Trend Archives

Living Spaces Where East Meets West

The idea of merging the east and west has been around for decades. It was most pronounced in the 17th Century when European nobility dressed their estates and manors in opulent chinoiserie. This design approach has since evolved to reflect the evolution of both eastern and western cultures. Spaces where east and west meet blur the lines between boundaries and geography.

CERULEAN TOWER TOKYU HOTEL

Inspiration: The CERULEAN TOWER TOKYU HOTEL in the Shibuya district brings together minimalist Japanese design and classy Western design. Custom carpets inspired by Genji Monogatari scrolls in the Goto Museum are backdrops for seamless wooden furniture with Japanese taste and pops of color. Modern patterns on throws, carpets, and headboards contrast against the wooden furniture.

(Image guide and caption: Suites at the Cerulean Tower Hotel in Tokyo merge elements of Western contemporary design)

Dalisay Collection

Design tip: Consider Asian antique or artisanal woodwork from Southeast Asia. DALISAY COLLECTION’s pieces create a sense of grain, texture, and depth. Details like woven hyacinth or use of volcanic stone bring the story of creativity and craft into your living space.

(Image guide and caption: Dalisay Collection works with natural materials like woven hyacinth, volcanic stone, and rich Acacia wood, to bring a sense of artisanal craft into your living space)

Karimoku Case Study

Design tip: Stick to a subtle color palette that will harmonize with natural materials like wood or stone. Enhance your space with soft lighting and the occasional pop of color or print.

The Kinuta Terrace bench from KARIMOKU CASE STUDY takes its inspiration from the doors of Japanese shrines and temples. Simultaneously, it heavily references the sensibilities of Danish designer Poul Kjoerholm. Using oak and marble, each element is spaced and levelled to allow light to flow through.

(Image guide and caption: The Kinuta Terrace bench from Karimoku Case Study is laid out at the Archipelago House)

KENNETH COBONPUE

Design Tip: To enhance indoor spaces that celebrate the east and west, focus on accent pieces with a strong design proposition. World-renowned, multi-award-winning furniture from KENNETH COBONPUE blurs the line between east and west with sculptural pieces that celebrate Asian craft and innovative silhouettes of the west. Iconic pieces like the Bloom Chair or Hagia Daybed are stunning anchors that look out to breathtaking views.

(Image guide and caption: Statement pieces by KENNETH COBONPUE immediately infuse indoor spaces with elements from both the East and West.)

AMANOI

Inspiration: A secluded piece of paradise overlooking the Vinh Hy Bay in Vietnam, AMANOI sets the mark for living spaces that merge the east and the west. Spectacular views of pavilions act as backdrops for intricate lattice work and wood carvings reflective of Southeast Asian craft. Accents by way of artifacts, statues, pottery, or ceramics serve as nods to the region’s artisanal industry.

(Image guide: The three- bedroom residence at Amanoi in Vietnam)

Sources:

https://ifworlddesignguide.com/entry/284147-cerulean-tower-tokyu-hotel
https://www.dalisaycollection.com/
https://www.karimoku-casestudy.com/furniture/kinuta-n-ct01/
http://www.kennethcobonpue.com/
https://www.mrandmrssmith.com/luxury-hotels/amanoi
https://www.aman.com/resorts/amanoi

For photo credits:

1. Photos of Cerulean Tokyu Tower courtesy of CERULEAN TOKYU TOWER

2. Photos of Dalisay Collection courtesy of DALISAY COLLECTION

3. Photos of Karimoku Case Study courtesy of KARIMOKU CASE STUDY

4. Photos of Kenneth Cobonpue courtesy of KENNETH COBONPUE

5. Photos of Amanoi courtesy of AMAN RESORTS

Xiqu Center in Hong Kong: Contemporary Space for Chinese Culture

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Located at the West Kowloon Cultural District, the Xiqu Center was completed in 2019 as homage to Chinese heritage and culture. This expansive space is dedicated to the promotion of Chinese performance arts, more specifically xiqu or Chinese opera. The structure’s façade immediately unveils the activities and spirit of Chinese performance arts. Aluminum metal panels are woven to appear like shining draped curtains over the building. This design invites a free flow of visitors as they explore the many cultural experiences at the Xiqu Center.

The Grand Theater, which can accommodate an audience of up to 1,075 people, is a feat of architectural design. Sitting on top of the building, it rests 27 meters above the ground. The Tea House Theater beneath seats up to 200 individuals. It aims to reintroduce Hong Kong’s time-honored tradition of serving audiences tea and dimsum while watching performances.

