Oriental Beauties

Art is one of the most important manifestation of cultural life and ideas. The owners of this house are lovers of Chinese culture and art. They have collected over 80 pieces of art and furniture from the 1900s to contemporary times. As they renovate their 20-year old apartment, they want to incorporate these pieces into their home as a showcase. The designer, Regina Kwok, sought to balance the elements of gallery with home and antiques with modernity to create a space of comfort and beauty.

The owners wanted to welcome their friends into a gallery for viewing the art. Large paintings cover the long, white walls of the apartment. To give the living and dining room the feel of a gallery, the designer chose to place the sofa right in the middle of the space instead of against a wall. The key to this placement is the special panel hanging over the sofa. A delicate piece of Manchurian window pane is framed by an ornate wooden panel, making it the centrepiece of the room. Manchurian glass is one of the most famous product of Lingnan, a region of China. The traditional wood frame is inlaid with a colour glass etching, which typically combines Chinese and Western culture. This particular piece tells the story of ‘The Wedding Night of Princess Dragon’, a Chinese love story.



The qipao is arguably one of the most elegant form of dress in Asian cultures. The designer uses the qipao as the theme for one of the bedrooms. In addition to using the qipao as an accessory, the designer chose an embroidered flower and bird motive for the wallpaper and bedding. The entire bedroom radiates a sense of femininity and tranquillity.