Category: Living

A Wonderous Wedgwood Christmas

Win in the art of gifting with Wedgwood’s Christmas gift collection to give your loved ones presents they can cherish all year long. Their beautifully crafted, hand finished and heritage inspired festive gifts are designed with everyone in mind, whatever their personal taste and style. From gifts that will appeal to tea enthusiasts, home decorators, interior stylists, new parents or those who just love to entertain. Here are some of the notable gifts that will bring joy to any home they are taken to.


The Winter White set brings crisp, calm accents to your colourfully bold mix-and-match Christmas decor, with fine bone china cups illustrated with festive motifs and edged with platinum. The matching saucers are decorated with a striking platinum line and scroll pattern, making these a truly luxurious way to enjoy your post-Christmas-lunch cup of tea and turkey sandwich by the fire. 

Being the host for Christmas get togethers is a joy and it is even better if it is done in style. Serve starters and sweets in festive elegance with Wedgwood’s Winter White plate set. Adorned with woodcut-style motifs including mistletoe and a Christmas tree, each piece is made from superior fine bone china.

Keep warm and relax with a cup of wedgwood tea in the company of friends of family this Christmas. With 25 of people’s favourite teas from all corners of the world, Wedgwood’s advent calendar will take you on a tea-drinking journey from the heights of the Himalayas to the great plains of Kenya. Filled with your favourite blends, herbal infusions, and single origin teas, we use only whole leaf teas to ensure the fullest flavour in every cup.

When it comes to decorating your home for festivities Wedgwood’s collection has everything from ornaments to baubles to snow globes. Especially the charm set which is a trio of festive decorations featuring snowflakes and stars to hang and adorn. Crafted from white porcelain and decorated with iconic Wedgwood blue details, they make the perfect gift. Redesigned and refined for 2022, add them to your wish list or give them as a gift to those close to your heart.

A perfect gift for new parents to celebrate new additions to family, Wedgwood Baby’s First Christmas ornament celebrates the first twelve months of little bundle of joys. A polar bear with a scarf available in blue and pink, inscribed with the year 2022 for you to keep and treasure forever. Made from porcelain, it’s finished with a satin ribbon with the message ‘A Magical Wedgwood Christmas’. Packaged in a Wedgwood giftbox, it’ll make the present memorable for years. 

Grande Elegance

 

Grande Studio is a renowned interior design and construction company in Hong Kong, Providing customized designs from layout replanning to construction, their design approach is of high-end minimalism, aiming to build sanctuaries that realizes their client’s dreams.. Gafencu was in conversation with Matthew Li, The creative director of Grande Interior to get insights on the design scene in Hong Kong.

 

For more info visit Grande Interior

Local shops bringing festival and merry cheer to the city

While Christmas might seem like the most abiding of holidays, with its traditions so time honoured as to be almost unassailable, the festival has, incrementally, changed over recent years. And in many subtle and not-so-subtle ways. The dawn of online communications has not been great news for disparate families, with brief avatar-ed appearances trumping jet lag, airline cuisine and compulsory Covid testing.

But all is not lost. There is still hope that tradition is returning to at least one aspect of all-things Christmas – gift-giving. While, not so long ago, Amazon and Esty had stealthily become the go-to providers of presents for loved ones both near and far, there’s been a distinct shift of late. Suddenly, it’s once again de rigueur to buy your presents and Christmas trinkets locally and in person. Thankfully, for those in Hong Kong, this is one challenge many of the local shops and assorted other outlets are more than up to meeting.

Flower Power
The Anglo-Chinese Florist started as a small flower boutique in 1946 at a location that couldn’t appear more apt – Lyndhurst Terrance in Central, a thoroughfare better known to many as “Flower Street”. Inevitably, as you near this ever-popular outlet, the fresh aroma of Christmas pine will help you find your way. It offers a huge selection of high-quality Christmas trees, as well as a fine array of wreaths and lights, with prices varying between HK$900-3,600.

Today, as part of its commitment to quality, the florist prides itself on importing only the freshest trees, plants and flowers from Holland, South Africa and New Zealand. In terms of its special Christmas offering, its services range from creating small, bespoke multi-candle centrepieces to decorating 10-feet-tall Christmas trees from scratch.

Festive Eats
Something special for the festive season is also promised by the Hong Kong-based food and beverage firm, The Pirata Group. As to just what makes its festive offer stand out from rivals, is its no reservations policy, meaning you’re always in with more than a chance of finding a table at one of its three outlets – Pici, The Pizza Project or Pane e Latte.

These three restaurants are big on holiday cheer and specialise in curated festive goodies that infuse the brand’s expertly prepared dishes and Italian treats with timeless holiday flavours. Make it a December to remember with one of their special festive goodies, with the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Pizza, a particular favourite.

