Creative ways to transform your walls with bespoke wallpapers

Whether you are thinking to give your room a complete makeover or just sprucing it up for a fresher look, wallpapers are a great choice. On top of making your walls look visually appealing, they also protect them and are proven to be more hygienic, eco-friendly and longer lasting than paint. What’s more, wallpaper is easy to clean and even easier to put up.

gafencu Creative ways to transform your walls with unique khroma havana collection (5)
(Photo courtesy of Khroma, from the Havana collection)

Available in a variety of distinctive materials, pretty patterns, cool colours and tactile textures, there is certainly a wide range of designs to choose from. Some wallpaper materials are better suited for certain spaces. For instance, PVC and vinyl are more appropriate for areas like the kitchen and bathroom because they are highly resistant to humidity and moisture. Whereas fibreglass wallpapers are good for old, heavily used, cracked walls. They also work better for public places like hospitals and schools. The choice of a wallpaper in the bedroom can also make a huge difference because you want to choose colours or patterns that you find relaxing.

gafencu Creative ways to transform your walls with unique Tat Ming Wallpapers
(Photo courtesy of Tat Ming Wallpapers, from their Marble collection)

 

However, if you want to give your space a unique personal touch, there are companies that offer bespoke services for custom-made wallpapers and coverings. Whether it’s your favourite artwork or a graphic that you want to see on your wall, it can be digitally transformed into a wall mural and can turn your ho-hum wall into a masterpiece. A few artists even collaborate with companies to create hand-painted wallpapers that can take your space aesthetics to the next level.

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(Photo courtesy of Tat Ming Wallpapers, from their Marble collection)

Tat Ming Wallpapers is one such company established in 1981, with grand showrooms in Hong Kong and across Asia. In 2016, the company launched its digital print service that led to its nature-inspired Sea of Clouds, Botanical and Woodland themes. It has a diverse collection of  western, oriental and contemporary themes, colours and materials – mostly sourced from Europe, while also emphasising environmental sustainability and ethical – each category offering vibrant colours, mesmerising illustrations and culturally rich themes.

The marble collection is worth checking out. Its impressive textures and classic designs are art in themselves, designed to embellish any space with a graceful touch and tasteful pattern. Marble wall covers don’t only elevate the aesthetics of the space, they also help create a sense of depth – leading any dweller’s line of sight to trace the ebb and flow of rippling patterns. The marble series is more suitable for formal spaces and rooms that are used to relax and unwind.

gafencu Creative ways to transform your walls with unique Tat Ming Wallpapers Ho Wing Cheong Chinese ink painting
(Photo courtesy of Tat Ming Wallpapers, a collaborative series with artist Wing Choeng Ho)

Tat Ming also collaborates with reputable artists. One such artists is the much-admired Wing Cheong Ho, a Lingnan School of Painting alumni, who in collaboration with Tat Ming, turned his incredible art pieces into digital murals, infusing traditional Chinese styles into modern interior design.

Ho’s skill in Chinese ink painting captures the transition of seasons, the silence of trees and the ferocity of wild creatures in a powerful yet  elegant manner, breathing life into the home with murals of landscapes, botanical motifs, rich hues and robust strokes. This collaborative series of wall murals are the perfect backdrops for adding a sense of culture, art and nature seamlessly in one space. 

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(Photo courtesy of Khroma, from the Havana collection)

For funkier and more chic options, Khroma by Masureel is a brand that has a veritable smorgasbord of wallpaper series and cool themes. Their intricate patterns and choice of retro colours make walls look fresher and more dynamic. The designs are stimulating and each collection has multiple colour options. With the ample variety in the brand’s designs, there is a lot to choose from, making it easier to facilitate design professionals and get customised work for bigger projects.

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(Photo courtesy of Khroma, from the Havana collection)

Among the series, a distinguished collection that caught our eye was “Havana”. Inspired by tropical scenes and invigorating greens, the designs emanate irrepressible energy and cheery vibes. From large, leafy patterns to fine-grained textures, Havana takes you on a magical trip to a Caribbean archipelago.

