Designing a home imbued with the spirit of originality takes not only passion for design and eye for detail, but also the confidence to imagine beyond the ordinary. Creativity melds and decodes different ideas in a way that inspires without the need for words. It can be discerned, for example, when the worlds of haute couture and interior architecture marry to give birth to a dream home in which with the details of every room reflect your thoughts, emotions and identity. A home that speaks your mind, whether in the subtle tones of a lampshade or the loud accents of the wall trim.

If one might dare to dream, what would that dream home look like? Perhaps a visit to 39 Conduit Road in Mid-Levels West – conveniently located within minutes of Central – might provide the answer. The building itself fleetingly held the record for the most expensive apartment in the world, in which a flat could set you back anywhere upwards of HK$188 million. Here, nestled on the higher floors of one of the city’s most prestigious residential high rises is a residence that literally glows with sophistication as it encapsulates the stylish taste and lavish lifestyle of its owner.   

Filling 2,476sq.ft of space with ease and comfort, the recently renovated three-bedroom home embraces contemporary Italian furniture, crystal decoration and high-end smart technology – a winning combination made possible by the talents of Danny Chiu. Going above and beyond the usual, the award-winning interior designer approached this assignment from a singular perspective, imagining himself as a tailor crafting a one-of-a-kind evening gown.

But a home as beautiful as this does not come without its challenges. The project took Chiu almost two years to complete, from drawing inspiration from fashion magazines as he researched to designing the floor plan and creating mock ups, and from sourcing some of the rarest materials he has ever used to painstaking construction.

From the first step inside, the design flows seamlessly. Grey maple wood defines the walls and ceiling of the open layout in an ample living area. Cool beige tones impart a clean-lined, earthy feel of modern luxury enhanced by charming oriental touches and colour accents. Strokes of blue enliven the designer rug; Baccarat crystal flashes from multiple surfaces as it catches the light; and delicate champagned-hued gold leaf highlights the curvature of the ceiling and feature wall.

In this space of undoubted refinement, the granite floor takes precedence. The unique veins traversing the stone evoke a calming sense of movement, from foyer to sitting room to dining area, then leading the line of sight to the idyllic harbour view. This feat of inventive grounding saw Chiu travel to several places and collect countless samples in order to achieve the perfect fit and design for the home.

Dressed in Fendi and Vissionaire, the lush furnishings were also arranged with care and consideration. From the television and bar cabinets to the dining table and upholstery, all the fittings were handmade in Italy and customised in the correct colours and exacting designs to match the interior theme.

Behind a pair of sliding doors in the wall of windows on one side of the room is a quiet garden-themed oasis. The balcony provides an intimate, relaxing space in which to unwind with a glass of wine while surveying stunning vistas of Victoria Harbour and the city skyline.

Moving from the elegance of the living area to the more private quarters, the main bedroom called for comprehensive restructuring and expansion. “In order to make best use of the space and balance the proportions of the room to serve the needs of the owner, the en-suite bathroom was enlarged, and the walls between the original master bedroom and cloakroom were torn down,” reveals Chiu.

The floors, walls and counters of the bathroom were completely redesigned with granite and Dornbracht fittings, while the bedroom was furbished to echo the opulent aesthetics of the living room. Aureate and metallic trims add a layer of depth here and provide contrast to the cool, airy tones that emanate from the abundant maple wood cladding and natural light spilling through dual-aspect windows. Breathtaking sea views stretch from the side of the bed to the back of the suite where the dressing room lies, shelved with a collection of Hermès accessories.

But beyond the timeless beauty, resplendent décor and custom-made Italian furnishings, the apartment’s most impressive feature is surely the cutting-edge technology that elevates the day-to-day experience at home. Installing a smart living system has allowed the owner to possess full control of everyday electronics with ease and convenience. For example, switchable glass in the en-suite bathroom variously permits privacy when it is occupied, and affords more breathing room in the master chamber.

The consistent details that flow harmoniously from entryway to bedroom and everywhere else in between are somehow reminiscent of how one might trace the smooth ripples of satin on a glamorous gown: sumptuous to the touch and everlasting in impression – a true dream.

(Text: Roberliza Eugenio; Photos: Danny Chiu Interior Designs Ltd.)