• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
GO TO EXPAT LIVING SINGAPORE
GET OUR NEWSLETTER

Expat Living Hong Kong HomepageExpat Living Hong Kong

Moving to Hong Kong and not sure where to start? Expat Living is the essential lifestyle guide to living in Hong Kong.

Menu
  • Living In Hong Kong
      • Living Here
      • Where To Live
      • Schools
      • For Guys
        • online shopping websites21 fashion websites shipping to HK
        • Expat Living Readers' Choice Awards 2021 - WinnersREADERS’ CHOICE AWARDS 2021 WINNERS
        • What it’s like living in Hung Hom
        • Luxury homes for lease in Hong Kong
      • View all
    Close
  • Things To Do
      • Things To Do
      • What’s On/Calendar
      • Competitions & Offers
        • What to watch – or listen to…
        • 9 family-friendly hikes in Hong Kong
        • Great podcasts we are listening to!
        • Key Chinese events and festivals in Hong Kong - Chinese New YearTraditional Festivals & Events in HK
      • View all
    Close
  • Kids
      • Activities & Things To Do
      • Education & Enrichment
      • Health & Wellness
      • Mums & Babies
      • Podcasts
      • Kids Offers
        • jobs of the futurePreparing children for the jobs of the future
        • Language courses for all the family
        • Where to get stylish kid-friendly mats
        • Does your child need a little extra help?
      • View all
    Close
  • Homes
      • Home Décor
      • Readers Homes
        • Heveya mattress - eco-friendly bedroom furniture, sustainable productsGoing “green” in the bedroom
        • Luxury homes for lease in Hong Kong
        • Beautiful ginger jar lamps for your home
        • Where to get stylish kid-friendly mats
      • View all
    Close
  • Travel
      • Short Breaks
      • Further Afield
      • Travel News & Offers
        • Beach escapes - Gili Lankanfushi – MaldivesPlan ahead: 8 great beach escapes
        • Top skiing destinations - Whistler, CanadaStunning ski stays in Europe and beyond
        • Mongolia - kidsA family adventure in Mongolia
        • Where to stay and what to do in Thailand - MerdekaQuick getaways: Where to go in Thailand
      • View all
    Close
  • Wine & Dine
      • Recipes & Groceries
      • Bars & Restaurants
        • Carrot and lentil soup recipeRecipe: Carrot and Lentil Soup
        • Vegetarian recipe: Vietnamese rice roll with quorn mince and bolognese sauce5 meat-free meal ideas to try
        • Chocolate Tiffin - RecipeNo-bake Chocolate Tiffin Recipe
        • Fiamma Italian restaurant - tortelliniTaste Test: Peak Italian Cuisine at Fiamma
      • View all
    Close
  • Style & Beauty
      • Fashion
      • Hair & Beauty
        • online shopping websites21 fashion websites shipping to HK
        • Buying diamonds - The Diamond Registry can offer competitive pricing as a major international diamond distributor.Looking for a good deal on diamonds?
        • Where to go for pampering
        • Paraben-free skincare for men!
      • View all
    Close
  • Health & Fitness
      • Medical & Dental
      • Fitness
      • Wellness
        • Gyms in Hong Kong - best places for keeping fit8 great places to go to keep in shape
        • Home workout5 workout moves you can do at home
        • Central & Stanley Wellness - functional medicine treatmentFunctional medicine and how it helps
        • KAMA CBD OilWhat is CBD and can it help your health?
      • View all
    Close
  • Shop
      • Magazine
      • Advertise With Us
        • December – February 2021
        • DEC-FEB 2020 – $36 (USUAL PRICE $48)
        • City Guide 2020-2021
        • City Guide 2020-2021 – $28
      • View all
    Close
Home » Homes » Readers Homes » Sitting pretty at home on Hong Kong’s Southside

Sitting pretty at home on Hong Kong’s Southside

25 June, 2018 by Tara Jenkins 7 Min Read

https://expatliving.hk/hong-kong-southside-chung-hom-kok-home-interiors/

Justine Campbell is something of a veteran expat, having lived all over Asia. Now ensconced in a new home in Chung Hom Kok on Hong Kong’s Southside, she talks everything from Japanese cuisine and the hidden messages in art, to a special dog called Mintie.

Southside: Justine Campbell has lived all over Asia
Justine Campbell has lived all over Asia. Picture: Michelle Proctor

You’ve chosen to live in Asia for over half of your life: ten years in Japan, stints in Thailand, Indonesia and India, and almost nine years in Hong Kong. What keeps drawing you back to the East?

