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November 12, 2017

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Home » Sunday » Home and Design

A cozy, cultural and stylish habitat

Source: Shanghai Daily | 00:05 UTC+8 November 12, 2017 | Print Edition

THE city apartment where Cindy Tai calls home is complemented by her collection of rare antiques, unique furniture, fine art and quirky curios.

Tai, chief executive officer of Baccarat Asia Pacific, moved into her current home 10 years ago. The fantastic view made up her mind to buy the apartment within two minutes of viewing.

“The house searching was a long, tedious process. I had an idea of my dream house: It had to be convenient, peaceful and well located. When I first came to visit the property development, I liked the location and the fantastic view as it put me at ease,” Tai said.

She didn’t make any changes to the partitioning due to her busy work life. “I didn’t have time to make changes I would have liked, except a wine cellar (that was an old maid room), as I’m a wine lover,” she said.

Inside the 360-square-meter layout, there are clear views from one end to the other. And her collections of furniture and ephemera are beautifully composed against a neutral backdrop of cream marble floor and walls painted in beige. The neutral backdrop enhances the sense of warmth and intimacy.

“I want to make the house my house, that means it’s cozy, functional, elegant and arty,” Tai said.

The elegant Shanghainese woman, with exquisite taste, enjoys her art of living. This is evidently reflected in her East-meets-West style home interior. The atmosphere is an artful blending of classic furnishings and modern inspiration. There are more traditional, antique pieces Tai had collected during her many trips around the world, then there are some exquisite pieces of design, many of which come from Baccarat.

During her many business and leisure trips, Tai has always visited local art galleries, museums and anywhere related to beauty. She has seen a passion for life and beauty together with local culture and history that all melt into the arty creations.

In the center of living room, on the low rustic wooden coffee table, limited editions of books in the subjects of architecture, fashion and design are piled up.

Pieces of antique Buddha statues sit beautifully in the light-filled space to achieve a sense of order and intimacy.

The atmosphere is further enhanced by glittery decorative mirrors and Baccarat crystal lights. For some people, Tai’s home looks somewhat like a museum with beautiful items from different cultures. But it does feel like a home thanks to the homeowner’s natural talent of mixing and matching objects.

“I try to create a harmony of warm color schemes to give off a welcoming vibe at home. My interior has to be functional and stylish. A home, not matter how simple, must have art pieces, as they always give a touch of style,” Tai said.

Tai has collected art for years.

“I have so many artworks that my home doesn’t have enough walls to display all of them. I change my paintings from time to time according to my feeling and mood,” she said.

Some of her favorite paintings at home include work by Qian Gang. “He’s a wonderful artist who paints with great techniques and his paintings are full of colors, elegance and skills. This art is detailed and it all comes from his heart,” she said.

“Another favorite is Ding Yi’s painting which I acquired during a charity event. It makes me feel good to be involved in a good cause.”

With well-decorated rooms from the living area to the dining space, Tai has created an elegant, stylish home where she could entertain professionally and personally, as well as “hang out” after a hard day’s work, unwind and chill with her husband.

Ask The Owner

Q: What’s the best thing about living in Shanghai?

A: Shanghai is a dynamic city full of creativity and innovation. New things come up at all times.

 

Q: Describe your home in three words.

A: Cozy, cultural and stylish.

 

Q: What’s the first thing you do when you get home?

A: Funny but true: I go to the kitchen! I eat over there, read and drink. I also like to chat with my husband.

 

Q: How do you unwind?

A: I travel a lot and I like to do yoga.

 

Q: Where do you spend most your time at home?

A: I spend most of the time in the kitchen when I’m home.

 

Q: What’s the view outside your window?

A: The most beautiful river view in Shanghai, in which I can feel the pulse of the city.

 

Q: How do you scent your home?

A: I scent cleaness, freshness and elegance with Baccarat Fragrance Candle Rouge 540.

 

Q: What’s your favorite object at home?

A: Baccarat The Torch designed by Arik Levy.

 

Q: Where do you source furniture in Shanghai?

A: I like to go antique shops where I sometimes find interesting and unique pieces.

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