Better to give and receive

Horizon Plaza will inspire gift givers with its wide selection of practical yet decorative products on offer.

Mirrors are a great gift as they make lighting more efficient and rooms appear more spacious.

Blupool, on the 26th floor, has a selection of Filipino-made Venetian mirrors. 'Many are elaborate reproductions of antique models,' says owner Katherina Wong. Venetian mirrors from the Philippines are considered to be superior in craftsmanship to most made in Thailand or other Asian countries. 'The carved and etched designs on the borders are more intricate and run in meandering strips because the mirrors are a minimum of 5mm thick,' she says. Blupool takes special orders and has supplied Venetian mirrors that are several metres high. An average-sized Venetian mirror, 60cm by 75cm, costs about HK$3,000.

Blupool also carries limited-edition mirrors in ceramic frames covered with distinctive crackled glaze in 14-karat gold or sterling silver by southern French artist Pelletier. 'All Pelletier's ceramic-framed mirrors are signed pieces,' Wong says. Prices start from HK$2,500.

Lacquerware, considered distinctively Asian, is also popular. Good Laque, on the 16th floor, is a treasure trove of lacquered decorative items, many of which are sourced from Vietnam.

Shelley Moirez, one of the owners of Good Laque, says the majority of the company's items are designed in-house. 'We have selected the best craftsmen who [have mastered] the process of applying lacquer of up to 20 layers on items to obtain that glossy, rich appearance.' More sophisticated designs include inlaid designs of mother-of-pearl, abalone shell and eggshell.