How Handcrafted Wood Brings Rustic Charm to a Hong Kong Home

Hardwood HK custom built the interiors of this family home in the New Territories, creating an aesthetic reminiscent of Bali or Thailand

In 2022, when Kenzo and Lynn Ng met woodworker Filip Winiewicz and asked him to make “everything” for their new 2,100 sq ft, two-storey home, they weren’t joking. The facade and basic shell of the three-bedroom house in the northern New Territories had been finished when a developer sold it to them but still to come were most of the interior details.

Together with Winiewicz, of Hardwood HK, the Ngs stepped in and altered the trajectory of the home’s design, departing from the developer’s cookie-cutter plans and instead adopting a stylish, artisanal aesthetic that hints more at a rustic retreat in Thailand or Bali, Indonesia, than a home in densely packed Hong Kong.

“I started with a conservative proposal,” says Winiewicz, “but Kenzo and Lynn were very receptive to my ideas, so we ended up changing the entire look of the interior – installing thick, wooden beams, slatted ceilings, louvres and doors as well as handcrafted cabinetry, shelving and furniture throughout.”

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with
SCMP Knowledge
, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

Originally from Poland, where he had worked as an architect, he set up Hardwood HK seven years ago and specialises in
high-end, custom-made furniture
.

“At the time, the Ngs’ home was the largest project I had worked on,” he says, “the first time I had done a full house rather than pieces of loose furniture, and one without a designer involved.”

Rather than overdesigning the house, Winiewicz decided to create a simple framework for it that could be personalised by the couple, their daughter, Sharwae, now 12, and son, Tyen, nine. On the top floor are the three bedrooms, walk-in wardrobe and two bathrooms, while the ground floor accommodates the living areas and kitchen-dining room.

Kenzo, a software company owner from Hong Kong who has an eye for design, was instrumental to the design concept, while Lynn, who owns an educational company, concentrated on creative touches and the addition of all the plants. Together with the children, she hand-painted the stained-glass back door while her son took two weeks to single-handedly illustrate the artwork reproduced on the kitchen splashback and blinds throughout the house.

The Ngs love
wood and its connection to nature
, and they encouraged Winiewicz to keep the natural cracks and visible knots in the furniture and finishes, made predominantly from American oak. Reminiscent of Japanese wabi-sabi philosophy, which celebrates the imperfect, the transient and the raw, he also used a chainsaw on certain pieces, giving them a purposefully rough appearance.

“The blanket box at the foot of our bed was one of my requests,” says Lynn, who grew up in Singapore. “I love the textured ‘unfinished finish’ of the saw on the wood. By contrast, I also like the delicate interplay of light and shade through the precisely cut slatted doors [leading from the main bedroom to the dressing room].”

Downstairs, a plan for a sunken living room with sofas evolved into a raised platform with floor cushions for seating. Underfloor heating in this area takes the chill off in cooler months and the family lean against outward-facing shelving units with solid backs.

“Even after we decided on the platform, we thought about adding sofas but they would have greatly reduced the space and we found we all preferred sitting on the floor,” says Lynn. “It is a versatile area and we spend most of our time here doing everything from homework to relaxing.”

A popular venue for children’s play dates, the house surprisingly looks as pristine three years down the line as it did when it was completed. According to Winiewicz, this type of high-quality hardwood, well dried and properly finished, suits Hong Kong’s climate and, with a bit of care, can last a lifetime.

In a city known for its towering skyscrapers and sleek designs, this low-rise home offers a breath of fresh air, a place where every piece of furniture and cabinetry tells a story of craftsmanship and love.

“I like the dining room the most because I can see the beautiful scenery while talking to my family,” says Sharwae.

“They say that ‘home is where the heart is’,” her brother offers, adding, “Our hearts are also being filled with unforgettable memories of our amazing home.”

Entrance/Living Area

Sideboard, shelving units and stools, designed and made by
Hardwood HK
. Driftwood with air plants, and all other pots and plants throughout the house, from
Passionature
. Bowl and rectangular rug, from
Zara Home
. Clock, handmade by the Ngs.

Living Area

Beams, coffee table and circular side table, designed and made by Hardwood HK. Rug and vase, from Zara Home. Chair, bought second-hand.

Powder Room

Sink unit and teardrop tap by Gessi, from
Colourliving
. Cabinetry, designed and made by Hardwood HK. Stained-glass door, designed and handpainted by Lynn and Tyen Ng.