SINGAPORE — Pretty party platters and mouth-watering food aside, another way to wow guests while entertaining this coming Lunar New Year —it’s only six weeks away, you know — is to show off new wares and furniture. And all the better if they are cool limited-edition pieces that don’t cost a bomb. Such as Ikea’s first ever Trendig collection.

This collection is Chinese culture-meets-Scandinavian cool — with 32 pieces, all of which are modern and sleeker versions of chinoiserie. The characteristic Chinese chair, for example, is now streamlined, while motifs such as goldfish and crickets are tastefully interpreted on plates and curtains. Some materials used in the collection are also influenced by traditional Chinese elements — stoneware for vases, bamboo for stools and rice paper for lamps. And with feasting during Lunar New Year being a prime focus, even items such as the butcher’s block and the dining table are given the Trendig treatment.

The company revealed that the collection is a collaboration between designers in China and Sweden. “At Ikea, we’re constantly creating well-designed, functional home furnishing solutions at affordable prices,” said a spokesperson. “Through these limited-edition collections, we hope to offer with fun and exciting pieces that can also complement our regular range.”

As to why Chinese culture was chosen as the first for such a collection, the answer was simply because “the aesthetic is something new”. So why not? If you asked us, we reckon they’d be perfect for your Lunar New Year shindig.

Prices for the Trendig items range from S$1.90 (for serving bowls) to S$499 for the dining table. The pieces will be available in Ikea Tampines and Alexandra from Dec 26.