Welcome to the 'playpen' - a chic party pad that reflects a couple's sense of fun.
When Edmund Chan and Alison Tam started working on ideas for their newly purchased 1,850 sq ft flat in west Mid-Levels, it was in pursuit of a happy medium. 'We had just got engaged and my fiancee thought my last place was too 'me'!' says Chan. 'It was a bit bachelor-paddish. Now I'd say it's 80 per cent her and 20 per cent me - though if you ask her it's 50:50.'
Chan, a director of equity derivative sales at Deutsche Bank, brought in Michael Chau of Design Explorer (unit A, 19/F, Lockhart Centre, 301 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, tel: 2398 3348), the contractor who had renovated his previous apartment. Chan drew what he wanted on a blank floor plan then Chau told him which ideas could make it into 3D.
'I knew things had to be done correctly because we didn't want to send pieces back to the mainland,' says Chan. 'But even then, you'll look at a magazine and think 'Oh yeah', then find yourself looking at doorknobs until they all become one and you still end up rushing the decision.'
Though Tam wanted to soften the look significantly - more texture and fewer hard, reflective surfaces -the couple agreed that the apartment should be renovated in a spirit of fun. 'We call it the playpen,' says Chan, before reeling off a list of entertainment props that includes board games, a Wii, Jedi costumes and a powerful karaoke system. Much of the inspiration was drawn from their time spent carousing around town, and from current popular culture.
The open-plan living room is delineated from the kitchen area by a change in flooring; Chan chose a much lighter tone for the former. The colour choice for the sofa was inspired by those in a number of upscale bars. The setup is flexible and spacious - nothing to get in the way of a good party - and the pair made sure there was a wide variety of light settings, both recessed and dimmable, from PLC (shop 5, 212 Lockhart Road, tel: 2519 9601).
