Grande Interior Design's Maggy Cheung on Overcoming Scepticism in a Male-Dominated Industry, Inspirations and More

Grande Interior is an interior design studio founded by Matthew Li and Maggy Cheung in 2013. It has a team of talented designers to enhance the quality of life through spaces by combining aesthetics and functionality.

1. Can you describe your design ethos? And how it has evolved over your career?

I believe interior design is a holistic discipline that requires harmonisation across diverse aspects, rather than a singular design focus. For example, for a home that comprises certain areas, it's paramount to uphold a cohesive design aesthetic to avoid stark stylistic contrasts.

In my early career, I primarily worked on more straightforward, small-scale residential projects, focusing on standard amenities such as kitchens and bedrooms. As I advanced professionally and my clientele diversified, I was tasked with creating more complex spatial experiences, such as bar areas, living lounges, multipurpose rooms, and home theatres in larger spaces. This inspired me to prioritise spatial coherence in my design approach in order to maintain a singular style across diverse functionalities.

2. Which project(s) are you most proud of this year?

The project that I am particularly proud of is a penthouse design in Sha Tin, dubbed “The Great Hill”. The client is a foreign national, who expressed a desire for a Western-style aesthetic that would align with their lifestyle and preferences. The outcome not only met, but exceeded their expectations.

This space effectively embodies the elegance of European style, merging seamlessly with Hong Kong’s modernity. It transcends a typical Hong Kong-styled European design, intertwining a Western living culture within a Chinese dwelling that successfully manifested an ideal home from the homeowner's perspective.

3. Can you name a book, movie, or music track that has significantly inspired your designs?

The movie "Hidden Figures”, which spotlights the journey of a group of talented, yet under recognised coloured women working at NASA, resonates deeply with me. It brings to mind my professional journey in the predominantly male interior design industry, where women often face unwarranted scepticism. I aspire to challenge this stereotype through my work, and demonstrate that female designers can also excel in delivering sophisticated, large-scale design projects.

4. What’s next for your company?

Apart from interior design, we've recently launched a new venture – Brand+. This initiative offers comprehensive branding services in addition to interior design, providing our clients with a more holistic one-stop service experience.