Pure magic

Text Catherine Shaw / Styling Anji Connell / Photography Jonathan Wong Fans of the British television sitcom Absolutely Fabulous will recall the scene in which an uber design-conscious couple struggle to find a white bag in their purist, all-white apartment. In reality, the pale monotone look is anything but impractical and, when mixed with unusual textures, tones and finishes, it can transform a compact space into a tranquil retreat, says Karina Zabihi, an interior designer who was raised in Iran and educated in Britain. “Iran was a colourful, creative environment, but I don’t like colours very much. I find them very cluttered. White, on the other hand, is very creative. I love the Iranian desert colours that reflect greys, blues and bleached white at dawn.” Zabihi’s peripatetic childhood installed a wanderlust that led her to a two-year volunteer posting, teaching English, French and drama, in Lanzhou, Gansu province, followed by seven years in Hong Kong during the 1990s, when she met and married her Scottish husband, Robert Rigg, an investment banker-turned-entrepreneur. The couple moved to London, where Zabihi, having abandoned a film-production career, launched her eponymous design studio (she was “more interested in looking at spaces than at actors”). When the couple returned to Hong Kong this year, after more than a decade in Singapore, Zabihi was determined to avoid the usual design pitfalls that come with renting. After viewing many Mid-Levels apartments she found a 1,100 sq ft two-bedroom home whose owner shared a love of white on white. “We were lucky as he had already opened up the space by removing internal walls and had installed ultra-efficient sliding doors, built-in shelving and a foldaway desk. The only thing I added were shelves for my sculptures in the master bedroom and additional storage in the bedroom cupboard,” says Zabihi. The key to turning a rental flat into a home is an understanding of space, she says. “You have to look quite hard at what you have. For example, you may love your Chinese chest but does it fit in? Could it be painted so it blends in or do you make it the focus? It is all about choices, but first you need to respect the space itself.” Zabihi, who has worked on homes, bars and hotels in Singapore, France, Britain and Sri Lanka, says the first thing she asks a client is, “What don’t you like?” “They may not know what they want but they definitely know what they don’t,” she laughs. For her own home, she wanted to keep clutter to a minimum. “If you have too much stuff around you there isn’t enough space to think and be creative,” she says. The second bedroom, which serves as her design office, contains a white architect’s desk and little else. Throughout the apartment, decorative objets, such as a goat’s head clad in silver, are carefully positioned for maximum visual impact. Despite the all-white look, she avoids a clinical feel by adding subtle touches, such as groups of striking pots and vases ranging in tone from a muddy white to soft grey. Texture is injected with a velvet bedcover (which she designed), cushions, glossy green plants and artwork, including a plain white canvas Zabihi transformed by adding a dark-grey vertical slash. The understated palette sets the scene for statement furniture, such as an original Le Corbusier lounger and a collection of dramatic African sculptures bought while on holiday in Zimbabwe. “White doesn’t need to be single-toned,” says Zabihi, who is launching a collection of white paints developed with local specialists 513 Paint Shop. “White paint can transform the most simple of materials.” For example, when she was unable to find the perfect bar counter to fit her home’s narrow balcony, Zabihi improvised with two stepladders and planks she picked up in Wan Chai and painted white. “I have breakfast sitting out there every morning. I love to see the world go by. It is such a calm space but I still feel like I am part of the community.” Sitting room The linen sofa (HK$17,950) was from Tree (various locations; www.tree.com.hk). Karina Zabihi added cushions that she designed (HK$420 to HK$720 depending on size; tel: 9682 