Private Hong Kong: Where East Meets West [Hardcover]

Sophie Benge (Author), Fritz Von Der Schulenburg (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1997

Few places on earth match the island of Hong Kong for visual drama. Its setting is stunning, and its architecture of contrasts is irresistible. Illustrated with specially commissioned photos by internationally renowned interior photographer Fritz von der Schulenburg, this book showcases the cream of the island's residential architecture and interior design, spanning a range of distinctive styles. 300 full-color illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

With its reputation for excess and exoticism, it's not surprising that Hong Kong boasts lushly extravagant interiors filled with a combination of authentic Chinese elements and opulent Western decor. Short on text but strong on vivid photographs, Private Hong Kong showcases 25 extraordinary residences, including the secluded country estate of an entrepreneur, an architect's sophisticated minimalist loft, the superbly outfitted yacht of a marble dealer (complete with marble vanities, of course), and the island's largest home, the palatial governor's mansion. Few who peruse this book will have the means to approach anything close to this scale of decorating, and many of these interiors are extravagantly overdone, but the confluence of Eastern artifacts overlaid with Western opulence makes for a visual treat. --Amy Handy --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

These two books take different approaches to viewing Asian interior design. Tettoni presents a visual sourcebook to residential design in southeast Asia showing traditional as well as contemporary design in such countries as Bali, Malaysia, Sumatra, and the Philippines. Beginning with a review of the traditional, native dwellings in this area, he devotes the majority of this lavishly illustrated book to the contemporary interpretation of traditional and colonial living both in interiors and in landscaping. At the end he looks at various furniture and accessories?such as Indonesian furniture and lacquerware?that define the traditional decorating styles. Benge visits the homes of affluent Hong Kong residents?from Chris Patten, the last governor of Hong Kong, to socialites Kai Bong and Brenda Chau?giving a glimpse at the Hong Kong lifestyle just before the city's turnover to the Chinese. Yachts, gardens, and nightclubs are also photographed, with most showing a definite modern design style with a just dash of Asian detail. Tettoni's book is the better choice for those patrons seeking examples of affordable, Asian-influenced style.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 216 pages
• Publisher: Abbeville Press; 1st edition (October 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789203421
• ISBN-13: 978-0789203427
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 9.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,222,427 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You'll Want To Go To Hong Kong!, September 3, 2000

By 

sherri j. thorne (brooklyn, new york United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Private Hong Kong: Where East Meets West (Hardcover)

One can learn a lot about a person by how he or she lives. I always learn more about people by spending 15 minutes in their houses than by spending countless hours talking to them. Why? Because what each of us chooses to live with reveals a lot about what is important to us.

Hence, my year long fascination with this beautiful book! If you are only expecting to see interiors filled with nothing but chinese art and furniture, what a suprise you will get!! It is a felicitious blend of both eastern and western artistic traditons. The residences range from a luxurious junk owned by a Persian marble dealer, to an art-deco-style house owned by a former model and her husband. Though I never saw a picture of the owners, I developed a clearer, more vivid idea of who they are in my head. I learned about Kai-Yin Lo, and her fabulous collection of Ming Dynasty furniture, and David Tang's love of gardens, and classical piano. I also promised myself that someday I would go to Hong Kong and see this beautiful city.

Sophie Benge has done a great job with the text and Fritz Von Der Schulenburg's photographs are beautiful. After seeing this book, you may just find yourself at the airport, bag and passport in hand ready to go!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars See how they live..., May 30, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Private Hong Kong: Where East Meets West (Hardcover)

Have you ever been curious about how Really Rich people live? This is your chance to take a peek at private, luxurious homes belonging to some of the wealthiest people in Hong Kong. Clear, detailed photography, and insightful text annotate an exclusive tour of remarkable decor and priceless artifacts and personalized treasures. If you were hoping that this book would substitute for actually visiting these places, you'll find that after reading the book, you'll now want to travel even more...

0 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Private Hong Kong, October 5, 2000

By 

Robert E. Stordalen (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Private Hong Kong: Where East Meets West (Hardcover)

The book though lavish in its pictures,,,,is a study in bad taste.