Bread Ringers
Ali Oli is Hong Kong’s oldest European bakery, and with Christmas fast approaching, its festive menu includes turkeys sourced from Italy and Canada for those wanting to step away from cooking and just relax during the holiday. It also provides such Christmas classics as mince pies, stollen, pecan pie and pumpkin pie.

The 36-year-old bakery offers some of the highest quality European and Western baked products, which perhaps accounts for its enduring reputation for maintaining a hugely extensive and innovative product list.

Cake-out Artist
The perennially pastel-shaded pop-up store of the celebrity-beloved Vive Cake Boutique is opting to showcase its signature black sesame temptation and its complete collection of edible art, to a new range of wholly imaginative festive offerings.

The patisserie’s newest creation, the four-tier Prince Sesame Cake, is a must for lovers of nutty and slightly bitter-sweet sensations. Since 2014, the bakery has been known as the crème de la crème among Hong Kong’s bespoke dessert-makers and, as result, has accrued an enviable celebrity client list.

Claus Encounters
For four days only, The Murray Christmas Market is morphing into pretty much the perfect destination for any last-minute Christmas shopping. This will see the five star hotel transform into a marketplace full of all things Christmassy, with a vast array of festive lifestyle products, including food and wine, jewellery, clothing and more. 

As if that wasn’t enough, the celebrity mystery guest Santa will be travelling from The North Pole to Hong Kong for photo opportunities and Claus encounters with young revellers, to complete this wonderful and festive experience.

 

(Text: Joseff Musa)

Sanctuary Synergy- A residential retreat on the south side of Hong Kong Island

To establish your home as a sanctuary, somewhere far from the bustle of the city in the heart of nature, is an unattainable dream for all but a lucky few. Arguably, anyone fortunate enough to reside in one residence on the Southside of Hong Kong Island could tick off that particular aspiration.

Ideally suited to the needs of a young family of four or so, it is a home in perfect harmony with the green hills and mountains that surround it. Conceived and designed by Andy Wan, the founder of Pure AW’s Designers, an award-winning Wan Chai based design consultancy, his work focused on a fundamental reimagining of an existing structure and its tactical reengineering to meet the needs and values of its new owners.

The reinvented residence now majors on clear open spaces, as well as wide apertures that provide a sense of immense roominess, an attribute accentuated by the ample natural light that permeates throughout. Overall, the interior has been sensitively configured to resemble the external natural landscape, complete with colours and textures that synergistically deliver a blend of the indoors and the outdoors. Throughout, such timeless materials as stone, timber and plaster adorn the walls and ceilings, while the oak flooring is redolent of eternal freshness. This is further counterpointed by the walnut furniture, a soft contrast with the light grey, white and sandy tone of much of the interior space.

The inner recesses of this spacious home, meanwhile, are a creative blend of western and eastern aesthetics, albeit with oriental furnishings, a modern layout and smart integrated systems. An additional 1,956 square feet of space, part of a low-rise unit, beautifully expands the ground floor, with the extra space providing a surfeit of room for family gatherings or hosting guests both formally and informally. Accommodating the family’s love of socialising and congregating, this communal space boasts a paired living and dining function, while breathtaking views of the external garden areas are available throughout.

The garden is notable for the highly aesthetic nature of its immaculately conceived landscaping, which comprises lush green lawns, artfully coiffured hedges and an array of exotic arboreal items, all framed by the verdant surrounding slopes. Within this green oasis is a purpose-built space for leisurely reclining, a swing and a capacious table set for impromptu or, when required, formal dining.

In addition to this, a variety of differently proportioned planters, a testament to the residents’ love of horticulture, have been distributed throughout the ground. On a more practical note, meanwhile, considerable care has clearly gone into ensuring the durability of the alfresco assets of the property, as well as ensuring they all have suitable insect-resistant properties.

Moving back within the property, the creative preferences of the owners are writ large courtesy of the generously proportioned, vividly coloured artworks that adorn many of the walls, together with the substantial sculptures and occasional pieces that brighten every nook. The creativity of a different kind is also catered to via the giant piano that dominates the foyer space.

Separating this lobby area from the inner living and dining spaces is a gently unobtrusive stepped arrangement, giving arrivals the time to take in the large, circular Chinese prosperity motifs that bedeck many of the connecting doors. This classic feel is sustained via the array of vintage Greco-Buddhist sculptures dispersed throughout the communal spaces.

One of the major specifications in the agreed design brief was the requirement to maximise storage space without obstructing the views or taking up too much wall acreage. In order to deliver on this, many of the existing inner walls were demolished to create a space that was both more connected and more open. One constraint was that many of the existing beams were set relatively low and could not be removed without risking structural instability, a consideration that saw the whole of the new look conceived to incorporate and forefront these original fixtures.

