I recently had the pleasure of photographing a Stamford, Connecticut home styled by interior designer and artist Nga Nguyen. Her interior design styling and art reflects the Asian culture of her birthplace - Vietnam.

Nga draws on traditional Asian themes. Her pieces work with the entire room. Everything seamlessly flows together.

Nga works in lacquer, also sometimes called by its Japanese name urushi. This resinous material is made from the sap of a deciduous tree common to East Asian countries. The lacquer forms a hard, clear veneer over Nga's brightly colored paintings that are inspired by nature. Her work usually takes the form of folding screens that can be hung as wall decorations or used as room dividers.

Nga sells lacquer jewelry boxes, paintings and painted furniture from her studio, Asia by Design in Weston, Connecticut.