https://www.scmp.com/rss/8543/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Hundreds of years ago, shepherds began knotting wool into heavy woven cloth. These early rugs were purely functional – protecting nomadic tribes from having to walk on bare earth in their shelters. These days, rugs and carpets are used as quasi works-of-art to highlight and complement stylish homes. Costing upwards of HK$250,000, they are often a luxurious addition to modern décor. Choosing a rug requires careful planning – for style, design, colour and placement. “The best way to incorporate a... https://www.scmp.com/article/1616819/taking-magic-carpet-ride-stylish-home-requires-care-and-attention?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1616819/taking-magic-carpet-ride-stylish-home-requires-care-and-attention?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Oct 2014 02:00:45 +0000 Decorating a child’s bedroom usually involves compromise – they want Thomas the Train or princesses and fairies – you want neutrals and furniture that ties in with the rest of the house. Many parents now put as much effort into designing a child’s room as the rest of the house and savvy brands are responding with a greater choice of furniture and accessories designed for pint-sized inhabitants. This makes it easier to find a solution to keep both parent and child happy. Indigo Kids managing... https://www.scmp.com/article/1608711/tips-decorating-childs-room?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1608711/tips-decorating-childs-room?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Oct 2014 05:00:45 +0000 It is not only the top executives of luxury brands like Louis Vuitton or Gucci that have trouble with cheap imitations. Managers at eco-chic furniture store Tree also battle unscrupulous copycats. Tree managing director Kate Babington, a former executive of The Body Shop, says it is the No 1 de-motivator of staff attempting to sell their product. "When [other companies] copy your designs and then blur the lines by advertising items as ethically-sourced or ecological, then this becomes incredibly... https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/1084301/ethics-and-care-make-eco-furniture-store-tree-grow-well?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/1084301/ethics-and-care-make-eco-furniture-store-tree-grow-well?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 16 Nov 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Choosing the right bed is a bit like choosing the right spouse or partner. It needs to accomplish a multitude of tasks - providing not only good support and comfort in times of need, but as the largest piece of furniture in a bedroom, it should also be visually enticing and well-presented. The number of stores at Horizon Plaza offering custom-made beds and bedding is testament to this fact. "Given the huge number of mattresses on the market - all made with different materials and with varying... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/interiors-living/article/1030777/set-mood-sweet-dreams?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/interiors-living/article/1030777/set-mood-sweet-dreams?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Sep 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Trinkets, knickknacks, dust collectors - call them what you will. Some gifts, while given with love, should have been left in the shop. As anyone who has ever received an unwanted gift knows, there is an art to selecting the perfect present, and Horizon Plaza has plenty of help at hand. Indigo Living managing director John McLennan says there is already too much "tat" in the world, so people should only buy or give things that are beautiful and functional. "If they make a person smile,... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/interiors-living/article/1030775/choosing-wisely-art?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/interiors-living/article/1030775/choosing-wisely-art?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Sep 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Big, bright, bold patterns are making a comeback in homes as some people shun the minimalist look and add everything from geometric shapes and florals to their interiors. While it may sometimes be a challenge to co-ordinate disparate designs, it is easy to achieve a pulled-together look just by following a few simple rules. When mixing prints, try not to choose more than one of each size, as this can end up looking cluttered, making it difficult for your eyes to rest. Using related colours will... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/interiors-living/article/1016115/big-and-bold-beautiful?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/interiors-living/article/1016115/big-and-bold-beautiful?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Aug 2012 16:00:00 +0000 American etiquette author Emily Post once said: 'As the host or hostess, it is your responsibility to make sure that each guest feels as comfortable as possible - while not feeling completely overwhelmed yourself. Even the most casual dinner party, however, requires careful preparation, thoughtful execution and courteous manners.' Entertaining at home requires dashes of flair and artistic whim, and a beautifully presented table can mean the difference between social success or the wooden spoon... https://www.scmp.com/article/1004566/touch-class?