Taste of decadence on show - but do you have space for the finest?

It was a cocktail of aspirational living on Monday at the furnishings shop Andante. The Ruttonjee Centre showroom usually just features the fixtures of Italian deluxe furniture maker Minotti, but this week the sleek coffee tables and wide and deep sofas were accompanied by the statuesque audio speakers of Steinway Lyngdorf. As impressive as both their products were, not many have the money or space in their flats for such decadence.

That didn't stop design industry professionals and well-heeled executives from plotting their next home and office renovation. As Minotti's regional manager, Antonio Marelli, explained, the taste level of people in Asia has become much more sophisticated and subtle since the days of favouring tacky gold and baroque brass everywhere.

'You know, what sells in Europe is now also what sells in Japan, Bangkok and Hong Kong,' Mr Marelli said. 'Maybe 10, 15 years ago tastes were different, but now it's the same the world over. The only thing is that in Japan and Hong Kong, space is more limited so we make some furniture not as deep or wide, although there are some very rich people here with very big homes.'

If you want a taste of living large, so to speak, Andante continues happy-hour presentations of Minotti's 2008 One World collection and Steinway & Sons Model C music system from 5pm to 8pm at their showroom, 11 Duddell Street, tonight and tomorrow.