JUNE - AUGUST 2022

ALL THE NEWS! Schools:

CHEF PROFILES & PIZZA REVIEWS

HOME AND THE

PARAGLIDING 101

INSPIRATION! Living Room

My two girls have recently started showing a real aptitude for art, both at school and at home. And, frankly, it has me baffled. I mean, it has to come from somewhere , right? The only quality art I produced when young – or ever, really – was when I accidently Jackson Pollocked my breakfast onto the kitchen floor as a toddler. I suppose their skills may have been handed down from my lovely wife. But I am hesitantly (perilously?) going to suggest that perhaps that isn’t the case either. I did try to be good at art as a child. I gave it a red hot crack. Eventually, myDad handedme a giant paintbrushwhenwewere on the farmwhere I grewup and said, “Okay, Picasso, since you’re not getting too far with that canvas, I want you to go down to the cowshed and paint the wooden fences with sump oil.” I’d like to think I brought a nice Cubist touch to those fences. Anyway, I love art, so I’m over the moon that my daughters are loving it too. My only wish is that they would paint or draw something I could relate to a bit better – like Test cricketers or beer labels. This issue of the magazine is festooned with artists – we’ve got painters, sculptors, photographers and more. We go inside their houses and studios, see some of their amazing work, and discover which corners of Hong Kong they escape to for inspiration. Fittingly for summer, there’s also an island theme running through the issue – from a profile of a Lantau school near the beach, to chats with people who live on Cheng Chau and Peng Chau. We also find out which island peaks you can leap off if you want to try your hand at paragliding! While teachers and students do the big reset before the next academic year begins, we also bring you all the news and updates from a bunch of international schools across HK. Along with that, we have plenty of useful health advice, furniture recommendations, things to do in your downtime, the chance to win great prizes, and more. Oh, and if you’re a foodie, we interview some of the city’s best chefs, and we test out a bunch of superb pizza places. Mmm … pizza. You know, I think I’ve sold myself short on the artistic merit thing. When it comes to the art of eating pizza, I’m a maestro! Enjoy the summer!

Hong Kong trams, by Yulia Shautsukova (page 56)

Shamus Sillar

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Editor-in-Chief REBECCA BISSET Group Editor SHAMUS SILLAR Digital Content JULIET KEYS MICHAELA BISSET Client Services & Production JUDIT GÁL NUR HANANI KAMAL LUDDIN Senior Graphic Designers MICHAEL BERNABE JEANNE WONG Circulation & Marketing ANNA TSERLINGAS Sales & Marketing KATE WOODBURY Chief Operations Officer COLIN PURCHASE Contributing Writers DINESH AJITH

NEIL ARMSTRONG KATIE MORTLOCK REBECCA SIMPSON

Contributing Photographers COLIN SIM (COLSIMPHOTOGRAPHY.COM) MICHAEL PERINI (MICHAELPERINIPHOTOGRAPHY.COM) Printed by MIRACLE PRINTING CO. LTD.

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Published by Expat Living Publications Pte Ltd 36 Carpenter Street, #02-01 Carpenter Haus, Singapore 059915

Chaussette B’s home: Photo by Michael Perini

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36

Fab looks for your interior!

Upfront 8

Discover our digital content and guides

10 WIN! Three great competitions and prizes 12 What’s new and noteworthy in HK? Home & Life 18 A growing family makes the move to Mid-Levels 24 Exploring the stunning art collection of a serviced residence 26 We meet a French artist in her Cheung Chau abode

34 Gorgeous Japanese hand painted screens for the home 35 The eco-friendly backstory behind these latex mattresses 36 Seasonal furniture trends plus great rental options 38 Buying Guide: Beautiful pieces for living rooms 42 Tips on accessories, from rugs to ginger jars 44 Street Talk: What’s it like living on Peng Chau 46 Ten great books to read right now 47 Recommended movies, series and more 48 Considering a move? Why you should keep Singapore in your sights 54 Artist Profiles: Photographer Mario and painter Yulia

School Updates 58 A Lantau school where the beach is front and centre 60 Five-year milestones for Malvern! 61 A taste of a Cambridge education in HK 62 Meet Shrewsbury’s Class of 2022 64 Developing soft skills in learners 65 Alternative pathways to high school graduation 66 Why leadership is such an important quality to learn 68 Woodland introduces a new programme

6 18

70 The Hong Kong Pages: history, trivia and more!

JUN-AUG2022 Inside a Mid-Levels apartment

Read our product reviews 88

Wellness & Leisure 76 All you need to know about kids and braces 78 Do you suffer from dry eyes? Read this! 80 The very serious matter of having lots of fun 82 How tech gadgets can help us watch our heart health 84 Before-and-after looks from a popular salon 86 A gastric balloon that can help you lose weight 87 Two toning treatment to try today 88 Perfect products for sensitive skin

90 Meet a new makeup guru in town – and get some tips 92 All the latest news from HK’s restaurants and bars 95 Taste Test: We try a nice slice or two of pizza 98 Chatting with some of the city’s best chefs 104 Behind the scenes of The Kind Kitchen 106 Where to try paragliding in Hong Kong! 110 See how you go in this month’s Puzzle Pages 112 Parting Shot: The big 5-0!