From early on, there was something about the Orient that fascinated me, and today my Asian friends joke that I’m sometimes more Asian than they are! Growing up in Sydney in the 1980s, everyone was given the choice of studying French, German or Japanese at school, and I chose to study Japanese, eventually completing higher qualifications in the subject in Australia and Japan. I went to work for BMW in Tokyo and the longer I stayed, the more deeply I fell in love with the country. My husband Shaun is currently Managing Director of the Hong Kong Langham Hotel, and many of our stints in Asia have been due to his postings in various hotels – they’ve all been fascinating, but I’m particularly passionate about Japan. I speak fluent Japanese, I’m an expert when it comes to sushi, and everyone in our family adores Japanese food: in fact, I’ve just arrived back from a trip with a 50kg suitcase of tofu, rice balls, seafood, drinking yoghurt, miso soup and seaweed! We bought a house in Niseko four years ago, and we spend a lot of time there as a family: we all love it.

READ MORE: ‘It’s weird to think I arrived nearly six years ago with one suitcase’

The dining table in their Southside home was constructed from recycled railway boards
The dining table in their Southside home was constructed from recycled railway boards. Picture: Michelle Proctor

The eclectic style in which you’ve decorated your Southside home in Chung Hom Kok certainly reflects the time you’ve spent living in different cultures: which pieces are your favourite?

It’s true there are pieces of furniture from a host of different countries: opium chairs from Thailand; an antique cabinet from San Cabo in the US; a dining table we originally bought in Australia for our warehouse apartment and shipped over – it’s constructed from recycled railway boards! There are also a good few pieces from Hong Kong, including bedside cabinets I found at Bowerbird, and a beautiful table in the living room from Red Cabinet.

My favourite pieces, though, are the artworks – I love art, but it has to have a special meaning for me, and every painting in the house speaks to different experiences, places or periods of my life. The artwork in the hall by the front door, for example, is a kid dressed up, with a peg on his nose and a rubbish tin on his head, but everyone sees something slightly different. You have to look at it really closely to work it out, but the message behind the painting is to remember the inner child! In the living room, above the sofa, the Chinese characters carved in wood are symbols of the heart and the crane: the thrust is that no matter what happens in your life, and the storms that come your way, the crane and the heart must remain strong.

Southside: Art features throughout the home, such as the wood panel featuring a carving of Chinese characters in the living room
Art features throughout the home, such as the wood panel featuring a carving of Chinese characters in the living room. Picture: Michelle Proctor

I’ve got another painting coming up from Australia called Boundless: an amazing picture of the ocean. When you look at it, there’s a sense you don’t know what’s over the horizon, but should that stop you from going out? I try to wake up every day and live bravely, and in fact the canvas in my office – a piece I bought in the US – sums up my philosophy. I have huge admiration for American scholar and research professor Brene Brown, and the piece of art depicts one of her tenets, which is: Show Up, Be Seen, Live Bravely. Her work is all about empowerment, and she did an amazing TED talk about the power of vulnerability. She started interviewing people about great love for a research project, and discovered that sizeable achievement is impossible without great pain. She posits an idea of an arena, like a sports stadium, which is filled with people. To achieve greatness, you must step into the arena, even though you might feel vulnerable. You’re still open to attack, and you may very well fall, but the important thing is showing up in the first place, and having the confidence to pick yourself up and try again when you do! I’m planning to run workshops in 2017 using the work of Brene Brown at Mindquest, my counselling and coaching practice.

What prompted you to set up Mindquest Group in Hong Kong?

My move into counselling and coaching came about soon after arriving in Hong Kong: I saw a gap in the market. I went on to do a Master’s degree in Counselling at Monash University, a graduate diploma in Positive Psychology at Melbourne University, and began a PhD in CBT while working as a counsellor: I enjoyed helping my clients, but felt like I was merely putting out fires – I would treat their symptoms, get people to a place where they were OK, but constantly wondered if there was more I could or should be doing. Then one of my clients urged me to look beyond traditional one-to-one counselling. I did another qualification to become a certified coach, and changed the focus of the company to Solutions-Focused Coaching using the principles of Positive Psychology. Now I’m committed to moving my clients beyond just being OK, to flourishing.

