Hong Kong tour: from vertical farming to whisky tasting, plus art, design and dining

Harbour North Hong Kong is hosting a summer-themed wisteria exhibition, named 'Purple Flower Galore,' designed to replicate the aesthetic of Japan's renowned Kawachi Fujien Wisteria Gardens in Fukuoka. This event, which continues until early October, features an extensive display spanning over 3,000 square feet, offering visitors an immersive floral experience reminiscent of Japanese travel. The exhibition includes a romantic walk through a sea of hydrangeas and a highly Instagrammable 20-meter-long wisteria tunnel, which are key attractions for photo opportunities. Beyond the outdoor floral displays, Harbour North has incorporated additional purple flower-themed installations indoors. These include a gigantic butterfly installation and a wisteria wishing tree, allowing visitors to engage with the theme in various settings. This event follows the success of Harbour North's previous 'Spring Sakura' exhibition, indicating a strategic effort to provide visually appealing and travel-inspired experiences for the public. To enhance the visitor experience, Harbour North is also offering promotional deals in conjunction with the exhibition. Discounts of up to 90 percent are available across selected stores on popular items such as the iPhone 11, Nintendo Switch, and the Dyson Supersonic hairdryer. Additionally, exclusive purple-themed goodie bags are being offered as part of the event's promotional activities. Access to the wisteria tunnel and hydrangea field is granted to members of 'The Point by SHKP' who sign up for free. Certain entry restrictions apply, including a limit of two people per attraction for a duration of five minutes, and mandatory mask-wearing at all times, in adherence to health and safety guidelines. The event aims to provide a unique local attraction that satisfies public interest in visually engaging experiences and offers retail incentives. Further details regarding the event can be found on the official Harbour North website. #HarbourNorth #WisteriaExhibition #HongKongEvents #FloralDisplay #KawachiFujien #TravelInspired #ShoppingDeals #InstagrammableSpots #CulturalExperience

Interior designer Aviva Duncan, who has lived in Hong Kong for over 20 years, embraces moving homes and sees it as an opportunity to refresh her living space. She recently relocated from Mid-Levels to a 2,000 sq ft flat in Stanley on Hong Kong Island’s south side, seeking a lifestyle change. The new three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment was in excellent condition, saving Duncan the usual hassle of dealing with unattractive features common in Hong Kong properties. She even provided her landlord with specific paint color preferences to ensure the walls were freshly coated before she moved in. This proactive approach highlights her meticulous attention to detail and dedication to creating a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing environment from the outset. Duncan prioritizes investing in durable, versatile furniture pieces, such as her Cassina sofa, which are designed to last and adapt to various living spaces. With each move, she incorporates existing furniture by upcycling it to achieve a new look. For her current home, she reupholstered two club chairs with black-and-white geometric-patterned Gastón y Daniela fabrics and two stools in Jim Thompson leopard-print fabric with fringes. She also designed a large geometric rug to anchor the living area, emphasizing the importance of a sufficiently sized rug for a cohesive look. Duncan advocates for embracing color and pattern in rugs as a way to inject personality and fun into a room, demonstrating her belief in personalized and expressive design. Art plays a significant role in Duncan's design philosophy, where she combines large statement pieces with eclectic gallery walls. She strategically integrates the television into her art display in the living room, avoiding it becoming the main focal point. Her approach to art acquisition is driven by personal connection rather than investment, and she encourages a varied, personal collection that is not constrained by a single color, theme, or size. This reflects her belief that art should be an extension of one's identity and adapt to different living environments. Her new flat also includes a dedicated home office space, reflecting the increasing demand for functional work-from-home solutions, and emphasizes the importance of comfortable and beautiful surroundings for virtual meetings. The flat’s spacious roof terrace was a major draw. Initially neglected by previous tenants, Duncan revitalized the outdoor space by clearing debris, adding vibrant plants from the Prince Edward Flower Market, and refreshing existing sofas with new cushions. This transformation created an inviting area for dining, reading, and gardening, aligning with her desire for a home that encourages relaxation and entertaining. The article provides a detailed inventory of furniture and art pieces in various rooms, including the living room, dining area, office, main bedroom, and roof terrace, showcasing items from designers and brands such as Cassina, Altfield, Jim Thompson, Manks, La DoubleJ, Tom Dixon, Astier de Villatte, Oluce, &Tradition, and Artemide. These specific mentions offer readers a glimpse into her curated collection and provide potential sources for similar items. The emphasis on both functionality and aesthetics, combined with the successful revitalization of a previously underutilized space, underscores Duncan's expertise in creating personalized and livable interiors. #InteriorDesign #HongKongHome #UpcycledFurniture #EclecticArt #RoofTerrace #HomeOffice #LifestyleChange #PersonalizedDecor