The art of Chinese family life
For a woman so obsessed with creativity, China and design, it's no surprise Lo Kai-yin has written yet another book on Chinese home and family. The designer has just released her fourth publication called House Home Family: Living and Being Chinese. However, this tome is more than just architecture, feng shui or design. It also incorporates ideas of culture, spiritualism, family tradition and philosophical values. Having studied Chinese homes and layout in many parts of the country, Lo found common traits in many rural households.
'The core Chinese way of thinking is very important,' Lo said, 'It's the foundation of the way Chinese people live and behave.'
As a true scholar, she examines the interrelated dynamics of function, furniture and the development of the family structure in rural Chinese domestic life. The book is also filled with insightful photos, drawings and illustrations.
However, during exploration for the book she felt that some of these values and ideals are disappearing. 'China has become groundless
and lost its aesthetics. I am not so much sad as disturbed by the sameness of new towns.'
She already has an idea for her next book. 'I would like to make it about food and lifestyle, but this time I would combine Chinese and western styles.'
