Renting a space doesn’t equate to settling for the landlord’s aesthetic preferences. Contemporary designers underscore the significance of tailoring rented spaces to individual tastes, especially with the uptick in rental agreements as potential buyers await the next developments in the Hong Kong real estate market.
Britta Butler, the visionary behind B Squared Design, emphasizes the potential in every space, no matter how bland. According to her, about one-fourth of her clientele comprises renters. “Every space, irrespective of its initial blandness, can be molded to reflect a renter’s personality. There’s no need to resort to major renovations like overhauling entire rooms. Sometimes, it’s the smaller touches that matter,” she remarks.
Artwork, for instance, has the capacity to wholly redefine a room’s character. Accessories, too, play a pivotal role, and the impact of complementary color palettes, textures, and patterns is undeniable.
Alexis Dupont, the name behind Alexis Dupont Interiors, concurs. In his experience, even subtle design interventions can metamorphose the ambiance of a rental space. “There are myriad cost-effective ways to spruce up a rental. Something as elementary as updating wardrobe doors with contemporary materials or enhancing a powder room with a chic mirror and accessories can yield considerable aesthetic dividends,” he observes.
Dupont reserves special emphasis for curtains. “I always advocate for investing a tad more on them. Quality curtains, fashioned out of elegant fabrics, can dramatically elevate the overall vibe of a room.”
A recent project Dupont undertook revolved around a Swiss expatriate’s spacious rental in Hong Kong’s Mid-Levels district. The tenant, having relocated with minimal belongings, entrusted Dupont with the task of refurbishing the apartment. One of the standout transformations was the reimagining of a nondescript corner of the living room into a refined dining area.
Dupont’s creativity birthed a plush, easily removable mohair banquette, synergized with a custom-made marble table and four retro dining chairs. This arrangement offers the tenant a stylish dining space and an ergonomic workstation.
Another highlight was optimizing the panoramic city vistas. Dupont curated a collection of low-rise furniture pieces, marrying bespoke creations with revitalized vintage treasures. Verdant plants, striking artworks, and handpicked ornaments further enriched the setting. Adjacently, a terrace metamorphosed under Dupont’s hand, evoking the charm of a quintessential European courtyard.
The apartment’s entrance, characterized by a peculiarly curved section, also presented a challenge. “The space’s dimensions posed constraints. It wasn’t suited for a desk, and while a shoe rack was an option, it wouldn’t have added aesthetic value,” muses Dupont. The eventual choice? An arresting art wall amalgamated with a bar, transforming the entrance into a showstopper.
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