Asian Flavor Ideas

Set a tabletop with elements from this popular Asian design style. Here are some ideas for serving a special Asian meal.

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Asian style is one of the most popular design trends today and that's true for entertaining as well. Asian-influenced tabletops can have a variety of looks — calm and serene or vibrant and exciting.

As one of the most popular ethnic interiors, it's also perhaps one of the most versatile. With deep reds and golden highlights, an opulent Chinese-inspired tabletop would be gorgeous in any dining room. A gold platter with Chinese inscriptions adds drama when used as a charger under red lacquer plates with the golden hues repeated in the amber stemware. The centerpiece is comprised of a small group of stone figures flanked by small bunches of red roses.

The key to this design is composition. Asian tabletops are all about balance, color, placement and the simplicity of the objects.

For a more serene mood, try a soothing muted green and move the party into the living room. Incorporate a coffee table for serving and sit on pillows for a casual and fun gathering.

Look for geometric shapes, unusual colors (from bright to muted), bamboo linens and placemats and natural textures such as reed and silk that blend into a balanced presentation. Few elements are needed to get an Asian feel — put ceramic glazed plates over bamboo placemats and use black iron lanterns for festive but simple centerpieces.

When creating a festive mood, look beyond the dining table. A reproduction Chinese cabinet is a wonderful backdrop for a buffet table decorated with vegetation. Cabbage overflows from a wrought iron vase while a row of miniature pineapples stand at attention underneath.

Set a table apart with another detail — ordinary rice. Use it in a tray with the plates set on top or in a vase with flowers or fresh vegetables.

Set a table with Asian flair using unexpected items and food.

Wrap the outside of cylindrical glasses in plastic for protection. Moisten spring roll wraps and drape them around the outside of each glass. Once dry, remove the wraps and place a votive holder inside.

Line an oblong wooden bowl with rice, and then place votive candles on top to use as the centerpiece.

Place a seaweed wrap between each plate and charger for decoration. Moisten Udon noodles and wrap them in a small circle to use as napkin rings once dry, and tie individual name cards to pears with raffia. Rest a pair of chopsticks on a tiny pepper next to each plate.

red and gold table (chargers, chopsticks, red lacquer plates, ruby glass beads , red candle lanterns, Chinese warrior figures, pewter vases, table runners) (Pier 1 Imports)

gold tablecloth, bamboo placemats, ceramic glazed plates (Pottery Barn)

red and gold table (amber stemware, flatware); black and green table (wrought iron vase, votive holders, wrought iron tray by Jan Barboglio); candles by John Hardy; ceramic glazed plates by Vietri; Italian silk pillows by Toscana; reproduction of Chinese furniture (Neiman Marcus)

Resources

Guests
- Denelle Green-Drake
  Designer, Neiman-Marcus
  Toll Free Phone: 888-888-4757
  URL: www.neimanmarcus.com
- Andrea Jovine
  Fashion and Interior Designer, Jovine
  60 Winding Lane
  Greenwich, CT 06831
  Phone: 203-625-3374
  Fax: 203-625-6354
- Karin Taylor
  Owner, Style House
  20 Haverford Station Road
  Haverford, PA 19041-1507
  Phone: 610-642-6828
  URL: www.stylehouseusa.com