International tensions wax and global alliances wane, but never fear - materials will always peacefully coexist. Manufacturers have decamped on a world tour of influences, a decidedly exotic voyage defined by ageless ornamentation and culture-correct colors. Tile is an especially prolific vehicle, from Spanish mosaics and Persian tessellation to Moroccan zellige and Arabic arabesques. Wallcoverings simulate woven Japanese grasscloth on paper, and ancient Shibori techniques on vinyl. But the chief foreign agent is fabric, with patterns suggesting South Asian saris, African Kasai prints, Javanese batiks, Indonesian ikat and, of course, classic Chinoiserie.