Southside: The family is revelling in having a permanent home again
The family is revelling in having a permanent home again. Picture: Michelle Proctor

Ultimately, Mindquest Group is about empowering individuals and organisations through the use of Positive Psychology, and it’s a technique I use myself, every day. For example, I’m currently involved in a project in Niseko: Enso Estate. With my European partners, we’re working with a Japanese architect and a Western architect to develop a residential community of 40 houses and a boutique hotel. I’m trying to find a unique marriage between two cultures, and I’m convinced I can extract the best from both architects – despite the fact neither speaks the other’s language! I’m also fascinated by the Chinese concept of chi, and how it flows through everything we do, so I’m determined the development will reflect that, and be something both special and beautiful. A lot of the Positive Psychology I utilise at Mindquest Group has come into play: what does the estate represent? What are its core values? How do people live? How do they entertain? What do they really need?

To launch the project, and to share my love of Japan with friends and clients in Hong Kong, I recently organised an event at the house with the esteemed Chef Tatsuru of Rakuichi Niseko. Chef Tatsuru flew to Hong Kong for a special six-course dinner at the Langham, where he cooked alongside the resident chef at the three-Michelin-star T’ang Court to create a menu that was an incredible marriage between Japanese and Chinese cuisine. I was very happy he could also cook at my home, and it was a fantastic evening: friends, fun and laughter!

Sounds like you’re going to have your hands full over the next year, with a dozen different new projects!

It’s true, and the property development is a big step for me; I don’t have any experience in that arena – apart from growing up with parents who were property developers! But my grandmother was my ultimate role model; she was incredibly strong and she taught me that you can do anything you want to do. That has carried me through in life. In the meantime, I’m continuously learning, at whatever I do. But I think it’s good to be a constant student – after all, curiosity keeps us interesting and young!

Southside: Pops of colour brighten the home
Pops of colour brighten the home. Picture: Michelle Proctor

We’ve also just had a new arrival to the family: Mintie the Tamaruke labradoodle. Far from being an extra burden, however, I’m sure she’s going to be a valuable new addition! She’s been specially trained in Australia to help people step into vulnerability: to help break down barriers, build rapport and step back into society. It’s well documented that dogs can actively help in schools with kids who have difficulties in reading, or those who have problems focusing, or regulating their emotions. We took Mintie to a park in Australia on a sunny Sunday afternoon, and the kids were like bees to honey: she’s very gentle, but she’s also gorgeous! There was one kid whose parents had been trying to get him to come and play, but he was withdrawn and entirely focused on playing games on his phone. Then he saw Mintie and instantly got up and came over. Mintie put her head on his lap, and he immediately started opening up and sharing that his school had a dog, but she wasn’t as lovely as this one! In fact, my son’s school has agreed to have Mintie join him from time to time – I know that HKIS also has a dog in the lower primary school; she’s apparently very popular!

So, yes, a very busy time ahead. But hopefully a productive and fulfilling one, and, for the first time in years, our own home – because of Shaun’s job, we’ve been living in hotels for many years. It’s a brand new chapter for the Campbell family!

Southside: Attention to detail is evident throughout the home
Attention to detail is evident throughout the home. Picture: Michelle Proctor

JUSTINE’S RECOMMENDATIONS

DINING

Zuma Landmark 15 Queen’s Road Central | 3657 6388 | zumarestaurant.com

Wild Thyme 401 Lee Wai Commercial Building 1-3 Hart Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui | 2577 3662 | wildthyme.hk

Mangiare G/F, 44-55 Cadogan Street Kennedy Town | 2336 3375 | mangiarehk.com

SHOPPING

Amalfitana Art Treasures Gallery G/F, 83B Hollywood Road, Central | 2543 0430 | art-treasures-gallery.com

Indigo Living 221-224 Landmark Prince’s Building 10 Chater Road, Central | indigo-living.com

Red Cabinet 1-13 Hollywood Road, Central | 2536 0123 | red-cabinet.com.hk

GALLERIES

Arthouse Gallery 66 McLachlan Avenue Rushcutters Bay, NSW, Australia | arthousegallery.com.au

Artsy artsy.net

Cat Street Gallery 50 Tung Street, Tai Ping Shan | 2291 0006 | thecatstreetgallery.com

This article first appeared in the Apr/May edition of Expat Living magazine. Subscribe now so you never miss an issue!

