EDITOR’S NOTE

Home design is one of our favourite topics here at Expat Living. We could talk for hours about everything to do with the spaces we live in – renovations, design, homeware, furniture, fixtures, fittings; ah, we love it all!

Creating this home-and-property-themed edition has been a great distraction from what’s happening in the real world. I hope the pages afford you the chance to grab a cup of tea and enjoy a break from the news on our phones.

There are many positive stories to escape into, even if you aren’t obsessed with property like we are. If you’re looking to spend time in a home away from home, for example, we’ve got recommendations for beautiful resorts in Thailand, Vietnam and beyond. Plus, Christine Amour-Levar shares her inspiring trip to Iceland on page 88. What an adventure! We also caught up with artist Lorette E Roberts, who has launched a new book of her beautiful paintings. This time, she’s focused on boats, and we captured some of her personal aquatic memories of Hong Kong.

Back to beautiful homes… we shot an amazing property for this edition, tucked away on Shouson Hill. It’s a gorgeous place that has been completely gutted and transformed from its original state. Now it’s a European-inspired masterpiece complete with a marbleframed pool. Have a sticky beak on page 20.

Design is also functional, in the way it plays a role in our schools. I visited the Canadian International School of Hong Kong where they’ve redesigned the Early Years centre. Read about it on page 64. You can also listen to Zoe Heggie’s advice for preschool parents in our brand new podcast, “Schools in Hong Kong” – find it at expatliving.hk/podcasts.

Above all, have a great Christmas and a wonderful start to 2020!

PS: Thanks to everyone who took part in our Readers’ Choice Awards. We’ll be posting a full list of winners on our website in January, so be sure to keep an eye out for them!