Buddha becomes popular in home decoration
The housing market is slow, and although you may not be looking to sell your home right now, there are a lot of fun ways to spruce it up.
Retailers are springing into action with new lines of home decoration supplies and embellishments.
Many people try to “stage” their home before they sell it, which essentially entails fixing it up so it looks like a scene out of a Pottery Barn catalog.
One new trend in home decoration can be employed even if you are not trying to spruce up your home for potential buyers, and it comes in the form of an ancient figure of wisdom and peace – Buddha.
The Buddha figure is popping up in just about every retailer that sells any type of home decoration supplies.
A short article in the August 18, 2006 edition of The Wall Street Journal, by Christina S.N. Lewis, “Homes with Om: Buddha in the house,” gives the details on the latest craze in home furnishings.
“Seeking an Asian touch for their outdoor living rooms, bookshelves and bathroom spas, Americans are embracing the Buddha. Look no further than the local big-box store for proof that the Buddha, née Siddhartha (also known as Shakyamuni), with his bumpy head, long earlobes and serene visage, has become a Zen garden gnome, an easy spiritual reference point, a design fillip. Target is selling Buddha fountains for $349 and tea light candle holders for $9.99. Pier 1 Imports started offering distressed stone Buddhas in its 1,100 home furnishing stores last year; the chain now carries five different statues, ranging in price from $20 to $125.”
Just about every merchant across the nation is jumping on the Buddha bandwagon and loading their aisles with the big-bellied figure.
You can join in on the trend without breaking your bank too, since the figures range in a wide variety of prices and styles.
“The Buddha boomlet coincides with a growing interest here in Asian culture. The number of American Buddhists more than doubled from 1990 to 2001, according to the U.S. Census, to 1.08 million, and 6.7 million people practice yoga regularly, according to the National Sporting Goods Association. And last year, Americans imported $424 million of antiques and works of art from China, Japan, India and Hong Kong, a 52% increase from 2004.”
The Buddha can bring a sense of peace and quiet, and a new look to your home or bedroom.
It can also be a great way to spruce up your home and attract potential buyers if you are looking to sell.
