A worldly sensibility comes together within this Hong Kong Garden apartment

Nestled on the upper floors of the Hong Kong Garden high rise on Seymour Road in Mid-levels, this 2800 sq ft family dwelling is home to a couple and their two young children. A space to entertain, relax, play and still enjoy the luxury of privacy, the unit was completely refurbished to create a London-inspired ambience with touches of international glamour – the vision of Thomas Griem, founder of TG Studio London.

Opening - living room wide
(Photos by Philip Vile)

Stepping into the hallway from the entrance, the feature wall opposite combines modernity with sophistication. Constructed out of timber sections and painted in dove blue, this feature not only sets the tone for the rest of the interior design, but also cleverly conceals the private quarters from the rest of the house behind a hidden door. The flooring, crafted from oak and finished in natural oil, also presents a recurring theme of wooden elements throughout the unit, as seen on the recessed shelving, door frames and concealed storage compartments.

Room to Grow

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(Photos by Philip Vile)

It’s in the main area where the home’s eclectic sensibility stands out most. Its large open plan gives way for modern touches and dynamic details to accentuate the space. The living and dining room, a mix of bohemian and modern aesthetics, welcomes guests into this convivial space. The walls are papered in elegant swatches that separates the different zones, while the unusually high ceilings add a deeper dimension to the space, which also afforded a generously proportioned matte bronze-finished joinery TV cabinet to stand – flamed with black granite to create a plinth to hold a fireplace below.

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(Photos by Philip Vile)

“Every room received careful attention to detail with the perfect finishes, fittings and furniture selections to highlight each space. Fabrics, decorations and art pieces were curated to create a holistic interior that pleases with a sophisticated aesthetic”, says Griem. The Ember rug by Rodaete, for example, extends across the living space, adding gravitas to the space while complementing the chic Leonard sofa from Italian brand Minotti and bespoke coffee table by US-based Chai Ming Studios. While lighting from Deltalight and Kelly Wearstler adds warmth.

Creative Curves

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(Photos by Philip Vile)

Behind the sofa, the curved bay windows also allowed the designer to get creative with making the most of the space with a desk that curves along the bend of the windows. Underneath, leather doors imbedded into the arrabascato window sill, cleverly hides away storage compartments at the owner’s discretion.

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(Photos by Philip Vile)

The dining room is situated parallel to the living room and partitioned with oak and stained glass that was manufactured locally. The space is tied together by a round Concorde dining table from Poliform and Casino chairs by Amy Somerville. Adding elegance is the patterned wallpaper and a Victorian-style ceiling lamp, as well as a curved pouf that fits snugly into the tailor-made banquette that is covered in a stunning upholstery fabric from Chase Erwin.

A miniature whisky bar to the side adds a subtle sophistication for when it’s time for a relaxing night cap to conclude the day. Each detail, whether the fabric, materials or design, exhibits the precision and careful consideration Griem had put into perfecting the space.

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(Photos by Philip Vile)

In contrast, the kitchen, directly connected to the dining room, features a minimalist Japanese aesthetic. Clean lines with muted colour tones allow for the space to evoke a calm and bright interior here, fitted with the latest appliances from Germany. The floor, laid out with a light grey veined pattern, harmonises with the warmth of the oak doors.

Things of Stone and Wood

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(Photos by Philip Vile)

The master suite is decked out with a walk-in closet and private bathroom fitted with rare taps from Boffi, veined marbling stone walls and a beautiful Hinoki wood Furo bathtub that is fronted by a large window that affords idyllic views of mid-levels, The Peak, and Central’s bustling streets. “The client’s brief was to find a stone that he had not seen before. We mixed top-notch Italian marble with local grey stone, to quietly support the colour and feel”, says Griem.

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(Photos by Philip Vile)

This feature of oak and lacquer finish resonates here, especially on the concealed desk in the master bedroom. The pull-out desk opposite the window doubles as a writing and vanity table. Within its confines, a hair dryer is built in along with a make-up drawer and storage for jewellery and accessories. “Storage is very important to our client.” says Griem “We thought of creating a really practical space with the warmth and luxurious feel of the timber veneer that covers every surface”.

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(Photos by Philip Vile)

But what really gives this intimate space its grounding feature is the exquisite detailing. The window sill is wrapped in leather from Alma and works as a surface to place jewellery and other accessories, but also contains hidden storage units. The handles for the wardrobes are the Quadrale from Serie Rare in cast bronze. Behind the bed is a feature wall made out of solid oak panels, cut into a three-dimensional pattern, while hanging lights by Holly Hunt and bedside tables from Chi Wing Lo flank the bed sides – making for a stunning effect.

 

(Text: Roberliza Eugenio; Photos: Philip Vile, courtesy of TG Studio London)

Shares and Graces: Mayfair by the Sea’s unique two-in-one apartment

The Pak She Kok promenade lies along a strip of reclaimed land in the southern New Territories, an area home to a growing number of high-end apartment complexes. One particularly noteworthy example is Sino Group’s Mayfair by the Sea, an exclusive and luxurious estate of sea-facing premium lifestyle apartments that aims to recapture much of the glamour and sophistication of its central London namesake.

