MARCH - MAY 2022

READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

CREATE A GREAT HOME OFFICE

BUSINESS

HK’S FAB FOOD HALLS

UPDATES

SIXWOMEN & THEIRWORK

EDITOR’SNOTE

Who knew that a five-letter word starting with “c” could cause so much fuss and controversy? No, not “COVID”. I’m talking, of course, about “caulk”, one of the recent answers to Wordle, the daily puzzle that has taken the world by storm lately. Players weren’t happy. “What on earth is caulk ?” came the outcry. “Nobody knows that word!” I disagree. I think Jenny Selevan knows that word. After all, she has just finished renovating a junk in Hong Kong – the one on our cover! – and if there’s one thing a wooden junk needs, it’s quality caulk. Jenny and husband Marc found a flyer for the old 50-foot teak boat, and over the past 12 months they’ve transformed it from, well, junk , into a seaworthy star. Find out more from page 30. She’s not the only one tackling a big project in tricky times. For this issue of Expat Living, we chatted with six women who are kicking amazing entrepreneurial goals across a wide range of fields (page 56). Bailey Cherry, for example, started a platform for placing second-hand books in the hands of people who can use them, rather than adding to landfill. It’s proving a huge success – and all while Bailey’s still at school. No surprise to see this kind of enterprise from a student, though. Particularly not in HK. Some of the schools here are providing remarkable platforms for kids to maximise their energy and creativity; we profile five of them, from page 49. Are you a Wordle family? We were – at least, for a while; it was a fun distraction for a few minutes each morning. And my daughters loved to gloat when they beat me – which they seemed to do with alarming frequency. But then we started doing the spin-off puzzles. First, it was Dordle; then Quordle; and then we found Octordle, where you have to figure out not one word but eight ! Soon there’ll be a game where you’re just asked to list all the five-letter words you know. (There’s already a Cantonese version of Wordle, by the way – it’s called Zidou.) It all got a bit much, so we moved on. I now encourage my girls to get a pencil and do the puzzles in the back of Expat Living instead. They can’t beat me at those, because I write them.

Shamus Sillar

A huge thanks to everyone who voted in our Readers’ Choice Awards for 2022 – find out who won, from page 8!

Here’s to some brighter spring and summer days ahead.

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Editor-in-Chief REBECCA BISSET Group Editor SHAMUS SILLAR Digital Content JULIET KEYS MICHAELA BISSET

Client Services & Production NUR HANANI KAMAL LUDDIN JUDIT GÁL Senior Graphic Designers MICHAEL BERNABE JEANNE WONG Circulation & Marketing ANNA TSERLINGAS

Sales & Marketing KATE WOODBURY Chief Operations Officer COLIN PURCHASE

Contributing Writers REBECCA SIMPSON AMANDA GREENSLADE Contributing Photographer COL SIM (COLSIMPHOTOGRAPHY.COM) Printed by MIRACLE PRINTING CO. LTD.

CONTACT US General Enquiries: +852 3480 7614 | +65 6259 0058 | info@expatliving.hk Advertising Sales: advertising@expatliving.hk | sales@expatliving.hk

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Published by Expat Living Publications Pte Ltd 37 Jalan Pemimpin, #07-06 Mapex Building, Singapore 577177

Junk interior photo by Col Sim

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CONTENTS

UPFRONT 8

Find out who won our Readers’ Choice Awards!

14 What’s new and noteworthy in HK? HOME & LIFE 20

A décor doyen shows us inside her village house We explore a serviced residence with a creative edge Transforming an old junk into a stylish day-tripper! Buying Guide: perfect pieces for your home office On the move? Tips from three relocation companies New seasonal trends from Indigo Living Street Talk: What it’s like living at Tuen Mun

28

30

35

39

20

Escape to the country!

42

44

Ten great books to read right now Recommended movies, series and podcasts

46

35 Home office buying guide

47

28

The art of accommodation

SCHOOL UPDATES 49

A tenth birthday for Harrow in HK Helping young people embrace the future at HKA A chat with Shrewsbury’s Director of Admissions Some key features of the Invictus approach How Malvern is innovating in trying times

50

Six entrepreneurial women and their work Specific insurance solutions for your health The Hong Kong Pages: history, trivia and more! Four aspects of family law in the spotlight

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52

63

64

53

66

54

Why whisky casks are becoming big business

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WELLNESS & LEISURE 74 All you need to know about teeth grinding! 76 Tips for tackling postnatal depression 78 Should you give your baby a dummy/ pacifier? 79 Going fuzz-free the high-tech way at EstheClinic 80 Is aspirin a blood thinner? Find out here

82

Our favourite trainers

Behind the scenes of a new source of great drinks Wonderful spa destinations for your bucket list Grab a cuppa and try out our puzzles Parting Shot: A new chapter begins for this mum

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90

Tried & Tested: Our favourite sneakers We sample the fare at three tasty food halls

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94

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85

96

Women & Business

85

HK’s fab food halls

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We’re delighted to announce the winners of our annual Readers’ Choice Awards 2022! Thousands of participants casted votes for the best businesses in Hong Kong in an open voting system, allowing every business a fair chance to be voted across 121 categories, from Furniture & Décor, Wine & Dine, Beauty & Spa to Retail & Fashion and more. Our annual awards are based on real votes where YOU are the judges, so a big thank you for all your recommendations,

AWARDS 2022

and to our sponsors for providing amazing prizes for our lucky voters.

Here’s the list of GOLD winners across all categories. Visit expatliving.hk/readerschoice to see the complete list of winners.