Want to know more about living in Hong Kong? Forging a new path as an expat

Categories: Homes Readers Homes Tags: Amalfitana Cat Street Gallery Chung Hom Kok Home Decor Indigo Living Interiors Mangiare Mindquest Group Readers Homes Red Cabinet Southside Wild Thyme Zuma

You May Also Like

Where to get stylish kid-friendly mats

Taking the stress out of moving

Inside a Kowloon home with history

Primary Sidebar

Editor's Picks

Kellett School

Best International Schools In Hong Kong, Preschool to Secondary

Furniture in Hong Kong: Guide To The Best Furniture Stores

sightseeing in Hong Kong

Top 30 Hong Kong Attractions & Best Places To Visit

Where to live in Hong Kong

Guide to Living in Hong Kong and where to live

Landing pads: places to stay in Hong Kong

Brunch in Hong Kong

Best Sunday Brunch Places in Hong Kong

What's On

Puccini's Turandot Opera

The MET’S “Nightly Met Opera Streams”

Students at Hong Kong Academy

Hong Kong Academy – Applications Open for 2021/22

CDNIS - Admissions

CDNIS Admissions Timetable: Apply Now for January and August 2021

Events & Weekend Activities - The Grounds is the city's first responsible entertainment destination

The Grounds: HK’s first ‘COVID-19 responsible’ entertainment destination

Elsa in scene from Frozen

FWD Presents: The Frozen Exhibition Hong Kong

You Rise art exhibition by JM Robert

“You Rise” Solo Exhibition by JM Robert

Expat Living Hong Kong 🇭🇰

expatlivinghk

Open
🎉 We're so pleased to announce the winners of our Readers' Choice Awards! Congrats to all the companies who were voted among the best in Hong Kong, and to the voters who won the amazing prizes. See the full results online now at 👉 expatliving.hk/readerschoice

.
#expatlivinghk #hkbusiness #hongkongbusiness #elhkreaderschoice #hkexpats
Open
Pieces for your dining room mood board!🪑We are feeling these tones 🤎
Open
Thanks Julianna for this delicious 
Easy Blueberry Oreo Cheesecake to start the weekend!
Serves 4, or 2 if you're hungry😉

Preparation time: 15 mins Ingredients:
• 6 digestive biscuits
• 50g butter 
• 250g cream cheese (1 brick) 
• 6 Oreo biscuits
• 125g blueberries (1 box)
• 100g milk or whipped cream 
• 5 tablespoons sugar

Instructions:
For crust:
1. Crush digestive biscuits in a big bowl and add melted butter.
2. Press together at the base of the cake mould.
3. Set aside to cool.

For filling: 
1. Beat cream cheese, sugar and milk or whipped cream on medium speed in a bowl until it is smooth and creamy. 
2. Add crushed Oreos and beat until they mix evenly. 
3. Pour the filling over the cooled crust.
4. Freeze for two hours and top with blueberries!🫐
Open
If you’re looking for a place to live in Hong Kong - particularly if you’re moving here and want an easy landing pad - a serviced apartment can be a godsend! @hongkongparkview is like a mini town with everything you need from a Clubhouse with full facilities to a toy shop, clothes and food shop! 🏞🛍
Open
Read our Winter issue on any device for free 👉 expatliving.hk/digital/ig.
Inside: Two inspiring home reno stories, great dining room furniture ideas, insider's guide to Hung Hom Bay and plenty of other great reads, including easy dessert recipes!
Open
How cool is this - Hong Kong-based @ovolohotels is the first hotel group to go entirely vegetarian across its restaurants, bars and food services for a year! 🌱This move is the latest in the group’s series of eco-friendly initiatives, and doesn’t this look delicious!👏🏻
Open
If we’ve learnt anything this last year it’s how much a magical view can do for your mind🌿These are just some of the properties showcased by @knightfrank 🙌🏼 Head to knightfrank.com.hk to see what’s currently available! 🏞
Open
Wishing everyone a safe and Happy New Year from the team at @expatlivinghk ❤️

📷 @lailasophiashah
Open
There’s been a buzz lately around CBD (Cannabidiol, derived from the flowers and leaves of the hemp plant) and its purported health benefits. 
Did you know it’s available in Hong Kong? 🌿

@kamacbdhk is a new HK-based company offering CBD products that can help a number of ailments, check out our article and their page for more information!🌺
Open
🎄 Merry Christmas everyone! It's been an extraordinary year and we're so grateful for your support. We wish you all a safe and happy holiday season 🌟🥂
Open
This 1950s colonial-style walk up in Kowloon Tong has been styled so well by tenant Jerome, it is fascinating to hear about the place and it’s history! For the full story and Jerome’s recommendations see our DEC-FEB issue✨📖
Open
Whether you’ve hiked up Old Peak Road or taken the tram, make sure you’re hungry, as you’ll want to consume most of the menu from @fiammahk 🍴🍅
Open
5 steps for a stylish Christmas, courtesy of Hong Kong-based home furnishing retailer @indigo_living 🎄
 
#1 Decide on a Theme:
Every momentous Christmas feast begins with a stunning table-scape. Whether you’re going for the classic red and green pairing or a contemporary setting, pick a theme that you can go all out with! 
 
