Home Tour: Elegant villa with a garden in Tuen Mun

Living in the hills offers gentle luxury underscored by tranquil landscape and scenic open spaces. Providing such a quiet refuge from the chaotic chimes of the city is a newly developed high-end residential complex in Tai Lam, Tuen Mun. Here, in a 2,600sq.ft villa with a garden that faces the sea across Castle Peak Road, a couple and their two children have found an idyllic home.

Home Tour
The tri-storey property comprises five bedrooms, four bathrooms, a powder room, kitchen and a huge living room where spaces for lounging and dining seamlessly connect alongside an elegant bar area. It’s a tastefully luxe home replete with contemporary design details and rich visual elements which offers the family a new-found quality of life.

Visitors entering the foyer are greeted by a gentle warmth of light from a window, framed in black, that immediately expands the sense of space. This narrow, straight entryway still offers a comfortable nook thanks to a wooden console, classic marble flooring and two eye-catching pieces from Ferm Living, a pouf stool and the Pond mirror. The arrangement hints at the subtle touches of luxury that are pronounced throughout the house.

Open Layout
The extensive main living area, fitted with wooden flooring and contrasting warm and cool tones, boasts an open, wall-less layout that flows from dining space to bar to sitting area. Each functional space is cleverly separated by visual elements on the floor, walls and ceiling, with different materials – from marble to dark wood veneer and textured wallpaper – serving to distinguish one from the other while imparting its own stylistic personality.

Take, for example, the feature wall which stretches from the foyer to the dining area concealing what was once a set of windows. Accentuated by Roche Bobois’ sculptural Aqua dining table and Gubi’s artistic Multi-Lite pendant light, it reflects the warm ambiance of the dining and bar area and clearly delineates the extent of this ‘room’ and the next.

Highlighted by just a strip of marble-patterned wallpaper and a distinctively curved ceiling, the sitting area has a brighter, airier vibe, courtesy of textured light grey walls and a generous flow of natural light that pours in through floor-to-ceiling windows and a glass door leading out to the garden.

Space and Greenery
Set with a modestly sized pool for the kids to enjoy, gorgeous planted flowers and foliage, sun-scorched tiles, and a sea-view backdrop, the garden is the perfect place to stage an Instagram-worthy barbecue or alfresco lunch. Clearly visible from the stylish Ligne Roset Prado sofa within, this outdoor extension of the living space bestows a sense of permanence and beauty uncommon in most Hong Kong homes.

‘This outdoor extension of the living space bestows a sense of permanence and beauty uncommon in most Hong Kong homes’

It is also no coincidence that each piece of fabric, material and furniture in this long main room has been thoughtfully placed to serve a purpose. A case in point is the spacious bar area: the L-shaped bar has a marble countertop with curved edges and metallic details, while the dark wood veneer of its body extends along the walls and onto the surface of the hidden cabinet. These details, paired with meadow-green velvet Afteroom barstools by Menu and Manks’ Blossi 1 pendant light, remind of a luxurious five-star lounge, where guests and host can interact in an atmosphere of cosy conviviality.

Top Floor Living
If guests wish to access the higher floors, they will first encounter a wooden screen placed between the living area and the edge of the staircase, which offers a sense of transition while allowing natural light to slip through its gaps. The panel also acts as a safety measure for the children as they clamber up the steps to their bedrooms. Meanwhile, LED lights and downlights installed underneath the handrail and within the ceiling gracefully lead all-comers to the first floor.

Here lie the children’s bedrooms along with a bathroom at one end, and at the other an en-suite guest bedroom and a multi-function room, whose dividing wall has been removed in place of a black-framed glass sliding door. Elegance and modern appeal dress the walls and storage units here – with a splash of colour in the latter. The guest bedroom, meanwhile, is more pared back, with matching wallpaper above the fabric headboard and elegant curved edges clearly demarcating the ceiling and cabinets.

A more evident sense of luxurious comfort is found on the top floor, where the master suite with walk-in closet and bathroom occupies a grander square-footage. Dark grey marble-patterned wallpaper, Hay’s Silhouette sofa, a Tabouret Solvay stool by Vitra standing as a miniature coffee table, and Gubi’s tall lounge chair in the vanity corner provide unfussy, homely appeal. A richly visual and textured focal point is a wooden screen attached to the elongated, grooved vertical headboard, while the curved ceiling draws the eye towards the view of the hills outside. The suite offers the perfect refuge after a night of socialising or an unhurried start to the day.

For Zen-like Focus
Across the hall sits the study – a private yet spacious room to work, study, read or just hideaway. Further comfort here comes in an L-shaped table facing the large window and view, &Tradition’s minimalist Catch chair and Louis Poulsen’s AJ table lamp. From top floor to extensive ground, the house exudes calm, contemporary styling and soothing colour tones that allow this family of four to relax in harmony in the hills that surround this welcoming abode.

(Text: Roberliza Eugenio; Photos: COMODO Interior & Furniture Design Company Ltd.)

1,992 sq.ft neutral home with natural light done right

While the Kowloon Peninsula doesn’t boast the breathtaking sea views or gorgeous coastline landscape of its southside island counterpart, to the surprise of many an area on its northwest edge hides a stunning retreat from the bustling paces of the frantic city.

In one of the territory’s liveliest districts, a 1,992 sq.ft penthouse and rooftop was completely revamped to create a zen home for a young couple. Inspired by the minimalist approach of Scandinavian aesthetics, interior designer Keith Chan of local studio Hintegro blended simplicity with modern textures and soft hues, and adopted innovative solutions to optimise space where it was in short supply.
Since one of the homeowners is a graphic designer, it is no great surprise that the apartment demonstrates a good eye for colour and proportion.

