Asian-themed décor is very calm and restful. To get the look, keep furniture to a minimum and use natural materials as much as possible. Asian-inspired furniture often has a glossy, lacquered finish. You can give a room an Asian feel by rejuvenating and painting an old table. A Chinese-style table painted black with a red design is very striking. A Japanese-style table should very low; replace chairs with floor cushions, and paint in a muted color, such as pea green or cream.
Prepare the table by sanding the wood. Lay down plenty of newspaper under the table, and wear a protective mask because dust from old finishes such as varnish can be harmful if inhaled. You don't have to sand the entire finish off down to bare wood, but make sure to sand away surface scratches. Wipe the table down with mineral spirits and clean, lint-free cloths.
Apply primer to the table legs. It is easier to treat the top and legs separately; turn the table upside down, and do the legs first. Then apply one coat of high-gloss paint. Allow to dry completely before sanding lightly with a fine-grade sandpaper. Apply a second coat.
Return the table to an upright position, and apply the primer and high-gloss finish to the top of the table. Aim for a very smooth finish with three or even four applications of top coat, sanding in between and wiping dust away with the lint-free cloth.
Use an artist's brush to add any decoration. For example, a quote written in an Asian text would look authentic and also provide a talking point when entertaining.
Apply two coats of high-gloss polyurethane varnish, sanding between coats as before. Allow the table to stand for at least 72 hours before using so the paint and varnish have time to cure.
