In Chinese culture the color red symbolizes happiness and good fortune - and nothing makes an Asian-inspired room happier than a few well-chosen touches of red. I’ve rounded up a few rooms today that show what a difference red Asian-inspired accents make – and I’ve compiled a selection of red Chinese furniture pieces and decorative accessories to give you additional decorating ideas. See if they don’t inspire you to rev up your own rooms with red – and bring a bit of Valentine’s Day into your home year ‘round.
Above: The red rug, flowers, pillows and Chinese ancestor painting rev up this New York City living room designed by Miles Redd. Photographed for Elle Decor by Simon Upton.
At left: Add a pop of red to any room with this little Ming-style square table. Just 14” high, it’s perfect as a plant stand or as a place to perch a book and a drink.
At right: Use this red reproduction Chinese wedding box trunk with its woven rattan top as a side table – or group two of them together to make an unusual coffee table.
Above: One of my favorite Mary McDonald rooms. Red accents punch up the comfortable khaki and white decor.
At left: Add Qing Dynasty style to your living room or bedroom with this wonderful red Chinese wedding cabinet table lamp.
At right: Banish the decorative blahs with a wooden Chinoiserie pagoda birdcage in bright red.
Above: Red Chinese garden stools, chair cushions and red and white upholstery really bring this Mary McDonald room to life.
Above left: Lucky red goldfish adorn this white porcelain Chinese garden stool available at Overstock. Above right: Beautiful open work makes this Chinese red porcelain garden seat a standout.
Above: In this colorful New York sunroom designed by Meg Braff and photographed for House Beautiful by Frances Janisch, the red Chinese Chippendale chairs and leather-topped card table are definitely the focal point.
Above: This great red lacquer Chinese grouping from Maine’s The Azure Dragon would make a stunning focal point in almost any room. The set includes two carved Chinese horseshoe chairs and a carved wine table.
Above: Revving up a room with Asian-inspired red can be as simple as adding a vase and a few pillows, as in this contemporary living room from House to Home. Or make your design statement with a decorative chest or bench like those below…
At left: The bright red drawer fronts on this Chinese black lacquer three-drawer chest are festooned with hand-painted butterflies.
At right: A red silk seat makes this faux bamboo bench especially eye-catching.
At left: New from World Market, a wonderful wooden Chinese Chippendale bench in bright red. Use it in the garden, mud room or even in the front hall.
At right: Also from World Market, this red Asian bench with simple lines would fit in just about anywhere.
Above: Another example of how just a few touches of red are all it takes to punch up a neutral room. Picture this living room by Guchi interior Design without them.
At right: Custom-made red and white Asian-inspired decorative pillows from the Crystal Lake bedding collection by Legacy Home.
At left: I love the clean lines of this red Ming-style chest. The three drawers are felt-lined for a protective touch.
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