This finalised, reimagined layout comprises a master suite with a walk-in closet, two rooms for children, a guest bathroom and a detached, semi-private study room in one of the more remote wings of the house. In addition, the spacious living room adjoins the capacious dining area and offers views out across the wellmaintained garden area, The kitchen, maid and utility areas, meanwhile, are all discretely tucked into one bespoke distinct functional space.

Unlike the standard practice in many other contemporary homes, the kitchen space is notably enclosed, while featuring a centrally accessible island, ample preparation space and considerable storage resources. By contrast, the principal dining area is far more open, and extendable, if required, into the adjoining garden space. In addition to the requisite dining table and accompanying chairs, a wine cabinet, display racks and a sliding façade have all also been engagingly integrated.

All in all, this is one home that undeniably offers all the various necessities required for a truly satisfying and contemporary lifestyle, including a smart security system and a level of functionality that never conflicts with the overall aesthetic. It’s an intelligently arranged space and a testament both to the ingenuity of the designer and the thoughtfulness of the initial brief.

 

(Text: Zaira Abbas Photos: Pure AW’s Designs)

Moneyopolis- which Metropolis has more mega-rich residents than any other place in the planet?

Much has been said and lists have been created by numerous groups and publications with their own ranking of which city tops other cities in terms of its Gross Domestic Product, number of millionaires and all other varying elements.

In a city like Hong Kong, where any house and estate owner can easily be considered a millionaire due to the high property and land rate, we take it a notch higher and count the billionaires in these cities instead. The high-net-worth people or the “individuals with net assets of USD $1 billion or more”, or the billionaires who reside in these cities on the list, were taken into account.

With cities from the United States, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Oceania and Swiss cantons, a new metropolis has proven itself a better base for the mega-rich. A quick peruse of the updated Rich List, as ever, makes for a fascinating reading.

20. Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne is home to 12 billionaires, 149 centimillionaires and 97,300 millionaires, as well as several of Australia’s leading companies, including ANZ, BHP, Rio Tinto and Telstra.

19. Zurich, Switzerland
Almost tied with Melbourne, The Canton of Zurich is also home to 12 billionaires, including 258 centimillionaires and 105,100 millionaires, as well as three globally-leading private banks –  Credit Suisse, Julius Baer and UBS.

18. Tokyo, Japan
Joining this triple tie is Tokyo, which is also home to 12 billionaires, including 263 centimillionaires and 304,900 millionaires, with its wealth spread largely across lower-tier millionaires, as evidenced by the relatively low level of its billionaire population but ranks 2nd highest in terms of millionaires. Honda, Hitachi, Mitsubishi and Sony are among the most significant businesses with headquarters in the city.

17. Frankfurt, Germany
Frankfurt, the wealthiest city in continental Europe, is home to 14 billionaires, including 161 centimillionaires and 117,400 millionaires.

16. Paris, France
There are 15 billionaires, 121 centimillionaires and more than 88,600 millionaires in Paris. Key industries include financial services, luxury products and hospitality. The city is home to many of the biggest businesses in Europe, including BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole and Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton.

15. Sydney, Australia
Sydney, which has 16 billionaires, 188 centimillionaires and 129,500 millionaires, has had very high wealth development over the past 20 years and is quickly rising to the top of the list of global financial hubs. Bellevue Hill, Darling Point, Double Bay, Dover Heights, Longueville, Mosman, Point Piper and Vaucluse are a few examples of affluent suburbs.

14. Geneva, Switzerland
Geneva is home to some of the world’s most highlyprivileged people, with about 18% of its population classified as high-net-worth persons. It is tied with Sydney with 16 billionaires, but with 345 centimillionaires and notably high concentration of 90,300 millionaires, and is home to prominent businesses like Rolex, Patek Philippe and Pictet.

13. Toronto, Canada
Toronto is home to 17 billionaires, 187 centimillionaires and 116,100 millionaires. Brookfield Asset Management, The Four Seasons Hotel Group, the Royal Bank of Canada and Scotiabank are just a few of the notable businesses with headquarters in the metropolis.

12. Dallas, Texas
There are 18 billionaires in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, including 211 centimillionaires and 92,300 millionaires, with American Airlines, AT&T, CBRE, ExxonMobil and Southwest Airlines also all calling it home.

11. Seoul, Korea
There are 25 billionaires, including 241 centimillionaires and 102,100 millionaires living in Seoul, while Hyundai, Kookmin Bank, LG and Samsung also call it home.

