https://www.scmp.com/rss/314747/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com At Maison & Objet Paris 2017, the buzz was all about what’s in store from some of the trendiest home interiors brands on the planet. Here’s a taste of some key themes. Bling is beautiful  If you thought shiny surfaces have had their day, Portuguese brand Boca Do Lobo has other ideas. Its luxury furniture and accessories, handmade by local artisans, include side tables composed of glass and marble; wall lamps in bold brass; and occasional tables made from melted aluminium. Retro brand... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/2073276/whats-trend-home-interiors-brands-showcase?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/2073276/whats-trend-home-interiors-brands-showcase?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Feb 2017 01:00:43 +0000 We dress them up in designer coats, parade them in pricey pushchairs, order custom cakes to mark each birthday and treat them to a day spa. Yes, we’re talking about pampered pets, an obsession in Hong Kong and across Asia.  Parents of “fur kids” don’t count the cost, sated sufficiently by the perceived returns.  There is a whole suite of smart home kits primarily targeting cats and dogs, who enjoy the same status in the household as human occupants. From Shanghai-based tech start-up... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/2059294/smart-home-kits-keep-owners-connected?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/2059294/smart-home-kits-keep-owners-connected?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Jan 2017 01:00:00 +0000 The Christmas feasting is done and dusted, and the hangover hopefully abating. Through the fog, you might just be feeling the nudge of the “guilt trip” that invariably follows the season of overindulgence. With all those New Year’s resolutions floating around – and being healthier invariably near the top – we’ve rounded up some clever kit to make exercising at home as painless and convenient as possible. 1. SmartMat yoga mat. This intelligent yoga mat doubles as a personal trainer in your living... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/2058181/weighty-matters-smart-home-gyms-can-take-all?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/2058181/weighty-matters-smart-home-gyms-can-take-all?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Jan 2017 01:43:17 +0000 Thanks to the internet of things (IoT), smart homes filled with connected devices promise to make everyday living easier, more convenient and more comfortable. But what will they actually look like? According to Future Technology 500, an online discussion forum for present, emerging and future technologies and inventions, the connected home will move beyond the gimmicky to become more useful. Its predictions include that, in five to 10 years, homes could easily be generating their own power,... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/tech-design/article/2058179/how-hong-kongs-smart-home-inventions-will-change-our?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/tech-design/article/2058179/how-hong-kongs-smart-home-inventions-will-change-our?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 30 Dec 2016 07:00:00 +0000 If you’re among the growing band of amateur drone enthusiasts, and are planning on jetting off for a Christmas break, here’s some good news: the latest models of camera-equipped unmanned flying aircraft can be folded up, popped in your pocket or handbag, and taken with you on the plane. To clarify: some airlines require drones to be in your checked baggage, others allow them as carry-on. So check the requirements of your carrier, and the flying regulations of your destination, and you should be... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/2054432/want-holiday-your-drone-lightweight-portable?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/2054432/want-holiday-your-drone-lightweight-portable?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 19 Dec 2016 01:45:30 +0000 Christmas gift buying decisions are taken out of parents’ hands on the day children learn to write their first letter to Santa. Within a few years, there seems nothing left to buy for the indulged young consumer who has everything and, by teenage years, the latest version of their smartphone or tablet becomes almost the go-to gift. It’s a safe bet that such a present would be welcomed, but it’s not very original – and anyway, wouldn’t it be nice to restore some element of surprise? In that... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/2051140/10-christmas-gift-ideas-technically-minded?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/2051140/10-christmas-gift-ideas-technically-minded?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Dec 2016 01:15:30 +0000 Along with hankies, underwear and the ubiquitous boxed chocolates, tech gifts can fail to hit the mark. A set of cleaning tools for your laptop ­– and yes, I have received such a gift –  is about as welcome as a car washing kit. But there are products fresh on the market aimed at pleasing everyone – from tech dinosaur to gadget-obsessed geek.   1. At the top of just about any wish list would have to be the latest Apple Watch Series 2, where function finally meets fashion in a sport watch. On... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/2048624/seven-hi-tech-gifts-raise-jingle-electronic?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/2048624/seven-hi-tech-gifts-raise-jingle-electronic?