GROCERS Supermarket Market Place by Jasons Online Grocer & Butcher Biltong Chief Organic & Health Food Store Food For Life Gourmet & International Food Store City Super Wine & Alcohol Retailer Watson's Wine Shake Shack Weekend Brunch Zuma Afternoon Tea The Lobby @ The Peninsula Hong Kong Set Lunch Pici Bar Argo WINE & DINE Romantic Dining Dear Lilly Family-Friendly Restaurant Oolaa Casual Dining with a Group of Friends Oolaa Petite Value-For-Money Restaurant Pici Restaurant & Bar with Best Views Aqua Café for Teenagers

FURNITURE & HOME DÉCOR Living & Dining Room Furniture Indigo Living Bedroom Furniture Indigo Living Kids’ Furniture IKEA Outdoor Furniture Everything Under The Sun Antique & Asian Furniture 2nd Chance

Home Accessories Indigo Living Mattresses Sealy Bedding & Linen Naked Lab Lighting Indigo Living Carpets & Rugs Indigo Living

Curtains & Upholstery Altfield Interiors Interior Designer / Home Stylist B Squared Design Art Bamboo Scenes Art Framing Lee Wah Art & Frames

SERVICES Dry Cleaning & Laundry Jeeves Handyman Services

Maid Agency / Nanny / Confinement Services HelperPlace Pet Grooming Whiskers N Paws Photographer Nestology Studio Food Caterer Shamrock Catering Wedding Planner Diet Events

Dr Fix It All Aircon Services Island Cleaning Solutions Electricians Hong Kong Switchgear Movers & Relocation Agent Crown Relocations Storage Facility Boxful Garden & Outdoor Services Green It Up HK Florists The Floristry | van der Bloom Renovation Contractors / Painters Chameleon Design & Interiors Pest Control BioCycle Property Website Spacious.hk Real Estate Agency Centaline Property Auto Dealer Vin's Motors Financial Planning Manulife Insurance Coverage AIA Legal Advice Payne Clermont Velasco Solicitors Loans & Morgages

BEAUTY & SPA Hair Colouring Glow Spa & Salon Hair Styling Glow Spa & Salon Manicure & Pedicure Glow Spa & Salon Facials EstheClinic Eyebrow & Eyelash Services Browhaus Hair Removal EstheClinic Hair-Loss Treatments EstheClinic Aesthetic Treatments EstheClinic Slimming & Shaping Treatments EstheClinic Body Massage & Spa Treatments The Peninsula Spa Natural & Organic Products Jan's Aesthetics of Nature

HSBC Bank Food Delivery Deliveroo

RETAIL & FASHION Department Store SOGO Women’s High Street Fashion Zara Women’s Independent Fashion Rue Madame

LEISURE & KIDS’ ACTIVITIES Social Club Soho House Sports & Golf Club Hong Kong Football Club Nightlife Dragon-i Hong Kong Indoor Activity for Kids STAGE RIGHT! Youth Theatre Outdoor Activity for Kids Minisport Kids’ Art Programme Pitter Painter Kids’ Language Programme Hong Kong Institute of Languages Kids’ Enrichment Programme Six Cat Studios Kids’ Sports Programme Minisport Kids’ Holiday Camp Minisport

Women’s Shoes Jimmy Choo Women’s Jewellery & Accessories Zaha et Cetera Officewear for Women Zara Gourami Activewear Gourami Formal & Cocktail Wear Lane Crawford Winter Wear Uniqlo Bridal Wear The Wedding Gown Secondhand & Vintage Fashion Maternity Wear Mothercare Swim & Resort Wear

The Hula Limited Men's Casual Fashion Zara Man Officewear for Men MILK Shirts Men's Shoes Clarks Tailor MILK Shirts Kids' Clothing & Shoes Retykle Baby Gear Petit Tippi Books & Kids' Toys Bookazine Tech Gadgets & Electronics Fortress Pet Store Whiskers N Paws

TRAVEL & STAYCATIONS Airline Cathay Pacific Cruise Line

Royal Caribbean Travel Booking Website Booking.com Travel Agent Excella Travel Hotel for a Romantic Staycation in Hong Kong Rosewood Hong Kong Hotel for a Family Staycation in Hong Kong Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel Quarantine Hotel in Hong Kong Ovolo Hotels

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Gym or Fitness Studio Ultimate Performance Yoga Studio PURE Yoga Pilates Studio Options Pilates Studio Personal Training Define8 Fitness

Dentist & Orthodontist Smith & Jain Dental and Implant Practice Obstetrician / Gynaecologist Dr Arabinda Ghosh, Veritas Medical Centre Midwife, Doula & Maternity Nurses Mum's The Word Paediatrician The Kinder Clinic Eye Specialist Visionary Eyecare Centre Counsellor Central Minds Sports & Orthopaedic Medicine Asia Medical Specialists Veterinary Acorn Veterinary Hospital

Chiropractor Up!health Physiotherapist Joint Dynamics Osteopath The London Medical Clinic Alternative & Natural Medicine Integrated Medicine Institute CBD Products CBD Collectiv GP & Family Doctor The London Medical Clinic

Congratulations to all our winners, including the lucky voters who won amazing luxurious staycation prizes and a unique coffee and chocolate experience! Check out the full results at expatliving.hk/readerschoice

Winners announced are based on the highest number of votes received during the campaign period. Businesses are not pre- nominated; readers are able to vote unprompted. Only single entry and eligible votes are counted.

