Shopping For The Home In HK

Over the weekend, I had a friend visiting me in Hong Kong, who having just bought a swanky new home in Singapore was looking to furnish it with nice little conversation pieces, interesting items that could be easily packed back without incurring bulk and an over-weight luggage surcharge.  I took the liberty of putting together a nice, quick shopping list for her (as far as in-the-city shopping goes) for her to explore in the two days that she was here.

Note that this is what I call an ‘in-city’ shopping list for quick-buy items rather than a comprehensive list that will take you to the novelty stores located in South Horizon Plaza, various hideaway corners and the likes (for those who truly know Hong Kong’s best home-furnishing haunts).

I thought I would share the list with you .. so, in case you are ever in Hong Kong, looking for interesting brik-brak that you won’t find in SG, try:

G.O.D - make this your first stop destination. G.O.D stands for Goods Of Desire and this locally made and sourced lifestyle brand features the best and most innovative of Hong Kong design trends. Alot of their items are non-bulky pieces of small furniture meant to fit neatly into the tiny apartments that Hong Kongers live in. I like the decor and feel at G.O.D, a nice cross between the trendy look and feel of the Conran Shop in London updated with a unique and distinct Eastern flavour. Their philosophy is to introduce an eastern derived lifestyle concept, as an alternative to the established Western way of living by  exploring age-old Oriental traditions and up dating them with modern consumers in mind. The name itself, G.O.D. is the phonetic sound of the Cantonese slang “to live better”. Besides small, non-bulky pieces of furniture, you can find lots of interesting souvenirs from aroma products, clocks, ipod covers, clocks, door-stops and wine holders to designer style household appliances from electric fans to coffee makers, trendy vacuum cleaners  and even crockery, cutlery, weave and silicon baskets, a mahjong table and playing mat and other cleverly designed products, all with a unique Asian designer twist. There are two stores in HK. Details at: http://www.god.com.hk/

Franc Franc - if you can’t make it all the way to Japan, there are 3 Franc Franc stores in Hong Kong. My Japanese boss (then) was an avid fan and introduced me to this wonderful store full of casual and yet stylish furnishing items. What strikes you walking into the store is how everything is colour ordered and you can find what you want almost immediately if you have a preference for a certain colour theme. Frnac-Franc carries several brands, mostly crafted by contemporary Japanese designers and the products include clever little inventions that the Japanese are so famous for (to make life and living easier). Expect small containers for your cosmetics in the bathroom, place mats, cushion covers and trendy  kitchen ware, candles and related lamps and lighting, a fabulous range of stationery and quirky pieces of small furniture that also suit smaller living spaces.

There are 3 stores in Hong Kong. For details see: http://www.francfranc.com/jp/shop/francfranc/hongkong/

Balls, Tokyo – Balls is at the Elements Mall in Kowloon which is where one of the Airport Express stations is located so you can buy, pack and run. It basically carries a number of Franc Franc  items that are higher end in terms of price. The brand hails also from Tokyo and is part of the Franc Franc family fold. This is a great place to buy designer living, dining and  contemporary accessories that are unique and one-of-a kind. Think a Christmas gift for the Boss or someone important. You can pick up anything from a wonderfully crafted leather spectacle case to a cigar cutter and even a Cuisine Art toaster if you so fancy. See: http://www.balstokyo.com/en/shopinfo/hongkong.php

 

Muji - don’t knock Muji – the Hong Kong store is nothing like the ones that are in Singapore. Muji or Mu-Ji-Ru-Shi as its pronounced in Japan has several stores here in Hong Kong and Kowloon and these stores are not the tiny ones you see in Singapore. They command big rent and luxury space here and the one where I frequent at the Harbour City Mall in Kowloon even sells its own line of furniture including lifestyle gadgets, packet foods and snacks, stationery, bags and cosmetic items and even an entire range of household linens and a clothing line for the entire family. Talk about comprehensive. Buy your 2012 Diary here, all your travel pouches, your cabin bag even that make-shift chest of drawers for your closet that will help you organise your life a little more efficiently. If you want some quick-go desserts try their instant Tiramisu, Squid Ink Pasta sauce, different cakes and puddings and their lovely instant Japanese style rice and noodle bentos that you just need to add water, an egg and some oil to prepare. See: http://www.muji.com.hk/