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)

Springtime Bloomers: Where to find Hong Kong’s most beautiful flowers

March marks the onset of Springtime, a revitalising and blissful season that welcomes in things anew and the blooming of beautiful flowers across Hong Kong. Notoriously known as an urban jungle, perhaps what is most needed for a refreshing change of scenery is to reconnect with the city’s many forested hillsides, country parks and gardens to admire the sights of natures’ flowers in bloom.

gafencu Springtime Bloomers Where find Hong Kong’s most beautiful flowers sakura

Sakura Flowers
Though the city’s urban dwellers often flock to Japan to witness blossoming Sakura flowers, otherwise known as cherry blossoms, not many know that the city’s country parks across New Territories are also home to these beautifully pale-pink flowers that give Springtime its charm.
Where to find them: Velodrome Park in Tsueng Kwan O, Kwan Kung Pavilion in Cheung Chau and Tai Po Waterfront Park

gafencu Springtime Bloomers Where find Hong Kong’s most beautiful flowers red silk cotton tree

Cotton Tree Flowers
Cotton Tree flowers grow out of the Red Silk Cotton Tree, nicknamed “hero tree” in Cantonese, because of its tall, straight and fast-growing trunk flowers scarlet-hued flowers. 
Where to find them: Lai Chi Kok Park and Hong Kong Park

gafencu Springtime Bloomers Where find Hong Kong’s most beautiful flowers orhid bauhinia

Bauhinia Blakeana
Hong Kong’s national flower, the orchid more commonly known as Bauhinia is a fragrant emblem of the HKSAR. This beautiful hybrid flower is a vibrant pink-pale purple colour that has a stretch of a flowering period between the months of September and June.
Where to find them: Tai Po Waterfront Park, Kowloon Tsai Park and Quarry Bay Park

gafencu Springtime Bloomers Where find Hong Kong’s most beautiful flowers rhodoleia

Rhodoleia
First sighted in 1849 in Aberdeen, this red bell-shaped flowers bloom during late winter and early spring atop evergreen trees, dangling overhead as if it were a chiming bell. 
Where to find it: Aberdeen, Shing Mun Arboretum and various country parks

gafencu Springtime Bloomers Where find Hong Kong’s most beautiful flowers iris

Hong Kong Iris 
These light-blue and white patterned flowers were originally found on the hillsides of Victoria Peak and Mount Davis in 1874. They blossom in shades of blue and purple between the months of April and May.
Where to find them: Mount Davis, Victoria Peak, Wilson Trail on Dragon’s Back, Cape D’Aguilar and Po Toi island

gafencu Springtime Bloomers Where find Hong Kong’s most beautiful flowers azalea

Azalea
Listed as a vulnerable flora species by the local government, these pinkish flowers grow out of an evergreen shrub blossoms during the month of April. 
Where to find them: Mount Nicholson in Ma On Shan

gafencu Springtime Bloomers Where find Hong Kong’s most beautiful flowers hydrangea

Hydrangea
Among a large green field, a Victorian gazebo and colonial-fashioned huts, these large-headed, blue-purple hued flower begins its flowering period between the months of April and June.
Where to find them: Victoria Peak Garden

 

gafencu Springtime Bloomers Where find Hong Kong’s most beautiful flowers pavetta

Pavetta
First discovered between 1847 and 1850 in Happy Valley, these paper-thin flowers come in a cluster of four white petals that bloom between the months of March and October.
Where to find them: Deep Water Bay and near the Lion’s Nature Education Centre in Sai Kung