Home tour: a modern French style duplex apartment in Hong Kong celebrating timeless artful living

Amidst the quieter residential streets, lined with trees and benefiting from comparatively better air quality, a couple in their 50s have established their full-time residence in one of Mid-Levels’ notable buildings.

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“The couple has extensive exposure to European architecture and design, and they wanted to bring that style and atmosphere to their home,” recalls Clement Cheng, founder of Hong Kong-based design firm Clement C Studio.

“While most design in Hong Kong leans toward modern minimalism due to limited apartment sizes,” he adds. “I embraced this challenge to ‘simplify’ French style while adapting it to the constraints of a typical Hong Kong apartment.”

Spanning 4,000 sq ft, the four-bedroom duplex embodies an elegant balance between classical detailing and contemporary clarity. While drawing from the intricacies and layered richness of French architectural traditions, a more minimal interior design style employs a restrained approach to avoid visual excess.

The palette of contrasted earthy tones–taupe, dark brown, and beige–forms the foundation, while natural marble, antique glass, and gold accents introduce a sense of timeless glamour, as bespoke light fixtures and handcrafted wallpaper add additional layers of refinement.

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Meanwhile, the careful interplay of restraint and emphasis continues in the selection of materials, where craftsmanship and precision take precedence.

De Gournay wallpaper, refined stainless steel, Joseph Giles door handles, Joshua Levinson glass tiles, Claybrook marble mosaics, and Katonah decorative diamond grills collectively create a cohesive, layered material language—each element reflecting a distinctly French sensibility.

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“When working with a style like French, which emphasises details and a mix of materials within a compact space,” Cheng comments. “It is essential to balance the palette and material placement carefully, so the space feels harmonious rather than overcrowded, allowing each element to stand out.”

Upon entry, the patterned flooring in the foyer introduces a sense of refinement and visual rhythm, leading into the living room where parquet wood floors and delicate ceiling and wall mouldings continue the dialogue between classical and contemporary elements.

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In the living room, a bespoke three-dimensional embroidered leather feature wall in dark turquoise anchors the space. This is complemented by a green-accented Edra Rose Chair designed by Masanori Umeda, and a Louis Vuitton trunk chest–positioned next to the staircase adorned with intricate railings that celebrates artisanal craftsmanship.

Furthermore, throughout the residence, a curated mix of eclectic furniture adds vibrancy and character, sourced from renowned home brands such as B&B Italia, Gallotti & Radice, Bonaldo, and more.

“We travelled to Milan to handpick each piece with the client,” Cheng shares. “Mirroring the diversity of materials, we mix and match different brands–creating spaces where glamour and comfort coexist seamlessly, and where every corner is designed to evoke beauty and serenity.”

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