Making the cut
A hair stylist searching for a venue for parties, shows and workshops – with a crash pad thrown in – downed his shears to take up a design challenge.
Text Viv Jones / Photography John Butlin / Styling David Roden
When Paul Gerrard took on a 4,000 sq ft warehouse space in Quarry Bay, it was his first foray into largescale interior design.
“I wanted to create a multifunctional space,” he says. “And I designed it all myself so I made plenty of mistakes. It was a real case of trial and error.”
Having made a success of his eponymous hair salon, in Central, the stylist was looking for a fresh challenge and saw the need for a venue that could host training workshops, seminars, fashion shows, art exhibitions and company events, as well as serving as an occasional crash pad.
“I wanted to do something completely different in Hong Kong and I had a strong vision of what I wanted to achieve,” he says. “I could never find a suitable venue large enough to host my staff Christmas function, for 70 people, so I decided to do it myself – that is, create a funky, flexible spot that was different to the bland corporate boxes you find elsewhere in Hong Kong.”
Finding the right space took him little more than six weeks because Gerrard knew the area and was familiar with the building, which also houses his gym. For work purposes, the fact that it was easy to get from there to Central was crucial.
“It was a clean, basic shell when I got it,” says the Briton, who had help in the renovation from his father, Arthur Holmes, of Phoenix Hire and Sales. With just one electric socket, one light switch and basic plumbing to work with, there was plenty to be done.
“Together, we worked out the allocation of space – where to put the bedroom and office, the storage, the bathrooms, the kitchen and so on,” Gerrard says. “Knowing that the space had to serve many functions meant the biggest challenge was how to break up the floor area so it could be set up for different events.”
His inspiration came, not surprisingly, from the lofts of New York, with their open-plan layouts and raw industrial aesthetic.
Sourcing bricks for the walls was an initial challenge.
“Everything looked too new,” he says. “I wanted bricks that had character, that looked like they’d been used over and over again.” His father’s contacts came up with the goods, and cheaply, too.
To break up the central area, Gerrard hit upon the idea of using iron girders set at an angle to create bookshelves.
“I literally taped planks of wood where I wanted them to be – and then went away to Australia for two weeks. When I came back, it was done!” he says. “Fortunately, the girders just fitted in the lift, but they had to be mitred on site.”
Throughout the apartment, the concrete floor and walls were kept raw, a look that complements the dramatic graffiti artwork by the entrance. A big kitchen was necessary to cater for and accommodate a crowd and Gerrard opted for stainless-steel units and subway tiles to keep the look urban and utilitarian. Most of the furniture is moveable and multifunctional, some of it created from Gerrard’s packing cases. A DJ station doubles as a reception desk and, because it is on castors, can be moved as required. A central “bar” can be converted to three hair-wash stations for salon events simply by removing the countertop. In the kitchen the island unit can be rolled away and plugged in to double as a bar. There is a panel inset into the countertop that can be removed to reveal a large compartment for ice and drinks.
From the large bank of flickering vintage televisions Gerrard bought in Sham Shui Po to the pole-dancing podiums, lighting and 1970s-inspired seating area (created by nailing wallpapered boards to bare bricks), the stylist’s working/living space has all the elements of a stage set ready for action.
Dining area The wood-and-steel table was designed by Gerrard and built by the contractor for HK$6,000. The reproduction Eames chairs cost HK$700 each at SofaSale (2/F, Tung Kin Factory Building, 196 Tsat Tsz Mui Road, Quarry Bay, tel: 2541 1230). Preparing for a Christmas meal with friends and family, Gerrard realised he needed a centrepiece light fixture. He sourced the bulbs from HE (Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, tel: 2870 1400) for HK$100 each and the contractor built the industrial-style chandelier, using 150 feet of cable, for HK$6,000. The curtains were made with fabric bought from Sham Shui Po market, which was cut to length and doubled over steel poles.
