An architect friend once remarked to me that Hong Kong is a true design melting pot. It's perhaps the only city in the world where you will find buildings by renowned architects such as IM Pei, Norman Foster and Cesar Pelli in such close proximity to one another. It's also a place where you can discover a Ming dynasty scholar chair, a sleek Philippe Starck lamp and a modern sofa from B&B Italia all in the same street. Surrounded as we are by such a concentration of old and new, east and west, it's no wonder that when it comes to our homes, our inspirations and ideas are as eclectic as our city. Our cover story personality, Karim Rashid, embodies such an international spirit. Born to British and Egyptian parents, he's made his base in New York city and his influence can be seen around the world, from furniture to accessories to packaging. On a similar note, we also pay a visit to another global citizen, Chinese-American lawyer Handel Lee, at his weekend house in Huairou, China. Lee, the driving force behind some of China's most audacious renovation projects such as Three On The Bund in Shanghai, the Courtyard Gallery in Beijing and the soon-to-be-opened Legation Quarter, also in Beijing, has built a thoroughly modern space against the backdrop of China's rugged countryside. Back in Hong Kong, we've discovered that despite the city's reputation as a crowded concrete metropolis, many residents are bringing the outdoors into their living spaces through the creative use of balconies, rooftops and terraces. On the subject of spaces, we also present a portfolio of decorating ideas for the dining room, the study and the lounge that are suitable for flats, be they 400 or 4,000 square feet. But what makes a house a home lies in the details - in how to make the perfect bed or lay the perfect table. And for the finishing touches, look no further than our Hit List, which features cool kitchen gadgets, shelving, stylish chairs and bathroom accessories.
