Shelter may be basic to humans, but that doesn’t mean it has to be.
Matthew Li Kai-lung, co-founder and creative director of Grande Interior Design, demonstrated this with his sophisticated use of natural materials for a multi-generational household of six people. His brief for the redesign of the 1,752-square-foot Taihang Apartment included concepts of “shelter” as well as “nurturing.”
“The family wanted an environment that felt safe and warm,” he says. “And the living areas needed to meet the needs and tastes of the various age groups of the family while maintaining overall style consistency.”
This multi-generational home in Dhang, Hong Kong was designed by Grande Interior Design. Photo: Dick Leon
The sheer number of rooms in this sea-view high-rise with 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms means that most of the rooms are quite small, apart from the large living/dining area. Still, Lorraine Fung and financial professional Jimmy Foo, their 6-year-old daughter, newborn second child, and Fong’s parents live there and need personal space. There was. For Lee, the challenge was to make the room feel larger.
Additionally, we had to find a way to deal with the multiple doorways leading into the living room to improve its feng shui.
“Adequate storage space was also important,” adds Fong, a full-time mother. “We wanted (the place) to have a consistent homey feel without it feeling cluttered.”
To achieve the desired level of comfort, Lee suggested using wood as the main design element, complemented by marble and various other stone accents. Decorative paint and wallpaper add visual layers.
