HOME JOURNAL
Lala Curio’s New R.Manda Cafe Is A Whimsical Wonderland
By Cherry Lai, December 3, 2019
Gold-leaf wallpapers and cloisonné tiles turn R.Manda into a visual feast
Glance around at the kaleidoscopic cloisonné tiles, artisanal tableware and lush upholstery that fill the interiors of R.Manda and you’d be forgiven for thinking that you’ve fallen through Alice’s rabbit hole into her fantastical tea party.
Pink cloisonné tiles open up to the bar cabinet
Behind this “magical wonderland” (as she calls it) is Laura Cheung Wolf, the visionary founder of home decor brand Lala Curio, which carefully crafted each piece of furniture throughout the concept. “This was our first project with our joint venture partner, the luxury fashion Riqing Group,” says Laura. “Our aim was to create an experiential showroom to display the crafts and interiors of our brand.”
Creating eye-catching, extraordinary environments with unique flair is nothing new for Laura, who has designed numerous homes as well as commercial interiors for the likes of Christian Louboutin and Jimmy Choo. Lala Curio was founded in 2014 and has since amassed throngs of fans for its instantly identifiable, Instagram-worthy aesthetic. Ebullient and playful designs pave the way for a marked celebration of ancient artisanship, as seen in the brand’s iconic hand-painted and embroidered wallpapers, decorative tiles made with the imperial craft of cloisonné tiles, bespoke decorative objects and chinoiserie furnishings – many of which adorn this multi-purpose glasshouse.
“Our design concept features majestic cranes in their forest of ferns,” describes Laura of the long-necked birds spotted throughout the space, most notably on the green-and-gold hand-painted wallpapers that flank a towering gilded bar cabinet in the centre of the cafe. It’s concealed by sliding cabinet doors (Laura’s favourite element in the space) that are decked in swirls of light blush, baby pinks, light greys and golds that resemble patterns of malachite. “I love our cloisonné tiles at the bar,” she says. “It creates an unexpected ‘wow’ moment while celebrating and supporting the lost craft of cloisonné, a craft so dear to me and my grandparents’ generation. Our intention is to reinvent it and make it fashionable again.”
To fully experience the charms of R.Manda, afternoon tea is mandatory – even if only for the stunning porcelain tea ware on which it is served. “Incorporating our wallpaper narrative onto porcelain is something we’ve always wanted to explore and Asianera made it happen,” says Laura. The gold-glazed, three-tier set are interwoven with artwork throughout.
Source: Home Journal; https://www.homejournal.com/en/article/2196/ideas/Lala-Curio
Founder and interior designer, Laura Cheung Wolf’s house is an art itself. This place is a combination of love, family, and her view of art. Laura decorates every corner precisely by using refined decorations, chinoiserie furniture, and hand-painted wallpaper.