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Pizza time!

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Are you looking tomake the most out of living in Hong Kong, or do you know someone new in town who needs a helping hand? W h e t h e r y o u ’ v e j u s t arr ived or you’ve been in HK for a whi le, our latest City Guide offers loads of tips and advice on neighbourhoods to live in, property, education, health, dining, things to do and much more!

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ALL THE NEWS! Schools:

Schools:

ALL THE NEWS!

CHEF PROFILES & PIZZA REVIEWS

PARAGLIDING 101

INSPIRATION! Living Room

CHEF PROFILES & PIZZA REVIEWS

PARAGLIDING 101 INSPIRATION! Living Room

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9 JUN-AUG2022

COMPETITIONS

Enter our competition and you’ll stand the chance to win a stylish and comfortable jacket from luxury women’s tailoring company, FREY. The prize includes your choice of jacket from the Off The Rack collection, along with in store measurement and fitting with the in-house tailor at the FREY boutique in Central. About the brand FREY is Hong Kong’s only dedicated female tailor offering women high-quality, stylish formal wear. The brand uses soft natural materials that allow for a much better fit – and, as any woman can attest to, nothing boosts confidence more than a perfectly fitted jacket or pair of trousers. FREY jackets also incorporate an element of traditional tailoring with their horsehair canvas lining. This construction allows the pieces to shape perfectly to a woman’s body. The combination of carefully selected sustainable materials (including dead stock from Italy) and exceptional craftsmanship results in a tailored jacket that can be enjoyed season after season. G04, 9 Queen’s Road, Central, Hong Kong Island 9172 0701 | frey-tailored.com ... any jacket from the Off The Rack collection by FREY, worth $2,880!

simply go to expatliving.hk/competitions or scan the QR code! TO ENTER...

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WELLNESS & LEISURE

WIN … one of five Hong Kong prints by photographer Mario Paecke (worth $630 each)

German expat Mario Paecke is not only a professional chef of some stature – currently the Chef de Cuisine at Margo in Central, in fact – he’s also a brilliant photographer. Since moving here in 2017, he has enjoyed capturing scenes of Hong Kong, from the

mesmerising landscapes to neon-lit street scenes, and sharing them with the world. (Read more of his story on page 54!) Enter our competition and you could win one of five stunning small prints of HK taken by Mario, as well as a 50 percent discount on purchases when shopping in his online store.

mariopaeckestudio.com Instagram @mariopaecke_photography

… a three-hour hair and makeup session with Katie Oropallo (worth $1,500) WIN

Katie Oropallo is a freelance hair and makeup artist who has just relocated to Hong Kong after a successful career working in London’s West End for top musicals such

as Hairspray and Wicked , and well-known small-screen productions including Season 2 of Netflix’s Bridgerton . (Read more of her story on page 90!) We’ve teamed up with Katie to offer a great prize to readers: a three-hour hair and makeup booking that you can use to get ready for a special occasion, or as a lesson that’s tailored to you and your preferences and desires. katieoropallo.com Instagram @katieoropallo

To enter, go to expatliving.hk/competitions

11 JUN-AUG2022

Calculate Your Carbon! To help customers visualise the environmental significance of purchasing preloved fashion, Retykle has launched a carbon savings calculator on its Hong Kong and Singapore sites, retykle.com and retykle.sg . Asia’s leading resale platform for kidswear hopes that customers will use this calculator to quantify and measure their impact in simple terms. Circular solutions like Retykle are helping to solve the sustainability challenge in the fashion industry, and it’s a platform that allows parents to buy and sell their children’s preloved clothes hassle-free.

Singapore School Tour Planning a move to Singapore? Sir Manasseh Meyer International School (SMMIS) has spaces available for its August 2022 enrolment. The not-for-profit school offers a rigorous international education – Reggio Emilia-inspired preschool; IPC blended with English National Curriculum Literacy and Singapore Maths in Primary School; IMYC and iGCSEs in Secondary School – for ages two to 16. It’s a smaller school on a state-of-the-art campus with excellent facilities and a nurturing environment for children to flourish and reach their full potential. Book a personalised virtual tour at smmis.edu.sg/book-a-tour to see what makes this affordable, child-centred school special.

Cool Kids’ Camps Stamford American School Hong Kong’s Camp Asia Programme is back with another round of fun and educational activities to keep the kids occupied this summer. The camps cater to children from four to 14 years across three age groups. There are 18 different camp streams on offer, covering arts, drama, language, science, coding and other skills – something for everyone! The camps run daily from 9am to 12pm, from 27 June to 29 July. Visit campasia.hk or email info@campasia.hk for more information; each five-day camp is priced at $3,500.

