Home tour: Inside a Mediterranean-inspired villa with feng shui elements in Discovery Bay, Hong Kong

Prior to this project, the home had just undergone a renovation—it is the result of two villas merged into one. “While the architectural shell was set, our role was to bring soul to the space through thoughtful interior design,” says El Zeky.

The design process kicked off with a thorough client interview—what El Zeky calls “an ‘immersion’ to uncover their desires and aversions”. It allows the designer to create a narrative that draws from the clients’ personal stories, memories and aspirations, she adds. She then created tailored solutions to the clients’ needs, which included the desire for feng shui philosophies to be applied, as well as the need for personal spaces in the bedrooms, which led to the incorporation of custom-designed furniture.

The natural light flooding each room from the nearby beach played a crucial role in El Zeky and her team’s choice of colours, textiles and shapes. “It inspired and led us to a harmonious blend of natural woods, travertine and soft materials, complemented by commissioned artworks.” 

In the bedroom, its slanted high ceilings immediately caught the designer’s eye—it “evokes a Mediterranean ambiance that is rare in Hong Kong”. This feature inspired the design of a bespoke sofa, conceived in a single brushstroke to mirror the ceiling’s slant while adhering to feng shui principles.

In the lounge, the designer added a bespoke oak console that doubles as a bar and a sculptural statement piece. 

The adjoining living room features contemporary designer pieces, including a striking, two-meter-high handcrafted  Allied Maker floor lamp and an Arvo Ray Studio table lamp, which El Zeky says reinforces the home’s elegant and crafted character.

The family room takes inspiration from the vibrant use of colour by the late Mexican architect Luis Barragán, whose work remains influential almost four decades after his death. The designer chose a soft, uplifting pink hue that shines through a custom L-shaped sofa, upholstered with a Pierre Frey fabric. A Beni Rugs Moroccan rug, meanwhile, evokes a cosy atmosphere and invites relaxation. Works by Monika Gardyla and Anne Nowak add visual interest to the space.

A collection of mixed media art pieces and objects, curated by El Zeky, are displayed throughout the home. These include delicate wall pieces by ceramic artist Barbara Raimondo, an artwork by Alessandra Williams, a painting by Semaan Khawam, a collage by Monika Gardyla, a print by Anne Nowak and a photograph by Katie Burdon.

Throughout the project, El Zeky says she and her team adopted “a collector’s mindset”, curating art and unique decor elements that bring what she calls a magical touch to the home. “Our clients want personalised, singular spaces, and we are committed to infusing creativity into every corner, regardless of the project size.”

Looking back on it all, the designer considers “turning the house into a home imbued with soul and character” to be the most significant transformation; the client, she adds, had expressed amazement at how “fresh, welcoming, original and full of artistic charm” the home was.

“It’s a magical feeling when clients express newfound joy in their space; when they are excited to entertain and share their home with loved ones. For us, that means our mission is accomplished.”

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