A Hong Kong entrepreneur’s ‘exotic’ style is on show in her family’s Sydney holiday home

In the 19th century, a group of Mormons crossing the Mojave Desert saw in the Yucca brevi­folia’sgreen-tipped branches the up­stretched arms of the prophet who had led the Israelites out of the wilder­ness. Out of perhaps the second greatest story ever told cameth the name Joshua tree, the spike-leafed curiosity that grows wild only in that corner of southern California.

Cheung is the founder of Hong Kong luxury home-decor brand Lala Curio, whose raison d’être, she says, is to “support Asian and Chinese arts and crafts, and make them relevant and venerable again”. Part of a close-knit family, she had no difficulty decorating and furnishing rooms for her brother and sister, plus the entire top floor for her parents, complete with a study and balcony.

Although traditional Chinese decorative arts are in her blood, and her mother has a love of Italian furniture, Cheung was keen to add “exotic” elements. For inspiration, she looked to the Philippines, where her family has partner factories, and Africa, whose arts and crafts her father collects.

About the house itself, she acknow­ledges, “It was in excellent condition when we bought it.” The 1950s dwelling, which borders a reserve and overlooks a small beach, was rebuilt a decade ago by Shahe Simonian, of Zanazan Architecture Studio. The “almost-modernist house”, as the Sydney-based architect describes it, enjoys rooms that feel open but have a sense of enclosure. Helping to achieve that cosiness is a divider with built-in fireplace separating the dining and kitchen areas from a sitting room.