At first glance, you would be forgiven for thinking that this trendy city abode was a bachelor pad, for the home exudes a sleek, sultry charm, enhanced by jaw-dropping views of Hong Kong’s Central District and the harbour beyond. It’s actually the love nest of a hardworking young couple.
The man of the house was mostly involved in the home’s creation process, explains Cyrus Cheng, a designer at Chinc’s Workshop, the Hong Kong-headquartered interior-design firm that the homeowners commissioned to help create their slick abode.
“I was going to give the designer carte blanche, so I wanted a designer with the passion to turn the space into his pièce de résistance,” says the homeowner about his decision to work with Chinc’s Workshop. “Cyrus and I had a similar vision for the apartment,” he explains. “I was thinking of a Manhattan-style penthouse with a view.”
Cheng immediately “got it”, coming up with a concept that was modern and masculine. What really clinched the deal, however, was “his design for the kitchen and dining area,” says the homeowner.
The triplex apartment is located in the city’s prestigious Mid-Levels area and has a total floor area of 2,380 square feet, with three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a terrace. Initially, the space presented something of a challenge for Cheng. “It’s long and narrow, so we tried to maximise the usable space,” says the designer.
To begin with, there were windows on three sides, but, given that this floor had to encompass a helper’s room, powder room and laundry – as well as the kitchen and dining room – the Chinc’s Workshop team decided to forfeit the windows on one side, building in cabinets to create utilitarian spaces.
The kitchen and dining rooms were kept open-plan, as the homeowners love entertaining. “My girlfriend loves to cook and having a kitchen where we can cook together makes it a lot more fun,” says the homeowner, who was particularly keen to have an island-type show kitchen.
The whole level is decked out in dark hues, consolidating that edgy, masculine vibe. Solid hardwood flooring in stained oak sets the tone, while slick black Siemens appliances pair smoothly and seamlessly with glossy black cabinetry. Come nightfall, the cabinetry serves a second purpose, reflecting the brightly lit Hong Kong skyline. LED lighting under the kitchen countertop also adds to the cool factor at night, slowly changing colour as the night progresses. “It has managed to give the space more of a funky bar feel,” the homeowner enthuses.
The couple also like to relax – they both work busy jobs, rising very early to start the daily grind – so their private area, which is located one level above the social floor, garnered just as much attention in the design process.
Cheng created “a very enclosed private sleeping area in the bedroom” – a snug and nest-like space, with one wall covered in charcoal-hued velveteen panels. On each side of the bed, Droog’s Milk Bottle lamps hang, offering a quirky element in this highly sophisticated space.
Elsewhere on this floor is a stunning guest bathroom, featuring a double skylight. Cheng added this vertical element to bring the line of sight upwards and outwards, while also bringing sunlight into the otherwise dark room. A long mirror – stretching from the ceiling to meet the basin and Gessi Drop tap – also serves to bring more light into the space and was deliberately designed to resemble a waterfall. This ultra-glam bathroom is home to a sunken mosaic tub and a built-in, wall-mounted television.
The final floor is also dedicated to entertainment, albeit designed for quieter, more low-key evenings. This was once the rooftop of the building, but with planning permission, the developers turned it into another level, and Chinc’s Workshop then transformed it into the sitting room-slash-home cinema that it is today. A portion of the roof space still remains, acting as a balcony leading off from this sumptuous living area.
From top to bottom, this triplex is evidently the pièce de résistance the homeowner was looking for. Cheng humbly puts the project’s success down to having the owners’ full support all the way through. “This project wouldn’t have been executed so successfully without all the trust and freedom given to me and my team,” he says. “I simply couldn’t have asked for a more supportive client.”
* Redcover
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