Modern shades of green and contemporary wooden fixtures, panels and metallic details are prominent features throughout, with Chan skilfully reflecting the couple’s tastes while imparting a sustainable home lifestyle for their physical and emotional wellbeing – a value that is integral to his studio’s design ethos.

The dining area commands attention from the moment one enters via the foyer. A Nagi dining table and bench in light cherry wood faces the stunning city view, with the large grill-less window not only offering uninterrupted views of Stonecutters Bridge and the Rambler Channel, but also allowing ample natural light to spill generously througout the room.

Chan’s open layout plan allowed for a continual flow of sunlight and energy to spread across the living space. At one side, the room seamlessly connects to the kitchen. With an island counter doubling as a bar top, the kitchen area has been designed as a less formal dining spot and convivial space for guests to interact with the host. A white Silestone countertop adds a subtle touch of luxury alongside matching white wall cabinets that expand on the perception of space by reflecting light with their neutral tones.

Other installations, meanwhile, provide a stark contrast to the lighter shades of the walls, including warm olive green hand-brushed cabinet doors, bar panels, and wall tiles by Living Ceramics and Mutina.
Functionality in tight spaces often sprouts versatility, especially in the kitchen where preparation, cooking and eating can demand ceaseless movement. For this reason, Hintegro brought a U-shaped layout to the kitchen while providing vertical storage, a wine fridge and Miele steam oven fitted perfectly into the white wall cabinets.

Modular design and multi-functional spaces are further showcased in the living room, where a large balcony door – shaded delicately by sheer curtains – offers ample sunlight. Thanks to a sound system by Bowers & Wilkins, and a wall-mounted flat screen that blends in as part of the home décor, the homeowners and their guests can enjoy their entertainment in relaxing comfort.

Further underscoring the apartment’s versatility, part of the lounge can be swiftly transformed into a guest bedroom by means of a sliding door featuring Japanese shikkui diatomaceous earth plastering, a zero- to low-VOC (volatile organic compound) alternative to more chemical-laden materials. Furnished with an ergonomically designed, custom-made, offset three-seater sofabed from Establo, which folds up with a comfy, curved backrest during the day, this lounge-cum-bedroom en-suite offers a cosy and private resting space for guests – complete with vertical shelving units for books and storage, and a contemporary Bouquet pendant lamp by Le Klint for illumination.

Meanwhile, matte black metallic frames along the sides of the sliding door and columns accentuate the wooden wall panels, cabinets and floor, drawing perfect symmetry with the balcony and window frames.

Moving towards more intimate spaces, the master bedroom is an expanded reconstruction of two rooms torn down to become one large bedroom en-suite. Amid Shikkui diatomaceous wall plastering, a matte black metal headboard highlights the bed as the focal point; situated next to an expansive window and a platform upon which a cup of morning brew might rest idyllically beside a novel.

Given the couple’s love of movies and books, Chan and his team were careful to provide plentiful storage and shelving. These units add a modern yet elegant feature to the room, while a multitude of design books and magazines impart a sense of culture, art and character. For a home cinematic experience, a drop-down projector screen was installed into the ceiling, providing a convenient, space-saving solution for the couple’s nightly TV and movie fix.

Just beyond, a study comprises a dual-sided work area of his-and-his personal spaces and two office chairs, the HÅG Capisco 8106 and one from Herman Miller Sayl.

Even accessing the rooftop is a delight. From the foyer, massive vertical windows lead up to the top of the stairs in an enthralling highlight that evokes a sense of dreamy wonder and calm. Equipped with a sound system and a counter with sink and fridge, this outdoor space is perfect to host friends and families for an al-fresco lunch, sit-down dinner or a breezy get-together over cocktails. With green foliage adding a contrasting sense of nature to the busy Kowloon skyline, “this rooftop is truly a hidden gem within a concrete jungle,” says the designer.

Given its location, the penthouse provides an ideal zen retreat from the chaos of urban life, while not diverging too far from the city. What it lacks in square footage, it makes up through cleverly designed modular, transformable rooms and open layouts. Large windows with their uninteruppted views welcome the first rays of the sun, elevating the spirits and the mood of its fortunate dwellers.

(Text: Roberliza Eugenio; Photos: Hintegro Ltd)

Home Tour: Inside a luxurious 3,000sq.ft Mid-levels duplex

Spanning a stunning 3,000sq.ft over two storeys, Gafencu recently toured this newly renovated Mid-Levels property on the lush hillside of Bowen Road. Step inside this peaceful retreat and within minutes you forget that it’s right above the bustling Central district. Similarly sized apartments in the area are priced at a whopping HK$45 million to HK$50 million – scroll below for a tour of this idyllic abode.

Home Inspiration

The inspiration for the revamped abode, according to designer Leslie Lam, co-founder of Primocasa Interiors, was led by art and functionality. “The homeowners wanted to decorate the property with natural elements and a touch of luxury and artistry,” he says. “They are huge art enthusiasts and are big on collecting Be@rbricks – the designer figures – so from the start it was understood that space had to be created to highlight these collections.”

This brief was amply executed given the beautifully crafted cabinets and shelving units designed by Lam and his team throughout the home. Dark walnut wood and gold trimmings dress these features serving both a sumptuously elegant and functional purpose, a philosophy that Lam is a strong proponent of. Especially since the owners, are parents to a newborn baby, functionality was indeed a definite necessity.

