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Transforming a House into a Home

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When Regina and Antonio Sousa eventually decided to buy an apartment in Macau, it was after many years of contentedly renting.  But in the beginning of 2004, the property market suddenly took off as a result of the opening up of the gaming industry a couple of years earlier, and this started a period of astonishing economic growth in the city, which in turn drove up home prices.  Owners started to see big gains and wanted to sell. 

“Very soon our own landlord wanted us to leave so he could sell,” explains Regina. “We had two young children and we realized it was time to put down roots; the kids needed a proper home”.

They settled on a new building in a down-town area close to the Lisboa Hotel.  

“It was a perfect location for us, within easy walking distance of the Portuguese School for our daughter, and the School of the Nations for our son. When we bought, you could see across the harbor to Taipa from our balcony; there was no StarWorld, no Wynn, no MGM, no NAPE, it was a very different landscape to what it is today!” laughs Regina.

“I fell in love with the apartment the moment I walked into the large living area and big, big kitchen.  There was just a simple gas burner for cooking, but we saw the potential of the space immediately”.

Most of their savings went into buying the apartment so the Sousas were on a tight budget when it came to turning it into the home they wanted.  The main job was to move the corridor leading from the living room to the bedrooms.  At that stage there were only three bedrooms and the master bedroom was enormous. They needed four bedrooms, so as to be able to welcome visiting family and friends, and by moving the corridor to take in part of the master bedroom, the space on the other side of the corridor could then be made into a good-sized guest bedroom and ensuite.  

With the repositioning of the corridor, some additional hidden storage space was also possible, and a cozy ante-room feature was designed at the end where it joins the two bedrooms for the children.  A gorgeous tall, red lacquer cabinet sitting on a unique square base takes pride of place here and holds the household’s linen.

“We brought some of our rattan furniture with us from the rental apartment, but we realized that we wanted to get some nice new things,” says Antonio.  “Our leather sofa came from AREA and has done us well these past twelve years.  All the main furniture we designed ourselves and had it made in China.  Very simple, modern, clean designs were our aim.   

“The three shelves, the coffee table, TV consul and low chest behind the sofa are all solid, repurposed old elm redesigned to modern shapes and function, with beautiful wood grain that gives light and life to the pieces”.

Separating the front entrance hallway from the living room is a section of wall that forms a room divider, painted in a ‘muddy’ deep red that looks stunning against the other stark white walls.  An old wood hanging bought many years ago from an antique shop in China further enhances the look.  

Other artwork and objet d’art – the papier mache jars, the lacquered and metal bodices in the bedroom that display Regina’s necklace collection and various little ornaments – come from Vietnam, Cambodia, “from trips we did from all over Asia.  There’s a story behind every piece, a trip, an adventure,” smiles Regina.

Soft furnishings are a mix of reds, oranges and browns, and the living room curtains are a luscious pink-gold-honey-dew melon silk, with luxurious sheen giving a sense of warmth and coziness.  In contrast, a beautiful Indian carpet in multi-muted colours, lies under the coffee table.

Not all the furniture in this home is modern; there are a number of much-treasured old Chinese pieces as well.  A bride’s dowry cabinet sits at one end of the dining room, a useful storage place for tableware and glasses.  Then there’s a narrow, light wood cabinet with stylized bamboo, open fret-work on the top section.  

“And we kept our old wicker dining chairs,” says Regina, “I couldn’t find anything else that were as comfortable or would go better with the dining table.  Likewise the parquet wood flooring that was original to the apartment.  Over time we see that it’s been so solid, durable and in good condition that we didn’t have the heart to replace it, and we really like the colour and sheen”.

Some old things did have to go however, including the tiling and fittings in the master bathroom.

“We removed the lot and put in all new white basin, toilet and bath.  The vanity counter was upgraded using solid teak wood treated against water.”

The balcony has been transformed into a little oasis.  Calcada tiles on the floor acknowledge that we are in Macau, and white wicker furniture and palm plants finish off the look.

The heart and soul of many a home could be said to be the kitchen, and perhaps this is true too of the Sousa residence.  They have converted the large space that they fell in love with when first viewing the property into a thoroughly functional and modern kitchen that has a warm inviting feel.  Floor-to-ceiling solid wood cabinets provide plentiful storage.  White tiles and stainless steel splash back, with a cream counter top give it a clean, sleek look. 

The light brown concrete floor is a modern, utilitarian, yet very attractive alternative to the usual floor tiles.  And dining in casual surroundings being part of most Portuguese families’ lifestyles, the breakfast-nook, with table and benches is where Regina, Antonio and their two children eat the majority of their meals.  

Two stunning red lacquer-on-wood paintings from travels to Hoi An, south of Da Nang in Vietnam hang on the walls above. 

The Sousas have decided to move back to Europe now that the children are studying there and it was with a heavy heart that they have now sold their apartment, “but we leave with extremely happy memories of living here and a deep love for Macau, so who knows, one day we may return.”

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