Have you ever seen a modern, German style building with a Chinese heart? Have you ever considered using fabrics from the fashion industry as interior wall decoration? Can you imagine that what appears to be a wall is actually a "secret door"? Do you know that those exuberant green plants are actually artificial? All these are exactly what you see in Beijing Damei Center Plaza (Damei Center), another high-end business landmark in east Beijing. In an afternoon this Autumn, Zhao Shu, designer of the project, shared with us his original design ideas in an interview.

Design is not something done in the blink of an eye. It takes time. However, it took him just three months to present the design for Damei Center with its elegant, comfortable environment. From the very beginning, Zhao was determined not to let anything restrict his imagination. An oriental impression came up from the bottom of his heart. This accurate positioning, perhaps, is what enabled him to accomplish the design within a short time.

Speaking of the East, a typical impression on oriental design is traditional Chinese furniture featuring classical elegance. In this project, however, it was presented through modern minimal furniture. With regard to this mix, Zhao explained: "The essence of the orient is taken by many as a Zen peace of mind. For us, it is the ultimate simplicity and clarity. The real oriental design should not be bound to any specific oriental element. With its philosophy of 'pursuing ultimate virtue and beauty', Damei Center wished to be strikingly simple – expressed with the unique oriental design language."

"As the top furniture brand in China, CAMERICH was able to present what we wished to. We selected CAMERICH not only because of our decade-long partnership, but also because of its unique brand identities, featuring a simple, heart-warming comfort and grace that have sustained the test of both the market and time."

Yes, there are occasions when designers might be "kidnapped" by market trends or customer demands, and would be at a loss whether to compromise or to insist on leading market trends. "From the perspective of designers, you are actually leading market trends sometimes even when it seems you are making compromises. Anyway, it depends on how you look at it. From the right perspective, you are taking the lead at any time, as the most important thing is to be yourself," explained Zhao. 

"To be yourself!" Isn't that a perfect match with CAMERICH's philosophy? In my view, the relation between a designer and a brand has to do with first sight impression, as well as their common understanding and shared view about design.

The clean, white light curtain and the slim, nimble bamboos look just like a traditional Chinese painting. While nothing is intentionally oriental in appearance, it is indeed oriental in essence. How could the oriental soul be so unassuming, yet so refreshing? With a deeper understanding, we have to admire Zhao's design. The bamboos are, in fact, artificial decorations that contain the tender feeling in his heart, featuring the unique "implicit oriental aesthetics". A seemingly simple touch turns out to be the highlight of the entire design.

The oriental aesthetics features a unique sense of tenderness and simplicity. It is reflected in a calm, simple, light setting. The designer divides the room into several functional sections. Each section has a different image highlighted with different elements. Yet, eventually, everything is contained in an integral atmosphere of oriental aesthetics.

An innovative design can always increase the appeal of a room. Accompanied by Zhao, we visited Damei Center and learned more about his unique caring designs, for example, the "secret door" that provides necessary convenience in unexpected circumstances, the wall paper made of fabrics, and the artificial plants that provide green views without the trouble of everyday care. Most of these innovative designs are rooted in the pursuit and care for a comfortable life.

"I did not deliberately use any specific oriental element in the design. What I wanted to highlight was the oriental soul. No painting was used, because it was a painting itself,” said Zhao. 

"The ultimate level of the oriental culture is the echoing between what an artwork expresses unintentionally and the feeling in the audience's heart. Like Damei Center, CAMERICH is committed to highlight the beauty of life in every aspect," said CAMERICH Brand Operating Director Ms. Shirley Wang. In my view, it is the pursuit for a better life and better designs that enabled the resonance between CAMERICH and Damei Center, and helped create the unique beauty of oriental grace!