Heading up from a welcoming luscious green boulevard to the centred water fountain that fronts the main entrance of the complex, it would be hard not to feel like you have entered a realm of exclusive opulence. It’s a sensation that one particularly impressive luxury apartment within the complex goes out of its way to amplify.

gafencu magazine living Shares and Graces Mayfair by the Sea's unique two-in-one apartment living room

In the case of the residence in question, Viz Design, a Wan Chai-based interior design specialist, was given an open brief and encouraged to let its creativity and imagination run freely, with the aim of delivering a home space that was both aesthetically pleasing and eminently practical. Having worked for the homeowner in the past, the consultancy’s two Principals – Kevin Yip and Waif Chan – were already in tune with his expectations and intent on creating a living space capable of housing two very different individuals, while factoring in all their contrasting habits and varied preferences.

“Mayfair by the Sea captures much of the glamour and sophistication of its central London namesake”

Essentially, the owner’s – seemingly contradictory – intent was to “accommodate diversity while encouraging unity”. Almost literally, then, the challenge was to create a fusion of what to many would seem competing opposites. The first stage in delivering on this apparently insurmountable challenge was to unite two things that were currently distinct entities – two adjoining apartments. This saw the pair purchased and then expertly realigned into one relatively huge residential space.

This artful amalgamation ultimately delivered a combined floor space of 3,743sq.ft, absolutely palatial by Hong Kong standards. It also incorporated another of the owner’s particular preferences, with the refurbished residence fetchingly decked out with marble tiles, all flecked with luxurious gold, silver and bronze accents. 

gafencu magazine living Shares and Graces Mayfair by the Sea's unique two-in-one apartment balcony

One of the most commanding features of the combined space, though, is the large balcony windows that offer a panoramic view across Tolo Harbour and the rolling hills of the Pat Sin Leng mountain range, which extends across the primary living and dining rooms. Within both internal areas, the dualist ‘yin and yang’ concept is highly evident, with both sides of the lounge and the dining space notably symmetrical in terms of colour palette and contours.

Similarly, metallic ovals outline the chandeliers mounted on the ceilings on both sides of the divide, a feature reflected in the black fitted marble tiles on the floor below. This sense of unity is also clearly apparent in the artful arrangement of the furniture and the specified colour motifs.

gafencu magazine living Shares and Graces Mayfair by the Sea's unique two-in-one apartment dining area

Another striking feature here is the side-set mini bar. Structured around a white marble counter and grounded by dark wood supports in a glossy finish, it is beguilingly accented with a reflective silver outline throughout. Alluringly set behind it is a glass cabinet, framed by an audacious wall of vertical golden waves, an apt counterpoint to the darker elements found elsewhere in the dining area.

gafencu magazine living Shares and Graces Mayfair by the Sea's unique two-in-one apartment kitchen

In the case of the kitchen, the brief was to create an enlivening space within which to welcome the day. Viz’s solution was to install a clear white marbled interior and a selection of white-oak cabinets, as well as a balcony window through which ample sunlight diffuses throughout the room, heightening the sense of spaciousness. The island counter, discreetly set apart from the preparation areas, meanwhile, is the perfect refuge for those looking to enjoy a solitary brew. 

gafencu magazine living Shares and Graces Mayfair by the Sea's unique two-in-one apartment hallway

At the very centre of this two-in-one home are distinct boundary markers, which clearly territorialise the respective living spaces. Despite the extensive reworking, the hallway area still harks back to the original division of both units, which previously comprised eight rooms and four halls. Instead, the reconstituted residence now feature two long hallways at either ends of the home and just five eminently airy room.

gafencu magazine living Shares and Graces Mayfair by the Sea's unique two-in-one apartment bathroom

Heading deeper into the more intimate spaces of the abode, the bathroom stands out as particularly intriguing, largely on account of the striking dual sink facing a luxuriously landscaped mirror. Again, here the priority is clearly on creating a shared space with bespoke personal acreage, a fine and ably-realised balancing act. 

gafencu magazine living Shares and Graces Mayfair by the Sea's unique two-in-one apartment bedroom

Turning to the master bedroom, this is notably grounded in far more earthy tones, while still incorporating an unmissable sense of splendour via its minimalist gold outlines and miniature wall-mounted chandeliers, all of which artfully complement the room’s wood and tawny-toned elements. Again, expansive windows have been incorporated as a means of maximising the natural light flow.

gafencu magazine living Shares and Graces Mayfair by the Sea's unique two-in-one apartment entertainment and living area

All in all, the apartment is premium lifestyle writ large and that’s without even considering the access it allows to the complex’s 120,000sq.ft communal garden and play area, as well as the landscaped Club Mayfair clubhouse, which offers breathtaking views out across the sea and provides a myriad of fitness and relaxation facilities. In addition, the nearby Pak She Kok promenade runs alongside the Tai Po-Shatin cycling track, one of the most popular such facilities in the city. Indeed, whether it’s interior luxury or outdoor resources, sharing or sheltering from the world beyond, the residence’s abiding duality is always to the fore.