Home décor is a balancing act of styles and eras

Putting together a comfortable, liveable and beautiful home is much like co-ordinating a stylish outfit. This similarity is something that Wendy Siu, president and founder of lifestyle retailer Heather & March, is keenly aware of. “Interior decoration is like fashion: there’s the sensitivity of balancing,” says Siu, whose business specialises in French and European homewares and furniture. “If you overdo it, then you’re losing it.”

When it comes to creating an ideal living space, balance is the word to keep in mind, especially when it comes to mixing styles. In Hong Kong, there has long been a preference for a sleek, clean and modern look, which has its appeal but can also be one-dimensional. By mixing styles, you can add depth, dimension and warmth to your home – provided that you don’t overdo it, Siu says.

Siu’s personal preference is to mix modern and classic styles. “I like the idea of paying respect to your heritage, of reviving it and integrating it into today’s environment,” she says. “You tend to see more of this in Europe – they have an advantage because of their architecture, which they have done such a wonderful job of preserving. The mouldings, the structure and the walls of a home might be old or classic, but then the interiors will be very modern.”

It’s also a perspective that New Yorkers have mastered in the city’s loft spaces, where industrial foundations – brick walls, exposed pipes and high, arched windows – blend with vintage furniture and pure-lined, modern elements. 

Most Hongkongers don’t have the luxury of living in classic or heritage buildings, but that doesn’t mean they can’t achieve the same sense of depth and dimension as in European or New York homes. “We have modern settings, but inside, if you want to be more versatile, you could incorporate classic paintings or sculpture, or one or two pieces of traditional furniture,” Siu says. “Of course, it has to be integrated in a way that creates balance and harmony.”

In order to achieve that balance, you do not need to follow a strict set of rules; however, there are criteria to keep in mind when putting the elements of your space together. Some designers suggest an “80/20” approach: if you like the clean, modern look, apply it to 80 per cent of your interiors, then use the remaining 20 per cent to have a little fun.