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Nov 2016 01:34:53 +0000 We all know about the wireless charging technology Ikea is building into some of its pieces these days, but the new breed of connected furniture will do much more than just power up your phone. Take the clever Curvilux nightstand. This accommodating bedmate can answer calls, stream your music, set the mood lighting and charge your devices. Via the accompanying smartphone app, users can even program lighting to set up a simulated sunrise alarm clock. Its inventors, a team of entrepreneurs from... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/2046582/furniture-future-provides-all-kinds?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/2046582/furniture-future-provides-all-kinds?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Nov 2016 01:39:21 +0000 So you stumble in the bathroom, still half asleep, and a cheery voice greets you: “Good morning”. It’s the mirror talking. You find a comfortable place to sit - warmed to your personal preference – and begin to digest the overnight news headlines, all the while going about the business that bathrooms were intended for. At a future home expo in May this year, a research team from Australian national broadcaster the ABC unveiled what a bathroom could look like in the coming years. Here’s what they... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/2042681/mirror-mirror-wall-talking-mirrors-bathrooms?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/2042681/mirror-mirror-wall-talking-mirrors-bathrooms?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 07 Nov 2016 01:15:42 +0000 Everyone wants us to walk more, and, let’s be honest, we know we should. To stay in optimal shape and health, guidelines set by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department guidelines recommend at least five workouts a week of cardiorespiratory endurance exercise, each session lasting 30 to 60 minutes. There’s no shortage of mobile apps willing us off the couch and out the door – which is handy, considering that you wouldn’t leave home without your phone. In order to stick to what may become a... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/2040178/shaping-home-grown-app-green-walk-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/2040178/shaping-home-grown-app-green-walk-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 31 Oct 2016 01:28:29 +0000 There’s an argument that some smart devices, which are supposed to make life easier, can actually work against us. Anyone who’s paced around their living room at night, trying to rack up 10,000 steps before their tracker ticks over at midnight, will understand. So how can we make technology our friend, instead of our master? Here are 10 solutions to consider: 1. Wireless charging. Plugging your device into a wall socket to power up is so yesterday: wireless chargers can free you from that... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/2034344/get-smart-new-technology-and-devices-make?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/2034344/get-smart-new-technology-and-devices-make?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 24 Oct 2016 01:45:45 +0000 You try to stick to healthy meals at home: but what’s in your lunchbox? And how much is enough, when it comes to portion control? Analysing what goes into our mouths, before we try to run, cycle or swim off those calories, is one element of the whole health package most connected fitness trackers seem to have missed - until now. A new breed of healthy living tools aims to take care of that. Could you imagine a smart lunchbox which works out the nutritional value of its contents? A couple of... https://www.scmp.com/native/tech/topics/premier-living/article/2025285/advent-smart-lunchbox-game-changer-everyone-has?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/tech/topics/premier-living/article/2025285/advent-smart-lunchbox-game-changer-everyone-has?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Oct 2016 02:54:28 +0000 If there’s one thing that fitness bands and smart watches are not, it’s discreet. When you’re wearing one it’s blindingly obvious – which might have been the point when these devices first came out, and everyone rushed to be an early adopter. But now we’ve kind of gotten over that. They’re handy, and useful, but have always seemed better paired with gym gear than a business suit.  Now that wearable tech devices are evolving from lifestyle enhancer to useful tool, we’re bound to see more of them... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/2022938/gaining-edge-wearable-technology?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/2022938/gaining-edge-wearable-technology?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Oct 2016 01:23:50 +0000 Imagine that you’re driving along, and your car strikes up a conversation. “Your friends Jeff and Kelly are at a restaurant around the corner. Would you like to call them? Would you like me to navigate you to your friends?” Driverless vehicles may be a long way off, but the connected car is just around the corner. In the race to bring smart cars up to speed with handheld devices and wearables in the internet of things (IoT) space, automotive designers are putting their pedals to the... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/2021653/connected-car-raises-prospect-stress-free?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/2021653/connected-car-raises-prospect-stress-free?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 26 Sep 2016 01:38:38 +0000 If there’s one thing none of us needs it’s tips on how to work harder. But working smarter? Yes please – especially if it helps free up time for what you really want to be doing. There’s an app for that, of course. As mobile devices transform work practices today the way the first office computers did in the 1970 and 1980s, they become as much an organisational tool as a means of communication. For instance, job searching via smartphone or tablet has soared in recent years, but according to... https://www.scmp.com/native/tech/topics/premier-living/article/2018998/better-use-mobile-devices-can-hone-time-management?