Images courtesy of Cheryll Gillespie.

I have just been 'Shanghaied' by country. I haven't had the country look on my designer radar for a number of years, but after seeing how my Asian version of country came together I have once again been humbled by the down home look of country style, although this one has a fabulous Asian twist, if I do say myself.

Innovative and successful fashion, whether it is home or apparel fashion must always have a twist or a unique angle, a deviation from the expected to the unexpected that will take the space from ordinary to extraordinary. We need to catch everyone that enters the room, including ourselves, our family members and friends with something that has been designed to leave a lasting impression, something that stirs the senses and makes a room welcoming and genuinely exciting.

The look of Shanghai country is rich, warm, inviting and exotic, everything a sensational space should be. I started with a handsome country palette of Chinese reds, coffee creams and rich gold's, accented with dark walnut woods and black granites. The flooring was comprised of hand scraped walnut hardwood and black granite with a red and cream granite/marble inlay. The bedrooms were done with a patterned cream Saxony in a branch and leaf motif.

On the walls I used a variety of paint, wallpaper and red brick laid in a herringbone pattern. Gilded ceiling medallions were installed to perfectly show off heavy country lighting fixtures. While lighting always plays an important role in design, it is especially important to light a room properly when you are using a palette of darker materials and colours. One should never avoid dark colours for fear of having dark rooms, as this will not be a problem if you plan correctly. Dark rooms envelop all who enter with their warmth and evoke a strong sense of security and ambience to a space.

With respect to selecting furniture, some pieces certainly had an Asian influence on their design but the upholstered pieces were quite modern. I believe it is the blending of styles that creates the spark or visual excitement with in a space. I also scattered the odd contemporary accessory throughout the house. For example, I used a modern yellow floor lamp in the girl's bedroom, contemporary lacquered vases in the home office and a pair of bowed leather sofas in the family room. When it was time to accessorize I went all out with the Asian influence. I even had a life size Chinese General standing guard at the office doorway. (I actually had one of the Generals sent home to my ultra modern personal home. I loved him so much I just couldn't resist.)

This home was one of the most fun I have ever designed and if I do say so myself, it came together brilliantly and while I managed an entire home designed around this theme you may want to explore just one room. Perhaps, a home office or family room. If the style grows on you, then you can expand the style into other spaces. If your looking to update your currently out dated country home or you simply are in need of a change consider adding a little Asian flair to your rooms and go Shanghai country.