Table of contents for Issue 2018 - 2019 in Home Solutions

01. PANZERI Illuminate your space with the Viisi system from Panzeri. Available as a suspended pendant or floor lamp, its sleek LED module highlights your interiors. Opt for a white or black polyacrylic paint finish. 02. KELVIN GIORMANI The Largo sofa, with its butter-soft vintage Italian leather, takes full advantage of small spaces through clean, contemporary design that plays with proportions, thanks in part to a lack of armrests. 03. ZODIAC LIGHTING Vibia combines the floor lamp and suspended lamp for an entirely unique illumination in the wall-mounted North lamp. The light source, available in four matt-lacquered tones, appears to float. 04. POTOCCO Evoking Art Deco aesthetics, the Loom sofa features a delicate mahogany base and natural cane insets. Take things further with leather seat coverings. 05. ARCHETYPAL The retro…

01. ROCHE BOBOIS A dinner party wouldn’t be complete without some expertly mixed drinks, and where better to concoct those delicious cocktails than at the Lift Sideboard-Bar? Designed by Sacha Lakic for Roche Bobois, it features a backlight and storage for everything any budding bartender could desire; it’s an ideal way to get an elegant evening started. 02. LLADRO Diffuse soft illumination with Lladro’s porcelain Ivy & Seed chandelier, which offers a contemporary take on the quintessential overhead lighting. Inspired by nature, but at the same time graphic and geometric, the porcelain injects a more organic quality than cut glass. 03. B&B ITALIA Conceived by Naoto Fukasawa according to the principles of simplicity and functionality that are inherent to the Japanese aesthetic, the Belle chair for B&B Italia features graceful…

01. EUROCAVE EuroCave’s new Inspiration wine cabinets are perfect for storing your wine, maintaining temperatures and humidity at optimal levels and, through a built-in safety thermostat, letting you know if a fault occurs. Anti-UV glass keeps out the sun, and the fridges have built-in protection from vibration, ensuring your wine matures beautifully and is ready for drinking at the right time. 02. KOHLER Purify fruits and vegs of nasty agricultural chemicals in more or less 10 minutes with the innovative Fruit & Veggie Ionic Purifier. 03. FRANKE Franke’s kitchen sinks cater to every possible need. Choose from inset, undermount or flushmount sinks; single-, dual- or triple-bowl options; dent-, burn-, scratch- and stain-resistant surfaces, from classic stainless steel to Tectonite, and Fragranite, which features 80-percent granite that’s ultra-hygienic. Franke 04. CANDY…

01. TOTO The New Neorest AH Intelligent Toilet features a sensor-activated lid that automatically raises and lowers, while a side nightlight allows for easy navigation during middle-of-the-night visits. The star of the show is the Washlet, with its heated seat, warm water massage and other convenient functions. 02. ARTELINA The Italian-made Dama series by Artekuba utilises the laminated safety crystal material Dualite in its range of drawing basin units. Mixing and matching different drawers, open compartments, colours and finishes allows for maximum flexibility, while the use of glass adds a sophisticated sheen to the bathroom. 03. INAX The pioneer of Japan’s first shower-toilet in the 1960s, Inax applies its creativity, technology and design acumen to its fifth-generation tank-less shower toilet, the Satis (S-type), which incorporates innovative technologies such as the…

01. ROCHE BOBOIS Roche Bobois delivers another piece filled with personality. The Cherche Midi bed is upholstered in rich leather and features an overstitched motif. Install bedside tables — available in six different colours — and bedside lamps on either side of the bed frame, or go without for a cleaner look. 02. GALLOTTI&RADICE Created by designer and artist Pietro Russo, the Selene vanity is a vision of Art Deco chic. Alternating black and white wood create an eye-catching chequered effect, while satin brass metal elements and a bevelled, LED-fitted mirror with Nero Marquinia marble base steep the piece in luxury. 03. GIORGETTI The All Around swivel armchair is perfect for that reading nook in your bedroom. Its soft, encompassing shape is conducive to curling up and hiding away from…

