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Homes

The Red Cuisine owner Joyce Yuen serves dishes at her restaurant in Quarry Bay, Hong Kong. Many restaurants in the city are struggling with falling customer numbers as more locals head to Shenzhen for cheaper meals. Photo: May Tse
SCMP Highlights

Hong Kong’s dining battle; TV host’s insomnia struggle: 7 Lifestyle highlights

From Singapore’s dragon dance to French cultural influence in Hong Kong, here are seven stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Architecture and design

In this quiet family holiday home in Tokyo, Japanese tradition meets modernity

Asia travel

‘Not the typical Bali’: little-known beach to host 5-day annual design fair

Architecture and design

These beeswax candles shaped like fruit and vegetables look good enough to eat

Jessica Gonzalez started making candles as a kind of therapy after her parents died. Her produce-inspired candles keep her connected to them.

A variety of beeswax candles shaped like fruit and vegetable at Happy Organics’ studio in Los Angeles. The candle collection is a homage by Jessica Gonzalez to her family’s produce company. Photo: TNS
A variety of beeswax candles shaped like fruit and vegetable at Happy Organics’ studio in Los Angeles. The candle collection is a homage by Jessica Gonzalez to her family’s produce company. Photo: TNS
Architecture and design

Discover the genius behind everyday objects’ design at fun Hong Kong experience

A new exhibition at M+ based on the popular Japanese TV series Design Ah! dissects items including umbrellas, flip-flops and cup noodles.

Wellness

Are mould and toxins in your home making you ill? How to reduce health risks

Mould thrives in humid climates, and certain furniture can introduce particles that can cause coughs and even cancer. Here’s how to stay safe.

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Books and literature

How buildings and cities shape our lives, from ancient Rome to Hong Kong today

Architectural scholar Stefan Al compresses 2 million years of human habitation into 258 pages in his new book, Dwelling on Earth.

General view in Central district of Hong Kong. Xia Baolong, Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office has called on HK to improve its executive-led governance model, arguing the legislative and judicial branches should support the government as they perform “on the same stage” and should not undermine each other. 26JAN26 SCMP / Jelly Tse
General view in Central district of Hong Kong. Xia Baolong, Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office has called on HK to improve its executive-led governance model, arguing the legislative and judicial branches should support the government as they perform “on the same stage” and should not undermine each other. 26JAN26 SCMP / Jelly Tse
Architecture and design

Norman Foster’s HSBC Building was born 40 years ago. How does he see it today?

Foster says the bold strategic design decisions he made for the HSBC Main Building four decades ago are just as valid today.

Hong Kong culture

Should Hong Kong abandon bamboo scaffolding after Tai Po fire tragedy?

Hong Kong’s iconic bamboo scaffolding holds much cultural significance, but will the Wang Fuk Court blaze see the end of its use?

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Architecture and design

He turns fallen trees into furniture and he’s about to get very busy

Hong Kong furniture maker Lam Che salvages fallen trees and construction waste to make one-of-a-kind pieces and art installations.

Timber artisan Lam Che stands with some of his furniture pieces at his workshop in Kwun Tong, Hong Kong, on June 4, 2025. Lam uses wood salvaged from fallen trees to make furniture including stools and tabletop accessories such as radio and jewellery cabinets. Photo: Edmond So
Wellness

Doll’s house collectors think small with big mental health benefits

Adult collectors spend big on mini homes, furniture and decor in a pastime that eases stress and anxiety, and is booming in wake of Covid-19.

A room in a doll’s house. Photo: AFP
A room in a doll’s house. Photo: AFP
Architecture and design

A cherished Irish tradition is dying out. New school aims to fix that

At the Donegal Thatching School, master thatchers teach their skills to help preserve Ireland’s long tradition of thatched-roofed cottages.

Artificial intelligence

Lost your phone? Now you can ask your Samsung fridge to find it

The latest Samsung Bespoke fridges’ AI-enhanced Bixby assistant responds to voice commands to find missing phones and activate appliances.

