Incorporating antique Chinese furniture into contemporary settings is something many Hongkongers do, though not always with success. However, interior designer Peter Hunter believes balance and harmony are easy to achieve by following basic principles. 'If you are combining Chinese and modern chairs around a dining table, make sure the modern chairs have a slightly higher seat than normal because Chinese chairs are usually 5cm higher than you would expect. They were made to be used with footrests that took your feet off the floor,' he says.
'Don't mix European and Chinese antiques 50/50, especially if both are 'busy' with surface decoration.' Hunter will speak on the subject from 6.30pm to 8pm on Tuesday at Chine Gallery. His talk is a high-light of the shop's Timeless Chic exhibition, which showcases Chinese furniture, sculpture and carpets blended with contemporary German and Italian designs (left).