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1004566/touch-class?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 21 Jun 2012 16:00:00 +0000 The interiors sector has never stopped reinventing itself, and one of its biggest exhibitions is the Milan Furniture Fair, or Salone Internazionale del Mobile di Milano. Last month's 51st edition, under the theme 'Milan, where else?' attracted more than 330,000 visitors from 160 countries. Dubbed the world's largest event for the furniture industry, with 2,500 exhibitors, this is where fashion giant Hermes showcased its designs in its own pavilion, and French design icon Philippe Starck launched... https://www.scmp.com/article/1000612/face-change?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1000612/face-change?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 10 May 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Furnishing a home can be a daunting task, but if you stick to a few interior design rules, it can be a simple and even an enjoyable project. Horizon Plaza is a convenient place to start because it has the largest selection of furniture in Hong Kong. From contemporary to antique, there is something for every style and budget. 'Try to select items you can use in any room,' says Timothy Cheng, owner of TiRon Interior Architecture. 'Ones that work well in small or large rooms offer storage and can... https://www.scmp.com/article/997904/looking-stylishly-good?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/997904/looking-stylishly-good?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Buying the right toys and books for children below the age of three is not always as simple as grabbing the latest gizmo with flashing lights. The development of motor skills, self-esteem and imagination are key considerations when visiting the range of children's toy and bookshops at Horizon Plaza. Toys Club general manager Joan Szeto says gross motor skills, often lacking in Hong Kong children because of the small size of flats, can be developed with a simple ball for kicking and throwing.... https://www.scmp.com/article/997932/little-ones-big-ambitions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/997932/little-ones-big-ambitions?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Just because it's hidden under that new dress or those nice jeans doesn't mean underwear isn't affected by the latest trends in shape, colour or pop culture. In fact, ready-to-wear trends directly influence bra shapes, especially necklines. So, after square necklines prevailed on the spring/summer runways, lingerie designers expect higher demand for balconnet bras with horizontal necklines, says Philippe Vertriest, design director for Marie Jo. 'Also, we see more tops and dresses with... https://www.scmp.com/article/996996/hidden-treasures?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/996996/hidden-treasures?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:00:00 +0000 This spring/summer, it's not the size or shape of your bag that counts, it's the colour. In addition to popular neutrals and acid brights, bags come in a rainbow of colours, most notably sea blues and fruity mandarins. Colour blocking in two or three tones is spring's most striking theme, as is pared-down boxy shapes. The spring palette at ck Calvin Klein for women uses bold, minimalist colour blocking to dramatic effect. Contrasting or complementary colours highlight the bags' main body and... https://www.scmp.com/article/996975/perfect-colours-carry?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/996975/perfect-colours-carry?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Shoes may be made for walking, but this season they are made to be noticed. Taking cues from the runway, pointed toes herald a return to more feminine and flirty styles this spring/summer. Pastels and nudes are also big news, while bright colours and metallics make an encore appearance. Other noteworthy details include braided sandals, high platforms and wedges, rivets and buckles. Cole Haan has introduced a new spectrum of hyper-bright colours with a mix of signature artisan craftsmanship and... https://www.scmp.com/article/996994/walk-wild-side?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/996994/walk-wild-side?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Wallpaper is one of the most dramatic ways to add a special twist to a home. While it fell out of favour in the 1980s, it is enjoying a renaissance as people seek to make their homes cosier and more opulent. 'Texture is key, this season,' says Sam Millar, Osborne & Little's spokeswoman. 'Lightly embossed wall coverings in soft colours, including subtle metallics and mica finishes, will reflect light and enhance the textural character of a room. 'Shiny, reflective surfaces are great for adding... https://www.scmp.com/article/997079/timeless-textures?