THE BRIGHT SIDE

Calligrapher Beverly Chan of Life at Studio B in her light-filled office. A kitchen at the centre of the space serves as a meeting hub; large workspaces encourage collaboration

光明一面

書法家Beverly Chan在陽光普照Life at Studio B辦公室留影。空間中的廚房作為會面區；偌大的工作空間促進合作

Meeting calligrapher Beverly Chan for the first time is like encountering someone who feels more like a kindred spirit than a stranger. It's no surprise, then, that her warm and affable presence has allowed her to resonate with a variety of bridal clients and corporate brands via her business, Life at Studio B.

"Calligraphy really began more as a hobby when I was in London," says Beverly, who is wearing a simple black T-shirt and jeans. "During the summer of 2010, I was working in hospitality. It wasn’t a particularly creative role, so I spent most of my time off wandering the streets, exploring the city and picking up creative hobbies. It was where I bought a basic calligraphy kit." The rest is history, as she eventually founded Life at Studio B when she moved to Hong Kong in 2013.

Alongside her husband, Jay Carver, Beverly now works in their office space in Fortress Hill. The space reflects a philosophy based on simplicity with a human touch. It’s where the magic happens, too. Sheets of paper in a variety of creams and greys are stacked next to a mixture of pens and inks – valuable tools for her growing calligraphy business.

"I wanted the space to feel like an extension of our home. We spend so much time in the office, so it was worthwhile for us to make it feel personal," she says. The building they are in is part of a new real estate development in Fortress Hill, spearheaded by Jay, who is managing the redevelopment process.

Entering the office space for the first time, visitors are greeted by a cosy kitchen area that also functions as a meeting hub. "The kitchen tends to be the social heart of a house, which is what I want to achieve when connecting with clients or anyone else I’m working with," says Beverly. The area features a large marble tabletop and a wooden table at the centre.

Another key feature of the office space is the numerous storage units. "We needed lots of storage space," she says with a laugh. "Hence, there are lots of shelves. We also installed large work desks to create a space conducive to collaboration and messy brainstorming."

Perhaps the most wonderful aspect of the couple’s space is the floor-to- ceiling windows, which create a feeling of spaciousness. Monochrome and pale furniture fittings help to emphasise this sense of airiness, as does the upper-floor location, far removed from the chaos and noise of Hong Kong. Refuge and convenience in one easy space is a valuable combination that helps Beverly's creativity flow.