Shanghai Daily News

Pop Shanghai, an ultra-funky homeware store tucked in Bridge 8, welcomes anybody who has the knowledge or interest to appreciate and respect the philosophy of "Original Design."

Willie Chan and Avis Woo, a creative couple from Hong Kong who were originally involved in advertising, opened the unusual home furnishing store in January.

The couple remains in touch with designers from all over the world to ensure a steady stream of internationally renowned designer items that are unlike anything else in town.

The shop is filled with a hodgepodge of eye-catching, futuristic furniture and home ware items, from the next generation of lava lamps to avant-garde chairs.

The owners have sourced their impressive collection of products from international brands and designers including Eero Aarnio of Finland, Mathmos UK's Innovative Lighting, Magis of Italy, Dulton's Japan Collection and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Children entering the shop will be attracted to the bright colors and unconventional shapes of Eero Aarnio's designs. The bright green Pony Chairs, priced at 23,800 yuan (US$2,938.27) will definitely draw some attention considering the fact that they look like over sized toys.

However, Aarnio's ponies are definitely not made for children. The chairs are scaled for adult use and prove a childish but stylish addition to a home.

Ball Chair

The Ball Chair (52,800 yuan) is also an interesting piece of furniture that has made Aarnio one of the world's most important modern designers.

The chair is completely original and has proved to be one of the most remarkable pieces of modern furniture. However, like most of Pop Shanghai's goods, the Ball Chair is not only striking but also comfortable and functional.

The chair has been described as "a room within a room" because it muffles outside noises and provides a bizarrely private space. The Vitra Design Museum notes that the Ball Chair "is something between a piece of furniture and a piece of architecture and at the same time embodies both the mobile and the established."

A pair of Cheese Chairs designed by the shop owner, Chan, stand in the middle of the shop and serve to showcase his creativity. The two wooden chairs, shaped like wedges of Swiss cheese (including the holes) stand back to back.

Pop Shanghai definitely promotes a sense that furniture designers worldwide are trying to adopt modern materials - plastic, fiberglass, foam, and inflated vinyl - to translate social currents into bolder forms.

Dutch designer Tord Boontje is known for intricate, organic designs. He explores the juxtaposition between old and new, as well as naturalism and technology, through his stunning lights.

One of his more impressive creations is his Garland Lamp (888 yuan) which is a metal garland of flowers that can be wrapped around a light bulb. It is made by photographically etching stainless steel, a process normally used to make electronic components.

Another one of Boontje's successes is Midsummer Light made of Tyvek, a super-resistant paper. Boontje applies advanced laser cutting technologies to unexpected materials (in this case, colored Tyvek paper) to create cascading floral patterns that allow you to bring "nature" into your home.

The owners continue to expand Pop Shanghai's collection of designer goods from Europe.

"It is important to familiarize Shanghai people with the most up-to-date designs and the leading trends in foreign countries," Woo says.

"We will work harder to help upgrade the enjoyment of living in the Shanghai and China markets so that Chinese citizens can have an opportunity to appreciate originally designed items, just like people in Europe, Japan and any other developed metropolitan cities have long been doing," she added.

Address: Room 5018, Bridge 8, No. 8-10 Jianguo Road M.

Tel: 5466 5108