01. FIAM Show that you’re all business with the statement-making Graph desk from Fiam. Comprised of a curvaceous 15mm-thick glass top propped above a sweeping base of 19mm-thick transparent glass, the Xavier Lust-designed desk is a work of art in its own right. 02. POLTRONA FRAU For those looking for a kinship between desk and chair, consider the Fred and Ginger duo. Upholstered in Saddle Leather Extra and mounted on a frame of wenge-coloured solid ash wood with a triangular profile for greater lightness, the Fred desk and its Ginger counterpart are sure to gain a beautiful patina over the years. 03. BLU DOT Featuring sharp architectural forms, the Cant desk (in a choice of three colours) contrasts a powder-coated steel top with a walnut veneer desk surface and solid…

01. FLEXA A line of thoughtful bedroom solutions by the maker of Scandinavian children’s furniture, Popsicle by Flexa softly brings colour to a room through beds, storage units, desks and textiles in grey and pastel hues. 02. ANOTHER COUNTRY As a seat or a bedside table, or for help reaching high places, there’s always use for a stool in any room. This solid oak number from Another Country’s Series One collection doubles as a chic apartment piece with its playful pop of red. Available from Archetypal 03. #SMALLTALK Create a space that stokes the imagination through #Smalltalk’s fun wallpapers, from colourful illustrations to pretty monotone cloud patterns that prompt a child’s natural penchant for storytelling. Available from Tat Ming Wallpaper 04. KIRA Clever and elegant in design, the furniture line…

Any room in a home should have a focal point – and the outdoors is no different. According to Bradley, fire pits often become the natural gathering place in this domain, possibly harking to something primal in us. “This not only becomes a feature of the outdoor space, but will warm you as well,” she notes. Radiating outwards from the fire pit, strip lighting can do wonders to enhance the mood. “Under steps, seats and bench tops, it creates an amazing ambience and is becoming very popular,” says Bradley. Repeating planting patterns also serves to tie the entire garden together; Yung advises that homeowners use a row of small trees, box bushes, shrubs or ornaments placed at regular intervals. “These give the space an order that looks good and has…

“EXTEND THE COLOUR PALETTE FROM INSIDE TO OUTSIDE TO CREATE A SEAMLESS TRANSITION” ELLIE BRADLEY ATELIER LANE  atelierlane.com • Functionality and accent lighting are both important when designing for the outdoors. Layer your lighting, starting with the functional, then finish with accent lighting to emphasise the design features. • Colour is very important in your outdoor space. I like to extend the colour palette from inside to outside to create a seamless transition, connecting the indoors and outdoors. Not only is this cohesive, but it also makes your whole space feel larger. “GOOD LIGHTING IS ALWAYS ABOUT WHAT YOU LIGHT, RATHER THAN THE LIGHT FIXTURE” JASON YUNG JASON CAROLINE DESIGN LTD.  jasoncarolinedesign.com • Lighting is absolutely essential for contemporary gardens. Good lighting is always about what you light, rather than…

“HAVE A LONG-TERM IDEA OF VALUE AND YOU’LL KEEP GOOD PIECES THROUGHOUT YOUR LIFE” AMANDA CLARK ALTFIELD GALLERY AND ALTFIELD INTERIORS  altfield.com.hk • Buy fewer, better things. Have a long-term idea of value and you’ll keep good pieces throughout your life. • Make your living room your personal statement. It should be your safe and happy place, reflecting you and your family. “COMBINE CLASSICS WITH CONTEMPORARY CONCEPTS FOR A FRESH AND UNEXPECTED YET COHESIVE DESIGN” AMRITA KHANNA ZIP CODE 888  zipcode888.com • Play with new ideas and break the old rules of design. Combine classics with contemporary concepts to infuse freshness and create an unexpected yet cohesive design. • Keep in mind the size of the room when picking furniture, and envision the flow and use of space that you…

