June-July 2019

JUN-JUL 19

ACool House with a View Discovery Bay WheretoRent &What’sOnthe Market

here to Cruise GettingBeachReady HealthyJunkTrips AquaticAdventures

SkiingJapan RomanticRetreats World’sBiggestCave Travel

Kids SchoolNew Furniture&Flooring

EDITOR’SNOTE

Flick through this edition and you’ll see we’ve been slightly obsessed with all things aquatic! We are, after all, living in the Fragrant Harbour and only a short flight to some of the most beautiful waterways on the planet. That’s why we’ve covered the A-Z of water- related activities in Hong Kong, with everything you need to know for summer, from beach clean-ups to kayaking and yachting. Moving further away from home, you’ll find some luxury cruising holiday inspiration on page 96. It’s a bitter-sweet period of the year for many of us. It’s already that time when we begin to say goodbye to those who are moving on to new adventures. One of my favourite stories this month (page 22) explains the memorable décor items you should invest in to mark your time in Hong Kong. We also have a great list of farewell gifts, if you’re looking to buy something for yourself or a dear friend (page 60). I’m a big believer in community, and for this edition I spent time with two interesting expats in my own backyard, Discovery Bay. We shot an amazing home that’s full of beautiful art and inspiring expat tales – one that feels like a true escape from the intensity of Hong Kong (page 16). I also spent some time with Linda Roberts, who owns Ours Girls Gang, a brand that’s creating fun feminist fashion. She shared her insights into what it’s like to live in Discovery Bay (in a word: green, car-free and social). Turn to page 30 for a glimpse into Linda’s – and yours truly’s – neighbourhood. Finally, don’t miss the story on page 98 about trekking through Vietnam’s Son Doong Cave. Just, wow! And if you have an interesting story to share about Hong Kong or your travels in the region, please do get in touch.

REBECCA SIMPSON

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Editor-in-Chief REBECCA BISSET Group Editor SHAMUS SILLAR Editor REBECCA SIMPSON Digital Content JULIET KEYS | MICHAELA BISSET Client Services & Production LEANDA RATHMELL | LIANA TALIB NUR HANANI KAMAL LUDDIN Senior Graphic Designers MICHAEL BERNABE EVELINE WENG | JEANNE WONG Circulation & Marketing ANNA TSERLINGAS | GRACE BANTARAN Sales & Marketing KATE WOODBURY | DANIELLE HIGGINS Chief Operations Officer COLIN PURCHASE Contributing Writers CHRISTINE AMOUR-LEVAR | AMY GREENBURG SANDY HODGES | TARA JENKINS Printed by MIRACLE PRINTING CO. LTD.

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DuniaBaruAdventures, Indonesia Image courtesy of Lightfoot Travel (lightfoottravel.com)

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CONTENTS

UPFRONT 8 Calendar of Upcoming Events 10 Follow Us Online HOME & PROPERTY 14 News 16 * Showcase: Inside the home of global nomad 22 Asian Décor

16 A traveller’s Discovery Bay home

Classic pieces from around the region

25 Home Hacks:

A family-friendly flooring option

26 Buying Guide:

28

Awesome items for kids’ rooms

30 Street Talk:

What it’s like living in Discovery Bay

32 On the Market:

Properties for sale and lease

LIFE & FAMILY 38 News 39 Expert Voice:

What’s your relationship with money?

41 Five Things:

... I wish I knew before moving here

42 On the Screen:

Our Netflix and podcast recommendations

Our favourites fragrances 70

43 On the Page:

We preview the latest great reads 44 Little Learners Special:

Six schools share teaching and parenting tips

49 After Hours:

Bringing school lessons home

50 Shared Spaces:

A coworking space open to students for study

Asian accents for the home 22

51 Art Focus:

Celebrating street art

52 Wet & Wild:

An A-Z guide of aquatic fun in Hong Kong

56 Beach Bums:

We list the top local sandy stretches

60 Buying Guide:

Hong Kong memorabilia and souvenirs

Showcase Features: Each issue, our home showcase features provide a through-the-keyhole look into some of our readers’ lifestyles and their interior design decisions. If you’d like us to profile your own home – whether it’s beautiful, quirky, historic or modern – and you’re willing to be interviewed and photographed, drop us a line at info@expatliving.hk.

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BODY & MIND 68 News 70 Our Two Scents: EL’s favourite fragrances 71 Smooth Operator:

Hair removal for men and women

72

Parting Ways: Divorcing with dignity

74 Guns Out:

Toning arm exercises

83

Must-try food spots for newbies

86 WINE & DINE 78 News 80 Taste Test: 85 Junk Catering:

52

Aquatic and beachside family fun

Romantic getaways 94

Five fabulous feeds for newcomers

TRAVEL 90 News 94 Travel for Two:

A healthier option does exist!

