Bali-inspired Interior

For this apartment at Pokfulam, Hong Kong, the owners are a couple who has lived in the same location in the past. As the flat has an unobstructed view of the South China Sea and Lantau Island, Clifton decides to create an interior design space with Bali-inspired ambience. An open-design concept is used for the living areas to make the most of the beautiful panorama view. The interior also looks more spacious as Clifton builds glass partitions to enclose the balcony yet preserve the ocean view.

Not only the living areas, Clifton also replace bathroom walls into a glass wall to create a large bathroom with a slate-tiled, Japanese-style tub and a shower stall beside it. He uses materials like light wood and stones and simple colors and patterns to create a spa-like ambience to the bathing area. To incorporate more storage areas for the owners, Clifton decides to turn one of the bedrooms into a study place with a pull-out guest bed and cabinets that provides more space.

Versatility is essential in Clifton’s design as well. As the owners enjoy Chinese cuisine, Clifton decides to use a round table with a frosted-gloss centre instead of a long rectangle one in the dining area. The couple is pleased with the final result as the interior space is simple, open and moreover functional.

Transformer In the City

Clifton recently completed an interior design project in which he transformed an ordinary flat at Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong into a smart and flexible home. Since the apartment is petite, Clifton decides to apply an open-design concept using a sliding wall to create a spacious living space. The owners can divide their communal and private sleeping spaces by closing the sliding wall to secure privacy when needed.
On the other hand, Clifton knocks down the wall between two bedrooms and creates one large bedroom area. This bedroom area is separated from the living area by a flatscreen TV that is mounted on a pole and can flexibly turns around to face the living or bedroom area.

Not only is the bedroom, the kitchen also transforms into a semi-open space near the middle which flows into the living area. As the kitchen area is quite narrow, a full-sized dining table is built into a cabinet to save space. To make use of the limited space in the flat, Clifton creates a raised platform in the bedroom to provide more storage space for the owner. The owner can also use the platform edge as a bench as well.

Besides flexibility, Clifton also emphasize in incorporating energy saving ideas into his designs. For this flat, he used energy-efficient LED lights on the recessed ceilings and minimal light fixtures around the house. The whole interior space gives off a simple and modern ambience as Clifton uses smooth surfaces such as white-stained oak floors and laminated plywood around the house.

Over down under

Clifton recently renovated a Mid-Levels flat for the Lee family from Australia. As the family of five is larger than the average, Clifton and his team want to design an interior layout that work for every family member. Clifton creates a flow of space from one living areas to the next by opening up the living and dining areas. Considering that a certain degree of privacy is required when the children have grown up, Clifton used sliding doors to separate the bedrooms and the kitchen from the living areas. The children can enjoy their own time in their rooms and smells from the kitchen can also be contained.

As Lee the owner wants to keep some existing elements from their old house, Clifton suggest a suitable layout as well as wallpapers, color palette and curtains that match with their existing furniture and possessions.

Like most of the designs from Clifton, the renovated apartment is simple yet functional. Clifton places light grey sofa and olive leather sofa from Lounge Designer Furniture in the living areas to create a simple yet modern interior. Clifton spends a lot of time on the bathrooms to make them look clean and relaxing and also functional. By incorporating a sunken bath into a large shower stall, he succeeds in creating a spa-like mood with the addition of soft-blue lighting. The bathroom interior also showcases decorations such as the Nefertiti gold patterned vase from Lane Crawford and the gold candleholders from The Candle Company.

The Lee family is pleased with the result as the renovated home is a modern and simple. It is a place where all members can enjoy and live in it.

Related project:

http://www.cliftonleungdesignworkshop.com/project-residential/babington-house-mid-levels/

British- and Indian-inspired Home

Clifton recently designed a British- and Indian-inspired interior space for an Indian family who has stayed in UK for a long period of time. As the clients want a design that embraces traditional as well as modern minimalist elements, Clifton comes up with a few design ideas that combine the two completely different styles. He uses a series of vivid hand-painted wallpapers which gives a vibrant yet elegant ambience to the living room. This wallpaper design continues to the master bedroom as well as the son’s room as Clifton adds lively red and blue wallpaper with patterns of nature such as birds and trees on the walls. In addition to the hand-painted wallpapers, the intricate Indian display pieces beside the television also give the space a cultural Indian feel.

In contrast with the hand-painted wallpapers, Clifton places two large English sofas in the living room to highlight the elegant English style. He incorporates a long wooden table with a simple design in the dining area which matches well with the room’s minimalist décor. The side hall between the living and dining rooms also serves as a place for having English afternoon tea. By using the display of classic English teaware pieces, the kitchen retains a traditional classy style of design. Light plywood cabinets and desks are widely used in the bedrooms to give the interior a natural and soothing atmosphere in comparison to the rich and colorful Indian style.