Asia travel

Memories of Macau pleasure palace Hotel Lisboa as it turns 55

‘Whatever happened at the Lisboa stayed in the Lisboa.’ Macau’s first integrated resort and how it has been subtly updated for the new era.

Hotel Lisboa, Macau. Photo: SJM Resorts
Fame and celebrity

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, unveils new brand As Ever on Instagram

2 weeks before her Netflix show With Love, Meghan debuts, the Duchess explained the brand name change and how she’ll sell more than just jam.

A still from Meghan, Duchess of Sussex’s Instagram video announcing the launch of her new brand As Ever. Photo: Instagram/meghan
A still from Meghan, Duchess of Sussex’s Instagram video announcing the launch of her new brand As Ever. Photo: Instagram/meghan
Asia travel

City near Mount Fuji creates unique lodgings in unused buildings

In Shizuoka, Japan, commercial spaces are being turned into guest accommodation to draw more visitors and help revitalise the city’s economy.

Architecture and design

Crazy new Dubai mega mansions cater to owners’ wild requests

Dubai developers are going to extraordinary lengths so that their luxury homes can compete with those in cities like New York and Hong Kong.

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Architecture and design

Trees star at these stunning homes and buildings as creators go bark-ing mad

From airports and apartment buildings to beautiful private houses, architects and interior designers are using trees to striking effect.

A Chinese banyan (Ficus microcarpa) tree is situated in an infinity pool in this rendering of a home in New Delhi, India, designed by New York-based firm ODA Architecture. Photo: AP
A Chinese banyan (Ficus microcarpa) tree is situated in an infinity pool in this rendering of a home in New Delhi, India, designed by New York-based firm ODA Architecture. Photo: AP
Wellness

Can’t sleep well in your studio or small flat? Try these 5 expert tips

Do you find it hard to sleep properly in your small flat or studio? Experts offer tips that will help you get a good night’s rest, from changing your environment to reducing external stimulation.

Chinese culture

Feng shui office designer on how to create ‘balance’ in workspaces

Thierry Chow, a Hong Kong feng shui designer of workplaces, shares how she uses colours, lighting, layout and plants in harmony to make a productive space, and why there’s no one-size-fits-all approach.

Chinese culture

Singaporean architect goes viral on TikTok with feng shui videos

With millions of followers across TikTok, Instagram and YouTube, Singaporean architect Cliff Tan’s quirky viral videos are bringing the ancient Chinese practice of feng shui to a whole new audience.

Singaporean architect Cliff Tan in a still from one of his Instagram videos. Photo: Instagram/dearmodern
Wellness

Wellness is at the forefront of today’s home design – using AI, art and tech

Health-centric technologies are being used to make self-care ‘a cornerstone of modern living spaces’ – think smart mattresses, and interactive art that can ‘transform you based on your movement, heartbeat or mood’.

Using biometric data and adaptive technologies, smart home systems can adjust lighting, temperature and even decor in real time to suit individual moods and activities in our homes. Photo: Shutterstock
Using biometric data and adaptive technologies, smart home systems can adjust lighting, temperature and even decor in real time to suit individual moods and activities in our homes. Photo: Shutterstock
Architecture and design

Mid-century modern with Eastern sensibility in a Hong Kong couple’s home

A homeowner was so impressed with the understated mid-century modern refurbishment of her home in Pok Fu Lam, on Hong Kong Island, that she joined the design studio that carried it out.

History

Serving the people for 106 years: Hong Kong’s YMCA Bridges Street Centre

The YMCA centre in Sheung Wan, which opened with what were then cutting-edge sporting facilities, has served the community since 1918. Part of it is now a hostel for the intellectually disabled.

Architecture and design

Abandoned, mouldy, but couple saw the potential of rural Hong Kong flat

An innovative couple on Hong Kong’s Lantau Island show you don’t have to spend a lot of money to create a welcoming, original home bursting with colour and character.

The living room of the renovated apartment on Lantau Island. Photo: Eugene Chan. Styling: Flavia Markovits
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