There’s nothing quite like returning home after a long day; retreating from the hustle and bustle to a personal refuge where one can enjoy hobbies, time with family, or simply some much deserved peace and quiet.
This couple can look forward to not only one space to enjoy, but two – both perched up high in a Bel Air condominium overlooking glittering Waterfall Bay. Having resided in a two-storey penthouse for the last decade, the couple decided to renovate their home for the first time since they moved in. They took the opportunity to expand their living space while they were at it, acquiring the single-storey flat spanning the floor below them, as well.
"The couple is over 60 years old," explains Leslie Lam, design director at Primocasa Interiors, who spearheaded the interior design of the revamped space. "Their home had not been renovated in 10 years, so they wanted to refresh and upgrade, in order to spend another 10 years enjoying their retirement with a higher standard of living." The original plan was to connect the two properties together, creating a grand, three-storey space, but this idea was soon abandoned due to building regulations and time constraints. Instead, the couple focused on creating a separate restful space – with all the comfort and sophistication of their primary home – that they can enjoy. "They usually entertain friends outside," Leslie says. "They prefer this to be a place for them to rest, relax, and enjoy their lives by themselves." The project only took a speedy six months from conception to completion.
Leslie infused the home with a sense of tranquility by selecting a colour palette of blue and white. Gold accents add a touch of elegance. "I chose blue and white to match with the scenery – the green sea and blue sky," says Leslie. Indeed, the stunning view deserves plenty of attention, which the apartment encourages with floor-to-ceiling windows spanning the entirety of the living and dining area. Numerous mirrored walls and pillars reflect the view, too. "Before, the living area had wooden walls, and the walls had very average wallpaper," says Leslie, who replaced the original wallcovering with angled, powder-blue panelling for texture and character.
The living and dining area is the heart of the home, featuring a plush, expansive sofa by Fendi and opening onto the terrace, looking out over the ocean below. The bedrooms, too – one master bedroom at one end of the flat, and two guest bedrooms on the opposite side – are designed to take full advantage of the sea view. Considering the apartment’s layout, which is essentially a long rectangle, it would have been easy for the space to feel disjointed, but Leslie solved that potential problem by replacing walls with screens throughout the living area to ensure a good flow between the different spaces. The white marble flooring adds cohesion, as well.
When it comes to furnishings, each is as luxe as the interior design, originating from Italian brands such as Fendi and Visionnaire. Leslie and his team hand-picked the pieces, keeping in mind the couple’s preference for a European aesthetic. Leslie also advised what among the couple’s art collection – mostly comprised of works by Chinese artists – would best mingle with the appointments without distracting from the overall aesthetic. "Our style is a bit more modern," says Leslie of his design firm, "but ‘luxurious’ is a very common approach. Most of my clients are wealthy, and I help them choose what’s worth spending their money on."
Photography: Mitchell Geng
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