Apart from the two theaters, this architectural and cultural landmark will also feature training facilities, retail spaces, and rehearsal studios as well. The entire center is flanked by two sky gardens that look out to the Victoria Harbour. This adds a sense of oneness with nature and invites visitors to linger and discover the magnificence of Chinese performance arts. Noted by TIME magazine in 2019 as “one of the world’s greatest places”, Xiqu Center in Hong Kong is an experience not to be missed by either design or performance arts enthusiasts.

Reference: https://www.westkowloon.hk/en/xiqucentre#overview

Reinstated Interiors Inspired by Asian Culture

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Antique, art, furniture and fabrics that tell the story of Asian heritage and culture, enliven modern spaces.

ANTIQUE CERAMICS AND PORCELAIN
China

Blue and white floral bowl from the Ming Dynasty sold on auction for USD721,800 at Sotheby’s.

CHINESE ANTIQUE CERAMICS AND PORCELAIN are stunning art pieces beloved by taste makers for their craftsmanship, elegance, and beauty. Of all the Chinese antiques, vessels and ceramics are the most popular and highly prized. Precious porcelains that date back to the Ming Dynasty were made in the porcelain town of Jingdezhen, Jianxi Province. They are considered the most superior of all the antiquities from the region.

These distinctive blue and white jars and vessels are characterized by intricate depictions of daily life, nature, and the times. Art and antiquities experts describe them as elaborate compositions that “convey and glorify that majesty and benevolence of the Ming Dynasty.” At Sotheby’s, avid collectors of blue and white Ming porcelain can access these precious pieces of Chinese art. Through the work and research of its global Chinese Ceramics and Works of art department, the revered auction house has managed to grow a collection of over 1,300 rare porcelains and antiques. Bidders from all over the world can also access these iconic gems through dedicated live and online auctions.

BONE INLAY FURNITURE
India

INDIAN BONE INLAY is an ancient art form that originated in the Rajasthan region of India. These meticulously handcrafted pieces, similar to marquetry, were first made solely for the royal palaces and maharajas. This revered craft has been passed down through generations, taking at least a month to reach completion. The meticulous process begins with shaping of fragmented bones into the design. Each shaped bone is then attached onto the surface, piece by piece. To fill the empty spaces and create evenness on the surface, colored resin is poured as the finishing layer. The result is a mosaic-like visual narrative that brings centuries of culture and art to life.

As more modern homes adapt to minimalist and contemporary sensibilities, designs for bone inlay furniture have also evolved. Artisera, a curated space for Indian furniture, antiques, and fine art from India, showcases a more contemporary take on bone inlay furniture. Decidedly streamlined and intended for living spaces of today, patterns are more subdued and geometric. Often, they draw from the shapes and forms of the art deco movement. Similarly, color ways hint at modern French interior design palettes. From bedside tables, to consoles and lower coffee tables, the modern iterations of inlay furniture are striking accents that lend eclectic flair to well-designed spaces.

SILKS AND OBIS
Japan

JAPANESE SILKS AND OBIS echo an approach to luxury that is distinct only to Japan. Instead of gold and gems, the affluent were have said to distinguish themselves through the kimonos and fabrics they wore. These beautifully woven and embroidered silks, referred to as Nishijin were regarded as jewelry and used to dressed nobles of Kyoto’s imperial courts. There are countless other tales, best told through silks, kimono, and obis, that echo Japan’s rich history. While these narratives go as far back as 1,200 years, they continue to live on through emerging designers.

Mikan, an up-and-coming sustainable brand founded by French designer Clementine Sandner, was born out of a passion for antique Japanese kimonos. Since relocating to Japan in 2016, the founder and designer has been collecting pre-loved textiles from across the region and repurposing them into beautiful pieces. Clementine shares, “In Japan, as in most countries, the younger generations tend to lose interest in national costumes. With the modernization of Japan, people switched to western clothing, leaving behind beautiful and precious hand-woven fabrics, resulting of a precious heritage passed on through generations. Mikan looks at these discarded kimono and obi like treasures from the past and brings them back into a new life.”

Although primarily a maker of bags, Mikan has recently expanded into the home décor realm. Panels of rare kimonos or silks are hung all throughout the Kyoto-based studio. Like landscape paintings, they light up the space and serve as windows to the past. Clementine adds, “I wanted to create pieces that also decorate the room. During an exhibition I had in Kyoto, I hung more than 30 pieces of obi around the gallery so people could walk around the enjoy the beauty of the materials.”