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/997079/timeless-textures?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Male beauty can come at a price - in a bid to look good, the average man puts 85 ingredients on his face every day, many of which can be harmful. So how do you detox your products and replace them with more natural options? It can be difficult to navigate the minefield of brands on the market, but there are those with ingredients that will make you look good and also be good for you. In its Top Tips for safer products, the US Environmental Working Group (EWG) on Cosmetics says the average man... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/faces/article/994743/chemical-reactions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/faces/article/994743/chemical-reactions?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Mar 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Luxury fashion houses are moving beyond clothes, handbags and shoes to homeware as consumers demand the same quality and attention to detail for their houses. In its latest furniture collection unveiled at Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan, Hermes expanded on works created in collaboration with minimalist designer Jean-Michel Frank in the 1920s and 30s. Designed by Italian architects Enzo Mari and Antonio Citterio, and Rena Dumas Architecture Int?mrieure - established by the late... https://www.scmp.com/article/991515/classic-touch?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/991515/classic-touch?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:00:00 +0000 A fresh-faced glow is no longer the domain of women. This holiday season sees a proliferation of men-only facial treatments and even spas and skincare boutiques solely reserved for their domain. Treatments manager Kathryn Cousins at The Oriental Spa at The Landmark, Mandarin Oriental, says the demand for men's facials has increased 50 per cent since last year. 'Our decision to launch treatments and products specifically for men was entirely customer-led,' Cousins says. 'Men are becoming more... https://www.scmp.com/article/987077/routine-maintenance?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/987077/routine-maintenance?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:00:00 +0000 Hong Kong style guru Eve Roth Lindsay's path in life was perhaps decided before she was even conceived. With a world-renowned American photographer father Arthur Rothstein and seamstress mother Grace she was practically born with style in her veins. Growing up, Lindsay says her life was 'very visual'. 'Our holidays were often combined with a photography trip or story for a magazine, so my parents made sure we always looked the part,' she says. Her parents dressed Lindsay, her three siblings and... https://www.scmp.com/article/986607/stylish-season?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/986607/stylish-season?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:00:00 +0000 After a long year, it can be hard to unwind during the busy holiday season as parties and family reunions take their toll on your skin and waistline. But a couple of hours of pampering can be just the tonic as many spas reveal new treatments designed to leave with you with a festive glow. CHUAN SPA Langham Place Hotel, 555 Shanghai Street, Mong Kok, 35523510 Five Element Christmas (HK$1,600) Renowned for its Traditional Chinese Medicine-inspired treatments, Chuan Spa has designed a Christmas... https://www.scmp.com/article/986599/seasonal-soothing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/986599/seasonal-soothing?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:00:00 +0000 If you're a man, solving your skin problems shouldn't be a matter of reaching for your wife or girlfriend's skincare products. While some problems may be similar, men often have unique concerns that need to be targeted with specific products. Unsightly rashes and ingrown hairs, as a result of shaving, are one of the most common skin complaints for men. Cle de Peau Beaute training manager Kyoko Deguchi says the problem occurs when the sharp tip of the razor or electric shaver stimulates the... https://www.scmp.com/article/982975/problems-are-skin-deep?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/982975/problems-are-skin-deep?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 26 Oct 2011 16:00:00 +0000 In a season where sheer fabrics and see-through dresses featured heavily on catwalks, beautiful undergarments have become a necessity. This autumn-winter, brands have stuck to four main themes: vintage, red, lace and floral. The strong vintage or burlesque-inspired silhouettes are prevalent throughout many collections - reflected in bustier-style bras and the return of high-waisted briefs. But these are not Bridget Jones' undies. The extended shape helps create curves on smaller frames and... https://www.scmp.com/article/980489/flirty-and-feminine?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/980489/flirty-and-feminine?