NEW SCHOOL NAME

YMCA Christian Academy (YCA) i s a d e d i c a t e d Chr i s t i an school located in the heart of Hong Kong Island. Opened in 2012, the school

will be renamed from Island Christian Academy to YMCA Christian Academy starting from the new school year of 2022/23. YCA’s principal, Geoff Blaik, believes in “cultivating international mindedness and empowering students to ignite bright futures of abundance and fulfilment”. With Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong as the school’s sponsoring body and as an accredited school of CIS (Council of International Schools), the school will continue to offer holistic education through the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) to families in HK. yca.edu.hk

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Creative shopping and lifestyle space PMQ has added eight new stores to its retail offering, which now comprises over 100 local brands. From Italian homeware t o l a v i s h e v en i ng gowns designed by local entrepreneurs, you’ll find it all at this hip venue in Central. pmq.org.hk More Stores at PMQ

Good News for Film Buffs Love a good movie? Hong Kong’s newest cinema destination, M+ Cinema, will open its doors to the public on 8 June. Located at M+ Museum in the developing West Kowloon Cultural District, the cinema was designed by renowned Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron and comprises three movie houses with 180 seats, 60 seats and 40 seats respectively. Programmes will include feature films, documentaries, experimental cinema, video art, restored classics and newly discovered or rarely seen films. mplus.org.hk/en/cinema

Banish the Bites! French brand Parakito has launched a new range of natural mosquito protection products made with plant-based ingredients without the use of alcohol or DEET. Perfect for sports, sensitive skin and every occasion, the products provide the same level of protection as 50 percent DEET products but without the nasties. The new range features Derm (Moisturising Dry Oil, Sensitive Skin Spray, and Water & Sweat Resistant Spray and Roll-on), Diffuz (oil diffuser pellets for Parakito wristbands); and Bite Relief (Roll-on Gel and Cream) products. Available at selected stores around Hong Kong or online at parakito.com .

Opening in July The Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) is due to open in West Kowloon Cultural District in July after five years in the making. The impressive seven-story building is a replica of Beijing’s Palace Museum located in the Forbidden City and will house over 900 works of art across 13,000 square metres. The museum’s nine galleries will showcase priceless cultural treasures from the Palace Museum including Chinese paintings and poems, calligraphy works, household objects and even clothes and utensils used by ruling emperors. Other facilities of the HKPM include indoor and outdoor public spaces, a museum shop, restaurants, an auditorium and activity rooms. westkowloon.hk/en/hkpm

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Pamper Picks Feeling stressed? Book yourself in for a well-deserved spa session at The Chaless! The Central-based salon offers an array of beauty and wellness treatments that include non-invasive facials, massages, nails and waxing services, and it has just launched a range of new wellness treatments. We love the sound of the Energising Reset Package ($1,398), a two-hour session that includes three different treatments to cleanse and detoxify (Dry Body Brushing, Drainage Release Facial and Detox Massage). Or, if you’re in need of a good facial, try the Daily Glow Facial ($1,080) which uses the salon’s signature Aqua Glow method and mood-boosting facial massage for healthy glowing skin inside and out. Inspired by the warmth of chalets in the mountainous regions of Europe and Japan, the spa is the perfect respite from busy city lives. thechaless.com

Timeless Italian Beauty

Tod’s latest T Timeless collection of bags, shoes and accessories is a testament to Italian fashion for the ages, with a contemporary and adventurous edge. The bags have a clean, essential design marked by the iconic T symbol and come in classic shades such as brick and brown, whi le the more adventuresome can opt for vivid yellow, turquoise or bright red. Meanwhile, the T Timeless loafers are crafted in leather, encrusted with a T Timeless band, and elevated by a platform for an note of distinction. Ideal for anyone

Clean Travel Sustainable travel accessories brand Sonder has launched an all-in-one seat cover to keep you safe and comfortable on any journey. The ROAM travel cover ($437) is made of eco-friendly, naturally anti bacterial cotton bamboo fabric that fits plane, train and car seats; it folds into a light, easily packable pouch that can be used to store belongings when in use – very handy! And it comes in five colours: Olive, Pebble, Indigo, Slate and Cherry. Find it online at sonderonthego.com .

who appreciates the nostalgia of handcrafted fashion, plus a dose of colour and vitality! tods.com/ww-en/T-Timeless-Collection.html

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On the Move

Asian Tigers Group provides international relocation solutions for more than 16,000 families each year, with offices in 14 different territories. In this regular column, they look at the issue of moving in a hurry!

Available now at PoolHK.com is a new two-in-one cordless, rechargeabl e pool c l eaner by innovative lifestyle brand Kokido. The Voltera 75 Electric Pool Vacuum Cleaner features a double filtration system for standard (250 micron filtration) and fine (50 micron filtration) cleaning in one vacuum via an easily adjustable cartridge. The powerful suction works und e r wa t e r qu i c k l y a nd efficiently to eliminate sand, leaves and fine debris from the bottom of your pool. Pick one up from PoolHK.com for $3,499, including delivery.

“Howdo I handle a last-minute move?”

A new overseas assignment is something to look forward to in a perfect world. Unfortunately, we live in an uncertain world, and last-minute changes are not uncommon – even a hurried move overseas, especially during the pandemic. With the big moving day looming, you’ll need to compromise and be more practical when deciding what to take and leave behind. #1 Check COVID-19 inbound requirements Different countries and cities will have various COVID-related inbound requirements; places like Hong Kong or Japan require you to go through quarantine, for example. Governments update these logistics frequently, too, so remember to check the requirements for your destination before you pack. Asian Tigers has prepared comprehensive a list of COVID-19 inbound requirements so you can check out the latest details from around the globe: asiantigersgroup.com/file/ATG_COVID-19_Update.pdf . #2 Make a checklist You’ll need a to-do list, but keep it manageable! Start with arranging the cut-off date for utilities and create a packing schedule. To minimise disruption, plan to sort items room by room, perhaps one room per day if time allows. Even if you’re using an international mover and packer, invest in some packing supplies to spend time consolidating all your items together in advance. It can save time for the packing day.