10. Houston, US
Entering the top 10 is Houston, Texas with 25 billionaires same with Seoul, but with 314 centimillionaires and 132,600 millionaires. In terms of wealth expansion over the past 20 years, the city has been one of the fastest growing in the world. It also leads the US in a number of important sectors, including engineering, oil, gas and aviation.

9. Singapore
Singapore is Asia’s second-largest millionaire enclave after Tokyo. But at present, the city state is said to be home to 26 billionaires, including 336 centimillionaires and 249,800 millionaires. It has also been deemed one of the world’s most business-friendly cities.

8. Hong Kong, China
10 years ago, Hong Kong was the second wealthiest city in the Asia-Pacific region after Tokyo. Although it has slipped down the ranking, it is still home to 28 billionaires, 280 centimillionaires and 125,100 millionaires. Many of Asia’s richest business people continue to reside in the city and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange is still one of the most significant stock markets in the world.

7. Chicago, US
Chicago, the largest inland city in the US, has a highly diversified economy with strengths across a number of important industry sectors. Tied with Hong Kong, it is home to 28 billionaires, including 340 centimillionaires and 160,100 millionaires. Notable firms including, McDonald’s and Boeing, have their headquarters in the city.

6. Los Angeles, US
It is estimated that there are 34 billionaires living in the region, along with 393 centimillionaires and 92,400 millionaires living in the region. This figure includes wealth held in the city of Los Angeles, as well as in nearby Malibu, Beverly Hills, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach and Santa Monica. Entertainment, IT, retail, and transportation are the region’s key sectors.

5. London, United Kingdom
At present, the British capital is said to be home to 38 billionaires, including 406 centimillionaires and 272,400 millionaires. Particularly favoured by the mega-wealthy are the houses and apartments with views of Hampstead Heath, Regents Park or one of the city’s other green spaces.

4. Shanghai, China
Shanghai, the most populous city in China, is home to 42 billionaires, 350 centimillionaires and 130,100 millionaires, as well as being regarded as the country’s financial hub. According to market cap, the Shanghai Stock Exchange is the third biggest in the world (after the Dow Jones and NASDAQ).

3. Beijing, China
Beijing, makes it to the top 3 having a particularly high number of billionaires – 44. It is also home to 363 centimillionaires and 131,500 millionaires. In addition, Beijing is home to the majority of China’s biggest corporations.

2. New York, US
Settling in for number 2, the Big Apple has 59 billionaires, including 737 centimillionaires and 345,600 millionaires. It is also home to the world’s two largest stock exchanges by market cap (the Dow Jones and NASDAQ)

1. San Francisco Bay area, US
This year, San Francisco Bay Area takes the top spot and claims its status as the Richest Billionaire City in the World. In all, the city has more members of the four-comma club than any other metropolis on the planet, with 62 billionaires, including 623 centimillionaires and 276,400 millionaires. Home to wealthy tech millionaires, Silicon Valley has been consistent on the list of billionaire hubs.

 

(Text: Joseff Musa)

Bespoke Perfumes to make your day scentsantional

Aromas have an unusually powerful role when it comes to unlocking our memories. As a result, it is more than possible to deliberately deploy them as a means of commemorating particularly significant life events and underlining their importance. Just ask anyone who has bought and worn a unique, personally selected scent at a specific point in their life and they will inevitably assure you that such a favoured fragrance always comes with a distinct whiff of nostalgia.

A Scent, indeed, has the power to transport us and recapture the emotional significance of time gone by. For particularly momentous occasions, it is often important to opt for a scent with direct emotional appeal, a scent that forever afterward can transport you back to that special day, allowing you to relive that formative experience many times over the course of a lifetime.

In the case of Hong Kong’s most evocative perfume brands, they have a long and noble heritage, while the artistry behind their formulation has never stopped evolving. From choosing just the right scent profile for a special event to committing to a signature everyday fragrance, there are, however, a number of guiding principles it more than pays to be aware of.

Exquisite options
Overall, it’s best not to be too preoccupied with passing fads or limited seasonality when selecting a scent. Instead, it’s always best to opt for something that truly reflects just who you are. This could be something you already see as your signature, a wholly new scent or indeed, a combination of the two when in doubt.

In the latter instance, the beauty of layering aromas is that it tailors a signature scent, inevitably adding a twist of something new. John Paulo, the founder of Artisenses, has long been a master of this particular process. When it opened its doors in 2014, his company was Asia’s first professional provider of customised, innovative scent solutions.

His team prides itself on delivering memorable guest experiences, frequently creating bespoke luxury scents for events such as weddings, where the bride and groom, as well as the guests, all get to create their own fragrances. The company’s Scent Bar is geared to letting clients create scents specific to any event’s theme, while also facilitating any required collaboration with many well-known perfume brands.

