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Home ยป Homes ยป Readers Homes ยป Vacation home vibe for government flat on The Peak

Vacation home vibe for government flat on The Peak

28 July, 2017 by Kate Farr 5 Min Read

https://expatliving.hk/vacation-home-vibe-the-peak/

As founder of used kidsโ€™ clothing boutique Retykle, Canadian Sarah Garner spends her days helping Hong Kong parents to find the potential in childrenโ€™s outgrown outfits; an outlook that has clearly influenced her approach when it came to setting up a family home on the lower slopes of The Peak.

Luke and Sarah Garner with their children Henry and Olympia. Picture: Michelle Proctor
Luke and Sarah Garner with their children Henry and Olympia. Picture: Michelle Proctor

MORE: Sitting pretty at home on Hong Kong’s Southside

โ€œOur block is unique because they are government flats, so itโ€™s a case of โ€˜take โ€™em as you see โ€™emโ€™. This means they are bare bones when theyโ€™re handed over.” she says. “The upside is that you get a bit more space for your money.โ€ And the downside? โ€œYou have to install every utility โ€“ every A/C unit, the fridge, stove, everything. Itโ€™s a challenge to get set up, but once youโ€™ve put some muscle into fixing them up, they have character.”

The Peak: Sarah wanted a relaxed, tropical vibe. Picture: Michelle Proctor
Sarah wanted a relaxed, tropical vibe. Picture: Michelle Proctor

And character is what this apartment on The Peak, home to Sarah, husband Luke, two-year-old Henry and baby sister Olympia, has in spades. The airy, 2,000 square-foot, three-bedroom apartment achieves a stylish, yet laid-back feel, with Sarah drawing heavily on the familyโ€™s travels for inspiration, โ€œI was aiming for a relaxed environment that veered on the side of a vacation home. I like the use of palm prints, plants and rattan to evoke a sense of a tropical escape.โ€ She adds, โ€œWe like natural colours and materials with accents of orange, which is Lukeโ€™s favourite colour, and blue, which is my favourite.โ€ The beach-retreat vibe is further reinforced with a charming family tradition; โ€œWe collect sand from each beach we visit and store it in a mix of glass containers in our bathroom. Each one reminds us of the different corners of the earth weโ€™ve touched together.โ€

The Peak: Henry's bedroom has a whimsical feel. Picture: Michelle Proctor
Henry’s bedroom has a whimsical feel. Picture: Michelle Proctor

Sarah also drew on her heritage when decorating The Peak apartment. โ€œFor Henryโ€™sย room, we wanted it to be whimsical and also have a bit of a โ€˜Canadianaโ€™ feel.โ€ It has subsequently become Sarahโ€™s favourite spot in the apartment. โ€œI love the whimsy of the wallpaper, and it makes me happy to see him play in his various nooks. I especially love our comfortable reading chair.โ€ She adds with a laugh that Olympia โ€“ typically of a second child โ€“ has a room that is โ€œmulti-functionalโ€. It currently houses the piano of classically-trained pianist Luke โ€“ โ€œand itโ€™s not yet quite โ€˜doneโ€™!โ€

Baby Olympia's light-filled bedroom. Picture: Michelle Proctor
Baby Olympia’s light-filled bedroom. Picture: Michelle Proctor

Although the Garnersโ€™ home on The Peak is clearly a well thought-out and stylish space, Sarah admits that finding unique pieces for value in Hong Kong is a challenge. โ€œI wish we had more variety and quality at a good price, rather than the astronomical price tags that often accompany the items that catch our eye.โ€ Mindful of this, the familyโ€™s key pieces earn their space in the home, and most have a meaningful story to tell. โ€œWe try to collect things that have sentimental value, especially items we find during our travels. For example, the rug under the dining table was bought during our honeymoon in Morocco in a remote village in the Atlas Mountains where women do hand-dyeing and weaving.โ€ She adds that the dining room hutch is from Galle, Sri Lanka โ€“ โ€œfrom an amazing vintage furniture store full of Dutch relics. It took a while to sail its way to Hong Kong, but we love it!โ€

The Peak: The government flat is an airy 2000 square feet. Picture: Michelle Proctor
The government flat is an airy 2000 square feet. Picture: Michelle Proctor