WHAT’S NEW

Learn all about the Stamford American School (SAIS) from the comfort of your own home! The school’s virtual open day (18 and 19 March) is a great opportunity to see the campus, better understand the curriculum and learn how a Stamford education can benefit your child. Admissions and faculty staff will be present during the session to share their insights and expertise and answer parent questions about the curriculum, special programmes and admissions. Scan the QR code below to register. sais.edu.hk OpenDay Virtual

Celebrating Art I zakaya- i nsp i red gast ropub Musubi Hiro has launched amonthly art-col lection sale, each month showcasing local artists from HK Arts Collective. In March, check out “The Quiet

Place”, a collection of art prints by Italian Hong Kong-based artist Laura Pezza, inspired by Ireland, Hong Kong and wildlife. The Central eatery has also introduced its own merchandise line to bring the trademark Musubi swag wherever diners go, including a baseball cap, t-shirt and apron. musubihiro.com

Dine & Shop In collaboration with up- and-coming artists, lifestyle brands and leading Japanese fashion brands , CENSU restaurant is now showcasing a range of contemporary art and specially-designed merchandise at its Central outlet. Avai lable to view and purchase whi le you dine, the collection includes h a n d -ma d e c e r am i c s , tapestries, incense, coasters and t-shirts. You can also shop the collection online at censu.net/merch. censu.net

New Timepiece

In line with the 2022 Guinness Six Nations Championship, British luxury watch brand Bremont has unveiled the newLimitedEdition S300 RFU watch. As Official Timing Partner to England Rugby and Twickenham Stadium,

the new timepiece celebrates what it means to be “made in England” but equally the shared values of durability, precision, and technical ability. The watch joins a series of Bremont products designed for both fans and players, commemorating the “spirit and tenacity” of the England team. Priced at $34,750, the S300 RFU is limited to only 150 pieces. Find it online at bremont.com .

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Family Fun To c e l e b r a t e the launch of its f i rst storybook Ma t cha Moon , Hong Kong-based online fundraising platform Cookie

The l atest col lect ion of textiles and wallpapers from French textile house Manuel Canovas has arrived at the Altfield Interiors Showroom. Combining a passion for pattern and a taste for the exotic, the 2022 collection ce l ebrates the hand of the artist through delicate brushstrokes of exquisite floral prints and a carefully curated colour palette. The brand's latest designs explore dense tropical jungles and journeys to far-f lung dest inat ions alongside flora and fauna, as well as whimsical decorative motifs. 1101 Nine Queen’s Road, Central. altfield.com.hk

Smiles has partnered with The Upper House restaurant and other local businesses to host an afternoon of family fun on 30 April (2-6pm). Available activities for the kids (ages six and up) include storytelling, cookie decorating, nail fun and more. Funds raised will be used to offer training opportunities for the disadvantaged and provide baking and kitchen assistant jobs for the physically impaired. Tickets are priced at $150, including a copy of Matcha Moon to take home; book at cookiesmiles.com.hk/store/ matcha-moon-event-ticket .

Global Goals On 12 March, the Global Goals Club at Canadian International School of Hong Kong will host the 2nd annual Hong Kong Sustainable Development Goals Summit. This hybrid summit is expected to attract more than 400 high school and universi ty students from across Asia. The summit’s aim is to encourage collaboration among students, educators and NGOs towards achieving the 17 UN SDGs. This year’s theme is “Partnerships for Sustainable Change” and will feature local keynote speaker Sonalie Figueiras (Green Queen) and international keynote speaker Melati Wijsen (Youthtopia), plus HK-based youth changemakers and leading NGOs. To learn more or register, visit hksdgsummit.com .

Veg Pledge Ovolo Hotels has announced an ongoing pledge to ethical eating, conscious cuisine and cutting-edge veg, becoming the first hotel brand to commit to a meatless menu, Plant’d, across its restaurants globally. The pledge follows the successful “Year of the Veg” campaign launched in October 2020, where venues went entirely vegetarian for a year. Ovolo’s Group Creative Culinary Partner Ian Curley has worked with the hotel’s restaurants to take the Plant’d veg pledge, including Veda at Ovolo Central in Hong Kong. Check out the menu at ovolohotels.com/ovolo/central/veda .

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Just for Two Did you know that Tuesday 22 February 2022 was also the 22nd day of the first lunar month? This is a once-in-a-century date, with the numeral two forming a repeated pattern. To celebrate the day, jewellery group Chow Tai Fook has launched a limited edition “Twosday” collection themed on romance, family love and friendship. From the “Moment of Spark” Diamond Necklace and “LIT” Pure Gold Jewellery Collection to the “Little Bliss” Diamond Charm, you’ll find the ideal romantic gift for a loved one! chowtaifook.com

INSIDE is 25! Happy Birthday to furniture store INSIDE – 25 this year! The brand, which offers unique handcrafted furniture, home furnishings and homeware products in Hong Kong, is also celebrating the opening of a new store in Times Square in early March. Look out for a new collection of furniture from India arriving in April, too – think vintage, rustic, upcycled pieces that will bring a vibrant, ethnic style to your home. inside.com.hk

Creative Cocktails The Aubrey, the eccentric izakaya on the 25th floor of the Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong is launching a new Signature Cocktai l menu inspired by the Japanese spirit of shochu. Created by hotel beverage manager Devender Sehgal, the menu is comprised of eight drinks, two per type of distilled shochu – I k i , Sat suma , Ryukyu, and Kuma – and celebrates the origins of Japan's most consumed spirit. mandarinoriental.com

New in Wan Chai Located in a historical building between Wan Chai’s Mallory Street and Burrows Street, new Western-Japanese dining concept Mai son Mei j i has di shes and aesthetics inspired by the Meiji Restoration period of the 19th century that saw the emergence of modern Japanese culture. There are six rooms and three distinct culinary experiences available, plus “Kuromaru”, a sequestered cocktail lounge with a relaxed vibe. maisonmeiji.com

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Bold& Bright Dedicated female tailoring brand FREY has released its 2022 Summer Collection of high-quality, comfortable formal wear for women. Ladies in need of work or everyday wear can shop over two dozen bold and bright pieces, from sophisticated jackets and trousers to feminine shirts, dresses and more. Style up the summer wardrobe with sustainable, timeless classics! Available online at frey-tailored.com or in the flagship store on Ice House Street, Central.

