Insight school, Hong Kong in Hinge Magazine

Insight school of Interior design, Hong Kong in Hinge Magazine : Let Them Have Better Design

Eve Mercier is determined to transform Hong Kong’s ‘internal landscapes’ through the “little soldiers” she is training at the institute she founded, the Insight School of Interior Design, Hong Kong .And she has plenty of inspiration for her mission…

In 2010, Japanese artist Takashi Murakami filled the Palace of Versailles with his works, marking the first of a series of collaborations between contemporary artists and the royal chateau that was once was the centre of political power in France. While the exhibition generated renewed interest in the grand dame, it also sparked a flurry of controversy. Many protested that more is less, and that the regular art shows detract from the relevance of both the featured artist and the historic venue. Eve Mercier, a native of Versailles who grew up near the Petit Trianon (a small chateau located on the grounds of the Palace of Versailles), feels this is exactly the type of exercise that fosters critical thinking in her students.

Eve Mercier at Insight school library in Hong Kong

“Saying no is just as important as saying yes,” stresses Mercier. “When we interview potential students, it isn’t necessary for them to have a portfolio. I ask them to bring in one image that they love, and one that they feel is badly composed or designed, and we assess their critical thinking. It’s also a way for potential students to assess their own abilities.”

Mercier first called Hong Kong home 14 years ago, when she lived in the city for three years. An interior designer by training – she is a graduate of the KLC School of Design in London and La Sorbonne in Paris – she returned to Hong Kong two years ago. The idea for Insight came about after she heard comments by a motley crew of professionals who all complained that Hong Kong does not know how to design interiors.

“A lot of schools here teach general design,” she explains. “But interior design requires specific skills that take time to develop. It’s a hands-on job, with training in client management, art history, budgeting and contracting required. Through my research, I heard from many recruitment, architectural and interior design firms that Hong Kong interior designers are not properly trained. For example, one fresh grad from a local university specified door handles to be installed at 700mm instead of 900mm. Another had no clue how to plan a washer-and-dryer for a client, because he lived at home and had never done laundry before. There are not enough people fit to help architects, and most interior design students here graduate with little knowledge of art history or furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E). A lot simply replicate what they see in magazines. If designers do that, it means they don’t care – they don’t attach value to their own designs. So how can they convince clients that their designs are indeed of value? My school aims to not just train designers; we aim to train good designers.”

The Lighting design studio at Insight interior design school, Hong Kong

Situated on the top floor of a Chai Wan mixed-use building with expansive sea and mountain views, Insight’s premises alone are inspiring. The facilities include a dedicated CAD lab, a library, a lighting studio where students can study the effect of different light temperatures on materials, a lecture room, administrative offices and a large pantry. “I am very French!” Mercier guffaws. “Our pantry allows students to enjoy good food and drink while sharing their experiences.

“Many of our students are mature; they may be looking for a change in career, and come from backgrounds such as marketing, law and banking, but always had an interest in interior design. They don’t want a four-year degree. Our programme is intensive and we offer part- and full-time courses to give them all the tools they need.”

Since opening in February, Insight has seen 120 students go through its still-developing curriculum. This fall, the school is offering one-year diplomas covering seven projects, as well as residential and commercial design certificates. “I am very ambitious,” admits Mercier. “My aim is to train little soldiers with the necessary tools to spread the good news and make a real difference in the local interior design arena. I like Hong Kong; setting up the school here was a deliberate choice. It’s a very positive place, with some of the world’s most dramatic landscape. If Hong Kong paid attention to what it builds, I’d be happy.”

EVE MERCIER’S DESIGN TIPS AND TRICKS: SMALL SPACE DESIGN

October 9, 2014

Too often we fall into the “fit all in” trap when designing a small flat – everything crammed, done and dusted ! But many times the result end up looking crowded and messy. A strong focus on practical solutions is indeed a must but injecting a healthy dose of creativity and style is also important. After all, you want to live in a home and not just a box where you work, eat and sleep.