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/tech/topics/premier-living/article/2018998/better-use-mobile-devices-can-hone-time-management?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 19 Sep 2016 01:32:01 +0000 In a poll conducted by www.computeraudiophile.com, the yes and no votes were about evenly split when respondents were asked whether design aesthetics enter into their audio equipment buying decisions, with the majority of respondents taking the middle ground. Specifically, nearly 42 per cent agreed that “I have the ‘spouse acceptance factor’ and general good taste to think of”. Typically, home audio systems have been more about substance than style. For true audiophiles, purity of sound was the... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/2015991/sounding-out-looks-do-aesthetics-matter-when?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/2015991/sounding-out-looks-do-aesthetics-matter-when?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 12 Sep 2016 01:48:46 +0000 Humans have a love-hate relationship with the sun. It warms the skin, nourishes the body, and makes us feel good in spades – but that slow roasting also hastens the ageing process and, in excessive doses, can lead to skin cancer. Safe exposure to sun requires a quality sunblock and, in summers of the future, technology may take the guesswork out of when to re-apply. First off the blocks in the race for intelligent sun protection gold is French beauty brand L’Oréal, which has unveiled its My UV... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/2002385/sun-worshippers-delight-digital-era-takes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/2002385/sun-worshippers-delight-digital-era-takes?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Sep 2016 01:00:00 +0000 The lazy days of summer are winding down for another year and, for families with school-aged children, that means getting back into term-time routine. If ever parents could use a hand getting everyone out the door in the mornings, it’s right after the long holiday break. This is where smart-home functionality steps right up to the plate. An orderly start to the day begins with a good night’s sleep. Bedtimes tend to be fluid during holidays, so getting your young ones back into the swing of early... https://www.scmp.com/native/tech/topics/premier-living/article/2005135/smart-home-functionality-takes-pain-out-preparing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/tech/topics/premier-living/article/2005135/smart-home-functionality-takes-pain-out-preparing?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 22 Aug 2016 01:37:57 +0000 Most Hongkongers live in tiny apartments that are among the smallest in the world in terms of living space per occupant. All praise to the shoebox dwellers. We’ve learned to be creative with regards to our domestic arrangements ­– and even those who have by choice downsized into more compact digs are reaping the benefits. A couple for whom Hong Kong architectural firm LAAB Architecture redesigned a tiny Central flat say they are as snug as a bug in a rug in their 309 sq ft microhome ­ – dubbed... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1999211/how-live-it-big-small-cosy-home-especially?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1999211/how-live-it-big-small-cosy-home-especially?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Aug 2016 02:09:51 +0000 Could clothing that never needs washing really help save the world? That may seem a stretch, given all the genuine problems the planet and humankind are facing. But you have to start somewhere, and the men and women in lab coats beavering away at nanotechnology seem to think that it’s as good a place as any. In a nutshell, nanotechnology refers to the study and application of really small things. If you’re wondering what this has to do with you, a cursory glance at www.dummies.com suggests... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1995606/scientists-are-flushed-success-sunshine?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1995606/scientists-are-flushed-success-sunshine?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 01 Aug 2016 01:48:30 +0000 Farm to table cannot get any closer than produce grown in your own home. But the absence of an outdoor area has hampered home gardening for apartment dwellers in the past: edibles don’t thrive indoors, right? If you’re one of the many who manage to murder the hardiest of house plants, technology might soon be coming to the rescue.  A US start-up has invented an intelligent indoor garden designed to grow fresh, flavourful and nutrient-rich food year round – and all in a space the size of a... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1992615/indoor-gardening-anyone-start-ups-designers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1992615/indoor-gardening-anyone-start-ups-designers?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 Jul 2016 02:02:27 +0000 Things might not be quite as they seem in the smart home of the future. That picture window in your living room might actually be a power generator, or a large-screen TV. A light bulb could transmit your data, rendering Wi-fi, as we know it, redundant. The bathroom mirror transforms into an interactive screen, displaying news, weather and traffic information – or even provides hair and make-up tips for the day ahead. Your floor rug plays music (high quality, of course). And your bed becomes a... https://www.scmp.com/native/tech/topics/premier-living/article/1989747/homes-futures-new-technology-poised-make-life-much?