A stretch of the imagination

Clifton recently has designed an interior layout for a petite Sai Ying Pun flat. Although it is often challenging for interior designers to work with smaller interior space, Clifton enjoys it as he finds ways to transform the small area to a functional and stylish space.

For this project, Clifton wants the owner to experience different living spaces instead of one big room. Clifton uses a few open-design ideas that balance well between privacy and openness in space. By opening the flat and using a long sliding wall as partition between the living room and bedroom, Clifton gives flexibility to the apartment layout as the bedroom can be closed off from time to time. Moreover, the kitchen is transformed to be a semi-open space which is separated from the entrance by a floor-to-ceiling cabinet. The owners can have individual privacy at different locations and also enjoy a huge spacious living area when the partitions open up.

Clifton also attempts to create more storage space for the small flat by building a raised platform in the bedroom. The oak wood platform can be used for multiple purposes such as a bench or a desk. Besides the platform, Clifton uses similar smooth surfaces such as white-stained oak wood and laminated plywood for the sliding doors and cabinets to create a “simple gallery feel” to the interior space. The owner is pleased with the result as the redesigned space is a comfortable place where he can enjoy spending time in.



Project: http://www.cliftonleungdesignworkshop.com/project-residential/lechler-court/

Minimalism - Less is More

As many Hong Kong apartments are small in size, interior designers nowadays often strive to maximize usable space when designing clients’ homes. Recently, Clifton has designed the interior of a flat in a Sheung Wan project for a foreign couple. In hope to create a spacious home environment for the couple, Clifton uses a few tricks in keeping the design minimal and simple.

By using smaller size furniture and light colors like beige and white from sofa to walls and floors, the interior space looks tidy and neat. Moreover, he transforms the kitchen to a semi-open cooking space which makes the living areas more integrated and spacious. Besides keeping the décor simple, Clifton also succeeds in creating more storage space by installing wall cabinets and raised platform under the bed. The couple is pleased with the final result as the interior space is redesigned to promote simplicity as well as functionality.

Project reference: http://www.cliftonleungdesignworkshop.com/project-residential/cherry-crest-mid-levels/

Breathing Space

For interior designers, redesigning layouts that help owners make the best use of their house is their main goal. In a recent project for a Mid-Levels home, Clifton has applied the open- design concept to a boxy home to create a warm and open living area for the owners. The original boxy layout minimizes the penetration of natural light into most of the rooms which makes the space look dark and gloomy. To solve this problem, Clifton knocks out many of the non-structural walls and uses glass dividers to let in the light and create an open living area. He also removes the corridor and makes more storage space for wardrobes in the bedrooms. Besides adding walk-in wardrobes, creating bespoke storage boxes on wheels underneath the cabinets also provide more storage areas without wasting space.

The owners of the house also prefer simple home design that reflects their own identity. By juxtaposing the white-and-wood décor with the owners’ existing furniture and lighting, Clifton creates a laid back and relaxed ambience to the interior and personalizes it to fit the owners’ styles. While attempting to make the most of natural light, Clifton also adds in some spotlights and indirect lighting to give an airy feeling to the clean and calm atmosphere of the rooms.

With various high-end home appliances and furniture, such as the fridge from Siemens, wine fridge from Vintec, the pendent lamp over the dining table from Zodiac, sanitary ware from Villeroy & Boch and tub from Gessi, this is a home-sweet-home where everyone can find their private space to invigorate and indulge in.

Related project: http://www.cliftonleungdesignworkshop.com/project-residential/tregunter-tower/

Clever Storage Solutions for small spaces

Using drawers under bed for storage is no longer a new idea. In a recent interview with THE PEAK Magazine, Clifton has suggested a few innovative ideas for creating storage space that has multiple functions for small interior spaces. To make use of all the space available, a Japanese style tatami platform floor offers a hidden storage space that is sturdy and convenient. Moreover, the platform can also serve as casual seating in a small space. Another popular trend nowadays is to use stairs as storage. It not only saves space but also provides storage that is easy to reach and can access without the need to climb up high.

It is important to balance openness and privacy when designing small homes. Clifton recommends the use of opaque partitions such as shelving to separate interior spaces by different functions and secure individual privacy. The partitions are opaque which can increase openness within the space and make the room look more spacious.



