Among the most recognisable forms in Chinese decorative arts, the porcelain drum stool has endured for centuries as both a practical household object and a work of ceramic craftsmanship. One...
Recently we were lucky enough to visit the Yorkshire home of renowned ceramicist David Roberts, after he bought several pieces from our collection of Chinese antiques. David is considered one of the most significant ceramic artists working in Europe today, with...
Flowers are a recurring theme in Chinese culture. Found in art and poetry, painted onto silk, carved into furniture, stitched into textiles, each bloom has its own meaning and symbolism. In the photograph below, a wall is papered with hand-painted silk...
We are big fans of boho chic at Shimu and we think our furniture, particularly some of the more unusual antiques, perfectly suit this relaxed, colourful aesthetic. Our customers obviously feel the same, and today on the blog we showcase the boho style...
As you know, we’re currently in love with the colour blue. Our new Beijing Blue collection is the focus of our devotion – handcrafted from chunky reclaimed pine with distressed powder blue doors, each piece is totally unique. In this blog...
I’m back at the Shimu showroom in Yorkshire today after a great trip to China, with the last week or so spent in Beijing visiting our various Chinese antique suppliers, perusing the markets for unusual accessories and discussing future projects with one...
My latest trip to China started with a quick catch up with our production manager, Michael, over dinner last Wednesday evening after checking into my hotel here in Shanghai. We met again the next morning to head out to the...
After a short break over Easter I will be heading off to China again next week to meet up with suppliers and to source more antiques and home accessories to be shipped on our forthcoming containers. First stop will be...
The phrase shabby chic was coined in the eighties by British designer Rachel Ashwell in an interview with the newly-launched World of Interiors magazine. In 2014, shabby chic was the most popular search term on eBay in the Homes and Gardens category,...
Today marks the start of the Chinese New Year celebrations, and ushers in the Year of the Goat. After the tumultuous Year of the Horse, many Chinese astrologers are predicting a calmer atmosphere, with a theme of renewal and creativity....