New Exhibition at HKMM Coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR, the Hong Kong Maritime Museum (HKMM) is opening a special exhibition “Hong Kong’s Maritime Miracle: the Story of our City since 1945”, which explores HK’s miraculous transformation from the ashes of World War II into a global maritime hub. The exhibition will be in five chronological phases, each representing a significant “moment” of post-war HK: “Regeneration (1945-1948)”, “Back in Business (1949-1970)”, “The High Growth Years (1960s-1980s)”, “The Container Changed Everything (1972-present)” and “The Future”. Highlights include a WWII bomb found in Happy Valley (plus a virtual reality exhibition to view bomb locations inHK during the war) and an outdoor display of the last remaining “ Dai Fei ” smuggling boat, captured by the Hong Kong Marine Police. 24 June to 30 October. hkmaritimemuseum.org/maritimemiracle

See the full version of this story at asiantigersgroup.com.

15 JUN-AUG2022

26 A French artist in Cheung Chau 38 Beautiful pieces for living rooms 58

Updates from eight schools

Tequila Kola

Where are you from originally? What do you miss about it? We’re from Cape Town, South Africa. Of course, I’m pretty biased, so I consider South Africa one of the most beautiful countries! I really miss the natural landscape and vast open spaces. You don’t need to leave the country to experience some of the most picturesque mountains, oceans and rivers. My husband loves surfing, so he especially misses the surfing spots. Most importantly, we miss our friends and family, sitting around a braai and spending time with loved ones. South African expat CINDY SCHAFER recently relocated from Soho to a Mid-Levels apartment, where she lives with husband Jared, their new bub Oliver (two months) and Kevin the kitty (adopted from the SPCA two years ago). We find out what she likes about her new home.

PHOTOGRAPHY MICHAEL PERINI

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HOME & LIFE

What brought you to Hong Kong? Jared had the opportunity to be transferred here through his company. We’ve always loved Asia, and the chance to live and work in the region was an experience we didn’t want to pass up. So we packed up our apartment in Cape Town and started our adventure! Before moving here, I’d never been to Hong Kong, so I really didn’t know what to expect. But I quickly fell in love with the city on arrival. Tell us a bit about your art and your online projects. I’ve always been a creative person, but it was only after moving to Hong Kong that I started to dedicate more time to my art and illustration. I find this a great place to foster and encourage creativity, so it’s been easy to focus more time and energy on my art. At the moment, I’m embracing my love for nature, plants, flowers and landscape scenes in my art. I take a lot of inspiration from the French painter Henri Matisse, with his use of colours, flattened shapes and decorative patterns. When I’m not creating for fun, I take art commissions and sell prints of my illustrations, paintings and photographs. Each month, I create a monthly free desktop and mobile wallpaper – it’s a fun, creative outlet for me. We fell in love with the high ceilings, large windows and wooden flooring

How long have you lived in this apartment, and where were you previously? In January 2022, we moved to Mid-Levels from the very busy Soho area. We needed a bigger space to support our growing family but wanted to remain close to the hubbub and ease of access of Central. The feel of a home is essential; it needs to have a warm and inviting feeling when you walk in, which this apartment had straight away. We fell in love with the high ceilings, large windows and wooden flooring. The primary bedroom size was a significant factor, as it needed to accommodate our new baby. The apartment also reminded us of the similar style of apartments you get in Cape Town, whichmakes us feel closer to home. What attracted you to this particular apartment?

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HOME & LIFE

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HOME & LIFE

Tell us a bit about the location; what do you like about it? What’s nearby? Mid-Levels gives us the best of both worlds. It’s a quick walk down the hill to the bars and restaurants of Central, but still out of the busy bubble with easy access to public transport and the Mid-Level Escalators. You’re also close to nature and the outdoors, with the Peak trails and hiking on the doorstep and the Hong Kong Botanical Gardens. Since moving to the area, we’ve also found there is a great community of young and growing families here. It’s a three-bedroom apartment with two bathrooms and a spacious living and dining area. The kitchen has a gas oven and hob, which is a big bonus, as my husband and I both really enjoy cooking. The apartment has large open windows that allow for the warm afternoon sun to stream through – this is really great in winter, and much loved by our cat, Kevin. We have a small view of the Peak and often we see rock climbers scaling the side of the mountain. On a really clear day, you can see out to the ocean on the opposite side. The bathrooms have a unique 70’s style to them and add character and charm to the apartment. What are some of the key features of your home?

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Is there a spot that you enjoy the most? We love the spacious living and dining area where we spend most of our time hanging out and entertaining with friends. This is also the area of the apartment where I do most of my art, and where you usually can always find fresh flowers. As we’re renting, we have been limited by what we can do in the apartment. However, we have taken advantage of the tall ceilings and wall space to put up art and photo prints throughout. There’s art from South Africa, Australia, Hong Kong and of course our own photography prints. We’ve only been in the apartment for a few months and we plan on adding more colour to the walls with a splash of paint in the bedrooms. Run us through the details of any changes or renos you’ve done.

