Pak Man Lee is the successor of Nuovo Collection, a furniture giant that was established in Hong Kong in 1987 — it comes as no surprise that he owns a beautiful home. Pak Man returned to Hong Kong 15 years ago after growing up and studying in California, and he has been looking for a building with history to call his home ever since. “Other than the high ceiling, this building is a lot more interesting than the cookie-cutter high-rises they erect nowadays.” The building is the first of its kind Pak Man has come across. Along with its hidden location, proximity to nature, and its colonial architectural design, Pak Man knew in his heart he had found the perfect home.
Louis Vuitton Blossom Stool by Tokujin Yoshioka, Louis Vuitton Lune Chair by Marcel Wanders, Duresta sofa, Studio A coffee table in the living room
Photo: Natalie Dunn
From the wooden cabinets with woven rattan to craved patterns that adorn the ceiling to the vintage bathroom mirror and bathtub, many interior components are actually left behind by a former German resident. “I love these details. I love places with history. Like a good bottle of wine, buildings need time to develop their character.” So even though the unit was not in good shape when he first saw it, Pak Man decided to keep these interior details. “You can create more possibilities by combining the old and the new. Even on their own, these design details exude plenty of charm.”
After completing a basic renovation, the first piece of furniture to join Pak Man’s home was the classic Duresta sofa. Following suit was a coffee table designed by Lebanese design brand Studio A, and then a Berber rug from Marrakech. As for other pieces, Pak Man explains that everything will come into place by intuition and chance. “The sofa and the dining room chairs echo the classical nostalgic air of this space. As for the other pieces, I did not match them to the apartment intentionally. To me, a home is the narrative of your life, and it will change with you, and evolution is impossible to define with one specific style.”
Having studied fashion and established his own fashion brand, the concept of “style”, to Pak Man, is fluid. “My dad runs a furniture business. Ever since I was a child, I have been trying to find my own style. Growing up in the ’80s, I have been inevitably influenced by a lot of key trends in pop culture such as the Punk Rock Movement, Rave, and Techno Movement. Fashion is still an important part of my life. After joining Nuovo Collection, I’ve been inspired by the European design scene and a lot of people I’ve met along the way. If I had to describe my personal style, it would be to find a common language for ‘beauty’.”
What makes this home stand out are the plants growing around the rooms. “I love nature. When I lived in the Mid-Levels, I looked out at a very fast-paced, bustling city. Now there is lush greenery right outside my balcony, which puts me more at ease. The plants I have at home can be seen as an attempt to bring nature indoors, kind of like a living room garden.” Smiling, he shares that he is single and has been living alone so far. During the pandemic when everything was up in the air, his plants were his companions. On the day of the shoot, he specially invited florist Masami Kuroda to adorn the house with floral arrangements, brightening up every corner of the space.
Although he doesn’t mention it often, art is integral to Pak Man’s self-expression. The first piece of art he bought, a painting by Wu Guanzhong, hangs by Pak Man’s front door. Close by is a large-scale oil painting by Francis Bacon. In recent years, he has been inclined to support up and coming artists. Oil paintings by Pak Man himself can also be seen all around his home, and occasionally one of his ceramic pieces or sculptures. Lately, he has also tried his hands at furniture making. “In the future, I hope to collaborate with local and international designers to establish a furniture brand that puts creativity and craftsmanship at its core. I am really lucky to have been exposed to a lot of luxury things at a young age, but I’m more grateful that my curiosity has pushed me to understand more cultures and to appreciate a kind of beauty that is not defined by value.”
Editor
Ahy ChoiCredit
Photography: Natalie Dunn
