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Five Favorites from Douglas Hoerr
Continue ReadingThere’s a reason why students are told to study the masters. What could be better than spending time in the company of true expertise (in real life or in books) to understand a craft? When it comes to designing outdoor spaces, we often look for inspiration overseas or on Instagram—both of which are satisfying from afar […]
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Collector’s Edition: Shopping in 1920s Shanghai
Continue ReadingShanghai in the 1920s was affectionately known as “the Paris of the East” or the “New York of the West,” depending on your perspective. It was one of those golden ages, when art and culture converged in a city teeming with new life. Jazz, cinema, theater, and opium dens thrived. Under British rule, merchants set […]
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Design Diary: Highlights from Asia Week New York
Continue ReadingEvery spring, Asia Week New York captivates collectors, curators and design enthusiasts from around the world. The 10-day festival is like like the ultimate (shoppable) fusion of history, culture and conviviality. PAGODA RED founder Betsy Nathan made the quick jaunt to New York to connect with friends, see the sales and check out the exhibitions. From unexpected […]
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Collector’s Edition: The Calligraphy Brushes of George Johnson
Continue ReadingCollectors have a unique commitment to the beauty and intrigue of objects—they are restless, curious compatriots with an eye for the special and rare. Theirs is an incurable wonder that asks, ‘What else can I find?’ They relish the pursuit of the sublime and unexpected. At PAGODA RED, we’re fortunate to meet collectors on the quest to find that […]
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Sophisticated Storage Solutions
Continue ReadingA fresh new year offers a clean slate and a chance to re-arrange. Organization may be one of the only resolutions that won’t deprive us of a few happy indulgences. It also it makes for easier daily routines. The key to a mess-free existence is selecting vessels and compartments that achieve a natural rhythm within the home. […]
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8 Ways to Bring In Peace & Calm
Continue ReadingFor those in search of calm and contemplation, China, Japan and other Asian nations are wonderful sources. Objects are filled with the iconography of peace. Many Chinese symbols are visual puns. Vase (ping 瓶) and peace (pingan 平安) are homonyms; crab (蟹) and harmony (协) share the xie sound. The phoenix and the Buddha are […]
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Chrysanthemum Day Flower Festival
Continue ReadingChinese and Japanese citizens welcome autumn with Chrysanthemum Day. An auspicious flower, chrysanthemums are also known as one of the “Four Gentlemen of China” along with the plum blossom for spring, the orchid for summer and the bamboo plant for winter. Chinese speakers pronounce chrysanthemum: ju. It’s phonetically similar to the word jiu, which can mean either “long time” […]
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Blue & White: The Perfect Pair
Continue ReadingAdaptable to any style, season or era, blue and white has long been a favorite of interior designers and artists. This classic color combination can be traced back to the 9th century, originating from the Middle East and perfected in China, where imperial artists hand-brushed cobalt pigments onto vases and ceramics. Today, blues and whites retain a […]
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Built for Life: Chinese Cabinets
Continue ReadingIn dynastic Chinese design, there were no closets: only cabinets. Clothes, bed linens, robes, books and cookware were all stored in tapered cabinets, noodle cabinets and stacked cabinets. Today, timeless cabinets work equally well in the kitchen, bedroom or living room — the perfect alternative to built-ins. Searching for the perfect place to store your […]
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Fit & Trim: The Art & Architecture of Chinese Joinery
Continue ReadingWe all know the physical and metaphorical truth of the idiom, “There’s no use in trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.” Did its origin come out of woodworking techniques? It’s not a stretch to think so: For thousands of years, both Chinese woodworkers and Chinese architects have used mortise-and-tenon joints to […]