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/tech/topics/premier-living/article/1989747/homes-futures-new-technology-poised-make-life-much?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Jul 2016 01:45:00 +0000 Starting the day without a perfect cup of coffee or tea doesn’t bear thinking about. Happily, the basket of new offerings from premium household brands such as Miele and Dyson includes a machine that eliminates the thought process. After stumbling from bedroom to kitchen, sleepyheads are greeted by the simple and intuitive interface of Miele’s CM7 coffee maker. The patented CupSensor function automatically adjusts the spout unit to the height of the cup or glass, so there’s no spillage or... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1986235/smell-coffee-and-clear-air-new-household?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1986235/smell-coffee-and-clear-air-new-household?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 Jul 2016 02:00:30 +0000 Do you sometimes feel down in the dumps for no apparent reason? Become stressed without an obvious trigger, or suddenly have the urge to call your mum? If you think as mere mortals we already have a difficult time trying to figure the nuances of the brain, gird your loins for the mind games the next generation of wearables seem intent on playing on us. Enter Zenta, a device for “stress and emotion management”, worn on the wrist. Vinaya, a London-based start-up, is behind the next-generation... https://www.scmp.com/native/tech/topics/premier-living/article/1983137/next-generation-wearables-comes-emotional-rescue?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/tech/topics/premier-living/article/1983137/next-generation-wearables-comes-emotional-rescue?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 Jul 2016 01:41:53 +0000 Most of us like to consider ourselves environmentally aware. We’ve changed our light bulbs; stopped or at least cut down on buying bottled water; and sort recyclables from trash. Yet, according to David Yeung, co-founder of Green Monday, a social enterprise established in 2012, you can’t be a hand-on-heart greenie and vociferous carnivore at the same time. “The excessive consumption of meat and resulting food wastage pose a huge burden to our planet,” he says. “Eating green has evolved to be a... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1979861/jockey-club-and-green-groups-encourage?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1979861/jockey-club-and-green-groups-encourage?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Jun 2016 02:30:30 +0000 “I’m done with making my children’s childhood magical,” says Bunmi Laditan, parenting guide author of The Honest Toddler. Granted, children’s birthday parties go way over the top these days. Your offspring’s every utterance may not be as profound as it’s made out to be – nor does the simplest “achievement”  warrant a reward. But they’re only young for a few short years and, while we as parents still have some say in shaping their little lives, why not inject a little playfulness? At this year’s... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1975594/milans-annual-carnival-creativity-saw-broad?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1975594/milans-annual-carnival-creativity-saw-broad?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Jun 2016 01:45:00 +0000 It’s a brave mortal who would utter the words “1950s housewife” with any hint of nostalgia. Today’s women are liberated. Keeping a ship-shape home is not their highest calling - or even their responsibility alone. Yet, who doesn’t want to come home to an orderly domestic domain every night? Unless you happen to have a magic wand (or the luxury of a helper) the housework won’t do itself, and it’s up to every occupant to pull their weight. Online tools can help share the load. Oprah Winfrey seems... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1963433/keeping-home-best-shape-made-easier-online?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1963433/keeping-home-best-shape-made-easier-online?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Jun 2016 01:19:56 +0000 You wouldn’t buy any new resource-reliant appliance these days without checking its environmental credentials, right? The internet of things goes above and beyond the ratings labels of old, to make the manufacturers truly accountable. It’s in the laundry and kitchen where the most energy-guzzling white goods lurk. Miele’s new Prestige range of German-engineered washing machines is more water-miserly than ever ­- using only 64 litres per wash - and can recommend how much detergent to use, based... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1962599/green-gadgets-can-keep-everyone-honest?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1962599/green-gadgets-can-keep-everyone-honest?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Jun 2016 01:33:49 +0000 All that glitters may not be gold in one this year’s hot interior design trends – but with metals still having their moment, it’s more than ok to bring on the bling. Typically, interior designers recommend a gentle touch with luxe finishes such as bright metallic - a few well-chosen gold trays here, a contemporary brass light fitting there – the aim being to infuse a hint of glamour, without seeming too overpowering. Some are more overt. Shiny finishes “look wonderful together”, enthuses Anna... