Type of home: Village house
Size of home: 2,100 square feet
Location: Clearwater Bay
After more than 15 years in Hong Kong, Dutch expat NICOLE HESSING decided it was time to dip her toe into the property market. The village house she purchased in Clearwater Bay was in reasonable condition – she felt that it wouldn’t need much more than a décor update.
A new experience
After considering an initial quote from a renovation company, Nicole decided to go it alone. She would source the materials herself, and use local tradesman, trying to be reasonably thrifty and stick to a modest budget.
“Since this was my first time buying a property in Hong Kong, it was quite a daunting experience,” she says. “Of course, you can’t actually get a quote for a renovation until you own the house, so you need to mentally prepare for some unexpected surprises – and have a contingency budget!”
Nicole spent some time planning and researching the renovations, including getting inspiration and ideas from Pinterest. But she was confident with her interior design style, having already built a (stunning!) home in Phuket.
“I would say my style is modern contemporary, with lots of accessories and art from global travels – including an Asian influence.”
The Thailand project also meant she had practical experience, which was so useful when it came to renovating her Hong Kong home. Of course, as with every makeover, there were still challenges in store.
Denne historien er fra December - February 2021-utgaven av EL Hong Kong.
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Denne historien er fra December - February 2021-utgaven av EL Hong Kong.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
A Writer's Retreat
We meet children’s author (and saree enthusiast!) Bhakti Mathur at her peaceful home on the Peak.
A Lantau Project
The idea of renovating a home had long appealed to Jenya Mcguigan; a recent move from Lamma to Lantau gave her the chance to do exactly that.
Staycay Season
For a change of scenery (and a reminder of the pleasures of travel), check in to one of these five fabulous spots in five very different locations across Hong Kong!
Award-Winning School Camp Programme For The Summer
Are the kids keen for some fun over the holiday? Read on for details of an award-winning school camp programme for the summer – one with 13 different streams to choose from!
Pictures Of Pooches
We meet Romanian expat Mihaela Tudor, and learn about her photography work, including a recent project about pets!
Middle Eastern Eats
We all love dipping into a plate of beautiful hummus, but this ubiquitous dish just begins to scratch the surface of everything that Middle Eastern cuisine brings to the table. Here’s a guide to finding a feast near you!
20 Watery Wonders Exploring The Aquatic Of HK
Summer is upon us, so it’s the ideal time to take a look at some of best ways to get wet – or at least enjoy a seaside view – in Hong Kong. Here are 20 ideas to get you started!
5 Booze Free Bevvies
Just as plant-based is becoming more and more a “thing” among foodies, so to alcoholfree drinks are appealing to an ever-increasing number of consumers. But how do they taste? To find out, we gave the Sipfree range of wines, spirits and beers a go. Read on to see if we’re converted!
Let's Talk About Sleep
For many new mums and dads, it’s the “holy grail”: getting their new bub to sleep through the night and take long naps during the day! We chat with the founder of Kristin Graham Sleep Consulting about the struggles she faced, and how they prompted her to help those in the same boat.
5 Tips For The Perfect Bedroom
Advice from the team at Blanc Des Vosges on making your sleeping spot a stylish haven.
