Style over bling all the rage for Shanghai's rich

Expensive hand-painted Japanese wallpaper, and subtle Art Deco fittings and furniture have replaced the splendor of the Rococo look

It used to be all "bling, bling, bling" when it came to buying luxury properties in Shanghai. But now upmarket buyers are switching to a more Art Deco approach, with style and substance replacing flash and brash.

As you stroll through Queen's Gate in the west of the city or centrally located Fuxing Royale, you will find installation art, subtle furnishings and smart domestic appliances in the rows of expensive homes.