8291; www.kzdesigns.com) and a cowhide rug (HK$2,500), sourced from the Gage Hotel (www.gagehotel.com) in Marathon, Texas, in the United States. The sheep (HK$16,800) was from Asiatique Collections (15 Dempsey Road, Singapore, tel: 65 6471 3146). The two large silver sculptural pieces on either side of the sofa were props at the 2009 F1 Rocks Concert in Singapore and cost HK$5,400 each from Lifestorey (Great World City, 1 Kim Seng Promenade, Singapore, tel: 65 6732 7362). The framed mirror was bought years ago at The Conran Shop (www.conranshop.co.uk), in Britain. Kitchen The vintage-style stools were part of the flat’s original furnishings. Zabihi added a trio of rough hewn jugs (HK$396 to HK$756 depending on size) from Space Furniture (www.spacefurniture.com.sg), in Singapore. The set of sculptural vases displayed on the built-in open shelves cost between HK$395 and HK$830 each and came from Tree. The five-piece part-glazed ceramic artwork, bought from the artist, Karin Schosser (karinschosser.com), evokes nature’s contours. “It is the contrast that I love in this work,” says Zabihi. “It is very soothing, almost like the sea.” Study area The desk and wall storage unit came with the apartment. Zabihi added an ergonomic work chair (HK$2,200) from Space Furniture. The vintage Le Corbusier recliner was bought years ago at The Conran Shop. A bust created by the designer’s brother, artist Paul Zabihi (paul.zabihi@ukcubitt.co.uk), adds a quirky element to the lounger. “It’s a good talking point,” says Karina Zabihi. The goat-head sculpture, from Asiatique Collections, was a birthday present for her husband, Robert Rigg, who is, Zabihi says, “a big fan of taxidermy”. The jug (HK$120) and lampshade (HK$120) were from Ikea (various locations; www.ikea.com.hk). The ornament and vases on the shelves were gifts. The silverleaf box was bought in Vietnam. Bedroom Zabihi designed the double bed (HK$3,500), which was made by contractor MAD Studio (tel: 9221 1983), to maximise storage underneath. The baskets (HK$300 each) came from Muji (various locations; www.muji.com). The silk-velvet bedcover (HK$5,400) and cushions (HK$720 each) were designed by Zabihi. The ceramic vases on the shelves were bought years ago from London’s Artmonsky Gallery (108A Boundary Road, St John’s Wood, tel: 44 207 604 3991). The Ingo Maurer Wo-Tum-Bu floor lamp (HK$12,000) came from Space Furniture. Zabihi designed the low console shoe cabinet (HK$10,800), which was made by 5+ Design (Block 322, Hougang Avenue 5, 01-78, Singapore, tel: 65 8297 6979). The mirror came with the flat. Balcony The vivid green beanbag cost HK$1,800 from Slack.Lifestyle (9/F, Evergreen Industrial Mansion, 12 Yip Fat Street, Aberdeen, tel: 8109 6955). The two matching white stools (HK$2,000 each) were from Space Furniture. Zabihi made the outdoor bar and shelves. The long plant pot cost HK$3,600 from Lifestorey. The mirror, distressed by Zabihi for a weathered look, cost HK$6,000 at Asiatique Collections. Bathroom The bathroom continues the white theme, with contrast provided by a black-framed artwork– part of a pair – that was a gift. Office The flexible-height desk (HK$18,000) came from Danish Design (Century Warehouse, 08-01, 100E Pasir Panjang Road, Singapore, tel: 65 6270 8483) and the drawing board (HK$300) from Art Friend (Block 231, Bain Street, 03-33, Singapore, tel: 65 6336 8338). Zabihi used an old Ikea plant pot (HK$200) for pen storage and found the three sculptural vases (HK$1,800 to HK$3,600, depending on size) in a shop in Bali, Indonesia, that has since closed. The two framed artworks, which comprise front covers of Penguin classics, were a his-and-hers birthday present from Paul Zabihi. Bright idea Karina Zabihi's landlord transformed an overly bright bathroom by hiding the main light with a simple linen ceiling canopy. An inexpensive solution, the diffused light creates a refreshing but peaceful space.

Pure magic

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}An interior designer eschews colour at home to focus instead on her favourite shade of pale

An interior designer eschews colour at home to focus instead on her favourite shade of pale