A Hong Kong Home That’s Cosy and Calm
In Hong Kong’s Tuen Mun, ABT Design has created a minimal, calming space full of curves and natural light
When Hong Kong firm ABT Design Studio was approached to redesign this compact 50-square-metre home, the starting point was a shared aesthetic with the homeowners. ‘They’re a young couple who found us through social media,’ says co-founder Alice Cheung. ‘They admire bright and curvy design language, and believe that we share an aesthetic philosophy.’
With the home located away from the central city and offering mountain views, the designers aimed to create a tranquil retreat that mirrored the beauty of the natural surroundings.
Not surprisingly, the clients enjoy spending time at home enjoying the ambience, and were seeking an open, clutter-free space with a walk-in closet. ABT’s solution was to remove a room, enlarging the bedroom and creating a spacious living and dining area. But more than that, feng shui was a factor. ‘They had specific feng shui requirements, one of which called for a floor-to-ceiling partition in front of the doorway,’ says Tam. ‘To address this, we designed built-in cabinetry and an arc-shaped bench to craft a dining area next to the entrance and open kitchen area. The additions blend harmoniously as well as contributing storage and clearly defining different spaces.’
A minimal, natural tone characterises the interior finishes, with soft curves accentuating the natural light and gentle feel. ‘The material palette includes off-white textured paint, light maple and soft white upholstery on a custom-made bench that both serves as a focal point and harmonises with the sofa across the room,’ says Cheung. In the private area, off-white gives way to a soothing mist-yellow paint that continues the tranquil feel while creating a subtle difference from the living space. A moss-green headboard and a rattan panel in the closet accent the earthier tones.
Existing finishes and fixtures were utilised too, with the home being newly built and the designers and clients both conscious of minimising waste and choosing to add rather than subtract. The original doors and hardware influenced the material selection, with a grey marble slab at the foot of the television wall matching the original room doors. In the kitchen, original grey tiles create a striking contrast with the wooden flooring in the living and dining area, and are complemented by a lengthened partition from the kitchen cabinet that differentiates the areas.
The final touch was to add a custom flourish. ‘Our favourite piece is the cloud-shaped ceiling in the living and dining area,’ says Tam. ‘To enhance the fluidity and the light flow, we rendered the original rectangular false ceilings into graceful, meandering curves that follow the natural movements of daily life. The ceiling also matches with other winding elements in the apartment, fostering a cohesive ambience.’
The curved cabinets and closets are another tailor-made component, and blend the storage into the walls seamlessly. The curves of the cabinets connect spaces, creating a smooth and unobtrusive flow that gracefully balances the aesthetic and the functional.
Text by Philip Annetta
Images by ABT Design
