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Breathing new life into an old apartment
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WHEN Elkie Yip bought an old 100-square-meter apartment on Fuxing Road Middle she envisaged a cozy home that she could put her stamp on.
The space in the former French Concession gives full rein to her artistic instincts. She wasted no time in renovating the pad into her personal cocoon.
As a retail location consultant, Yip was keen on acquiring her Shanghai home downtown.
“Right on Fuxing Road — the location had so much potential,” she said. “Ten years after I bought it, this one-time residential area is being transformed into a ‘place to be’ in the city, with the nearby music hall and IAPM mall.”
While others searched for new flats at the time, Yip went for an old, somewhat run-down apartment with character. It also has a small garden that provides a sense of freedom.
The original layout featured too many narrow spaces, including a small kitchen, for Yip’s liking. She transformed it by opening everything up, especially the kitchen, which now features an enlarged dining area. She considers this the heart of her home.
One wall in the dining area has been mirrored to maximize the natural light and create a sense of more space. She also created a corridor to connect the main living area to her bedroom.
“In a relatively small apartment like this, it’s a matter of scale, detail and function,” she said.
Yip considers light crucial to a good home. Her apartment on the first floor receives little natural light, thus she installed floor-to-ceiling windows that run the length of the corridor connecting the two main rooms. This allows daylight to fill the apartment.
She also said she designed and chose everything to reflect a boldness of spirit.
Originally from Hong Kong with a work base in Southeast Asia, her respect for Chinese culture and art deepened when she moved to live in Shanghai a decade ago. Her years spent on the mainland provided a good opportunity to collect and collate objects from around the country. Her best buys were found in the markets and little shops that are often ignored or overlooked.
“I was constantly sourcing old pieces and reinventing them. I tried to reuse or recycle wherever possible,” Yip said.
Yip started to look for a house back when her vintage collection grew and she had nowhere to store the items. Her first property on Xinhua Road was furnished with most of her collection and she described it as very “art deco.”
“I love to mix Chinese antiques with contemporary art. The clean lines of antique furniture and white walls create a neutral background for dramatic works of art,” Yip said.
Each piece of furniture and artwork is dear to her and reminds Yip of different stories, friends and experiences.
Her bedroom features paintings by her artist friend Ann Niu. They evoke feelings such as indulgence and sentiment. The pieces are also a reflection of Niu’s candid and dynamic personality, with expressive, fluid brush strokes blending to form a profusion of colors and passion.
In the dining area, “The Eyes,” a painting by Tang Haiwen, has a power that draws you in.
“Whenever I look at it,” Yip said. “I feel very much connected. This painting instantly moved me when I saw it the very first time.”
There’s a daring element to Yip’s art choices. Other pieces are by Korean artist Seung Pyo-Hong and Elaine Navas.
Part of the home’s aura originates from the homeowner’s eclectic combination of styles. She displays artifacts and knickknacks in ways most would probably never think of. This mix of rustic, ethnic, modern, personal and iconic comes across as completely natural and makes for an engaging home.
Q: What’s the best thing about living in Shanghai?
A: Walking and cycling around the former French Concession
Q: Describe your home in three words.
A: Small, cozy, airy
Q: How do you unwind?
A: Listening to music and looking at the greenery
Q: Where do you spend most of the time at home?
A: Living room
Q: What’s the view outside your window?
A: Garden
Q: How do you scent your home?
A: Incense sticks and fresh flowers
Q: What’s your favorite object at home?
A: Tang Haiwen’s painting in the dining area and a portrait of me created by Ann Niu
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