After a brief stay at a machine processing workshop, Xu later transitioned to a design studio, marking the inception of his career in classical Chinese furniture design — a field he passionately pursues to this day.
He says that to better preserve the craftsmanship of wooden furniture, traditional designs need to be integrated into modern daily life, aligning with contemporary habits while remaining affordable.
He has designed a tea table and chairs set, adding backs to what were originally simple stools to enhance comfort for tea-drinking sessions.
"We aim to incorporate elements of Ming-style furniture so that the cultural aspects and overall design are recognizable," Xu says.