Rebel smell
Evoking a designated mood is, of course, always something of a priority. From its name and apparent positioning alone, is clear that, in this regard, Esscentric – Perfume for Rebels, courtesy of Jodie Chan, is very much targeting a somewhat bolder client base. Generally, people use perfumes to silently announce their personalities, with stronger scents betokening certain maturity and sensuality, making them ideal for celebrations of a more romantic one. This is very much the case with Chan’s perfume line, which is specifically dedicated to people who work hard all day and play hard all night.

Expanding on her perfume-for-partygoers- approach, Chan says: “Esscentric’s perfume oils will keep you fresh, alert and irresistible. They are intimate and subtle. You can stay balanced when everyone in the world is going crazy.

“Basically, I make perfume for rebels, those who won’t stand for the synthetic products available on the general market, those who want something different and original and who embrace their age, while seldom revealing the exact number.”

Packaged in a customised leather holster with a detachable chain, these perfumes double as fashion statements. In order that they can be always to hand, they can be chained to belt loops or even worn around the neck.


The right mix
Of course, in particular, everyone desires a product that works with their unique body chemistry, something that never smells the same on two different people (largely because the pH level of each individual’s skin has an impact on how a perfume will be experienced). This is why the best body areas to spray fragrances on are pulse points, such as the neck or wrist, both of which tend to give off considerable heat. There is also a reason why certain perfumes are formulated specifically for men or women – the different chromosomes of the two sexes.

Weather is also something to consider, especially in Hong Kong where the humidity can be almost as high as 100%. In such an instance a good bet would be Parisine, a unisex fragrance collection suitable for a variety of wardrobe options, which integrates the aromas of several century-old classic French perfume houses, including such legendary and iconic brands as Nogara and D’ORSAY. At its scent bar, perfumiers are typically on hand to help craft a custom fragrance for daily use and special occasions. Taking into account an individual’s personal style, they aim to recommend the optimal scent, complete with a range of base and boost notes.

Before wearing any new scent to a high profile occasion, try it out for a few days to ensure you have a good connection with it. This gives you the chance to reassess your impression of the fragrance for its longevity.

It’s also crucial that any smell you’re wearing makes you feel confident and at ease. While many tend to gauge a new fragrance through the reactions of others, this, however, may not be the most reliable of indicators, given the likelihood that most commentators will favour politeness over the possibility of giving offence. Ultimately, you have to stay true to yourself and rely on your common sense when it comes to personal scents.

 

Text: Joseff Musa

TAI TAM LUXURY HOME-A BLEND OF ORIENT AND OCCIDENT

Nestled between the green mountains of Tai Tam at Hong Kong Parkview is an apartment modelling a beautiful blend of the Orient and the Occident. Offering blissful views of the verdant landscape, the home embodies the spirit of nature with its regal materials and soothing palettes of ocean and sea.


In a resourceful multipurpose manner, the whole space has been designed to offer comforts of a home as well as the attractions of a clubhouse. Sprawling across a generous 4,616sq. ft, this is a happy dwelling of a family of four, a couple and their two daughters. Interior designer Danny Chiu changed the initial layout of the apartment to suit the needs of its sociable owners, who are accustomed to hosting parties and events. To echo the spectacular outside views, the new design brings natural elements like mountains, water, waves and marbles into the interior.


The previous floor plan was quite symmetrical with mirroring twin units, distributed in eight rooms on the left and right. Chiu intelligently remodelled the apartment to remove obstructions and make areas more spacious, allowing free movement and increased functionality. It took almost two years to realise the vision of the designer so the family could have their ideal home.


The entrance opens into a hall-like living room that has an adjoining dining area with wide windows, allowing the domed hills to peek inside. The hall has a wooden Yamagata false ceiling rising up to 17m, starting with a bar table and spanning across the entire dining area and living room. The ebbs and flows of the tray ceiling, which is equipped with a smart home lighting system, are designed to mimic ocean waves.

Opposite the windows is an indented feature wall dressed in a textured wallpaper of panoramic mountains reminiscent of a traditional Chinese landscape artwork. The blue hue of the wallpaper is a thematic reflection of the dining area, where a table for 10 stands in handy distance of the bar table and decorative cabinet behind it. Meanwhile, the kitchen boasts wide Italian cabinets from Arclinea that are sleek and minimal in design to highlight the marble patterned walls.

Moving towards the more convivial space of the living room, it is thanks to the modular furniture here, courtesy of Theodore Alexander, that the family can enjoy the flexibility of adjusting the layout and appearance of the space to fit different occasions and number of guests. At the far end, a smart Planika fireplace with a marble TV feature wall is cleverly proportioned to serve as a partition that seperates the cosy sitting area behind.

