Seville Summer
Regina Kwok of Artwill Interior Design House took inspiration from Spain to create this vivacious home in Ap Lei Chau.
Regina Kwok of Artwill Interior Design House took inspiration from Spain to create this vivacious home in Ap Lei Chau.藝圖的Regina Kwok從西班牙擷取靈感，
Plenty of factors can prompt a move: deciding to live with a significant other, starting a family, desiring a certain neighbourhood over another, or even just wanting a change of scenery. This couple, however, decided to move from their previous home to this spacious, 1,862-square-foot apartment in the Larvotto estate in Ap Lei Chau for the sake of their best friends—their two dogs. While their earlier apartment was already sizeable, its chopped-up layout meant that the dogs didn't have much freedom to run around and play.
“They love their dogs and many design elements took them into consideration,” explained Regina Kwok, creative director of Artwill Interior Design House. The couple decided to commission the interior design studio after seeing their work featured in a magazine. “From the large open patio to the circular flow [of the layout], the apartment was really chosen for the dogs.” The beautiful view was nothing to sniff at either. “Looking out onto the beach and ocean gave the couple a sense of calmness when they first saw the property,” recalled Kwok. Designing the home took about a year from start to finish, with completion this January.
Kwok went with an open layout, even creating a continuous loop from the breakfast nook to the bedroom to the large patio. This change didn't require any major renovations, however—kwok simply opened a door on one end of the patio that leads into the master bedroom's walk-in closet, opened up the kitchen, and removed the walls of the small room next to the living room. Even certain furniture pieces were chosen with the dogs in mind. “The bed was designed to be lower to the floor, so the couple's beloved dogs can climb in bed with them,” said Kwok.
In terms of visual style, the couple wished to reference their travels, since they love going on holiday. Kwok took particular inspiration from Seville in southern Spain. “The owners shared stories and pictures from their trips, and together we discussed how we could incorporate those memories by looking at some of the designs they had previously seen,” shared Kwok. They decided to focus on southern Spain for several reasons—the ocean view reminded the couple of the coast, they wanted to bring in warmth and vibrancy, which the area evokes, and the wife wanted to incorporate colour and a more elaborate design. Spanish mosaics were a perfect fit.
“I used more neutral colours in the open living space and brighter colours in the private areas,” said Kwok. “I didn't want too many colours to distract from the calmness of the ocean, so instead I used colour accents in each of the rooms.” A vivid orange wall features in the living and dining area, contrasting with a textured stone panel. A blue and brown mosaic is visible in the breakfast nook. In the master bedroom, meanwhile, a splash of yellow on an accent wall matches with a yellow beanbag chair.
The pièce de résistance is undoubtedly the bathroom. The Seville theme truly shines in this room—which is the wife's favourite spot in the home—with a bright mosaic backsplash above the sink facing an accent wall opposite. “I chose not to cover the entire bathroom with tiles,” shared Kwok. “There's a fine balance you must strike when you are using a theme—you still want to bring in your own personal style and make it suitable for everyday living.” To balance and modernise the space, Kwok went with straight lines and sharp angles in the mirrors, doors and sinks. With such a summery, airy living space, this couple is sure to feel as though they're on vacation every time they return home.