Down the aisle
In this apartment in Vantage Park in Mid-levels, LED lighting is embedded into tracking that runs the length of the apartment. At night, all the other light in the flat can be switches off to create an effect that Clifton Leung Leung designed to mimic the lighting on a plane.
Ready to roll
In this apartment in Babington House in Mid-levels West, the breakfast table on caster wheels is the ultimate in practicality. It can be moved around easily and fits almost entirely into the space between overhead cupboards and standing units, making the kitchen roomier.
Step by step
In this apartment in University Heights in Kennedy Town, to maximize space in the children’s bedroom, Clifton Leung custom designed bunk beds and positioned them in an L shape. Steps lead up to a desk, and smaller steps which also serve as shelves, lead directly to the top bed. The beds are about 150cmlong and should accommodate the two young age kids until their teens. The bottom bunk has storage space beneath it. Clifton Leung wanted to make the kids’ room interesting yet practical. He thought about bunk beds because kids love to go up and down and this way they have more space in which to play as well.
Hole in the wall
In this house in Fairview Park in Yuen Long, Clifton Leung cut a round hole in the shower wall to create a convenient place to hang a towel, without the need for hooks or bars.
Turn to stone
In this apartment in Bel Air Residence in Cyberport, small details can make a great impression. As a contrast to the white oak entertainment unit and the apartment’s white walls, Clifton Leung stacked large chiseled stones between the unit’s two shelves. The stones, which can be purchased from shops that sell pet fish, help bear the weight of the 18kg oak-veneer planks affixed to the wall for extra strength.
Pot luck
In this apartment in Beverly Villa in Kowloon Tong – an avid cook, the owner keeps her pots and pans close to hand on two pull-out racks underneath the cooking hobs. Manufactured by German kitchen company Leicht, the sturdy steel racks are ideal for supporting heavy or bulky items.
Making space
In this apartment in Baguio Villa in Pok Fu Lam, floor-to-ceiling mirrors in a corner make the living room seem twice its size. Clifton Leung created the corner by building a long, narrow storage space, fronted by a brick wall that accommodates a television screen
Jumping jack fish
In this apartment in Convention Plaza in Wan Chai, to conceal the client’s audio-visual equipment in the cabinet behind the sofa, Clifton Leung installed an electrical motorized system. At the flick of a switch, a shelf accommodating the AV gadgets rises from the cabinet and they are ready to use.
Inner space
Combing functionality with design, the cushion-topped seat in the master bedroom has a sliding cover that conceals a large storage space underneath – perfect for cushions, bedding and other bulky items.
Screen saver
In this apartment in Formwell Garden in Happy Valley, Clifton Leung installed a flexible, four-panel screen to counteract the bad fung shui produced by the entrance door looking directly onto a window in the living room. Usually people use a solid screen to block this off, but we designed this unit to combine fun and function. Measuring 180cm from the ceiling to the top of the audio visual cabinet, the screen comprises wire-inlaid, sandblasted-glass panels set into painted iron frames on rods. Each panel can be rotated 360 degrees and can be opened to allow cold air from an air-conditioning unit on the wall behind to flow into the living room. The theme of flexibility continues with Clifton Leung’s custom-designed oak veneer audio-visual stand. The TV perches on a sliding table that slots over the main storage unit; it has a surface that can swivel 360 degrees, allowing the TV to be viewed form anywhere in the living room.
Double the fun
In this apartment in Robinson Place, Mid-levels, the bunkbed stairs are practical and fun. The kids can display their toys under the steps, walk on the desk and the size of the bunks gives them privacy.
On the move
In this apartment in Yu Fung building in Happy Valley, because Clifton Leung was designing a bachelor pad, he was able to have some fun in the bathroom. He came up with an open-plan layout and, in addition to a sheer curtain that can hide the space, devised a sliding bathroom cabinet made of pine veneer, which runs along tracks on the top and bottom. The cabinet can be pushed along to enclose different parts of the bathroom (for example, in front of the bath and sink, the shower unit or the enclosed toilet cubicle) and even the adjoining study area. The cabinet has a pine veneer front panel, which faces onto the living room, and full-length mirrors have been fixed to its sides. On the bathroom sides, the cabinet contains deep glass shelves to hold toiletries and towels. The owner can hide things in there so no one can see them from the living room.