Here, designed to accommodate the homeowners’ cherished hobbies, is an area for calligraphy and tea-tasting. The carpet reflects the living room’s flooring of marble pattern – a recurring theme throughout the unit. Axolight chandeliers, on the other hand, cast 3D mountain-contour patterns overhead, together the elements perfectly echo the tranquil theme of the home.


Heralding a breezy encounter, the large terrace affords a breath of fresh air of Tai Tam and the panoramic views beyond. Here, they can enjoy breakfast in at daybreak, sip tea in the twilight, or host barbecue parties on warm sunny days with a scenic backdrop – the hangout spot. The apartment also houses a massage room, a theatre room and a wine cellar replete with the owners’ favourite collections.

Within the more private quarters of the house, the master bedroom is nothing less than a royal suite. Earthy tones and wooden floors offer a calm, warming and tender ambience for the sweet comfort of its dwellers. To the side, a raised platform with modified curved columns provides a relaxing little corner for reading or simply enjoying the the hillside views beyond the wide plane of window to the side of the bed.
Within the master en suite sits an I-spa jacuzzi and sauna that proffers a five-star experience at home, while the large carpeted dressing room complete with a vanity area ensures privacy and comfort while getting ready.


The bedrooms for the two daughters are equally appealing, each with her own personal touch to match their contrasting tastes and preferences. One daughter enjoys the shades of blue which is aptly, so cool shades that decorate the textured walls and carpet to reflect the ocean. The highlight of this room is a curved platform near the window that is raised and shaped to create the effect of a bubble.
Since the floor is lit with LED lighting strips, the platform gives an illusion of floating. The bathroom also matches the theme, with blue diamond-shaped tiles and tinted glass.


The other daughter’s bedroom, on the other hand, is a stark contrast to the first. Monochromatic greys and whites largely make up the interiors of this space, featuring ample indentations on the wall behind the headboard that form soft, gradual reflections on the fabric segments of the décor when lit – an effect that instils a sense of calmness and zen.

The bathroom – shared between the two sisters – features a wide Coelux LED skylight in that replicates the warmth of natural light. In its entirety, the home manifests the beauty of its surroundings through the natural elements within, while boasting subtle touches of luxury that exudes comfort and sereneity enjoyed in a tasteful, convival design.

 

Text: Zaira Abbas Photos: Danny Chiu Interior Designs LTD

Bespoke Chandeliers To Light Up Your Space

The classic opulent statement lighting for any space, the most elegant of embellishments for the ceiling, and certainly the focal point of any room they are in, chandeliers are synonymous with luxury décor. Once seen only in grand palaces, mansions, manor houses and ballrooms, this shimmering symbol of grandeur and status has successfully made its way into modern interiors.

Although conventional chandeliers bring to mind large, heavy installations with multiple intricate shards of glass and crystals cradling light bulbs, there are plenty of lighter options these days, if you’ll pardon the pun. Ornate modern chandeliers do not have to dominate every room they are hung in; they can fit beautifully into the average-sized home and perfectly match the minimalist themes of modern interiors. To everyone’s delight, they are available in a variety of designs, materials, sizes and price ranges.

Indeed, compared to floor lights and wide-based lamps, chandeliers work as space savers – hanging (fairly) discreetly from the ceiling. Nor will they damage your décor with unsightly holes required to mount wall lights. They are also functional as they provide ambient light, so your whole space is evenly lit with greater coverage.

Chandeliers are surprisingly versatile, too, serving as statement pieces and focal points in living rooms, dining rooms, foyers and even bedrooms. It’s no news that light can have a significant effect on your mood, so choose modestly sized chandeliers that brighten the space and fall in proportion with ceiling height; you don’t want your light to feel too warm or too close. Round, farmhouse, sputnik and rustic-style chandeliers are among the types best suited for home interiors since they add elegance without being overpowering.

Although there are endless ready-crafted designs to choose from, a custom-made chandelier allows you to reflect your unique ideas of stylish décor. A number of interior and lighting brands in Hong Kong offer bespoke services for light fixtures including chandeliers, so there is nothing to stop you from getting creative with your prestige illuminations.

 

Zodiac Designs

With a century worth of combined experience in the lighting industry, Zodiac Lighting’s professional in-house research and development team goes above and beyond in their bespoke luminaires. They are also the city’s key distributor of leading international lighting brands and innovative designs, having had glamerous installations featured at locations such as Hong Kong Regala Skycity Hotel. Here, the Fish Tornado hangs as a magnificent display of amber and translucent glass tubes in a spiral arrangement – a testament to the team’s brilliant designs and bespoke services.

