Clean, contemporary interior design gives a Hong Kong flat an overdue update
‘It was run-down; everything was old and a mishmash of styles. I much prefer modern, easy living,’ says owner, who turned to trusted architect nephew when it came to transforming the flat into a no-fuss, minimalist space
When it comes to their home, May and Ken Mein believe that if something works, there’s no point in fixing it. For years the couple have lived in the same West Kowloon complex, which they love for its convenience (their previous two flats were in the same development). What didn’t work for them, however, was their current three-bedroom, two-bathroom flat.
“We purchased this apartment with [tenants in situ]. It hadn’t been renovated for 18 years,” says May. “It was run-down; everything was old and a mishmash of styles. I much prefer modern, easy living.”
After the tenants left, the couple, both Hongkongers, decided the 1,200 sq ft property was overdue for a makeover and that they should move into it when it was finished. They enlisted the help of their nephew, architect Sean Niem, who collaborated on the design with former business partner Deric Chiu.
Because of limitations caused by the West Kowloon flat’s structural walls, he treated the layout almost as three separate exercises: the main suite on one side; the kitchen and helper’s room on the other; and the living/dining area in the middle.