A restful retreat for a life after retirement is the dream of many but a realization for only a few

fortunate ones. A home that is modestly designed to be contemporary and humbly opulent,
where one can relax and finally live life on one's own terms is a blessing to have in the later
years.

Such is a home in the Hong Kong gardens where a retired lady resides alone. Despite having to
work occasionally, her mantra is to enjoy the retirement life to the fullest. As most of her family
lives abroad, her home is designed to suit her individual tastes and hobbies. An avid player of
Mahjong, she loves to host parties and games for friends, which gives people a chance to
admire her beautiful home.

The serence residence reflects the owner’s heartfelt love for detail, with gorgeous design
features and a variety of amenities. Each area has been carefully crafted to cater to moments of
enjoyment at home. The materials for the interiors are intentionally chosen to create a sense of
detailed design and a deep impression of nature. With the use of marble, brushed metal, plain
and fluted wooden panels, wallcoverings and tinted glasses the whole space looks elegant to
the core.

This unit is in a building that has 2 apartments on each floor and was built approximately 37
years ago. Despite being a bit old, the property is renovated to give off a modern and
harmonious flair. Old properties usually have more flexibility in changing infrastructure such as
ventilation and drainage. The designer Ken Leaung smartly took the advantage and reallocated
space more freely. He designed the ventilation system together with the suspending ceiling
system that can craft a better facet by hiding all the beams.

Originally, it was a 3 bedroom unit, 2 bedrooms out of which remained idle after her family
moved abroad. The owner wished to reallocate all the space to fully utilise every corner of the
unit, which would be a manifestation of her own vision of an enjoyable space, such as a
glamorous walk-in closet and a jacuzzi for her daily indulgence. The designer has also managed
to bring in the stunning seaview into the interior for the owner and guests to enjoy nature during
work, entertainment, dining and rest.

The living room is finely styled with a unique floral wallcovering, which also serves as an artistic
backdrop for the workstation. The wide apertures give a mesmerizing ocean view creating a
soothing space for work and relaxation. Some delicate sculptures adorn the shelves and niches,
hinting at the artistic taste of the owner.

The living space is adjoined with a small dining area and is the first space to welcome when
someone walks in the door. A well-equipped kitchen with abundant counter space is right next
to it that allows for cooking and hosting for a large group of people. Beautiful pendant lights
hang above the dining table making it a well lit area at night while the sunlight flows in
abundantly during the day.
Some other changes that the designer made were placing a walk in close in the master en suite
and demolishing the wall between the idle guest bedroom and the master bedroom’s bathroom.
This was to trim the bedroom and enlarge the bathroom for the placement of a Jacuzzi tub
along with a shower booth. The principles of Feng shui were also considered as in the new plan
the door of the bathroom no longer faced the bed which is considered to block good energy.
The owner can now conveniently dress up in the walk-in closet after bathing or wearing make-
up.

The larger idle bedroom is transformed into a guest bedroom and also serves the purpose of an
entertainment room. The owner loves playing mahjongg and often invites friends over for
games. The bed can be hidden in the cabinet to release space for placing up to two mahjongg
tables which are designed to be stored in a huge cabinet after use. The room entrance is
enlarged by using a pair of sliding doors, making the room more spacious and convenient for
guests to walk in and out during mahjongg time.

There is a concealable bed and a large full length wardrobe embedded in the wall between the
guest bedroom and the master bedroom to accommodate occasional stayovers of family
members. The bedroom floors are wooden and their decor is very minimal with just the
essentials, making an ambience of peace without any visual clutter.

The house fits the picture of an abode that lets you enjoy solitude and nature at the same time.
An ideal home for one to spend quality time in their late years, when life is not too busy
anymore, and indulging in one's favourite activities can be a part of the routine.