What are a few things you like to do in Hong Kong when you’re not working? We love exploring on the weekends. We try to find new neighbourhoods and mission out to somewhere we wouldn’t ordinarily go. When we want to stay more local, we enjoy visiting art museums and galleries, riding the Star Ferry, taking the tram around the city, finding the next ramen gem and spending time with friends. One of our regular favourite things to do is to catch the ferry across to Cheng Chau, wander around the streets and eat an amazing lunch at one of the local restaurants. Borders are starting to open (yay!); where’s the first place you’d like to go when you travel? It’s been three years since we’ve been back to South Africa, so we will definitely do a trip back home. Specifically, we plan to go off the grid and do a safari trip – nothing beats a game drive in the morning surrounded by nature and animals!

Do you have a particular home décor style? A mix between mid-century modern and Scandi.

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HOME & LIFE

Bars DarkSide, Bar Butler, COA Restaurants Madame Fù, Won Pung Won Korean Restaurant (“for authentic Korean barbecue”), Chilli Fagara Wine Delivery Springbok Wines (“they deliver amazing South African wine”) Clothing Boutiques Green Lemon, Black Cherry, Excuse My French, Philippe le Bac Home Décor FUURN, Hapi, Kapok, Carousell, BoConcept, IKEA, H&M Home, Zara See more of Cindy’s art at ohheycindy.com. Recommendations Cindy’s

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HOME & LIFE

Among the lifestyle perks that come with calling K11 ARTUS home is having direct access to amazing arts and crafts scattered throughout the luxury serviced residence.We take a look at four highlights.

#1 Famille Rose Porcelain Vases by Mason’s 19th century Co n t r a r y t o t h e i r a p p e a r a n c e , t h e s e vases were not made by a Chinese artist, but instead by foreign artists imitating Chinese art. In the Qing Dynasty (1644 1912), when traditional Chinese art was popular with Europe’s aristocrats,

guangcai – hand-painted ware on white porcelain (also known as Canton porcelain) – was a successful example of an East-meets-West cultural exchange. These particular vases were made by Mason’s, established in London in 1796 by Miles Mason, a merchant of imported chinaware and glassware. The painting on the body shows the legendary Chinese hero Xiang Yu, a valiant warlord who was said to possess unusual physical strength. He is painted with a sideway stance and backward stare to show his power.

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HOME & LIFE

#2 Baibaoqian Closet 17th century This extraordinary late Ming Dynasty closet is made of pinewood covered with black lacquer. It takes its name from the delicate and intricate wood inlay work – a technique known as baibaoqian – that features on the doors. Each inlay component is skilfully carved separately before being assembled together to create an image rich in colour, texture and depth. In this instance, the baibaoqian inlay work combines with gold lacquer to depict a lively scene of children playing

and having fun. “Children at Play” is a recurring theme in Chinese art, and it symbolises a fruitful life blessed with many offspring and a prosperous future. This type of closet was a “must-have” piece of furniture for every well-respected Chinese family back in the day.

#4 8/8 Landscape by Kensou Ho Kwun Ting 2018-2019

Putting up “cut-paper art” on windows and doors at home is an age-old Chinese tradition to symbolise luck and happiness. This installation by Hong Kong art ist Kensou Ho Kwun T i n g t a k e s t h e concept of paper cutting and replicates it in stainless steel.

#3 ...or...No.1 by Wang Jianwei 2016

This magnificent wooden sculpture is by established Chinese ar t i s t Wang Jianwei, whose work can be found in the collections o f t op i nt e r na t i ona l i ns t i t u t i ons such a s New York’s Museum of Modern Art and Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. The angled and curved shapes of . . . or. . .No .1 are designed to clearly expose the artist’s working method and process . When sunlight shines on the work, for instance, it gets deflected by the polished surface; yet, on close observation, you can see the details of metal work, seemingly still in the process of making. The lack of contextual bodymakes the work very visual, and rather formalist. It’s a concrete object that provokes ideas and questions – about art, society and history. It makes this particular space in the residence an ideal place for contemplation and self-reflection.

K11 ARTUS is at Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. For enquiries and more information, call 2107 3388 or visit artus.com.hk; you can also discover more on social media, @K11artus. There are eight pieces in all, and together they form a complete story about the engagement trip of a young couple, where they challenge themselves by walking up to the top of a mountain to catch the first rays of a day. It’s a sublime example of using the so-called gongbi technique in Chinese painting, where whimsical outlines sketch out objects in daily life or images from memory. In this case, the two-dimensional drawings appear as three-dimensional sculptures made of die-cut metal.

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PHOTOGRAPHY MICHAEL PERINI

We take a look inside the 1950s home of French artist CHAUSSETTE B and her husband, tucked away on a quiet hillside in Cheung Chau. Where are you from originally? What do you miss about it? I’m from Brittany in France. The first few years, I missed crusty bread, Brillat-Savarin cheese, butter croissants, and Pouilly-Fuissé and Gevrey-Chambertin wines; I have weaned myself off French food, and now I just miss my family! What brought you to Hong Kong? I visited 15 years ago to see friends and I loved this city so much, with its hundreds of islands and country parks contrasting so strongly with the busy heart of the town, that I decided to see if my company, which was located in Paris but had an office in HK, might transfer me.

