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| By Maggie Ma |
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 bove the coffee bar, there are bird cages. They are made to hold candles.
In the wine bar, you can find a square, glass table, with legs made from bicycle wheels.
And in the cigar bar, there's a large, black leather sofa that, word has it, “feels like a woman's skin.”
This is what you'll find inside Tao's house, a hip new bar hidden about 15 miles from downtown Shanghai in Pudong's Chuangsha district.
 When a Shanghai real estate tycoon named Tao Changqing built this house in 1908, he hade no idea that nearly 100 years later his bedroom and living room would be transformed into a fashionable set of bars that blend traditional Chinese architecture with a touch of Milan and a dash of futuristic Shanghai.
But today, traditional Chinese furniture and lamps are fused with Fendi and Minotti, the Italian fashion brands.
The interior of the house was restored for over $750,000 by the Zhongbang Real Estate company of Shanghai.
And to jazz up the place, they hired Mi Qiu, the Shanghai born artist, designer and sculptor, who calls Tao "mild but exciting."
Outside Tao, there are still beautiful Magnolia and Maple trees planted by the owner. But today the house has been restored and brightened by Mi Qiu.
Once a forgotten, shabby old house, Tao is now avant-garde and yet historic. It was nominated last year for the UNESCO Cultural Heritage Award in the
Asia Pacific. And now it's one of the city's cool digs.
After a two year restoration, Tao's house looks on the outside like a quiet, traditional Jiangnan folk house. But inside, it's filled with sleek, modern lines. Mi Qiu has used the four traditional Chinese architectural elements - cloister, water, rocks and plants -- and transformed them with modern elements.
The main entrance to Tao features a large glass block walkway that makes the entrance look like a fashion runaway. But it actually corresponds with the concept of the cloistered classical Chinese garden.
When you enter the courtyard, Mi Qiu has placed one of his well known "wing" sculptures, which he says corresponds with the concept of the rock garden. And the use of sand, plants and water springs is based on the same design principle.
Mi Qiu has also stylized the look and feel of Tao's house. A dozen small lights create rich views of the exposed wooden beams.
 Tao's house is also decorated with original art works from Zhang Xiaogang, Yue Minjun, Fang Lijun, Mayi Xing and Lin Fengmian, among other artists.
Sitting on a sofa here you can enjoy the fine art. And the place has a much warmer feel than a cold art museum.
Tao is also a great place for a fashion show. Last March 25, Tao opened for the first time with a gathering of more than 100 artists, gallery owners, businessmen and government officials. They watched a fashion show held by the hip Shanghai designer, Ji Cheng.
But why would anyone want to drive 15 miles from downtown Shanghai to visit Tao's house? Well, it's a short ride from Pudong's International Airport. And anyone who comes will tell you taking a break at a fashionable bar beats the airport lounge. So have a good time, but don't miss your flight. 
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