Related project:

http://www.cliftonleungdesignworkshop.com/project-residential/whampoa-garden-kowlloon/

http://www.cliftonleungdesignworkshop.com/project-residential/vantage-park-mid-levels/

http://www.cliftonleungdesignworkshop.com/project-residential/the-harbour-side-kowloon/

Storage Design Ideas

There is never going to be enough storage in the average Hong Kong home. In a recent interview, Clifton has suggested a few useful tricks in conjuring storage when interior space is tight. By utilizing the floor and adding lift-up plywood lids above the platform or steps, we can make extra storage space for clothes and bags. This under-bed storage idea not only offers extra storage, it also gives easier access to things that was hard-to-reach before. As people won’t use storage if it is hard to access, this idea provides a solution that works well. Moreover, Clifton recommends adding a foot-operated light switch and an LED strip on the platform steps to light up the under-bed closet. Besides bedrooms, the platform treatment can be given to living rooms as well as the kitchen areas.

Check out related projects at The Harbourside, Vantage Park and Lechler Court:

http://www.cliftonleungdesignworkshop.com/project-residential/the-harbour-side-kowloon/

http://www.cliftonleungdesignworkshop.com/project-residential/vantage-park-mid-levels/

http://www.cliftonleungdesignworkshop.com/project-residential/lechler-court/

Metropolitan Pad- with Panoramic Harbour View

For this apartment at The Habourside, Hong Kong, the owner is a frequent traveler who often visits hotels across the globe. Clifton decides to apply the modern metropolitan pad concept to his design to create an ambience of a seven-star hotel.

As the apartment has an outstanding habour view, a metropolitan pad that is entirely partitioned by a huge transparent glass with minimal borders can capture the panoramic view from all angles. Moreover, the feature stone wall is kept as the only structured wall that divide the bathroom with the bedroom within the entire apartment. This open- design concept connects various living areas and creates a huge spacious home environment that owner enjoy living in. The huge open space can also host a wide range of home entertaining activities as various appliances including Bang & Olufsen audio products and wine cellar from Liebherr are well equipped.

The owner also prefers a modern yet simple style which Clifton exploited by the use of colors of black, white and grey in the interior. The soft leather sofa with the grey marble flooring and light oak wood cabinet create a cozy and pleasant feeling to the modern style. In contrast with the wood finishing and marble flooring, the use of diverse lighting sources such as recessed RGB lighting underneath the cabinets also give off a charismatic and modern feeling to the décor.

The interior also showcases top notch appliances and premium materials, such as kitchen appliances from Miele, Subzero and Fisher & Paykel, sound system from B&O, tailo-made carpets from Tai Ping, feature lighting from Flos, sanitary appliances from TITI, Gessi and Dornbracht.

Related project: http://www.cliftonleungdesignworkshop.com/project-residential/the-harbour-side-kowloon/

‘Less is More’- Natural Simplicity Oct 8 2015 Issue

When interior designers create designs for their clients, they strive to think beyond and create innovative designs that could be timeless. In a recent interview, Clifton has discussed his ways of creating designs that could strike a balance between the principal of innovation and timelessness.  

One of his methods to achieve this is to use neutral colors palette such as white, black or earth tones as base, and infuse accents with simple yet practical decorations and furniture. Besides simplicity, Clifton also emphasized environmental friendliness in his designs. He often includes the use of LED lights in his projects to reduce energy consumption and natural wood and green plants to give a cozy and warm ambience to the space.

Clifton’s favorite residential project that he designed is the Yu Fung Building Project which features an open door plan design. Compared to other designs, Open design such as replacing walls with curtains and incorporating an open kitchen has a few advantages. It promotes family bonding as the space becomes more integrated and spacious visually. On the other hand, designing homes without re-layout is also the recent trend. To make a big difference with the smallest changes in layout, Clifton recommended the use of bi-function door or built-in- furniture to maximize the space without re-layout and moving walls.

Related project:

http://www.cliftonleungdesignworkshop.com/project-residential/yu-fung-building-wanchai/

Making Small Spaces Look Bigger

As many flats in Hong Kong are relatively small in size, it is not surprising that many people in Hong Kong hope that their small home could look bigger in size without moving any walls. Clifton has discussed in a recent interview that indeed many clients nowadays want designers to make more space within an existing layout.  Clifton has suggested a few techniques in doing so. 

“floating” furniture & storage platforms

By elevating or “floating” furniture such as wardrobe or seating bench of the room or using storage platforms or steps as drawers to create a tatami-style bed, the room could look bigger with more floor space. “Floating” furniture could minimize interruption to one's natural line of sight when viewing a room. Moreover, storage platforms increase storage and occasionally work as built-in designer furniture as well, provide seating for a lower desk. 

Clifton also noted that by using glass walls or adding window to the internal wall, the room could look more spacious as the visual flow is continued from other rooms. On the other hand, hanging curtains or blinds well above window tops could give one an illusion of a higher wall height. Besides furniture and storage arrangement, color also affects the ambience of the room. A lighter color of floor materials with raw finish or a light wax cover is highly recommended.



