Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2022 i Home Journal

In modern society, we’re all taught to be eyes-forward, to be innovative, to be future-oriented. Spurred on by technological growth, everyone seems to be rushing into the future, with the promises of the metaverse and artificial intelligence taking over the headlines and social media. But what about the here and the now? Before leaping into the future, let’s take an honest look at the present, because true innovations are those that are able to fit in with existing habits, and in response to pressing needs. This issue is a celebration of such a notion. We honour superlative creations that challenge the status quo, timeless household products that redefine home aesthetics, and forward thinkers who look at designs from fresh perspectives. Our cover story on page 28 is dedicated to a…

Instil a touch of poetic tactility to your living or dining room with Cassina’s Sengu collection. Designed by Patricia Urquiola, and inspired by Japanese shrines, the Sengu table features a solid wood structure and an oval leg, imbuing modern homes with an inviting ambience. It goes perfectly with the Dudet padded armchair – also designed by Urquiola – which boasts soft, welcoming curves that echo the curvy silhouette of the Sengu table. The collection is available at Atelier A+.…

Design at its core is all about the future. We never stop talking about trends, knowing very well they are ever-changing. The thing is, while we all have different ideas about the next big thing in architecture and interior design, some key areas are here to stay. Sustainability, nature-blended, and having a positive impact on the local community are some of the key areas that architects and designers should take note of, and the projects that grace the following pages are some of the great exemplars of how the aforementioned trends can carve out a better future for us and the planet. From a wavy mix-used development in Paris that seeks to incorporate nature into the city; a concert hall that draws inspiration from its surrounding valley in Chengde; a…

Positioned along one of the oldest cobbled streets in Minsk, the enchanting capital of Belarus, this 1,292 square foot apartment’s gorgeous pared-back interiors were designed by Belarusian interior designer Anna Lazar. Located within a house that was built in 1954, the apartment – which has been classified as a historical monument – has dramatic high ceilings, load-bearing columns, and large arched windows that look out to picturesque views of the city’s beloved Gorky Central Park and Svislach River. Lazar only made subtle alterations to the interior architecture, dismantling some of the ceiling beams to free up more floor space. This allowed her to change the functional layout of the space. “I like to feel the space when I work with historical buildings. By getting a good sense of the space, inspiration…

PHOTOGRAPHY ANDY LAU@BKPHK Everything comes with an expiry date – styles change, and tastes develop, but some designs are here to withstand the test of time. As we usher in the third edition of our cross-over campaign, three pairs of tastemakers and accomplished designers come together to examine the essence of timeless design, with a close look at creative innovations that will remain relevant in the years – if not decades – to come. For the first time, this year’s campaign comes with an open-to-the-public furniture and design exhibition held at the Annex in Sheung Wan last month. Themed “Lasting Beauty”, the three-day exhibition led visitors on a journey through a conceptional showcase of a timeless living space, tightly curated by three designers from the Asia Designers Community, who have…

Unveiled at the just-ended Salone del Mobile in Milan, Minotti’s 2022 collection is firmly rooted in the Japandi aesthetic and sees a collaboration between the Italian brand and five international designers. Take the Japanese-inspired Lars sofa, designed by Japanese-Scandinavian duo Inoda+Sveje. It features soft, asymmetrical and organic curves for a Nordic influence. Or the Twiggy seating collection, which takes its cues from Britain’s 1970s pop culture to include a range of sofas, armchairs, and seating elements that are every bit as comfortable as they are stylish. Meanwhile, the new range of outdoor furniture, clad in perennially elegant wooden and metal materials, recalls the warmth and brightness of the natural landscape to beckon the summer season.…

The complications of a poor sitting posture are akin to chronic diseases: as soon as problems such as muscle pain and back discomfort rear their ugly heads, it can be too late to fix your body stance, and right the wrongs of the past. EKOBOR, an office furniture brand founded by ergonomic expert Kei Kei Chan, is steadfast in its commitment to propel the development and research of ergonomic furniture, including the likes of adjustable standing desks and ergonomic chairs. Fixing common posture mistakes and promoting workplace wellness is at the heart of what the company does. As a subsidiary of EKPAC Group, EKOBOR prides itself on providing affordable ergonomic furniture of the highest quality, helping working professionals improve their sitting posture and maintaining a healthy spine. There are plenty…

Edinburgh, a historic city dotted with medieval churches, Georgian town houses, and statues connected by cobbled streets, is adding to its allure with the new Gleneagles Townhouse hotel, along with its private members club, which is an ode to Scottish heritage. Renovated by Ennismore Design Studio, the hotel comprises 33 bedrooms, an all-day restaurant, two bars, spa and wellness area, a roof top bar and terrace overlooking the Scottish capital, and the Firth of Forth, in addition to a private members’ club set in a historic storied building overlooking St Andrew Square in the centre of Georgian New Town. Built in 1781 by George Ramsay, the 8th Earl of Dalhousie, the handsome Grade A-listed building, a bank for 200 years, is a stunning example of Georgian architecture boasting striking architectural…

