Inside Taylor R’s dream home: Aman-inspired en suite, open kitchen, balcony outdoor dining and rooftop that feels like a treehouse in its verdant surrounds
- The Canadian social media celebrity’s 1,800 sq ft apartment with private rooftop in verdant Hong Kong gave her the space she craved, including an open kitchen
- Peggy Bels’ ‘French way of doing things’ appealed to her; the designer added textured walls, a luxurious en suite, and cleverly hid a staircase to the rooftop
A modelling contract brought Canadian Taylor Richard (also known as Taylor R) to Hong Kong in 2010. The dichotomy of the place – old and new; East meets West; a city encircled by nature – persuaded her to stay. And when she was ready to settle down, the verdant environment of Sai Kung drew Richard, by now a social media celebrity, to put down roots in a home of her own.
The new, top-floor apartment was the first property she was shown.
“As soon as I opened the door [in 2018], the high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows with forest view felt a bit like Canada,” recalls Richard.
“Having space” was important to Richard, who was hoping to expand her family beyond the “fur baby”, a tiny poodle called Rosie. At 1,800 sq ft (167 square metres) inside, plus a private rooftop of the same size and a wraparound balcony, it was indeed a rare find in Hong Kong.
As a follower of Peggy Bels Interior Design on Instagram, Richard knew she could turn a bare-bones developer offering into her dream home.
“I really liked Bels’ French way of doing things, and how she mixes textures,” she says. “I knew her style was going to work with our own ideas.”