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Sep 2011 16:00:00 +0000 This season sees bags become more minimalist in silhouette, often incorporating a mix of colours and fabrics. Styles are classic and range from large-flap satchel bags to envelope clutches. These are tailored yet relaxed looks, structured yet soft and fuse timeless styling with elements of the new. Longchamp's iconic Balzane bag is crafted from luxuriously thick, supple young bull leather that results in an authentic equestrian feel. The trompe-l'oeil saddle-cum-flap is secured by a bridle-style... https://www.scmp.com/article/980490/colourful-times-all?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/980490/colourful-times-all?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Sep 2011 16:00:00 +0000 With a change in seasons to cooler weather, it is time to wrap up with equally cool looks straight from the catwalk. Falling temperatures mean the return of layers, whether it's a chunky knit over a floaty dress or structured blazer over jeans and a T-shirt. Many designers went one step further this season, topping off their looks with ponchos and capes. These versatile pieces are easy to wear. Whether they are oversized, slim-fit or seamless pull-over styles, they make for a stylish alternative... https://www.scmp.com/article/980494/look-cool-winter?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/980494/look-cool-winter?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Sep 2011 16:00:00 +0000 Often the most challenging part of becoming a parent can be what other parents don't, or won't, tell you. Oliver Roberts, co-author of newly released e-book The Partner-Parent Principle, says parents talk at mind-numbing length about the gains a child has brought to their lives. 'But many of them don't like to think or talk too much about the stresses, problems or what they've lost,' he says. 'You need to prepare for hell. Yes, it'll be heaven too, and it's important you enjoy it as much as you... https://www.scmp.com/article/974978/growing-pains-parents?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/974978/growing-pains-parents?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 30 Jul 2011 16:00:00 +0000 If parents feel overwhelmed by the nappy changing, bottle washing and playtime scheduling that one child demands, spare a thought for those with twins, triplets or more. All of the above tasks are multiplied for these brave and tireless souls. Tess Lyons understands that. The first few years were a blur for Lyons after her triplets Jasper, Sela and Cary were born seven years ago. But that was not only because the logistics of cleaning and feeding were multiplied. Lyons had more serious... https://www.scmp.com/article/974350/need-we-say-more?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/974350/need-we-say-more?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 23 Jul 2011 16:00:00 +0000 What do you do when a lifetime collection of books, DVDs and clothes threatens to take over your flat? You could sell some of it, dump some of it or call in the storage experts, as Albert and Teresa Tsang did when trying to bring some order to their Discovery Bay home. Alain Wong, from interior design firm Comodo, thought of every storage possibility for the 2,000 sq ft apartment, which is made up of two units linked by an internal staircase. Where most people would hang art or mirrors, ... https://www.scmp.com/article/973658/hide-and-sleek?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/973658/hide-and-sleek?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 16 Jul 2011 16:00:00 +0000 Nicolette Lee starts with a massage, goes swimming and then she's off to the gym - it's a pretty packed diary when you are only 11 months old. But her mother, Christabel Lee-Lau, reckons it is all worthwhile. Because of the number of classes Nicolette attends, Lee says some people will think she's a tiger mother. 'But I was reading online prior to having a baby about what classes are available.' She stumbled across PEKiP, a child development programme aimed at facilitating babies' development in... https://www.scmp.com/article/971729/senses-working-overtime?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/971729/senses-working-overtime?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Jun 2011 16:00:00 +0000 American interior designer Deborah von Eldik has been living in her Mid-Levels apartment for just three years, but she has spent nearly a lifetime preparing to decorate it. Scattered throughout the 1,200 sq ft flat is von Eldik's collection of antique furniture, books and porcelain, which reflects three decades in Hong Kong as well as her family history. Many pieces are heirlooms - and each has a story to tell. Like the tall oak chest in the living room, which was made from wood taken from... https://www.scmp.com/article/970966/one-floor-many-stories?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/970966/one-floor-many-stories?