Modelling Modular Living: Furniture and Life magazine and interior design in 1980s China

Abstract In 1981, Furniture and Life magazine commenced publication in the city of Xi'an People’s Republic China. By late 1980s, it had become a well-known furniture home-making magazine, read for its DIY guides, advice columns, home stories. Each issue discussed how to beautify homes turn Chinese Communist Party’s vision ‘socialist material civilization’ into practice lived experience. This article uses case chart role modular urban interior design cultural imagination first decade CCP’s economic reforms following end Cultural Revolution. It traces context which was established, illustrating why pressing concern many people across country. then shows editors, themselves often architects, designers, engineers, focused on modular, ‘board-style’ solve people’s concrete problems small living spaces growing desire personal space. this process, editors connected interiors socialist spiritual civilization, thus trying lend shape broad political concepts.