Reference:
https://www.studiointernational.com/index.php/treasures-of-the-ming-dynasty-are-unearthed-in-jingdezhen
https://www.worldhistory.org/Ming_Porcelain/#:~:text=The%20Ming%20dynasty%20is%20rightly,countries%20from%20Japan%20to%20Britain.
https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-china/ming-dynasty
https://www.mikanbags.com/
https://www.sothebys.com/en/sell/sculpture/chinese-antiques
https://www.artisera.com/collections/bone-inlay-furniture
https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/indian-craft-ones-to-watch
https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/exotic-design-roundup-slideshow
https://www.fentonandfenton.com.au/pages/all-about-bone-inlay#:~:text=The%20time%2Dhonoured%20art%20of,of%20a%20three%2Dstep%20method.
http://craftsmartindia.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-timeless-art-of-bone-inlay.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/02/fashion/craftsmanship-kimono-silk-hosoo-kyoto-japan.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/26/arts/design/kimono-a-modern-history-at-the-met-tells-rich-stories-through-fabric.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jingdezhen_porcelain

Art Galleries That Enhance Mindful Living

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Gallery spaces are where art and its observer can engage and interact. It is also where one can begin to find a sense for mindfulness and conscious thought.

Cuturi Gallery
Singapore

A next-generation gallery in Singapore, dedicated to nurturing the Lion City’s art scene, CUTURI is challenging the conventional dynamics within the art world. The team begins, “Unfettered by conventions of the traditional art gallery model, founder Kevin Troyano Cuturi united his love for art with a disruptive entrepreneurial passion to challenge the norms and bring fresh perspective to invigorate the industry.”

Cuturi believes in art as a medium for empowerment and meaningful living. To achieve this, the team takes on the role as “curator of change and custodian of artistic diversity.” Breaking free from the usual processes and practices of most galleries, they endeavor to establish a mindset for transparency, inclusivity and openness. The team adds, “We connect broad audiences to high quality art by diverse talents that speaks to the heart and tells the story of an undiscovered generation of aspiring artists.”

When it comes to promoting mindful living or spaces, the CUTURI team chooses to walk the talk. They’ve started from within their organization in hopes of inspiring other stakeholders in the community to follow suit. “We present an inclusive and democratized art ecosystem, that fosters collaboration, understanding and appreciation among artists, collectors and the industry at large.” In harnessing an industry that thrives on support and cooperation, art collectors are able to bring home a works of art made, exhibited and sold following the very ideals of mindfulness. After all, our private spaces and the art in it reflect the energy with which we surround ourselves.

SALCEDO AUCTIONS
Manila, Philippines

Established in 2010, Salcedo Auctions is the premiere auction house in the Philippines specializing in fine art, decorative art, jewellery and other collectibles. Its team has played an integral role in supporting the appreciation and understanding of various art forms from all over the globe. Salcedo does not only work with seasoned collectors and acclaimed critics of the art world. They have also harnessed a sense of community that welcomes new enthusiasts through its subsidiary brand, Gavel & Block.

Since moving to a new and expansive space at the Mezzanine of the NEX Tower, Salcedo has continued to mount exhibitions and seasonal auctions to fit a wider range of art collectors. Through these creative engagements, the team hopes to match treasure works of art with new homes and enthusiasts. The partners at Salcedo share, “We always look at art in the context of space—whether it’s in our homes, in a gallery as part of an exhibition, or even online as part of a visual show. An art work inevitably interacts with the space you place it in and has a lot to with a piece’s size. Is it big enough to engulf you? Or is it small enough that you need to step closer to be drawn in?” Color palette and subject matter also factor into how an artwork can make its viewers feel and how it ultimately affects your space. And while these intimate interactions between art, viewer and space may vary, the team advices, “Generally, when you find the perfect piece that fits your space—and you’ll know this when an artwork seems to anchor the room instead of overpowering it—it will naturally lead to people feeling at ease in the space.”

There is no one definite rule or guide to creating calm through art, asserts the esteemed curators at Salcedo. “It ultimately depend on the person, and that’ the beauty of collecting in general. Historically—and psychologically—however, certain colors really do lend themselves to creating more calm, peaceful atmospheres.” Exhibits that complete a home while giving back to community also add a sense of mindfulness to the art journey. Salcedo’s Gavel & Block will open the bidding floor on July 24 for its much-awaited “Interiors” auction. “It is another opportunity to find pieces that will fit into your home. For this sale, we’re excited to be working with local charity organization, Hands on Manila, raising funds to support its community development programs.”

