The art in living? Discover the decor that gives home an intimate feeling

Lee Sang-june, owner of Art & Life, says that everyone’s life can use a little more art. Even a small interior decoration, Mr. Lee says, can change the atmosphere of your space and alter moods.
“When I opened the shop in 1996, interior decorations were very expensive and hard to get,” Mr. Lee says. “I wanted the general public to enjoy artful things at a reasonable price.” He says he believes “The things we sell are designed to improve your quality of life. They are not just knick-knacks.”
From pop art clocks to Rudd-JanKokke chairs, the store stocks many eye-catching items. The products are imported from Europe, mostly the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany. Since the company signs exclusive distribution contracts with its suppliers, Art & Life stores are the only places in Korea where many of the items they sell can be found.
One thing Art & Life is particularly proud of is its in-house jewelry line, Liaison. The distinctive Liaison designs are created by an art professor at Ehwa Womans University. Only top quality materials and finishing processes are used. Many customers also rave about the elaborate, artful packaging used to protect the jewelry. Some customers, mostly women in their 20s and 30s, said they find the packaging so attractive that they display it in their homes.
Mr. Lee is very proud of the contribution that his shop has made to Korea’s students of fine arts. Over the years, Art & Life has allowed students who cannot afford to rent exhibition space to use part of the shop to put their work on display.
As the shop became more popular, branches opened in Bundang and Bucheon, both in Gyeonggi province, and Myeong-dong, in central Seoul. Another shop is scheduled to open soon in Jamsil in southern Seoul.
“We carry products not only for their unique or extraordinary design,” Mr. Lee says, “but also for their practicality. Functionality is the essence of any home decor item.”

Art & Life
Hours: 10:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Location: 547-2, Sinsa-Dong, Gangnam-Gu, Seoul
Tele: (02) 511-1100
Web site: www.artandlife.co.kr, or www.laliaison.com for the jewelry line

by Kim Hae-young