"In Sweden, we moved a lot," says Laurence Beysecker, co-founder of interior design studio Atelierd&I. "We stayed there for a very short period of time – one-and-a-half years – but we moved four times."
The frequent moves were due to the country’s favouring of home ownership and subletting, meaning that finding an apartment for rent in the city centre was next to impossible. In spite of that, Laurence continued to cultivate a discerning collection of art and objects that she maintained across her family’s abodes. The upheavals became an interesting challenge in efficiency. "I was always prepared for a move and had a plan of where I was going to put everything," she says.
Having resided in their Repulse Bay home since the family returned to Hong Kong in 2016 – it's their second stint here, following the 2009 relocation of her husband’s company – Laurence seems content to set down roots again. "We have friends living on the third floor here," she says of dicovering the flat. "When I was searching for a place, I immediately fell in love. The terrace is fabulous and we spend a lot of time outside."
"Of course I’m influenced by French culture, since I’m French," she explains. "I like colour, definitely. Texture, a lot of textiles. I like to layer things to make the interiors really warm and personal. I don’t like minimal and black-and-white and cold." While the home features a muted colour palette of whites, greys and warm woods, splashes of colour brighten up every room without overwhelming it.
Laurence’s love of textiles can also easily be seen in the ample rugs and throws that cocoon the rooms of the house. "I love curtains because I think they really dress up an interior and create a special atmosphere," she says. "I love well-crafted items and I really respect the people, their skills, and their traditions."
Her decision to venture into interior design was influenced by a trip she and her husband took to Bangui in the Philippines 20 years ago. "I fell in love with these nicely woven items that stored the rice. It was very fine weaving," she says. A handmade basket in the shape of a house graces the foot of her bed, while other pieces made from bamboo and Burmese teak wood are scattered throughout the home. Textiles handcrafted by suppliers carefully selected by Laurence from her old company, Deco du Monde, have found their homes in Laurence’s new abode. The same is true of Atelierd&I, which she co-founded with long-time friend Damienne Joly.
While Laurence’s work as a designer might contribute to how she chooses to arrange her space, her home is a place to showcase her personality and surround herself with mementos from important occasions. "When you travel a lot, I think it’s important to have a home where you can feel good," she says. "It’s really about creating a composition that reflects your personality. I've accumulated all of these objects throughout my life and travels. I like objects that tell a story."
Looking around Laurence’s flat, it’s easy to trace her journey as a designer and a homeowner through the narrative offered up by the objects she’s collected – a collection that will only grow with her experiences in Hong Kong and at her atelier.
Photography by Edgar Tapan
Styling and Production by Kissa Castañeda
A version of this article originally appeared in our October 2016 issue.