A more unusual acquisition is the vintage brass and glass coffee table that has pride of place in the living room, โ€œIt has a unique design feature, in that it has a hole on one side. Many drinks have almost gone plummeting through the table when guests go to rest them down in an empty space! Itโ€™s actually meant to hold flowers, which is quite a beautiful effect, but we donโ€™t always have fresh flowers in there, hence the confusion!โ€ Even the Garnersโ€™ hallway is home to striking, and meaningful, design elements. โ€œThe architectural prints in our hallway are of buildings designed by my great-grandfather, who my son is named after.โ€ Sarah adds that the hallway wallpaper is from Anthropologie: โ€œThey ship to Hong Kong, and itโ€™s great for a rental as you can peel it off without damaging the wall upon removal.โ€

The stunning view from the apartment. Picture: Michelle Proctor
The stunning view from the apartment. Picture: Michelle Proctor

Of course, a key selling point for any Hong Kong home is outdoor space, and the Garnersโ€™ apartment on The Peak comes with a spacious balcony from which the family can soak up the surrounding green views. โ€œWe eat breakfast outside with the kids when itโ€™s nice weather and, post-kidsโ€™ bedtime, we try to sit and have a glass of wine on a nice evening. There are hundreds of black kites that circle right in front of the balcony at around sunset every night; itโ€™s quite a beautiful sight.โ€

The Peak: The master bedroom has accent pops of colour. Picture: Michelle Proctor
The master bedroom has accent pops of colour. Picture: Michelle Proctor

In addition to the balcony, The Peak apartment is perfectly situated next to the developmentโ€™s own playground, which really sealed the deal for Sarah. โ€œRenovated kitchens and bathrooms are no longer top of our list! Outdoor play spaces beat out the rest โ€“ itโ€™s a HK dream with young kids, as it requires no planning, no transportation and is a built-in daily play-date with plenty of other kids.โ€

The Peak: The kitchen in the apartment. Picture: Michelle Proctor
The kitchen in the apartment. Picture: Michelle Proctor

Noticeably absent from the apartment is the typical avalanche of brightly-coloured plastic toys that are the bane of most Hong Kong parentsโ€™ existence. Sarah explains: โ€œWe kept our living spaces quite โ€˜adultโ€™, but comfortable enough for the kids to enjoy too.โ€ This laid-back attitude has enabled the Garners to strike a perfectly stylish balance between a warm and welcoming family home and a grown-up aesthetic, rich in thoughtful detail.

Most pieces in the Garner home have a story to tell. Picture: Michelle Proctor
Most pieces in the Garner home have a story to tell. Picture: Michelle Proctor

Sarah’s Recommendations

Anthropologieย ย anthropologie.com

Bowerbird Home 8/F, Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau | 2552 2727 | bowerbird-home.com

Etsy etsy.com

Lane Crawford 88 Queensway, Pacific Place | 2118 2288 | lanecrawford.com

Oriental Home 20/F, Horizon Plaza | 3542 5336

Pottery Barn potterybarn.com

Wai Kee G/F, 37 High Street, Sai Ying Pun | 2522 3605 | wai-kee.com.hk

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

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Expat Living Hong Kong ๐Ÿ‡ญ๐Ÿ‡ฐ

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Thanks Julianna for this delicious 
Easy Blueberry Oreo Cheesecake to start the weekend!
Serves 4, or 2 if you're hungry๐Ÿ˜‰

Preparation time: 15 mins Ingredients:
โ€ข 6 digestive biscuits
โ€ข 50g butter 
โ€ข 250g cream cheese (1 brick) 
โ€ข 6 Oreo biscuits
โ€ข 125g blueberries (1 box)
โ€ข 100g milk or whipped cream 
โ€ข 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!๐Ÿซ
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If youโ€™re looking for a place to live in Hong Kong - particularly if youโ€™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! ๐Ÿž๐Ÿ›
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Read our Winter issue on any device for free ๐Ÿ‘‰ 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!
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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! ๐ŸŒฑThis move is the latest in the groupโ€™s series of eco-friendly initiatives, and doesnโ€™t this look delicious!๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป
Open
If weโ€™ve learnt anything this last year itโ€™s how much a magical view can do for your mind๐ŸŒฟThese are just some of the properties showcased by @knightfrank ๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿผ Head to knightfrank.com.hk to see whatโ€™s currently available! ๐Ÿž
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Wishing everyone a safe and Happy New Year from the team at @expatlivinghk โค๏ธ