86 Recipe Corner:

Fail-safe favourites for your repertoire

Romantic escapes around the globe

96 Choose your Cruise: Luxury charters in Indonesia 98 Journey to the Lost World: Into the world’s biggest cave in Vietnam 104 Japan Powder: Top ski spots for next season REGULARS 106 Important Numbers 107 Our Advertisers 108 Parting Shot: Expat Fatigue

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COMMUNITY & DESIGN

Ride for Justice (16 JUN)

Justice Centre Hong Kong and Hong Kong Cycling Alliance have joined together to present Ride For Justice, a unique fundraising event in support of World Refugee Day. Join them and their refugee clients to cycle through the streets of Hong Kong from Lai Chi Kok to Jordan. Money raised from the ride will change lives through the provision of legal and psychosocial services to Hong Kong’s marginalised people. justicecentre.org.hk Knowledge of Design Week (17-21 JUN) Knowledge of Design Week is an annual thematic programme that brings the global design community together to explore the big design debates of today. This year’s theme, Designing Digital Futures, looks into how human-centred design serves as a bridge between digital technology and humanity as we explore future design and urban developments. kodw.org/pr Home Stylist Tip Talk (13 JUN) “Your home should tell the story of who you are and be a collection of what you love,” says The Home Stylist. If you’re having some challenges telling the right kind of story in your own place, then come along to this morning of home styling tips from The Home Stylist. The fun and interactive talk will be packed full of trend advice and ideas to help you refresh your Hong Kong home. Get lost in the visual delights of the Altfield Interiors Showroom – see you there! thehomestylist.org

International Arts Carnival

ARTS & SHOWS

Le French May (UNTIL 30 JUNE)

Le French May is really Le French May-and-June – it’s not over yet! This popular themed festival covers weeks of activities throughout the city, and thanks to our thriving French expat community, it just gets better and better each year. Check out the full programme online. frenchmay.com Unearthed (1 JUN – 13 JUL) Sin Sin Fine Art is presenting Unearthed , an exhibition featuring French artists Antoinette Rozan and Vincent Cazeneuve/Wensen Qi. Through their works, they attempt to unearth the hidden bind between nature and human being, as a reminder and inspiration to us all. sinsinfineart.com/2019/unearthed/index.html Prestige Fair at the Conrad Hotel (4 JUN) Prestige Events will be hosting its Summer Lifestyle and Gift Shopping Fair on 4 June at the Conrad Hong Kong. Featuring a selection of some of Hong Kong’s finest creative businesses offering beautiful clothing, jewellery, homewares, toys and gifts, as well as gourmet food and beverages, this is a one-stop shopping destination for all your summer wardrobe needs and gifts to surprise your family and friends. prestigefairs.hk

Home Stylist Tip Talk

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CALENDAR

Professor Brian Cox Universal World Tour 2019 (5 JUN) Using state-of-the-art graphics and imagery from ground- based telescopes and space probes, Professor Brian Cox will offer a fascinating insight into the workings of nature at the most fundamental level. The event will feature visual highlights such as a journey into a black hole, and will address questions about the value of science, how we acquire scientific knowledge, and why we should trust it. Fans can ask questions in an audience Q&A, where Brian will be joined by co-host of the BBC radio series The Infinite Monkey Cage and award-winning comedian Robin Ince. hkticketing.com Theatre Bites (13-23 JUN)

Opera Live Screening (13 JUL)

SPORT 10th Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival (7-16 JUN) The Dragon Boat Festival is a major celebration on the lunar calendar. While dragon boat racing is practised throughout the world year-round these days, Hong Kong is the best place to experience the sport. The well-known races in Stanley, Shatin and Aberdeen kick off on 7 June, while the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival will push festivities to a climax the following weekend (14-16 June). discoverhongkong.com Horseracing Season Finale (14 JUL) Love watching the races? This is your last chance to see the action this summer. The Season Finale will be held on 14 July at Sha Tin Racecourse, with the prize presentation of the Champion Awards to be held shortly after the last race on this famous turf. You’ll also see the traditional end-of-season parade of jockeys. hkjc.com Join this live screening of a performance of Cilea’s 1902 opera Adriana Lecouvreur . Soprano Anna Netrebko joins the likes of Montserrat Caballé and Renata Scotto in taking on – for the first time at the Met – the title role of the real- life French actress who dazzled 18th-century audiences with her on-and offstage passion. The soprano is joined by tenor Piotr Beczała as Adriana’s lover, Maurizio. Gianandrea Noseda conducts. themetinhongkong.info

ArtisTree in Taikoo Place invites audiences to explore some of the most controversial social topics with ArtisTree Selects, a series of artistic programmes running in June. From 13 to 23 June, it will feature Theatre Bites, a presentation of five bite-sized British plays. taikooplace.com/en/artistree International Arts Carnival (5 JUL – 18 AUG) If your family loves the performing arts, then this carnival offers a whole bunch of fun shows to attend together over the summer. There’s everything from a stage adaption of The Very Hungry Caterpillar to a STEM show, Four Great Inventions , and even a musical treasure hunt. It goes all the way through to August but get your tickets early. hkiac.gov.hk Van Gogh Alive (UNTIL 7 JUL) Dubbed the most visited multi-sensory exhibition experience in the world, Van Gogh Alive – The Experience will be in Hong Kong until 7 July. Transcend time and space as you accompany Vincent van Gogh on a journey through Arles, Saint Rémy and Auvers-sur-Oise, where he created most of his timeless masterpieces. Set to an evocative score, a thrilling display of over 3,000 inspirational images transforms every surface – walls, columns, ceilings and even floors. Experience an art exhibition like no other! vangoghalive.hk

