Hong Kong, with its high proportion of rented accommodation and transient population, would seem an obvious market for modular furniture.
The system, which was invented in the 1930s, uses uniform pre-fabricated components that can be assembled in a variety of ways, affording flexibility and ease of assembly and transport. Although many people here will have had first-hand experience of such furniture in their workplaces, applying the concept at home has yet to catch on.
Yick says most people first encounter USM's modular approach when they pass her showroom on Morrison Hill Road. 'We get a lot of passing trade, with people dropping in to find out what the furniture is. Most people associate modular furniture with office environments. They're really surprised when they see it being used as a home product.'
Although it is growing in popularity among locals, in Yick's experience the furniture produced by USM is most commonly sought after by young, Western professionals.
'If you move around frequently, it's quite difficult to justify the expense of custom-made furniture but with modular designs you can tailor the components to suit your needs,' she says. 'People who buy USM products are typically appreciative of design but looking for something they can customise.'