Sustainable Wardrobe Fashion veteran Sheryl Bolden has just published a thought-provoking book, Sustainably Stylish: A guide to curating a guilt-free wardrobe . She explores the complex topics of fast fashion and sustainability and guides readers on how to make more considered choices when buying clothes. The book is packed with anecdotes, tips and advice and she even shares some industry secrets Hong Kong Critters Cockroaches, sand flies andmosquitos come to mind when you ponder HK’s creepy-crawlies. But did you know the city is home to a diverse population of over 300 bugs? In his latest book, Robert Ferguson takes us into the fascinating world of arthropods, as they’re officially known. A handy flowchart helps you to identify your bug, and a corresponding page tells you all about it. Stunning colour photography coupled with scientific detail and fascinating facts make this a fab reference book for all. The Bugs of Hong Kong is available from Kidnapped, Bookazine, The Lion Rock Press and from Robert’s website, wildcreatureshongkong.org .

Feeding Fido HK’s first and only purpose-driven subscription dog food brand, Buddy Bites, has kicked of 2022 with new products, a new shelter partnership and a new one-time purchase option. The new flavour of dry dog food, Adult Salmon & Sweet Potato ($85/kg), is launching soon, and is highly digestible and rich in nutritious omega-3 fatty acids for a better immune system and a glossy coat. Find out more about this, plus the new subscription option and how the company is giving back at buddybites.dog .

on edi t i ng your own wardrobe. We especial ly loved Sheryl’s five-point p r e - p u r c h a s e checkl i st (we’ve commi tted i t to memory!). Available f rom Bookaz i ne and The Lion Rock Press, $200.

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Harbourside Home: Serviced residences with an arty edge

K11 ARTUS

SIX ENTREPRENEURS • LIVING IN TUEN MUN • NEWS FROM HK SCHOOLS FURNITURE TRENDS • INVESTING IN WHISKY CASKS • BOOKS, FILMS, PODCASTS

HOME & LIFE

We visit AMANDACLARKof Altfield Interiors for a tour of her Sai Kung village house, which blends East and West, and old and new, and has a story in each corner. Escape ACountry Park PHOTOGRAPHY COL SIM

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HOME & LIFE

Where are you from originally, if not Hong Kong? What brought you here, and when? I was brought up in HK as my father was in the colonial civil service, and indeed my mother was born here, and her father worked here, and her mother’s father also spent time here, so since about 1910 there has been someone in the family here in HK! For the benefit of new readers, could you introduce Altfield for us? How did it start? I initially worked in an interior design business in London and came out for a summer holiday as my parents were retiring from Hong Kong in the early 1980s. I met my business partner David Halperin, a young American lawyer who had some funds to invest. We thought it would be fun to create a design-led antique and decorative arts business – there were few such businesses back then. We loved the classic Chinese furniture forms; they are so easy to use in both contemporary and traditional homes, and no one at the time was interested in elm or walnut pieces as Chinese dealers only sold dark Qing-style pieces. I also love mixing Eastern andWestern artworks together, so we brought in Japanese, Southeast Asian and Western chinoiserie pieces – and we opened Altfield Gallery.

We added our first textile brand – Jim Thompson Thai Silk – around 1984, to distribute to designers and sell retail through the Gallery. Since then, we’ve added about 25 top international interior textile, wall covering, leather and lighting brands to our Altfield Interiors showrooms in Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Shanghai and Beijing – along with a partner showroom in London. The last two years of restrictions have been very hard for many businesses, ourselves included. However, it’s clear that things are now going to open up all over the world and I am hopeful Hong Kong will follow that guidance. We’re very positive that life will get back to normal in 2022.

Where is your home in Hong Kong? How long have you lived there, and what attracted you to it? Since we met and married, my husband Stephen and I have had a home on May Road in Mid-Levels, and as a child my home was always on the Peak. However, this year we decided to make a full-time move to what was our weekend home here in the Sai Kung Country Park. For about 20 years we rented a traditional Chinese farmhouse, deep in the park, a 15-minute walk from the nearest road. And we have always loved the untouched woodland, the hikes in the mountains and the proximity to the sea.

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HOME & LIFE

Getting out of town and just basking in the geographical beauty of Sai Kung became a more important part of our lives. About 10 years ago, we decided to buy a more practical home, accessible by car, to spend more time here; and we have just decided to make this our main home. The village house we bought was originally built as three separate flats, and was a warren of small rooms. We stripped it down to the bare pillars and concrete when we bought it and worked with an excellent project manager, Ralph Cunliffe, who did a complete rebuild in a five-month period. Every bit of plaster, the interior walls, floors, plumbing and electrics – everything – was stripped out, and we were able to design a home based on exactly the way we wished to live. Could you give us a tour of the different floors and décor? Ground floor This floor houses the modern, open- plan kitchen. We love to cook for friends – especially on weekends – and the kitchen is designed for two of us to be comfortable cooking together. The whole ground floor is a sort of “garden room”, with hand-painted chinoiserie wallpaper of birds and flowers; the doors open up fully across an entire wall in good weather so the indoor and outdoor spaces flow as one. Inside, we dine at a fine classic Chinese scholar’s painting table, while several tables are scattered on the garden terraces that surround the house. I have mixed classic Ming-style furniture and modern Western pieces in all the rooms, and I think it works wonderfully well. This “garden room” space displays my love of chinoiserie, with gilt mirrors, old and new blue and white porcelains, and always (always!) an abundance of flowers and a long bookshelf dedicated to cookery books. What are some of the key features of the home?