Van Gogh Alive

9 JUN-JUL2019

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11 JUN-JUL2019

HOME&PROPERTY

26 Buying Guide:

Awesome items for kids’ bedrooms

Indigo

14 New & Notable: Hot shops and furniture ranges to check out

16 Home Showcase: Discover where this global nomad rests his hat

22 Asian Chic: Classic pieces inspired by the region

HOME & PROPERTY

WHAT’S NEW

Searching for some flooring that looks great and makes you feel good about the environment? CarpetBuyer has expanded its collection of modern carpets from designers who work with eco-friendly materials like bamboo, with woven and hand-knotted carpets available in a range of unique styles and colours. This is a great time to invest in a rug, as CarpetBuyer’s summer sale includes extra discounts on top of the year-round 50 percent off. There are 4,500 carpets in stock, so you’re bound to find something just right for your space. carpetbuyer.com

Evoking Shangri-La Inspired by “the dreamlike vision of an earthly paradise”, Jim Thompson’s Spring 2019 Shangri- La Collection offers a profusion of rich colours, exotic patterns and luxurious texture. This is a collection for home designers who like a bit of drama. There are prints of foliage drawn from mythical gardens combined with plush velvets in brilliant, jewel-like hues; and animal skin and tribal textile patterns are integrated with graphic contrast in silky fibres. See the collection at Altfield Interiors. altfield.com.hk

Let There Be Light TREE’s selection of summer must-haves places an emphasis on light creamy tones, natural materials and vibrant pops of colour. This is a great place to start if you’re aiming to create a warm and inviting home. Highlights include these beautiful glossy white terracotta lanterns lovingly handcrafted in the Philippines. We also love the store’s rustic stools crafted from recycled wood. tree.com.hk

Tips for Home Styling “Your home should tell the story of who you are and be a collection of what you love,” says the team from The Home Stylist. If you’re struggling to tell the right kind of story in your home, join us for a morning of styling tips from the experts. In this fun, interactive session you’ll learn how to transform your rented apartment’s boring walls and adapt the latest interior trends to suit Hong Kong’s smaller spaces. Come and get lost in the visual delights of the Altfield Interiors Showroom and find inspiration to update your colour scheme! 13 June, 10am-12pm; tickets from expatliving.hk.

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HOME & PROPERTY

Shleep Well! If you love luxury bedding as much as we do, pay a visit to Lane Crawford and check out Shleep, a luxury Australian bedding and sleepwear brand. Shleep’s 21-piece wool-rich bedding collection includes blankets, swaddle sets, pillows, mattress covers, duvets, toys and sleepwear. The company is focused on bringing customers “the best mornings ever” thanks to a good night’s sleep. “Research shows that natural wool bedding can improve sleep quality by 25 percent, by regulating body heat with its temperature and moisture control functions,” says Shleep founder Indi McCullough. lanecrawford.com

Green Developments Our concrete jungle doesn’t conjure the greenest of thoughts, but according to Colliers, the rising awareness of wellness, smart living and the environment have become key for developers and landlords in Hong Kong. (Finally!) In March, 31 leading property and construction firms signed the Hong Kong Business Environment Council’s Low Carbon Charter, agreeing to work towards decarbonisation. Colliers believes we should now start to see more residential projects featuring sustainability concepts – great news for all. Read more about these hopeful trends in the property market in their report, “Smart and Green Living in Action”. colliers.com

When should I arrange for the pre-move survey? It’s recommended that you arrange the pre-move survey at least a month before your preferred packing date. If your designated move date falls between June and August, contact the moving

Asian Tigers Mobility provides international relocation solutions for more than 16,000 families each year, with offices in 14 different territories. In this new regular column, they provide a range of different moving advice for anyone coming to Hong Kong or heading off on a new assignment. Questions about the pre-move survey Hiring a reputable moving company can help you avoid stress with your move, whether it’s local or international. Here are some FAQs about the pre-move survey, the first step in relocating.

company at least two months before. How long will the survey take? Normally around 30 to 60 minutes. Do I need to be present for the survey?

It’s not mandatory, though it does allow you to identify the items that will be moved and discuss the particular services that you require with the move consultant. Is an onsite survey required for a quotation? An onsite survey allows our move consultants to provide an accurate estimate of the volume of the move and to foresee the services that might be required. However, we understand that it can be difficult to arrange time for a survey due to busy schedules. So, you can provide us with an inventory of the items to be moved and any other relevant information about your move, and we can provide an indicative quote based on the information. When can I expect to receive the quotation? Quotations are generally sent out within four working days.

Find our more at asiantigers-mobility.com.

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A Tale to Tell

C HRIS ALLAN’s home is the type of residence you might find described in a novel. It’s a modern bazaar of design classics and intriguing one-off pieces, with most items offering a wow factor and many carrying an anecdote about his fascinating expat experience. That’s the best thing about the home of well-travelled people – there’s rarely a dull corner. Comment on a coaster and you’re bound to uncover a tale of an astonishing friend or a journey with a twist. This home presents so many stories of that nature. With Chris having spent 30 years away from home, in more countries than you can count on your hand, it’s no real surprise. Having said that, this is an uncluttered space that’s at once welcoming and well designed. Not all homes present with such poise.

