Innehållsförteckning för Winter 2023 från Home Journal

It’s become something of a biannual custom for me to spend at least two months traipsing around Europe. Each time, I secure an apartment in London as my base, my interlude between trips, to avoid being overwhelmed by the constant commuting. As travel assumes an ever-larger role in our lives, more and more of us are going for a second home in quieter locales, even in far-flung locations, in pursuit of a different way of life. After all, not everyone’s a fan of the whole travel rigmarole, but we all appreciate the space and freedom that comes with it. So welcome to our year-end issue dedicated to homes away from home. The following pages will take you on a journey from the snowy peaks of the French Alps to the…

In his book, Japanese architect Yoshihumi Nakamura introduced the concept of “igokochi”, a space devoted to personal enjoyment. He wrote: “Having a personal, precious, and comfortable space at home, or being able to discover such a space, is of great importance for enjoying life.” Inspired by this philosophy, many are now venturing to the quieter fringes of the city to find a second home, where they can retreat and reconnect with their true selves. This villa, located in Jiezi Ancient Town, Chongzhou, Chengdu, is one such example. DHB Design’s Mark Sun and Yihan Wong envisioned this 2,368 square foot second home quite differently from a primary residence. They did not prioritise functionality like other primary homes, which allowed them to “go all out” with the use of space. This approach…

The concept of “one size fits all” often fails to capture the uniqueness of an individual’s personality, but this 1,008 square foot apartment has proven otherwise. Nestled in The Cairnhill, Tsuen Wan, this home of a family of four is a living canvas of contrasting lifestyles and tastes. With Grande Interior Design at the helm, each family member’s distinct personality is manifested in the design, while maintaining a sense of spaciousness. “A soft earth-toned palette and modern furniture were used throughout the space, paired with diverse finishes such as wood, slatted patterns, and fabrics,” the design house said. In the foyer, light-toned wood panelling and mirrors have been used to create an illusion of expanded space. A wooden shoe cabinet is paired with a mobile bench featuring a wooden slatted…

Few locations in North America have as much prestige as the city of Beverly Hills. Located in Los Angeles County, California, this is where you’ll find palm tree-lined streets, the expansive Beverly Gardens Park with its fountains and rose gardens, the upscale shopping street of Rodeo Drive, and the Greystone Mansion and Gardens, which was built in 1928 for the son of prominent oil baron, Edward L. Doheny. But what the city is best known for is its celebrity residents such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Sandra Bullock, Eddie Murphy, Taylor Swift, and Rod Stewart who own sprawling estates and mansions in this part of the country. Indeed, the rich and famous have long had an affinity for this part of Los Angeles, and Beverly Hills has become part of American pop…

LOCATION: New York Condominium Situated at the nexus of Upper East Side and Midtown East, 200 East 59th Street blends Miami’s coastal charm and Manhattan’s vibrancy under one roof. Developed by Macklowe, and completed by Centurion Real Estate Partners, the development houses 67 corner units, and each floor hosts one to three homes with unobstructed terraces. The deft crafting of architecture firm CetraRuddy is evident in the column-free interiors, achieved by shifting structural supports to the exterior. The result is a distinctive structure, subtly lit at night, offering a harmonious blend of indoor and outdoor living. Priced at $5.5 million, the Residence 26E (shown above) is a semi-floor corner abode that spans some 1,720 square feet. It houses two bedrooms, alongside two full baths, and an extra half bath for…

Technology and art have always been closely linked. In the digital age, no artist is exempt from experimenting with art via new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI). This symbiotic relationship between technology and art was never more evident than at the Digital Art Fair 2023 Asia Edition, supported by LG. The fair, divided into special zones, including Prestige, Immersive, Pioneer, Virtual, and Inspire, brought to town some of the world’s most digital-savvy creators, who turned the Kunsthalle at K11 MUSEA into a futuristic, free-flowing space that informed and inspired. The fair’s lead partner, Oriental Watch Company, made its mark with a site-specific installation titled “Take Your Time” by Hong Kong artist Jonathan Jay Lee. Another standout installation, “Quantum Transcendence” by David Ariew, allowed visitors to immerse themselves in multisensory…