Design Challenges

Expanding the available space proved especially challenging when redesigning the property. What was originally two apartments, one above the other, was merged into a duplex connected by a set of winder stairs. The most complex part of the renovation was surely enlarging an entire level with a higher ceiling. “The ceiling was a challenge during the renovation as they were really low – only about 2.2m – which is unusual even for an apartment,” explains Lam. “This is because it had a lot of beams and air conditioning installed overhead, so my team and I had to tear them down and – in the case of the living room – tear the floor up, to heighten the vertical space of the upper level.”

Special Features

In the foyer, we are greeted with a panel of wooden strips designed to symbolise a walk in the forest – peeking through tree branches. A warm welcome into the living room is realised through an array of dark walnut-wood on the display shelves and a modern electric-powered fireplace which, given the Hong Kong weather, serves more as a statement piece than a heater. The colours and the fabrics of the sofa and armchairs, custom made by Lam and his team, also provide a vibrant contrast to the home’s more robust wooden elements.

While this room is a bright, convivial space to lounge in, thanks to the natural light that spills in from a balcony framing breathtaking views of Victoria Peak, each space in the home features its own dedicated lighting design. For instance, positioned just behind the sofa, an outstanding sculptural wall lamp from Giopato & Coombes imparts gravitas and charm.

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The bar area, nestled between a comfortable breakfast nook and the dining area, first catches the eye for its glowing ambient light. This creates a halo effect, highlighting the etched surface of the sumptuous dark walnut wood drawers that are lined with gold trimmings and accentuated with bronze handles that resemble the tips of branches.

As for the dining area, it is modestly lit by a contemporary pendant light above a grand hardwood dining table top. The latter was painstakingly custom-designed by the firm. “It took several weeks to source and customise, given the owners’ preference of wood, style and size, which proved no easy feat in Hong Kong,” notes Lam. Their creative determination gave birth to a stunning table with a subtle curve that replicates the natural silhouette of bark. Throughout the entire top floor, Philips Hue white and coloured downlights are installed into the ceiling. This provides a flexible system, allowing the owners to control the hue and brightness of each zone via their smartphones and set the ambience to suit their mood.

Moving to the more intimate area of the home, arriving first at the top of the built-in stairs, the walls are lined with a delicately hand-painted wall of bonsai trees illuminated by a set of wall lamps in the shape of birds taking flight. Below, the layout of the lower level comprises of an expansive master suite and two children’s bedrooms. Situating these rooms below the main living area was a deliberate move spurred by the home acoustics: sleep here is less likely to be disturbed by noise.

The master bedroom suite, in contrast to the warmer features of the living room and foyer, exudes a lighter and more airy atmosphere. Natural elements are seen in the floral-patterned carpeted floor, cream walls and décor. The chamber is sectioned by vertical paneling that make the bed the focal point of the room, bringing attention to the custom-designed, sphere-shaped suspended light that further elevates the space.

Down the hall, a walk-in closet-cum-powder room stows away a space dedicated to the lady of the house, spotlighting a luxe vanity table flanked by shelves that provide safe harbour to an immaculate collection of designer handbags. Meanwhile, the en-suite bathroom – dressed in white marble and gold trims – serves as a relaxing retreat for the couple, fitted with his-and-hers sinks, a free-standing shower and a modestly sized bathtub. The lighting here is designed with a dimming feature that creates a more discreet sanctuary if the couple so chooses.

Altogether, the two-storey apartment, drawn from the inherent beauty of Mother Nature, showcases a sophisticated balance between comfort and luxe.

Also Read: Property Guru Victoria Allan’s revamped Stanley home

(Text: Roberliza Eugenio; Photos: Primocasa Interiors Limited)

Inside a stunning 3,000 square feet Stanley home

Finding the perfect house is rarely as simple and clear-cut. For some lucky souls, it might be an easy instant connection, while for others, it could take more than 60 rejections before chancing upon the one that is right for you. “Home is where you make it” goes the old adage, but in the case of the Stanley beach house owned by Victoria Allan, founder of real-estate agency Habitat Property, home is actually how you make it.

The late, renowned interior designer Albert Hadley once said, “The essence of interior design will always be about people and how they live. It is about the realities of what makes for an attractive, civilised, meaningful environment, not about fashion or what’s in or what’s out.” That is definitely the impression we have while touring this three-storey abode.

Being so close to the seashore, it has all the staples of a beach house, but none of the conventional layout. As you enter the home, a master bedroom with an en suite lies where you might expect the living room to be, while the sitting-cum-dining room and kitchen are located upstairs below the roof terrace. “I was initially trying to sell the house for the owner, but because it was small and closed off, nobody was really interested in it or saw its potential,” says Allan. “I must have shown the property to about 60 different clients before I realised that I actually really liked the place – so I bought it!”

The neighbourhood proffers a lovely lifestyle. With the beach just minutes away, there are plenty of restaurants and a shop across the street that rents out kayaks, windsurfers and paddle boards. “I hike a lot and take my boys swimming nearly every morning before they walk to school. There’s nowhere else in Hong Kong that you can do that,” says the happy homeowner.

Driven by the ocean view and inspired by Australian home design, Allan reimagined the interiors so each area would serve a functional purpose. Instead of the standard flow of hallway to sitting room to dining room and kitchen, then bedroom, her convivial open-plan concept provides a refreshing perspective on Hong Kong homes – a relief from formalities that bound personal and shared space. This home is completely approachable and relaxing, befitting the character and personality of the immediate environment and its occupants.

“What’s unique about this property is that it’s quite small for a house. It’s 3,000sq.ft across three storeys and has only two bedrooms, so I really had to optimise the space by mapping out an open layout,” explains Allan. The ocean was not visible from the original living room of the low-rise building, which meant their living space had to be elevated – literally.