A home where function and form are perfectly appointed – and where a few decades of travel stories have left their imprint.

BY REBECCA SIMPSON

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HOME & PROPERTY

Far from Mid-Levels The semi-detached house sits on a quiet residential street in the family-focused neighbourhood of Discovery Bay. It’s a spot that offers a unique Hong Kong experience. Unlike most addresses here, there’s not a high-rise building to be found along the street. Instead, it’s almost reminiscent of inner-city Sydney or London, offering a long line of double-storey homes. Each is graced with its own front yard and even a private lawn – quite the indulgence in a city like Hong Kong. As I stickybeak along the street, I can’t help but think that this is a long way from the Mid-Levels of Hong Kong Island – both in distance and design. At the front of the house, a frangipani tree stretches over the lawn in a great yawn of white flowers. Guests are greeted from the burning sun of a Hong Kong spring day through an iron gate, along a short path and into the crisp air-conditioned comfort of this light-filled home. It’s not just the air-con that’s crisp; this home opens suddenly onto a sweeping view of Lantau’s waterways. “Are we even in Hong Kong!?” I think to myself. It’s DB, so it’s really Hong Kong “lite”; but even then, it seems a world away from the city. Distinct features It’s immediately clear from that first moment in the foyer that this is a beautiful home, filled with beautiful things – and all of it done without the help of an interiors or architectural professional. There is 2,250 square feet of space here, with many of the usual suspects we find in high-end homes, like Bang & Olufsen electronics. Traditional furnishing classics are present, too, such as a Le Corbusier chaise longue in cow hide. What really sets the place apart, though, is the openness of the architecture and the abundance of artworks. The former is achieved through split-level open-plan living areas and glass balustrades both inside and outside the home. Both stories offer generous balconies, with glass facings to enjoy the full splendour of the view. Even the internal staircase features a broad ribbon of natural light, thanks to a skylight that funnels daylight into an area of the house that would have otherwise felt too dark.

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An interest in art These striking features beg the question: how does a pilot with a military background end up curating a home so deeply affected by creativity and smart design? You may be surprised to know the creative conduit is his life-long passion for photography. “I do a lot of photography. I’ve published four books on aviation, with a photo library in the UK.” Hong Kong’s proximity to Asia, along with his own curious nature, have allowed the owner to explore the region and meet artists. Chris recalls a trip to Vietnam many years ago when he encountered a group who did their painting on newspapers. He bought a whole collection of this Vietnamese art and has since introduced friends to talent in the developing market. Chris bought his first Chinese painting in 1995 on WyndhamStreet – a portrait by ZhuWei. Fast-forward almost 25 years and his interest in the study of human form hasn’t waned. Faces and torsos can be seen everywhere – on coasters from Sri Lanka to bodices by Gustav Kraitz, and cheeky Ritzenhoff champagne flutes; even on his-and-hers chairs by FabioNovembre. For all his art investments, it’s surprising to hear that Chris doesn’t use a broker. Rather, he prefers to explore a city’s creative hub in person. “I just walk down streets, walk into galleries, and meet people,” he says casually.

Classic cool and a modern touch Chris has spent 31 years abroad, with stints in the Middle East, Thailand and Indonesia, but always with one foot in Hong Kong. That’s a lot of moving, some of which has been facilitated with style, in the form of a 1920s Louis Vuitton trunk. In this current home, the trunk is aptly used to store a collection of Louis Vuitton luggage. Open the

lid of this vintage beauty and you’ll find a treasure trove of LV pieces, all lovingly maintained and nestled within the protective confines of a bigger piece of heritage luggage. The outdoor areas of the home offer a scale of entertaining space that few Hong Kong properties can boast. The Dedon furniture can survive even the most brutal of weather, including 2018’s mighty T10. The weight and craftsmanship of the brand make this a smart purchase, and he has invested in pieces that adorn different areas of the balcony. This interest in faces and modern furniture meet in an epic moment inside the home office. The Fabio Novembre chair looks theatrical against the backdrop of Lantau – fitting for an Italian designer who studied both cinema and architecture.

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HOME & PROPERTY

Regional influences Among all these international pieces, there’s an Asian influence. Not only do Asian artists and faces appear sprinkled across the walls and shelves of the home, but there are Buddhas, too – and they have their own stories to tell. For example, the Buddha in the outside area is from Chang Mai – it serves to protect all the art in the house. “We brought it back from Thailand and placed it on the table in the dining room. That night, we were woken up by a noise; it was a bat flying around our apartment. It had been in the back of the Buddha! It ended up on our balcony and then flew away.” Seated above the movable Conran stacking draws is another brass Buddha. This one holds a few precisely folded notes of foreign currency. When asked about the notes, Chris shares another tale: “When I was 18, my girlfriend’s mother gave me a folded five-pound note. She said, ‘Keep this and it will draw money’ (because of the particular way it’s folded). She told me to place it in the corner of my wallet and leave it there. I’ve had it since I was 18. I still have it today.” So far, so good – her advice and the luck of the note seem to have served him well.

