Chinese Design Inspiration

I was in Beijing, China last March and on my final day there my camera died. Fortunately, my N95 has a passable camera – so I used it and got these shots. You might be asking yourself, “she took these photos in March – it’s now July – what happened?” Ummm… don’t ask that. I don’t have an answer.

The point being – isn’t this the most gorgeous hand painted wall in a shop you have ever seen? I just wanted to sit in Everglory all day and look at it – but we were totally pressed for time because we put off the 798 District for the last day. What an insane mistake that was!

Now that’s a red wall done well.

I want this wall in my house. Seriously. I don’t have a room big enough – but I don’t care. Just looking at it makes me happy and I can sort out the design of the rest of the space afterwards. Unfortunately the store it’s connected to does not have a website (their card has a website on it – but I think it only works in China, which means effectively it doesn’t have a website), so you can’t see their cute selection online. Of course this does give you a great excuse to go to Beijing…

This guy was inside of another shop that doesn’t have a website… and didn’t want me taking any pictures. Yes, I smuggled this photo outside of China. I only wish the resolution was better.

This was from the same shop. Fortunately it was outside so no one could tell me no photos.

I found this art much more daring than anything I expected in China. There were actually incredibly controversial pieces that day in many galleries – but I didn’t waste my batteries on the grossest ones (one gallery was filled with statues that looked like decomposing corpses.)

And more.

Some of the edgiest work was in Artopal. Their website is worth a long, lingering look by the way. Their artists are brilliant. I also like how they are hosted in India instead of China.

There are so many ways to go on this. One thing is guaranteed, you won’t forget it soon.

Another shot from the outside of the shop.

I don’t know how well you can see it – but this is a smiling guy lying across a shelf.

Side view of the smiling guy. If he wasn’t so expensive he would be on one of my shelves now…

Tushy!

There was no way for me to get a picture of this without the shadow. What a shame – it’s a seriously disturbing picture and absolutely brilliant. I don’t think I would have it in my home – but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be somewhere.

That morning we went to the Olympic Stadium in Beijing – which was huge and you can find 2 million pictures of online.

What struck me the most out of the building, however, was the bathroom signs. As you can see from above, that’s mens.

Ladies.

And handicapped. Notice more red walls.

China is a country that knows how to do red. I can’t wait to go back (whenever that is.)