Decor You'll Dig in the Year of the Dog
Usher in the Lunar Year of The Dog with these simple home additions and mini makeovers that won't break the bank
There is still time to get your home ready for Chinese New Year, which falls on February 16 this year, and it’s easy! Stylish, quirky, cute, endearing or conversation-starting… Motifs of man’s best friend can be found on almost anything, from tableware and wallpaper to stuffed toys and large sculptures. So just take a look at the suggestions below and let your imagination take over! And after the festive season passes, you could still leave your chosen decorative items in place. After all, the Year of the Dog lasts almost 12 months till the start of the next Chinese New Year.
Living room
Sometimes, all it takes is a reconfiguration of furniture, a lick of fresh paint, new curtains and the like, to uplift a stale space or inject life into a neglected corner.
So would you consider this life-size sculpture of a dog? Too much? Perhaps…
Sometimes, all it takes is a reconfiguration of furniture, a lick of fresh paint, new curtains and the like, to uplift a stale space or inject life into a neglected corner.
So would you consider this life-size sculpture of a dog? Too much? Perhaps…
A pair of cheery pink poodles statues to greet guests, and a few doggie print throw cushions on the sofa.
Or foot stools upholstered in a dog print which adds a fun element that does not detract from the neutral-palette ensemble.
Guide to getting your custom-made upholstery done right
Guide to getting your custom-made upholstery done right
Another pair of dogs: this oriental pair is drenched in symbolism, which is perfect for the festive period.
“Foo” dogs are Chinese guardian lions that are believed to protect the home from negative energies. The word “foo” sounds like “fu”, which in Chinese means prosperity, hence the auspicious reference is quite appropriate for this period.
Did you know this about Foo dogs?
“Foo” dogs are Chinese guardian lions that are believed to protect the home from negative energies. The word “foo” sounds like “fu”, which in Chinese means prosperity, hence the auspicious reference is quite appropriate for this period.
Did you know this about Foo dogs?
A bow tie-shaped pillow, a canine figurine or two, a ceramic fire hydrant, a framed picture of your favourite pooch… add or subtract to this clutch of items to get the look and feel you want.
And if you’re a true dog lover, you’d probably have the dog print wallpaper!
And if you’re a true dog lover, you’d probably have the dog print wallpaper!
Kitchen
Check out your favourite homeware store for interesting dog-inspired crockery, utensils, tea towels or serving containers (like the wooden piggy plate pictured) that will add a touch of fun in the kitchen… and on any dining table.
Check out your favourite homeware store for interesting dog-inspired crockery, utensils, tea towels or serving containers (like the wooden piggy plate pictured) that will add a touch of fun in the kitchen… and on any dining table.
Dining room
Too much? That’s debatable! However, if you’d prefer not to be watched while you dine – or if you are a dog-owner, chances are your pooch is already eyeing you while you eat – then perhaps a series of smaller, much smaller, images of your dog or favourite dog breeds will say as much about your love for dogs as the one huge picture.
How to display family photos
Too much? That’s debatable! However, if you’d prefer not to be watched while you dine – or if you are a dog-owner, chances are your pooch is already eyeing you while you eat – then perhaps a series of smaller, much smaller, images of your dog or favourite dog breeds will say as much about your love for dogs as the one huge picture.
How to display family photos
Balcony
Can’t or don’t have a real dog? it’s OK… this one adds just a touch of the whimsy.
Check out these style inspirations for small balconies
Can’t or don’t have a real dog? it’s OK… this one adds just a touch of the whimsy.
Check out these style inspirations for small balconies
Bedrooms
“Happiness is a warm puppy” said Charles M. Schulz. He should know – he created the much-loved Snoopy character!
An easy decoration for any room is a framed picture. This colourful print of Snoopy adds just the right amount of colour to the bedroom.
“Happiness is a warm puppy” said Charles M. Schulz. He should know – he created the much-loved Snoopy character!
An easy decoration for any room is a framed picture. This colourful print of Snoopy adds just the right amount of colour to the bedroom.
Bathrooms
A quirky toilet roll dispenser that carries the dog theme right through.
A quirky toilet roll dispenser that carries the dog theme right through.
Or consider a single stand-out piece in a bright colour.
If you are receptive to the art of feng shui, then this green canine fits the bill for 2018. “The lucky colours that can positively influence your destiny in 2018 are those related to the beneficial energies of the Wood element, represented by the colour green and the Water element, represented by blue and black, according to Karma Weather.
If you are receptive to the art of feng shui, then this green canine fits the bill for 2018. “The lucky colours that can positively influence your destiny in 2018 are those related to the beneficial energies of the Wood element, represented by the colour green and the Water element, represented by blue and black, according to Karma Weather.
Star & Dog Banks
More simple touches
Small figurines are easy to find at the shops, homeware departments, and even gift stores. How to place them? Have a look at the following suggestions. Or… Just let your creative juices flow!
Small figurines are easy to find at the shops, homeware departments, and even gift stores. How to place them? Have a look at the following suggestions. Or… Just let your creative juices flow!
Works well for holding bracelets too!
Tossing to a prosperous new year
And on that note, we detour to a quick mention of food, which is the highlight in any Asian celebration.
Yusheng or raw fish salad is a must-have at any gathering during the Chinese New Year period. This cold dish – made up of a long list of ingredients, condiments, sauces and topped with slices of raw fish – kicks off the rest of the meal. Each of the yusheng ingredients has a special meaning and the accompanying sayings, which are recited by the person preparing the dish at the table, have auspicious significance too. All diners then toss the ingredients with chopsticks. The higher the toss, the more abundant the fortunes and advancement!
Photo credit: InterContinental Singapore.
And on that note, we detour to a quick mention of food, which is the highlight in any Asian celebration.
Yusheng or raw fish salad is a must-have at any gathering during the Chinese New Year period. This cold dish – made up of a long list of ingredients, condiments, sauces and topped with slices of raw fish – kicks off the rest of the meal. Each of the yusheng ingredients has a special meaning and the accompanying sayings, which are recited by the person preparing the dish at the table, have auspicious significance too. All diners then toss the ingredients with chopsticks. The higher the toss, the more abundant the fortunes and advancement!
Photo credit: InterContinental Singapore.
Star of the year
It is the Year of the Dog after all. A smart bow tie on your fur kid sharpens its image! And while you’re at it, maybe a new bowl and a toy perhaps?
TELL US
What are your dog-inspired decorations for the Year of the Dog? Share a photo in the Comments below.
MORE
11 Dogs That Have Better Beds Than Us
14 Doggone Bad Habits to Fix in Your Pooch
8 Ways Having a Dog Can Improve Your Health
It is the Year of the Dog after all. A smart bow tie on your fur kid sharpens its image! And while you’re at it, maybe a new bowl and a toy perhaps?
TELL US
What are your dog-inspired decorations for the Year of the Dog? Share a photo in the Comments below.
MORE
11 Dogs That Have Better Beds Than Us
14 Doggone Bad Habits to Fix in Your Pooch
8 Ways Having a Dog Can Improve Your Health
According to Adelina Pang, principal feng shui consultant, people born in the Year of the Dog will experience ups and downs in overall luck during the next 12 months. However, drawing on an old Chinese saying, Pang says “a happy event can counteract three disasters” and encourages those born in the Year of The Dog to start laying the groundwork for the “happy event”, which she says is getting married, purchasing a house or having a baby.
If none of the above is an immediate option, we would like to suggest a just-as-happy- event: decorating your home.