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Recommendations Has this home inspired you? Here are some of the brands and suppliers that can help you get the look.

Louis Vuitton vintage trunks and luggage are the stuff of dreams for travellers with a romantic side. rarebyoulton.com hk.louisvuitton.com Fabio Novembre’s chairs are sexy and fun, all at once. novembre.it Ritzenhoff’s cheeky champagne glasses and other homewares can be purchased online. ritzenhoff.com/en A Le Corbusier chaise lounge is a classic piece of furniture and can be bought locally through Decor8. decor8.com.hk

Bang & Olufsen has stores in IFC, Elements and Causeway Bay. bang-olufsen.com

Zhu Wei is a prominent contemporary Chinese artist renowned for his ink painting technique. zhuweiartden.com Dedon outdoor furniture is renowned for its quality and is ideal for Hong Kong’s harsh climate. dedon.de Kenneth Cobonpue is from the Philippines but his beautifully designed furniture is all over the globe. kennethcobonpue.com Conran is an interesting brand that spans both product design and design services. conran.com

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Asian #1 Blue-and-white porcelain Antique-inspired blue-and-white porcelain Classics

One great way to mark your time in Hong Kong is by investing in classic pieces inspired by the region. These items from Altfield Gallery capture that essence and will stay relevant as your design approach and lifestyle evolve.

#2 Contemporary Cambodian silverware The tradition of Cambodian

provides an immediate nod to Asia in any home. The right piece should be suitable for both decorative and functional use. In a way, blue-and-white ware tells the

silverwork stretches back hundreds of years. The French encouraged the development of silver crafts during the colonial period. By the early 20th century, Cambodian silversmiths were receiving international recognition for the quality of their work. The best contemporary silver vases are made by hand, from the finest pure silver.

story of the Silk Road, with the original blue imported from Persian cobalt ores. Today, ginger jars are a representative of the style; they were originally used for storing and transporting spices but are now used in many ways, even as lamp bases!

#3 Chinese cabinets / horseshoe chairs For collectors with a real interest in classic and authentic examples of Chinese styles, early pieces such as cabinets and horseshoe chairs represent the best collecting opportunity in today’s Chinese furniture market. They’re constructed from indigenous Chinese woods such as walnut, northern elm, cedar, rosewood and

blackwood. Altfield deals in fine 18th- and 19th-century Chinese furniture from various regions, including Shanx i , Sha anx i , Jiangsu, Hebei and Gansu Provinces.

HOME & PROPERTY

#5 Hibachi vases The hibachi is a portable Japanese heating device – translated it means “fire bowl”. It’s a bowl-shaped container that traditionally held charcoal or another source of heat. In a modern home-design context, these hibachi are used as vases and constructed from paulownia wood ( kiri ). They’re decorated with mother-of-pearl and lacquer or bronze inlay, often in a floral design. You can use them as a single or in a pair, and they’re perfect for larger floral displays like orchids.

#4 Antique carpets

Tibetan rugs are well known for their lively designs, bright vivacious colours and exceptional versatility. These carpets derive from a wide variety of sources, including Buddhist iconography a n d m y t h o l o g i c a l symbols, as well as motifs found on imported and native textiles.

#6 Hand-painted Chinoiserie panels As trade routes opened in the 17th and 18th century, the West’s insatiable hunger for decorative arts led to a new style of romanticised designs capturing the land of pagodas, peonies, phoenix and butterflies. This art movement was Chinoiserie. As a treaty port, Hong Kong was soon a supplier of not just traditional Chinese arts, but also this style of art, which was mainly created for export. This decorative tradition is still a mainstay of the design world and Hong Kong continues to be a place where wonderful examples are designed and created. Altfield’s Chinoiserie hand- painted watercolour wall panels depict birds and flowers in a bamboo grove, or the fanciful world of people at leisure in palace gardens.

#7 Japanese folding paper screens The classical Japanese style of folding screens (known as byobu , which literally means “protection from the wind”), depicts lifestyle scenes of the elite Samurai in natural settings. They were originally developed to be used as dividers both indoors and outdoors. The zigzag construction allows them to be either free-standing or wall-mounted, allowing the versatility of being both decorative and functional.

Altfield Gallery Shop 249, Prince’s Building, 10 Chater Road, Central altfield.com.hk | @altfield_gallery | 2537 6370

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HOME & PROPERTY

Flooring for Families We found a stylish solution to soft flooring from Japan. BY REBECCA SIMPSON

expat mum with two young children. “Generally, the spaces are very small, with lots of corners and edges. That means it’s hard to keep your eye on little ones and ensure they’re safe.” Wendy and her husband are in the throws of renovating their flat. “We’re at a stage now where the kids are getting a bit older so we’re trying to make our space reflect more about us, as opposed to two people who have kids.” Instead of foammats, they’ve upgraded to a new soft-flooring option from Japan, a soft touch tatami mat by Momomi . These mats are now in Hong Kong and offer all the protection of foam mats, but they feel and look like a regular rug, plus they’re stain-resistant. It’s a brilliant design hack for families with young children. “The kids loved the Momomi mat right away,” says Wendy. “They could roll around on it, they played blocks on it and we also had a cuddle and story-time. It was great because we got rid of the ugly foam mats and we introduced this mat to our home that fits in aesthetically with what we want.”