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Jun 2011 16:00:00 +0000 Hong Kong Institute of Languages offers a selection of camps around the world to immerse children in a foreign language in its native environment while they enjoy sports, recreational and cultural activities. Beijing: July 3-July 23, July 16-August 5; France: July 4-July 25, July 18-August 1; Britain: July 10-July 24, July 10-August 1, July 24-August 7. For details, e-mail: info@hklanguages.com or tel: 2877 6160. Outward Bound in Sai Kung runs a variety of five-day camps for students from... https://www.scmp.com/article/970344/camp-choices?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/970344/camp-choices?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Jun 2011 16:00:00 +0000 In the age of Facebook and Twitter, many children would rather make new friends in cyberspace than at a camp, especially during long summer breaks. But Hong Kong's internet generation is beginning to take to the idea - with nudging from their parents. There's more to camps these days than tackling an obstacle course and storytelling around a fire; the most popular ones are designed to broaden minds, build character and nurture self-reliance. It was certainly excellent practice for boarding... https://www.scmp.com/article/970345/summer-growing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/970345/summer-growing?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Jun 2011 16:00:00 +0000 Hong Kong students can enjoy a number of enrichment programmes this summer. Among the options are: The Kelly Yang Project The project organises a range of courses for students aged from two to 17. It is offering three summer sessions: June 20-July 9; July 11-July 30, and August 1-August 20. Classes are two hours and students meet three times a week. Choices include: Creative Writing (ages six-12), Critical Reasoning (10-15), Public Speaking (eight-12), Maths Innovation (10-15), and Early... https://www.scmp.com/article/969721/wealth-courses-stimulate-young-minds-over-summer?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/969721/wealth-courses-stimulate-young-minds-over-summer?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Jun 2011 16:00:00 +0000 On the surface Cameron Zeluck might look like a poster boy for the traditional education system. The 15-year-old spends six hours daily on his homework, doesn't flop into bed until midnight and tops his class at Chinese International School. That may be why he finds Leap Studio's extracurricular activities a refreshing change from formal classes. 'We recently completed a personality test to find out what we are good at and what we can improve on,' Cameron says. 'This allowed me to learn more... https://www.scmp.com/article/969722/thinking-inside-sandbox?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/969722/thinking-inside-sandbox?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Jun 2011 16:00:00 +0000 Walk into Ronald Fung's bedroom and you could be forgiven for thinking you had entered the Playboy Mansion by mistake: in addition to a round, revolving bed, there is a mirror on the ceiling. The rest of the 855 sq ft flat in Sham Tseng is similarly designed, with a bachelor's hedonism in mind. 'I chose black and red for the open-plan kitchen and living areas because I wanted it to have a cool, devilish vibe,' says Fung. 'And the bedroom and open bathroom are decorated in black and purple... https://www.scmp.com/article/966531/living-dream?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/966531/living-dream?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 30 Apr 2011 16:00:00 +0000 Big windows, breezy open rooftops and substantial entrance doors are all ingredients for a beautiful home, but they are also a potential nightmare for this year's predicted typhoon season. The city could be hit by up to nine typhoons by June, with the earliest arriving next month, according to Hong Kong Observatory director Lee Boon-ying, who also warned this coming typhoon season could be one of the worst on record. So now is the time to look at how to protect and prepare your home. Adrian... https://www.scmp.com/article/966303/blowing-wind?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/966303/blowing-wind?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 28 Apr 2011 16:00:00 +0000 Kevin Ng wanted his 'throne room' to be well appointed - he put in a lot of effort and spent a small fortune on a souped-up loo and its surrounds. 'I really wanted an electronic toilet with a remote control that regulates the warmth of the seat, with automatic flushing,' says Ng. He was also particular about the type of marble he wanted his loo to be surrounded by. He had been shown a sample at a store in Hong Kong but, he says, it was lacking in variation, so he asked to see others.... https://www.scmp.com/article/964002/pennies-well-spent?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/964002/pennies-well-spent?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 02 Apr 2011 16:00:00 +0000 There is a bag to suit everyone this season, regardless of whether your style is minimalist, vintage or show-stopping colour. It's been three years since model Kate Moss' association with Longchamp began and the idea for this spring-summer's offering was sparked by a trip to Peru. 