“I converted the [living room] into a master bedroom, and I moved the sitting and dining area to the level above. But since the windows were so small and the stairway was closed off, it was quite dark. We had to change the way the light worked in the house by tearing down the wall, then repositioning the stairway to create a flow throughout the home while allowing light to spill generously into the room. Especially with low ceilings like ours, [bringing in light] is a good trick to give the illusion of higher ceilings and bigger spaces,” she shares. While it’s unusual to have bedrooms beside the main entrance, Allan argues that you can’t be too formal or fancy with a beach house. “It has to be casual, inviting and with an open plan that encourages you to relax, especially when you’re so close to the beach.”

“The ocean was not visible from the original living room , which meant their living space had to be elevated – literally”

At first glance, the master bedroom reminds of a cosy loft, with a large floor-to-ceiling bookcase occupying the entire wall facing the bed. The shelves are filled with books and framed artworks by her sons; there’s a mounted television with bean bags placed beside the console, a glass door that leads out to a small patio, and at the other end, a work by her favourite artist, Tracey Emin. “My bedroom is my favourite room in the house”, she enthuses. “I really like that it doubles as an extended sitting area for the family to spend time in. I often watch movies with my kids on the bed, and they can use it to do likewise with their friends.”

In the bathroom, it’s hard to miss the natural light that spills through the shower in what used to be an enclosed stairway. The glass panel above forms a skylight to illuminate the room. It’s a sophisticated bathroom layout, with a large double vanity corner accented with geometric tiles by Academy Tiles, a walk-in closet and a hidden toilet. During the day, the bedroom en suite are seamlessly connected, but as evening settles in, a large sliding door slips into play to form a wall between the two.
The second bedroom, located closer to the main entrance, is shared by Allan’s two boys. A full-sized mirror on the opposite wall instantly expands the perceived space in the narrow hall as you make your way to the repositioned stairs. Reach the first floor and an impressive view of Tai Tam Bay and a varied collection of art acquired over the years are revealed.

The property’s extensive remodelling took just eight months with the assistance of Hong Kong-based designer and architect Alec Stuart. The design-oriented Allan had a clear vision of how her house should look and Stuart was “great at working with me on that. Since he’s very good at spatial planning, he helped me execute what I wanted and gave me a blank canvas to put the right artwork and furniture in place.”
“There’s actually not a lot of wall space to hang art, but if you take, for example, this painting by [London-based artist and fashion illustrator] Tanya Ling” – which faces the dining table and the open view – “it really works because it is a statement piece. It’s quite big and it really anchors the living space, and because its blue, it reflects the sea perfectly,” says Allan, whose aim was to extend the living space by bringing the outside in. An understated, neutral-toned backdrop of bleached lime-wood floor panels and white painted walls allows the vibrant paintings, striking sculptural artworks and modern décor to shine through.

A compact kitchen inspired by the galley in a boat is situated just before the steps leading to the roof level, its convenient position compensating for the tightness of space. Up top is a magnificent roof terrace distinguished by a pergola that shades a lounge area, a farm table that stretches out towards the bay and the forested hills in the distance, it’s no stretch to learn that this is the part of the house where Allan most enjoys entertaining guests.

The peak of this three-storey home offers a stunning panoramic view of Southern District’s natural beauty, all just a seashell’s throw away. From the modest spills of light that ascend into the expanse of calm sea framing the first-floor sitting area, to the bright intensity of a roof overlooking Stanley village’s extensive blue and green vistas, this is a gorgeous beach home: cooly contemporary, splashed with colours and exuding an airy spaciousness that belies its modest proportions.

Text: Roberliza Eugenio; Photos: Habitat Property

Top tips to light up your fine art collection

Artwork, as any interior decorator would say, is the perfect way to add depth and a touch of class and character to any space. But if decorating the home was as simple as hanging a canvas on a wall or setting a sculpture in the corner, many of us would qualify to become expert decorators.

With all the excitement of recent art exhibition in the past months, and more still to come, what better way to make the most of your artsy investment than to optimise your lighting at home to highlight your art pieces. Here are our top tips and tricks to light up fine art at home and make your gallery shine:

1. Keep paintings away from direct sunlight

Every home is made more homely with ample natural light to spill into the room, but when it comes to placing paintings directly under the glare of the sun, it would be wise to reconsider another place to light up fine art than next to the windows. UV rays and infrared light break down organic compounds causing binders in substances like those in paint to break down and degrade. So make sure your oil paintings are positioned away from direct sunlight or any source of infrared light.

2. Layer your lighting and place them at a 30-degree angle

Good design is all about layers, and lighting is no exception. Layering your light source helps create contrast, accentuate elements and highlight colours and textures. Building off of ambient lighting as a base layer to illuminate the room, you can then decide on placing recessed lights (down lights) above or accent lights next to or near art pieces to highlight specific areas, of the artwork — creating drama and shadows that position the art piece as the focal point of the room.

With recessed lights and spotlights, you can adjust and angle them at 30-degrees to create a more flattering effect on the art pieces. Especially ones encased in glass, avoiding direct light will reduce the glare reflected on the glass.

3. Consider the colour temperature of the light

You’ve heard of halogen and incandescent lights, but which exactly are best to light up fine art pieces? Incadescent lights are traditionally warmer in temperature which can affect how paintings are reflected, while halogen lights are best at replicating natural light. They emit a stronger heat but cooler temperature, similar to natural light, that cast a more flattering light on vibrant art pieces.

But keep in mind, both halogen and incandescent lights are also hotter which, over time, can affect the texture and quality of the artwork. In this case, using UV filters can help reduce the radiation and harsh light that comes from halogen and incandescent bulbs.

