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Interior Design in Hong Kong is grossly misunderstood by the majority of property owners or tenants. There are two parts to any interior decoration project – functionality, and aesthetics. In the West, a more frequently used term is remodeling.

HelloJack! is a technology startup powered by the Global Positioning System (GPS), where technology is employed to mobilize the trade and sub-trades. HelloJack! is also a leading interior design studio unique for its artistic prowess, superior workmanship, and one-of-a-kind quality assurance program.

Among money-mad Hong Kong consumers where economic activities reign supreme (real-estates, stock markets…) beautifying a space, be it residential or commercial, usually takes the backseat. ‘Interior Decoration in Hong Kong’ as a brand typically refers to a ‘space’ dominated by white walls, flooring is either white marble slabs or ceramic tiles in beige colour, furniture are of light, or pastel tone with little hues. Lighting fixtures are of the ceiling-mounted type…

Because the whole concept of living is centered around functionality or practicality, interior styling becomes an option not being considered an integral part of the layout plan. Inasmuch as consumers desire a home (or office) with a white interior, uncluttered, and easy to clean… the phrase ‘renovation in Hong Kong’ is therefore being regarded as some kind of an exercise where there’s only one master plan, while the rest are merely unattractive derivatives or simply carbon-copies. Following this guideline, designers and general contractors usually come up with clinical and drab cookie-cutter boxes, and that’s Hong Kong’s famous brand of interior styling.

Lighting is ‘big knowledge’. You may have a beautifully constructed shell but with poor lighting design the interior just doesn’t look right! Lighting is therefore a ‘make or break’ area. One must use ceiling lights (downlight) as little as possible but sumptuous, generous application of table lamps and floor lamps to render a space warm and fuzzy, fabulous, inviting and exciting. Except for illumination in work areas, dim lighting throughout the house is always preferred where practical.

“Renovation in Hong Kong” is a phrase denoting the typical construction concept Hong Kong households are certainly most familiar with – throw out everything old and buy new! Unfortunately, this includes pipework or electrical work that are otherwise intact and not currently presenting safety or health hazards. These installations are buried into walls or underneath floorboards, utilities such as incoming water pipes, sewage pipes, gas pipes, electrical conduits…etc… They are the so-called unsung heroes of interior design!

Stemming from the fact that Asian folks have their own ideas of what a home should look like and feel like wherever they settle outside of their home countries, the previous life of HelloJack! did numerous ‘interior design Hong Kong-type’ projects, pro-bono, in Vancouver, Toronto, New York, and Beijing the last 50 years. Through extensive travels in Europe, North America, Southeast Asia and China, our founder - Phil has developed a deep understanding about arts & culture, and local customs. Phil has been designing and curating all family homes in North America and Hong Kong since he was 25 years old.

The quintessential HelloJack! The story in the foregoing, along with the other article titled ‘Home Improvement’ under the same promotional initiative, will revolutionize the interior design and interior decoration culture in Hong Kong!

Need good handymen?  A frequently asked question in conjunction with this phrase is where can I find good, talented people in good, interior design firms?  Average consumers may not differentiate the term handymen and interior design, as if a good handyman must be good in interior design. This is a misnomer. Interior design in Hong Kong, or interior decoration in Hong Kong denote certain interior styling or interior decoration having a particular reference to a place called Hong Kong. This, also, could be misconstrued as interior decoration having a special Hong Kong context.  Another terminology we often see in glossy interior design magazines is ‘renovation Kong Kong’. Folks in this city love to link everything to ‘Hong Kong’, the downside is a gross misinterpretation of interiors that are beautiful and must have something to do interior design in Hong Kong. When in fact there are always two parts to any interior design project, or anything to do with interior decoration, or interior styling, they are: functionality and aesthetics.

Let’s start with functionality:  whether the fuse box works to accommodate all the different appliances in a house has nothing or very little to do with renovation in Hong Kong! Another example: the incoming water pipes for potable water, or the various outgoing pipes for effluence such as soiled laundry water discharge, from showers, or even sewer discharge or any other liquid waste from household toilets, etc. etc…  This pipework is buried underneath the floorboard or behind the wall and they are not to be exposed or seen.  So, are you telling me that when looking for a handyman to fix the fuse box, or to repair a leaky shower head you are to look through the Index Column in some glossy interior design magazine to check out phrases like: interior design, interior design Hong Kong, interior decoration, or renovation Hong Kong? You’d be wasting your time if you do!  All hardware and gadgets in a home are there for one reason and one reason only: to make things work, hence the functional aspect of any interior decoration assignment whether the totality is that of an interior design project, interior styling or phraseology that you’d find in glossy mags or social media such as: interior design Hong Kong, interior decoration Hong Kong etc. etc.

Now, aesthetics – making homes beautiful is not a strong suit perhaps for Hong Kong homeowners or renters. Paying too much attention and emphasis on functionality has its drawback. Interior decoration, interior design and interior styling in Hong Kong all have a lot to do with making a home beautiful, attractive, warm and fuzzy. Once all the wiring and piping are done homeowners/renters must start thinking about interior styling, in other words, what do you want your apartment to look like - what furniture pieces to buy and how to place them in which corner, colour scheme, tonal quality, knickknacks, planters, wall arts, and the whole nine yards.