apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

if you need someone in mexico city lemme know! Im the guy!

Vicadin: definitely will keep that in mind...Mexico City would definitely be a great locale to cover regularly one day. Be sure to send us any house tour leads if you can. I'd love to shine some light on the design and architecture on the city.

Uh... why China of all the Asian countries?

I'm upset that you are getting a China blogger before a blogger from the south east region...come on!

Since AT Los Angeles covers not only the Southwest states, Asia and Australia, we wanted to bring on someone who was living in Asia to report regularly, hopefully with some house tours from the likes of Shanghai and Beijing where the greatest changes are happening (for good and bad) in all of Asia. It would also be interesting for us to have someone to report from the country where a great deal of our big box products are actually manufactured.

Haha, yeah, it's a bit of a losing battle calling out for new bloggers since readers in particular regions want there area represented first. But we're very excited about the premise of a contributor living in China. It's a big untapped market of possible house tours!

Japan would be better.

What about Taipei? It's pretty happening and there's a big focus on design here...

.... I've been all over that region. China is categorically divided between the rich & poor, so "design" will be isolated to those privileged to delve in such in a scene. The Chinese are also awfully shy about opening up their homes to public viewing (even if it is via internet). Not to mention their human rights issues are sickening. That alone turns me off completely.
How about New Zealand, S/E Asia, or another region of Europe?
If you are looking to delve into Asia as it lies within ATLA's domain, I say start with Japan. A great introduction to Asian living -- and it's a very interesting place with loads of design information and opportunities.
**It's absolutely amazing what they the Japanese do with small, small spaces!!**
I vote Japan.

I am really glad that you choose China. That's why I sign up and want to leave commons here for you...There are so many people out there seem know more about China than I do..ah-uh, actually, I have to say, you don't know that much..I am from Zhuhai, a medium town in the Southern part of China. Most of my friends got nice houses, I mean maybe apartments. People love to post pics of their home on websites to share with others. They would love to decorate their home on their own or share opinions or get advises from professionals, that's even better..we are not like that shy at all..Do not mention those Human Rights thing, I do not think it has anything to do with nice homes...
China is much larger than other Countries that listed above, and we do have rich and poor. i do believe if you AT can do better homes in China, they can do anywhere of the rest of the world.
I'd like to be the one, but I'm not in China right now. So, unfortunately..:)

Not meaning to offend, Bacio, but I did spend a considerable amount of time in Asia teaching ESL to bright, creative young adults. Yes, design *is* a universal concept that is globally recognized regardless of region; however, I find China to have many cultural, social, and political barriers which "asphyxiate" the design industry. Obviously my bias is based solely on observation/ integration-- I lived in Peoples Republic of China for a period of time. And based on my experience, I would just like to say that I believe Japan would be more conducive to AT's forecast at this point in time -- small space/green living/technology is really up and coming, and the Japanese have been mastering that lifestyle for a long, long time! Plus they know how to do it on a budget!! (recessionista design anyone?!)
So, as a mere comment on Gregory's blogger appeal...
I would only suggest introducing the (mostly) Western readers to Asian design/style through the gateway of Japan. It's just a more suitable fit.
And that's my two cents. Xie xie! :)

Hmm... I wish I had more time, so I could consider throwing my name in the hat. Unfortunately, Hong Kong is keeping me too busy these days! I will definitely put the word out for AT! Good luck!

If you need a special reporter in France, I'm the guy !!!
I know many blog, i'm french, i live in a big city in France named Toulouse et i've ever write some article in a few blog.

While I greatly support AT reaching out, I would like to point out that you still have not conquered the US. It would be really cool to see an AT that showcases the South.

If you're looking for house tours in Asia, I think you might be disappointed. Anyone with a half decent apartment has hired an interior designer or has full on designer furniture because they went out and 'bought the look'...your average Joe in your average 300 ft sq apartment furnishes out of necessity because they only use it for sleeping and getting changed (at least here in HK) ..and those in between (new middle class) do the 'shenzhen' new apartment style...cream leather sofa facing big screen TV hung over black TV unit with glass dining table and chrome leg leather high back dining chairs in the corner. ...no real 'personal' style going on.

