Revamped by Portugal-based Boca do Lobo Design Studio, this Instagrammable apartment combines industrial chic, contemporary design—and elements of ancient Chinese geomancy

This opulent Hong Kong penthouse has plenty of eclectic design details. An industrial-inspired aesthetic is juxtaposed against marble and velvet finishes, as well as feng shui-inspired touches. 

The apartment, which according to the firm is located on the Peak, measures 1,938 sq ft and has just one bedroom and one bathroom. Natural light dominates the space, thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows that also offer beautiful views of the city, says Marco Costo, the CEO and head designer at Portugal-based Boca do Lobo Design Studio, which revamped the home.

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Above The high ceilings give the home "the perfect industrial vibe", says Marco Costo
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Above A gold-plated brass side table by Essential Home decorates the living room

“Giving the home an abstract, beautiful look” was in the clients’ brief, says Costo. The penthouse is home to a couple, one of whom is a businessman who works in the metal industry and is also an art enthusiast. He wanted to create a connection between his work and the interiors of the apartment. The couple regularly entertain at home and wanted large common areas for both social and business functions, as well as a bedroom that could eliminate “all the stress of daily life”. Meanwhile, a home office was also essential.

The studio’s design process for this project took four months. This was followed by a nine-month period in which construction work—such as wall-painting and the installation of new flooring—was carried out. No structural changes were made, however; the home’s existing one-bedroom, one-bathroom layout was kept intact.

The firm, which also offers furniture that are handcrafted in Portugal, was responsible for the interior styling of the home. “The client was interested in some of Boca do Lobo’s pieces, but was having difficulties combining them in one home,” says Costo. He and his team eventually decorated the home mainly with items created by the firm, as well as custom pieces. “The client was already a big fan of our brand, so it was a great connection.”

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Above The big windows—”one of the biggest pros of this penthouse”—can make the space feel less cosy and private. Rugs and yellow lamps bring cosiness and comfort
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Above Velvet dining chairs with a polished casted brass are one of the many pieces in the home created by Boca do Lobo

In the entryway, a chandelier by the design studio comes into sight. The high ceilings and concrete walls, which were originally in the apartment and were retained, offer an industrial-chic look and feel that accommodates the opulence of the supernova-inspired chandelier, which is made of gold-plated brass, says Costo. A hand-tufted botanical silk rug by Rug Society, which features bright yellow and a black-and-white pattern, enhances the natural lighting coming through to this area. A gold-plated brass and solid walnut wood cabinet by Essential Home, inspired by the mid-century modern aesthetic, is also positioned here.

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Above A black faux marble console against the wall, custom-made by the studio, brings “luxury and complexity”, says Costo
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Above Marble is seen throughout the home, like this side table, which is inspired by Stonehenge and from the studio's collection

The living room—described as a modern space, “filled with glamorous details that create a perfect setting for gatherings”—is decorated with a variety of vibrant furnishings. A Boca do Lobo cream sofa features an asymmetrical silhouette, which Costo says offers “timeless appeal”. Meanwhile, the studio’s Lapiaz coffee table is inspired by natural rock formations and is made of polished stainless steel, brass and wood. The Marco armchair by Essential Home in green adds a “surprise element to a monochromatic space”. 

The finishes of the pieces—marble, brass and metal—provide a contrast to the rawness of the concrete walls. Wooden floors were added, which Costo says creates a cosy environment. “The mixture of different colours, light fixtures and furniture make the living room more interesting and vivid,” he adds.

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Above A suspension lamp by Delightfull is talking point in the spacious dining room
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Above A long corridor space that connects the entryway with the living and dining spaces

The dining space, which adjoins the living room, is anchored by a table made of Nero Marquina, a quality black stone marble, while the velvet dining chairs are custom-made; both are the work of the studio. Over in the sprawling open kitchen, a marble island with bar stools, also created by the studio, provide a more casual setting. 

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Above An inviting open kitchen, created for cosy nights in for the owners

Feng shui philosophies came into play in the sole bedroom of the home. The oversized headboard was an important addition—it brings a sense of protection, says Costo. The patterns chosen for the bedroom, as well as the use of carpets, are also feng shui-compliant.

The bathroom features a show-stopping, diamond-shaped bathtub by Maison Valentina, made of fiberglass with a high-gloss black and gold lacquer finish. A gold brass wall feature mimics the look of a calming waterfall, says Costo.

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Above The bedroom is decorated with Boca do Lobo pieces
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Above Pieces in the bedroom are placed in accordance to feng shui philosophies, including this nightstand and table lamp, both from the studio's own collections
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Above The sprawling bathroom, complete with a pendant from Delightfull and a rug by Rug Society
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Above The freestanding bathroom vanities, made with nero marquina marble and gold-plated brass, are from Maison Valentina

Back in the living space, the addition of an office is what Costo considers one of the biggest changes made to the home. “We wanted to maintain the idea of an open area, and didn’t want to build walls separating the main areas.” The designer added a glass divider to carve out a dedicated office space, which offers privacy and isolation, though ensuring a feeling of connection with the rest of the home remains. It was also crucial to create a serene and productive space.

The designer chose marble pieces in neutral tones: a writing desk made of Portuguese Estremoz White marble sits next to  Carrara marble and aged brushed brass coffee tables. A Minelli bookcase hangs on the wall.

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Above A luxurious office space is positioned by the living and dining rooms
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Above A view of one of the floor-to-ceiling windows, which Costo says offers views of the harbour

“One of the most challenging parts of the project was creating a comfortable, cosy living space, while maintaining the industrial aesthetic that tends to be raw and cold,” says Costo. Creating a sense of privacy in a space with large windows was also difficult. But the possibilities in creating interiors, he says, particularly with custom-made pieces, proved to be especially memorable. 

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Boca do Lobo

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