How Hong Kong flat went from humdrum to ultimate bachelor’s pad
Spacious terrace, modern kitchen, muted colour palette and industrial details come together in Hong Kong-based financial consultant’s masculine pied-à-terre
If ever there were a good advertisement for minimalism, this Caine Road flat is it. Pared back to sleek, sophisticated simplicity, the 610 sq ft space has been transformed from a dreary 1970s two-bedder into a masculine pied-à-terre for financial consultant Robert Chan and his golden retriever, Sydney.
Jewel in the apartment’s crown is the 450 sq ft terrace. Decked out in wood-composite boards, with a dining table and sofa, an outdoor kitchen and a utility area complete with urinal (“for parties”), the terrace is a fabulous space for entertaining. A living-bamboo screen and fabric blinds fitted horizontally under the partial glass roof provide privacy.
“The terrace was the deciding factor [in buying the apartment],” Chan says. “I work close by and wanted somewhere I can hold dinner parties and small gatherings. I live near Happy Valley and have a place in Sai Kung. This is my urban getaway.”
Mastermind behind the renovation was Gary Lai, founder and director of Hong Kong interior design company Spatial Concept, whose focus is on commercial projects.