“To me, crystals and luxury stone share the same essence—they are nature's own works of art. I love the raw, unrefined quality of raw minerals, and I find constant inspiration in their diverse crystalline structures.”
Yu Lee (Yutopia)
A chance meeting at a wine tasting years ago sparked a collaborative connection between Kyle Chen, Chief Brand Officer of CHENHOW MARBLE, and Yu Lee (Yutopia), then Editor-in-Chief of Taler. Years later, Kyle has led Taiwan's premier luxury stone brand across art and fashion frontiers to expand its cultural footprint. Meanwhile, Yu Lee has built a massive following on her digital platforms through her distinct aesthetic eye and sharp fashion commentary. When searching for design elements for her sanctuary in the mountains, Yu Lee—who had long wished to become a luxury stone collector—finally brought her vision to life.
Visiting CHENHOW MARBLE’s flagship gallery as a stone enthusiast, collector, and crystal expert, Yu Lee joined Kyle for an intimate conversation exploring their shared passion for art and the raw beauty of nature.
Italy: The Birthplace of Stone Culture and Aesthetic Freedom
Italy stands as the historical cradle of natural stone culture and the ultimate nurturing ground for Yu Lee’s aesthetic worldview. How has Italian culture shaped both of their perspectives?
Yu Lee: "During my time studying in Italy, beyond the initial shock of a textbook-free, open academic environment, the greatest lesson was learning to strip away excessive ornamentation and rigid frameworks from daily life—approaching both existence and art with an open mind.
I learned to perceive beauty through a completely different lens. Rather than judging people or objects against standardized formulas, Italians sense their inherent aura. Uniqueness is celebrated far more than conventional perfection. Italy's greatest gift to me was an open mindset. Today, I approach my life and work entirely free of pre-imposed boundaries."
Kyle Chen: "The 'unadorned beauty' Yu Lee describes is evident across every corner of Italy. The natural stone industry originated there—from quarry extraction and technological innovation to the art of appreciating and applying stone. As we shaped CHENHOW, our frequent visits to Italian quarries and global exhibitions taught us immensely.
In Taiwan, people often expect materials to be flawless and uniform. In Italy, however, natural imperfections are embraced as intrinsic elements of beauty. Even within top-tier Italian furniture brands, exotic stone table tops feature organic fissures or subtle voids. Learning to honor and preserve the value of raw, organic aesthetics profoundly transformed my personal philosophy."
Intuitive Curation: How to Select Natural Stone
When asked for advice on curating and choosing natural stone, both shared a surprisingly liberating approach.
Yu Lee: "Follow your intuition! When selecting stone, I cast aside conventional expectations—such as feeling obligated to pick highly recognizable colors or covering an entire wall just for status.
My primary guiding principle was harmony with my mountain residence. Walking through CHENHOW’s flagship gallery, I simply relied on my gut to find the slab that captivated me at first glance. I chose Emerald Imperial purely because I fell in love with its rich green tone. Whether it was marble, whether it was classified as 'top-tier,' or even what it cost were entirely secondary. The slab seamlessly extends the lush forest greenery from outside into my home. As long as it brings joy and serenity to daily living, rigid definitions become irrelevant."
Kyle Chen: "Precisely! I always advise our clients: 'Arrive with a serene mind and appreciate the stone without preconceptions.' Discover the slab that resonates with your personal taste and life narrative—that emotional connection is what truly matters.
We often tell clients that the most expensive stone isn't necessarily the right fit for your space. While many advocates focus heavily on market valuation, the most precious lesson we brought back from Italy is how to appreciate the raw art of stone.
Touring the gallery with Yu Lee allowed us to share a collector's purest appreciation for raw minerals. Beyond appreciating the macro sweeping veining, honoring every tiny semi-precious crystal embedded within the slab is deeply enchanting."
From Crystal Healing to Earth’s Geological Art
How did Yu Lee’s passion for crystals begin, and how does it connect to her appreciation of exotic stone?
Yu Lee: "During the 2020 pandemic when international travel paused, I redirected my travel fund into collecting raw crystals. Back then, working long hours in an office, my physical and mental environment felt constrained, leading me to seek solace in natural crystals. Having spent years in the fashion industry, I yearned to connect with objects that bridged beauty, art, and the organic world.
Marking ten years since returning to Taiwan from Europe, I feel the enduring influence of Continental culture on my desire for freedom. To me, crystals and luxury stone are identical—they are nature’s spontaneous masterpieces. I love the raw authenticity of unpolished minerals. I began studying their crystalline lattice and chemical compositions, eventually learning to identify tourmaline, labradorite, and quartz. This journey opened up a newfound wonder for the earth.
When I first stepped into CHENHOW’s gallery, I experienced a natural high—running around exploring different slabs like a cat reacting to catnip. The subtle pits, organic textures, and uneven crystalline formations in marble might look like manufacturing flaws to an untrained eye, but that is nature itself. We allow the stone’s true character to shine."
A Shared Vision Brought to Life
Kyle Chen: "Years ago at a media wine tasting, I admired Yu Lee's spontaneous, warm personality and her sharp, authentic approach to fashion and living aesthetics. Later, seeing her passion for crystals resonate so strongly with her audience, it was clear she had spearheaded a movement in Taiwan celebrating raw minerals.
Shortly after we met, she mentioned needing stone for a future home project. I told her: 'You must visit our gallery.' Today, that promise has officially come full circle!"
Yu Lee: "Designing our mountain retreat, we wanted the interior to dialogue seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. We selected CHENHOW’s Emerald Imperial as our primary visual anchor. Its unique veining and elegant organic green hue set it completely apart from standard marble.
We incorporated Emerald Imperial across our kitchen island, bathroom vanity, my personal dressing table, and a bespoke round side table. It infuses the space with natural warmth, completely dismantling the stereotype that natural stone is cold or rigid.
My first visit to CHENHOW’s gallery was an eye-opening experience. The team's expertise and seamless service made the collaboration an absolute pleasure. Today, looking at the stone in my home feels like admiring a living piece of art—it brings an irreplaceable warmth that has become an essential part of our daily life."
Kyle Chen: "Collaborating with Yu Lee has been a joy. She remains a distinct voice in today's fragmented digital landscape, and I personally love her content.
Clients who appreciate exotic stone are ultimately seeking a personalized aesthetic identity. Exploring our gallery with Yu Lee— viewing these materials through her lens as both a fashion creator and a crystal collector—has sparked incredible new possibilities for how stone can be experienced in modern sanctuaries."
Epilogue
Approaching art with "Fresh Eyes" encourages us to break habits, set aside preconceived notions, and focus on raw details to unlock new depths of appreciation.
In this conversation, Yu Lee and Kyle explored the essence of crystals and natural stone. Beyond technical specifications, their open, intuitive approach embodies what it means to look with fresh eyes—allowing natural stone to exist not merely as architectural cladding, but as an organic medium in dialogue with oneself and the environment.
In a bustling world, natural stone invites a moment of serene contemplation—a priceless reminder of nature's quiet, enduring beauty.
