Spotlight on Spain: Roca backs Spanish national men’s football squad

Over a century ago, a small company began manufacturing cast iron radiators in Gavà, Barcelona. Since those long-ago days, that same entity – Roca – has become a global leader in the luxury bathroom fittings sector, with a far-flung footprint ranging from South America and Europe to Asia. In spite of its global presence, though, it remains 100-percent Spanish at heart. It’s this sense of national pride that has seen Roca become the regional sponsor of the Spanish national men’s football team – also dubbed by fans as “La Furia Roja”.

Speaking of this sponsorship, Rubén Rivera, Director of Marketing for the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) says, “The collaboration between RFEF and Roca represents the innovation and passion of the Spanish culture and sports. Roca shares the same professional and pioneering spirit of the Spanish National Football Team, and we are excited to collaborate with Roca, and look forward to working together for years to come.”

With La Furia Roja snagging a much-coveted silver medal at the recently concluded Tokyo Olympic Games, Roca cheered them on and celebrated their amazing performance through an array of attractively decorated double-decker campaign buses – all burnished in the team’s signature red hue – right here in Hong Kong. Keep your eyes peeled for these attention-grabbers, which are proudly emblazoned with the team logo and its star players, in addition to visuals of some of the hero products currently available from the Spanish bathroom furnishings brand.

In addition to supporting the national team, Roca also focuses on product design achievement and the wellbeing on the customers. Among the many cutting-edge products coming soon to its RocaConcepts flagship store in Wanchai, a highlight is the Ohtake washbasin. Crafted by renowned Brazilian architect Ruy Ohtake, its beautiful egg-shaped form is inspired by Mother Nature herself, with its gentle curves encapsulating oceanic waves and the ever-changing line of the horizon. Recognising its many inherent merits, the Ohtake washbasin was even awarded the highest honour (‘Best of the best’) at the 2019 Red Dot Design Awards. Available in white, brown or black, this prize-winning minimalist creation is sure to bequeath any bathroom with a subtle elegance.

Another star turn in Roca’s catalogue is its collection of colour PVD faucets. Available in a variety of shapes in the buyer’s choice of a matte or shiny finish, there is an arresting array of cool hues to choose from, though the brushed titanium black version is to be particularly recommended. Each is triple-plated with layers of brass, chrome and nickel, an innovative combination that means these faucets aren’t just highly resistant to corrosion and limescale content in the water, they are scratch-proof as well. As with all Roca products, the taps embody smart living and beautiful functionality with perfect aplomb.

To stay up-to-date on the latest Roca happenings, scan the following QR code and follow the RocaConcepts Facebook page:

RocaConcepts. 1/F, The Hennessy, 256 Hennessy Road, Wanchai. (852) 2510 2677. www.roca.hk

Introducing: Maxalto & Azucena launched at B&B Italia Hong Kong showroom

COLOURLIVING, the city’s dedicated one-stop lifestyle concept destination, recently hosted an exclusive gathering at the B&B Italia Hong Kong showroom in Wan Chai. Under the twinkling lights of the Hong Kong evening skyline streaming through the 350sq.m venue’s 31st-floor windows, the occasion celebrated the addition of not one, but two wholly separate luxury furniture brands to the B&B Italia Group – Maxalto and Azucena.

Bringing a contemporary spin to classical designs, Maxalto highlights the stylish interior furnishings crafted by renowned Italian designer Antonio Citterio. Azucena, meanwhile, will showcase a selection of timeless, one-of-a-kind creations designed by Milanese architect Luigi Caccia Dominioni, marking the brand’s debut into the Hong Kong market.

Luxurious products from both brands will join B&B Italia’s already-expansive selection of impeccable indoor and outdoor furnishings, including stunning designs from such luminaries as Piero Lissoni, Patricia Urquiola and Gaetano Pesce.

In recognition of this landmark moment, Denise Lau, Chief Executive Officer of COLOURLIVING, said: “Our partnership with B&B Italia has gone from strength to strength. We are extremely honoured to be further entrusted with the exclusivity of Maxalto and Azucena of The B&B Italia Group.”

B&B Italia Hong Kong Showroom. 31/F, China Online Center, 333 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai. (852) 2295 3612.

