What makes an ideal home? This is a question everybody has a different answer to. For Bonnae Gokson, founder of Sevva and Ms B’s Cakery and the former Regional Chief of Image and Communications for Chanel Asia Pacific, the ideal home does not need to be huge, but it must be filled with “light, arts and music”. These poetic ideas are realised in her Sydney residence. Located in Darling Point, a harbourside suburb, Gokson’s home overlooks a beautiful view of Sydney and is filled with a collection of precious art from around the world, making it a sanctuary where she can relax and wind down. In Gokson’s words, her home is “a dream bachelorette’s pad, peaceful and always dotted with fresh flowers everywhere.”
15 years have passed, yet Gokson still vividly remembers the day she first saw the house. “During the time I recall still working with Chanel as Regional Director of Image & Communications – Asia Pacific. The PR of Australia then was showing me the most beautiful parts of Sydney.” The house had been unoccupied for two years, but for Gokson, it was love at first sight. “Well, it was a most glorious day and when I saw it, it took me less than 10 minutes to say ‘I’ll take it!’” That feeling of falling in love with her home at first glance followed Gokson as she started to build her ideal abode and life. “You can’t beat the weather and natural surroundings in Sydney… What’s not to like when I have a fantastic view of Rushcutter Bay overlooking pretty sailboats, and the Sydney Harbour Bridge with constant fireworks in front of me. There’s tranquillity and stunning views in this exclusive Eastern suburb.” From Gokson’s window, Sydney’s unique scenery looks like a painting, and the beautiful creatures that inhabit it have become an everyday delight to Gokson. “Colourful cockatoos would fly to my terrace in the morning and we got to see the most fiery opalescent skies with fruit bats flying about during sunset. Show me a place in Hong Kong with that!”
The terrace of the home overlooks a beautiful view of Rushcutters Bay.
The house might not be huge, but it is Gokson’s very own “luxurious little pad”. She opened up two rooms and transformed it into her wardrobe and bathroom ensuite with a split level. “It has a stereo surround sound system all over the place and one of my favourite areas is taking a bath with many lit candles relaxing to some of the best compilations I’ve put together myself. Otherwise, just lying about in my living room looking out to the view and witnessing the sailboats with their faint bells ringing is just divine.”
Out of her love for Sydney, Gokson has incorporated many elements of the city into her home. “One has to understand what Sydney represents. It is a colourful town with different pockets of artsy places to visit. Weather-wise, the clarity of the blue skies is just sublime. Food produce, such as the seafood, is excellent and it’s a city of vibrant arts.” A bright white colour palette paints her interiors, adorned with a range of furniture pieces that reflect her style. “My furniture is mostly custom designed for me by hotel designer Nic Graham Associates. Some of my drawers & wardrobe knobs are shell pieces or mother-of-pearls… quite special and yet it never dates.” The sofa bed and chairs are from Italian designer brands and lend a touch of sophistication to the room. “I wanted a modern, contemporary pad fit for easy, casual yet luxurious living.”
The home has a clean colour palette, characterised by a series of furniture pieces that reflect the owner's style.
Growing up surrounded by fine, intricate items, Gokson’s impeccable taste is reflected in her home. When asked about her most meaningful objects, Gokson gushes about trinkets and treasures she’s scavenged from all over the world, including “a large painting of well known Australian artist John Olsen, hand blown huge glass vases from Australian artists, lamp shades that was custom-made in Paris for me, crystal candelabras of the 18th century found at Pimlico Road, London that I light up for my bath time; and this rare set of Christofle champagne goblets that is large beautifully round that is said to resemble Marie-Antoinette’s breasts.”
In addition to all these items, Gokson’s abode also pays homage to her memories of her hometown. “Around the walls in my living room, there are art pieces I bought in Beijing & Shanghai art galleries.” Many pieces are from JOYCE Homewares, co-founded by Gokson and her sister. This home is not only a tribute to craftsmanship, but also embodies Gokson’s love for life.
Looking out at sailboats from the living room as become one of Gokson's favourite ways to relax.
13 years ago, Gokson went from being a powerhouse in Hong Kong’s fashion industry to one in F&B as the founder of Sevva, one of the most popular restaurants in Hong Kong today. But this transition has not always been received with support. “It’s now the 13th year of SEVVA and when I first started, many people I heard said it would not last more than two years!” Gokson shares. Sevva’s success is a result of Gokson’s dedication to the restaurant. She is personally involved with interior design, all procurement and menus, bringing all her years of experience and understanding of “beauty” into food and beverage to blaze her trail in the global food hub that is Hong Kong. “Yes, both businesses are the most challenging from fashion to hospitality, but since I love textiles, art, beautiful crockery and interior design, I’ve managed to combine and layer things easily.”
Artwork around the house pays homage to exquisite craftsmanship and reflects Gokson's love for life.
Gokson is fully committed to her work in Hong Kong. But in Sydney, she just wants to “chill and recharge”. Living in a home where art and nature meet, Gokson’s life in Sydney is as colourful and poetic as one might imagine. “A day in Sydney will usually be breakfast-in-bed with birds chirping about, then I hike about a mile to my German Naturopath’s clinic and have daily doses of blood checks and transfusions. Then off to lunch and shop for fresh floral blooms. I may go into the city to enjoy some rock oysters and visit different art galleries. Sunset drinks maybe at home or Bondi Beach and dinner at some cool restaurants recommended by my friends at Vogue Australia.”
Translated by Kaitlyn Lai
Editor
Cathy HuangCredit
Photos: Courtesy of Bonnae Gokson
