The story of Ming Chen’s Mid-Levels home began in 1955, when the five-storey low-rise was built as a quiet oasis amidst what would one day become a forest of skyscrapers. With its high ceilings and vintage metal window grates, the building encapsulates the charm of Old Hong Kong, a piece of the city frozen in time.
Originally the family residence of the Yu family, the home was designed to foster connection, with a beautiful wooden staircase at its centre, uniting generations. “The patriarch, Yu Chun Keung, lived on the lower ground floor,” Chen explains. “When dinner was served, everyone would come down the stairs to his house to eat together.” It was this timeless tradition of togetherness, etched into the fabric of the home, that captured Chen’s heart, making it a space where history and modern life beautifully intertwine.
Former tenant Sir David Tang and designer Albert Kwan transformed this guest room with a custom-made bed and signature red Formica flooring.
Wallpaper and green Formica floors picked out by Sir David Tang, installed by Albert Kwan Design, complemented by a handcrafted yellow birdcage light by Chen’s husband.
The story of Chen’s home does not stop here. The late Sir David Tang, a legendary Hong Kong entrepreneur, philanthropist, and socialite, known as the founder of The China Club, Shanghai Tang, and China Exchange, once lived downstairs. His distinctive creative touch remains alive in the flat, carefully preserved by Chen to this day.
The guest bedroom, originally designed by Sir David Tang and his trusted collaborator Albert Kwan of Albert Kwan Design, features a handmade bed and bold red Formica floors that replaced the original hardwood. In the adjacent room, once Sir David’s dining room, the lime-green Formica floors and wallpaper—also designed by Tang and installed by Kwan—remain a vibrant reminder of his daring aesthetic. Adding to this striking design, Chen’s husband crafted a yellow birdcage light that now hangs in the space. Though not a professional designer, Chen’s husband—a Dutch financier with a remarkable sense of design and craftsmanship—has infused his own creativity into the home.
Zhang Xiaogang’s “Bloodline” lithographs hang in the living room. The small yellow-and-black woven artwork beneath the girl is by Dutch textile artist Wilhelmina Fruytier, the grandmother of Chen’s husband, and the blue jerry can light is crafted by Chen’s husband.
The Yu family's former residence features a central wooden staircase designed to connect generations under one roof.
Much of the home’s character comes from Chen’s husband, who has a keen eye for interior design. “He is very particular about lighting,” she notes, and this is evident in the thoughtful, atmospheric illumination throughout the apartment. Many of the lighting fixtures are personal creations, handmade by the Dutchman, or sourced from Parisian flea markets. “He made our wet market dining room lights and Jerry can floor lamps,” Chen shares. One particularly cherished item is their Pipistrello floor lamp, a nod to her husband’s family tradition. “All of my husband’s family have at least one of these iconic Italian lamps in their homes.”
Kowloon Dragon tablecloth in Onyx by Permanent Resident; blue and white teapot vase from Yuet Tong China Works, Kowloon Bay.
Stepping into Chen’s home is like entering a world where, in her words, “20th-century Northern-European modern collides with 1970s Hong Kong nostalgia.” It’s a vibrant and unexpected mix that immediately commands attention. The home boasts an eclectic art collection, including works by Daphné Mandel that celebrate Hong Kong’s urban facades and disappearing landscapes. In fact, an artwork by Mandel depicting the facade of Chen’s building hangs in the dining room.
The kitchen is just as much of a treasure trove as the living room. The china cabinet is every dishware lover’s dream come true. Among Chen’s most beloved collections are her blue-and-white porcelain plates, one-of-a-kind teapots, and exquisite cabbageware. “I have a ridiculous collection of plates and bowls, picked up in Japan, Shanghai, Europe, and Hong Kong,” she quips. Chen embraces imperfection, finding joy in mismatched table settings that create tablescapes one can hardly replicate. Recently, she’s begun collecting Gien Filets Citron dinnerware and pieces adorned with the Gien Oiseaux de Paradis pattern, further indulging her passion for beautiful tableware.
A faux fireplace sourced by the late former resident Sir David Tang anchors the space, adorned with a Vietnamese portrait from Hanoi, a gold-toned statue discovered by Chen's husband, and a cherished white figurine gifted by an aunt.
A prized early work by mixed media artist Daphné Mandel.
Books also play a big role in shaping the space. As an author of children’s books, Chen and her younger twin sister have filled the apartment with stacks of books, which she describes as “a living, breathing part of our home.” Another particularly meaningful possession is a commissioned William Lim portrait of their living room that captures the family’s unique style and vibrant energy.
During the pandemic, Chen’s living room transformed into a Hollywood set for the Amazon Prime drama The Expats, based on her friend Janice Lee’s novel. She and her eldest daughter even appeared as extras in the scene, making the experience a truly unforgettable chapter in their home’s story.
Blacony overlooks verdant surroundings and the Hong Kong skyline.
The apartment has also been a playground for Chen’s three children, who have grown up within its walls. “Our son’s friends used to love coming over as kids to have apartment-wide Nerf gun fights,” she fondly remembers. Her daughter, meanwhile, used to compose original Mandopop songs on the living room piano.
For Chen, home is where life’s most meaningful moments unfold. On any given evening, you might find the family gathered in the living room, embraced by the glow of handcrafted lamps. They might be curled up on the couch, in their pyjamas, sharing laughs over an Agatha Christie mystery playing on TV. In Chen’s words, “home is a sanctuary,” a place where the chaos of the outside world fades away, leaving room for what truly matters: family, laughter, and the simple joy of being together.
Editor
Kaitlyn LaiCredit
Photography: Natalie Dunn