New Herman Miller furniture by Charles and Ray Eames at COLOURLIVING

Renowned American furniture designers Charles and Ray Eames have gifted the world with such iconic designs as the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman, the Molded Plastic & Fibreglass Armchair Shell and much more besides. Now, their legacy has arrived in Hong Kong courtesy of a special partnership between luxury lifestyle concept store COLOURLIVING and Herman Miller, the furniture label that has long produced Eames furniture pieces.

Eames Demetrios unveils new Herman Miller designs at Colourliving — Eames Demetrios, grandson of renowned furniture designers Charles and Ray Eames

To mark this special collaboration and the introduction of these luxury models to Hong Kong, we caught up with Eames Demetrios, grandson of the famous Charles and Ray Eames, to find out more about the legendary interior decor gurus, the legacy they’ve bequeathed upon the world, and the exciting pieces that are now available.

Tell us a little bit about your grandparents, Charles and Ray Eames, and how they started their furniture business.
That’s quite a rich question. Actually, Charles was primarily trained as an architect, while Ray was a painter. Even though they’re best-known as furniture designers today, in their own minds, they were still those things first and foremost. As for why they decided to enter the furniture industry, Charles always said that architects tend to gravitate towards furniture design as it’s on a scale you can actually handle more easily. That appealed to both my grandparents, but they also wanted a way to make people’s lives better in a tangible way, and that’s how they ended up starting their furniture company.

How did they end up collaborating with Herman Miller?
Actually, during WWII, Charles and Ray contributed to the war effort by mass producing leg splints for soldiers injured in battle. While it may seem a bit random, the design aspect of it was already part of their furniture studies previously, so it was a seamless transition. After the war, they started their own company after several of their designs received wide acclaim. In 1946 Herman Miller first came across their designs and suggested forming a partnership. They distributed for two years and by 1948, they were manufacturing Charles and Ray Eames designs under license. The rest is history.

What sets the current Eames line of furniture for Herman Miller apart from other brands?
Well, our mission statement at the Eames Foundation is to communicate, preserve and extend the works of Charles and Ray Eames. What this means is that – with the exception of a few modern manufacturing techniques and ethical crafting practices – the products you see today are identical when they were first produced. Unlike many companies who refresh and rejuvenate their collections, we only produce the original works, which highlights the timelessness and contemporary flair of the pieces they designed all those decades ago.

Tell us about the newly-unveiled pieces that have been launched at COLOURLIVING.
I think the Eames Lounge Chair is really the single most iconic piece that we’ve introduced here. Another classic design that high-end furniture lovers will also recognise is the Eames Side Chair, which is also a classic design that high-end furniture lovers will recognise. It’s very exciting to be launching in Hong Kong, and with such a great partner like COLOURLIVING.

Thank you.

COLOURLIVING Showroom. 333 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai. (852) 2295 6263. www.colourliving.com

Sofa, So Good: Penelope 2 sofa unveiled at Clei Showroom in Hong Kong

The Penelope 2 Sofa provides homeowners with a stylish freestanding wall bed. The settee nestled carefully within the added overhead cabinetry quickly transforms into a comfortable double bed, metamorphosing into a sophisticated slumbering spot. The various options of colours and material-finishing give homeowners the freedom to match with their already established living rooms. With only the finest upholstery, polyethylene terephthalate and pure cotton, the superior craftsmanship of the settee is divine.

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Thanks to its special patented technology, the tilting mechanism works smoothly through gas springs transforming the sofa seamlessly into a spacious bed. With space such a luxury in Hong Kong, the Penelope 2 Sofa is just the optimum furniture for a truly urban home.

So where may one find such a sophisticated sofa? Solely at Clei, the furniture store dedicated to transformable furniture and conveniently located at Happy Valley.

Clei. Shop A, G/F, No. 151 – 153 Wong Nai Chung Road,Happy Valley, Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 3702-0521
Fax: (852) 8148-5072

Lala Curio unveils new home decor collection at COLOURLIVING

Hong Kong’s very own luxury home decor maison, Lala Curio, partnered with COLOURLIVING, the city’s one-stop lifestyle concept store, to unveil its latest collection of vibrant, elegant, handcrafted wallpaper designs. We sat down with Laura Cheung, founder and owner of Lala Curio, to find out more about the brand’s philosophy, inspirations and intricate designs.

