Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Spacious Contemporary Home in Hong Kong
Outdoor grounds, an open floor plan and light-filled interiors help this Hong Kong home defy the norm
People familiar with Hong Kong know how valuable a few extra square feet are in a city plagued with congestion and cramped high-rise buildings. Which is why this house in Yuen Long is so special: Its interiors boast bright open spaces, and the house has a garden area that's surrounded by lush foliage — a rarity in Hong Kong.
"The Vineyard is far away from Hong Kong's business district," says interior designer Peter Ho. "Nowadays, when people with means crave more space, if they don't head to The Peak, they go to the New Territories," says Ho.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their 2 sons
Location: Yuen Long, New Territories, Hong Kong
Size: 3,458 square feet (house and garden)
That's interesting: The house is located in The Vineyard area, where each home has its own garden, a luxury in high-rise-saturated Hong Kong.
"The Vineyard is far away from Hong Kong's business district," says interior designer Peter Ho. "Nowadays, when people with means crave more space, if they don't head to The Peak, they go to the New Territories," says Ho.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their 2 sons
Location: Yuen Long, New Territories, Hong Kong
Size: 3,458 square feet (house and garden)
That's interesting: The house is located in The Vineyard area, where each home has its own garden, a luxury in high-rise-saturated Hong Kong.
A bird's eye view of the outdoor area shows the angular shapes formed by the balcony edges, platform base and outdoor sectional sofa. All of the decor is waterproof, a necessity in humid and typhoon-prone Hong Kong.
The customized wall-to-wall shelving unit is the pièce de résistance of the living room; the varied orientations of the cubbies have a puzzle-like effect and provide visual interest to the room. The stairs maximize the clients' living and common areas — always a priority in space-hungry Hong Kong, even in Yuen Long.
"We designed the interesting unit with a purpose: We needed a feature wall to link the living area, dining area and open kitchen. It's interesting to see how the color and choice of what is displayed actually enriches the white-tinted wood feature wall," says Ho.
"We designed the interesting unit with a purpose: We needed a feature wall to link the living area, dining area and open kitchen. It's interesting to see how the color and choice of what is displayed actually enriches the white-tinted wood feature wall," says Ho.
Figurines of monks with their begging bowls occupy the floor; most other accessories are displayed higher up.
Look closer at the items in each cubby and you'll see whispers of coastal design: a starfish, a sea urchin, a shell.
A strip of grass cloth wallpaper and a wooden plank dining table add warmth to the largely black and white space.
Wallpaper: Tat Ming Wallpaper Company
Wallpaper: Tat Ming Wallpaper Company
The grayish-brown grain of the bar countertop and stool legs contrasts with the stark white shelving and cabinetry.
A single metallic framed mirror looms large and makes a powerful statement in this contemporary mantel setup.
Like an ornate pair of dangling earrings, the bedside lanterns in the master bedroom add a touch of chinoiserie and reflect the Far Eastern context of this largely contemporary home. The buttery yellow tassels pair well with the warm wood tones of the overall decor. The light cast by the lanterns highlights the textural appeal of the grass cloth panel behind the bed.
Headboard and bed frame: custom, S.I.D.; lanterns: Indigo Living
Headboard and bed frame: custom, S.I.D.; lanterns: Indigo Living
A closer look at this picture shows the layering of the headboard's grain against the background panel. Also, we see how the lantern's strategic bedside placement hides electrical outlets and controls.
The designer reinforces the strong horizontal lines of the basement in the bookshelves, desk shelves, staircase and floor panels. Ho also customized an oak desk for two that works hard for his clients with its plentiful drawers, shelves and leg space.
A floating vanity coupled with vertical cubbies provides ample storage space in the master bathroom. LED lights provide both mood and practical lighting that's perfect for bathroom breaks at night and in the early morning, when harsh lighting overhead would be disruptive.
The design team customized a raised platform in the outdoor area, creating a resort feel and allowing the homeowners to enjoy a bit of sunshine.