“MAKE SURE YOU SELECT PIECES WITH THE RIGHT PROPORTIONS FOR YOUR SPACE” FRANK LEUNG VIA ARCHITECTURE  via-arc.com • Make sure you consider proportions, because you never want the space to feel too cramped or too sparse. • Keep everything simple and then go simpler, but play with contrasts in terms of decor, from the furniture right down to the tableware. • Don’t be too worried about sticking to a set formula. There are no rules. “THE TABLE IS A CANVAS FOR FOOD AND DRINKS – AS WELL AS YOUR OWN USE” JOHNNY WONG FAK3  fak3.com • Conceptually, the table is a canvas for food and drinks. But you also need to make sure it provides enough for your own use, as this is a space that will be used quite…

“IT’S NOT ABOUT THE EQUIPMENT, IT’S ABOUT LIVING A LIFE IN A SPACE THAT MAKES SENSE” JJ ACUNA JJ ACUNA/BESPOKE STUDIO  jjabespoke.com • Keep it simple and don’t overcomplicate by stuffing your kitchen with too much concept or equipment. It’s not about the equipment; it’s about living a life in a space that makes sense. Don’t go too trendy, either, because you could be living in that space for a very long time. • Make sure there’s enough room for two people to pass by each other and to do several things at the same time. “THINK AHEAD AND MAKE SURE THE PLUMBING AND ELECTRICITY SUPPLIES ARE WHERE YOU NEED THEM” ALAIN WONG COMODO INTERIORS & FURNITURE DESIGN  comododesign.com • People often forget to incorporate power sources for their new…

“THE BATHROOM NEEDS TO FEEL CLEAN, SPACIOUS AND VERY PRIVATE AT THE SAME TIME” FRANK LEUNG VIA ARCHITECTURE LIMITED  via-arc.com • The bathroom is a truly personal space; it needs to feel clean, spacious and very private at the same time. Using a simple palette of materials with carefully considered lighting design is key. • These days, a lot of specific equipment can improve the bath or shower experience without requiring much more space. “CONSISTENCY IN THE STYLE AND SIZE OF FITTINGS GOES A LONG WAY INTO CREATING A SENSE OF ORDER” BRITTA BUTLER B SQUARED DESIGN LIMITED  bsquareddesignhk.com • Layout is key. Make note of how much space is between the shower, toilet and vanity. Is there enough clearance to dry yourself and move around? Do the doors open…

The most obvious place for soft textures is the bed. “There is nothing more luxurious than a bed dressed in freshly ironed white cotton linens with a fluffy down-filled duvet and pillows,” enthuses Anna. The bedroom also presents ample opportunity to introduce quality fabrics: silk rugs, fabric or tufted headboards, velvet curtains. “Everything from the rug to the drapery must be soft to the touch,” says Anna. “In this environment, people wear little to no clothing, so the materials need to be warm and tactile.” For Hong Kong-based interior designer Kelly Lo, a wall-to-wall carpet or area rug is the height of bedroom luxury. “Being able to sink your toes into something soft in the morning is so much nicer than groggily getting out of bed and stumbling on a…

“UPDATE THE AESTHETIC OF YOUR ROOM AFFORDABLY WITH NEW PILLOW CASES AND THROWS” CANDICE CHAN CANDICE INTERIOR ARCHITECTS  jcandice.com • A comfortable mattress is a must. You spend approximately a quarter of your life resting in bed, so it’s best to invest in something that suits your body type. • With new pillow cases and throws, you can update the aesthetic of your room easily and affordably for every season or whenever you feel like it. “PEOPLE THINK THEY NEED A TV IN THE BEDROOM, BUT MANY OF THEM DON’T USE IT” WESLEY LIU PPLUSP DESIGNERS  ppluspdesigners.com • We often encourage clients to give up putting a TV in the bedroom - most of them don’t use it in the end. • We prefer built-in wardrobes, but we allocate a…

With the elements dictating the parameters of what can and can’t be used outdoors, it’s a blessing in disguise to have a more focused range of options to choose from regarding your material palette. First things first: is your outdoors space covered or not? In the case that it is, says Ellie Bradley, the CEO and creative director of Atelier Lane, you’ll be afforded the luxury of more materials to work with, including a range of natural materials such as wood, wicker, and linen and cotton fabrics. “However, if your area is not covered, then you’re better off using synthetic materials or metals such as aluminium, as these will withstand the harsh sunlight and weather,” she adds. Intentionality is important when it comes to picking out a colour scheme, as…

