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.