In 1989, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) was formed to provide a forum for the discussion on economic issues concerning the region. To date, over twenty-one nations, including the United States and Canada, have joined.

The Pacific Rim furniture is as diverse as the nations that are represented. It includes the more ornate oriental furniture. Fung Shui, the ancient Chinese art of placing furniture, has become a popular design technique. With its popularity, there has been an increased interest in the oriental style of Pacific Rim furniture. The label of Pacific Rim gives many consumers a particular feel about what they are buying. Partly because of this, furniture designers from anywhere in the region have dubbed their furniture Pacific Rim. Even the former model, Kathy Ireland, has a line of Pacific Rim furniture available today.