammed, etc..]

ds design studio Thanks to everyone for your comments.

I originally had Buddha listed as a design element, but removed it after Andre's comment prompted me to do further research. It seems that most sources, as a few of you mentioned above, believe that it is disrespectful to place a Buddha in the kitchen, bedroom and bath. However, I did not remove the actual photo because it is one designer's artistic interpretation of an Asian inspired bath.

Andre Rothblatt Architecture It's interesting reading eveyone's opinion, there is definitely a variety of perspectives out there. I think this dialogue is a good thing. We all enjoy Houzz and seeing how other people decorate their homes. I think its important to point out that Houzz has an international audience, and as other commenters have pointed out: people should realize some objects that seem interesting or decorative to one group maybe a symbol of reverence or religous importance to another culture. I sometime think that we forget that.

Danenberg Design I wanted to add an idea to this post. Here is a serene, spa-like masterbath in Palo Alto, CA

rainwalk As a longtime resident of Thailand and a practicing Buddhist, I need to remind you that Buddhism is NOT a religion, that the Buddha is not a God but a man, and that he taught us that there is a philosophy and a way of life that can lead to a cessation of suffering.

There is no no divinity, no supreme Creator or supreme Self, no Holy Spirit or omniscient loving God to whom we might appeal for salvation.

The ninth-century Buddhist master Lin Chi is supposed to have said, “If you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him.” Like much of Zen teaching, this seems too cute by half, but it makes a valuable point: to turn the Buddha into a religious fetish is to miss the essence of what he taught.

A monk once told me that the Buddha wants us to laugh as we move along the path until we don't need to laugh any more.

I think he would enjoy seeing himself "disrespected", he might even have giggled.

kalbow666 I'm also a resident of Thailand, and my wife for one would not be using the bathroom with the statue of Buddha. We have a small Buddha 'alter' in our living area and my wife will always ensure she is fully clothed if she walks within sight of the alter.

hanuling the Buddha image is a religious symbol and not a bathroom decoration, no its not cool!