“It was an exercise in accuracy and creative design solutions because there was so much to fit into a relatively small space”, says Maclean, who grew up in Hong Kong and established her design studio in 2018 after working for a decade on high-end hospitality and commercial projects. “Hugo and Michelle wanted to simplify their lives but they have a young daughter and two cats so the apartment had to work for all of them and be able to evolve with time.” At the heart of the home lies the kitchen/dining area, with a focus on family bonding through cooking, meal times, conversation and games.
The absence of a conventional living room, with a television screen as a focal point, was a deliberate omission by the couple and additional seats located elsewhere in the home ensure there is always room for at least one more around the table. “We both grew up in old and cold houses in the UK, where the kitchen was always the cosy family hub,” says Ng, director of The Family Zone, antenatal, postnatal and breastfeeding specialists. “We were keen to recreate the same arrangement.
” Maclean removed the wall between the dining area and the main bedroom for every last centimetre of precious space. Inspired by the intricate balance and precision of the game of Jenga, she and Tyebkhan devised a storage system as a divider for the two areas, featuring interlocking cupboards and shelves of different depths on both sides. They also hollowed out two thick but lightweight doors separating the main space from the bedrooms and installed bookshelves with brass detailing.
When the doors are closed, you would never realise they were doors at all, which makes the kitchen/dining area feel cosy and offers the bedrooms complete privacy when needed. “Hardwood HK’s kitchen is the most obvious winner of the home’s best feature but we love the bookshelf-concealed bedroom doors. They have a beautiful silently opening weight to them”, says Busbridge.
The main bedroom exudes a similar sense of tranquillity and organisation. The hydraulic bed was measured precisely so it could accommodate suitcases beneath it, and versatile wooden cubes at its foot can be pulled out and rearranged at will, showcasing a commitment to both form and function. As there wasn’t enough space for bedside tables, Maclean incorporated a pop-out shelf on each side that can be stowed away when not in use.
From a pulley system for storing Busbridge’s bike, to cat accessories ingeniously tucked away (see Tried + tested), Emma Maclean & Co’s innovative solutions reflect a deep understanding of the family’s needs, even unrealised ones. Pretty in pink and lilac, their daughter’s bedroom contains mostly loose furniture so it can be easily changed when a more mature look is required further down the line. “Without Emma and her team, the renovation would most likely have taken double the time, been double the budget and turned out badly”, says Busbridge.
Emma Maclean & Co designed the bookshelves fronting the two doors leading to the bedrooms. They were made by Hardwood HK. Two marble-fronted drawers beneath the kitchen cabinetry pull out to reveal cat bowls (in colours that coordinate with the rest of the decor, naturally) and a partition behind each one to store the cans of food.
They make use of otherwise dead space and maintain the kitchen’s clean lines..