It’s a brilliant design hack for families with young children.

I remember when I was pregnant, a creative director I worked with gave me a piece of parenting advice. He said, “Put all the beautiful things you care about into storage for the next five years. Kids ruin everything. They don’t mean to, but it still smarts.” Looking back, it was a very wise piece of advice, which, of course, I ignored. Bringing home a newborn marks the beginning of a whole new era. If we are completely honest, it’s an era of marks – on furniture, carpets and everywhere else little hands and feet explore. For this reason, becoming a parent can be frustrating for those of us who value a beautiful home aesthetic. For the design-conscious, babyproofing your home can be a little heartbreaking. There is nothing stylish about corner protectors and foam mats, no matter what pattern is printed on them. “It’s very challenging to baby-proof a home in Hong Kong,” says Wendy, a Canadian

FindoutmoreandpurchaseMomomi mats online at momomijapan.com.

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Children use their rooms for sleeping, playing, studying and reading, so the furniture and accessories should be just right: cosy, safe, functional and fun. Here are some ideas to start you off!

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1 Triangle-stripe pouf in 100 percent wool, $2,980, Tequila Kola 2 Heveya Junior baby donut pillow in 100 percent natural organic latex with removable bamboo cover, $400, European Bedding 3 Ocean Cool collection of furniture and accessories, price on request, Indigo Living 4 Heveya mattress in 100 percent natural organic latex with organic cotton padding and removable bamboo cover, in soft, medium and firm, $14,500, European Bedding 5 Jane Churchill animal tapestry fabric, price on request, Altfield Interiors

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6 Butterfly Bloom collection of furniture and accessories, price on request, Indigo Living 7 Hanging lamp, $2,980, Tequila Kola 8 Llama Chief, hand-painted on printed canvas, $2,980, Tequila Kola 9 Children’s desk, price on request, Indigo Living 10 Pierre Frey Maoming collection, price on request, Altfield Interiors 11 Wooden clock, $1,290, Tequila Kola

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12 Cole & Son Macchine Volanti wallpaper, price on request, Altfield Interiors 13 Authentico Zick Zack shelves, $5,280, Tequila Kola 14 Elephants with butterflies, hand-painted on printed canvas, $4,980, Tequila Kola 15 Disney collection of carpets, in various sizes and designs, CarpetBuyer

Altfield Interiors 2525 2738 | altfield.com.hk CarpetBuyer 2850 5508 | carpetbuyer.com

European Bedding 2870 1132 | europeanbedding.hk Indigo Living 2555 0540 | indigo-living.com

Tequila Kola 2877 3295 | tequilakola.com

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AN INSIDER’S GUIDE TO LIFE IN THEIR ’HOOD

LINDA ROBERTS From: Ireland Occupation: Owner

of Our Girls Gang, a collection of fun feminist t-shirts and accessories for young girls

Where do you live? Discovery Bay (DB).

How long have you been here? Three years.

We have another shopping centre a 10-minute bus ride away, with another supermarket, yoga studios and more.

Why Discovery Bay? When my husband was offered a job here, we initially thought we wanted to live on Hong Kong Island. We wanted to feel like we were in the thick of the city, but when we did our recce and looked at apartments, we needed a Plan B. Coming from a four-bedroom house with a garden in Ireland to the Mid-Levels or Pok Fu Lam wasn’t going to work. DB presented us with better options. DB is a car-free suburb with wide roads so we do a lot of scootering and biking to get around. Mostly we use buses, or some lucky people have golf carts. We access Hong Kong island via a 25-minute ferry (with free Wi-Fi); Mui Wo is also a short ferry ride away on the weekend. We catch a bus to Tung Chung and access the MTR network that way, or you can grab a taxi from the very north end of our suburb and go anywhere you like! What transport is available in your suburb?

When you walk out of your home, what’s the first thing you see? On one side, I see Tiger’s Head, a big cliff that overlooks DB; it gives an immediate sense of space and a feeling of connectedness to nature and the countryside. In the other direction, you can see Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon skyline on a good day; it’s a blur of pollution on a bad day. What’s the closest store to your front door? We have a shopping centre a 10-minute walk away, with everything from Fusion to a post office, plus restaurants and a great art supplies store (Pen’n Paper).

The unofficial uniform of Discovery Bay is:

Active wear or school uniforms – and we also see girls in some great t-shirts from Our Girls Gang! If a celebrity moved in, it would likely be: A desperate housewife – probably Eva Longoria’s character. When you’re in need of a dose of culture you: Wander around the streets of the city. I like going to Sheung Wan to explore; it’s only then that I feel like I’m really living in Hong Kong.