Also Read: Modern light designs to transform any room

4. Install LED lights

When it comes to artificial lighting, LED lights are quite efficient in illuminate the room effectively. They are up to 90-percent energy saving and have longer lifespan and softer light. Unlike halogen and incandescent light bulbs, they don’t emit infrared or ultraviolet rays that affect the qualities of delicate artwork and they cast a cooler temperature that light up fine art pieces nicely. But not just any LED light will do – to complement your art pieces with a flattering glow, a high-quality LED light source with a CRI (Color Rendering Index) level of 90 to 100 is needed to reveal the true colours of of the artworks themselves.

5. Picture lights help spotlight individual pieces

You might have seen picture lights in museums – they are those narrow, shaded beams with an arched stem that can either be mounted on the wall or attached to picture frames. They are great for spotlighting individual pieces, adding drama and creating a focal point. It is also convenient to mount in areas where larger light fixtures are unwanted or where electrical outlets are inconvenient, such as above the headboard in the bedroom. But one thing to remember is larger paintings will need larger beams and darker rooms will need brighterlights.

6. Using multiple lights for large canvases, collection or sculptures

Mounting large canvases help fill out the empty spaces on large walls. Alternatively, placing multiple artworks together can create a flow. In this case, using one light source may not be enough to highlight the entire piece or collection. Spotlights or recessed lights offer multiple light sources that can illuminate larger areas where artworks are placed together.

For sculptures, because of their three-dimensional structure, the best way to accentuate the intricate details, form and features is to place lightings behind and two angled lights above on each side. Avoid lighting sculptures from below, directly behind or directly in front which does no favours to your art display as those angles either cast too harsh of a spotlight or wash out and hides the details of your art pieces.

Also Read: Personalised Touch: Custom made décor and furniture you need for the home

View Panoramic: Horace Pan, award-winning designer and founder of Panaroma Design Group

As the founder of Panorama Design Group, Horace Pan explores exciting new domains in interior architecture. As a university educator, his mission is to help the next generation of designers build a distinctive Hong Kong identity…

Tell us about your early years.
I’m Indonesian-Chinese, though I was born in China as my parents had emigrated there from Indonesia in the ’60s. Because of all the uncertainty during the Cultural Revolution, they wanted to relocate to their homeland via Hong Kong. Ultimately, they never made it all the way, and I’ve pretty much spent my whole life here. The international influences of my childhood have really left their mark on me, giving me a unique perspective that informs my work as an interior designer.

What led you to found Panorama Design Group?
I practised interior design for seven years before starting Panorama. Then I had a gut feeling that I should explore new domains of interior design and new methodologies, taking a different approach to what I was already doing. I thought the best way to accomplish this was to found my own company.

Does your firm have a particular area of speciality?
Panorama is headquartered in Hong Kong, with branches across Chinese cities such as Shenzhen and Chengdu, as well as an upcoming location in Malaysia. We specialise in many different domains of interior design across the region. We do hotels, club houses and F&B venues, for example, and health- and wellbeing-oriented spaces, so we are pretty multi-disciplinary and also cover many different topologies of space.

What would you say are the unique selling points of Panorama?
It’s really in the name itself, and for us ‘Panorama’ means ‘wide-angled’ and ‘full-spectrum’, so I would like my team to have a different, unexpected approach to any projects and initiatives we collaborate on. Let’s take a hotel, for example. We don’t want to follow the traditional precepts of design, but rather focus on creating a kind of crossover experience. This is exactly what we did for MeeHotel in Shenzhen last year, a project that’s garnered us 12 international awards so far, with several judges praising us for breaking new ground in the boutique hotel domain. I think its success is largely down to the fact that we combined a keen understanding of the local culture and bamboo materials with a unique spa-like overall concept for what is actually a business hotel.

Ultimately, whether you call it a surprise, a breakthrough or a point of difference, our design firm is known for creating something unexpected. We’re famous for conceiving this kind of branding or commercial design strategy before we come up with any proposal. This leads to another of our strengths – research – which is critical to any successful project.

How has the ongoing coronavirus pandemic affected your business?
The biggest issue is that we can’t cross the border into mainland China, where the bulk of our projects are located. Right now, we can only see the sites virtually through apps like Zoom, which some clients are understandably not thrilled about. Though our ongoing projects have adjusted to the new normal, it’s with new proposals that we encountered the most challenges. For Chinese clients, we are considered a foreign consultancy, so we really had to go the extra mile to persuade them that they should choose us rather than, say, a local contractor who can oversee everything in person. The onus has been on us to prove – be it through past success stories or a cohesive agenda that outlines the entire design and construction process – that we can still produce a superior product for them despite our location.

Do you have any exciting new projects in the pipeline?
Absolutely. We are in the midst of designing new elements and experiences for luxury brands in department stores in China, which we will be rolling out soon. In the first of these, we’re exploring a crossover of the spheres of art, technology and fashion to set a new benchmark for how consumers experience high-end brands.

Your projects have earned more than 150 international accolades. Which one is particularly close to your heart?
That would have to be my first award-winning project, the one that won me top honours in the Living Space category of the 2000 Asia-Pacific Interior Design Awards. This was roughly around the time I started Panorama. I was the only one of the five finalists who was an independent entry, and I got the shock of my life when my name was called as the winner. Interestingly enough, the project – Pan House – was actually my own home. It was a small three-storey village house sandwiched between two other similar structures. I think the reason why it garnered such critical acclaim is because I successfully transformed the traditional space into an entirely new domain. Each floor features a uniform grey cement motif, but I fitted different coloured filters to the windows to create separate atmospheres for each level.

How do you rate Hong Kong’s interior design industry on a global level?
I think our biggest strength is that we are used to delivering projects within a short time span, with capabilities of revamping restaurants, residences and the like within a few short months. This is our unique edge, because other countries can’t match our fast-paced work ethic.

