Interiors | Happy Valley

Mid-century modern pieces gave this Hong Kong home a subtle Parisian flourish

Designer YC Chen of hoo transformed this claustrophobic apartment into an airy home.

When designer YC Chen – director of interior design firm hoo – first saw this apartment, it had recently been bought by the current owners, a professional couple from Hong Kong. He was commissioned to transform the poky three-bedroom flat into an airy one-bedroom apartment with a study and large living area.

YC oversaw everything from the building work to the interior design. Originally, the flat contained three bedrooms and two bathrooms, but he knocked a few walls down to create a vast master suite with a walk-in-closet and a small side-study. He then added his and hers bathrooms, and turned the rest of the flat into a multifunctional living room. “It feels so much more spacious than it did before – and more importantly, it was tailor-made for the couple’s use,” he says.

Once the layout was complete, YC moved onto the interior design. “We decided on a Mid-century modern aesthetic,” he says. “I love this look, but it was also a good compromise for the couple – she liked French style and he preferred minimalism. So we decided to combine the two by opting for French-inspired elements with a few contemporary touches.”

“Mid-century modern is a great option because it’s timeless,” he continues. “Classic French or American style can also be very difficult to recreate in Hong Kong, where apartments are small and the result is sometimes quite claustrophobic.”

Designer YC Chen adhered to a Scandinavian inspired colour palette – blush pink, soft greys and a smattering of jewel tones; brass accents and accessories complement the colour scheme.

The interplay of muted colours, wooden touches and graphic elements create vibrancy.

Originally, the flat featured three bedrooms and two bathrooms, but YC knocked down the walls to create one master suite with a walk-in closet and a small side study, which opened up the space.