*Laura Cheung, founder of HK-based home decor company, Lala Curio*

How did your passion for interior design and home decor come about?

Actually I come from three generations of specialists in home decor and decorative arts. My father’s side of the family specialises in rosewood furniture, while my mother’s family are experts in cloisonné, a rare from of Chinese craftsmanship focusing on intricate inlay work. Growing up playing with cloisonné toys and interacting with Ming dynasty rosewood furniture, I knew interior design was my goal pretty early on. I just love the theatrical side of the business, but I also love beautiful, tactile things.

After graduating from university, though, you first entered the fashion industry…

That’s right, I did fashion event production. I was the design director and only designer of the company. It was such a hectic schedule with New York Fashion Week and then continuous corporate events and so forth. In your early 20s, it’s the perfect place to learn, but after a while I realised I wasn’t taking in anything new and that it was time for something new. That’s when I moved back to Asia and took some time off to figure out my next step.

So that next step was Lala Curio?

Not exactly. I decided my mission was to reinvent the lost crafts of Asia, and that’s what Lala Curio is all about. But first, I wanted to travel to the specific regions where these rare craftsmen lived. My family connections within the industry really helped me out, and for a while I was just travelling the length and breadth of China to find these artisans and learn from them.

After two years of travelling, learning and sourcing products, I made my first foray into interior design at Singapore’s International Furniture Fair four years ago. I took 4,000sq.m of space, poured so much effort and money into it, and developed a completely out-of-this-world ‘Cabinet of Curiosity’ showroom for all the major buyers in the world. That’s how Lala Curio was born.

Tell us about Lala Curio and its philosophy.

Well, the name Lala Curio is based on my childhood nickname, Lala, which also has a spirit of whimsicality, and Curio, based on an object of curiosity and also the art of curation. I think our brand encompasses all these characteristics, but most importantly, we are focused on artisanship and lost crafts.

We’re a Hong Kong-based home decor company that focuses on high-end, handcrafted products with a strong focus on Chinoiserie. We’re a bit unique in that we do everything in-house, from material sourcing to owning our own production… We also have a team wholly endowed with design know-how, from the historical to the handcraftsmanship. This really gives us the flexibility for any bespoke work our clients are looking for.

What is the latest collection you’re unveiling at COLOURLIVING today?

We’ve unveiled an all-new wallpaper collection today that is very much inspired by a romantic flora-and-fauna Chinoiserie theme. For example, we’ve utilised the city’s famous bauhinia tree, replete with heart-shaped leaves, in one of our wallpaper designs. We also have our latest Pearls on Walls wallpaper that is elegant without being overpowering. We also have our Red Wall, inspired by traditional Chinoiserie techniques but transformed with a modern touch. The entire collection was designed solely for our Hong Kong clients. It’s all hand-embroidered and handmade, no machines were involved.

Thank you.

Interview: Tenzing Thondup
Images: Lala Curio

Home Makeover: Five furniture pieces to give your home a facelift

Gafencu recommends five must-have furniture pieces for an ultimate home makeover!

We believe good furniture is like good investment, with the right piece, you can reap the benefits for years to come, with the added dividend of your guests’ admiration. So if you are looking to give your home a makeover, here are five furniture pieces that you must check out!

Jacques collection by Minotti at andante

Showcased at contemporary designer furniture store andante, the Jacques collection of sofas by Minotti can serve as the perfect pièce de résistance of any refined home.

Shop D, G/F, The Design Showcase, Ruttonjee Centre, 11 Duddell Street, Central, www.andante.com.hk

MAESTRIA VII collection by Kelvin Giormani

Award-winning designer Kelvin Giormani’s latest collection, MAESTRIA VII is inspired by untamed nature. The yellow leather of this furniture with the tiger print motif is sure to add a contemporary touch to any living space.

Shop B, G/F, Lok Moon Mansion, 29-31 Queen’s Road East, Wanchai, www.kelvingiormani.com

Marble table by The Red Cabinet

A fine example of European minimalism – this marble table with a bronze base can be used in various ways. Use as a dining table with matching chairs or as a standalone piece in the foyer to create a stylish welcome for your guests.