Having said that, there is one serious shortfall in that we don’t have a true ‘local identity’ per se because a lot of our cultural heritage and architecture has pretty much been erased. This is no good for local designers. You need to have roots and craftsmanship traditions that inform your designs, as they have in other countries like Japan and Sweden. There’s no such thing as a ‘Hong Kong style’, I think, and I feel conflicted about this and try to address it in my capacity as an Assistant Professor at Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Finally, could you tell us something people don’t know about you.
I was approached by Hong Kong director Wong Kar-wai’s team to lend Pan House as the set for the romantic drama film 2046, starring actres Faye Wong. Ultimately, I declined, as I didn’t want too many people in my personal space.

Thank you.

Interview by: Tenzing Thondup
Photos: Jack Law
Videography: Kingsley Lau
Styling & Art Direction: Jhoshwa Ledesma
Venue: Panorama Design Group office

Going with the Flow: How best to apply feng shui at home

Feng shui, the ancient Chinese geomantic art of understanding the universe, is used to bring harmony and balance to a home and its residents. Geomantic principles and the practices of interior architecture and design often follow divergent paths, but ultimately, they align towards the same goal – creating a happy home brimming with an abundance of positive energy.

What is feng shui?
Literally translated as wind (feng) and water (shui), feng shui focuses on the invisible forces of the universe called qi, also known as energy. Practitioners believe that the flow of positive energy throughout a home promotes elevated moods, good health and prosperity, while an accumulated level of negative energy may have severe consequences, such as a failed business venture, bankruptcy, breakup or serious illness. According to feng shui master John Choi, who has accrued substantial knowledge of Eastern and Western preferences in modern home design, “Feng shui is more than just a superstition, it is a science and computation of how energy flows in our environment”.

How to use feng shui at home?
Firstly, determining the direction of the entrance is the most important step in enhancing feng shui in the home by turn. Then, you can focus on each room. An emphasis on rooms that you spend the most time in also greatly affects your well-being. In most cases, this is the bedroom, living room and kitchen. But take heed, as Choi says, “If the direction of the home is not accurate, the entire process and arrangement can amplify bad energy, instead of good”.

To apply feng shui at home, here are a few tips to take note of:

Tip 1: Start at the beginning
Starting from the the most crucial area – the living room – or in the case of larger homes, the entrance hall, the door represents the first checkpoint for qi to flow in. Keeping this area spacious and clutter-free is key. Wall consoles and cabinets that are flush to the wall are perfect for storage space and de-cluttering, allowing a vast area for energy to circulate.

Special attention should be paid to beams in your living area. Avoid placing sofas, chairs or the dining table underneath a beam, since its electromagnetic energy can cause an imbalance that may negatively impact health. This rule applies to beds too. Loose electric cables should also be kept away from furniture on which people sit or lie on.

Also Read: Feng Shui Master Thierry Show, the mystic moderniser

Tip 2: Hang paintings that represent nature and happiness
Symbolism also plays a huge role in feng shui. Choi indicates that imagery such as family portraits, or paintings of natural landscapes like mountains and greenery, symbolise joy and support. These visuals can be hung against the wall behind the sofa or the desk in the study or home office.

Tip 3: Keep everything balanced
A balanced layout, in the form of a square or rectangle, and symmetric proportions also allow qi to flow seamlessly throughout the space. For instance, wall consoles or cabinets of the same height placed on each side of the wall, or arranging a seating area with a sofa facing the television flanked by two armchairs, will provide a calming sense of balance and harmony between people and environment.

Tip 4: Keep opposing elements from clashing
Moving on to the kitchen, a place used to nourish the members of the household, it is an area that can directly impact the health. Feng shui in this space is especially important if you spend a lot of time cooking and eating at home.

If a feng shui expert has been consulted here, it would be addressed that the position of the stove (fire) should not face directly opposite or beside the sink (water). This is because the two elements will clash and create an imblanace in the room. “One way to mitigate such a clash between fire and water is to place small pebbles between the stove and the sink”, says Choi.

Also Read: Personalise your home with these custom-made furniture and bespoke home décor

Tip 5: Use an electric stove in open kitchens
Especially for open kitchens positioned in an inauspicious direction of the home, the gas stove should face away from the main entrance and the living room, as the fire energy will flow out into the area, affecting the health of the entire family. Electric or induction cookers, however, are fair game. If it isn’t possible to install an electic or induction cooker, one way to reduce the impact of negative fire energy would be by placing several metal rulers around the stove area or set up a six- to eight-foot convertible screen in between the kitchen and the sitting area or main entrance.

Tip 6: Position the bed mindfully
Turning the attention to the bedroom, it is a chamber where good feng shui is important, because of it serves as the space for rest and rejuvenation.

The headboard should never be in front of the window or next to the door as the rush of qi that flows in can cause restless nights and bad dreams. But in smaller rooms, where furniture arrangement is limited, there is a simple solution: place a wall console or any décor on a bedside table next to the bed to redirect the flow of energy away from you.

Tip 7: Use plants and mirrors to boost positive energy
Indoor plants such as bamboo and fresh flowers help boost the positive energy of the space. However, mirrors should be positioned mindfully. One common taboo among Chinese beliefs is that, although mirrors can reflect natural sunlight and positive energy around the room, it can also invite unwanted guests and spirits in when positioned towards the bed.

Tip 8: Decorate with auspicious colours
For those new to feng shui, painting the walls in neutral earth tones, such as beige and light grey, while avoiding bold shades of red and black, will generally benefit the home’s balance and serenity. To avoid sickness, decorate with earthy and metallic shades, like green, white, silver, gold or grey.

