Author: sichen
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Collecting the Tang Dynasty Horse
This is a true story: In 1989, the British Rail Pension Fund showed the finest Tang Dynasty porcelain horse ever found at a Sotheby’s Hong Kong Auction. That same night, thieves broke into the Sotheby’s warehouse, held the staff at knife point, and made off with the horse. The heist made headlines around the world,…
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Instant Makeover: Your Pillow Personality
This outdoor courtyard from Traditional Home‘s February 2014 was a major project — just look at the inset of the before picture: Wow! An outdoor fountain has become an indoor/outdoor living space. But for whom? The matching pillows and cushions makes this space look like a showroom. Pillows should be the most exciting part…
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Living with Legend: L’Objet and the Han Dynasty
Growing up in China, I spent much of my childhood in the Han dynasty. Many of my childhood heroes came from this period, and I would travel 2,000 years back in time to go on adventures with them while sitting in class or doing homework. As I grew older, I realized I wasn’t the only…
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Instant Makeover: Art at Your Feet
This dining room from the Winter 2013 issue of California Home + Design looks like a work of art. It features vintage Gio Ponti chairs, wall art made from 1970’s fabric design, and even a Tony Duquette Sunburst chandelier that was literally assembled one spear at a time: But am I the only one who…
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Seth and Jenna’s Guest Room
Part 2 of Seth and Jenna’s Guest Room. Jenna: Good morning, Mrs. — Sharon: Please call me Sharon, dear. Jenna: OK. Good morning, Sharon. How did you sleep last night? Sharon: Oh it was wonderful! Bob was out in about a minute. He just wrapped himself up in that big comforter. He did manage to…
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Instant Makeover: a Classic yet Modern Table
There’s an amazing house in the December 2013 issue of Veranda magazine: The owners have achieved an almost perfect balance of traditional yet modern design. The columns, cornices, and arches remind us of the Spanish Revival style which are synonymous with California, but the doors, outdoor sculpture, and general brightness of the space make it…
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We’re Obsessed: Travel Souvenirs
Ever kick yourself for not, er, picking up a souvenir from that restaurant on your last trip? Now you can do it legally with Vietri’s Metro Dinnerware: This taupe plate brings back memories of The Big Apple, but there’s also London, Paris, Milan, Rome, Tokyo, Singapore, Hong Kong, San Lorenzo, Cortona, Seattle, and Oslo (yes Oslo!), all…
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Instant Makeover: the Right Light
This room from Traditional Home was done up to the nines, with silk drapery, antique furnishings, and even a throw blanket for a spice of color: But there’s one thing out of place here — the lighting fixture. It’s too small, doesn’t fit the style of the room, and looks off-centered. Fortunately, lighting offers a…
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What Makes Herend the Most Beloved Figurines?
What has made Herend’s figurines some of the most beloved and precious collectibles in the world for over fifty years? It must partly be how cute they look, like these owls: Or this magical bunny: Or even this kitten caught in the moment of mischief: And who will kiss this lucky frog? Look closely, and you’ll…
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Help Seth and Jenna Decorate their Guest Room
Seth: Hi I’m Seth. Jenna: And I’m Jenna. Seth: We’re not real people but avatars– Jenna: Quit being such a geek, Seth! Seth: OK, sorry, fictitious characters. We were invented by the editors of Gracious Style to help you see how design are a part of all of our lives. So in our fictitious lives,…