'I travelled with [photographer] Mario Testino for the opening of his Portraits exhibition at the Museo de Arte in Lima,' Moss explains. Her Faraway on the Road collection evokes a timeless spirit of adventure with... https://www.scmp.com/article/741899/evoking-timeless-spirit-adventure?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/741899/evoking-timeless-spirit-adventure?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Mar 2011 16:00:00 +0000 The smell of fresh flowers is as comforting as baked bread and cookies in creating a home. Sandy Lau Pui-fan, from Anglo Chinese Florist, says when clients select blooms, they often use the colours in their home as a starting point. Lau has also seen interior designers create items such as top-side-down hanging pots to help people include natural elements in even the most unexpected or small spaces. 'Best of all, unlike fixtures, you can change flowers easily and the fragrance helps give ... https://www.scmp.com/article/741883/blooming-marvellous?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/741883/blooming-marvellous?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Mar 2011 16:00:00 +0000 It's the body you can have without going under the knife or heading to the gym. Those perfect celebrity figures you see on the red carpet have a secret weapon - shapewear - a 21st century version of the old fashioned corset. Triumph's Shape Sensation collection provides form-fitting pieces that transform women's body contours. The contemporary designs have been crafted from the latest hi-performance fabrics using seamless sewing technology. Its super-thin and lightweight fabrics offer... https://www.scmp.com/article/741898/its-time-really-shape?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/741898/its-time-really-shape?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Mar 2011 16:00:00 +0000 Summer's sizzling temperatures call for equally hot shoes from the latest brands designed to put a spring in your step. Renowned for marrying comfort with style, Cole Haan's Air Violet open-toe pumps and Air Delfina back-zip platforms are burnished in smooth nappa leather, evoking the cheerful freshness of spring. Cole Haan's men's line strikes a distinctive look with the Air Colton collection. Shifting from the prosaic design and colour of the traditional Oxford, these shoes are finished with... https://www.scmp.com/article/741901/perfect-marriage-comfort-and-style?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/741901/perfect-marriage-comfort-and-style?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Mar 2011 16:00:00 +0000 Some people may think nothing of spending thousands of dollars on the latest fashions, but shop for their underwear at the bargain basement bin. However, the billion-dollar lingerie industry proves that men and women do care what's underneath. This spring-summer, Triumph reflects fashion's hottest colours with the Open Up Sexy Cushion collection, available in coral orange, baby pink, pearl white and black. Using new 'intelligent memory foam', the range has been designed to gently cradle the... https://www.scmp.com/article/741897/too-good-be-undercover?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/741897/too-good-be-undercover?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Mar 2011 16:00:00 +0000 Vicky and Henry Lai have well-read fish. An aquarium accommodating exotic discus freshwater fish is a key design feature in the couple's well-stocked library. The tank was one of solicitor Henry's few requests when the couple renovated their 1,600 sq ft Pok Fu Lam apartment last year. 'Henry's easy-going when it comes to decor, but he had an opinion on the major things,' Vicky says. 'He finds the fish relaxing and has kept them since he was a child.' Spatial Concept director Gary Lai (no... https://www.scmp.com/article/741389/bright-ideas?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/741389/bright-ideas?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 19 Mar 2011 16:00:00 +0000 Locating Wendy Gan's Sai Ying Pun apartment requires a finely tuned sense of direction. With no street access and situated at the end of a pedestrian cul-de-sac, it benefits, however, from the tranquility of its surroundings. The relaxed vibe continues inside, underscored with stylish vintage finds and other items picked up on Gan's extensive travels. There is a carpet from Morocco, a 1950s radio from London, a teapot from Denmark, teacups from Seoul and napkins from Sweden. 'I love to... https://www.scmp.com/article/739298/inner-peace?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/739298/inner-peace?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 26 Feb 2011 16:00:00 +0000 The usual worry when buying a dining table is whether it will complement your decor. Hema Prakash-Chishty's concern, however, was whether hers, at 200kg, would fall through the floor of her Happy Valley flat. So she asked her building's engineers for advice. 'Of course it was fine, but it gave me nightmares,' she says. 'I wanted a big piece of stone but I decided I'd never have marble when I read about how mining it ruins the environment. So, man-made stone was the solution.' Prakash-Chishty... https://www.scmp.com/article/738636/rolling-tones?