Also Read: Seven indoor plants to improve feng shui at home

Tip 9: Seek out a professional
As a cautionary note, arranging elements in the home without an accurate feng shui reading is like playing with fire. A seemingly auspicious item placed in the wrong direction can result in grave consequences, so consult an expert before refreshing your décor.

2021 chinese almanac peter so feng shui at home interior decorating gafencu luxury living — An excerpt from Feng Shui Master Peter So’s 2021 Chinese Almanac

General Setup for the year 2021
According to celebrated feng shui master Peter So’s, 2021 Chinese Almanac, the general set up of feng shui items that will welcome improved relationships, intelligence, good health, happiness and career growth are in the south, east, west, northeast and the centre, respectively. While the north, southeast, northwest and southwest directions correspond to minor and major sicknesses, disaster and gossip.

Referring to the illustrated grid, a pink object placed in the southwest direction will prevent gossip against you, while a music box and water element, such as a glass of water, in the southeast and north direction will reduce any impact of major illnesses. Water elements in the east and centre positions can help boost the intelligence and career energy, while four potted plants in the northeast direction will bring in more joy. To boost your relationship and fortune, place musical and water elements in the south and west grids.

Also Read: How to choose the right birthstone for you

Courtesy to Master John, Choi Wai Hung and Peter So for their expertise.

Modern light designs to transform any room

Lighting is a defining element of any home. It lends a flattering illumination to enhance the ambiance and the practicality of a space, while elevating the overall aesthetic. The most stunningly lit rooms are the result of careful planning rather than happenstance, so bear the following points in mind before selecting any new fixtures for your home.

Without a shadow of a doubt, the style, material and finish of your lights are all crucial. Homeowners should always pick a fixture that speaks to them, echoing their style and taste. However, the size of a light installation can just as easily make or break the desired aesthetic, so this is the first factor to consider when planning the lighting of each room.

Entrance and Living Room
Start from the entryway, which in most Hong Kong homes leads into the living room, the area reserved for entertainment and relaxation. The lighting here sets the tone for the rest of the home. As the largest room in the house, the living area is also the most difficult in which to compose a perfect ratio of light fixture size, height and proportion. A gorgeous statement piece like a chandelier, for example, works best on a high ceiling – instantly filling the space while adding a beautiful contrast to the height. Chandeliers between 22 and 26 inches in diameter are a good size for ceilings of 10 to 11 feet, while ceilings that reach 12 feet or more can be filled by grandiose fixtures that are at least 30 inches in diameter – anything smaller may cheapen the aesthetic of the space.

However, if height is an issue, recessed lights, which are pushed neatly into the ceiling, or open soffit lights nestled into dropped ceilings or at the top of walls, pillars and beams, offer clear, soft and unobtrusive ambient light, even offering the illusion of a higher ceiling.

For something more dramatic, instead of lining the edges of the ceiling with recessed lights, create a circular tray above the main area to hide away LED lights for a unique halo effect. For art aficionados, adding layers of multiple light sources will create the illusion of depth in a room, delivering beautifully lit spaces that showcase the various elements, such as a chandelier complemented by a task light and a decorative accent light as an ambiance booster.

Dining Room
Just because the dining room serves a more practical purpose than the living room, illumination here should not be limited to a series of task lights. It is important that this space is bright enough for guests to be comfortable while chatting and eating at the dining table. Though small-scale chandeliers can feature here, it is pendant lights that instantly dress the room. They also provide an anchor for the table, which immediately draws attention. Pendant lights are typically low hanging; suspending them 30 to 36 inches above the table will add character to the space while not obstructing movement.

If your taste leans more towards statement pieces, bold, reflective and crystalised fixtures will effortlessly convey this, while traditional styles feature fabric shades and crystals. In contrast, a modern look is best achieved with clean, simple lines and an emphasis on glass materials. For a mid-century modern vibe, select lighting that features bubble glass; a bubble-glass chandelier or pendant light leaves a lasting impression and creates an outstanding room.

Kitchen
Pendant light fixtures also fit happily in a kitchen. This is the one place in your home where you want ample lighting, especially while working over the kitchen island. Ideally, aligning these lights along the length of the island will bring an illuminated balance to the space. For counters that are six feet or longer, two to three pendant lights will fit right, while a series of sconce or ceiling-mounted lights work well to illuminate other areas, such as the sink.

Hall and Bathroom
The narrow passageways of foyers and halls don’t usually offer much space for lighting. Mounting sconce lights along the walls is the most obvious solution here. However, if more subtle and seamless transition from one room to the next is desired, hidden light sources in the form of hidden lights lining the wall edges will be ideal. This is also true in the bathroom, an area of the house where light is absolutely necessary for daily grooming regimens. Sconces flanking the mirrors, or bright LED lights above them, are the key focal points.

Bedroom
Turning to the more intimate areas of the home, the master bedroom is probably the most revealing space and most telling of its occupants, which is all the more reason to spruce it up with statement lighting. The installations here draw the gaze to the elements that are most important to you. But there are no hard-set rules that must be followed. Placing warm task lights at the bedside is the most popular way to facilitate reading or watching TV shows. Some people, though, prefer to highlight the bed with a big crystal chandelier, or set mood lighting to create a cosier bedchamber.

Having reviewed different lighting solutions and fixture styles and, all importantly, determining the size and brightness required to complement each available space, homeowners can head into their renovation with confidence.

