Nature, space and serenity. Model Angie Ng knew exactly what she was looking for in a home, and being a new mother was a fundamental component in her home search. “I didn’t need the hustle and bustle nor the convenience as much”, she explains. “I craved nature, space and a sense of calm. This space ticked all the boxes.”
The space in question is Angie’s two-storey home in Stanley which boasts lofty ceilings, a sweeping ocean view and a sense of calm that makes it hard to believe you’re still in Hong Kong. Sliding glass doors flood the living room with natural light, opening to a spacious patio and sea views as far as the eye can see. Inside, you can find an eclectic array of furniture from soft fluffy rugs and throws to a bespoke wooden coffee table alongside plants, art and other little trinkets and memorabilia. It feels all at once chic and contemporary yet relaxed and intimate – qualities that reflect Angie’s own personality. “I wanted the space to be authentically us and to ‘feel good’. I didn’t want to have an overly curated home which felt too expensive to sit in”, Angie acknowledges.
The Noble Souls by Timothy Oulton couch is surrounded by digital art, while a bespoke wooden coffee table grounds the room with a rustic, down-to-earth feel.
Art plays an integral role throughout the home, from more traditional paintings and sculptures to a growing collection of digital art. Angie’s husband is James Neary, the co-founder of the Digital Art Fair & Banksy Tour, and she credits him for the resounding influence he’s had on her art journey. A large Noble Souls Timothy Oulton couch is surrounded by a Chinese ink painting by Yang Yong Liang and NFTs by Daniel Cannogar and Refik Anadol. Angie’s favourite is another piece by Anadol – using Google Quantum AI’s research data and algorithms, a parallel universe is reimagined within a square screen. “It represents the future of art. It’s also so mesmerising and I often get lost just looking at it”, Angie muses. “Our art is an expression of our personality and who we are, which can be a mixture of different emotions: sometimes peaceful, sometimes fun, sometimes a bit sad and angry.”
Wooden furniture and plants can be seen everywhere in the room, reflecting Angie's admiration of nature and the outdoors.
The stairwell is almost a miniature gallery space, with artworks including “Witness Baghdad” by Halim Al-Karim, “Social Distancing” by Pejac and "Rice Terraces" by Edward Burtynsky.
The stairwell, too, is lined with large painted canvases and a quirky Brillo sculpture created in a collaboration between Daniel Arsham and the Andy Warhol Foundation. This lineup is already different from a previous visit to Angie’s home – the Banksys that were once there are gone, replaced with pieces by Spanish painter Pejac and contemporary Iraqi artist Halim Al-Karim. “Our art constantly rotates”, Angie notes. “It’s a great way to keep our space fresh.”
Angie strikes a pose next to one of her favourite NFT artworks by Refik Anadol.
Angie's minimalist bedroom is brought to life with colourful trinkets and a fluffy throw.
Another way she incorporates colour and art is through murals and wallpaper. A commissioned mural by local artist Natari adds life and character to her son Damian’s room, while fun jungle wallpaper line the downstairs bathroom and Damian’s playroom. “I love wallpaper and I used them in these rooms for different reasons. In the bathroom I wanted to add some soul so I decided on this fun, eclectic jungly wallpaper. As for the playroom, it was the only room in the house which had no windows and I knew right away I needed something to brighten it up.”
For her bedroom, Angie kept things simple and minimal: the view that she wakes up to is art in itself, an idyllic scene framed by two curtains and yet another fluffy rug covering the dreamy window nook. “It’s so comforting, warm and peaceful with the sea view. I really feel like I’m on a vacation everyday”, Angie laughs.
Angie’s Clip bed by Molenti & Co looks directly out to the sweeping oceanview.
Equal parts tranquil and captivating from the surrounding environment and intriguing art, Angie’s home toes a delicate line of calm and electric. Curating this sanctuary was no easy feat, although it did come naturally. “It was about creating a space that felt ‘us’ but still within a certain budget as we are renters and have to factor that in”, Angie explains. “I didn’t want a space that was too cookie cutter so I took my time to put the house together with pieces we already had while adding some new ones to the mix.”
A Robert set from Patio Mart overlooks the waterfront on Angie’s spacious patio.
Bringing the outdoors within was also important to Angie, who sought to make the most of her home’s soothing environment. Blending the boundaries between the two, indoor plants are peppered throughout the home, with earthy browns and deep greens offering a rustic and organic juxtaposition to the hefty range of contemporary artwork. “I wanted the house to compliment the nature we are so blessed to be around”, Angie says. Each space in the house succeeds in this goal, with some rooms leaning more into natural textures like wood and jute while others nodding to the couple’s love and passion for the wild and unexpected.
The minimal bathroom is a place for Angie to unwind and relax.
“Every room to me has its own soul and vibe which harmoniously becomes our eclectic comfy home. It was about creating a space where we felt welcome, good and comfortable.” And that’s exactly what she did.
Editor
Carina Fischer
