Shop the R&W Look: Asian Mix

I did a local magazine interview a couple of months ago, and the interviewer asked specifically about the "Asian influence" in my home. I took a quick mental inventory and realized that you can find a little mix of Asian flair in almost every room in my house! I realized that this love probably stems from my home growing up- my parents were VERY into the whole '80's black lacquer furniture that was Thomasville's take on "Asian" as well as ginger jars from stores like Homegoods, etc. Please understand, this is not me mocking their look or the style, I think my Mom had it right well before many other high end designers did! I feel like I took her love a step further in seeking out the authentic and truly rare and mixing it in with my other loves.

You'll find antique Korean tanu chests mixed in with brass fretwork shelves and reproduction furniture from the '70's made by American of Martinsville and Dixie. In order for it not to look so contrived or "theme-y" I think it's always important to display your Asian pieces with lots of different styles. You'll see both in my home and the inspiration pics below, these pieces look right at home alongside French Provincial chairs, Danish Midcentury rosewood pieces, modern lighting and contemporary upholstery.

When trying to get the look in your own home, I think it's important to look for pieces with versatility and interesting lines. If it's a reproduction piece- could it be lacquered a poppy color? If it's an antique, can it actually be useful to you in your home? This will help it from looking less like a museum piece and more like a cool way to use something really old. For example, in our dining room I have a tansu cabinet from the 1860's that serves as part sideboard, part bar cabinet, part blanket chest- and it works because we need it to- duh!

So, here are some of my favorite pieces available for sale in our Chairish shop right now along with some inspiration for your peepers...