Italian home styling popular among locals

When architect and home designer Fabrizo De Leva came to China seven years ago, he didn't expect Chinese people would be so interested in Italian style.

Yet today 99 percent of De Leva's clients at FdL in Beijing are Chinese. The appeal is due to "a combination of simplicity, functionality and luxury", De Leva said.

Italians are known worldwide for their style in leather and luxury brands such as Prada and Lamborghini. And that's exactly what newly affluent Chinese want in their homes - Italian luxury, according to De Leva.