The clean lines and dramatic colour combinations of classic oriental furniture and accessories offer the perfect way to lend a sophisticated look to contemporary schemes

Picture one: Combine the textures of ceramics, linen and wood to set the mood
FABRIC Table runner in Taisho Blossom in Moss FL378-04, silk, 140cm wide, £59m, Designers Guild.
ACCESSORIES Wooden plates, £35 each, Gong. Chopsticks, £4 pair, Frontiers, (020) 7727 6132. Green linen napkin, £7.50, Linum at Selfridges. Mayu teacup, £6.95; ceramic star garden lantern, £109; both The Conran Shop.

Picture two: Intense green with dashes of pink offset the sleek sheen of lacquered Chinese furniture
FURNITURE Hua lacquered trestle table, H75xW100xL270cm, £3,800; elm stone-topped stools, H43xW31xD31cm, £1,500 pair; all Snapdragon. Flare matt-lacquered beech plywood dining chair, H70xW56xD58cm, £129, Habitat.
FABRIC Table runner in Taisho Blossom in Moss F1378-04, silk, 140cm wide, £59m, Designers Guild.
WALLS Pale Lime, matt emulsion, £20.50 for 2.5 litres, The Little Greene Paint Company.
FLOORING Balmoral basket-weave seagrass, £17.95m, The Alternative Flooring Company.
ACCESSORIES Vintage kimono, £60, Fanny's Antiques, 0118 950 8261. Wooden plates, £35 each, Gong. White linen napkins, £7.50 each, Linum at Selfridges. Chopsticks, £4 pair, Frontiers, 020 7727 6132. Mayu teacups, £6.95 each; ceramic garden lantern, £129.95; all The Conran Shop.

Picture three: A striking wallpaper panel makes a bold statement
FURNITURE Elm console table, H100xW200xD48cm, £1,900, Gong (Chelsea). Norris chair, H78xW71xD73cm, £1,773, George Smith.
FABRIC Chair in Tweed Linen in Cream, linen, 137cm wide, £56m, George Smith.
WALLS Maehwa wallpaper in Pale Green, £422.72 for a 2.5 x 1m length (two lengths used here), Home & Book.
FLOORING Rug, £60, Lombok. Jute Herringbone Natural, AFC4617, £22m, The Alternative Flooring Company.
ACCESSORIES Picture frame, £30, John Lewis. Reproduction telephone, £169.95, The Conran Shop. Handbag, £99, L K Bennett. Antique bird cage, H80xD46cm, £800 pair, Snapdragon.

Picture four: Dark and light furniture with plain shutters creates a modern look
FURNITURE Lunar cabinet in Oyster Grey, H180xW110xD57.5cm, £750, Oka. Shanghai dark stained walnut chair, H73xW76xD85cm, £2,400; elm stone-topped stool as side table, £1,500 pair; both Snapdragon.
FABRIC Chair cushions in Loom in Natural 3557, linen mix, 140cm wide, £72.85m, Lelièvre.
FLOORING Savanna rug, 140x200cm, £60, Lombok. Balmoral basket-weave seagrass, AFC3107, £17.95m, The Alternative Flooring Company.
ACCESSORIES Buddha head, £200, Kelly Hoppen. Beads, £24, Oka. Nineteenth-century Chinese leather box under head, £200; 19th-century Chinese box under cabinet, £295; both The Nine Schools at Selfridges. Hexagonal bird cage, £60, Lombok. Emperatrice cushion, £55; white ceramic rice bowl, £14.95; both The Conran Shop. Perspex shutters, to order, Parma Lilac.

STYLING CHARIS WHITE
PHOTOGRAPHS DAMIAN RUSSELL
MARCH 2007

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