Finders keepers
Eclectic objects from far-flung places jostle for attention amid the riot of colour that is this Stanley walk-up
Text Adele Brunner / Styling David Roden / Photography John Butlin
Holiday purchases for the home can be hit or miss: they look either fabulously exotic or sorely out of place. Having almost totally furnished her walk-up flat in Stanley with treasures picked up overseas, Kitty Kenzo clearly has a knack for getting it right.
"When I travel, I'm always looking in vintage markets and quirky stores," says Kenzo, who was born and raised in Hong Kong and now lives with her husband, Oscar McConnell, a Canadian broker, just down the road from where she grew up. "I've rarely been disappointed and have come away with some great things. Shipping is always a problem because of the cost, so I usually end up lugging a lot of stuff back in my suitcase or hand luggage."
Although Kenzo attended Central Saint Martins art school, in London, and has a degree in interior design, she has never worked in the industry, preferring to reserve her talent for personal use. And her 2,000 sq ft rented apartment is bursting with vintage furniture, eclectic artwork and interesting flea-market finds.
What is refreshing is Kenzo's relaxed attitude towards her possessions.
"I don't want to have a stiff, clean-lined home - I like a comfortable look and feel," she says. "I stole the white sofas in my living room from my parents when they were renovating and I've had them for 15 years. My father had them stuffed with clothing down so they are extra soft.