When American trend forecaster Faith Popcorn first coined the term 'cocooning', many people might not have heard it before, but a few instantly got what it meant.
As early as 1981, Popcorn sensed that the practice of going out had lost much of its allure for many and, that within a decade, increasing numbers of us would just want to stay at home - even in Hong Kong. As cocooning caught on here, it challenged certain accepted conventions, not least of which saw many of us cooking and entertaining more, often for the first time.
Interior designer Suzy Annetta, of Studio Annetta, says the cocooning phenomenon is particularly strong in Hong Kong because so many people here live such full and busy lives.
'Despite the wide range of things to do in this city, sometimes it's nice just to stay at home. And it's just as nice staying home with friends if you like to entertain,' she says. 'People in Hong Kong have cottoned on to investing in their living spaces for this reason. Adding to this is people travelling more for work and pleasure, and then wanting to recreate at home all the luxuries a 5-star hotel or resort has to offer.'
Serviced apartment operator Swire quickly caught on to this, renovating its Pacific Place Apartments - with interiors by award-winning designer Ed Ng of AB Concept - with home comforts foremost in mind.
The property's prime location, within the Pacific Place office and retail mall and directly connected to Admiralty MTR, sets the scene. 'The magic that draws residents to Pacific Place Apartments is its offer of serene living - right in the middle of everything you need,' says Coco Wong, portfolio manager.