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HOME & PROPERTY

Your hands-down favourite neighbourhood joint is: I spend a lot of time in Uncle Russ, our local independent coffee house. It’s my home office, the staff are friendly and the coffee is great! My husband loves McSorley’s, our local Irish pub, for the Guinness and the fact that they play all the rugby matches. You won’t find better local food than: It’s a tie between Koh Tomyums, our local Thai that looks over the beach, and Spanish restaurant Solera that does amazing tapas. I love lunch at Epic Foods at the North Plaza; they do a great pulled-pork sandwich. The strangest thing you’ll ever see in DB is: Tourists walking around Fusion in their speedos on the weekend – not as sexy as it sounds! The best bargains in the neighbourhood: Hiking is free! We have some seriously good hiking in DB. The guiltiest pleasure in DB is: We all know each other, so you never really need to leave your own suburb to have a great weekend. It’s a great international community, too, so we have better stocked international supermarkets and delis than many places in Hong Kong. One thing you’d never change is: Our low-density life. DB will change if it becomes more built-up. The attraction is that it’s built for families with kids and it makes Hong Kong a liveable place. DB is a great place for kids to grow up. The city gives you HK$5 million to soup up your area; what do you do with it? Build something for older teenagers – better basketball courts, a skate bowl or another community facility that will keep them occupied.

A mandatory stop for taking out of town guests is: Riding the Star Ferry to Kowloon for a night of drinks by the water – it never gets old. Also, the Peak offers an incredibly impressive view.

A common myth about your area is: That DB is full of swingers!

If you wake up at night it is usually because of: Probably the heat, because it’s certainly not traffic or any other type of noise! A massive late-night rager in DB involves: Enjoying some drinks with friends in the plaza until the small hours of the morning and not having to worry about transport home. You can walk anywhere in DB!

DO YOU LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD?

Share it with others – just email us at info@expatliving.hk with “Street Talk” in the subject line. Include your name and street, and we’ll be in touch.

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ON THEMARKET

A s expected, the latter end of the first quarter of 2019 started to pick up pace in the leasing market. Traditional seasonal activity has started as more new arrivals to Hong Kong begin their search for their first home in town prior to the summer months and school commencing in September. With mid-year being a busy time for lease turnovers, renewal negotiations and local moves have also increased steadily in activity. We expect this busier period to last through the second quarter, if the market continues along the usual path for one of the busiest periods in the leasing market.

Laurie Lankester Director, Residential Leasing and Relocation Services Jones Lang LaSalle Limited (JLL)

With a prestigious location at the Peak, and offering spectacular sea views over the Lamma Channel and islands beyond, this modern, designer- style apartment is ready for moving in. It features ensuite bedrooms with brand new bathrooms and a powder room adjacent to the living area.

VANTAGE POINT

Area: The Peak Rent: $80,000 incl. per month Size: 1,522 sq. ft

Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 2

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HOME & PROPERTY

BAY VIEWS

Area: Chung Hom Kok Rent: $230,000 incl. Size: 3,138 sq. ft

Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 3

Recently fully renovated and offering gorgeous views of Repulse Bay, this spacious, sought-after family home has four bedrooms plus a family room, separate living and dining areas, outdoor terraces, three bathrooms and a modern kitchen. Residents can step down from the private terrace to the swimming pool, which is heated and open all year.

Th e s e b r a nd n ew furnished apartments are sleekly designed and offer panoramic sea views. The location is handy too – just a five- minute walk from Sai Wan Ho MTR Station.

CHIC & COMFY Area: Shau Kei Wan

Rent: From $28,000 incl. Size: 345 to 1,362 sq. ft Bedrooms: Studio to 3 Bathrooms: 1 to 2

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An ideal family home just a 10-minute drive from Central, this bright and roomy townhouse enjoys lovely mountain and Southside sea and island views. Huge terraces offer ideal outside entertaining and a wonderful space for children, complemented by a large open kitchen. Highly recommended viewing.

LOVELY VISTAS Area: The Peak Rent: $172,000 incl. Size: 2,545 sq. ft

Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 4

This huge five-bedroom house has had a brand n ew, h i gh - qu a l i t y facelift. It boasts a large roof terrace with garden area and sea views, while facilities in the complex include a full clubhouse, swimming pool and gym.

RECENTLY RENOVATED Area: Stanley Rent: $220,000 incl. Size: 3,382 sq. ft

Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 5

For more detail on these properties or to see more options, go to jllresidential.com/hk/

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HOME & PROPERTY 35

LIFE & FAMILY

51 Art Attack: Bringing the

community together with street art

SCAD

42 Down Time: Netflix and podcast recommendations

44 Little Learners: A helping hand with raising your young ones

60 Forget Me Not: Hong Kong memorabilia and souvenirs

LIFE & FAMILY

WHAT’S NEW

V I P-ooch Good news for pet owners: if you treat yourself to a night at Ovolo Hotels, you can bring your dog too! Ovolo is introducing dog-friendly rooms at all its properties across Hong Kong (and Australia) for an additional cost of HK$800 (plus 10 percent) per night. Pet-friendly rooms will be decked out with a plush dog bed, a no-mess eating and drinking mat, and separate food and water bowls. You’ll even get a Doggy Bag containing woof-worthy dog toys, snacks and handy poop bags for adventures all around town. ovolohotels.com

