What was once a dated 1960s apartment in Tsim Sha Tsui has been reimagined as a stylish, boutique hotel-inspired pied-à-terre, courtesy of Nora Chou.  

Located in Tsim Sha Tsui, this 1,100 sq.ft. three-bedroom, two-bathroom pied-à-terre was transformed by interior designer Nora Chou into a sleek and functional retreat. Situated in the heart of Hong Kong’s commercial district, now a bustling tourist destination, the location provided both inspiration and challenges for this boutique hotel-inspired renovation.  

“The property was part of a 1960s building, so the scope of the project required a full gut renovation,” explains Chou. This included repairing walls and ceilings, rewiring electrics, and reconfiguring plumbing to meet modern standards. But the true goal of the project was to create a calm and restorative space—one that would allow the client to disconnect from the city’s constant buzz.  

Enclosed by towering high-rises, the apartment’s location presented certain challenges but also guided a design approach focused on serenity. “It was important to create interiors that felt uncluttered and pared back to allow the client to detach from the activity of the city upon entry into the property,” she says.  

The layout underwent a thoughtful reconfiguration to maximize flow and functionality. “We repurposed areas to make the apartment feel more cohesive,” Chou explains. For example, a former guest bedroom was converted into an open-plan living and dining area, enhancing the sense of space.  

Raised wooden platforms and partially lowered ceilings were removed to maximize the sense of openness. “Typically, we would try to hide steel beams behind suspended ceilings where possible. However, in this instance, to maximize the height of the property, we chose to embrace the original construct of the unit/building,” she notes. This choice not only maximized ceiling height but also allowed for the integration of track lighting.  

“Typical of most properties in Hong Kong, buildings are often positioned between other high-rises. We focused on using mushroom and earth tones as a base to create a calm and restorative mood, layering in slightly bolder accessories to stylise the apartment.”  

Take the Spring Buds rug in the living area in the Sunrise colourway, part of Chou’s exclusive Silk Avenue collection. Paired with oak finishes—seen in the entryway wardrobes and a bespoke burr desk in the secondary bedroom—the overall design exudes a homely yet refined atmosphere. “We find that incorporating pieces of oak into the property contributes to a softer, more homely mood.”  

In the bedrooms, suspended ceilings were added above the beds to conceal steel bulkheads, while a custom-designed metal-encased glass door became a standout feature, separating the entertaining and resting zones. “By doing so, the corridor naturally becomes part of the feature and contributes to our favourite moment in the property.”  

The bathrooms further enhance the apartment’s boutique hotel feel with smoky glass shower screens, darker sanitaryware, and custom-proportioned tiling. “The client preferred to avoid timber specifications for flooring, due to Hong Kong’s humidity, which tends to cause timber to rot and warp over time.”  

“Typical of Hong Kong apartments, layouts tend to be more compact, so we embraced smaller spaces by creating layered moments through customisation,” she concludes. This approach was particularly effective in the bedrooms and bathrooms, where custom joinery extended proportions to the ceiling, creating a sense of height and seamlessness.  

Photos: Common Studio