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1944481/all-things-bright-and-beautiful?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1944481/all-things-bright-and-beautiful?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 May 2016 04:30:00 +0000 Long before sustainability became a buzzword of the 21st century, global NGO Earth Day Network set about mobilising the largest environmental movement worldwide. It started in the United States in 1970, and the latest estimates suggest that more than 1 billion people worldwide have participated in various “acts of green” organised under the Earth Day umbrella. This might involve planting a tree (via monetary donation), cleaning up a beach, coming up with solutions, or just spreading the word.... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1941133/changing-habits-daily-basis-can-make-big?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1941133/changing-habits-daily-basis-can-make-big?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 May 2016 02:20:58 +0000 Not everyone in Hong Kong has to do their own household cleaning, but we all should at least take an interest. Even if you’re not too bothered about what gets thrown out with the wash – which you should be, since household pollutants can pose a greater health risk than the nasties lurking outdoors – consider it as investment protection. Domestic fittings and appliances are expensive, and if they’re not looked after, their lifespan could be shortened. Sanitary fittings manufacturer Hansgrohe, in... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1935753/taking-care-cleaning-sound-investment?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1935753/taking-care-cleaning-sound-investment?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Apr 2016 01:41:26 +0000 Sick of urban smog? You could get a breath of fresh air from a can, taken from Canada’s Rocky Mountains and sold online by the Alberta-based start-up Vitality Air for up to US$20 each. Or you could plant a hi-tech tree. The bioengineered CityTree is described by its creators as “a unique combination of internet of things [IoT] and plants”, of which Hong Kong is about to get its first taste. The product, made by German start-up Green City Solutions, is a free-standing vertical plant installation... https://www.scmp.com/native/tech/topics/premier-living/article/1934102/hi-tech-installations-aim-clear-smog-hong-kong-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/tech/topics/premier-living/article/1934102/hi-tech-installations-aim-clear-smog-hong-kong-and?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 Apr 2016 02:26:09 +0000 In case it’s escaped your attention, Hong Kong is having an art moment. An art month, to be precise, with the 44th Hong Kong Arts Festival, Art Basel, the M+Sigg Collection and Art Central all taking place in March. Which turns one’s attention, as it would, to artwork in the home. Displays of art and favourite photos can help make a house feel more like a home. When living space is tight though, and walls are few you’ll want to be judicious about how it’s hanging. Designer Clifton Leung, of... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1931781/displays-art-and-favourite-photos-can-help?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1931781/displays-art-and-favourite-photos-can-help?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 Apr 2016 01:47:06 +0000 When techies predict wearables as the next big trend in the internet of things (IoT), they’re not talking about fitness trackers or smart watches, but actual clothing. Here is some of what’s happening in the world of garment innovation: German textile designer Selina Reiterer and Greek architect Constantinos Miltiadis teamed up to create a range of touch-reactive children’s T-shirts that can be played like musical instruments, aptly calling the collection John Paul George & Me. Each T-shirt... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1925835/latest-developments-hi-tech-clothing-offer?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1925835/latest-developments-hi-tech-clothing-offer?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Mar 2016 01:38:13 +0000 You can scuba dive on a shipwreck without getting wet – sea sickness included - or soar as a superhero flying over New York. You can breakfast at Tiffany’s, lunch in Paris, and be at home for dinner. Or share real-time experiences with friends anywhere in the world, without leaving your living room. Computer-generated immersive technology – known as virtual reality (VR), the forerunner, and augmented reality (AR) in the next generation - might still be in its infancy, but the fact that the... https://www.scmp.com/native/tech/topics/premier-living/article/1920073/immersive-technology-breakthrough-ces-las-vegas?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/tech/topics/premier-living/article/1920073/immersive-technology-breakthrough-ces-las-vegas?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 07 Mar 2016 01:33:21 +0000 Could 2016 be the year that the internet of things (IoT) becomes bedded down in the automated smart home? Analysts believe so, given the plethora of intelligent products unveiled this month at the global technology exhibition CES 2016 in Las Vegas. The latest inventions from the world’s top consumer electronics brands are showing that “smart” products have moved beyond the gimmicky to the downright useful. As NextMarket Insights analyst Michael Wolf stated at the show: “Once consumers realise... https://www.scmp.com/native/tech/topics/premier-living/article/1913663/latest-breakthroughs-smart-home-appliances-are?