Matilda Moves In Sometimes you have to be a little bit naughty! Why not be very naughty and indulge the whole family with a night out at “the standout musical of the decade”? The multi-award-winning Matilda The Musical makes its debut in Hong Kong on 20 September at the Lyric Theatre, Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. Inspired by the beloved book by Roald Dahl, it has taken both London’s West End and Broadway by storm, garnering five-star reviews across the board. This is the first Hong Kong run of the show, so don’t miss out! hkticketing.com

Play Inspo

Let’s face it, sometimes playing with little kids can be hard

wo r k . We a l l k n o w h o w i mp o r t a n t i t is, but parents and carers alike could use a little extra inspiration from time to time. Squizzel Box delivers that inspiration. It’s a monthly all-

Super Fun Looking for a day camp to tire out your kids this summer? SuperPark is an all-in-one indoor activity park originating fromFinland, with activities for all ages and sizes. Kids get to burn off energy, improve their motor and social skills, and learn about teamwork and mutual respect while playing alongside other kids. The newly revamped SuperDayCamp for Summer offers 24 activities across a three-day camp or a selection of activities with a special one-day X-Camp. superpark.com.hk/superdaycamp

in-one learning package (with materials provided) delivered to your doorstep. The play-based activities and projects are specially designed in consultation with teachers to help children learn, and there’s a new theme introduced each month. hk.squizzelbox.com

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LIFE & FAMILY

Money&Moving Getting ready to relocate or repatriate? It’s time to sort your banking out.

BY REBECCA SIMPSON

If you’re staring down the barrel of relocating or repatriating, sorting out your finances is likely on your (very) long to-do list. In good news, there are now some smart ways to set up banking as an expat. These days, with a little organisation, you and your money can move together. We caught up with NATALIE GORIN from HSBC Expat for a cheat sheet on how expats can get their finances sorted before the big move. We are relocating; what happens to my local bank accounts? If you have an expat account, you’ll be able to transfer to a new location and set up funds in that new currency. If you don’t have the right account, and you won’t be returning to Hong Kong, you’ll need to speak to your bank about the process. With an expat account, can we move our bank accounts with us? Yes, if you’re moving to certain countries, you’ll be able to set up an account before landing. The beauty of HSBC Expat is the opportunity to manage and grow your money in a central location. So, regardless of where you move to or how often you move, your money doesn’t have to. It also offers the opportunity to bank and save in multiple currencies with foreign exchange solutions to help minimise currency risk. An expat account will ensure you have local currency funds at hand and you can hit the ground running. No more nightmare stories about struggling to open bank accounts! At HSBC, there’s even a Little Expat account for the kids.

What’s the best way to transfer our funds to our new country or back home? With an HSBC Expat account, you can transfer to different currencies and countries with ease. If you need help with sending or receiving money across different currencies or you want to discuss how to manage currency risk, the relationship management team will be able to help or put you in touch with the right experts. implications of linked accounts? You’ll need to check local tax regulations – both in the country you’re leaving and the country you’re moving to. HSBC Expat has online tools to help expats understand their tax obligations. Our customers can use EY as a single point of contact to coordinate the completion and filing of worldwide tax returns. If your finances are complex, it’s important to get tax advice. What’s the best way to get informed about the tax

HSBC provides insights and tools online to help you and your family make more informed decisions during your life abroad. Its complimentary worldwide travel advice and safety services are designed to protect you, wherever you may be. Learn more at expatexplorer.hsbc.com .

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LIFE & FAMILY

In this issue, SIMON PARFITT of Pyrmont Wealth Management poses a very pertinent question about our finances.

What does money mean to you? Money means different things to different people. For some, it provides security and peace of mind; for others, it’s about buying specific items or life experiences. Each person has a different view of and relationship with money, and while I would always argue that balance is important, it isn’t for me to say what is right or wrong. That said, I do find that people would often have a different view of money, or maybe what they do with it, if they took the time to think about what it really means to them. So, maybe find a couple of minutes to ask yourself these things:

# What would you do if you had more time? People say you can’t buy more time but I would be inclined to disagree. “Life-centred financial planning” is all about working out what you would do if you had more time, then utilising your money to navigate yourself into a position to be able to do it. Perhaps that means being able to go part-time, to take a break, or to stop earlier than expected, giving you more time than you thought was possible. # What would you do if you had more money? “Money doesn’t buy happiness”, right? Well, for some people it might, but we have all heard of the miserable lottery winner!

The question isn’t always about being able to buy or do more stuff, but how you would do things differently. If, for example, having more money means you can quit the 9-to-5 to start your own business, then maybe you can plan how to get to that position. The aim of life-centred financial planning is to answer these types of questions and more. If you would like help or need questions answered, please get in touch.

# Do you work for money or does money work for you? In a fast-paced, work-focused environment like Hong Kong, people can sometimes seem to be in constant pursuit of working for more and more money. If you don’t stop chasing the dollars, you may find yourself with lots of money but not much time to enjoy it. The skill is to find a way to get your money to work for you as much as you work for it, affording you the time to make the most of it.

Does money buy happiness? We’ve all heard of the miserable lotto winner!

Simon is regulated by both the HK Confederation of Insurance Brokers (011833) and the Securities and Futures Commission (BGY807). 6017 4140 | simonparfitt@pyrmontwm.com | pyrmontwm.com

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