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By Ivy Shih Translated by Cara Steenstra

Someone once wrote that everyone should have a spiritual sanctuary. This sanctuary could be a mountaintop, Disneyland, the view from a hotel window, a corner of your study or even a warm shoulder, so long as it is a place where you can rest when you are tired and relax your mind to achieve a moment of peace.

By pure coincidence, I discovered my own spiritual sanctuary, a little jewelry workshop and cafe. It is a place where good coffee is served to good friends. This workshop recently moved to the lovely green HuiZhong Street. The premises are pretty big, situated in a stylistically simple building, combining the stainless steel and original timber structures. The delicate soft lighting gives it a toned down atmosphere, quite different from the usual glamour and brilliance of most jewelry workshops.

As you walk along the fenced path towards the studio, you will see handmade wooden tables matched with blue-gray colored wooden chairs or stools, giving it a rustic feel. The wooden menu is hung on the wall; if you want anything tasty to eat or drink, just grab a pencil and write it down yourself. The style is relaxed but the food is definitely delicious. Their specialty coffees, not often seen in other places, includes the Indian Malaba with a hint of sesame, or the Simbaway that has a fruity aroma. Also available are tea drinks such as the grapefruit tea, preserved date tea and mountain plum tea. These all contain the unique touches of the two owners, giving these teas a special flavor. Their special light meals include the goose liver pate toast, banana and peanut toast and mince with five-grain rice. All contain a certain special essence of their own.

Of course, when you come to Yi-Lauren, you cannot leave empty handed. Browse through the display of jewelry at the workshop or flip though the designer's portfolio. Each piece is unique, as if all custom made for different individuals. Truth is, every item from this studio has been created through discussion between the designer and the customer. A sketch is made according to the customer's individuality and a decision is made with the customer regarding the style, material and cost. Whether you are looking for something extravagant, delicate, unusual or simple, the importance is to find something that suits you.