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HOME & LIFE

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Second floor Upstairs takes us to the more restrained and contemporary sitting room and library area, along with a guest bedroom and bathroom. The sofa and cushion fabrics are from Pollack, Donghia, Jim Thompson and Westbury; the woven leather chairs fromMcGuire. The walls are wrapped in our Altfield natural grass-cloth wall covering. A collection of Ethiopian Coptic crosses, early Khmer bronzes and Japanese lacquer can be found on antique Chinese lamp tables. On a wall above one sofa is a set of eight Chinese export watercolour paintings of porcelain production. A pair of contemporary Klismos chairs sit either

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HOME & LIFE

side of an antique tapered cabinet. A shelved corner houses our collection of design and art books, with a French library table acting as a desk and an Italian chair in a striped velvet from Brochier. Throughout the house are scattered colourful Tibetan rugs. The guest bedroom looks onto the terraces at the back of the house, with curtains and bedcovers in Jim Thompson Thai silk, and French prints by August Borget of scenes in Hong Kong from the early 1800s on the walls; adjoining the bedroom is a very modern shower roomwith travertine floor and wall tiles and a sliding pocket door to save space. Third floor The top floor houses the main bedroom, and a bathroom each for me and Stephen. For me, the bathroom is ceramic-tiled with an accent wall of hand-painted blue and white tiles – an old artisan in Macau painted them for me to match the blue and white willow pattern fabric lining the shower curtain. Stephen’s bathroom is very contemporary with grey stone tiling and a huge egg-shaped stand- alone bath – very masculine. In both bathrooms, there’s a lot of storage space under the sinks. Michael Caine famously once said that “the secret to a happy marriage is two bathrooms”, and as we were able to design the house to suit our needs, we have happily managed this! The master bedroom looks out over our camphor and mango trees, and is interwoven with bougainvillea. I chose a strong coral colour paint from Farrow & Ball, and bed fabrics from Manuel Canovas. The unlined linen curtains from the Altfield collection are trimmed with large geometric borders from Samuel & Sons.

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HOME & LIFE

I think the happiest and most interesting homes are autobiographical

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HOME & LIFE

A dressing room and extensive built-in cupboards, along with a study for Stephen, fill the rest of the floor. The study is designed with a black and white theme; we used a Cole & Son wallpaper, modern art painted by a friend in New York and a French chair upholstered in an Italian striped silk, together with a selection of antique black lacquer and wood furniture, to create a masculine feel to the room. What would you say is your overall style and approach when it comes to how your home looks? I think the house is a true representation of the Altfield style – a mixture of pieces from East and West, old and new, with lots of different textures. I always advise clients to buy slowly – buy once and buy well. I spent my first salary in London on a pair of Blanc de Chine Japanese porcelain rice bowls; I could only afford to buy one pair at a time, and over the following weeks, I went back to pick up another pair. I still have those bowls and love them just as much today as I did when I bought them, using them very often when entertaining friends. This is why I recommend to our clients that they take time to work out how they want to live; buy things slowly as they can afford them, and choose pieces that have lasting value. The throwaway culture of following temporary trends seems to be foolish in today’s world. Think about what you really love to live with and slowly build up a collection that reflects your life. Everything in the house tells a story about our lives, and I think the happiest and most interesting homes should be autobiographical. New or old, pieces become heirlooms for future generations if they are chosen well and have lasting value.

Amanda’s Recommendations In the city, we love to eat on the terrace at Gaia for Italian food; I also adore spicy Sichuan food and must recommend the new restaurant in Alexandra House – Grand Majestic Sichuan, whose Mandarin Orange Beef is heavenly! I think a Hong Kong pleasure is being able to have custom shoes and bags made, and the workmanship of Mayer Shoes Co in the Mandarin Oriental is as good as any in the world. For a staycation, I have to say I love The Peninsula – perfectly situated for shopping, museums and with great restaurants and a lively view across the harbour. We long to visit Kyoto again. It’s a firm favourite for us for the wonderful mix of the vibrancy of modern Japan with an extraordinary array of old moss gardens, castles, monasteries and palaces – and the food is out of this world! For Europe, I hope to get to Sicily this summer – it’s steeped in history and culture, with vibrant restaurants and such diverse food! What are a few things you like to do in Hong Kong when you’re not working? We’re surrounded by the most beautiful mountains, with lush forests, streams in the valleys and of course the beautiful beaches. We spend a lot of time on weekends walking on the dozens of different trails laid out across the park. We also love going into Sai Kung early in the morning and picking up fresh seafood from the market there, and freshly baked bread from Ali Oli to prepare lunches for friends… the squid, clams and prawns along with the array of rather exotic fish are world class and a real delight. Where’s the first place you’d like to go when borders are fully open?

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of Accommodation The Art

AWORDWITHARESIDENT Name: Fabrizio Nationality: Italy Time at K11 ARTUS so far: 1 year, 3 months Why did you choose it? The beautiful balcony was the first thing that caught my attention, soon after I had arrived in Hong Kong. I arranged a visit to the property the next day. Even during the site visit, I admired the quality of the interior design, and the amount of thought that was put into every detail. The room is generously spacious, and the wraparound balcony gives me plenty of fresh air. I can walk out to the balcony from the living room or from my bedroom. I also like the open kitchen, and the separate living room and bedroom; it means I can separate my work and life within the residence. It’s also very well-equipped; there’s an electric stove, full- size oven, full-size fridge, washer/dryer combo for laundry, full sets of cutlery and crockery, rice cooker and Nespresso machine. What are a few things you like best about this accommodation?