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/tech/topics/premier-living/article/1913663/latest-breakthroughs-smart-home-appliances-are?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 22 Feb 2016 01:31:12 +0000 Baby, it’s cold outside - seldom do we hear that phrase in Hong Kong, especially during this spell of unusual weather in which it seems summer never ended and winter hasn’t truly arrived. Perhaps because it is so fleeting, Hongkongers don’t seem to mind the colder temperatures. We’ll even make do with cool days, if it means staying in and snuggling up. “Of course we embrace the cold,” says Hugh Zimmern, director of Faux in Ap Lei Chau. “Any chance to turn on the bio-ethanol fireplace, bring out... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1911981/warm-your-home-hong-kongs-colder-months-these?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1911981/warm-your-home-hong-kongs-colder-months-these?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 15 Feb 2016 02:15:30 +0000 Lunar New Year has profound cultural significance, but it’s also a time for making merry. So as the Year of the Monkey rolls around – and not just any old primate, but the cheeky, wily fire monkey - why not have some fun with it? Hong Kong feng shui master Raymond Lo notes that the last time we experienced the same yang fire monkey year was 60 years ago, in 1956. While history records episodes of trouble and strife globally during that year, Lo points out that as yang fire symbolises the sun, it... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1908647/feng-shui-experts-share-home-decorating-tips?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1908647/feng-shui-experts-share-home-decorating-tips?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Feb 2016 01:45:30 +0000 Hong Kong designers are adept at maximising the space in small apartments.  According to the blog ShrinkThatFootprint.com, most Hongkongers are making their homes in spaces that are one-quarter of the floor area of the average house in Australia or the US. Lindsay Wilson, the blog’s founder, whose family of four lives in a “palatial”-sized home of 1,184 sq ft, writes: “If you have decent ceiling heights, good windows, clever storage and not too much stuff, a little space can go a long... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1900645/design-experts-share-tips-and-tricks-making?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1900645/design-experts-share-tips-and-tricks-making?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Jan 2016 01:38:08 +0000 The new year will ring in some fresh ideas in interior design, along with a continuation of some still-hot trends. Kelly Hoppen, the much-celebrated British designer for whom the Greater China region now accounts for up to half of her work, says elegance is in this season. “People want elegant and chic design in their homes - the shabby, distressed look is out,” she says. “Clean and crisp design will always work wherever you are in the world, and most importantly will stand the test of... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1898380/home-design-trends-2016-are-mix-old-and-new?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1898380/home-design-trends-2016-are-mix-old-and-new?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 Jan 2016 01:36:26 +0000 Revelations from the University of Hong Kong – that people as young as 18 are spending half of their monthly income on credit card purchases – reveals how easily today’s generation has abandoned the thrift of their grandparents’ era. Given that children’s money habits are formed by the age of seven, according to researchers at Cambridge University, it’s a reminder that we should impart our own financial wisdom to them from an early age. Author and parenting expert Dr Michele Borba, whose ideas... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1895543/hong-kong-children-can-now-learn-about?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1895543/hong-kong-children-can-now-learn-about?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 Jan 2016 01:31:57 +0000 Christmas comes but once a year, so why miss the opportunity for some festive home styling? First you’ll want a tree. Real or fake, you can buy both kinds in Hong Kong these days – stores such as Ikea, and some Wellcome supermarkets, now carry them, but if you’ve missed the pre-order cut-off date, try www.xmastreeonline.hk for trees sourced from environmentally responsible farms in the United States, or browse the Mong Kok flower market. Trimming the tree is a family tradition in most... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1891882/personal-touch-guaranteed-put-your-guests?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1891882/personal-touch-guaranteed-put-your-guests?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Dec 2015 01:30:15 +0000 What to buy for the person who has it all this festive season? How about some of the latest innovations in smart-home technology, which will give them bragging rights once offices reopen for business and might lighten the load of household chores too. The Elgato Eve senses indoor air quality, temperature and humidity, and displays the readings on your mobile phone – even analysing, the vendor claims, the level of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in a room. Householders can track all of the above... https://www.scmp.com/native/tech/topics/premier-living/article/1889195/latest-innovations-smart-home-technology-will-also?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/tech/topics/premier-living/article/1889195/latest-innovations-smart-home-technology-will-also?