One couple's desire to re-create their Parisian lifestyle meant putting into practice the maxim 'seek and ye shall find'.
When a house-hunter knows exactly what she wants, finding it can be difficult. 'I looked at 60 places in three weeks,' Gaelle Echene says about her fast and furious apartment search, 'and finally found a place that met our requirements.'
Having relocated from France, Echene and husband Mathias wanted a home that reminded them of the loft they had left in Paris. The 2,000-square-foot flat the Echenes selected is a split-level penthouse in a Mid-Levels high-rise that includes a large roof terrace with internal staircase. White walls and dark wooden floors provide a neutral backdrop to the stunning views of Central and Victoria Harbour. Floor-to-ceiling windows in most rooms contribute to an airy atmosphere.
The floor plan was important to Echene. 'The unconventional layout was very appealing,' she says.
'The traditional Chinese layout was not what we were looking for.' Their flat has a closed kitchen and open living/dining area on the ground floor, along with a large study and guest bathroom. A glass-brick staircase with glass balustrades leads to the master suite, nursery, bathroom and guest room, which the couple have converted into a large walk-in wardrobe. 'There was not one wardrobe in this space,' Echene explains, 'so we needed to create one.'
The Echenes created an urban oasis on their rooftop by incorporating natural touches, such as tall bamboo and patches of grass, kept green by an automatic sprinkler system. Wooden decking defines an outdoor bath and shower area where the family enjoys bathing alfresco.