OUt OF tHE BOX
This modernist family residence favours connection – to one another and to the outside world – above all else
這現代主義家庭屋著重戶外與室內天地的完美連繫
The lady of the house, Ivy Ngai, recalls that when she first saw Simon Chong's work 20 years ago, she knew that when she bought her own home he would be her go-to designer. "When I visited my auntie’s duplex for the first time, I was blown away by how immaculately it was done," she recalls. "I can’t explain it, but I’ve always been sensitive to fine design, so I immediately asked her for the interior designer’s name and made a mental note to remember him." Years later, Ivy and Ben got married, and bought their first abode. "I decided to see Simon女屋主Ivy Ngai回想20年前首次看到Simon Chong的製成品時，已即時知道他日自己置業也一定要請他出任設計師。「那時我第一次到訪姨姨的雙層大宅，即時被眼前亮麗設計為之迷倒。」她回想道：「我不懂怎樣解釋，但自己一向對上乘設計也非常敏感，當時立即把握機會問她拿設計師的名字並銘記於心。」
and immediately knew after our first meeting that he was the one," she says. "He ended up doing an amazing job with our first home, but since then, our family has expanded." In early 2016, the couple bought this apartment for their family of five, and, once again, there was no doubt that Simon would be entrusted with revamping the home to suit their needs. The brief was simple: to completely reconfigure the 2,250sqft apartment to grant enough open space for each of its residents (including three young children aged seven, five and two) to rest, play and interact. The house was completely gutted, rearranged and completed within five months.
Ivy wanted to ensure her that children would grow up together, so their shared room was designed with a sliding door in the middle to allow for privacy when needed. However, Simon has taken the future into account, cleverly ensuring that the study can be transformed into a separate bedroom for when the children are older. "When my son doesn’t want to share with his sisters anymore, that will be for him, but right now, I want to keep them all together," Ivy says.
In the master bedroom, the couple wanted to create a cocoon where they could unwind, as well as a comprehensive walk-in closet for all of Ivy's belongings. Waxing lyrical about Simon's meticulousness, Ivy adds: "We are so happy with the results. Most importantly, he made the whole experience completely hassle free and was a friend as much as a designer throughout the process."
As a busy mother juggling the kids’ hectic schedules, she admits she didn’t have time to manage every minute detail, but Simon was always on top
多年後，Ivy和Ben結婚並購下屬於自己的物業。「我決定要跟Simon見面，第一次會面後已即時知道他就是我們要請的人。」她說：「他設計出我們首個家居，後來家庭成員又再擴展。」2016年初，一家五口購下現居，Simon當然就是注入新設計的必要人物。大要非常簡單：重新配置這2,250平方呎單位，開出足夠開放式空間讓每位住戶樂享其中(包括三名分別為7、5和2歲的孩子)。房子被徹底掏空，格局獲重新分配設計，到最後製成品也只需5個月。
Ivy希望孩子能共同成長，於是在他們的共享房間設計趟門，必要時關起來即可打造私密天地。設計師同時也遠視未來，考慮到將來可把現有書房改造成獨立睡房，讓孩子長大後仍可使用。「當兒子不想再跟姊妹同房，那就會是他的睡房，但現在還是讓他們每天共處。」
主人房方面，他們注重設計出平靜安樂窩放鬆身心，並設偌大衣帽間收納她所有用品。Ivy連聲大讚Simon處事細心獨到：「我們非常滿意成果。最重要的就是全程完全不同我們費心，一路上過程既是設計師也是好友。」
of things. "Whether it was shortlisting wallpapers for the kids' room, selecting artworks or picking out fabrics for upholstery, his attention to detail was intricate. All I had to do was pop over to his office and decide among the gorgeous options he’d already picked out," she says. "It was such joy working with him. At the end of the day, trust is so important."
Elegant modernity pervades the home, conceived from timeless hues, carefully curated items of furniture, evocative pieces of art, a striking green balcony and excellent craftsmanship. But the real standout of the home is how cleverly the spaces have been segregated. Says Ivy, "Sometimes one of my daughters will be in her room drawing, while my other two children will be in the living room playing with their toys – and no one gets in each other's way." She emphasises the key is finding a
每天面對孩子的忙碌節目，這位全職媽媽坦言沒時間關顧每項細節，但Simon卻一直照顧妥當。「不管是孩子房牆紙、挑選藝術品還是布藝襯墊，他對細節一絲不苟，我只須偶然到他辦公室一趟，在他已精選的產品內作最後決定即行。跟他做事的確是賞心樂事。」她指：「畢竟，信任非常重要。我很熟悉Simon，對他的人格和個性也非常信任。為他工作的師傅也是出色員工，他們團隊的售後服務無懈可擊。」
不管是永恆經典的用色、仔細策劃的傢具、焦點藝術品、綠色陽台還是出色工藝，也可見優雅現代魅力遍滿全屋四周。但最突出還是巧妙的空間劃分。Ivy指：「女兒在畫房時，其他兩個孩
place for everything. "A house filled with kids' toys with no place to hide them away will never look nice, so adequate storage is always essential," she says.
The family is united in their appreciation of the abode. When asked why they love it, the children are quick to quip, "because my home is beautiful!" "I hope that the kids’ perception of good design can be instilled from a young age," Ivy smiles. "I do believe that when you don’t see so much mess, your mind feels less cluttered and your senses are elevated." //
子就會在客廳玩玩具，各有各精彩。」她強調儲物屬設計重點。「房子放滿孩子玩具，要是不設空間把它們整理收妥，那就會亂七八糟。」
一家人同聲表示熱愛家居。問到原因何在，孩子立時反應：「因我家漂亮嘛！」「我希望孩子的眼光可以自小培養。」Ivy笑稱：「我深信，眼見雜物愈少，你的思路和觸覺就會愈清晰。」//