The original version

One of the 974 things I really like about Hong Kong is the option to have things custom made. Everything you can possibly imagine can be bespoke.

Furniture, clothing, shoes, keys, housing, stationery, copies of anything with your own personal touch, nothing is too hard. Anything can be done. For a price.

I’ve spent the better part of today with a good friend at Horizon Plaza. This is 28 floors of furniture, clothing, pet accessories, some foods and cellar doors in a warehouse style environment. It is best to start on the top floor at Tree (an eco / sustainable furniture store) and walk your way down since the lifts are ridiculously slow and no-one in their right mind would want to walk up. Unless they’re training for some sort of event or they haven’t been there previously and have no idea that the fire escape is but a name only as evidenced by what I’m sure is the only fire escape in the world with alternate male and female toilets on each floor.

My intention had been two buy two stools for my new place (that I take ownership of on 7th September), check out a fan for my bedroom, see about an awning, research possible couches, chaise lounge or chair and a hydraulic bed that has storage underneath. My friend was shopping for two narrow bedside tables.

I’d seen the stools I liked at Tree previously so tested them out again and took photos so I could make up my mind. We sat on various couches but none were quite what I was after. We made our way down to the next level.

We’d made a deal early on that we wouldn’t be distracted by the various clothing stores. I know that I can be sucked right in and then the main mission would be rushed or abandoned. I needed to be vigilant. Even when I saw a navy handbag, I resisted. It was tough. The mission was almost accomplished due to our resolution.

We stumbled into a Chinese furniture store and found quite a few pieces that we liked for our respective apartments yet none were quite right. Then we met Michael.

He sat us down and began drawing what we had both been looking for. He drew me a headboard where I could store things with a cutaway for the chords for my bedside lights and a low shelving unit for the foot of my bed for some additional storage. Yes, I could have these in white with turquoise or blue highlights since we both agreed the bright pink I especially liked would clash with the red in my place.

I’m thinking about it all since it depends on the height of the bed I have made.

He drew two skinny bedside tables and a chest of drawers for the end of my friend’s bed. It include hooks to hang her jewellery and some very clever door features. He took into account the walking space between the bed and the furniture and so adjusted the height which meant the cupboard doors could be smaller and wouldn’t then hit the bed. Of course he could do it in her favourite shade of grey.

Payment made, delivery in four weeks and we continued downstairs.

Then I found the perfect stools. The back contoured perfectly with my own. The height was adjustable. The material was steel and a pale wood. Damn it, they were Italian and I’d have to wait. Really wait.

Payment made, delivery in four months and we continued downstairs.

About this time, we stumbled into a cupcake store – Sift. Lemon meringue for me, red velvet for her. We sat, gathered our thoughts and moved on.

Payment made, cupcakes consumed, and we continued downstairs.

In and out of various furniture and nicknack stores until we came across one of our joint favourites. A rare occasion where I didn’t find anything I wanted however my friend did. A grey jewellery box. It looks great.

Payment made, delivery instant and we continued downstairs.

Life’s A Breeze for a fan over the bed was another stop. I’m clueless as to how high my ceiling is so I have three possible fan options for once I figure that out.

No payment made, decision pending and we continued downstairs.

Around and around we went, darting in and out of various stores, chatting with the assistants and asking various questions about sizing, fabric, delivery options and price.

We found many things we liked but it w

as a while before we were to spend again.

Then I hit the jackpot.

Tequila Kola, the place where I bought my favourite chair of all time is now making me a couch and a storage ottoman. There’s adjustments to what was on the floor, the fabric is different and the ottoman is new too. There will be no missing this one since it’s turquoise.

Payment made, delivery pending (waiting on confirmation if their supplier in Italy has the fabric before sending it to China to make into the furniture) and we went to dinner.

* Thanks to Placebo for the title to this post. Can’t believe these guys have been around since 1996! Their YouTube channel is pretty cool. They’ve recently posted 36 Degrees from their 1998 set at the Glastonbury Festival.