๐Ÿ“ท @lailasophiashah
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Thereโ€™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 itโ€™s available in Hong Kong? ๐ŸŒฟ

@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!๐ŸŒบ
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๐ŸŽ„ 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 ๐ŸŒŸ๐Ÿฅ‚
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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 itโ€™s history! For the full story and Jeromeโ€™s recommendations see our DEC-FEB issueโœจ๐Ÿ“–
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Whether youโ€™ve hiked up Old Peak Road or taken the tram, make sure youโ€™re hungry, as youโ€™ll want to consume most of the menu from @fiammahk ๐Ÿด๐Ÿ…
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5 steps for a stylish Christmas, courtesy of Hong Kong-based home furnishing retailer @indigo_living ๐ŸŽ„
 
#1 Decide on a Theme:
Every momentous Christmas feast begins with a stunning table-scape. Whether youโ€™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 youโ€™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. Itโ€™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? Itโ€™s an instant pop of luxury that exudes warmth to traditional red and green themes. ๐Ÿด
 
#5 End with a Bang:
Whatโ€™s a Christmas dinner without some good old-fashioned crackers? Sure to put a smile on anyoneโ€™s faces, theyโ€™ll also ensure your party goes out with a bang! ๐Ÿ’ซ
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What a view ๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿผ

๐Ÿ“ท @lailasophiashah
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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 ๐Ÿ‘‰ expatliving.hk/readerschoice

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#expatlivinghk #hkbusiness #hongkongbusiness #elhkreaderschoice #hkexpats
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Jazz up your dining area with these pretty picks!โšก๏ธ

Companies tagged in the photos for more details๐Ÿช‘
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Get ready for Christmas, CNY and beyond with these fab treatment packages now available at @amooma.spa โœจ

#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 ๐Ÿฅ‚

#2 HO! HO! HO! ITโ€™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 ๐Ÿง–๐Ÿผโ€โ™€๏ธ
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How good do these look ๐Ÿ˜ New recipe from @charissa_and_co_wellness. You can try a free sample by scanning the bar code on our online articles ๐Ÿ’œ

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).
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TGIF ๐ŸŒฟ๐ŸŒฟ

๐Ÿ“ท @lailasophiashah
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In our new winter issue we take a look at Dutch expat Nicole Hessingโ€™s impressive home renovation in Clearwater Bay ๐Ÿก Check out the article for all her tips and local recommendations ๐Ÿ‘‰ expatliving.hk/digital/ig
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Good morning! Weโ€™ve got another delicious recipe from @charissa_and_co_wellness ๐Ÿ’•

Recipe: Persimmon Vanilla Chia Porridge

Serves 2

Ingredients

PERSIMMON-VANILLA-CHAI-PORRIDGE.jpg
Chia Vanilla Milky Layer:

1/2 cup of chia Seeds
1.5 cup of coconut milk
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
2 servings of Nuzest Clean Lean Protein Vanilla 
1 tablespoon of tahini paste
2 Medjool dates
2 slices of fresh persimmon
Persimmon Coconut Porridge Layer:

1 whole persimmon chopped
1/2 cup of coconut yoghurt
2 tablespoons of coconut flakes
1 teaspoon of almond butter
Instructions

Chia Vanilla Milky Layer:

Blend all the ingredients together apart from the chia seeds.
Once the mix is well blended, add the chia seeds and mix well. Place in a glass jar and leave overnight in the fridge.
Persimmon Coconut Porridge Layer:

Blend all the ingredients together until creamy and smooth. Place in a glass jar, leave overnight in the fridge.
The next morning you can enjoy your porridge by layering your chia porridge with the persimmon porridge.
Optional: Add in between crunchy texture by sprinkling some raw buckwheat groats already activated or quinoa puffs
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Pre-order your copy of the Winter issue here! ๐Ÿ‘‰ expatliving.hk/mag/ig
Inside this issue: Great festive dinner options, Christmas gift ideas for everyone, a guide to furnishing your dining room, travel tips to Singapore, plus plenty more great reads!

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#expatlivingsg #ighk #christmasinhk #hkexpats #hongkong
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