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August 16, 2020

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Home » Sunday » Home and Design

Gaudi-inspired abode’s art of curved lines

RENOWNED Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi once said, “There are no straight lines or sharp corners in nature. Therefore, buildings must have no straight lines or sharp corners.”

Gaudi’s “art of curves” vision inspired interior designer Clifton Leung to incorporate a lot of curved lines into an apartment design inside Taikoo Shing Horizon Gardens, Hong Kong Island.

The interior style is also inspired by the property owner’s love for nature and Nordic design.

Alex Chan, in his 60s, who lives with his wife Belinda Cheung, chose the apartment because its location is very convenient, adjacent to Cityplaza, a well-developed, large-scale mall managed by Swire Properties.

“We had worked with Clifton Leung Design Workshop before and was extremely happy with their work on our home previously. This second project is a rental unit, thus we gave them a tight budget but required good work within a specific period of time,” Chan said.

Chan initially preferred darker colors for the interior but this time, Leung suggested a lighter, more woody tone.

“We love the color scheme as well as the layout. Room proportions are good and the bathrooms are impressive, as is the quality and class functionality. There is plenty of space for linens and towels and all sorts of bathroom necessities despite the limited size,” he said.

Chan said the creative use of lighting also made the apartment look very bright and modern.

“The design team coordinated very well with the construction workers and we were kept abreast of the timeline all the time. We also noted Leung had input his creative genius to solve some technical problems.”

Leung is known for his creative ideas and of building an extension of space and maximizing a visual impact inside a city apartment.

This time, he has integrated a lot of lines, such as a white curved brick wall and a wooden storage unit near the entrance with curved edges in the living room.

“Usually, when one steps into a unit, he or she will notice the center of the living room. The original wall, which has a sharp edge, appeared colder and more rigid. This new curved brick wall creates a sense of comfort and a welcoming atmosphere,” Leung said.

The simple white wall also allows the sleek B&O Beovision Horizon TV, with wheel stand placed in front of it, to stand out.

The minimalist aesthetic is also showcased in the Kartell Componibili storage unit in the dining room.

The unit, which is made of wood, gives the apartment a sleek Scandinavian feel. The use of indirect light and the placement of a painting in the center add to the apartment’s warm mood and make the home feel more spacious, despite the use of several large storage units.

The simple yet classic design of the dining room is complemented by several stunning pieces, including an Innermost Origami table, Knoll Bertoia Wire Chair, Magis Deja-vu Chair designed by Naoto Fukusawa and a Kartell La Marie chair designed by Philippe Starck.

The lighting is essential throughout the apartment.

“We have spent a lot of time thinking about the lighting effect of the unit, and hope that the lighting effect can create a different feeling during the day and at night,” Leung said.

Leung incorporated indirect lighting, such as lights within storage fixtures and under shelving.

“We usually keep chandeliers and pendant lights to a minimum — it’s too sparkly, too shiny. The owners wanted warm lighting and a comfortable feeling — good lighting designs would make a huge difference,” he said.

The master bedroom is blessed with two large windows, allowing natural light to enter. However, in terms of the layout, there is an area that caved in, making it tricky to make the best use of space.

But Leung managed to turn this advantage into a benefit by using it for a walk-in wardrobe.

This not only increased the storage space, but allowed the master bedroom to be neater and welcome eye-catching furniture pieces to stand out, such as a Fritz Hansen Ant Chair designed by Arne Jacobsen and a B&Q Beloit 17 speaker.

Leung styled two other rooms, an activity room and a painting room, to showcase homeowner Chan’s collections and hobby. The owner likes to paint, which gives him an opportunity to relax.

The activity room is a more relaxing living room for entertainment. Guests can get active or just chill out and have a good read. Both rooms do not have built-in furniture and fixtures, which allows flexibility for turning them into bedrooms for future tenants.




 

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