The estate was built to supply residency for the growing population in Hong Kong. It is typical that these private estates include leisure clubhouses, shopping centres, supermarkets and restaurants. It provides everything a family needs to live here.
The space has been transformed by self-taught interior designer Daphney Ho of F.A.L WORKS Studio. The main focus of the design was to create a tranquil and cosy space with adequate storage to hide things.
When Ho took over the apartment, it had not been renovated since the last owner moved in back in 1990. The space looked worn out, and Ho had to start from scratch. Ho's vision was to make the space look bright and neutral while implementing arches and curves to soften the irregular shape of the apartment.
I am into cultural and exotic elements. The aesthetic of this home was mostly inspired by my travels to Bali, and focused on using natural materials like Ash wood, rattan and natural pieces to create an earthy mood. At the same time I am deeply influenced by the Japanese style and interior features, therefore it is more a mix of exotic influences.
Daphney Ho
The entrance of the apartment features a small foyer area, complete with a platform and shoe cabinet to separate it from the living room. The idea behind this feature is influenced by Japanese culture, which emphasizes not bringing dirt inside the home. A full-height pegboard has been installed behind the entrance door to hang everyday necessities like masks and grocery trolleys.
The living area is located on a wooden platform next to the door. The sofa is custom-made with an angled shape, with drawers below for additional storage. A full-body mirror has been installed to provide a final look before leaving the apartment.
The TV cabinet connects to the bay window and aligns with the height of the sofa. The walls and ceilings are applied with chicory and ecological nontoxic Japanese lime plaster.
The dining area is a step down from the living space, with a circular dining table and booth seating that wraps around the corner, maximizing the dining seating space.
I wanted to maximise the dining seating space to allow me to invite my family and friends over. So I went with the idea of booth seating which wraps around the corner.
Daphney Ho
The kitchen is small, with a unique pentagon shape, making it hard to change the layout. Ho kept the original placement of the sink and stove and rebuilt it with full-height cabinets to maximize storage space. Full-length bars have been used to keep drying racks off the working surface.
An arch separates the transit to the bedroom and bathroom, with fluted panel walls that slide to create two bedrooms. The main bedroom is designed solely to fit a king-sized bed, with the custom bed built higher to create storage space underneath. The three-panel sliding door hides a full-height storage closet, which also serves as a dress-up and daily care station.
The bathroom features a separation of dry and wet areas inspired by Japanese bathrooms, with a unique sink design that allows the washing machine to fit below. The toilet room is next to the sink, and a frosted glass sliding door has been used as a partition. The wet room is behind the glass door when privacy is needed.
The second bedroom is multifunctional, currently serving as a dressing room. An adjustable hanging system and storage boxes have been used to create a walk-in closet, hidden behind a curtain to make better use of the space around the bay window. A custom desk has been ordered with short feet on the bay window and the others on the floor.
Throughout the apartment, the use of arches and curves has helped to soften the irregular shape of the space, while the implementation of storage solutions has helped to maximize the living area. The result is a tranquil and cosy space that provides a peaceful retreat from the bustling city of Hong Kong.
When designing a small space, it is important to be open-minded to the possibility of each area and corner, but at the same time to spare blank space as balance. A home should satisfy our physical and mental well-being in order to let us recharge and indulge ourselves.
daphney Ho
Images by NeverTooSmall
