The red wooden baby bath and stand is decorated with gold fu dogs, protectors of the home and guardians of children

Have you noticed an Asian theme creeping into home decor recently? Blue and white ceramics overflowing with orchids, imitation bamboo candlesticks, even brightly-colored brocade diaper bags? As we all become a little more cosmopolitan - thanks perhaps to the Discovery Channel more than our travel budgets - we are moving away from a requirement for a home to follow a strict and distinctive decorating motif.

Here in the Santa Clarita Valley, we are fortunate to live in a safe and clean environment, but sometimes the monotony of all that pale stucco can get a little overwhelming. Searching through antique shops for a fun, funky, nostalgic or just colorful accent piece doesn't mean you have to redesign your whole house to match. Likewise with incorporating Asian pieces into your home. There is no need to add a pagoda roofline and replace your lawn with bamboo! By bringing in some unusual pieces of furniture, accent pieces, or just unusual fabrics, we can have a little fun with our decor and not fall foul of the dreaded Home Owner's Association rules.

Of course, having lived in Hong Kong for 13 of the past 18 years I'm biased! I fell in love with the wonderful old furniture, worn smooth from years of use and often battered and burned from centuries of abuse! The satiny feel of polished wood, the hint of gold lacquer remaining after generations of dusting, the intricate carving, the weight of a chair made from solid wood... these are all sensations I cherish. But how does the Asian look sit in a beige stuccoed tract home? Is it possible to incorporate some of the mystery of the Orient into a cookie-cutter neighborhood without it looking too hokey? We don't all have the decorating budget of Hearst Castle, and most of us have to make the furniture fit the house, rather than the other way around.

This black jade plate depicts three fish, a symbol of wealth

In the same way that you might display an old '40s-style bread bin in your kitchen, without feeling the need to switch all your appliances to pre-WW2 models, so you can incorporate some Asian pieces in to your home without transforming your living room into the set from Mulan. Whether you decide to add large pieces of furniture for an overall Asian look or prefer to just add a few small touches to add some color and whimsy to your decor, you can have a blast hunting down your oriental treasures.

Starting with a few accent pieces would be a wonderful way to bring a little oriental magic into your home. Try a delicate birdcage; this will blend seamlessly with any motif, and the tiny carved dragon heads on the upturned corners offer an instant reminder of a far off place. In Hong Kong, old men shuffling around the town with a bird cage in their hand are a familiar sight. Yes, these withered old men take their songbirds out for a walk each day! With crowded living conditions there's not much room for large pets and so many people own birds. Consequently the birdcages have become an art form all of their own. Whether the simple bamboo cages or the intricately carved rosewood versions, with fierce dragons as decoration, these pieces offer an interesting home for a small bird or a trailing plant or can be left empty for an unusual decorative piece on a table or hanging in a window.

The scholars in ancient China were a revered bunch - they would sit at their tables and contemplate life; producing fine poetry, calligraphy and paintings. To be inspired they would surround themselves with articles of great beauty such as jade carvings or decorated boxes. The leather bound scholar's boxes might not encourage your children to do their homework, but stacked artistically or teamed with a larger elaborately lacquered leather trunk, they would provide an exotic accent to any room.

The mirror cover of this red lacquer makeup stand with drawer is decorated with a deer and crane surrounded by pine branched and flowers, with a bat in each corner

When traveling, the bureaucrats and businessmen of the 19th century would want to protect important documents - so they carried with them leather-bound pillow boxes. A little cushioning on top helped the travelers rest while their valuables were safely concealed inside. The rich colors and delicate designs on these boxes will add a sophistication and gravitas to your home.

Weddings are a big deal in any culture and the Chinese have always embraced a multitude of traditions and gifts for these celebrations. There are an abundance of wonderful baskets, boxes and even teapots produced specifically for weddings. Whether you are newly married or celebrating your 50th anniversary, a carefully placed red lacquer wedding basket will offer a splash of drama. Wedding pieces are often highly decorated with auspicious creatures, like the spectacular golden phoenix; a male and female together symbolize immortal love! Flowers also have different meanings: peonies represent wealth and advancement and the lotus implies purity and nobility. And let's not forget the bats; found on so many Chinese pieces because the Chinese for bat is a homophone for (sounds like) the word for happiness and prosperity.

Another option would be to incorporate a few jade items. I'm not suggesting you invest your kid's college fund into museum-quality carvings, but think about some small jade plates, which can be used as trivets for candles and plants or just hung on the wall for decoration. The variety of carving is endless; animals of the Chinese zodiac, auspicious dragons and even fish (believed to bring wealth due to another homophone!). These small accent pieces will fit in with any decor and provide you with a wonderful conversation piece.

Ornamental box shaped like an ancient gold ingot and decorated with auspicious flowers and butterflies in gold lacquer

If, like me, you become hooked on the warmth and charm of Chinese antiques you can seek out the larger pieces of furniture to change the whole look of a room. A richly carved altar table fits nicely behind a sofa or against a wall and is the perfect place for a jade carving or a red lacquer ceremonial teapot large enough to serve 50 guests. A pair of scroll paintings of someone's long lost ancestors would complete the look for your Asian retreat.

Unlike the heavy Ming Imperial Court furniture and delicate ceramics made between the 14th and 17th centuries, the pieces which are currently popular with designers are very affordable. The warm elm and rich red lacquer favored by those making furniture for the ordinary people of China in the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) blends beautifully with country styles from Europe and traditional American decor.

In this land of ubiquitous beige stucco and cream carpet we all yearn for a touch of something magical to brighten our homes. The addition of handcrafted pieces already loved by generations will bring a different dimension to your decorating and, once you learn what all the auspicious decorations mean, will provide you with a unique conversation piece for years to come!


Interested in Chinese antiques? Contact Sue Dockstader at suedock@attglobal.net or see her current collection of antiques at Cottage on Walnut in Newhall (253-0804).