If you prefer your place of residence to have a creative edge, then this spot on the TST waterfront will be right up your alley! With a name that derives from a combination of “art” and “domus” (the Latin word for “home”) K11 ARTUS is more than just a private, luxury residential experience; it also has a fabulous focus on art that gives a stay here a sense of a cultural journey. You’ll enjoy the lifestyle, for one thing, but you’ll also gain plenty of inspiration and insights. Located at Victoria Dockside, TST’s arts and cultural district, each of the property’s residences boasts a wraparound “wave”-style balcony; standing here, you can take in some sublime open-air views of Victoria Harbour or the HK cityscape. These design-led full-service artisanal homes also offer a 24-hour digital concierge, a Living Salon for board games or books, a stylish Library to catch up on the day’s news; and you can even order meals on your TV from the great restaurants in the K11 MUSEA precinct. What’s more, in the true spirit of “living with art”, the rare Chinese arts and crafts scattered throughout the residence are curated by the K11 Craft and Guild Foundation; this is a non-profit organisation that preserves and conserves fast-disappearing Chinese craftsmanship. Part of the property’s revenues go into supporting this meaningful cause.

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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. Describe living at K11 ARTUS in three words. Elegant (the interior décor, the art collection, and also the staff); open (I can enjoy the view of the Avenue of Stars and Victoria Harbour from my balcony); and “casa” (“home” in Italian). What about the facilities and services on offer? First, I’m passionate about the outdoor infinity pool; it’s incredible! Also, the team is warm and friendly. They take you on a detailed art tour within K11 ARTUS, they give you small nibbles or gifts on your birthday and special occasions like Chinese New Year. And the 24-hour AMICI team (digital concierge) is very helpful. They’re efficient and can always offer alternative solutions whenever you have questions. When I come back for the day, the team always greet me by name, and you can see their smiles under the masks! It’s a great location – what are some of your favourite things to do in the neighbourhood? Jogging along the Avenue of Stars, getting a Five Guys burger at K11 MUSEA, and watching a movie at K11 Art House. The shuttle for residents takes you anywhere within TST, so it’s super convenient. What was your initial impression of the property, and has it changed since you’ve moved in? I thought it could be a bit “cold”, given that it’s very private. However, I was surprised by the genuine and sincere approach of the staff. They create an atmosphere where I can enjoy my life here – my apartment truly feels like my home. The overall experience is fantastic. I also found the love of my life while living here! Having so much space, I was able to invite a friend to visit for conversation and cooking sessions, after which I got to know her better – and now we’re a couple!

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All Hands on Deck

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American expat JENNY SELEVAN and husband Marc had toyed with the idea of buying a boat for some time, when they chanced upon a flyer for an old junk. Then it was just a matter of making it seaworthy!

PHOTOGRAPHY COL SIM

Tell us a bit about yourself and your family – where are you from and what brought you to Hong Kong? I’m from Jacksonville, Florida; we came to Hong Kong 15 and a half years ago with Marc’s family’s toy company. We have two children: Ethan is 18 and attending the University of Colorado Boulder, and Bradley is 17 at ElsaHigh School here inHong Kong. Where did you find it and what style is it? What made you decide to give it a makeover? We have always loved junk trips and boats in general, and I had been trying to convince Marc to buy one for years. We just happened to find Serendipity on a flyer at the Aberdeen Boat Club. She is a 56-foot Chinese teak junk built in 1994 by Sun Hing Shing in Ap Lei Chau.

We called the seller straight away and his friend picked us up within the hour to take us to see her. She hadn’t been lived on in over a year, and was full of mould and roaches; but we both knew pretty quickly that she was the one. And she was totally not what we thought we wanted, so how fitting was her name, Serendipity ! We had her surveyed and the guy pretty much told us that it would be a mistake to take on the project! Where was the work done on the boat, and how long did it take? The rebuild and renovations were handled by Sun Hing Shing Shipyard in Ap Lei Chau. The whole project took 11 months. We contracted Inge Strompf-Jepsen of Jepsen Designs based on her creativity and experience with ship renovations.

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Serendipity isn’t built for speed, but come summer and calm seas, we look forward to being more adventurous

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What are some of the key features of the renovations? We overhauled the engine, added a generator, and increased the capacity of the fuel and fresh water tanks so we can take her out for a weekend. What have been some of the challenges? Has the pandemic made things more difficult? Due to basically having to gut the junk, we gave ourselves the opportunity to have a blank canvas to create what we imagined. As she is all teak, it took the skilled craftsmen’s time and our patience to complete the project. When we discovered the very high costs of materials and fittings in Hong Kong, I spent quite a bit of time sourcing stuff outside of here. As for the pandemic, it was actually a positive in some ways as it gave us something to focus on while we weren’t able to travel. How do you hope to use the junk now that you’ve finished it? For weekend getaways – though it feels like an escape even if we just stay in the marina!