Known for its privacy and stunning ocean views, the tranquil Deep Water Bay Road is a popular address among the rich and famous who have a taste for the finer things in life. Each house in this exclusive block is unique in its own right, and among them is a 2,700 square foot, three-storey villa which is a rare artistic treasure. The couple, both art aficionados, wanted to weave their substantial collection of art into the home while allowing each item to stand out, and they commissioned 3mm Studio for the task. 3mm Studio founder Mike Choy says: “The owners wanted more space in the home to exhibit their eclectic art collection, but in a subtle, effortless manner, in order for the space to remain comfortable and homey.” Spanning three levels,…

LOCATION: Chelsea Creek, UK Apartment Situated in one of London’s most coveted addresses, just a four-minute walk from the Imperial Wharf station, and moments from King’s Road, the Westwood House development by St George, part of the Berkeley Group, offers a collection of Manhattan, one-, two- and three-bedroom canal-side apartments that capture the best of the modern London lifestyle. A new two-bedroom show apartment has been unveiled as the epitome of the development’s “homely” charm. Conceived by interior design studio Untold Interiors, the apartment comprises an entrance hallway, open plan kitchen/living space, and two large bedrooms – one with an en-suite and dressing area – and one with a guest bathroom, all intended to accommodate the discerning taste of globetrotters. With sustainability and wellbeing at the apartment’s core, the team…

Some forerunners in furniture-making are reaching beyond their own ranks with avant-garde homeware that offers a new perspective on furniture, and its relationship with art and our emotions. They are playing around with form, colour and materials to create something thought-provoking, even delightfully offbeat, to spruce up our living space and to add vibrancy to our daily grind. Avant-garde was originally a French term that translated to “advance guard”, a military unit that goes ahead of the troops. In terms of art, it applies to certain movements that are born to defy social norms, and challenge the status quo, with realism, futurism, Dada, and surrealism, at the forefront. In the design language, the concept of avant-garde refers to innovative creations that push the boundaries of form and ideas to offer…

Designed by Pooja Bihani, founder and principal architect of Kolkata practice Spaces & Design, this renovated, 2,100 square foot Kolkata split-level house has been segmented into three 700 square foot levels, which gives the property a distinctive floor plate and unique configuration. The house belongs to a well-travelled young couple whose request was for all the communal areas of their home to be located on the first level, and the private areas to be located on the second and third level. They also wanted their home to reflect their personal tastes, so Bihani helped them achieve this with a design concept informed by soft curves and Bauhaus-inspired shapes and colours. Because the building was old, the walls were all a little crooked, and the beams and columns were misaligned and…

The first thing Meng Jings draws attention to is the stone fireplace. “Like many of my clients, the couple specifically asked for a fireplace. I see it becoming a huge trend in home décor this year, thanks in no small part to the many gorgeous photogenic fireplaces gracing Instagram front pages.” She is referring to the five-metre-high, full-functioning steam fireplace at the heart of the Kau To Shan house: it isn’t a roaring open fire, but the natural stone stacked on the mantelpiece, and the 100-year-old pine bar (Jing had it shipped from Yunnan to Hong Kong), makes the hearth ultra-cosy and the living room just the perfect place for entertaining in. And have I mentioned the floor-to-ceiling alcoves snugly flanking the ingle? “The fireplace serves as a visual anchor…

LOCATION: Melbourne, Australia Residential LOUISE, by Samuel Property, is the latest addition to the vibrant real estate scene in Melbourne designed with greenery and the neighbourhood’s art deco references at heart. Situated between the shimmering Albert Park Lake and the iconic St Kilda Rd boulevard, a precinct that was once dotted with beautiful art deco mansions, the 16-storey development, led by Australia-based architectural firm Cera Stribley, draws upon the neighbourhood’s aesthetic heritage for a podium clad in red brick and terracotta. The billowing building features projecting eaves fanning out, reminiscent of the curvaceous forms of yacht hulls at the adjacent Albert Park Sailing Club. A seam has also been applied to split the tower along the primary street frontages for better fluidity while making it look like floating sails. With…

Location: Beverly Hills, California Villa It goes without saying that Beverly Hills is one of the world’s most exclusive neighbourhoods, favoured by many of Hollywood’s heavy hitters for its ultra seclusion and privacy. Each home in this upscale, palm-dotted city is unique in its own right, and this 11,369 square foot private and gated home of celebrity couple Sofía Vergara and Joe Manganiello, now up for grabs at US$19.6 million, is arguably the crème de la crème of the cluster. Completed in 2006, this seven-bedroom mansion is a byword of elegance and grandeur marked by soaring ceilings, hardwood floors, and extensive amenities. It features seven bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, a chef’s kitchen, a full size gym, theatre, wine room, and a landscaped backyard fitted with a pool/spa and barbecue equipment, offering…