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HOME & LIFE

My studio has plenty of sunlight, an old fan hanging from the high ceiling, and a peaceful view of a tree

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Give us an introduction to your art. I would say that my work is intimate and cryptic, and its multi-disciplinary aesthetical aspects emerge from my joy in transforming objects. I find an unlimited playground to tell my stories by adding and combining elements taken from life and the material world. I try to only use elements that surround me without having to buy things; so I will use coffee for painting, for example, or create sculptures from all kinds of waste. Above all else, my work is a way to heal myself and find solutions to problems I would have never been able to solve otherwise. It has a therapeutic power for me, and if it can open a space for people to connect with their own feelings and struggles to find their own way to deal with those, that is a collateral effect I’m extremely happy with.

How can our readers see your artworks? They can visit my studio in Cheung Chau, if they want! My studio is also where I live, so it’s not open to the public, but I’m always pleased to do a tour on request. People can send me an email or contact me via Instagram. Or, if they want to have a look at my work while sitting on their sofa, they can check my website, chaussetteb.com, my Instagram @chaussetteb and also my YouTube channel. I think I get inspiredwherever I live – the environment that surrounds me infuses my work as tea infuses water. When I moved into this old house from the 1950s, my work started to have a more vintage style; let’s see what will happen if I move into a caravan in the middle of a desert! You live in Cheung Chau – is it a good place to find inspiration for your work?

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HOME & LIFE

Tell us a bit about the home: how long have you lived there, and where were you previously? It has high ceilings with green beams and old tiles, and is located on a very cute and peaceful hill on the north side of Cheung Chau. Before that, I was living in Sea Ranch, a private housing estate tucked away in the southern corner of Lantau. Initially, it was a resort club with luxurious apartments, swimming pool and so on, but it collapsed and has been since then transformed into housing; but most of residents moved away so it’s a bit like a ghost city! I loved living there. What attracted you to this particular home? Its authenticity, the high ceiling, the light, the soft pink and blue tiles, the view of the port, the cute wooden stairs leading to the first floor, the little guest room mezzanine … I immediately saw the potential of the house after some coats of paint, and some cleaning and renovation.

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Is there anything noteworthy about the location? What’s nearby? It’s close to Yuk Hui Temple (also known as Pak Tai Temple), a beautiful temple with a little garden at the back. What are some of the key features of the home? The main roomwhere I put my studio has plenty of sunlight, an old fan hanging from the high ceiling that makes the room breathe, and a peaceful view of a tree. The room I call the “back vestibule”, where I hang my floating sculpture installation, Neuroplasticity (inspired by The Brain’s Way of Healing by Norman Doidge). I like sitting there and watching as my neurones making new connections; it rests my soul and clears my mind. My husband enjoys spending time in his music studio composing new songs for his solo act Corinne Chon, or recording album parts for his four-piece band, Shumking Mansion, and practicing his many instruments – piano, synth, “keytar”, drums, trumpet and others. When night comes, we like to turn the room into a home cinema space, or an exhibition space where I can showcase my short movies. Is there a spot in the home that you enjoy the most?

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Run us through the details of any renovations or changes you’ve made. A less fancy but quite fundamental change was to put in hot water and air-conditioning! After that, the replacement of the windows for bigger ones was a game changer in terms of natural light. And since my husband and I both enjoy wood-working, we made a cute white solid ladder to climb up to the secret mezzanine, and also some mahjong benches to match the vintage mood of the house. I shouldn’t forgot the garden that was just a dark concrete space when we arrived; we turned it into a flower and vegetable garden with roses, bougainvillea, mangos, tomato, figs, lemons and more.

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In addition to your own, what kind of artworks can be found in your home?

To be totally honest, I’ve never been an art collector, nor really an art lover, and I have a very poor art culture! But very recently I started to be moved when I saw certain pieces of art; I can feel that I am opening up to a new world, and it’s fascinating. A few months ago, during the Cheung Chau Wave art festival, I watched a short movie about someone walking inside a water reservoir in Hong Kong. It was dark and humid, with sound echoes, and I felt that I was entering the bowels of the earth. The person who was walking let her hand slide on the rocky wall, and it was like I could feel the rock under my own fingers. It was a very physical and emotional feeling. To answer more properly, I do have some artworks; I have two mini paintings on wood that I bought in Cuba 20 years ago; one is a copy of a Modigliani portrait and the other a copy of a Klimt painting – I had no clue they were copies of great artists when I bought them, and I like them very much. What are a few things you like to do in Hong Kong when you’re not working? Swimming, walking in nature, reading on a rock!

