Having engaged in old Shanghainese villa restoration for about two decades, Ke has gotten into the habit of reusing the original furnishings' parts. This not only serves environmental protection and waste reduction but also works well because these pieces are old yet never outdated.

"These components, such as door handles and locks, are closely related to the styles of the furniture and of the whole buildings of previous periods. Then, the buildings, with diverse and blended styles, form a whole Shanghai of that time."

He points to a set of door handles in his studio and says: "Look at these. They actually still look fashionable, modern and lovely, don't they? I myself would still be willing to pick them today."

Ke isn't the only one who shares this notion. Shanghai furniture has been popular with foreign buyers in the city since late last century. And it has likewise been gaining popularity among younger Chinese in recent years.

"In the past, foreign customers in the city were the main consumers of Shanghai-style furniture. They lived in old villas with Western features," Ke explains.

"Nearly all of my early clients were foreigners when I started doing villa restorations around 2000. They tended to purchase more old Shanghai-style furniture because of the blend of international and local elements," Ke recalls. "It is like they were seeking a kind of balance, and such furniture played a role as a 'middleman' to offer them an integrated experience."

Ke has restored more than a hundred local villas over the past two decades and has continued to witness changes among his clientele and new trends in his field.