Our regular Interiors features take a look through the keyhole into the homes and businesses of some of Shanghai's well known faces.
Photos by Mario Grey
He’s a fan of psychedelic rock and she loves down-tempo, chill-out electronic stuff. Ecke Gong and Avivi Wang have been married for nine years, and their shared love of music brought them together back in college. “We met because my best friend was the vocalist in Ecke’s band,” Wang tells us in the living room of their 120-square-meter apartment at the corner of Hunan Lu and Wukang Lu, while music by French electronica group Air fill the room on a rainy Sunday morning.
Both born and raised in Shanghai, Gong and Wang recently returned to their hometown after a two-year stint in Boston. As the brand director of Sonos in China (an American home electronics brand specializing in smart speakers), Gong is a strong advocate of the label he represents. “After installing Sonos sound system, we listen to a lot more music at home now. We sometimes invite friends over and we have ‘song battles’ over drinks or dinner; it’s a good way to discover new music,” he says while controlling the music selection on his iPhone. Here’s a look inside the couple’s musical home.
Besides doing some freelance styling and art direction, one of Avivi’s recent hobbies is collecting plants for their home. Her latest works are displayed next to their bedroom window.
With the help of friends, Gong and Wang secured their apartment while they were still living in the US. Its central location in the former French Concession offers many dining options within walking distance while the flat’s high ceiling and big windows help accentuate its spaciousness.
Dubbed as ‘Ecke’s man cave’ by his wife, Gong’s prized collection of electric and acoustic guitars, amps, synthesizers and posters of his favorite bands sit prominently in the den.
In addition to all the stuff that they had stored away before moving to Boston, the couple also brought back a lot of furniture and knick-knacks from the US. The customized bicycle seen in this picture and the marble dining table that they found at a charity store in Boston are some of their favorites.
To see other Interiors features, click here.
0 User Comments