Subtle elegance in the heart of Hong Kong's Repulse Bay
Tucked into a high-rise building in the heart of scenic Repulse Bay, a 2,060 sq ft flat revamped by Hong Kong design firm Studiossoo offers a tactile study in restraint and refinement. Moody and masculine, the one-bedroom flat affords space for the client's many passions, including music and entertaining.
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'We gave the client a very clean and blank canvas because we know that they like to collect [furniture],' says Studiossoo founder and creative director Samantha Soo.
Soo's client, who works in real estate, had been in the flat for about a decade before deciding it was time for a change. He requested that Soo 'redo everything' for him and his partner and introduce a more muscular look.
Living area. Photo: Common Studio
The challenge was to create a backdrop that would enhance, not overpower, her client's collection of furniture by European brands such as Hermès, Giorgetti and Mathieu Lustrerie.
'If we created a background for them that had so much detail, it would take the eye away from the furniture, such as the chandelier, which should be the focal point,' says Soo. 'But a blank canvas does not mean it's easily designed.'
To enhance the aesthetic, Soo introduced metals (bush-hammered copper and brushed bronze) and contrasted dark tones (black and metallic grey) with beige accents (terrazzo-like Ceppo Monet marble and travertine stone).
Dining area. Photo: Common Studio
According to Soo, using a mixture of raw-looking materials and glossy touches sets the tone for a layered space where luxury is expressed through subtlety, not spectacle. 'For example, the client likes marble, but not too much of it,' says Soo. 'We used matte finishes so that everything appears very subtle, yet elegant.'
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