Unyielding Brand Values of Aesthetic Excellence

Renaissance master Michelangelo once famously said, “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.” Honored as the “Godfather of Luxury Stone,” CHENHOW MARBLE founder Chen Po-kun relies on his discerning vision, traveling directly to quarries across Italy and Central and South America in search of rare stone species. Driven to continuously pioneer uncharted minerals, he seamlessly integrates local supply with international standards. Much like the Renaissance master unlocking forms hidden within marble, Chen’s intuition and mastery have forged CHENHOW MARBLE into the definitive symbol of luxury stone in Taiwan.

Both representing prestigious brands that serve ultra-high-net-worth clientele—one rooted in rare, natural luxury stone, the other in the art of spatial aesthetic design—could you share the philosophy that guides how you communicate aesthetic value with such discerning individuals? How do you view each other’s defining achievements within your respective fields?

Chen Po-kun: In the early days of my business, I often doubted myself: having invested heavily to import the finest materials from international markets, where were the clients? Over time, I came to realize that what truly moves people are the stories and origins behind these stones. These well-traveled, elite clients love hearing me share how, after long-haul flights, I discern the true worth of a stone right at the quarry. The anecdotes shared over conversations with mine owners, along with deciding which blocks to bring back to Taiwan, are all distilled from years of experience, an unwavering insistence on taste, and gratitude for God’s blessings.

Regarding aesthetic value, I often say that natural stone finds its own owner. Beyond the rarity and uniqueness inherent to luxury stone, why does a client fall in love with a piece at first sight? It is because a deep internal connection has been forged. Carrying the soul of tectonic shifts across geological history, stone touches the human heart only when it conveys warmth. While one may appreciate the refined engineering of an industrial product, it rarely sparks an inner resonance; only natural stone can evoke such a visceral thrill.

In my eyes, Idan possesses exceptional artistic intuition. She personally accompanies clients to select materials, then translates any chosen stone into a flawless presence through her precise design vision. Designing with luxury stone is undeniably challenging—it demands extraordinary taste and imagination. A grand residence is incomplete without premier stone, and L′atelier Fantasia’s touch can be felt across virtually every luxury home in Taipei. Idan’s designs consistently astonish us, showing how dynamically stone can be brought to life—even our international mine owners marvel at her work! Above all, she applies stone impeccably with endless creativity, which is what I admire about her most.

Image / CHENHOW MARBLE founder Chen Po-kun and L′atelier Fantasia Director Idan Chiang in dialogue at the Taipei Flagship Gallery.
 

Idan Chiang: When communicating aesthetic values with high-net-worth clients, we go beyond simply discussing beauty—we engage them through an artistic lens. I often remind my team that every project must be crafted as a singular work of art. The process must be built upon a golden triangle: Aesthetics, Customization, and Craftsmanship—three elements that are strictly interdependent. The spaces we design are living collectibles; much like fine art, every angle and subtle detail embeds the designer’s distinct perspective. Taking craftsmanship as an example, its success rests entirely on a designer's relentless pursuit of perfection, and before achieving a beautiful outcome, you must find the right partners! Constructing true aesthetic value transcends mere taste—it demands a refined balance between sensibility and rationality.

CHENHOW MARBLE’s prominence did not happen overnight; it is the fruit of decades of deep-rooted commitment. Whether in their deep understanding of minerals or their collaborations with diverse designers, they have leveraged unique expertise and vision to become industry leaders. Reflecting on my own selection process—where I used to visit over ten stone yards in Bali just to find the right materials—CHENHOW MARBLE left an indelible impression. They articulate the character of stone in their own distinctive voice, constantly innovating. Every slab is a cherished treasure handpicked straight from the quarries, introducing entirely new aesthetic and artistic experiences. By sailing far beyond price-comparison blue oceans, they achieved something truly remarkable for the revolution of Taiwan’s stone industry.
 

As entrepreneurs who built CHENHOW MARBLE and L′atelier Fantasia from the ground up, earning the deep trust of ultra-high-net-worth clientele within a mere 15 years is an exceptional feat. Coincidentally, both of your brands are co-managed as husband-and-wife partnerships. Reflecting on this journey from inception to success, could you share your insights on building and managing a true luxury brand?

Chen Po-kun: The stone industry is fundamentally traditional. Starting from the ground floor as a sales representative, I did not build my own business until middle age, navigating immensely tough conditions with scarce resources. CHENHOW MARBLE was Taiwan’s pioneer in operating natural stone as a curated luxury brand. At the time, no one believed in a market dedicated solely to luxury stone, nor had a true brand ever existed in this sector. Transitioning from mass-market products to the ultra-high-end segment was a point of no return, yet I was determined to see it through to the end. Today, I am fortunate to operate four premier gallery showrooms across Northern, Central, and Southern Taiwan.

My wife originally served as an executive in the financial sector before stepping down to support me with her financial expertise. Naturally conservative and prudent, she would sometimes question, “With such exotic stone, will it sell easily?” Her unique vantage point challenged me to think differently. Through this process of mutual alignment, we began traveling abroad together to source materials, allowing her to step into my shoes and build deep empathy. We also cherish sitting down to converse with our clients; often, we chat like long-time friends for hours before ever touching upon a transaction. Nurturing this brand in unity, we are both business partners and best friends. Pioneering the luxury stone segment meant believing we could forge a distinct path. Both Idan and I are first-generation entrepreneurs; having the unwavering support of a spouse is the ultimate foundation for building a business together.

When it comes to conveying aesthetics and emotion, both of you leverage the art of storytelling to help clients recognize that what they acquire extends far beyond a price tag—it is the intrinsic value and emotional warmth behind it. Could you share your approach to this storytelling process?

Chen Po-kun: Take the Tiffany natural stone that Idan once incorporated into a project as an example. This semi-precious stone gained global renown after being selected by the legendary high-jewelry house. Its extraordinary turquoise hue evokes the robin, a bird that mates for life, symbolizing a couple’s enduring love story. Connecting natural stone with love is a symbolic layer CHENHOW MARBLE imbues; from that moment on, it becomes an indispensable soul of the home. Visiting guests can truly feel the vitality of the stone, for each natural luxury stone holds the soul of the Earth, with a unique lineage and provenance worthy of storytelling—a defining hallmark of any true masterpiece.

Idan Chiang: While lecturing at the Central Academy of Fine Arts, John Berger’s Ways of Seeing was mandatory reading in my classes. The way we view the world stems from the meaningful connections formed between external objects and ourselves. Much like our approach to customization, as we endeavor to understand a client's aesthetic preferences, we simultaneously uncover their underlying narrative. When a husband gifts his wife an anniversary piece—perhaps a vintage BVLGARI piece or a Van Cleef & Arpels emerald—it represents far more than opulence; it signifies deep love and mutual respect between partners.

Through a deep understanding of materials, I rapidly conceptualize how natural stone should be articulated. The selection of stone must reflect the homeowner’s personal life story, bridging professional expertise with design so it becomes the focal point of every project—a tangible memory created with the world, and a reflection of how the homeowner perceives their true self. Every stone-selection journey with clients to CHENHOW MARBLE deepens my understanding of who they are, making the process of appreciating luxury stone a pure joy. Between a designer and a client, natural stone, more than any other element, naturally cultivates narrative, warmth, and enduring value.

In 2022, L′atelier Fantasia’s participation in Taipei Dangdai yielded breathtaking results, while CHENHOW MARBLE is set to debut luxury stone within a fine art context at Art Taipei later this year. How do both founders view the intrinsic relationship between their respective brands and the world of art?

