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Published on April 23, 2008

Manote Tripathi

The Nation

     he days of the modern makeover for the home are numbered, hit by a blast from the past in the form of retro Asian furnishings. There's even a supply crunch among the emerging Thai middle class, who are scrambling to buy classic Chinese styles. People are talking about decorating their home with either authentic antique furnishings or reproductions - the latest trends sweeping city pads.

"People aged 30 and up are taking home decor seriously, and they come here looking for a style that combines modern chic with traditional Asian designs," says Aporn Bamrongsuk, managing director of Pasathan, a new home-furnishings outlet on Sukhumvit Soi 49.

Aporn is not alone in loving all things Chinese or Asian when it comes to decor. In this niche market, however, she's found that form traditionally takes precedence over function. Just lately though, she's noticed a change: antique reproductions have become very user-friendly.

With her business savvy, Aporn started importing Chinese furnishings three years ago - cabinets of various shapes and sizes plus chairs, beds, shelves, chests and tables - from the furniture-making town of Ningbo, south of Shanghai.

Home to a jumble of furniture factories, Ningbo's different styles of furnishings cost less than half the price of their equivalents in Thailand. And Aporn points out that the craftsmanship is second to none. "You can be sure that Chinese cabinets you order here are made to authentic old-Chinese designs," she says, adding, "I had to scout around furniture fairs in China before I decided to use Ningbo as my source."

Besides China, Pasathan imports from Vietnam and Burma. Especially notable is the shop's extensive range of reproductions of Burmese antiques. "I have a friend who visits Burma quite often. He has a huge collection of Burmese art and home decor - he's my source," Aporn says.

Her stock has certainly struck a chord with design-conscious homeowners. A recent fair she attended saw every stick of her Chinese-style furniture sold. Among those she considers loyal clients are Burasari Hotel on Phuket's Patong beach and Shanghai Inn in Bangkok's Chinatown.

Aporn attributes the appeal of these furnishings to their comfortable mix of the functional and the decorative as well as their distinctively Asian identity. Also key is the way that they stand out from the crowd.

"Some people just don't enjoy decorating their home with mass-produced furnishings: decor has become more individual," she says.  "Meanwhile, classical Asian style is timeless. That's why antique cabinets can fit well in the modern home. Reproductions, though, are increasingly preferred in Thailand - not because they are inexpensive but because of the lingering idea that old furniture might be haunted by spirits.

"Even a single Chinese cabinet will reflect the character of its owner and his strong sense of design. The trend is that people are no longer happy with giving their home an entirely modern look," she says, adding that half of her customers are expatriates.

 Aporn invites her customers to take items home and try them out before buying, returning them if they don't fit in. Passionate about her work, she's also on hand with ideas and plans for interior-decor schemes.

"Finding the right furnishings isn't easy. Customers often arrive inspired by articles in decor magazines, but there are always questions of space and suitability to consider when furnishing your home. I would say, discover the style that you like and go for it. If classic Chinese design takes your eye, I would recommend two versatile items: a main table and a tall cabinet. They make good components for the interiors of most homes and condos - if what you want is a room with a homely Asian atmosphere."

On the net: www.pasathan.com