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Recommendations

• Cheung Chau Sourdough and Sunny Alley Bakery (“two nice bakeries run by young HK people”) • The Pink Pig Music Bar and Restaurant (“you can sit on a tricycle in front of the port while drinking an excellent craft ginger beer, and eating chilli fries or fresh salad”) • No.11 (“excellent burgers!”) • HAIKA Coffee • La Ruche (“a new restaurant with very fresh Mediterranean French simple dishes but with a twist of originality”) • Robert O’Brien’s studio (“Robert is a British painter who has lived in Cheung Chau for many years and he always has plenty of stories to tell; stepping into his studio, you can see his massive number of artworks – and you might get the chance to see what he’s working on at the moment”) • Islander (“run by a lovely couple, Debbie and Thomas, who have lots of different kinds of kombuchas and craft beers”) • Waterfront restaurants (“there are some excellent seafood restaurants on the waterfront but I can’t recall any specific names!”) • “I also like the tiny new décor shop selling old European-style tableware that looks a lot like what I had in my childhood”

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For many years, Altfield has produced fine decorative accessories inspired by the antiques and artisanal crafts of various Asian cultures, including the classical Japanese style known as Byobu (“protection from the wind”), or folding screens. The team explains why they’re so special. Heritage Byobu screens depict scenes from nature, and the lifestyle of the elite Samurai. They were originally developed as dividers for both indoors and outdoors – the zigzag construction allows them to be free-standing or wall mounted. These functional and versatile screens evolved in format over the years to allow greater artistic freedom. For example, the innovative development of an unobtrusive paper hinge allowed for the use of one vast expanse of unbroken paper; this was ideal for continuous large-scale horizontal compositions. Production Though simple in appearance, folding screens are complicated structures made of paper and wood. The individual panels are composed of carefully joined wood lattice frames, covered on both sides with layers of paper that form a dense, elastic mattress. Squares of gold, silver and metal leaf are applied by hand to the paper base and the painting is done on the gilded surface. Lacquer rails are then applied to the perimeter to finish the edges of the screen and provide support. A close-up look at the gorgeous collection of Japanese hand-painted folding paper screens at Altfield Gallery.

The screens are available exclusively at Altfield Gallery, Shop 249 Prince’s Building, Central. 2537 6370 | altfieldgallery.com Thehand-paintedscreens come to lifewithcompositions of immense sophistication, which are often deceptively simple with delicate wisteria flowers, plum blossoms and peonies, as well as the iconic flowing rivers and willowy bamboo groves. These scenes offer an alternative vision of an idealised and perfect world in harmony with nature. The screens aremade in a variety of sizes, in combinations of two, four or six panels, with the images painted on either distressed paper or Dutch metal leaf for a gold or silver effect. Additionally, we’re able to produce special sizes, colours and designs. Design The screens in our collection display a wide variety of themes and include works that represent the major schools of Japanese fine decorative art of the 16th to 19th centuries. There is a focus on early 17th century works, which beautifully document the decorative taste of an increasingly affluent society. The use of gold in screen paintings was perfected during the Momoyama period (1573-1615) when some of the finest screens were commissioned by the warrior elite. Examples are included in this collection, particularly of the Rimpa school, which was extremely influential in defining the Japanese decorative arts tradition of centuries to come. Details

Above: Six-panel handpainted screen depicting red and white plum blossoms; watercolour on gold leaf

with silk brocade.

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Mattress?

What’s In Your

They’re not just ultra comfortable to sleep on; the natural organic latex mattresses from Heveya have a great eco-friendly backstory around the material they’re made from and its sustainability. We delve intosomeof thedetails. A typical rubber plantation Plantations of Hevea brasiliensis (rubber trees) can be found across Asia. Rubber tapping involves making incisions in latex vessels that are just deep enough to tap the vessels without harming the tree’s growth. Rubber sap is then collected in small buckets and transported for processing. Harvest can begin at around five to six years after planting, continuing until the tree stops producing rubber at 26 to 30 years. To keep the soil nutrient-rich, revitalisation techniques are used toward the end of the tree’s lifespan. The organic alternative The Heveya plantation in Sri Lanka is the world’s first certified-organic latex plantation. To achieve this status, the soil had to be treated for four years with 100 percent organic fertilisers to wash out previous fertilisers used on the land. Only then could the rubber trees be planted. Regular unannounced checks of chemical levels in the soil and the latex milk are performed by the Peterson Control Union Group, an independent European organisation.

Sustainability and eco-friendliness

A worthy end product When you bear all of these factors in mind, it’s

After 25 years of producing latex, rubber plantations are still viable for re-planting – with more rubber or other crops. This is especially true for organic plantations as the soil is kept chemical-free and safe for use. For Heveya, being able to reuse the land is especially important given the impending globa l land shortage. It also creates employment opportunities for local communities and contributes to local economies. Energy efficiency Whether or not rubber trees are being tapped for rubber, they’re still working as trees to recycle carbon dioxide in the air and replace it with oxygen, combating the greenhouse effect and keeping global temperatures down. (One study estimates that rubber trees remove 363 million kilograms of CO2 from the atmosphere annually!) Also, because the trees do most of the work of producing the rubber, the energy expended in obtaining natural rubber comes from planting, harvesting and transportation. A l l He v e y a p roduc t s a r e manufactured by the first Certified Carbon Neutral latex producer in the world, demonstrating the company’s commitment to the environment.