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Do you have a favourite aspect of the new-look boat? I think my favourite area is the kitchen bar, which has a proper ice machine – I love to cook and entertain. Marc’s favourite is the hidden TV lift cabinet for watching his American Football. Have you always been a “boat person”? We grew up in Florida, so yes, we love boating! Where do you live in Hong Kong? What do you like about the area? We’re in Mid-Levels. We like being close enough to Central to walk to shops and restaurants. What are a few things you like to do in Hong Kong when you’re not working or fixing a junk? We do a lot of “urban hikes”, stopping to look in shops or eat. Aside from that, I love cooking and playing mahjong. We haven’t had the boat for summer yet, but we like the ease of Deep Water Bay, as friends can come a go very easily throughout the weekend. We’ve also been to Turtle Beach. Serendipity isn’t built for speed, but come summer and calm seas, we look forward to being more adventurous. What are your top spots for a day sail in HK?

Jenny’s Recommendations

Furniture & Furnishings Marc and I are both very hands-on and like doing projects ourselves. I’ve sourced most of our stuff for the junk online – in particular, from Taobao, Alibaba, Etsy, Amazon and Overstock. Ken from Standard Curtain has done so much of our soft furnishings; he’s great to work with and eager to try new things, as nothing on the boat is straightforward. And Albert from Wing Sun Upholstery did a great job with our sofa downstairs. Another tip is to spend a good afternoon walking the floors at Horizon Plaza. Dining & Drinks We like Cotton Tree Terrace at The Murray, The American Club’s 49th-floor Town Club terrace, and Bayfare Social at Rosewood Hong Kong.

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Spring is here, so how about a fresh look for your home office or work corner? Here are some essential pieces for designing the ideal space to be creative and productive in! HomeOfficeHeroes

Bok adjustable desk, for sitting or standing, a stylishly ergonomic, flexible piece crafted from sustainably sourced European white oak, from $12,950, TREE

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1 Cole Desk, $9,990, Indigo Living 2 Loft unit in night black, $7,980, Tequila Kola 3 Bodhi wallcovering, by Innovations, $820 per yard, Altfield Interiors 4 Beat table lamp in hand-spun brass, made from a repurposed water vessel, $5,830, Tom Dixon 5 Devyn leather desk chair in top grain leather, $11,980, Tequila Kola 6 Lakeside fern wallpaper, Pavilion collection by 1838 Wallcoverings, $980, Altfield Interiors

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7 Brooklyn walnut four-drawer desk in lacquered solid wood, $11,980, Tequila Kola 8 Double Crena wall shelf in oak, $11,950, TREE 9 Parker rattan tall cabinet, $9,490, Indigo Living 10 Slab individual desk, made from natural oak from sustainably managed forests, $20,420, Tom Dixon 11 Finca bookcase in solid mango wood, with ornamental patterns, $26,980, Tequila Kola

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Directory Altfield Interiors 1011, Nine Queen’s Road Central 2525 2738 | altfield.com.hk

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Indigo Living 6/F, Horizon Plaza, Ap Lei Chau 2552 3500 | indigo-living.com Tequila Kola 1/F, Horizon Plaza, Ap Lei Chau 2877 3295 | tequilakola.com Tom Dixon 52 Hollywood Road, Central 2882 2068 | tomdixon.net TREE 28/F, Horizon Plaza, Ap Lei Chau 2870 1582 | tree.com.hk

12 Single Crena wall shelf in certified 100 percent solid teak, with adjustable components, from $11,950, TREE 13 Ravello extendable desk console in sheesham wood, bookshelf, $9,980, Tequila Kola 15 Triptic side table in black, for a space-saving work-from- home setup, $3,250, TREE $14,290, Tequila Kola 14 Ravello solid-wood

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ASmartMove Updates from three relocation companies

Moving During COVID As i an Ti ge r s Group prov i des international relocation solutions for more than 16,000 families each year, with offices in 14 different territories. We check in on them to see how the pandemic is affecting moves, and for some tips if you’re relocating. Moving to and living in a foreign country can be exciting, but it’s also a challenge. Add a pandemic to the mix, and the stresses and potential problems are amplified significantly. However, if you do some additional research and planning for the ongoing impact of COVID-19 and know what issues there might be, you’ll be far more prepared when the challenges come your way to avoid potential disasters. Below are some considerations that we believe everyone should keep in mind during the pandemic: When considering your move, you should check if you’ll be permitted to leave your current country, and whether the destination country allows you to enter. Would you be required to acquire any permits or exemptions to depart or enter? Will you be required to be fully or partially vaccinated or obtain a negative COVID test result? When and how? #1 Check and double-check if you will be able to relocate #2 Research the way the pandemic has been handled in the destination country • How well is COVID-19 being managed in your destination country? Would your opinion change if the situation worsened? • Will you be required to undertake a period of quarantine or self-isolation upon arrival at your destination? • Will you be able to return to your home country at any time without undue burden, or would there be a significant cost (financial or in terms of time) that may prevent you from returning when you want? • What is the likelihood of having to work from home for an extended period?

#3 Be prepared for situations to change quickly Stay up to date with the situation in both countries as restrictions and health guidelines are constantly changing. Having a plan for what you will do in various situations will enable you to respond quickly and adapt to changes. Stay in regular contact with your place of employment, shipping company and relocation service provider, so you’re kept in the information loop and one step ahead if circumstances change. We live in unprecedented times with high levels of unpredictability, but life continues, and many people are successfully moving internationally. As well as the considerations above, be sure to partner with a reputable moving and/or relocation company to help your move go smoothly. If you’d like assistance with shipping or relocation support, please visit asiantigersgroup.com/contact-us or reach out to us via our online contact form. If you found this interesting, take a look at the Asian Tigers website, which is filled with articles and others resources; for instance, you might like to read “Timing Your Move – Peak versus Non-Peak Times”, “Common PackingMistakes andHow toAvoid Them” and “Top Tips for SurvivingHotel Quarantine”.

