"For example, a bench could be used for sitting, as well as a table. It's up to you how to use it."

Kartell could be a role model for Chinese home designers, said Steve Leung, Hong Kong-based architect and interior designer, as he attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing store.

"The way they use plastic to make unique modern furniture is very refreshing and prospective. There are so many opportunities coming out of the new techniques and materials that Chinese home designers can explore, just like Kartell did," Leung says.

Unlike in Milan, New York and Paris, Laviani employs a more glamorous layout and lighting in the Beijing showroom to help people understand the value of the products.

"We try to emphasize every object. For people who are not used to this kind of design, we try to explore a new way to explain to them."

Born in Cremona, Italy, in 1960, Laviani studied at the Design Polytechnic of Milan and later obtained a degree in architecture at the Polytechnic of Milan in 1986. He has since been working as an architect and designer.

Laviani was in China several times to design the stores for Dolce & Gabbana in Beijing and Shanghai, as well as for Flos Spa in Hangzhou and Hong Kong. All these different jobs inspire him in different aspects, he says.

Originally a minimalist, Laviani has become more attracted to baroque styles since his cooperation with Dolce & Gabbana 13 years ago.

"At the time, I always hated gold as a finishing on furniture. I thought it was quite vogue. I didn't use it also because I was scared to use it, because I thought I wasn't able to use it in the right way."

With the cooperation with Dolce & Gabbana, Laviani finally "learned the right way to use gold". He then made the signature Kartell Bourgie Lamp with a gold finish, which later became one of the company's best sellers, along with the iconic transparent Louis Ghost chair by Philippe Starck.

For Laviani, inspiration comes from everywhere except design itself.

"When I'm at home, the last thing that I want to see is design newspaper and blogs. Neither do I like talking about design with my friends, who can be doctors and lawyers. Talking with different people about different things gives me inspirations for my job."

Having been designing for nearly three decades, Laviani is looking for new challenges that he has never faced before.

"I already designed everything that I like. What I need now is to have somebody to come to me and offer something that I never did before, something that allows me to use my brain in different ways.

"I don't like it when people call just because they want something signed by me but they don't understand my possibility. It's frustrating that they just want you in their catalog, but in reality they don't appreciate the things you do. For me, designing a suitcase could be more interesting than designing an airplane."

Contact the writer at sunyuanqing@chinadaily.com.cn.