Zhu Naumann grew up in a Chinese family; her mother operated a successful Art & Antiques business, sourcing items from China, Thailand, Burma and Cambodia.  As a result, Zhu had to keep her passion to be an interior designer to herself initially and, in line with Chinese family traditions, study business English to help with the family business.
By the age of 29 Zhu started to have her own business for Arts & Antiques called Ancient Times in Bangkok, using her maiden name “Somporn Trakarnboonchai (see www.junkseilon.com ). 

At that time Zhu opened new supply connections trading in silver handicraft mainly from Burma and Cambodia by working together with local silversmiths. It required painstaking effort and patience to introduce changes in design or ways of thinking to the craftsmen who had been working all their life with traditional designs and manufacturing methods. Zhu encouraged the artisans to produce up to international standards both in silver content and in workmanship.   After 12 years, Zhu decided to fulfil her ambition to become an Interior Designer. She attended 2 years course with Chanapattana Institute in Bangkok. The Design School works in collaboration with Accademia Italiana from Florence. 

Over the time, Zhu travelled with her husband (Honorary German Consul in Phuket, see  www.deutscheskonsulatphuket.com ) through Europe & Southeast Asia.  She has trained her eyes by visiting the most important art & architecture treasures in Europe, including almost all important museums and art galleries in Europe and America.  Together with her travels around Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka, India and Nepal to source goods and deal with artisans and tradesmen (and making many fantastic friends) she acquired the experience and knowledge to design and source for clients who live and love the symbiosis of European and Asian art with modern living. 

Zhu built up a network of furniture suppliers, designers, artisans and craftsmen; in this network everyone excels by his own talent and works together. She believes each of us has a talent in something.  Zhu considers herself the bridge between her clients and those talented specialists. In her opinion, life has to be a combination between friends, business partners, beauty, art, craftsmanship, fun and last, but not least, hard work to achieve excellence.

Through the Zhu Naumann network, she has resource partners around Thailand and favourite hidden haunts to source the fabulous fittings and accessories for your home and property.