Writing on the wall
For this apartment in Greenview Gardens in Mid-levels, during conversations about their apartment, the owner expressed concern to Clifton Leung about her children drawing on the walls. To address to the little ones’ need for an artistic expression while still keeping the flat’s walls tidy, Clifton Leung suggested painting chalkboards directly onto the walls in their rooms using blackboard paint by Camel. Because the owner’s kid loves cars, she had a chalkboard in the shape of his favorite toy cat painted in his room, and gave her older daughter an entire wall with which to be creative. The owner was so pleased with the results, she had a strip of kitchen wall similarity painted for her “to do” and grocery lists.
Mirror image
In this apartment in The Arch in Kowloon Station, not everyone would be comfortable with a mirror above the bed but the one Clifton Leung installed here serves different purposes, none of them arguably narcissistic. The mirror allows the sea view to be visible not only from the bed but also makes the space appear bigger and taller, and bounces light around, ensuring ample natural illumination during the day. Clifton Leung said the feature was made more subtle by greyish mirror, which was used on the ceiling and behind the bed. He wanted it slightly darker; otherwise the reflection would be too much.
Off the wall
In this apartment in Holly Court in Happy Valley, the white-painted brick wall is a classic feature of Clifton Leung Leung Design Workshop. The raw painted brick creates a hip, New York loft feel and a contemporary but simple backdrop to the large television and speakers. Texture is important, Clifton Leung wants to give people energy, not just a flat white wall.
Neat freak
In this house in Seebee Lane in Discovery Bay, Clifton Leung created a new take on the traditional wardrobe, designing an open unit less like a cabinet and more like the open shelving found in clothing boutiques. Clifton Leung tailor-made the unit to fit the client’s clothes and accessories and positioned the unit against the wall at the end of her bed. Made of white oak shelves and steel poles, the quasi-industrial unit has different levels of storage – from high hanging rails for winter coats to more compact rails for skirts and trousers, and shelves for shirts and jumpers. The unit is a stylish storage solution but it demands discipline. To keep It looking good, the owner has to ensure her clothes are neatly folded or hung up. If they are not, she can pull a sheer white curtain across to hide the shelves.
Fly on the wall
In this apartment in Repulse Bay Garden in Repulse Bay, to keep the entrance area clutter-free, Clifton Leung suggested building a small shelf into a nearby wall, providing a convenient pick-up/ drop-off place for small items, inspired by the wing of a stealth fighter jet, Clifton Leung’s interior design is simple, contemporary and resolutely masculine.
Porthole window
In this apartment in Robinson Place, Clifton Leung designed the blue lacquer that dovides the kitchen from the living area and study. The door, which slides away when not in use, has a porthole window, allowing the cook to keep an eye on the children while keeping then away from stoves.
Space craft
In this apartment in Lechler Court in Sai Ying Pun, the dining area is narrow but Clifton Leung wanted his clients to have a full-sized table, so he built an alcove into a cabinet to accommodate one. A portion of the table slides into the alcove, to save space when not in use.
Seeing double
In this house in Marina Cove in Sai Kung, making use of wasted space in front of a bay window in the fourth-floor landing, next to the kids’ shared bathroom, Clifton Leung installed a sink designed for two, with twin taps, mirrors and drawers. Behind a full-length mirror is a cupboard white oak-lined pillars provide privacy. The girls can use it together if they are in a rush in the morning. The window provides natural light, and the mirrors hide the view of a blank wall.
Flight of fancy
In this apartment in The Waterfront in Kowloon, the lightweight Aero trolley offers versatile storage and is a conversation piece in its own right – giving a nod to the owners’ profession as a pilot. Made by a leading manufacturer that serves more than 250 airlines worldwide, the trolley features adjustable trays and drawers, which are ideal for storing anything from kitchen utensils to wine bottles. It can be moved easily from room to room and is both compact and durable. Clifton Leung, which recognizes the trolleys’ potential early and imports them, uses them in home and office settings.
Window treatment
In this apartment in Woodland Gardens in Mid-levels, for the clients’ minimalist home,
Clifton Leung suggested in-window blinds – chosen in a silver finish to reflect light – for their clean lines and fuss-free function. There is no need to dust, no need to constantly wipe them, and because they are airtight, there is no condensation. As the view on the living-room side isn’t the best, the blinds are a good way of shutting that out but keeping the light coming in.