Home Décor: Ideas to refresh your space this spring…

Some clean their homes in spring, others itch for a change of scenery, and then some just fill their carts… If spring makes you want to re-vamp, redecorate or realign, check our tight edit of quick design swaps for a refreshing look. Keep scrolling for some all-around positive vibes…

1. Houseplants for the ‘urban jungle paradise’ theme

7 design and decor tips to refresh your home a spring refresh nature at home

The easiest way to spruce up your living space with a spring aesthetic is to incorporate greenery – houseplants make the space 100% better – agree? Fresh floral arrangements and indoor plants are the easiest art installations to enliven the room with bright, warm, and cheerful notes. If you don’t have much of a green thumb, floral prints on textiles and wallpapers can do the trick. 

2. Rattan is in!

7 design and d irecor tips to refresh your home a spring refresh organic natural materials

Wicker, rattan and woven furniture and décor are pretty timeless design trends. From woven chairs and cabinets to wicker baskets and ottomans, natural materials add a touch of tactility and an earthy sense of nature to the home. 

Also Read: Green thumb success: How not to kill your plants!

3. Earthy, distressed colour tones

(Photo couresy of Milia Shop HK)

Rich earthy tones of marigold, burnt orange, dusty pinks, warm sienna, muddy yellow and rich burgundy have been making its way into the spectrum of earthy neutral tones. Simply glazed in a solid colour or matched with interesting geometric patterns and rich textures, these full bodied overtones offer a stiking contrast to traditionally earthy cream and beige colours. 

4. Bring in some old world charm!

7 design and decor tips to refresh your home a spring refresh vintage furniture

There is a certain charm that only aged objects can evoke. The rustic and subtle tears in antiques, vintage items, upcycled and repurposed décor adds character and personality to the home. Often the focal point of the area, they tell a rich history and interesting story, and not to mention it is also a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. 

5. Natural stone tabletops

7 design and decor tips to refresh your home a spring refresh Minotti-2021-Collection-A-brand-new-chapter-in-innovation-and-modular-versatility_MARVIN-03
(Minotti 2021 Lido collection; photo courtesy of Andante)

Move aside hardwood, natural stone tabletops are making a solid statement this season! Subtle and elegant these materials add depth and visual intrigue to the home, while also mirroring the soothing, natural aesthetics of the element. As a bonus, natural stone is versatile and flows in effortlessly when pairing with other furniture and décor styes. It fits right into any casual, luxe or contemporary space – saving you the effort and money off curating a whole new set.

6. Soft, curved lines

7 design and decor tips to refresh your home a spring refresh vintage furniture soft lines

Today’s interior design trends call for softer lines in the form of arched hallways, cocoon-style furniture, ribbed ceiling and fluted wall panels. Drawing the eyes to its relaxing ebb and flow pattern, and adding a calming aesthetic to the detailing of the home’s interior and décor.

7. Bold, vibrant prints

7 design and decor tips to refresh your home a spring refresh bold print vibrant pattern
(Photo courtesy of Indigo Living)

Firmly claiming its place on the hottest Spring-Summer trends across the board, bold prints and vibrant patterns are taking the spotlight. Replete with rich textures and a zesty splash of colours, these textures add visual depth to anything and everything, from throw pillows and tribal rugs to upholstered furniture, paintings and wallpapers. 

Also Read: Go with the Flow – How best to apply feng shui at home

Obsessed with Persian carpets? Here’s where to buy them in Hong Kong

Ultra-chic and sophisticated, traditional Persian rugs and carpets are a thing of timeless beauty. They’ve been around for years and are making a big splash in the decor world once again. Not only are they durable, add a punch of personality to your home but can also enhance any decor style. 

Can’t blame you for taking a major shine to them. Keep scrolling if you’re obsessed like us.

gafencu where to buy persian rugs oriental and traditional persian carpets for home

 

How to pick an authentic traditional Persian carpet:
The most important feature to look out for when looking for an authentic Persian carpet is the knot count. Top quality rugs will have at least 120 to 160 knots per square inch. The materials used to make Persian rugs are made of wool, silk or a wool-silk blend and can come in a variety of natural colours. This is because they are dyed with natural ingredients such as cochineal insects for reds, indigo plant for blues and pomegranate rind for shades of yellow. 

gafencu where to buy persian rugs oriental and traditional persian carpets for home decor natural dye

Caring and cleaning the carpet:
Hand-made rugs should be vacuumed regularly to prevent dirt from settling into the pile of the carpet, especially avoiding vacuuming the tassels or fringes to prevent damage. Other things to avoid when caring and cleaning for the carpet is to avoid steam-cleaning or making the carpet wet. There are professional services specialising in cleaning hand-woven carpets, some of them provided by stores that sell the carpets themselves. It is recommended that having your carpet professionally cleaned every 5 to 10 years.

