Luxury and fun: The Shanghai lane house has been designed to exude under-stated, modern elegance. Photo provided to Shanghai Star

Hollywood producer Michael Lechner von Leheneck never really felt at home in Shanghai until his interior designer girlfriend Cathy Wang transformed his apartment in a heritage 1930s Art Deco building into a stunning Hollywood-inspired home.

After living in Shanghai for almost a decade, first in a five star hotel suite and then a high-rise modern apartment, Lechner von Leheneck moved to the 110-square-metre apartment in the former Grosvenor House, now part of the Jin Jiang Hotel along Maoming Road.

An elaborate soft decoration has created a sophisticated European lounge-style dining and living space with a touch of drama and glamor by incorporating furniture, mixed media paintings, framed photos and interesting artifacts.

Lounging at home

"In Hollywood, no one goes to a street side coffee shop to meet Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie. You invite your guests and friends to your home," says Lechner von Leheneck, best known for producing Piano Virtuoso starring Johnny Depp and Natalie Portman.

"In the privacy of the home, we relax, chat over wine or coffee, talk business and have a good time."