01. MARKILUX The German-made Markilux 879 underglass awning system is designed to provide shade for glass canopies. Choose from a wide range of fabric types, colours and patterns. Additional lighting options help to create the perfect ambience at night. Available from Chase Windows 02. BLU DOT The Jibe outdoor lounge chair and ottoman add versatility to any outdoor space thanks to their straightforward, geometric design. A powder-coated aluminium frame and nylon straps support antimicrobial foam cushions that are upholstered in resilient Sunbrella fabric for durability and comfort. Available from Archetypal 03. SCHÜCO As a company centred on innovation, Schüco has innovated in the window category by increasing the insulation and transparency properties of their windows, to improving door security features, weather-tightness and energy efficiency. 04. CARL HANSEN & SON Danish…

In a city like Hong Kong where space is such a precious commodity, the living room often takes on a multifunctional role – a place where you can come together and enjoy time as a family, host guests, or even accommodate a dining area or a study. When a room works as hard as this to make life more satisfying, it’s important to give it the decorative attention it deserves. How you use the space, as well as your own style preferences, will dictate the design scheme to a certain degree, although there are certain time-honoured trends that can be employed to add effortless elegance and elevate the appeal. Read on to discover how to achieve your own ideal living room, with expert tips and advice from some of Hong…

Rather than highlighting any single item of furniture for the living room, Clark, Khanna and Chen all stress the importance of selecting pieces that will last – that is to say, appointments that are both well-made and timeless in their appeal. As with any major expenditure, pieces such as a sofa should be carefully considered, as it will likely be a part of your home for many years to come. “Your sofa will be your largest investment,” says Clark. “Make sure it’s comfortable and covered in a fabric that can take a lot of wear.” In smaller living rooms, curved furnishings can give the impression of added space, especially in boxy or angular rooms. The same can be said of appointments that let the light through, like glass-topped coffee tables…

Whether it’s a separate room or part of an open-plan living space, the dining area is one of the most important elements of the home. From special occasions such as anniversaries and birthdays to after-work feasts and slap-up spreads, this space assumes the role of a theatre where some of life’s best moments transpire, the table becoming the stage upon which each scene is played. To create the right ambience for your dining room, you must stay true to yourself and to the purpose that you’ve given the space. However, there are some sure-fire ways to ensure that it remains effortless, elegant and, above all, welcoming for family and friends. Allow some of the most respected designers in Hong Kong to guide you through the essentials of dining room decor…

Without doubt, the table is the centrepiece of the dining room – and getting the right one can instantly elevate the area to new aesthetic heights. Begin the selection process with a simple question: circular or square? “A good starting point would be deciding whether you want a more Asian or Western dining experience,” says Wong. “Then choose the shape accordingly.” Make sure to invest in a piece that you’ll love for a long time and that will survive the many uses family life will put it through – a dining room table isn’t something you should expect to change too often. It’s also imperative to take the dimensions of the space into account, particularly in Hong Kong, where even a few centimetres can make a huge difference. Consider extendable…

At this year’s EuroCucina show at Milan Design Week, Scavolini and Diesel really nailed the direction that kitchens are going when they presented the Diesel Social Kitchen, with induction hobs positioned on peninsulas or on kitchen islands to give home chefs the ability to socialise with guests as they cook. “It’s more of a living and gathering space for family and friends,” says Peggy Bels, founder of Peggy Bels Interior Design. There’s also the trend towards seamless design; designers are using the same or similar materials in the kitchen as they are in the rest of the home. Floors in wood veneers or finishes designed to resemble wood give this space a living room feel, while brands are launching appliances designed to sit flush with the cabinetry for a seamless…