Here are a few tricks to add space, light and style to a small but perfectly formed mini flat:

Visual clutter is one of the biggest problems small home dwellers face. Over-furnishing a room and buying furniture that is too large only makes a space feel smaller. Carve extra space with built-in furniture. Custom-built features and fold-away beds and desks can either be custom-made by your contractor or ordered by specialist companies such as such as Clei.

Built-in banquette seating is also a smart way to make the most of empty corners.
Try not to section off spaces. With an open kitchen and open living area, your home will feel much bigger. Keep your lines of sight, clear allowing you to see across a room from wall to a wall. Using planks of wood running the length of the floors is a good way of keeping your eye moving.
Create optical illusions with mirrors and position them to reflect panoramic views and not just the opposite wall! Reflective surfaces like glass, perspex or steel furniture also create the illusion of more space and light. Reflective surfaces on ceilings will add depth to the room by enhancing the ceiling height as in this Gary Chang innovative mini flat in Hong Kong:

Another way to play with height is to incorporate mezzanine or half landing/floors if your flat has high ceilings.
A wall is not just a wall! Be imaginative with your partitions and innovate with shapes and materials: curved, see-through, etc.

Reclaim door space with a sliding door when you can. Sliding doors instantly add space to traditionally tiny spaces like bathrooms and kitchens. Better still are “pocket doors” that, when fully open, slide into a compartment in the adjacent wall. Good designers will also ensure that handles are inset within the door. And remember your doors don’t have to be white – use color and wood veneer to create interest.
Make extra space with inset niches and storage. Try to find hidden places like the area above doors or store shoes under stairs or concealed within bench seating. Another option is carving a niche between the joists of a stud wall. Tip: Knock on the wall, and if you hear a hollow sound, chances are you can dig a niche for additional storage in the wall.
Link adjacent spaces with the same color and flooring. Keeping to one colour increases the sense of space.
Whichever way you go with colour, always stick  to a simple, limited palette. You should have a main color and one or two accent colors. For example, go for white complemented with saffron and a dark orange. You need to use your accents in every space. Have cushions in these colours and maybe a wall in the bathroom. It will make it feel cohesive. If you think one colour is too boring, you could always add some texture. Tiles, textured textiles or tactile wallpapers are a great way to add visual interest while keeping a color scheme clean, light and airy.

A similar rule of thumb applies to materials. Stick to two or three materials and finishes. When you go for too many, it looks busy to the eye.
Opt for raised furniture. It will create a sense of light and space.
Maximise light penetration. Create light wells which you can use within floors and ceilings.
Use compact appliances in the kitchen and bathroom. (Kitchoo and Fisher &Paykel offer a good range of options.)

Know your dimensions! Your measuring tape should be your best friend during the renovation process. Learning standard dimensions such as the height of a table or the width of a door is key to a successful design. And don’t only think about plotting the right-sized furniture in your layout plan. Make sure there is enough space to move around it!

My last trick is this: Try to include one standout designer piece. Interior Design is like fashion. You can get dressed in H&M, and then you put on a pair of Louboutin shoes, and it will elevate the quality of the whole outfit. You can do the same with an apartment!

If you want to know more about small space design, sign up for the “Small Space Design” 1-day course on 11 October or 1 December at Insight school of Interior Design in Hong Kong. Find out more here!

Founder of the recently launched Insight school of Interior Design in Hong Kong, Eve Mercier is a French-born interior designer with more than 15 years of experience. After gaining experience working in auction houses in Paris and London (Christie’s) and freelancing as an art journalist for The Art Newspaper in France, Eve built on her creative skill set with a move into the soft furnishing sector of the fashion industry in Hong Kong and London (Shanghai Tang).

In 2007, Eve joined the renowned firm Candy & Candy as an Interior Designer in London in charge of both Commercial and Residential Projects. She then went on to set up her own practice, Eve Mercier
Interiors, focusing on high end residential and commercial projects before moving back to Hong Kong two years ago.