Call 2528 1384 or visit asiantigersgroup.com for more information.

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Responsible Relocation Thai expat MINKII HAU launched The Moving Factory last year as a relocation business with a difference: namely, one with a strong focus on sustainability. Aside from having years of industry experience, everyone in our team has always been passionate about the environment. And when Hong Kong’s plastic waste and oversaturated landfills finally started getting media and government attention, we wanted to contribute too. Prices for shipping increased almost ten-fold last year (a small 20-foot container that normally cost US$1,800 was suddenly US$18,000!); as a result, a lot of people started to discard non-essential items because it didn’t make sense financially to ship everything they own. That lead to a huge disposal of items, which we felt sad about as it meant more and more to the landfill. We focus on minimising our impact on the environment with everything we do. If we can save one piece of paper, help give a furniture item a new life or repurpose one extra clothing item, that’s what drives us and makes us smile! What kind of moves can you help with? Our core strength is helping with international moves overseas. Europe, Australia, UK, Canada and Singapore are the lanes we focus on most; but that’s not to say we can’t assist with anything else. Tell us a bit about your team and why you started The Moving Factory. What are some ways you keep your carbon footprint to a minimum? We partner with organisations who support the circular economy – one example is Sarah Garner’s Retykle, which offers an eco-conscious way to buy quality baby, kids’ and maternity clothing. And we make it easier for clients to be a part of this as well. We use recycled materials to produce some of the best cartons in the industry. This is more expensive, but we do it to ensure a strong, high-quality box that ultimately benefits customer and planet. We also prefer a virtual survey, via an online call, to discuss a client’s moving needs and volumes. Some people send us 360-degree photos of their homes or recorded videos showing us the items they’re moving. This reduces the carbon impact of transportation. Clients who still prefer a face-to-face survey will of course still be entertained too.

What are the steps in the relocation process with The Moving Factory? • Connect us via phone, WhatsApp, email or web form. • We’ll have an initial discussion to understand your plans and set up a survey date • We undertake a virtual (or physical) survey. • You follow up with a paper-free sign-off of our online quote. • Prepare for packing! What’s new for the company for 2022 and beyond? Our mission is to become HK’s first sustainable moving company. Among our goals this year is setting the foundation for a global community of like-minded people committed to building a sustainable future for us all, together – not only when moving, but anytime, no matter where they are. What do you like to do in HK when you're not working? I’m very active and athletic – outdoor bootcamps and hikes are my favourite; I’ve lost count of how many hikes I’ve organised with my fellow mommy friends. I also love socialising. I had a lonely experience as an expat spouse in Singapore and didn’t want to go through that again. Arriving in HK, I set up a parent community called “Moms Go Wild”. It has gradually grown from 10 mothers into a lively and fun group of 100 parents from around the neighbourhood and other parts of Hong Kong. Find out more at themovingfactoryhk.com.

Photo courtesy of Mylene Clemente

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Pets & Planes The teamfromCrownRelocations answer five key questions to help make your global pet relocation a little simpler. #1 Can my pet physically handle the move? If travelling by air, your pet will likely be transported in the plane’s pet cargo area. These areas are temperature-regulated but can be loud and stress-inducing. If your pet isn’t in the best of shape, through illness or age, they may not be able to handle long-distance travel as well as others. Only you and your vet can make this assessment. Every pet flies in a temperature-controlled, oxygenated and pressurised environment, just like in the passenger cabin. The International Air Transport Association’s Live Animals Regulations are the leading standards for transporting animals on commercial airlines; their sole objective is to ensure all animals are carried safely and humanely by air. #2 Have I allowed enough time to prepare for this move? It depends on the destination. Many pet relocation companies require at least 30 days’ notice to arrange travel plans, due to flight availability and vaccination, health and even quarantine requirements. For some countries, such as Australia and New Zealand, the wait time can be extensive, so plan your pet's move at least six to seven months out. For other countries, the wait time is typically less than one month. #3 Can I afford to bring my pet with me? Many variables determine the cost of moving your pet such as size, weight and where your pet is moving from and to. You need to budget for everything from microchipping, vaccinations, health certificates from vets (which many need to be translated and notarised at a consulate), any required import permits, customs clearance, any quarantine costs (in New Zealand or Malaysia, for instance) and the physical pet carrier itself. Then there are the transport costs themselves, which can be around US$1,500 when the pet is transported in the cargo hold, depending on the dimensions of the carrier and the specific import requirements of your new country.

#4 Is my pet eligible to travel to my destination? Rules vary, so check the animal import laws of your destination country. Some countries don’t allow certain species or breeds, and there are some regulations depending on country of origin. Also be aware of required documents, tests, vaccinations and so on. This allows you to make an informed decision about your pet and prepare properly for a move. #5 Is the duration of my move worth the hassle to myself and my pet? In a perfect world, you could ship your belongings and then bring your pet along with you. But pet relocation can inevitably be stressful – and we get it. You want your pet with you, they're a part of your family. If you’re only relocating for a short time, it might be worth it to recruit a friend or family member to keep your pet while you’re away. Although it's hard to be away from your furry companion, this option could save time, money and stress for your pet. If your time frame makes sense to bring your pet, start the planning process as soon as possible. Final word… Your pets are family, so make sure they’re treated well throughout the move. Choose a company that specialises in international pet transfers, is a member of IPATA (Independent Pet and Animal Transportation Association), and has expertise in customs, registrations and more. Crown has worked with a number of pet transport companies and can recommend a company to ensure your pet is moved safely and comfortably. Crown Relocations offers flexible move dates and no up-front fees on upcoming moves. Email hongkong@crownrelo.com or call 2636 8399.

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