The Plisse Cloud by Czech designer Lasvit is an elegantl chandelier that gorgeously resembles a cloud floating through the sky – its airy form gives the illusion of movement. White polished stainless steel captures the effect of blurred glass, emitting a soft, diffused light that adds to the ambiance of smaller spaces in the home, like the bedroom, lounge or dining room.

A classic piece in the brand’s decorative collection is the Linea Chandelier Round by sculptural lighting expert Brand van Egmond. This cool modification of a sputnik chandelier complements minimalist interiors. Its burnished brass finish gives it a robust style and a futuristic look that elevates kitchens spaces, reading nooks, bars and even foyers. Essentially a rectangular variation of a multi-tiered chandelier, an array of suspended glass hangs in what seems like a gentle spiral motion, making this an iconic installment to any venue that as it takes pride of place on higher ceilings and in spacious halls.

Your Casa

Apart from selling a wide selection of luxury furniture, lighting and statement pieces, décor expert Casa Modernism has a team of in-house designers to create bespoke lights, from wall-mounted and floor lights to ceiling and pendant lights crafted from hand-blown glass that often translates the themes of nature into the form of magnificent chandeliers. For instance, the Rain Chandelier is a beautiful, delicately hand-forged statement piece. Inspired by the motion of raindrops, the structure features frosted glass with splashes of rosy pink at the tips while mounted on a bronze frame. Though its impressive decorative embellishment goes further than its soft aesthetics as it is innovatively designed to change in colour according to  the temperature of the room.

The Waterfall Chandelier is another stunning design that would undoubtedly be an artistic centerpiece for any ciruclar room grand entrance. It takes the form of a column while mimicking the shape of a water fountain as it cascades down from the ceiling – a magnificent shower of mesmerising light falling down to Earth. Its brilliance is made even more spectacular at night with chromatic hues of blue and gold glass crystals illuminating in the form of droplets under the shine of the light.

On the other hand, the Electrifier Chandelier, a collection of thin spiralled crystals that group together to a torus core frame. A focal point of any room or hall, this sculptural masterpiece is a manifestation of the magnificence of a thunderstorm brewing in the sky, embellished with elegant lines and meticulous detailing. Similarly, the long, multicoloured crystals of the Sparking Stars Chandelier recalls a playful confetti of shooting stars.

Baseline Brilliance

Baseline Lighting Design Studio, on the other hand, has been known to offer its expertise in bespoke lighting creations to luxury brands and hotels across the city. One of their finest works, a representation of intertwined rings, hangs in the lobby of the Holiday Inn Golden Mile. It is a 15-meter long chandelier crafted from aluminium tubes, then painted black and gold with dynamic and controllable pixel LEDs.

Another noteworthy creation is the decorative chandelier that hangs at The Peninsula Cafe and Boutique, designed to lay low to mirror the tables, it offers a regal glow in such a grand space. Meanwhile, regulars at now closed Jamie’s Italian would remember the jazzy, rustic diner and its statement chandeliers that hung overhead in sections. An integral part of the décor and experience, they gave the space a luxurious feel that elevated the interiors of the modern eatery.

 

Text: Zaira Abbas. Photos: Zodiac Designs, Casa Modernism, Baseline Lighting Studio

7 Home Décor Ideas to Follow this Autumn

The -ber months are knocking at the door harbinger the beautiful transition of nature seasonal changes. While evergreens transform from fresh greens to rustic oranges and deep reds, the cooler weather calls for more comfortable spaces to lounge in, prompting our inner creative sides to elevate our abodes to reflect the beautiful autumn landscapes. Here are 5 home décor ideas to spruce up your spaces with a warmer and enchanting ambiance. 

1. Light up your home with candles

Candles are a fantastic decorative element, they can complement your existing décor when placed in front or on side of paintings, vases, lamps or sculptures creating magical shadows and silhouettes. Dress up your home by adding a variety of candles on shelves and mantle pieces. You can place them on tall candle stands of different heights or in glass lanterns to give a more vintage vibe. Scented candles with flavours of maple leaves, clove, cinnamon, apple or lavender are perfect to make your home even smell like autumn. 

2. Celebrate the changing colors


Adding more warm colors to your space will instantly create an autumnal theme. Fluff up some orange, red and dark brown pillows for your bedroom and cushions for your living room. Choose blankets and throws of similar colors to drape over your sofas, couches or carpets. These will serve as accessories to your existing furniture without you having to make big changes and replacing your current possessions.

3. Follow up the fall foliage


When you think of autumn you can’t help but think of leaves, either fallen or dancing in the breeze. To give the home a touch of fall ambiance, place decorative plants around the room, leaves in bowls or perennial planter boxes in corners on the wall or sitting atop window sills. Common Ivy, Hydrangea, cactus, maple and oxalis and excellent choices are great choices for indoor plants that will last longer through the autumn season. 