#2 Organise Your Linen:
Generally speaking, a crisp white linen table-runner will do. But if you’re looking to up the ante this year, go for one with subtle prints on it. 
 
#3 Choose a Centrepiece:
 A beautiful Christmas centrepiece is the fastest way to add cheer to your party. It’s also a great excuse to show off your creative flair to friends and family. 
 
#4 Invest in a Good Set of Tableware:
When it comes to tableware, most people play it safe with crystal glasses and porcelain plates. Why not take it up a notch by throwing a set of gold cutlery into the mix? It’s an instant pop of luxury that exudes warmth to traditional red and green themes. 🍴
 
#5 End with a Bang:
What’s a Christmas dinner without some good old-fashioned crackers? Sure to put a smile on anyone’s faces, they’ll also ensure your party goes out with a bang! 💫
Open
What a view 🙌🏼

📷 @lailasophiashah
Open
Less than five days left to vote for your favourite businesses! You could win fun family staycays and dining vouchers, so make sure to vote today by visiting 👉 expatliving.hk/readerschoice

.
#expatlivinghk #hkbusiness #hongkongbusiness #elhkreaderschoice #hkexpats
Open
Jazz up your dining area with these pretty picks!⚡️

Companies tagged in the photos for more details🪑
Open
Get ready for Christmas, CNY and beyond with these fab treatment packages now available at @amooma.spa ✨

#1 BUBBLE & SPARKLE
A package for two, including an aroma steam shower, deep sleep tourmaline crystal massage, sparkling champagne facial and a glass of champagne 🥂

#2 HO! HO! HO! IT’S ME-TIME!
Designed for one person, this me-time includes a ling organic forbidden rice scrub, ling nourishing body wrap, AMOONA signature blend and knesko gemological face mask 🧖🏼‍♀️
Open
How good do these look 😍 New recipe from @charissa_and_co_wellness. You can try a free sample by scanning the bar code on our online articles 💜

Recipe: Flourless Pecan Cranberry Brownie

Ingredients

Brownie base:

2 servings of Nuzest Clean Lean Chocolate Protein
1.5 cup of pumpkin puree
1 cup of hazelnut butter or almond *
1/2 cup of raw dark cacao powder
1/2 cup of chopped pecans
1/3 cup of dehydrated cranberries
2 teaspoons of Manuka honey ** Optional
White chocolate drizzle:

1/3 cup of melted cacao butter
2 tablespoons of cashew nut butter
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1-2 teaspoons of Erythritol
Dark chocolate drizzle:

1/3 cup of melted cacao butter
2 tablespoons of cashew nut butter
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1 tablespoon of coconut oil
3 tablespoons of raw dark cacao powder
1 teaspoon of Erythritol
Instructions

Brownie base:

Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius.
Grease a square baking tray with coconut oil and line tray with parchment paper.
In a large blender, mix all the brownie ingredients together until smooth.
Pour the brownie mix into the pan and bake in the oven for 20 minutes.
Once cooked, allow the brownies to cool on a rack.
Chocolate drizzle:

You will need two separate mixing bowls for the white and dark chocolate drizzle.
Melt the cacao butter at low temperature and mix with the rest of the ingredients.
Pour the chocolate drizzle over the cooled brownies.
Pop them in the fridge to set or enjoy them as warm brownies.**
Optional: Sprinkle some fresh pomegranate and dried cranberry seeds onto the brownies (after cooling in the fridge for 20 minutes).
Open
TGIF 🌿🌿

📷 @lailasophiashah
Open
In our new winter issue we take a look at Dutch expat Nicole Hessing’s impressive home renovation in Clearwater Bay 🏡 Check out the article for all her tips and local recommendations 👉 expatliving.hk/digital/ig
  • COMPETITIONS & OFFERS
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Subscribe

© 2021 Expat Living Hong Kong, All Rights Reserved.