Honestly, out here in Asia its commercial design thats really happening...especially in the F&B and hospitality industry...it knocks spots off pretty much anywhere else in the world.

So does this mean that our comments could be censored by Chinese search engines?

When are we getting AT Canada?

Just wishing out loud...

Thank you HongKonger!
Just my point. A strong stifle on individualistic interior design exists in China (a clone reflection of the communist culture).
"How do I be me, when everything is we?"
Hello, we need democratic design!!!

Check out Victoria's post on Japanese design today on sfgirlbybaby.
Just a taste of impeccable style... lots more to explore, Gregory!!

http://sfgirlbybay.blogspot.com/2008/12/how-do-you-say-love-in-japanese.html

CHINA???? Are you kidding?!! That's just WRONG!! A strong NO!!

-- I do agree with the suggestion to blog about Japan.
That I can get excited about!!!

i would've thought AT would've gone Brit or Europe before China. but China makes a lot of sense, especially in terms of resources. it's simply the supplier to the world.

while i agree with bclynn that Japan is amazing and in a league by itself, the range of style and designs in China is just much more vast. it's a !!!HUGE!!! empire. the sheer variety of materials and resources and local and imported know-how that China has aren't available anywhere else. Shanghai, especially, has an incredible mix of the ultra-modern and the traditional. in most asian cities, you don't see it on the surface, but then you walk into someone's house or apartment and, wham!, you're suddenly inspired! this is especially true among the expat- and artist- communities.

of all the cities in asia now, Shanghai is probably the most logical choice for AT as it shares similar climate to N America. nothing against Tokyo, Seoul and Hong Kong, but Bangkok is my second choice. and Ho Chi Mihn City (Saigon) is a testament that the Vietnamese are just natural designers with a great eye for colors.

Sorry khanzen but I disagree.
Overall I found the =interior design= scene flat, clonish and uninspiring when I settled in Shanghai for two & a half years. Sure, it is the center of trade in mainland China and the markets and resources are abundant (esp the textiles), but unless these are utilised optimally on a local level, it remains just commerce, as it is. This wealth of design materials are largely exported to Westerners (ie fashion). I know as I worked in that industry. Individualism in interior design is severely lacking in a land suffering from a serious case of we-itis. Collectivism still rules, whether one sees it or not. Interior design inspiration and conceptualisation is pretty much cookie cutter: metropolitan and typical "modern meets traditional" fusion (unless of course you come across that boho artist who flirts with the nonconformal -who can be found anywhere in the world mind you, esp in a city with over 20 million people).

Shanghai has naturally declared itself as the cultural hub of China, but sadly this innovation (largely imported btw) does not transfer well to the interior design industry. House tours would be mundane at that. I ask myself why it is so difficult to create and style a distinctive home -as a reflection and expression of the individual- in a communist society? Equality and common ownership is of utmost importance to the Chinese, and no wonder this translates to cookie cutter interior designs. For the most part, interior design can =not= be successfully exported from China of all places (other than manufacturing, but that's contentious unto itself). Shanghainese commercial/ industrial/ fashion design on the other hand...

I really hate to say it, but after awhile AT readers would grow bored of China's interior design scene. It can be redundant!

Of all the Asian cities to choose from, the suggestion of Tokyo by khanzen and others would be the wisest and most natural choice for Apartment Therapy -an organic changeover into Asian culture for your readers (it also shares a similar climate to =some parts= of North America, alike Shanghai ! -khanzen). It is a very exciting place. I lived in Tokyo for many years, and it has a sparkling =diverse= design scene!! Your AT readers would love it, trust me! :-)

Then from East Asia, I would invite AT to footprint vibrant S/E Asia starting with Thailand. That place is just wonderful.
May I suggest one last thing...
travel. Do it.

