Bohemia is actually an area within the Czech republic – surrounding Prague -  and bordered by mountain ranges and the Bohemia forest.  As it was formerly known,  The Kingdom of Bohemia covered all of the Czech territory including Moravia. The derivation of the word, Boiohaemum, is from Germanic Boi-Heim, "home of the Boii", a Celtic people.

The term Bohemian was first used in France in the early 19th century.  It was used to describe the untraditional lifestyles of marginalized and impoverished artists, writers, musicians, and actors in major European cities –when they began to concentrate in the lower-rent, lower class gypsy neighborhoods.

Today, that meaning still persists but tends to have a much more rich and exotic flair to it.  In design, the term Bohemian applies to art and clothing with intricate details and bold but natural colors – as opposed to day-glo or synthetic color schemes.   Also, bohemian design conjures elements of the gypsy’s nomadic lifestyle: patchwork fabrics and scarves, handcrafted embroidery, beading, braided details, coins and tassels.  It's touches of crochet and / or embroidery on top of prints. The idea is that there are no rules: layer a paisley scarf with a floral headband…..  wear halter dresses layered with cardigans and wraps.  The fun is in the freedom to mix and match.