How to Create a Mulan Inspired Interior

Forget traditional Disney Princess’s ‘Mulan’ showed girls from across the world how to be strong, brave and loving. Based on the Chinese Tale of ‘Fa Mulan’ this story follows our heroine as she disguises herself as a man and takes her aged fathers place in the general conscription that is put together to fight the Hun invasion during the Han Dynasty. This story is one of courage and adventure and takes place in the fabulous landscapes of China. This Asian inspired elegance and warrior spirit can be captured in your home interior with these simple and stylish ideas.

When the family learns that Mulan has gone off to war, they pray to the ancestors to help protect her. They order the ‘great stone dragon’ to guard her however their message may have been a little misinterpreted as a small red dragon named Mushu is summoned instead. Mushu is a great comic character in the movie and he can be represented with a vast selection of home accessories that feature traditional Chinese dragon imagery. In ornaments, lamp bases and cushions dragons are a prominent feature in oriental homes. I love this gorgeous red glass vase with white dragon detailing that will look fabulous on a Chinese style side table or console.

Cherry Blossoms feature heavily in Asian interior design and can be seen in the movie, in and around the homes of Mulan’s family. Their delicate design and bursts of colour make them great for updating a neutral or minimal home interior. Why not try your hand at up-cycling your old furniture by painting a fabulous cherry blossom pattern on a small table or chest of drawers to create a distinctive and personalised feature within your chosen room.

This feminine floral design also looks fabulous on traditional Chinese paper lanterns that can be hung as a centrepiece within your room or suspended in a group formation above a seating area or bed for a traditional, stylish finish.

The femininity of the cherry blossom can be balanced with more masculine accents to reflect how Mulan tries to disguise herself as a male warrior. The Family’s horse; Khan accompanies Mulan as she goes off to war and helps her in many situations that she finds herself in. His statuesque structure is strong and bold and reflects Mulan’s courageous attitude as he himself follows her into danger. There are many horse ornaments in Chinese interior design and many that were designed during the Han Dynasty. Their elegant form and sophistication will look fabulous displayed on a sideboard area and can be found in various materials and colours to suit your home interior.

Soft furnishings are a must have in any home interior and I have absolutely fallen in love with this beautiful ‘Daughter of Honour’ pillow by Mandie Manzano. This gorgeous cushion features a stylish stained glass style image of Mulan in her traditional Chinese clothing. The rich colours will make a fabulous focal point on a plain sofa or bed spread and will look amazing partnered with traditional Chinese style cushions featuring red and gold colour schemes, tassels and embellishments or bamboo and cherry blossom designs.

Finally decorate your walls with a fabulous array of Chinese parasols and fans that make a fabulous alternative to canvases and framed pictures and are illustrative of traditional female Chinese dress. Many designs are hand painted to give a one of a kind print and feature blossoms, Chinese writing and dragons with either a soft and pale background or a bold red or black. These look particularly striking displayed above a futon style bed or a low level seating area to give colour and detail to your chosen feature wall.

For more ideas on creating a Mulan inspired home interior, take a look at our latest Pinterest Board - Pinterest - Mulan