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Le French touch

A four-bedroom home in Clearwater Bay fit for a family

When Alix Delahaye, a digital content creator and founder of cooking school ‘Cooking with Alix’ and her husband Thibault, who works in finance arrived in Hong Kong three years ago, they settled in Tai Hang, just above Victoria Park. Having experienced very traditional childhoods in the French countryside, bustling city life was an exciting change. However, when their son, Henry, arrived, they craved a quieter environment and some outdoor space to call their own.

Eighteen months ago, the family relocated to a four-bedroom home in Clearwater Bay and have since welcomed their daughter, Diane. Alix explains how in little over a year, she transformed this rental property into a tranquil haven in which to raise her two little tykes.

Can you walk us through the house?

So, you’ll enter on the ground floor, which has been transformed into a self-contained guest annex with plenty of wardrobe space, private access to the garden, an ensuite bathroom and a helper’s room. Up on the first floor, is a large open plan living space with an abundance of natural light and floor-to-ceiling windows, a play area with adjoining kitchen, another helper’s room and a separate washroom. On the second floor are three generously sized bedrooms (a nursery, child’s room and the master bedroom) plus a shared bathroom. Above is a large rooftop with panoramic views over Clearwater Bay.

What do you like about living in Clearwater Bay?

I love that we are submerged in nature, it’s all around us - the hills and jungles on one side and the sea on the other. It’s great for kids, they really enjoy having the garden to play in and all the hiking trails which can be accessed a few

Guest annex on the ground floor

minutes walk from our house.

How would you describe the look and feel of your home?

Our home represents us. It’s an eclectic mix of cosy furniture, souvenirs and decorative pieces which we’ve collected over the years. We tend not to overthink the decor, we just follow our instinct and go with what feels right.

What’s your inspiration behind the decor?

I like typical Parisian interiors which tend to be a blend of different vintage and modern styles. I love reading home decor magazines and I do lots of research on Instagram. When it comes to sourcing furniture, if I have a ‘crush’ on a certain piece I will buy it and we work the rest of the decor out accordingly.

Where can we see your personality in this home?

My home is ruled by one principle which is that each thing has a precise purpose and should stay in one place. I’m a bit obsessive in that way. I hate mess - can you believe I have two kids!?

Where can we see your native French side coming through?

In France it’s common to play with styles and mix things up without caring too much. The same goes for fashion. I just combine whatever I enjoy. We have a term which translates as ‘cabinets of curiosities’ and describes rooms full of interesting objects collected over the years - I like to think of my house a little like one of those fascinatingly odd places.

Alix with her son Henry

How much input does your husband have in the design?

My husband is a very practical person, which compliments my personality perfectly. If I go a little too crazy and overlook practical aspects of the design, he’ll challenge me. He also pushes me to reuse things we already have, which is great since I often consider buying something new.

Jumping on the bed

What’s your favourite room in the house?

Without a doubt, it’s the living room - firstly because of the floor-to-ceiling windows which look out onto nature and greenery and secondly, because that’s the room where we spend the most time as a family.

What’s your favourite piece of furniture?

A desk that I found in the street where we used to live in Paris. There were a few people interested so I had to fight for it. I painted it green - my favorite colour and it gives our living room a great antique feel and adds a pop of colour too.

Which aspect of your home are you most proud of?

The use of space. Our house is easy to navigate and it feels functional and balanced. I think that it’s important that your environment reflects your personality since this will contribute to your confidence and wellbeing on a daily basis. My house brings me a feeling of inner peace.

What was the last thing you brought?

I brought some things for our new helper’s room. It’s important to us that we accommodate our aunties as well as ourselves and so I really pay attention to the decor and try to create harmony in their bedrooms.

As an expat, do you struggle to invest in longterm pieces?

Absolutely not. Being an expat is still a page of your life, I hate that feeling of something being so ‘temporary’, as if now doesn’t matter. I’m happy to relocate with meaningful pieces of furniture. It’s also better for the planet to invest in longlasting pieces rather than rebuying cheaper items every time you move.

Did you child-proof your home?

No. I believe it’s better to teach children, rather than proof everything. Plus, I find childproofing hideous.

What’s a perfect day at home?

We start with a copious homemade breakfast. Then we’ll play and chat in our PJ’s all morning. We’ll water the plants in the garden (and sometimes Henry too!). Lunch is on the rooftop, under our canopy. Then a good nap or quiet reading time for everyone. At 5pm, it’s apéro time! When we’re at home we want to live as well as we would in a hotel, every moment of the day needs to be the best, especially the meals!

What would you change about this house?

That’s a hard question, since we love 99% of it. A garden patch and a built-in pool would be amazing. Oh, and we’re planning to ask our landlord to change the living room floor next year, I hate it!

Any tips for decorating a new home?

Look for something that inspires you. Don’t just buy what everyone else buys. Take inspiration from places where you enjoy the atmosphere - restaurants, hotels etc. And don’t be afraid to mix and match. Also, always consider buying second hand - there are some amazing bargains to be had!

Plenty of space to play in the living area

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