Related project:
http://www.cliftonleungdesignworkshop.com/project-residential/whampoa-garden-kowlloon http://www.cliftonleungdesignworkshop.com/project-residential/vantage-park-mid-levels

New trend in design: Dust-free redesign

As residential properties in Hong Kong remain small yet high in prices, trends in interior design also turn towards remaking homes without knocking down any walls. Clifton Leung, creative director and founder of Clifton Leung Design Workshop has discussed this recent trend of dust-free redesign and how people prefer to redesign their homes without wasting new materials and moving walls.

However, sometimes it is not easy to redesign old buildings without knocking down walls. One reason is the space layouts of the older buildings are not as functional as the newer buildings. In order to redesign them in the purpose of matching with our ways of living, interior designers nowadays try to redecorate those spaces with the least costs for their clients.

Construction-free design also encourages more creativity and individuality in the design itself. Clifton noted that those designs are not about re-designing a space anymore. It is about how to decorate the interior in ways that could increase spaces and make a living space suitable to the clients. Create designs that could fit the clients’ styles of living is essential. For example, clever use of different colors on walls as well as lighting could enhance characterization in design as well as living space. Clifton noted that instead of wallpapering the entire room, the use of feature walls could be a nice choice. Also, the use of Philips’ color-changing, mood altering Hue in replace of a single light source for a room could create a different mood and style to the interior space.

In recent years, Clifton has given construction-less design treatment to various projects. In one project for a small flat, he exploited the simple yet detailed Zen style concept as he used a raised floor to increase more bedroom space. From concept to completion of construction, one project only takes few months. It is time saving as well as cost saving to the clients.


Related project:
http://www.cliftonleungdesignworkshop.com/project-residential/aria-kowloon/

Honored to be one of the judges for A&D Trophy Awards 2015

Clifton is honored to be one of the judges for A&D Trophy Awards 2015. The award ceremony is held at PMQ tonite and he is presenter to Professional Product Design at Kitchen & Lighting Product! Guessed what, one of the winners, Gavin Leung will be onboard CLDW in Nov. Congrats to all winners tonite!!

More about the City Transformer Home!

More about the City Transformer Home!

Bachelor pads designs with the PEAK Magazine!

Clifton shares some insights on bachelor pads designs in the July 2015 issue of PEAK magazine.

“Using the stairs for storage has also become a popular trend, especially for walking closets…and the user doesn’t have to climb up a ladder to get things from the top of a cabinet,” said Clifton.

Storing items in drawers under the bed is nothing new. The smarter alternative nowadays is to store the lesser-used things under an elevated floor, which is a clever way of using all the space available in a small bedroom. For those who like a Japanese touch, it is suggested to install a tatami platform floor that creates hidden storage space underneath. With a few more cushions, it also serves as informal seating for occupants and guests, especially in a small studio space.

Q9 clinic was featured at the PEAK!

It's been half a year since the opening of Q9 Orthopaedic and Spine Centre and we are delighted to hear from our client that the space has generated emotional responses and positive influence to its patients! Happy to see its recent feature at the PEAK magazine SCMP Lifestyle!

Modular Student Design Competition 2015 by Hong Kong Design Institute

Clifton was enjoying a great evening at Timothy Oulton with the two young design talents from HKDI Sharon and Horace! Congrats for winning! Keep up the good work and inspire us for the future! Thanks Perspective Global for inviting!

The winning design is currently being built by the Timothy Oulton team, for shipping to Hong Kong where it will be displayed at the HKDI’s end of year exhibition on 19th June 2015. To showcase the design’s potential as a home, a few pieces from the Timothy Oulton collection will furnish the interior.

The next step is to expand the design further with the potential of interior design, transforming a simple dwelling into an inspiring and inviting home.

CLDW Books Travel around the World

Our books are in the bookstore Kinokuniya in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. We are so happy that we can share our ideas “from minimalism to maximization” far beyond Hong Kong and spread the ideas all over the world!

All Day Breakfast

Research told us that eating breakfast is very important to our health. What do you prefer for your breakfast? Toast, eggs, crepes or congee? A delicious and energy charging breakfast should be eaten with a comfy atmosphere. We hope our design can bring you inspirations on how to enjoy your breakfast everyday with a nice breakfast table.

Give and Take

CLDW staff got a meaningful weekend! We have been to the IDEAL Walkathon 2015 and raised over HK$12,000 for people with intellectual disabilities. With the spirit of “Give and Take”, we feel happy that we can help to raise fund and arise people’s awareness on the needs of people with intellectual disabilities but also got deeper reflection of how we can help people in need in this society.