Lucas Sam is not one to shy away from a challenge. The restaurateur founded coffee shop Coffeelin in Sai Ying Pun three years ago, determined to serve up the famed Milanese GRISO  coffee, albeit in a compact, less-than-ideal space. Now in 2021, Lucas had the budget to dream big, enlisting the help of designer JJ Acuna to breathe fresh new life into the brand’s second storefront, a coffee and cocktail bar in Happy Valley. The space, awash in an emerald green, oozes a timeless elegance while still offering a warm, inviting feel. Lucas invited JJ Acuna to recreate this same sentiment in his very own home.

Lucas only just moved into his new home, a 1,071 square foot apartment in Ap Lei Chau. “When I first thought of a place to move, a few things popped up in my mind, first it must be a place near the seaside, second, it should be a dog-friendly area, and third, easy to access but I should also be able to enjoy good vibes” And Ap Lei Chau very much fit the bill. Although a smaller apartment, every design element in the space feels intentional. This is thanks to designer JJ Acuna’s attention to detail: even air conditioners have been placed behind aesthetic white metal netting to prevent anything unsightly.  

 

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JJ Acuna had Lucas’ full trust going into the process. “I will share my overall style preferences with JJ and his team, but for the most part, I just followed the approach by JJ since his work in his previous projects built my trust in him – amazing masterworks of interior design.” The two had worked together on Coffeelin in Happy Valley, a place where Lucas’ home shares many similarities. Both spaces are heavily inspired by Milanese style and the mid-century modern era, from the furniture sourced to the finishing works on the timber. “Sometimes, it is not easy to find a designer who can share the same perspective as you, but I am glad that our communication has always been transparent and joyful.”

A deep, jade green is the dominant colour across the apartment, while burgundy reds and burnt browns permeate throughout, breaking up the space with personality and flair. The red-brick wall in the kitchen adds a rustic feel, reminiscent of a farmhouse-kitchen. Meanwhile, the burgundy marble across the bathroom adds a refined elegance to the space. In fact, Lucas explicitly requested that red be present throughout, for better feng shui. “In the very beginning, I was a little bit concerned that the overused red colour will become too strong and dazzling. But when you see the red marble in the bathroom, it is quite stunning indeed”.