How an interior designer turned a rental into a ‘proper’ home filled with natural materials and timeless ‘forever’ pieces for a Hong Kong family

Moving flats from one complex in Pok Fu Lam to another offered Jules and Miles Richardson and their two little boys the perfect opportunity for an interior makeover.

Like many expatriates, the couple had initially thought they’d be in Hong Kong for only a few years and had opted for a temporary fix when it came to furnishing their home. After more than 10 years in the territory and with no imminent plans to leave, they decided it was time to invest in some “forever” pieces and treat themselves to more style.

“They wanted to create a ‘proper’ home rather than continue to make do,” says interior designer Christine Ritter of Studio CHR, who was contacted by the Richardsons after a referral from a friend. “Although their tastes changed and the items weren’t really working for them any more, they simply put up with it all.”

Because the family’s 1,800 sq ft (167 sq m) new home is a rental, Ritter didn’t have the luxury to start from scratch. However, the four-bedroom, two-bathroom property already had a well-thought-out floor plan and its plain walls and flooring made it easy to personalise.

Ritter conceived a design scheme with a hint of African safari about it, incorporating an abundance of natural materials such as wood and rattan, subdued colours and tribal elements. It was almost the complete opposite aesthetic of the Richardsons’ previous decor so the couple sold their old furniture and Ritter went shopping, helping them to invest in timeless new pieces.

“My preferred aesthetic is a balance between natural and modern, and fortunately Miles and Jules liked my suggestions,” says Ritter.