Meow Meow

HONG KONG – Forget everything you thought you knew about achieving your dream home. You don’t need a sprawling estate, nor do you need an unlimited budget. Case in point? Daphne Ho, a self-taught interior designer in Hong Kong, who transformed her modest 40-square-meter (about 430 sq ft) apartment into a stunning oasis of calm and functionality. And she did it all for just $5,000. Yes, you read that right.

Daphne’s journey began with a challenge most city dwellers can relate to: an “aged and worn” 1990s apartment in Kowloon, Hong Kong, that hadn’t seen a refresh since its original owner moved in. This isn’t just any apartment; it’s located in a vibrant industrial area that’s now a bustling business district, and like many Hong Kong homes, it boasted an irregular, diamond-shaped layout. Her vision was clear: a tranquil, cozy, and bright space overflowing with smart storage, all wrapped in a neutral palette with softening curves.

A Masterclass in Maximizing Every Inch

Daphne, who shares the apartment with her husband, approached the renovation with ingenious strategies. To truly open up the space, she bravely demolished bedroom walls, simultaneously expanding the bathroom. Every single door in the apartment was swapped for a space-saving sliding door, a game-changer in compact living.

Step inside, and you’re greeted by a clever entryway. A small foyer with a platform and shoe cabinet subtly separates the entrance from the living room – a nod to the Japanese custom of leaving dirt at the door. Behind the main door, a full-height pegboard keeps everyday necessities like mops and grocery trolleys neatly tucked away.

The living area itself is a marvel of custom design. The sofa, an angled, custom-made piece, is designed for deep seating, allowing it to double as a cozy “afternoon bed.” Built-in drawers below provide essential hidden storage, making the space feel both expansive and incredibly inviting. Even an existing beam above the sofa was cleverly embraced, transformed into a decorative niche for personal touches.

Smart Storage & Flexible Living: Hong Kong Style

In a city where space is gold, storage is paramount. Daphne’s kitchen, despite its challenging pentagon shape, kept its original sink and stove layout. However, she rebuilt it with full-height cabinets, including a genius narrow vertical drawer specifically for brooms and mops. And for those with limited counter space, take note: full-length bars above the counter keep drying racks off the precious working surface.

The main bedroom, designed purely to accommodate a king-size bed, features a custom-built elevated bed with generous storage underneath for those less-used items. The three-panel fluted sliding door isn’t just beautiful; it’s a full-height storage closet, cleverly disguising door gaps and serving as a dedicated dress-up and daily care station.

Perhaps the most adaptable space is the second bedroom, currently a dressing room and multi-functional haven. Daphne opted for non-fixed furniture, an adjustable hanging system, and storage boxes hidden behind a curtain to maintain flexibility and hide clutter. Even the bay window area was put to work with a custom desk, designed with two shorter feet resting on the window ledge, making it light and easily movable. A foldable ironing board mounted on the wall and a hidden full-height cabinet with stackable shoe boxes round out her commitment to hyper-organization.

A Symphony of Design & Well-being

Daphne’s design choices go beyond just practicality; they create a harmonious living experience. Arches and curves, a recurring motif, soften the apartment’s irregular shapes, with a central arch elegantly transitioning into the bathroom and bedrooms. Natural light floods the space, illuminating a perfect spot for lush plants.

The walls and ceilings are coated with Shikkui, an ecological and non-toxic Japanese lime plaster, contributing to the bright, neutral aesthetic. The bathroom, inspired by Japanese design, thoughtfully separates dry and wet areas. Even the flooring and the ledge around the bathtub are crafted from Japanese Aomori Hiba wood, prized for its anti-molding and antibacterial properties.

Feng Shui principles also guided key decisions, such as the circular dining table – a must-have for Daphne, symbolizing family unity. The dining area, a charming step down from the living space, features booth seating that wraps around the corner, maximizing seating and mirroring the materials of the main sofa for a cohesive look. Two foldable rattan chairs offer extra seating for guests, while a rattan sideboard serves as a stylish snack station.

The Power of Patience (and a Mood Board!)

One of the most inspiring aspects of Daphne’s renovation? Her commitment to furnishing the apartment almost entirely with secondhand pieces. This dedication meant the process of finding every desired item took an incredible 60 months – five years! “The key is to have patience,” she shares.

To keep her vision focused during this extensive search, Daphne relied heavily on a mood board created with MillerNote. She praises its user-friendly interface, abundant templates, and particularly its Web Clipper feature, allowing her to save new ideas with a single click and maintain a consistent style.

Daphne Ho’s apartment isn’t just a home; it’s a powerful testament to ingenuity, patience, and the belief that beautiful, functional design is accessible to everyone, regardless of space or budget. It’s a brilliant reminder to approach every corner of your home with an open mind, while also remembering to leave a little “blind space” for balance.