Browse Heveya mattresses and other bedding online or visit the showroom at 13/F, The Plaza LKF, 21 D’Aguilar Street. 6286 1132 | heveya.hk Another noteworthy initiative is that all Heveya packing and marketing materials are printed on recycled paper, and the transport of materials is done in the most pollution-free way possible. no surprise that Heveya mattresses boast so many plus points. Made from 100 percent GOLS-certified organic latex sourced from the aforementioned Sri Lanka plantation, and with no chemicals added, the mattresses are naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites, bacteria and mould. They’re also made without glue or metal springs, the former can have negative health ramifications and render a mattress rigid and warm; the latter can amplify electromagnetic radiation. The end result is better quality sleep – which is so important for our physical and mental wellbeing. Donations and charities The company donates a portion of sales revenue towards charitable institutions, regardless of profit. These charities – for example, the Sumba Hospitality Foundation in Eastern Indonesia – provide educational and employment opportunities for local communities and help underprivileged youth break the circle of poverty. Heveya also works with Replant to help protect and nurture the Dayak community of Borneo, and restore rainforests in the area.

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Here are a few fab looks for your interior, whether you choose to fit out your space with beautiful bought furniture or instead opt for a collection of rented pieces that suits you to a tee. Indigo Living is well known to EL readers; but did you know that it had its genesis all the way back in 1979, as an upmarket furniture and interior store? Today, 43 years later, it boasts eight one-stop lifestyle concept stores in Hong Kong, including the flagship store in Horizon Plaza. While the brand is rooted in HK, over those four decades its contemporary interiors have graced countless stylish homes, upscale serviced apartments, five-star hotel rooms and show flats not just here, but also from the Middle East to mainland China. Complementing the retail arm of the business, Indigo offers bespoke solutions that include full-scope interior design and styling services, custom furniture and a rental programme. Here’s a look at just a handful of options for decking out your home in style.

Two Seasonal Trends Indigo’s Studio 54 collection (pictured, right) is named for New York’s famous former disco and nightclub of the seventies, and features fun, bright colours accentuated by reflections and curves, oversized elements, rich velvet and gold, and more. This is décor that will have you smiling from the moment you set foot in the space. The Oasis collection (above and below) , on the other hand, has a more serene vibe, inspired by nature, with a focus on calming, luxurious elements. The collection aims to bring the outdoors in, through the use of soft greens and blues, rustic wood, light marble, smooth ceramics and textured linens.

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The Rental Route For those looking to live the Indigo style but who might be waiting for their shipment to arrive, or aiming to take a more eco-conscious approach to home furnishings, Indigo Living offers rental of furniture and household items from as little as one month to two years. The team says that its cost-effective and seamless rental program is enjoying increasing demand, including among developers and homeowners who want to have a furnished space to show off their properties with minimal investment, and from landlords who find it advantageous to offer a furnished flat designed to tenants’ tastes and needs. Pictured below is just one example of an Indigo rental collection, Mont Rouge.

To find out more, visit Indigo Living’s flagship store at 6/F, Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau, or go to indigo-living.com.

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From elegant couches and armchairs to cool accessories, we’ve scoured the shops to source the latest living room furniture in stores now.

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1 Jane Churchill fabric, Summer 2022 collection, in a contemporary style with a refreshing twist, Altfield Interiors 2 Vancouver three seater sofa in Parrot Maple leather, with comfortable seat and padded arms, plus smooth leather upholstery and side cushions, Indigo Living 3 Roxy chair in Moonlight Blue, combining a richly hued fabric surface over a contemporary and comforting shape, Indigo Living 4 Barrow lounge chair with wide seat, crafted from foam-filled cushioning, rich upholstery and black metal legs, TREE 5 Jane Churchill fabric, Summer 2022 collection, in a contemporary style with a refreshing twist, Altfield Interiors 6 Voyage tray coffee-table set, crafted with black metal frames and black tinted wood tops in a convenient stackable design, TREE 7 Joyio modern saffron rug, made with hemp and recycled fabric, hand woven, natural fibre, Staunton & Henry

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8 KARE Mushroom table lamb in copper-black, Red Velvet 9 Water Lily cocktail armchair in friendly yellow with polyester cover, Tequila Kola 10 Oscar rack, in natural and black-stained teak, with cool metal detailing and five sliding doors, TREE 11 Lucas armchair in Stone colour, combining a neutral upholstered surface and slim wooden frame, Indigo Living 12 Capri coffee table with natural ash grain details and matte satin finish, with hidden storage for magazines, coasters and more, Indigo Living

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Directory Altfield Interiors 1011 Nine Queen’s Road, Central 2525 2738 | altfield.com.hk Indigo Living 6/F, Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau 2555 0540 | indigo-living.com Red Velvet G 74, DB Plaza, Discovery Bay 9010 5832 | redvelvetdesigns.net Staunton & Henry 3125 2538 | stauntonandhenry.com Tequila Kola 1/F, Horizon Plaza 2877 3295 | tequilakola.com TREE 28/F, Horizon Plaza 2870 1582 | tree.com.hk

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13 Emerald green decorating ideas to refresh your home, Red Velvet 14 Adanno cream and black modern textured rug in handwoven cotton, Staunton & Henry 15 Taranto floor lamp, with matching table lamp available, Indigo Living 16 Branch console table in brass-plated aluminium, Tequila Kola 17 Throw pillow in a classic design with ornamental features of tassels, agate and antique fittings, Red Velvet 18 Tropical collection ginger jar and table lamp, blends with any décor, Red Velvet

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