ST201903

ESCAPE (^) | HOME STYLE
A
lthough any associations of Shanghai
with opium dens and debauchery are
outdated and clichéd, there are still
glimmers to be found among its ultra-
modern buildings. It’s easy to imagine a world of
high living taking place in the well preserved Art
Deco buildings that line the Huángpŭ river. The
area, known as The Bund, was where many of the
big banks were based before Communism kicked
in, in 1949, and where glamorous social clubs
tinkled with the sound of cocktails and laughter.
Following reforms in the 1990s, the city
regained its status as a financial hub and the
economy boomed. The other side of the river is
lined with the towering space-age buildings of
the Lujiazui skyline. Exciting new architectural
projects from Heatherwick Studios and Foster +
Partners reference traditional buildings. Other
t races of t he cit y ’s for mer life ca n be found in t he
few remaining ‘lane houses’ in narrow streets.
To introduce a little of Shanghai’s mix of Art
Deco, Chinese tradition and modernity into your
home, keep spaces clean and crisp, but soften
with pretty wallpaper, ceramic pieces and big
velvet cush ions to lounge on. You wa nt to ma ke
a n a llusion to decadent liv ing at t he ver y lea st.
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(^1) Emerald Ferne armchair, £269, dunelm.com (^2) Retro gold metal cocktail shaker, £19, cultfurniture.com
(^3) Martini glass, £27 for two, printerandtailor.com (^4) Maroq metal screen, £325, coxandcox.co.uk (^5) Achille plywood
pendant light, £40, habitat.co.uk^6 Painted bamboo container, £145, shimu.co.uk^7 Green ginger jars, £65 each, shimu.
co.uk^8 Balance alcove shelving, £599, contentbyterenceconran.com^9 Madam Stoltz small velvet cushion, £42,
darlingandgold.com^10 Chinese Tree mural wallpaper in Blush, £395, annajacobsart.com^11 Artificial bamboo plant, £26,
tch.net^12 Green Tong Curve vase, £39, abodeliving.co.uk^13 Gold Ayaan table lamp base, £191.95, lightsonlightsoff.co.uk
(^14) Hambro ceramic horse, £25, habitat.co.uk
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ILLUSTRATION: JOE MCINTYRE
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