Three design experts collaborated on a Mid-Levels flat and came up with a result that was agreeable to all.
Take three design professionals, all friends, and unleash them on a 1,800 sq ft Mid-Levels apartment owned by two of them. What do you get? A mishmash of contrary ideas? Ruined friendships? Or a seamless infusion of the best of three worlds?
For Rob Wall and his wife, Bernice Day, their collaboration with a long-time friend, architect Johnny Kember, resulted in a home that blends the architectural specialities of all three - sublime details by Kember with furnishings and accessories supplied by Wall's products and services company and innovative pieces from Day's eco-design materials firm.
The project was a serendipitous meeting of minds that Wall swears never saw a difference of opinion. That's because he ceded all control, he admits with a grin.
'A lot of clients working with architects tend to interfere in the design process,' says Wall, clearly speaking from experience. Instead of trying to micro-manage, it's better to give the architect a clear but basic outline, he says. 'Then you get a complete piece of art, which is what the architectural process is about, not picking and choosing each detail.'
For Wall and Day, the basic outline was for a relaxing environment where they could entertain and that was animal friendly enough for their dog and cat and incorporated storage for Day's vast wardrobe and Wall's drinks collection. 'We also wanted somewhere that would be very comfortable and a great place to live in and I think we managed to do everything. It's exceeded my expectations,' says Wall.