Chen Po-kun: CHENHOW MARBLE is honored to serve as an official partner for ART TAIPEI this October. Following our cross-disciplinary collaborations with Taipei Fashion Week, premier whisky houses, and Lee Chih-kai, the "Prince of the Pommel Horse," this marks a major leap forward into the fine art domain. I firmly believe in the power of intention—when encountering an extraordinary stone, an instant inner resonance is ignited. Many clients tell us that visiting CHENHOW MARBLE feels like wandering through an art gallery or museum. Having earned this recognition for our artistic vision, we aspire to bring our luxury stone to a broader audience, eager to share these natural masterpieces with fine art enthusiasts.

Concluding Dialogue

Chen Po-kun: CHENHOW MARBLE’s defining distinction from our peers lies in the artistic curation of our stone. Every effort we make is dedicated to conveying the artistry of natural stone to our clients. Idan upholds this exact value, which is precisely why she attracts such a discerning ultra-high-end clientele. Through L′atelier Fantasia’s masterful spatial curation, luxury stone is positioned within the ideal anchor of a luxury residence. Driven by design, our luxury stone transforms into a cherished collectible for the homeowner—this is the very process of realizing art within daily life. Idan and I rarely have the chance to converse so intimately; this dialogue reinforces that refining a luxury brand requires an absolute dedication to doing what is right. Winning client approval creates true resonance, allowing us to find kindred spirits through a shared empathy for art. I often remark that natural stone is a painting in motion—a perspective Idan understands implicitly. Through this mutual understanding, we have evolved from kindred spirits into lifelong confidants.

Encountering Luxury Stone: An Exclusive Interview with L′atelier Fantasia

Q: How do you perceive natural stone as a design medium? What fuels your love for it, and what emotional resonance does it stir within you?

Idan Chiang: Natural stone is an indispensable element in my portfolio, defined by its absolute uniqueness.

Most materials today are ordered and mass-produced—the vast majority of interior design elements are products of industrialization. Natural stone stands alone, forged through the passage of geological time. Every single slice reveals a distinct texture and radiates an individual temperament. This presence evolves through the homeowner’s aspirations and our professional translation, morphing into varied artistic expressions that fulfill the client’s vision. For our creative practice, stone is a vital source of inspiration; without it, our projects would lack a truly living medium. Whether applied to feature walls or tailored furniture pieces, its color, texture, and origin story bring an extraordinary, finishing-touch magic to any space. We actively study the origins of every stone and how it might evolve over time, considering what effect it produces on different vertical surfaces. Even with the same stone, understanding various finishing techniques—whether leathered, honed, or polished—unlocks entirely different expressions and character. It is immensely fascinating, yielding thousands of permutations; every visit to a stone yard sparks a fresh wave of creative imagination.

This creative spark is an essential source of inspiration for a designer. Stone plays a truly irreplaceable role in spatial design, and I am deeply enamored with it. The emotion it evokes stems from the fact that each stone is the result of long-term geological settling, while every completed design is a reflection of lived experience, ignited by the synergy between our life journeys and those of our clients. Think of how many millennia it takes for stone to form such crystallization; at times, these natural inclusions are not flaws, but the proud badges of enduring immense heat and pressure. As self-made individuals who built everything from scratch, we feel a profound resonance with such resilience.

Back in the early days, CHENHOW MARBLE stood quite lonely in the industry. The rare slabs they curated were tucked away in corners, overlooked by most, yet my clients and I would discover them and exclaim, “This piece is truly magnificent!” Over years of collaboration, we have championed one another; applying their stone to our projects allows me to continuously innovate. I always look forward to what new treasures they will bring back for us to explore. I recall vividly when CHENHOW MARBLE imported a Brazilian quartzite whose soft hues resembled summer lotus flowers, prompting them to name it "Avocatus". For a top-tier residential project overlooking Hangzhou National Park, we paired this stone with a classic Tang poem describing Hangzhou, transforming the slab into custom furniture. It was a remarkable collaboration that moved me deeply—and a piece of inspiration CHENHOW MARBLE uniquely gifted to me.