Briefly in Beijing in Doncheng District

I was briefly in Beijing a few wks ago getting acquainted with my future home.  We made a stop in the Dongcheng District of Beijing, located to the Northeast of the Forbidden City.  One of the key streets  in this area is Nan Luo Gu Xiang.  Down this street you'll cross many hutongs and get a taste of what life was like pre-Beijing Olympics.  It's a nice narrow lane that reminds me of Taikang Lu in Shanghai and only because alot of the same stores there, are here too.   Unfortunately, not too many exterior standouts for me here, with the exception of these wooden milk and newspaper boxes featuring carved characters and designs.  Fresh milk is still delivered in China, even in the big cities.  In Shanghai you'll see mostly metal, industrial looking versions.  It was nice to see something made out of wood and a little bit more ornate but simple.  The butterfly grille window was also spotted down this lane and what I liked about it was it was also created and carved out of wood---something you don't see alot in Shanghai. 

Who Needs Walls?

Who needs walls when all you really need is a great door. This photo was taken in Yangshuo while hiking the area. Love the color of the door

L'atelier Mandarine

I participated in the Kid's Bazaar at O'malley's recently and I love seeing how many small businesses are out there. One of my favourites is from L'atelier Mandarine, above.  There table is always so colorful and creative.  There located on Taikang Lu in Building 3, the Int'l Artists Factory Building.

Lobby @ Urbn

The lobby/reception area of Urbn is a wall of vintage leather suitcases found in Shanghai.  It's the most inspired reception area I've seen so far.    Not a huge fan though of the one hanging linen lamp above the reception desk----a bit out of synch with the rest of the area. 

The hardware from Roomtwentyeight @ Urbn

These beautifully crafted side-tables are made from American Walnut wood.  Although these pieces live in a dining room right now, i can picture them in my living room, my bedroom or in family room holding magazines, LP's (if i still had my collection) and other stuff.  

Inside Roomtwentyeight

This beautifully created clock sits right above the peek-a-boo kitchen in the dining room. The jigsaw style creates an abstract look to it, but get closer and it's clearly a clock.  I love when design and function meet.

Roomtwentyeight @ Urbn Hotel

One of my favourite dining rooms in Shanghai is Roomtwentyeight at Urbn Hotel on Jiaozhou Lu.  Images of this dining room has already been seen by many, but I had to feature this dining room and furniture as my first post. Most of the key pieces that make this room what it is, is created by Shanghai-based Montreal designers and architects, Israel Noel and Karen Hui (Studio One to One).  The hanging ceiling lights are made from ceramic and give off the most beautiful yellow illumination.  The bee-hive shaped lights in the second image hang above the bar.