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How to Decorate Your Dining Room in an Asian Theme

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It is possible to decorate your dining room in an Asian theme without having it looking like a Chinese restaurant. When an Asian theme is done properly it does not look tacky; it looks elegant, calm and inviting. The looks is also quite easy to achieve by just adding a few appropriate accessories. Do not be afraid to coordinate your tables and chairs with your placemats and cutlery.

Serving bowls and dishes should look Chinese and be in the colors of Chinese reds and bamboos. Another popular design is the blue and white Chinese porcelain that features fish. The cutler should be rudimentary and consist of bamboo sticks. Make sure the bowls are big and round for holding steamed rice and soup. A little ceramic wine set also gives the room an authentic Chinese feel. Cherry blossoms make a nice centerpiece and give the dining table a truly fresh Asian look.

The best way to make a difference is to simply shop for the right Asian inspired serving dishes, gable ware, serving dishes, runners and table cloths. Just these few touches can easily add a touch of the orient to your look. You may not want to paint all of your walls in mandarin oranges or bamboo greens but you can add an instant oriental flair by adding folding screens made out of rice paper or Shoji doors combined with Asian potted plants. Exotic knick knacks like Buddha’s, geisha girl figures or swords hanging over the mantelpiece or table can give your table an exotic flair.

You can buy Chinese art or you can do something simple like hang an elegant kimono on the wall. A small tank filled with Chinese fish such as angel fish, carp or goldfish also gives a room an oriental touch especially if it also has a small pond in it.

Any wall that is painted a deep red and then contrasted with woods does automatically convey a room that has a bit of a Chinese flair. To really accomplish the Chinese effect well you can also try furniture that is covered with white or red silk and rattan and finished in a crimson or black lacquer finish.

Lighting is important when it comes to creating this type of look. Although a crystal or wrought iron chandelier would do, wooden or big white paper shades look more Chinese. One idea is to hang little Chinese lanterns in a chandelier to give it more of an Asian celebratory effect.

How to Decorate a Valentine’s Day Tree

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Did you know that there is more to life than Christmas trees? You can also make Valentine’s Day trees. These are merry little trees that are similar to the traditional holiday trees but instead of ornaments, you can put knicks and deor to do with love on it.

The first thing you might want to reimagine is the color of the tree. A pink or orange tree is right for this type of celebration. The more Barbie like and precious the tree is the better it will work out.

The tree can be big or small and be used as a table centerpiece. The more efficient you are about the design of it the more elegant it will look as well. Here are some idea for some themes –

• The white tree decorated with chocolate hearts wrapped in red foil.
• The white tree decorated in tiny white lights, crystals, pearls and tiny blue gift boxes.
• The red tree decorated with gold and silver hearts and a strand of pearls.
• The pink tree decorated with hearts in gold wrapped foil in different sizes.
• Any color of tree decorated entirely in Hershey’s chocolate kisses.

All trees look beautiful tied with ribbons. One very nice tree is an artificial pink tree tied with big pink and white ribbons and festooned with pink roses and orchids. Make sure you crown this tree with a beautiful big peony.

Of the arterial trees the ones made out of boas and feathers look the most ethereal and lovely.

Don’t forget you can find heart shaped lights in novelty stores to string around these trees as a garland.

Another cute idea, that is good for the environment is to recycle Valentine’s Day cards from the past and tie them to the tree.

You do not have to use a fir tree of some kind. The naked branches of a deciduous tree can look nice, especially if you paint them pink or silver. You can then hang silver beads or foil covered candies from the tree to give it some flair.

Some people make entire chocolate trees out of large molds that look like tree branches at this time of the year. White bark melted with strawberry or cinnamon accents make a love decoration that is also edible.

Not only are Valentine’s Day trees pretty they are a great way to recycle and make more use of any artificial trees you may have around.