WHERE TO BUY TRADITIONAL PERSIAN CARPETS:

gafencu where to buy persian rugs oriental and traditional persian carpets for home decor knots and patterns
Image from Al-Shahzadi HK

Al-Shahzadi HK
Spanning three generations, Al-Shahzadi HK has had over half a century in the business of Persian carpets, the family-run carpet shop boasts boast a large selection of hand-woven traditional (and modern) Persian carpets and rugs in different colors, sizes, shapes and country of origins. Every piece is made of 100% silk, wool or cotton. Their range of carpets which stretch between 3ft and 20ft fits in any room of the home. They also provide professional cleaning services for hand-woven carpets and an upgrade program for those who already own Persian carpets and would like to trade in for an even finer iteration.
Price: HK$5,000 – $350,000
Contact: (852) 2834 8396
Location: Wan Chai

gafencu where to buy persian rugs oriental and traditional persian carpets for home decor size tribal rug centre
Image from Tribal Rug Centre

Tribal Rugs Centre
Having been in the business since 1967, the staff at Tribal Rugs Centre have earned a reputation for their expertise in traditional Persian carpets and Oriental rugs. Providing a one-stop service for authentic handcrafted traditional Persian carpets made from silk, wool and silk-wool blend from various regions namely Nain, Tabriz, Qom, Shiraz, Kashan, Isfahan, including vintages dating back a century. Their rugs normally range between 3ft to 12ft and larger.

Providing a one-stop service for homeowners, they also offer cleaning and repair services as well as bespoke rugs for homeowners and businesses in the city and beyond who prefer a specific pattern, colour, and size – meeting the demand that that many remaining traditional carpet stores in Hong Kong don’t.
Price: HK$18,000 – $350,000
Contact: (852) 2544 0455
Location: Hollywood Road, Central

gafencu where to buy persian rugs oriental and traditional persian carpets for home the rug store hk
Image from the Rug Store HK

Rug Store HK
Rug Store HK is a father-and-son business that carries a large collection of the premium quality hand-knotted Persian carpets in various colours and sizes, as well as other tribal and oriental rugs from countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan and Turkey, personally hand-picking their products from individual family-run weavers. Having been in business for over 30 years, they have earned a loyal following that continue to order hand-woven rugs and carpets after moving out of the city, serving customers online and providing direct shipping to countries around the world. Beyond this, they also provide cleaning and repair services for vintage carpets ensuring your precious investments last for decades more. Those interested in visiting their warehouse can Whatsapp them three to four hours ahead of time.
Price: HK$5,000 – $65,000 
Contact: (852) 28513665 / (852) 90180897
Location: Po Tung Road, Sai Kung

 

gafencu where to buy persian rugs oriental and traditional persian carpets for home decor hand woven hand made

Persian Arts Ltd
Boasting a huge selection of vintage and modern Persian carpets and rugs, Persian Arts Ltd offers hand-made traditional Persian carpets for the home. With in-depth knowledge and over 20 years in the business, customers can rest assured that they know what they are doing when it comes to sourcing high quality hand-woven wool and silk rugs and carpets from skilled artisans from around the world. They also provide professional cleaning services for your hand-woven carpets.
Price: Enquire for more information
Contact: (852) 2524 8901
Location: Wyndham St, Central

 

To read more similar articles, click the titles below:

Beautiful alternatives to marble countertops

Seven indoor plants to improve the Feng Shui in your home

Where to buy the best outdoor furniture in Hong Kong

Tank Topper: Mesmerizing jellyfish aquarium

Italian developer Cubic Aquarium has unveiled another mesmerizing aquatic home display. The Pulse 160 jellyfish tank is a luxury home accessory that is suited for display in commercial spaces as well as at home.

