Family-friendly Hong Kong duplex a home for the coronavirus era with its creative approach to living and work spaces
- Interior designer Christine Ritter helped a family upsize to a 1,700 sq ft duplex in Tsim Sha Tsui, throwing out old furnishings and maximising storage
- As well as practical changes, furniture in natural tones minimises distractions for adults and children when they need to work or learn from home
Video conferencing from the kitchen, clashing schedules, incessant background noise, jostling for comfortable desk space – these were just some of the problems the Batten family were having to contend with last summer.
By October, they knew they had to move. “We tried to make our existing flat work, even converting the kids’ playroom into a home office, but by the time we were four or five months into the pandemic we realised the situation wasn’t getting any better – it was getting worse,” says American John Batten.
When he and his Taiwanese wife, Sharon – both of whom have high-powered jobs, in manufacturing and marketing, respectively – upsized to a 1,700 sq ft, four-bedroom duplex in The Waterfront, in Tsim Sha Tsui, they turned to Facebook group Hong Kong Moms for some interior designer recommendations. Christine Ritter, known for her soft colour palettes, biophilic leanings and family-friendly approach, was a name that came up time and again.
The couple had a clear idea of what they needed from their new rental home. With two sons – eight-year-old Eddie and 10-year-old Isaac – to consider, and with all of them now working and learning from home, they envisaged quiet individual study spaces, areas for play and recharging, as well as a welcoming open living and dining room where the family could come together.
“This really is a home for the Covid-19 age – everyone has different zones,” says Ritter, founder of Studio CHR. There was no structural work to be done and the existing flooring, kitchen and three bathrooms were kept as they were, so Ritter began by throwing out most of the family’s old furnishings and in the other rooms maximising storage with lots of clever cabinetry.
Sensational views of the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront and Victoria Harbour are apparent on entering the duplex, and furniture in natural tones minimises distraction. An L-shaped sofa and a sumptuous wool shag rug lightly anchor the space, while a large upcycled oak dining table provides ample room for dinner guests. “There’s been a lot more entertaining at home this past year,” says John. Beyond is a balcony with a small breakfast table, outdoor seating, lemon trees and a little herb garden.
