Was it the tapestry place mats with tiny tassels in a spectrum of colors? Or maybe it was the hand-painted figurine with his ornate costume and flowing turban?

Amen doesn’t recall the exact piece that first inspired him to design the India-theme party pictured here, but he says it can start with the smallest detail. “A napkin or a plate might catch my eye,” he explains, “and from that I just start pulling it all together.

“With India, in particular, the possibilities are endless if you embrace color,” he says. Mixing and matching is something he repeatedly encourages hosts to do. And this spread takes that advice to the nth degree. What better theme to stretch your creativity than a country known for its tradition of combing bright colors, textures, and patterns with abandon?

With that in mind, it’s important to realize that there are not any rules when it comes to building a spicy spread that transports your guests to the banks of the Ganges. As you click through the photos at the right, you will see that Amen has used many elements that aren’t necessarily Indian, per se, but because of their color or texture they work here to create an overall taste of India.

Planning your own Indian party? See photo captions for more details and tips. Be sure to check out the Rogan Josh recipe served at this party.