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Parallel Lives

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Alison Henry, interior designer Age: In my 30s.

Career path: I was born in New Zealand, lived in England for five years as a small child, and in Singapore for 11 years. I started high school in Singapore and completed in New Zealand. I went to Auckland University Architecture School and did a five-year degree in interior design. After graduating, I went back to London where I joined Richmond International. I was involved in a wide range of prestigious hospitality projects around the world, including London's Dorchester Hotel, the Oberoi in Melbourne, concept design for hotels in Russia, and work for the Orient Express Group. I worked for Richmond for five years before coming to Hong Kong in January 1991 to set up its office here.

I worked on the Peninsula, decorating the ballroom, lobby area and suites, so that the new tower would blend in. After two years, I set up my own business, Alison Henry Design. I managed to retain the Peninsula work, designing the $150,000-a-night Kadoorie Handover Suite. I do high-end design, but also boats, homes, shopping arcades, hotels and restaurants. I worked on the Mandarin Oriental's Baan Taling Ngam Resort in Koh Samui, the Phuket Yacht Club, TOTT's at the Excelsior Hotel, The Coffee Shop at the Mandarin, the New York Fitness Centre and the Celine boutiques. I married (First Pacific Davies boss, David Davies) in 1994 and have twin girls who are almost a year old.

Alison's day: I work five days a week, but since having the girls I try to work part-time - I have excellent staff who can carry on without me. My main role is to meet with the client and do the concept design. The concept depends on the function of the area, budget and time scale. Within a few weeks, we come up with a layout plan, mood boards, artist impressions, swatch samples and so on. I check on the project as it progresses and once it is completed, I do the final dressing out, the part I love.

Not taking care of the final dressing is a bit like wearing a Christian Dior suit with a no-name shirt underneath. If I have designed a restaurant, for example, I would do the table settings or ensure the curtains hang right. Details are important, which is why I have started my own range of accessories. I spend half my working day in the office and half on site, at meetings and so on.

Ambition: I dream of having a Design House with all the accessories needed for stylish living and perhaps even dressing.

Salary: My salary depends on the company's profit. A good designer here probably earns more than $60,000 a month.

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