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In Beijing, hutongs are alleys formed by lines of siheyuan, traditional courtyard residences.^[1] Many neighbourhoods were formed by joining one siheyuan to another to form a hutong, and then joining one hutong to another. The word hutong is also used to refer to such neighbourhoods.

Since the mid-20th century, the number of Beijing hutongs has dropped dramatically as they are demolished to make way for new roads and buildings. More recently, some hutongs have been designated as protected areas in an attempt to preserve this aspect of Chinese cultural history.

In the autumn of 1922 Frank Michaelian arrived on the overnight steamer ship from Shanghai and entered the port of Chefoo on the northeast coast of mainland China. In the previous year, the twenty five year old Michaelian had established the woven rugs carpet manufacturing and importing company Michaelian and Kohlberg. Michaelian was to later become one of the first Americans to establish carpet exporting offices in the Middle East and India, but early on one of his ambitions was to introduce and train needlepoint carpet weaving skills to artisans in mainland China. Michaelian set up a weaving center in China and between the years of 1924 and 1937, he produced some of the finest examples of needlepoint carpets ever made.

In 1937, with the Japanese invasion of the Chinese coast and the hostilities taking place between Chiang Kai-shek and Mao Tse-tung, Michaelian was forced to leave China. History though does have a habit of repeating itself, and with the opening of China in the early 1980's, he started to import many of the same products. And now, steeped in the tradition and heritage of this industry legend, Frank Michaelian's renowned artistry and unparalleled quality continue to be the hallmarks of Michaelian Home. Jason Sumner, the grandson of Frank Michaelian and the owner of Michaelian Home, has been involved in the home furnishings business since 1981, just three years after Frank Michaelian passed away. And so the legacy continues. Michaelian Home is a company with many accomplishments and it uses all of its prowess to produce designs that are unique to its brand. For instance, the clever decisions on colours and shapes are taken with savvy understanding of what works and what doesn¹t work, what is beautiful and breath taking, and what is familiar and inviting.

We were invited to the Wedding of one of the nieces of our Indian Suppliers.  The wedding took place at what they call a "farm", which is actually an outdoor venue which has tents and sofas and tables under these tents.  The colors are fantastic.  The jewlery - extensive.