took months for them to get to me here
in Hong Kong – but when they arrived
it was all worth it,” she says. The chairs
are now in the main living room, which
is an eclectic yet charming mix of quirky
and classical. There are vintage finds,
such as rugs, furniture and industrial
light fixtures, alongside family heirlooms,
photographs and sculptures. A wonderful
art collection beautifully decorates most
of the walls. The living room is Allison’s
favourite space because of its generous
size and, being south-facing, the room is
light most of the day. A square-shaped
Philippe Starck table, in addition to the
family dining table, present an ideal way
for Allison to create a less formal area
where casual dinners and board games,
or the occasional bit of work, happen.
The apartment’s ground level flows
out onto a large terrace with bi-fold floor-
to-ceiling glass doors. The unembellished
simplicity of the white rattan furniture
does not detract from the peaceful view
overlooking Deep Water Bay – it also
offers another place for entertaining or
solitary reflection with a cup of tea.
Allison encourages a healthy
collaboration with her two children when
it comes to decorating their bedrooms.
“I help them to choose by guiding
them so that they can express their
personality, at the same time as ending
up with something that fits together,” she
says. It’s apparent their collaborative
efforts have worked so far. A brightly
styled yet fun look is more the children’s
experimentation than her own.
Having lived in Hong Kong since
2003, Allison has embraced the city’s
exciting atmosphere. “There is a positivity
in the melting pot of people in Hong
Kong that drives it along,” she says. She
has created just the right sort of family
home –a flexible setting where this family
of four seem at ease in an unpretentious
and well-planned space, and where
personal touches seem to be key.
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