Taking place at Club Albergue 1601 in Causeway Bay, the fourth iteration of the prestigious Home Journal Awards brought together some of the city’s best lifestyle brands and interior designers, along with Home Journal readers, fulfilling a founding vision of the event. The ceremony was attended by more than a hundred distinguished guests and judges, all adhering to the 'Vanilla Vibes' dress code. This year’s Awards were held in two main categories – The Best Designer Awards and The Best Brand Awards. The winners were chosen by an esteemed panel of design experts and industry innovators, including Chi Wing Lo, Founder of Dimensione Chi Wing Lo; Steve Leung, Founder of SLD Group, Raymond Fung, Adjunct Professor, School of Architecture, The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Johnny Li, Principal and Managing…

In this innovative post-retirement office, Hong Kong interior designer Danny Cheng designed a relaxing space for his client to handle personal obligations, look after more than 10 cats, and entertain friends and family. “The primary focus of this project is to arrange various functions properly. We divided the entire space into several areas, including a reception, guest area, living space for cats, activity area and kitchen,” said Cheng. “We also needed to reserve space for displaying artwork and collections.” Located in Kowloon, the 4,310 square foot office comprises two living rooms and seven rooms. When you enter the office, the reception area leads to the spacious guest area, which features light blue PVC floor tiles that are durable and water-resistant. The cats enjoy a large, spacious living room separated by…

Situated at the picturesque foot of Table Mountain, a modern Cape Town home has been revitalised by the skilled hands of ARRCC. The team has incorporated its additions into the original architectural design by Antonio Zaninovic, fusing the home with the cityscape and its natural surroundings. The ARRCC team has embraced an Afro-minimalist approach that harmonises with the concrete ceilings and stone walls. The use of marble, bleached woods, and metals adds a sophisticated accent to the rustic color palette. The interiors intriguingly merge allure and enigma, resulting in what the firm calls “barefoot luxury”. Jon Case, director at ARRCC, states: “Being situated in an urban environment while surrounded by the majestic Table Mountain’s natural beauty motivated us to create an extraordinary ‘urban resort’.” “The interiors are a collaborative vision…

Secluded from the hustle and bustle of Taipei, the Yangmingshan enclave has long been revered as a getaway for luminaries and bon vivants. Among them is the acclaimed fashion designer Jamei Chen. Tucked away amidst vast woodlands, and accessible via a labyrinth of winding byways and hidden lanes, sits Chen’s second residence, a glass-enclosed architectural masterpiece, blessed with a panoramic view of the Keelung River and the Shilin Plains beneath. For the founder of lifestyle brand JAMEI CHEN this is more than just a dwelling, it serves as a curated display space for Chen’s collection of globetrotting treasures, amassed through her many travels. Chen takes us inside this glass sanctuary and through the journeys that have inspired her life and work. What prompted you to move here? I’m acquainted with…

LOCATION: Mexico Private homes One&Only, renowned for its world-class resorts, has unveiled its first-ever venture into residential offerings at the newly completed One&Only Mandarina. Nestled in unspoiled jungles, pristine shorelines, and rugged terrains, Mandarina evokes images of Hawaiian cliffs or Malaysian forests, yet it’s located in Mexico’s secluded Riviera Nayarit. The One&Only Mandarina Private Homes, the area’s most exclusive residences, are the brainchild of celebrity architect Rick Joy, known for Amangiri. With price tags from $18 million, these properties have attracted a high-profile clientele, establishing Mandarina as Mexico’s most exciting new residential destination. DEVELOPERS One&Only ARCHITECT/DESIGNER Rick Joy PRICE from US$18 million…

Craving for a dash of Manhattan? Look no further than Mong Kok. ONE SOHO Clubhouse, envisioned by Frank Leung and his team at design studio via., for URA, Sino Land, and Chuang’s Consortium, offers a slice of midtown Manhattan in the vibrant heart of Mong Kok. Designed as a social nexus that blends relaxation, wellness, and work under one roof, ONE SOHO Clubhouse features a list of interconnecting, free-flowing rooms that draws design cues from Manhattan’s Chelsea district. From the inviting porch that offers a glimpse into the club’s lush garden, the soothing Mailroom that fosters casual encounters, to the Roastery, a versatile coffee-themed space, every room has a tale to tell. The Anteroom, a hybrid of a vestibule and library, ushers guests into the Great Room, a haven for…

