House call

From the colourful chandeliers and vibrant artwork to the bold accessories and quirky ornaments, this house is not one that whispers serenity; it's one that yells excitement. You could be forgiven for assuming it belongs to a Bohemian artist or an eccentric entertainer, so it may surprise you to learn it's the home of a respected doctor and her pilot husband.

Canadian doctor Lauren Bramley and Australian Craig have lived in Hong Kong for 15 years and have three sons - Maxwell, 14, Lachlan, 12, and Owen, eight. The family enjoys activities such as water sports, skiing, football and playing the guitar and drums. It's an energy clearly reflected in the Bramley home: a 3,000 sq ft, two-bedroom rented apartment in a block called Cloud Nine on The Peak, into which they moved in 2009.

'We'd always wanted to move into this complex,' says Bramley. 'What we love about it is its old colonial feel, the high ceilings, the beautiful garden, which is very well maintained by the building's owners, and the pool in the backyard, with all the colonial-style columns around it.'

When it came to the interior, Bramley sought the help of friend Jo Black of BBase International Design Group, who also designed the interior of the doctor's clinic in Central and of whom she says: 'She's great at bringing your style out of you, and so good at interpreting your personality. We already had some of the furniture and many of the objects. Jo brought it all together in a new way, and added things we wouldn't have thought of, such as the black paint in the hallway.'

Black, who thought the Bramleys' home should represent 'a very chic, glamorous, modern family', says she aims to 'create space that produces emotion and reflects who you are'.

She started with the entrance (see Tried + tested) because it is an area in homes that is often overlooked but which she feels should be the first to make an impact.