Common Room Home & Living realises the dreams of a family of four through clever small-scale home renovations.
Uncertainty about the pandemic is expected to persist for some time yet, and almost everybody is looking forward to when things return to normal. This is also the wish of a couple who moved into a 3,000 square-foot residence atop Mid-Levels last year along with their two young children. With the help of Common Room Home & Living, they conceived a minimalist and harmonious family paradise, kick-starting a new chapter in their lives.
Small-scale home renovations have been enjoying increasing popularity in recent years, not least for rented units. Without a major overhaul on the structure, the trend focuses on sprucing up the space with decorations.
Take this rented residence in Mid-Levels. The building has seen its share of days, and not many rooms are available for complete remodelling. To meet the living needs of a family of four, the designer trod the line between vivacity and tranquillity by mixing and matching an eclectic range of furniture and artworks to breathe fresh air and new life into the apartment.
As soon as you set foot in the residence, you will be in awe of the peaceful and serene ambience. The wife, who is an avid art collector, wanted to turn the abode into an exquisite gallery-like space.
Taking inspiration from her passion, the design team was able to interweave colourful artworks with the white walls and wooden floor. The combination of a curated assortment of designer furniture conjures up a rich visual and injects vitality into the space.
“People have increasingly opted to rent in recent years, and there seems to be little room for home design because of that,” says Meng Jing, creative director of Common Room Home & Living.
“But for me, being able to create living spaces that meet the requirements and style of the homeowners, and give an old building a new lease of life is much more challenging and fulfilling.”
Most of the furniture has been collected by the design team from all over the globe. For example, the Lawrence Peabody Wicker armchair from New York, which exudes a strong modern style, is the focus of the living room.
The Bumling chandelier in the dining room, designed by Anders Pehrson for Swedish brand Atelje Lyktan, brims with Scandinavian modernity and complements the photography nearby.
“Due to the pandemic, we come across many difficulties in purchasing the furniture. It takes a couple of months for some to be shipped to Hong Kong. That’s why the furniture size has to be precisely accurate,” Jing says.
With two young children at home, it’s apt that nearly all the interior changes are child-proof and seek to expand the activity space. The design team approached this by first repositioning the living room furniture – to keep the children safe.
The sofa, which fronted the TV originally, now looks towards the dining room; a mini office has been added behind the sofa so the parents can take care of the children, regardless of whether they’re chilling or working.
Small-scale renovations make use of mini makeovers to optimise the home. Knowing how to mix and match furniture and home accessories is essential in transforming the look of spaces.
In the dining room, the Lagoon toy kitchen from French toy brand Janod sits next to the dining table. The designer decked the adjacent wall with neon lamps, which contrast sharply with the design-filled toy kitchen. It’s a small touch that injects playfulness into the space.
As bookworms, the family has amassed a vast collection of their favourite reads. It made sense that a highlight in the dwelling is the bookshelf itself. In freeing up more space for the parents and children to enjoy fun playtime, the design team moved the bookshelf to a higher position, making room for children’s activities and maximising the sense of space.
If there’s one thing the pandemic has taught us, it’s that we can find joy in the simplest of things. Though it shies away from luxurious and glamorous décor, the designer has given this family home of four a touch of elegance with clever small-scale renovations. In this home, every seemingly casual layout reflects the designer’s meticulous skills. It’s a simple, effortless design that realises a cosy and warm family life.
