Home furnishing gets a modernist touch
Home furnishings and accessories specialist Marc James Design carries an eclectic mix of designs that emphasise the minimalist Western modernist aesthetics popular in the 1950s and 1960s.
'We aim to cater to the broad market by providing design-oriented products at affordable prices,' says Marc James, owner of the shop on the 16th floor. 'The international press has been highlighting modernist designs and there has been a lot of interest from the interior design sector in the period. One of our focuses is to provide customers with designs reflecting this period.'
The Blue Lounge Studio Desk, a traditional table with a modern twist, is an example of the modernist look preferred by the shop.
The company also stocks furniture by American designer Sean Dix whose designs contrast solid wood or wood-veneer finish with other materials, such as glass and metal. His Forte dining table, for example, features a glass top with fabricated solid wood frame.
Marc James Design shop also features versatile indoor and outdoor moulded plastic chairs by two Italian brands. The Origlia's Lady P chair, for which Marc James has exclusive distribution, costs HK$990. The Lady P has a slender frame and is not affected by direct prolonged exposure to the sun. Another popular design is the Pasha chair by Pedrali which combines a classic look with comfort. The single-moulded plastic armchair is available in a black or white gloss finish.
Marc James Design is also set to introduce more of its own creations under the brand MJD. In line with the modernist style, MJD products are simple and contemporary with a distinctive touch of Italian minimalism.
The MJD Basics line includes the Rio Collection, which consists of steel-framed counter stools and dining chairs with cushion seats upholstered in a material mixing wool and viscose. The company is expanding the line by introducing dining tables, sofas, chairs, and desks.
'Most of our customers are knowledgeable about furniture and have clear ideas about what they want when they visit our shop,' James says.
As a result, the store focuses heavily on staff training to ensure they are able to assist customer in making selections. 'We can show them the highlights, features and benefits of a particular range of items,' he says. 'Our staff can also suggest to them about where individual pieces can be used in conjunction with other items and provide ideas about mixing and matching new items with the customers' existing pieces.'
This month, the company will open another showroom in the North Plaza in Discovery Bay, which is expected to carry the Hiroshima Collection of dining tables and chairs by Japanese brand Maruni. The minimalist designs in white beech are well crafted, and are also available to order at the Horizon Plaza Shop, James says.