The bustling pace of life in Hong Kong contrasts sharply with the free-spirited coastal atmosphere of Tulum, Mexico. Yet, it was precisely this casual seaside town—known for its simple whitewashed buildings adorned with elegant Romanesque archesthat caught the attention of designer Frankie Leung when tasked with adding a laid-back feel to an average Hong Kong flat measuring just 461 square feet.
Famous as well for its Mayan archaeological sites, Tulum has become synonymous with a style that is presently fashionable within particular high-end interior design communities.
It's not just Leung's clientele, who own the two-bedroom, one-bathroom units, Tseung Kwan O The south-facing apartment needed no introduction; its charm was well-known. For Kenneth Lau, who works as a property manager, and his partner Helen Leung, a manager at a financial regulatory body, it offered a serene retreat for them and their feline friend, Simba.
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"I wasn't sure about the style I desired initially, so I shared many reference pictures with Frankie, showcasing various styles," explains Helen.
Frankie Leung, the founder and creative director of House of Forme, with an inclination towards curved designs, textured finishes, and earthly, natural tones, believed that incorporating the Tulum style would unify the couple's concepts.
Helen also emphasized the importance of storage. She mentioned, "Nonetheless, I wasn’t keen on having numerous cabinets scattered throughout my home."
Drawing inspiration from the natural elements prevalent in contemporary Tulum interior design, Leung created a rounded Italian-plastered wall that extends from the entryway to the living space.
A graceful curved niche along the room’s main axis boasts brass-edged walnut cabinets below and exposed shelves above, offering space for shoes and tableware while showcasing the homeowners’ keepsakes from their travels. Helen mentions that she particularly loves the arch.
"She expresses her affection for it as it captures the core of the flowing curved design seen throughout the home,” she explains. “This elegant artwork makes a striking first impression on visitors upon their arrival.”
A semicircular cabinet above the TV and a coffee table designed like a tree trunk next to the sofa maintain the sculpted look of the furniture. The light fixtures are made from brass and glass or woven rattan Helen and Kenneth value the varied temperature options in the lighting plan suggested by Leung, featuring soothing yellows for calm areas and vibrant whites for functionality in spaces like the kitchen and bathroom.
The former proprietor had added a glass partition intended to create something akin to an enclosed kitchen, but since it was not serving any practical function, Leung took out the divider and replaced it with a counter-like island capable of seating four people. This addition helps define the spacious layout; acting as both a dinner table for meals, a workspace for remote tasks, and a gathering spot during get-togethers with buddies thanks to its durable terrazzo top.
The hand-applied glazed Moroccan Zellige tiles add a shimmering touch to the kitchen’s predominantly muted color scheme of weathered walnut cabinets, marble countertops, and the smooth cream-colored travertine island.
The hallway connecting the two bedrooms and the bathroom was designed by Leung as an arched gateway. He aimed to offset the home’s limited size by giving visitors the sense of entering a separate zone. “Since it’s a confined space, we opted not to include numerous doors so as not to disrupt the ambiance,” he explains.
Towards the distant part of the room, your gaze is attracted to two arched steps followed by slim display shelves that lead you into the primary sleeping area.
The bedroom already featured a partly elevated floor, which Leung tore down and replaced with a more practical platform offering ample storage space beneath. Additionally, he installed a vintage-style wicker-embedded wardrobe along with open-woven bedside lights that emit a soft, lantern-like radiance.
The distinctive architecture found in Tulum stands out as a major draw for visitors to the bustling Mexican resort destination. However, according to Leung, this architectural approach goes beyond fleeting fads. She explains, "This design embodies a lifestyle that emphasizes eco-friendliness, harmony with the natural environment, and genuine cultural heritage. Such elements are not typically seen in Hong Kong, which makes this compact living space truly remarkable."
And despite having never visited Tulum , Helen and Kenneth get to enjoy its atmosphere indirectly, each day.
Living and dining area
Curved cabinet crafted and designed by House of Forme (houseofforme.com). The sofa, area rug, brass wall sconce, and wicker hanging light fixture were all bespoke creations manufactured at facilities in Guangdong. The oak floorboards and the muted Venetian plaster for the walls were provided by the contracting team.
Living area detail
The arched woodwork above the television, along with the short cabinet beneath it—both offering storage solutions—were crafted by Frankie Leung. A decorative candle from Zara Home (zarahome.com) adds an extra touch of style.
Kitchen
Granite countertops paired with wood cabinets adorned with brass trimmings and decorative frosted glass panels above, crafted by House of Forme. Handmade glazed beige zellige mosaic tiles sourced from Zellige-Tiles.com via Etsy. Corston brass fixtures obtained from Archetypal. A rattan dining chair bespoke-made in Guangdong.
Corridor to bedroom
Island dining table, designed and built by House of Forme. Wall lamp, custom made in Guangdong.
Main bedroom
Curved plaster-finished steps, showcase cabinet, bed frame, and storage platform—all crafted and produced by House of Forme.
Entrance
The curved entry niche features a matte Venetian plaster finish applied by the contractor. The mirror is from Zara Home. Additionally, two custom-made wooden stumps serving as stools were crafted in Guangdong.
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The article initially appeared on the South ChinaMorning Post (www.scmp.com), which is the premier source for news coverage of China andAsia.
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