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Dec 2015 03:05:05 +0000 Setting up a home network – how difficult can it be? Most devices are plug and play these days, so it’s not such a challenge to get everything up and running. But soon enough, the honeymoon with your own DIY Wi-fi set-up might be over, and the disagreements start. Connection could become unreliable, even though everything shows it’s working. Streaming may be slow, or limited to one device at a time. This is Hong Kong – a city with one of the most advanced telecommunications networks in the... https://www.scmp.com/native/tech/topics/premier-living/article/1883517/listen-professional-advice-you-think-about-setting?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/tech/topics/premier-living/article/1883517/listen-professional-advice-you-think-about-setting?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Nov 2015 01:29:40 +0000 Roughly one-third of the food produced in the world for human consumption every year — approximately 1.3 billion tonnes — gets lost or wasted, according to the UN Environment Programme. And in Hong Kong, food comprises one-third of the solid waste in our landfills. Food waste has become a growing concern due to a range of environmental, ethical and economic reasons. But as with so many advances already achieved through the internet of things (IOT), technology could become part of the... https://www.scmp.com/native/tech/topics/premier-living/article/1880791/technology-offers-new-solutions-mounting-food?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/tech/topics/premier-living/article/1880791/technology-offers-new-solutions-mounting-food?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Nov 2015 02:21:43 +0000 With the holiday party season approaching, the invitations will soon start rolling in. Don’t be surprised if they say this year’s venue is at the host’s home. According to social expert Grace Leo, the present generation of young professionals finds it rewarding to welcome friends into their home. This applies to single men and women, and  couples. “It doesn’t mean that they would necessarily cook the meal,” she says, as there are helpers and caterers to assist with that. “They enjoy the idea of... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1875887/hong-kong-etiquette-experts-offer-house-party?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1875887/hong-kong-etiquette-experts-offer-house-party?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Nov 2015 01:31:17 +0000 If you were given the option of robotic or human help to perform mundane household tasks, which would you choose? According to a study by researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology in the United States, a surprising number of people aged 65 to 93 years would opt for the former. While they still preferred human care for personal tasks, such as bathing, dressing and eating, participants who were shown a video of a robot’s capabilities would be happy to let a machine clean the kitchen, do... https://www.scmp.com/native/tech/topics/premier-living/article/1867828/robots-are-ready-and-welcome-assist-elderly?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/tech/topics/premier-living/article/1867828/robots-are-ready-and-welcome-assist-elderly?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 26 Oct 2015 02:43:58 +0000 Walking may be the oldest form of exercise known to man. Many experts say it is the most effective for overall health. A 12-year study of 340,000 people by Cambridge University suggests a brisk 20-minute walk each day could be enough to reduce the risk of early death – and that inactivity poses more of a health risk than obesity. While one of the biggest barriers to exercising is lack of time, there are many benefits to working out at home. You’re already there, you can train in any weather, and... https://www.scmp.com/native/tech/topics/premier-living/article/1867816/home-comforts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/tech/topics/premier-living/article/1867816/home-comforts?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 19 Oct 2015 01:31:13 +0000 Personal fitness devices – or “wearables” – can keep track of your daily exercise routines. They might withstand a rain shower, or the sweatiest workout, but are not designed for full-on submersion, leaving swimmers out in the cold. Even brands which claim to be water resistant to a certain depth cannot withstand the force associated with swimming stokes, so to notch up activity spent in the pool or at the beach, a dedicated swim tracker has been the best option - until now. Enter the next... https://www.scmp.com/native/tech/topics/premier-living/article/1862783/water-wings-last-fitness-trackers-dont-leave?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/tech/topics/premier-living/article/1862783/water-wings-last-fitness-trackers-dont-leave?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Oct 2015 02:30:15 +0000 Claire Sancelot’s life in Hong Kong is a far cry from the usual expat experience. While most foreigners tend to indulge in all the goodies their privileged position affords, Sancelot and her family eschew excess in everything they do, resulting in a waste-free home. “We don’t even have a television, and try to be on social media only a few hours a day,” says the French-born economist and founder of the website Zero Waste Hong Kong, who is also a married mother of three young children. Her... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1860071/hong-kong-expat-blogger-shares-simple-ways?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/premier-living/article/1860071/hong-kong-expat-blogger-shares-simple-ways?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Sep 2015 08:46:10 +0000