“I am very particular,” Leung says, with a laugh, adding that she had agreed to visit the flat initially just to mollify her long-suffering agent, who had arranged an early viewing. “On paper, it looked too small for me, but I walked in and fell in love with the potential for a walk-in closet [carved out of one bedroom].”

With windows on three sides and two small balconies, the apartment had what Leung – a Hong Kong-born financial exec­utive who moved to Canada after high school and returned in 2006 – was looking for, and she signed on the dotted line to become the first person to take possession of an apartment in the high-rise on trendy Davis Street.

Leung also wanted to modify the space to provide storage elsewhere.

Having seen Debi Yeung-Salansy’s work featured in Post Magazine, Leung got in touch and was immediately impressed by the designer’s perspicacity.

“I had a spare room in my old apartment but probably in 10 years only two visitors to stay. Debi pointed out what a waste this was and encouraged me to think about the space in my new apartment in terms of my every­day needs.”

Which is why one small bedroom was set aside for a walk-in wardrobe and the other two knocked together to create a generous bedroom. The apartment’s 3.65-metre ceiling height allowed Yeung-Salansy to build an elevated bed platform that afforded generous storage space for her client’s sports equip­ment, extra bedding, luggage and other sundry items.

A large built-in cabinet, with a chest of drawers on one side and a small desk with further storage on the other, separates the bedroom from the rest of the apartment while still allowing plenty of light to flood through. One of two doors was blocked off and shallow shelving created on the bedroom side for yet more storage.

Because the apartment was new, and the bathroom and kitchen were finished to a high specification with Miele and Siemens appliances, changes to those areas were unnecessary. At Leung’s request, however, Yeung-Salansy installed a feature wall in the main living area that extended on to the balcony. The concrete surface of the wall helps to connect outside and indoor areas. And on the bedroom side of the wall, it provides, you guessed it, even more storage space.

A frequent traveller, Leung was also keen to use technology to her advantage, which is why “smart living” features have been installed throughout the home. A touch of a button on her phone or iPad allows her to turn on the lights and air conditioning from anywhere in the world.

Leung didn’t move in with any of the furniture from her old apartment (“except that carpet Debi hates”) and instead helped Yeung-Salansy furnish the compact interior from scratch. Their natural rapport is evident: “Debi’s direct and I like that,” says Leung. “I respect and trust her advice.”

The pair may not agree on the apart­ment’s highlight, though. Leung’s favourite spot is a shoe cabinet accommodating 70-plus pairs of designer shoes.

“Even if I don’t wear them, it makes me happy just to look at them – they’re so pretty!” she laughs.

Living room The sofa and ottoman (HK$37,000 in total) and rug (HK$6,099) came from BoConcept. The Ambit pendant lamp (HK$3,800) was sourced from Muuto. On the balcony, the corner seat (HK$1,400) came from Ikea and the foldaway tray table (HK$500) from Habitat. In the bedroom, the divider unit with a red Venetian-plastered door (HK$28,000 in total) supports a small desk and wardrobe and was made by Debi Yeung Design.

Living room detail The concrete feature wall in the living area, which extends on to the small balcony, was built for HK$20,000 by Debi Yeung-Salansy’s contractor, who also built the television cabinet (HK$2,800).

Dining area The glass-top dining table (HK$3,800) was fabricated by Debi Yeung Design, as was the side table (HK$2,500). The upholstered dining chair (HK$5,500) came from BoConcept and the NMO Barcelona wall clock (HK$7,950) from Homeless.

Shoe cabinet A cabinet by the main door houses Leung’s designer shoes.

Bedroom A raised platform accommodates extensive storage. The large chest of drawers (HK$22,000) was custom made by Debi Yeung Design. In front of the window seat is a pair of sheepskin rugs (HK$459 each) from Ikea. A small window is artfully covered with a painting (HK$3,500) that fits into a track built into the headboard so that it can slide easily for access. The headboard and hydraulic system (HK$18,000 in total), which lifts the entire bed to access the storage space underneath, were designed by Debi Yeung Design, as was the bedside table (HK$1,200), which doubles as a dressing table. A pouffe (HK$2,400), from Choi Designs, fits snugly underneath. The copper pendant light (HK$979) was from BoConcept.

Bedroom detail Stored in the platform space are out-of-season clothes, sporting accessories, bedding and luggage.

Bathroom The compact bathroom was finished to a high specification, but for greater privacy 3M film was added to the window.

TRIED + TESTED
Smart glass Although the apartment sits on a high floor, the homeowner felt the large kitchen window left the apartment too exposed. A blind or curtain would have been a fire hazard and blocked out light. Instead, Debi Yeung-Salansy installed a glass panel (HK$45,000) in front of the existing window that can change from transparent to translucent at the touch of a button.