Chic frills
The economy might still be in the doldrums, but that's no reason to lose your design cred and start using milk crates for furniture or scouring landfill sites.
Although a lot of designer furniture and homeware is prohibitively expensive, you can still pick up beautifully designed objects at prices that won't require a second mortgage.
We've found 10 items that cost less than HK$1,200 - an attractive price in anyone's language.
1 Puppy
Produced for Magis by Finnish designer Eero Aarnio in 2003, Puppy is already one of the most recognisable and iconic objects of the noughties. It's a children's seat, a lawn ornament or a sculpture. There are several sizes and colours to choose from, and the medium-sized version is HK$1,000 at Aluminium (hk-aluminium.com).
2 Tetra candleholder
Thought you couldn't afford anything from the swanky studios of B&B Italia? How about this sexy candleholder? Designed by Naoto Fukasawa, the Tetra is available in glossy ceramic black or white to add a touch of class to any table setting. It's HK$1,190 at Via (viahk.biz).
3 Dalu lamp
It's hard to believe anything from this ultra-expensive Italian lighting manufacturer is affordable, but check out this reissue of the classic designed in the 1960s by Vico Magistretti. It's available in black, white and transparent red or orange and costs HK$800 at Artemide (artemide.com).
4 Dorothy lamp
How innovative is this? The Dorothy, a lamp made from a traffic cone, was designed in 2006 by Sarah Gibson and Nicholas Karlovasitis. It uses an energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulb to produce a rich, warm, ambient light. There's a small one for shelves (HK$883) and a larger floor model (HK$1,086, plus shipping). Buy it direct from designbythem.com.
5 Abstract doormat
New York-based designer Sandy Chilewich has created a doormat from spun vinyl. It's vaguely pebble shaped and makes a style statement right at your front door. The mats are durable and bacteria- and mould-resistant, meaning they can also be used in bathrooms. They come in four colours for about HK$800 at Lane Crawford (lanecrawford.com).
6 Vacuum jug
Designed by Erik Magnussen for Stelton in 1976, this jug with its distinctive rocker stopper is an icon of 20th-century design. It holds one litre and is suitable for both hot and cold liquids and a lot hipper than a tartan Thermos. It's available in more than 20 colours for HK$750 from Bals (bals.co.jp).
7 Componibili storage unit
The rounded, streamlined form and glossy plastic finish of this unit, designed by Italian architect and designer Anna Castelli Ferrieri for Kartell in 1969, captures the optimistic aesthetic of the space age. It's a functional piece of furniture and makes an ideal bedside table. It's available in white, black, silver and red, in a variety of sizes. You'll snag a white two-door unit for HK$1,000 at Aluminium.
8 Flowing Rhythm Mobile
This colourful mobile is made on the Danish island of Fumen, home of Hans Christian Andersen. Since it was launched in 1956, it has become a design icon, even appearing alongside Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf (1966). It's HK$565 from Flea + Cents (fleancents.com).
9 Kivi tea lights
A group of these charming little tea-light holders on the dining room table makes every meal feel special. The Kivis were designed by Heikki Orvola for Iittala and come in 30 colours. They cost HK$130 to HK$600 and are available from Pop 3 (aaamy.com).
10 Husque bowl
A beautiful handmade bowl, the Husque is created from finely milled macadamia shells mixed with polymer. The vivid coloured linings are mirror polished, making a luscious counterpoint to the organic forms. It's available direct from the designer (husque.com) for HK$1,086 plus shipping.