tank topper mesmerizing jellyfish aquarium pulse 160

The aquarium was designed to simplify the maintenance and filter replacement, making it easy to set up by an experienced or new owner of a jellyfish tank. Its high-quality SICCE filtration pump provides an optimal environment for its marine occupants. The Italian-designed pump was designed to perform with excellence and silence, making the aquatic display ideal for the home. The aquarium elegantly measures 50.5inch x 11inch x 23.5inch, making it large enough to house 15 large jellyfish of various species, including exotic types such as the lion’s manes. Made with a 100percent cast acrylic and 10mm thick external frame, its outer design highlights the mesmerizing color-changing LED light system installed within. Adjustable via radio remote control, you can match its light to suit any time of the day.

tank topper mesmerizing jellyfish aquarium pulse 160 1

Most impressive is its external connections that allow for the flexibility to add extra filtration to the system when needed, such as a chiller and inline heater. It also allows the option to connect more than one aquarium to the same external filter which can be easily adjusted via the radio remote control.

 

Priced at US$3,299, the modern and minimalistic-designed Pulse 160 is built to order and provides a tranquil ambiance to any room in the house or office space. 

Soft Set-ups: Our top picks for adult pink furniture and home accessories

The colour pink may have once been a hue associated with childhood, with its strong ties to adolescent girls and their Barbies, or even to a grandmother’s sweet jar, but, thanks to millennials, the pale red has been the go-to colour of decor for more than just a season or two. And, while it may seem tricky at first to find ways to make magenta into a colour of maturity and sophistication, it is indeed possible to add a touch of ultra-feminine glamour to your home without going overboard. Below are our Editorial team’s top picks for luxury pink furniture and home accessories, from Gucci wallpaper to Tom Dixon sofas.

Live and let live: Five living room ideas we are loving

If there’s one place in the entire house that deserves as much careful planning as the bedroom, it’s the living room. It’s the place where you entertain your guests, it’s the sanctuary where your family gathers around for some ‘us’ time or for a game or some TV watching. It not only creates a first impression on visitors, it’s also an extension of your personality. How you decorate your living room shows people what you are like as a person.

But if you feel the pressure mounting, worry not, for we have for you five living room ideas on how to make the best use of this convivial space.

living room ideas

Welcome with wood: Nothing spells as classy and comfortable as some good old-fashioned wood. Be it wood flooring or solid teak furniture, wood is timeless and totally on point, every time.

living room ideas

Coax with cushions: While there is such a thing as too much cushions, a judicious use of them can make your living room look more inviting. Use an assortment of colours and fabrics, but make sure they complement rather than contrast.

living room ideas

Mix and match: Notwithstanding popular opinion, mixing old and new furniture tastefully can create quite a harmonious tone. A vintage grandfather clock or an antique showpiece can add just the right amount of old-world charm to a newly done-up living room.

living room ideas

Put plants in place: Keeping a few indoor plants will do wonders to your living room. Not only do they brighten the place up, they also keep the air pure. If your living room doesn’t get enough light, however, keep fresh flowers instead of plants.

living room ideas

Build the bar: A well-stocked bar is a sure-shot way for guests to warm up to you. But while stocking on the finest chardonnays and the premium single-malts, don’t skimp on the serving-ware. 

So use these living room ideas to spruce up your home and wow your guests with not just a welcoming smile, but also an equally welcoming space.

Christmas party décor: Easy-peasy DIY tips to jazz up your house party this festive season

 

Christmas parties are fun to plan, but they come with their share of worries. While seasoned hosts and hostesses may be splitting hair about what to do differently this year, first-time party planners may be fretting over the finer details.

But whether you’re a novice or an expert at throwing parties, there’s one thing everyone will agree on: the best parties are the ones with a personal touch!

So unleash your inner artist and let your imagination run wild this Christmas. Anything from a paper cup to a Totoro soft toy can be an inspiration. We visited artist and socialite Monica Mok’s three-storied plush pad in Deep Water Bay to get ideas for Christmas party décor and were blown away by her creativity in turning everyday knickknacks into festive accessories. Check out some of the easy DIY tips that she shared with us.

Photos: Gigi Ip