Smart home system provider Moorgen joined forces with Home Journal to curate a one-of-a-kind evening, studded with a guided journey through Moorgen’s state-of-the-art showroom, enlightening insights from Steve Leung, and an alluring soirée. This gathering of interior design’s finest served as a vibrant platform to explore the future of smart home technologies. Located in Causeway Bay, Moorgen’s by-appointment-only showroom played host to a curated group of industry mavens, where they experienced firsthand a host of smart home systems that meld function and form in a homey setup. The tour was followed by a glamorous soirée at the esteemed C+ Cigar Club in Central. Here, design guru Steve Leung, founder of the Steve Leung Design Group, shared his views on the latest trends in smart home technology, and the development and…

RESIDENTIAL-APARTMENT(MORE THAN 1,500 SQ.FT.) GOLD Grande Development Limited - Royal Peninsula SILVER LYYH Studio (HK) Limited - The Dusk BRONZE XLMS Limited - May Tower 1 MERIT Studio 21 Company Limited - Clovelly Court MERIT Facade Design Limited - Broadview Villa MERIT Epic Interior Design Limited - Laguna Verde MERIT Eva Wong Architects Limited - Marina South MERIT CNS Interior Design CO. Limited MERIT Hei Design Interiors - Larvotto MERIT Hei Design Interiors - LP6 RESIDENTIAL-APARTMENT(800-1,500 SQ.FT.) GOLD 1sec.Left Design Studio Limited SILVER MMH Interior - Grand Palisades BRONZE Easts Design - Bellagio Personalisation MERIT Archi.val Limited - Natural Dwelling MERIT The Bloom Design Limited - Bel-Air MERIT Tommy Choi Interior Design Limited - The Belcher's MERIT Stay Living Limited - Century Gateway MERIT ABT Design Studio - IVORY MERIT…

Husband and wife duo, Amy and Hewie Dalrymple, of London-based interior design firm Dalrymple Studio, have recently completed the redesign of Chalet Blackcomb – a large, four-level family chalet in the magical Val d’Isère ski resort village in the French Alps. The chalet was previously owned by a local Val d’Isère family who were avid downhill racers, and was originally split into two different dwellings – living areas for the family, and a small rental property on the ground level. The chalet’s new owners are a family with three children who want to spend school holidays and Christmases at the property. They are also looking to rent the property out to holidaymakers when they are not using it. Their request was to double the size of the chalet and turn…

There are few things more relaxing than indulging in a Japanese hot spring hotel experience and the skilled team at am PLUS Designs drew inspiration from this idea when designing this Sha Tin residence. By seamlessly fusing Japanese craftsmanship and traditional elements with natural wood materials, am PLUS Designs has created a serene environment similar to that of a forest. The outcome is a home that radiates with timeless Japanese traditional charm. Andrew Lam, am PLUS' creative director, said: "The homeowners want to be as comfortable and relaxed as they are in a Japanese hot spring hotel when they're at home. To create this atmosphere, we used a large number of solid wood elements and incorporated Japanese shibori, diatomaceous earth, and tatami mats in different colours and patterns." This flat…

For highly strung Hongkongers such as myself, the notion of indulging in a morning yoga class facing the Indian Ocean, an afternoon’s Ayurvedic massage while showered in gentle gong chimes, and then a lavish dinner while floating on an infinity pool serenaded by sea waves has always seemed the stuff of some far-off dream. That was, until I discovered ÀNI Sri Lanka. Poised on the edge of sprawling miles of untouched palm-fringed beach, the 15-suite ÀNI resort spans a generous 4.5 hectares along the Dickwella coastline in southern Sri Lanka. While it’s a few hours’ drive from the nearest airport in Colombo, venturing deep into destinations delivers higher exclusivity, fewer crowds, and a golden chance to get up close and personal with nature. The Stay I arrived via the resort’s…