11/F Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau, www.red-cabinet.com.hk

Recipio’14 dining table by Maxalto at Déntro

The solid yet stark oak dining table can provide the solid foundation for a beautiful dining space. Available in painted metal and wood finish, this one is a chameleon that can fit perfectly into any environ, no matter what the décor is!

Shop C, LG/F, Ruttonjee Centre, 11 Duddell Street, Central, info@dentro.com.hk

Cabinet by Woodmark

Nobody likes clutter lying about in their homes, so investing in spacious storage space is rule no. 1 in creating a beautiful home. But while choosing storage space, do pay equal attention to the twin pillars of functionality and looks, as one wouldn’t work without the other. Our solution? This wooden cabinet collection from Woodmark.

Shop 216, HomeSquare, Shatin, New Territories, www.woodmark.com.hk

Givenchy sells personal collection of furniture for nearly HK$275 million

French fashion designer Hubert de Givenchy made a tidy profit at a recent Christie’s auction after he sold some furniture from his personal collection for €32.7 million (HK$274.6 million).

Of course, in true Givenchy fashion, it wasn’t just any old furniture.

Akin more to works of art, the pieces were made by Diego Giacometti, the late Swiss sculptor and designer, whom Givenchy knew personally.

The pair met and became friends in the 1960s thanks to an introduction made by Gustav Zumsteg, the director of fabric company Abraham. Shortly after they met, Givenchy purchased his first Giacometti piece – a guéridon (small table), which was also sold at the auction. Throughout the years, Givenchy commissioned a number of furniture pieces and artworks from Giacometti.

One piece, an octagonal table from 1980, set a new auction record for the artist, selling for €4,162,500 – more than five times the estimate. It was the top price of the auction.

Remarkably, 100 percent of the lots sold above their pre-sale estimates.

“We are very proud of these extraordinary results,” said François de Ricqlès, president of Christie’s France. “Thanks to Hubert de Givenchy’s elegance and perfect taste, this sale was a beautiful tribute to Diego Giacometti whose new auction record confirms his position as one of the most talented artists of the 20th century.”

Text: Emily Petsko

Photos: Christie’s

Tree unveils new eco-wood furniture

Tree’s new line-up of eco-wood furniture is perfect for anyone looking to give their home a rustic forest theme.

The company, based in Ap Lei Chau, has unveiled its latest collection just before spring.

Elevate Desk

Crafted from recycled teak wood and an albasia wood core, the desk has a rustic look. Furthermore, with multi-racks, TV and wine cabinets also available, it is the perfect way to create a beautiful living room.

Price: $6,950

Mona Sofa

What would a living room be without a comfortable sofa to relax on? Well, Tree’s brand new Mona Sofa has more of a casual and inviting look, especially with its large pillows, which just scream comfort.

Price: $15,950

Danico Dining Chair

Moving from the living room to the dining room, Tree also has a new range of dining chairs.

Each chair can be customised in terms of fabric and colour.

Price: $1,950 per chair

Soul Console Table

In need of a small, stylish table to store a few items? Then the Soul Console Table is just the thing for you. Like the aforementioned Elevate Desk, the table is made from recycled teak wood and an albasia wood core. The table comes with a trio of drawers to give the buyer adequate space to store items.

Price: $8.950

Terracotta ceramics

Another item with a rustic look, the terracotta ceramic pieces are handcrafted in the Philippines and come in various different colours, including a lovely turquoise and beautiful gunmetal grey.

Price: Starting from $195

Brooklyn furniture company brings Organic Modernism to Hong Kong

While Organic Modernism might sound like something of an oxymoron, this Brooklyn-based furniture company has carved out a distinct niche for itself by infusing earthy elements into contemporary designs. One piece – the Lombok cabinet – features four doors emblazoned with an ornate image of bronze etched animals, all inspired by pictures from an Indonesian children’s book. An abstract bronze statue of a woman, with her hair and dress seemingly blown back by the wind, connects the lower cabinets to a top partition, creating a spacious open shelf in between.

organicmodernism.com