SOLUNA FINE ART
Hong Kong

An emerging space that carries fine art pieces from around Asia, Soluna Fine Art aims to revitalize passion and interest for Eastern design and philosophy. Its founder, Rachel Lee, had the intention of taking Asian contemporary artworks to the international arena when the doors of Soluna Fine Art opened. At the same time, the founder also had a vision for ringing in mindfulness through a curated selection of works that harnesses good energy, intention, and inspiration.

Rachel explains, “Artworks that harmonize with a space can add a wealth of experiences that awaken an individual’s psychological inspiration beyond the synthetic experience created by design… When choosing an art piece with considerations to the space, it is important to first understand the characteristics and purpose of the space. This is because each work of art is a product of the energy created by the artist and has its own physical properties.”

Art, regardless of size, medium or genre, is food for the soul. When filling our homes or private spaces with art works, we essentially welcome new energy. Rachel expounds, “Space designs and reflects our lives. Humans create different thoughts, energy and inspiration depending on what kind of ambience they are in.” Case in point, the current solo exhibit of Kim Young-Hun at the gallery drawing inspiration from our experience of the digital world.

Aptly dubbed, Ripple Ripple, this showcase of oil paintings uses vibrant colors and energetic strokes (using a leather brush) to convey modern perspectives or points of view. Each canvas is filled with colors and forms that convey one’s take on the ever-changing digital world. Although inspired by a new and faster way of living driven by technology, the exhibition “retains a kind of peaceful composition of Asian art.”

Cuturi Gallery
https://www.cuturigallery.com/

Salcedo Auctions
https://salcedoauctions.com/

Soluna Fine Art
https://www.solunafineart.com/

Corporate Wellness Practices

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The global pandemic has affected everyone in many ways and has been a fundamental shift in the advancement of Corporate Wellness. For many employees, the health crisis ushered in significant changes to the workplace, with a major shift to remote work, heightening health consciousness as a priority－not just physically but also emotionally and mentally as well.

In response to this shift, companies have given in-depth focus to their employees’ holistic wellbeing through designing and managing wellness initiatives that will boost the productivity output of team members, foster mental and emotional health, improve physical wellbeing, and make them comfort in all areas of life—including work.

Why invest in corporate wellness programs?

As Sarah Kalmeta, Success Coach and head of Pivot Point, shares, “At the end of the day, your business is run by people, and happy people are productive people and productive people are happy people. By taking care of your people, your business will see reduced costs, reduced stress, lower turnover, greater productivity, increased morale, and improved employee and client relationships. Corporate wellness programs are shown to have a positive impact on both the employer and employee.”

How does corporate wellness play a role in the effectiveness of a team/business?

Judy Xu, life coach and owner of Balance Health Hong Kong, shares that wellness programs are an integral part of business and how keeping the employees happy, motivated, and engaged equates to high productivity and overall business performance.

“It used to be the case that working as a team towards a common goal made everyone happy. But nowadays, millennials in particular, have a clear sense of purpose in their work and are aware of how the company can take care of them.

Our approach to corporate wellness is to take a holistic view of our employees’ work lives as well as their lives in general, and by taking care of their mental and physical health, we can align their life purpose with the company’s purpose while increasing their satisfaction and fulfillment at work. As a result, we aim to improve the productivity of our employees and teams and their ability to solve problems.

What kind of corporate wellness programs are currently being executed considering COVID-19?

The five elements theory categorizes everything in nature into wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Thiz Traditional Chinese Medicine wellness program, which includes meridian exercises that help to balance each of these elements, is very effective in boosting the immune system. This self-healing workout is designed to unblock major meridian (energy pathways in the body) and stimulate the circulation of ‘Qi’. Practices such as meridian stretching, acupressure, and meditation with singing bowls, and lead to a healthy body and mind.

Also recommended are interactive, remote workshops that can be practiced at home. These are designed to take care of mental fatigue, strengthen connections within teams, and maintain wellness in the workplace. Breathing techniques, self-awareness, mindset, meditation, and moderate exercise can all help you take control of the mental fatigue one experiences when working from home.

By implementing a situational wellness program, companies can create a healthier work environment for their employees. This allows for maximum performance, high productivity, and minimized economic loss.