Interior of the passenger liner 'Empress of Asia' (1913) showing the First Class Smoking Room, on the Promenade Deck (a view from the starboard side, looking aft). The windows overlooking the First Class Verandah Café can be seen in the background.

The First Class Smoking Room was decorated in the Jacobean style. The carving work was carried out by H. H. Martyn & Co Ltd, Cheltenham. The bay at the after end of the Smoking Room was inspired by an oak and leaded glass facade in the Victoria & Albert Museum, London. This came from the house Sir Paul Pindar erected in the Bishopsgate area of London circa 1600. The half-timbered ceiling was punctuated by naked light bulbs, demonstrating they were still a novelty in 1912.

The main public rooms on the 'Empress of Asia' were designed by the architect George Abraham Crawley (1864-1926). Crawley also designed interiors for her sistership ‘Empress of Russia’ (1913).