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/738636/rolling-tones?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 19 Feb 2011 16:00:00 +0000 Fung shui principles are supposed to help identify areas of strong and weak energy flows, positive and negative, whether it be a few square feet of cupboard space or an entire continent. Investment bank CLSA started its annual, tongue-in-cheek Fung Shui Index (FSI) report to investment in 1992. This year, CLSA says, overall, the year of 'metal rabbit' promises plenty of luck and material gain for investors. 'A rabbit is not like a tiger. It is more cautious. It will bounce, stop, turn around... https://www.scmp.com/article/737840/hop-board?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/737840/hop-board?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 10 Feb 2011 16:00:00 +0000 Every inch of Tom Lee's apartment has been arranged harmoniously, pieced together like notes in a symphony. In just under 700 square feet, Lee's collaboration with interior designer Gary Lai has produced a home where everything has its place. 'I must have looked at more than 100 apartments before I found this one,' says Lee. It was the high ceilings that enticed him to buy the Mid-Levels flat, but he knew the space would require a major renovation. He turned to Lai, the pair having met... https://www.scmp.com/article/735806/tom-lees-music-store?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/735806/tom-lees-music-store?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 15 Jan 2011 16:00:00 +0000 The promise of pampering with all the convenience of home is what is drawing people to invest in properties that belong to six-star resorts. It also means you can relax without worrying about having to hire staff to clean or check on your investment. And for this holiday season, powdery-white ski resorts are just the ticket. Families looking for quality holiday homes, 'where they can build a family holiday legacy', are investing in Japan's Capella Niseko Resort and Residences, says Ernest Tsang,... https://www.scmp.com/article/735042/heavenly-delights?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/735042/heavenly-delights?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Jan 2011 16:00:00 +0000 Who started it? Hong Kong interior designer Timothy Cheng worked for Norman Foster's British architectural firm before striking out on his own last year. He is the co-founder and project director of TiRon Interior Architecture, which specialises in applying architectural theories to interior design. Why architecture? 'My schoolboy interests in art and maths were encouraged by teachers,' Cheng says, adding that his decision to pursue architecture owed much to his time at Foster + Partners. ... https://www.scmp.com/article/734537/tiron-interior-architecture?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/734537/tiron-interior-architecture?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 01 Jan 2011 16:00:00 +0000 Frank Lloyd Wright was never unsure of the importance of culture. Lack of it, he said, 'means what it has always meant: ignoble civilisation and therefore imminent downfall'. So one wonders what the architect, interior designer and writer would have thought about the sometimes stunning - but more often pedestrian - architecture that collectively fills Hong Kong's skyline. While they serve the gods of finance and markets well, do they serve to nourish our noble inner self? Two prominent... https://www.scmp.com/article/731682/vanilla-skyline?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/731682/vanilla-skyline?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Nov 2010 16:00:00 +0000 Traditional watch brands, such as Rolex, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet, have taken pride of place in collectors' showcases for generations. But will the most prized timepieces of the future include new names such as Shanghai Watch Co? Carson Chan Kai-shun, managing director of Bonhams Asia and its watch specialist, says 'it's only [a matter of] time before China will have its own international brand on the same level as Western luxury brands'. He notes that the mainland brand to watch... https://www.scmp.com/article/730449/recite-your-abcd-buying?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/730449/recite-your-abcd-buying?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 14 Nov 2010 16:00:00 +0000 Finding the right supplement to help alleviate an ache or pain can be a minefield. Naturopath and clinical nutritionist Tej BG, of the Integrated Medicine Institute in Hong Kong, says most people are unaware of possible vitamin and mineral deficiencies. He advises to watch for unexplained symptoms of tiredness, poor mental functions, generally feeling unwell or other indications. 'People with prolonged symptoms should consult their doctor or a health professional who can test and treat... https://www.scmp.com/article/728635/body-can-benefit-supplements?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/728635/body-can-benefit-supplements?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Oct 2010 16:00:00 +0000