4. Hang in some vines, wreaths and fairy lights.

If you find plants to be high maintenance, you can use artificial vines and wreathes made up of flowers, leaves, pines and pumpkins to decorate your walls, doors and curtains. You can use them in combination with fairy lights that can light them up giving a festive feel and warmth.  Bookshelves look more appealing with fairy lights and vines, making your reading corner into a dreamy cozy space to find comfort in.

5. Adding warmth to outdoor spaces

Photo courtesy of Zzue Creation

Just because it’s cooler out, doesn’t mean you have to keep from the outside. Give your outdoor spaces some love by furnishing it will autumn tones and rustic textures to add some warmth and cosiness to your balcony, terraces and patio. Woven textures like rattan are a good choice, such as Barlow Tyrie’s “Cocoon” seating system, from its 2022 outdoor collection.  Its strong aluminum frame and soft plush cushions come in a set of 2 deep seated armchairs and a 3-seater sofa, available at Zzue Creation, provides the perfectly comfortable gathering spot on a breezy autumn evening.

6. Pump it up with Pumpkins

Pumpkins often go hand-in-hand with the autumn season. And with Halloween just around the corner, what better way to enrich your living space with the many  colours and variety this auburn squash can offer. Real or faux, pumpkins can be used as dining table centerpieces, and decorative ornaments on kitchen. Pumpkin scents also adds a romantic touch to the space thanks to its sweet and spice scent. Scented candles from Diptyque and Maison Francis Kurkdijian perfects these aromas very well.

 

(Text: Zaira Abbas)

Where to buy the best outdoor furniture in Hong Kong

If you’re struggling to find just the right fitting to kit our your balcony, patio, roof or garden this summer, we have just the solution.

Needless to say, furniture shopping can be a chore that causes a fair amount of frustration. Whether you’re seeking something modern or scaling back the extravagance with something more minimalist, we’ve gone through the effort of compiling a list of the best high-end outdoor furniture stores in the city so you can find the right fixture for your alfresco needs.

Zzue Creation

Redefining outdoor living in Hong Kong, Zzue Creation sets the bar for the type of outdoor furniture you can get in the city, providing home owners a solution to all things comfortable, contemporary and convenient. From daybeds and pool loungers to BBQ grills and dining tables to shadings and swings and more, it offers the highest quality products deigned by a breadth of global designers from over 50 renowned brands. 

Better yet, the team at Zzue Creation offers reliable top-notch services, including consultation, one-stop delivery, installation, and maintenance services, putting customers’ minds at ease throughout the process. 

Location: Shop 2612-17, Horizon Plaza, Ap Lei Chau
Contact: +852 2580 0633 / info@zzuecreation.com

 

C’est Koo
This store frequently updates their website with a range of new styles and customisable options to furnish a variety of different sized homes. From elegant lounge chairs and day beds to misting fans, led lighting, this store provides a luxurious getaway from your own backyard.
Location: Chai Wan
Contact: +852 3495 5275

Garden Gallery
For a more backyard / garden outdoor solution to the forthcoming summertime fun, this furniture store provides an expansive range of accessories, storage compartments and even an ultra-frame swimming pool.  From sheds to safely store away tools, equipments and bikes to barbeque grills and accessories to foldable chairs and dining tables.
Location: Ap Lei Chau / Shatin / Mong Kok
Contact: +852 6117 2938 (Ap Lei Chau branch)

Harbour Outdoor
Australian outdoor furniture with unique designs and incredibly durable materials, this shop’s tropical weather-inspired outdoor fixtures ideally matches the hot and humid weather of the city while still presenting beautifully modern and elegant upholstery.
Location: Ap Lei Chau
Contact: +852 2765 6188

Irony Home
From heaters and barbeque equipments to gazebos and parasols, this stylish furniture store stocks a range of products sourced from places like Spain, Italy and New Zealand. They even produce grade A teak wood furniture, flooring and even swings, specially treated with a powder coating for durability and longer lasting quality.
Location: Ap Lei Chau
Contact: +852 2845 2567

Sun Garden
This store imports premium quality products from around the world. From outdoor kitchens and barbeque equipment to small-scale utility sheds, this place will surely offer a one-stop solution to all things alfresco.
Location: Ap Lei Chau
Contact: +852 2614 1822

Everything Under The Sun
Providing furniture and accessories designed for homeowners to live a stylish lifestyle. This store selects products made from the trendy materials, evident in their modish furniture. They also stock accessories such as umbrellas, awnings and barbeque equipment for a complete day out in the sun.
Location: Ap Lei Chau
Contact: +852 2554 9088