The days of the bathroom being all about pure functionality are long gone. The spa-like bathroom is here, and it’s here to stay. Though you might not spend a great deal of time in the bathroom in a given day, the time spent there is invaluable. As Rowena Gonzales, founder and principal at Liquid Interiors, puts it: “The bathroom should help you energise in the morning and relax in the evening.” Britta Butler, founder and designer at B Squared Design Limited, elaborates: “Bathrooms should be tranquil spaces — after all, this is the room that you go to right before you adjourn for bed.” It stands to reason, then, that care should be taken to infuse this particular room in the home with a sense of serenity.…

Before designing the bathroom comes deciding where it should be positioned in the home. “Bathrooms, ideally, should be located where they are most conveniently accessed, so homeowners and guests don’t need to travel too far or through any private areas,” says Britta. If it’s the master ensuite bathroom rather than a guest bathroom, however, Denise suggests connecting it to your walk-in wardrobe. “Imagine wrapping yourself in a warm bathrobe after a soaking in a nice bath and walking straight into your walk-in wardrobe to get dressed!” she enthuses. There’s also the layout of the bathroom itself to think about. “In order not to be frustrated with your bathroom space, make sure to note your entry doors and which way they swing,” elaborates Britta. “Make sure there’s enough clearance to move…

If the living room is the heart of the home, the bedroom is where homeowners can truly be themselves. Aside from being the cosy, peaceful sanctuary where you retire for the night, the bedroom also serves the interests and fulfils the functions that are most important to you. “The bedroom is the most intimate room within a property,” says Anna Beeber, principal designer at North American design firm Champalimaud Design. “There’s a certain amount of care and consideration that must go into creating a vision for the space. Being sensitive to how one lives within that space is essential.” The bedroom of a college student will be radically different compared to that of an adult couple with a young family, for instance. It’s these individual needs that most greatly inform…

The key to bedroom design is to keep its primary functions in mind. It might be easy and tempting enough to treat it like an extension of the living room or study, but it’s better for both the room’s aesthetics and the quality of your rest to treat it like the separate space it is. “You need to feel like you’ve entered another environment when you enter the bedroom,” explains Anna. “This doesn’t have to be extreme. It could be as simple as a small colour shift in the paint.” Adds Kelly: “Your bedroom is about getting rest and rejuvenation, so work desks and other distractions should be kept outside if possible.” In addition to the centrepiece of the bedroom — the bed — the space should be filled with…

Much like the diversification of the world of work in recent years, which has allowed many people to ply their trade from anywhere, the study has simultaneously expanded and diminished in its scope of functions to better suit the blurred boundaries between work and play. This is especially true in space-starved Hong Kong, where every room has to play multiple roles. Luckily for homeowners looking to decorate this room of requirement, many brands now carry transformable furniture that can shift in shape and form, bringing extra levels of functionality to the room and adding ever-finer degrees of configurability for ergonomic work sessions. Whether you’re a minimalist or a maximalist in terms of your workstation, there’s something out there for every need. Often, homes may not have the luxury of dedicating…

Forget the old pink-is-for-girls and blue-is-for-boys – there’s less convention these days for how a child’s bedroom should look. Thanks to the internet, design trends from other cultures are inspiring our own choices, while the movement towards sustainability has only grown in momentum with the clamour for more natural and ecofriendly materials. Eve Mercier, the founder of Insight School of Interior Design, points out that people are more concerned about the quality of their indoor environments, especially when it comes to the rooms of their children. “People want to know what’s in a mattress, and there’s also a trend of using VOC-free paint,” she says. Bolder colours are also making a return – so long as they are balanced by softer, more neutral hues. Yet vis-à-vis these shifts in philosophy…

Outdoors is the new indoors – and with square footage at such a premium in space-starved Hong Kong, it’s essential to make the most out of every extra inch in your own personal dominion, which means utilising your balcony, patio or garden to the fullest extent throughout the year. Whether you choose to transform your outdoor space into an al fresco living room, kitchen, dining room, lounge or all of the above, it’s essential to apply the same rigour when devising your floor plan as you would any regular indoor room. This ultimately entails ample preparation and a certain degree of awareness – towards elements such as the amount of sunlight, wind exposure and privacy – to create as much of a homelike atmosphere as possible. “It’s very important to…