Making minimalism pop in a Hong Kong apartment
A Jardine's Lookout apartment proves minimalism doesn't have to be boring, writes Jane Steer.
When it comes to adding character to a lean, clean, minimal scheme, it's all about the details. Simple lines, uncluttered spaces and pared-down colour palettes create serene living spaces and can help Hong Kong's boxy apartments feel larger but (whisper it) minimalism can be dull.
"I hate spaces with all-white walls; you see it again and again," says designer Yu-Chang Chen, founder of interiors company hoo. "I'm a fan of minimalism, but you need to live a minimalist lifestyle to make it work - it's not practical for everyday life."
And it doesn't mix well with children and all the cheerfully coloured toys and paraphernalia that accompany the average primary schooler.
So when the Lai family of four acquired a 2,028 sq ft, all-white apartment in Jardine's Lookout last year they called in Chen and his team, led by designer Arsan Law Wai-san, to remodel the colourless space and give the three bedrooms and public areas much-needed personality as well as extra storage.
"We kept it simple and clean over-all, but we wanted to add character," Chen says.