Photos Credit: Design Link, Archetypal, Viz Design

Seven indoor plants to improve the feng shui in your home

Floral décor and potted plants have often filled the role of adding an element of nature to the home, enlivening the living space with vibrancy and dynamism. In Chinese culture, however, its benefits extend beyond aesthetics towards offering good luck and positive energy to home dwellers. Wood elements, as they are referred to in feng shui, promote positive energy, good fortune and a boost of happiness and growth in opportunities. Here, we’ve listed seven feng shui plants to increase the lucky and good fortune throughout the home.

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Bamboo plants
Bamboo plants, promote fortune and prosperity by purifying the room of pollutants and often give off a calming and balanced atmosphere. Thy enjoy warm temperatures and indirect sunlight, so it is best to keep them near the window but not underneath the air-conditioner. Placing them in the east corner of the room is said to promote intelligence and growth.

Jade Plant
Jade plants, also known as money tree, feature small round leaves that resemble coins, hence its nickname. They are believed to bring in wealth and good fortune to home dwellers, and are pretty easy to care for. They love basking in sunlight, so make space for it by the window to nurture its growth and lucky-giving.
Snakeplant
Known for its long wavy-like leaves, snakeplants are offer great feng shui and require minimal care. Believed to deliver luck and safeguard the home from misfortunes, it is a purification plant that offers ample oxygen and a strong positive energy while shielding the home from negativity. It can thrive in low-light conditions with minimal water consumption and are best kept in bedrooms for its purification properties that help improve sleep quality.
Orchids
Given that the majority of feng shui plants a green-hued, orchids are beautifully vibrant options to increase the happiness and relationship luck the home. They thrive in humid and warm conditions and don’t like to be overwatered. It is best placed in the east on a dining table where family often gather together.
Rubber fig
Rubber Fig
The rubber plant is a large round-leaf foliage that, like jade plants, are believed to bring in abundance and good fortune in wealth. Though it may require the occasional pruning and pot transfer as it can grow quite high, it is a plant that thrives best indoors with indirect sunlight and is said to purify the air and balance the energy in the home, attracting prosperity. Home owners would reap its benefits most by placing it in the study or next to their workspaces.

Arrowhead plant
The Arrowhead plant is easily recognizable for its distinctive spade-like shape leaves. A closer look at it will show five leading lines that, in Chinese belief, represent the five elements: water, fire, earth, wood and metal, which is said to offer a balance of Yin and Yang. Cultivated as an indoor plant that inspires creativity and new ideas, this potted plant can grow anywhere between30cm to 1.5m indoors, so it can be on tables or on the floor by the desk in rooms with bright but indirect light.

Golden Pothos
The golden pothos, also known as Devil’s Ivy, are viney foliage that boast glossy deep-green heart-shaped leaves is believed to absorb and purify the energy of its surroundings. Which is why it is suggested to keep them away from computers, televisions or anything that emits radiation, and is best placed high or hung (because of its long viney features) anywhere in the south eastside of the home in need of purification to promote good health, wealth and happiness.

Zen Living: Design a peaceful home with Japanese philosophy

Japanese design more often than not makes references to ancient traditions, culture, and history that carry philosophical ideas that render a peaceful and meditative state not only applicable to art but also to one’s way of living. This might explain why modern and contemporary Japanese designs have grown in popularity all over the world, especially in the homes of Hong Kong people, providing a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Wabi-Sabi, Kintsugi and Ma are Japanese philosophies often incorporated in home designs to promote a more calm and joyful living space.

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Wabi-sabi (侘寂)

Wabi-Sabi is a philosophy that embraces the beauty of the impairment, imperfect, and melancholic absence in nature. The aesthetics of wabi-sabi designs are captured with asymmetrical silhouettes, minimalism, and natural elements that portray imperfections, emptiness, and transience that come with time and age – just like a mid-level residence designed by NC Design & Architecture Ltd founder, Nelson Chow. The design employs natural materials such as wood, marble, as well as oxidised bronze, and textured plaster which offer occupants a sense of relaxation and calm.

How to incorporate wabi-sabi at home: Keep it simple and let the reigns loose for perfectly-shaped and symmetrical geometry. Incorporate more natural and rustic elements, such as plants and wood into the furnishings and decor.

Kintsugi (金継ぎ)

Kintsugi is a Japanese art form that roughly translates into “joined by gold”. It involves putting broken pottery back together with powdered gold mixed in lacquer. The purpose of repair is not to make the object good as new, but to enhance its beauty by highlighting the breakage as part of its history – discarding perfection as a definition of worth. The art form brings a narrative of embracing flaws and imperfection into the design of the home, offering a sense of security and serenity and promoting efforts to reduce wastes.

How to incorporate kintsugi at home: Despite the attention, the art form has enjoyed for centuries, authentic Kintsugi works are not commonly for sale in stores. However, the art form is easily done at home and personalized by purchasing a kintsugi repair kit. Alternatively, Kintsugi workshops provided by art galleries, Touch Ceramics and Waka Artisans are also available for those who are keen on learning more about the art form and creating their own Kintsugi homewares.

Ma (間)

Ma is a term that represents a Japanese idea that most Western designers refer to as “negative space,” and which translates unto space, distance, or gap. It is the artistic interpretation of empty space. The void promotes the mental process of imagination and creativity in visualising the numerous possibilities that can exist in an empty space, gap, or distance from one object to another. A case in point is the Happy Valley residence named Urban Cacoon by designers Lorène Faure & Kenny Kinugasa-Tsui of Bean Buro. The use of neutral tones fits into a minimalistic design in which natural light and other elements can shine, including two mirrors facing each other from one end of the residence to the other, creating a conversation in the space and distance between the two objects.

How to incorporate kintsugi at home: Use monochromatic palates or neutral tones, like light wood and bamboo, to highlight other elements in the home such as paintings, flowers, and cool-toned decor and furnishings. Embrace space and distance between objects to create a story.