Uh, no. Take care of the US first, then branch out. You still have the South to worry about.

And don't even get me started on the lack of coverage from the 'otas - South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota. They need love, too.

China!!! NO NO NO!!
Ahhh! Where do I start???

China is incredibly twisted.
I refuse to buy anything made in China (which is hard. Trust me). But I refuse to support a country that believes the Dalai Lama is a terrorist!!
I don't care if AT intends only to explore the interior design scene or the homes of the Chinese people, China is a VERY backward country (for those cynics: the US is just backward). So be informed. And be careful.
The country is full of WRONG WRONG WRONG!!

Apartment T is looking for someone willing to correspond "in a notable Chinese way... someone who can help connect our readership with the vast amount of information out there"

Well here's some information:

- China brainwashes the Chinese people with bias communist propaganda and censorship (ie lies)
- China restricts free speech, freedom of movement, and religious, political, creative & artistic expression (Tiananmen Square Massacre in 1989)
- China demolishes the homes of those who are supporters of civil liberties (ah, Gregory, there goes your house tours!)
- China's legal system is corrupt: innocent people are imprisoned, tortured and even put to death with no chance of an impartial trial
- China doesn't acknowledge Tibet, and is destroying Tibetans' distinct national, religious and cultural identity
- China tortures and kills those who support Tibet independence (which includes innocent Buddhist Monks and Nuns)
- China terrorizes, tortures, kills, and even experiments on (in the form of organ harvesting) those who support, sympathize or practice Falun Gong
- China supports blatant discrimination of every kind, especially against females (gendercide)
- China exploits children, esp in the form of child labour.
- China doesn't care about the environment, and is the world's worse polluter
- China is a terrorist supporter: China's allies are North Korea, Iraq and Iran. These are the countries which the USA includes in the "axis of evil."

How I could go on and on.

Why China? Of all the places in the whole world to choose from???!!
I refuse to support a country that is full of lies (remember the little girl singing at opening ceremonies at the Olympics? The perfect metaphor!)

Why not southern US? Mexico? Canada?
As for Asia, how about Japan? India? Singapore? South Korea? Thailand? Anything but China.

Good grief. This is an insult to our intelligence.

Surely more than one "watchdog" will be all over this, AT.

holy political! however i completely agree with you "todayistheday". scary stuff.

Whoa, someone is REALLY anti-China...
I don't claim to know much about China, but I would love to see apartments from there. In a crowd of that many folks, I would hate to believe that absolutely everyone is a drone, still dripping wet with the Communistic ideals they were baptized in. Even if that were the case, there would only be one way to find out and that would be by allowing a blogger to give us a peak.

It is a good question, though of whether posts would be edited for content by the government.

Speaking of "flat" interior design scene, sometimes when I look around AT postings from the states, I see a lack of creativity with the whole MCM thing. Sheesh, it's like people don't understand anything beyond a Flokati rug and an Eames chair...

How can one NOT be anti-China?
The facts speak for themselves...

You know, people and politics only change when we have an open dialogue, not when we close ourselves or others off from the rest of the world. And don't punish a people because of their government, especially when we're talking about giving the opportunity for a human being, not a country or government entity, to share their culture. I have my fair share criticisms of China, but let's not condemn a whole people from sharing their personal expression, accomplishments and the positives that they may offer.

Japan please!

If it's small spaces and green living, why isn't AT looking at Singapore? There's a wonderful mix of China-style, that store-bought designer look HongKonger talks about, and a quirky local bias for colonial-era vintage (that would be retro British here) and vernacular character. Plus of course, tiny Singapore is also the pioneer for recycled water, a super-green urbanscape and some adventurous homeowners are starting to incorporate solar panels and passive cooling where their tiny flats allow. I think Singapore's got a lot to contribute to AT, given that we're located right on the equator and we're a melting pot of different Asian cultures. And I'm not even Singaporean.