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       Today, in her own home, Sung said she enjoys "having lucky symbols and accents around the house. I have a large wooden number 8 which hangs in the kitchen, which is a symbol for wealth. In the bedroom, I have an art piece which features two magpies -- a symbol for marital bliss."

Bartholomew, of the Asian Art Museum, also includes symbolic pieces in her home. A string of bottle gourds hangs in one room. "Philosophically, a gourd is only useful when the insides have been emptied, just as human beings are useful to others only when they have been emptied of their delusions and desires," she explained. "After my daughter was born, I hung a sword made of ancient coins in the house, for protection."

If a home is decorated in a particular style -- like midcentury Modern -- can Chinese accents be added without their looking out of place? Lim thinks so, and the photographs in her book offer some examples.

Black lacquer panels from Beijing sit in a dining room alongside Arne Jacobsen Series 7 chairs. In another image, a pair of 19th century upholstered French chairs flank a side table decorated with Chinese fretwork.

To incorporate Chinese style into a home, Lim suggests starting "with one piece that calls strongly to you, to anchor a space or room.

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