Better by design

Hambrook launched Elliott Studios last year, with his wife and a third Chinese business partner. They have worked on numerous luxury projects in China.

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Photos on his desk show another tile made of three-weave metal gauze that was used in one project as a wall veneer and integrated into dining room furniture.

"We hope that one day people will come to us as much for our signature materials as for our design know-how," he said. "We've already built up a library that we're very proud of. Even though a lot of companies say it's not worth the time and money to put so much energy into customization, for me this is one of the fun aspects of the job."

The concept - high-quality materials made in China - helps differentiate Elliott Studios as a brand.

Hambrook holds a bachelor's degree in fine art from the University of Gloucestershire but taught himself to speak and write fluent Chinese after moving to Shanghai in 2004. He decided to relocate here after attending a wedding in the country.

"He also likes to sit on the subway drawing caricatures of people on his smartphone," said Dai. In fact, her husband's belief in the importance of being able to draw by hand led him to arrange regular sketching classes for his staff. He also hosts a club called Shanghai Drink and Draw for likeminded souls.

Hambrook cut his teeth working on numerous luxury projects in China for employers such as Grigorian Design Group, an American company that works in architectural and interior development. Working almost exclusively with Chinese clients in Chinese hasn't all been plain sailing, he said.

Luxury villas here often embrace classical Western concepts of architecture and decor, but cultural conflicts can arise around the different uses of space and the kind of materials employed. Courtyards, for example, are required in many community projects because older Chinese like to dance or perform martial arts outside in groups.

"We used to get into lots of disputes with feng shui guys," he said. "Some of the more obscure precepts can cause problems, especially when somebody comes along and says that you can't put a library above a kitchen, because the respective deities - one for learning and another for food - don't get along."

This experience almost derailed his design plans for a set of villas in a wooded area linked to Sheshan Golf Course, which lies just outside Shanghai and has hosted the HSBC Champions for several years. He said the best recourse is "to listen and let the client walk you through the project first".

"If my client is obsessed with bling, we can do bling. We'll just do it really well," he added.