Architect Kan Sze-king has had a long love affair with objets d'art. In his Mid-Levels flat he has used his collection to turn a harmonious space into an intimate statement. Architect Kan Sze-king knows the secret to good design: it's all in the planning. A commitment to spatial organisation, a passion for quality and a lifetime spent collecting furniture, objects and artwork has led to the creation of an interior with a highly personal appeal. 'We basically planned the whole thing,' says Kan, of CHK Partnership (19/F, Lucky Plaza, 315 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, tel: 2525 6974), who shares his 1,800 sq ft apartment in Mid-Levels with his wife, Helen Chai. 'In fact, we spent more on the planning and the layout than the decoration.' With its calming backdrop of ash-wood flooring, neutral palette and subtle lighting, the apartment is an exercise in harmonious spatial flow. Simplicity and functionality are key. An L-shaped open-plan living and dining area, a television-cum-relaxation room that can be closed off to double as a guest room, and a master bedroom with a walk-in closet and en-suite bathroom reflect the presence of a finely honed design eye. Noticeably, there is a lack of built-in cabinetry and fittings. 'I didn't want fixed-in carpentry,' explains Kan. Apart from some features in the bedroom, most of the house could be packed up and taken away tomorrow. 'I try not to do many built-in things. It's partially a cost issue and also built-in units occupy space, which is a valuable commodity here. 'I prefer to buy something appropriate or use something I have collected through the years rather than throw it away. It is better to spend money on good classic pieces that can follow you wherever you go.' Kan has a passion for fine workmanship and this is evident in his furnishings, objects and artwork. A Carlo Mollino chair, a triangular Qing-dynasty side table, Song-dynasty ceramics, art deco glassware and a dining table modelled on traditional Chinese carpentry techniques are just some of the items of interest that fill the home. 'It's the objects and artworks that stand out, not the decor,' he says. Kan's hunt for quality pieces has taken him around the world. Since his student days in London, he has acquired, in a measured, studied way, things that are no longer made. 'I buy things because I like them, because they are unusual and unique.' His ceramics, assembled over 18 years, are displayed in the living room on a shelving unit with a purposefully rusted frame. 'Some I bought in [London's] Portobello Road market,' he says. 'In those days they were not worth a lot as nobody was collecting Chinese pieces. The value has increased hugely since then.' Such monetary appreciation is a bonus rather than a motivating factor. 'You look at these pieces every day. It's so much better than putting money in the bank.' Kan favours items that may be old but exhibit contemporary forms and lines, including Ming horses, teapots - both antique and modern - antique screens and textiles. 'I like pattern and geometry on a simple base. That's my philosophy.' The appeal of Kan's home is also in the features not immediately noticeable: the comfortable Serta mattress, the heated towel rails, the pared-down door handles and the hotel-quality bathrooms. 'It's all about what you want, your lifestyle,' he says. 'I like little extras.' 1 Pride of place in the living room is taken by a striking array of collectables, ranging from Song-dynasty ceramics to Ming horses to art deco glassware. The collection is displayed on a rusted steel and old-wood shelving unit (HK$20,000 from Matchit, 1/F, 8 St Francis Street, Wan Chai, tel: 2143 6856; www.matchit.com.hk ). The white sofa cost HK$15,000 from a store since closed and the armchair (HK$4,000) was one of the first designs from G.O.D. (Leighton Centre, Sharp Street East entrance, Causeway Bay, tel: 2890 5555; www.god.com.hk ). The central ottoman with rattan base cost HK$1,000 at a Lane Crawford sale (IFC Mall, Central, tel: 2118 3388; www.lanecrawford.com ). The animal-print throw was bought for HK$1,500 from a store since closed. 2 Pale walls and ash-wood flooring offset the furniture and artwork in the dining room. The veneer-topped, medium-density fibreboard table was designed by Kan Sze-king and inspired by traditional Chinese carpentry techniques. Surrounding the table is a selection of chairs by Charles Eames. The two yellow seats were bought almost 10 years ago in Vancouver, Canada, for HK$3,000 a pair plus shipping. On the wall hangs a carved wooden screen purchased for HK$2,000 14 years ago from Mountain Folkcraft (12 Wo On Lane, Central, tel: 2525 3199). The woven textile piece displayed in a frame cost about HK$3,000 from Tao (45B Hollywood Road, Central, tel: 2805 1112). 3 The kitchen is practical and functional, with grey, industrial-style units, hard-wearing Corian countertops and a sunny yellow ceiling. The kitchen units are from Wow Kitchen Studio at JIA (room 2002, AIA Plaza, 18 Hysan Avenue, Causeway Bay, tel: 2832 5000). The white tiles can be found at numerous shops along Lockhart Road, Wan Chai. 4 The centrepiece of the TV room-cum-guest room, which can be sealed off with sliding panels (not pictured), is a Gilda armchair by Italian architect and designer Carlo Mollino for Zanotta ( www.zanotta.it ); Kan purchased it from a client. The chair can be bought at Dentro (shop A, Winway Building, 50 Wellington Street, Central, tel: 2801 7007; www.dentro.com.hk ). The wooden TV stand on wheels is from a shop since closed. On top is a 1930s ceramic water filter imprinted with the Wing On Department Store logo. In the corner is a triangular Qing-dynasty side table purchased eight years ago from China Art (15 Hollywood Road, Central, tel: 2542 0982; www.chinaart.com.hk ). 5 Kan's desk is positioned, hotel-style, against the back of the sofa in the living room. It benefits from being near a window but not in front of it, giving it a bright and airy feel. The curved floor lamp, featuring a shade made from dried moth cocoons, cost about HK$2,000 from Siam Discovery Centre (989 Rama Road, Bangkok, Thailand, tel: 66 2 658 100019). The leather chair is by Charles Eames. It was the first chair Kan purchased when he worked in Britain. 6 Shelves in the living room display a diverse collection, including an artwork by Fiona Wong Lai-ching: a pair of black clay Mongolian-style boots (HK$12,000 from Grotto Fine Art, 2/F, 31C Wyndham Street, Central, tel: 2121 2270; www.grottofineart.com ), various antique Chinese ceramics and a collection of art deco glassware sourced in Sydney, Australia. 7 The guest bathroom is kept simple with slim white industrial-style tiles and a mirror with a reflective frame. The pictures were purchased in Vietnam some years ago. 8 The master bedroom is restful, with a natural palette. Kan built a stained-ash headboard-cum-ledge, which runs the width of the room, and covered the wall above in textured wallpaper. The bed features a mattress by Serta (93 Wong Nai Chung Road, Happy Valley, tel: 2577 6122). The 1960s-style oval bedside tables were bought from a store since closed. tried & tested disappearing act Kan Sze-king painted the door to the kitchen the same colour as the wall to make it blend in. This helps to create a seamless backdrop along the rear wall of the dining room and allows attention to be focused on the artwork and collectables. For a dose of humour, Kan placed a round porthole in the door, using both opaque and clear glass to make a 'no entry' sign. The ceiling lamp (about HK$400) is from Denmark. It is also available from Elements (2/F, Star Commercial Building, 366 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, tel: 2295 0777). Styling: Esther van Wijck
