Dark timber and brass frame a 100 sq ft home, tucking old Hong Kong character into every inch.
Burgundy Interiors has transformed this modest 100 sq ft flat in Yau Tong into a richly layered homage to old Hong Kong, all while keeping the original layout intact. Patterned glass, terrazzo-inspired finishes, dark timber and brass hardware reintroduce the textures of a classic tong lau, turning what could have been a generic box into a small but steady and gently warmed home.
The brief, however, is as emotional as it is spatial. The owner wanted a place to hold the memory of his father – a corner for quiet recall rather than a full-on shrine. Through carefully chosen furniture and calligraphy, familiar fragments of childhood are brought back into daily sightlines, close enough to feel present yet light enough for everyday living.
Burgundy Interiors founder Angel Wu notes: “Design always begins with a conversation – it can open up new ground, look back, or become a way of letting go”. In this project, that conversation is made physical. The flat is arranged as a setting where remembrance and release can sit side by side, allowing the owner to revisit the past, let his thoughts settle, and then return to the present with a little more ease.
A handful of clear design moves knit the story together. Linear rhythms in the terrazzo-like finishes and streamlined furniture help pull the eye along the length of the room, stretching the proportions and easing the usual tightness of a tiny Hong Kong unit. Deep timber tones anchor the interior with a sense of age and calm, while vintage-inspired pieces and Chinese brass hardware add a gentle patina, suggesting a home designed to gain character over time rather than date quickly. A carefully curated massage sofa chair anchors the space, exuding vintage charm with a modern edge. It beautifully synthesizes contemporary functionality with retro styling.
Just as important is what has been deliberately left open. Certain walls and ledges are kept free of heavy decoration, reserved instead for a scroll, a frame or a single object; these pockets of space read as pauses rather than gaps, giving both the eye and the mind somewhere to rest. In such a small footprint, designer and client also work closely on editing and letting go, keeping only what truly matters. The result is a quiet, complete flat that holds memory without being weighed down by it, and that leaves enough room – literally and emotionally – for the life still unfolding there.
Tips:
Calm the mind with blank space
Keep portions of wall and ledges clear, then use calligraphy and objects to define these gaps as quiet spots for reflection.
Keep balance by editing together
Work with the client to edit belongings, keeping only what matters so style, function and comfort stay in balance.
Stretch the room with lines
Use terrazzo-style textures and linear furniture profiles to pull the eye along the space and make a small room feel longer and less cramped.
Create depth with dark timber
Use dark timber tones to recall old Hong Kong interiors and give the home a calm, warm base.
Layer character with brass
Pair vintage-style furniture with Chinese brass hardware to build a character that will age well over time.
Burgundy Interiors
email: info@burgundyinteriors.com
Tel：+852 9018 9687
Website: https://www.burgundyinteriors.com/
Address：Rm 15, 9/F, New City Centre, 2 Lei Yue Mun Road, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong
