Small Space Living | Simple and Breezy Apartments in Hong Kong (Part 1/2)

March 20, 2016March 20, 20162 Comments

Remember the chic walk-up serviced apartment in the Hong Kong classic Tong Lau?

The folks at the Urban Design & Build have shared with me another 2 of their projects recently. Looking at the images, it is surprising to know that they are just merely below 200 sqft and 400 sqft each. We don’t usually associate “breezy interior” with small living spaces, but these 2 apartments demonstrate that with careful planning (and of course great taste and discipline to keep things minimal), you can still have that relaxing airy feel albeit the small square footage.

The first project is Studio M.

This 200 sqft studio apartment is designed for a single lady. The main living space has a Scandinavian color palette of white and grey. An interesting area rug ground the living room. I especially like design of the sliding door that partitions the sleeping area to give privacy, and still allowing flexibilities to open up the living space.

Located in the heart of CWB, it comes with a 180 sqft rooftop terrace. The lavender upholstery and the accessories used give a feminine touch to this space. This beautiful terrace will certainly make a great entertainment space for friends and family to gather.

Images via Urban Design & Build

Continue to (Part 2/2) of Small Space Living | Simple and Breezy Apartments in Hong Kong to find out how a 380 sqft apartment is transformed into 2 individual suites.

Stockholm’s Low-key Luxury Apartment in Grey

August 10, 2015August 10, 20151 Comment

Wrede, is another Sweedish real estate site in my stalking list for fabulous Scandinavian homes.

This is one of the many beautiful Stockholm apartments listed on the site (anyway, this unit has been sold). It is a spacious period penthouse apartment of 152 square metres with 4 rooms, now serving as the living room, dining room and 2 bedrooms. I like the use of grey here, and how it maintains a balance of moodiness and lightness in the space. Also, don’t miss out the ceiling colour of the living-dining room and the master bedroom. They are a painted in different shades of teal and dusty pink, adding another layer of surprise.

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A Warm and Cozy Family Home in Hong Kong

April 30, 2015May 4, 2015Leave a comment

As the couple preparing for retirement, they decided that it’s the best time to move into a new home to celebrate the next stage in life.

K Design Studio was engaged to give a new life to this apartment they share with 2 daughters in Tin Shui Wai 天水圍 ( Central Park Towers 栢慧豪園 ). In this 698 sq ft apartment, elements of English garden theme were layered with Scandinavian colour palette and furnishings to create a warm and cozy home that the family could really enjoy. Stepping into the apartment, guests are greeted by black and white octagonal floor tiles that demarcates the foyer from the living dining area. This feature is usually seen in larger and traditional homes, but I feel that it works wonder in smaller space, adding more depths and curiosities to any cookie-cutter apartment layout.

On the left of the entrance, is a kitchen fitted with kelly green cabinetry and brass handle that channel a classic English feel (this also reminds me of the ultra glam green kitchen seen in Cameron Diaz’s home designed by Kelly Wearstler).

The walls of the storeroom right after the entrance were demolished to carve a nook for the daughter’s piano.

Lots of wood are used in the living-dining area to introduce warmth the interior.

Like how the animal artwork and colorful accessories adding a touch of whimsy to the living room.

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Mim Design | Crisp Street Apartment

March 23, 2015March 23, 2015Leave a comment

Can’t believe that I’ve only got to discover about Mim Design now, while reading their project featured on Yellowtrace. Some time in November 2013, I’ve travelled to Melbourne to visit a good friend. While wandering aimlessly at Crown, I remember seeing this shop – the Cotta Cafe, and couldn’t help to stop to admire the beautiful shop front and interior. It looked warm, rustic and unpretentious. And Mim Design, is the talented Melbourne-based creative practice behind the design of this cafe. Browsing through their portfolio, I saw more amazing projects. Like this one, a bright and airy apartment at Crisp Street Melbourne with occasional splashes of dusty pink and coral. Clean and welcoming. Just what I’ve imagined for a perfect home in Melbourne.

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Elegant Transformation of a Tong Lau |11 Upper Station Street, Hong Kong

March 2, 2015Leave a comment

I came across this rental property from the website of Nest Property, a boutique residential property consultancy specialising in finding unique, characterful and well-designed properties in Hong Kong.

This is 11 Upper Station Street, located at Sheung Wan, Hong Kong Island. It is actually a 54 year old, 5-storey Tong Lau 唐樓 (Chinese Tenement Building) re-developed by Swedish boutique developer Helen Lindman into these chic rental units, comprising two duplexes and a top-floor suite.

I was instantly attracted to the elegant interiors. Once a dingy and dimly lit 6-storeys walked-up (scroll to the last to see the “before” picture), the building was renovated into this bright and stylish adobe, nodding to the Scandinavian aesthetic with a hint of oriental influences such as the asian-inspired wardrobe handle and the Wishbone chair by Hans J. Wegner. The exterior of the building was kept in black and white to preserved the originality of the old building.

Always love a good transformation of old buildings :)