How personal touches make a home the perfect dinner party destination

A Generous Hostess Invites Us to Her Stanley Beachside Abode
Facebook SharePinterest ShareTwitter ShareShareURL copied

For Victoria Kelly, there are many parallels between interior design and entertaining – both inspire creative self-expression, in both she finds great pleasure and, perhaps most importantly, both are most rewarding when enjoyed with company. 

A Generous Hostess Invites Us to Her Stanley Beachside Abode

Upon entering the Stanley home that Victoria shares with her husband and their two young children, neither her love of decorating nor her fondness for throwing a good party come as any great surprise. "I love welcoming people to my home and making them feel comfortable," she explains. "A friend of mine, when walking into a beautifully decorated room in New York, commented that a well-designed room just makes you feel good – it’s so true. There’s this magic that happens with the right proportions and textures and light that can have a truly emotional effect. I feel that, for me, I have achieved it – being in my home makes me very happy."

Little Birds by Sally-Ann Johns hangs above an antique cabinet purchased on Hollywood Road.
Little Birds by Sally-Ann Johns hangs above an antique cabinet purchased on Hollywood Road.

Indeed it should – the stunning space exemplifies the mix of scale, natural light and tactile tangibility that Victoria admires. From the sun streaming in through the wood-paned French windows that run the length of the living room to the soaring ceilings, as well as the considered appointments and accoutrements within, there’s definitely something special about the family’s abode. 

A pair of mid century-inspired chairs from Indigo Living upholstered by Albert Kwan from Wing Sun Upholstery frame the gallery wall perfectly.
A pair of mid century-inspired chairs from Indigo Living upholstered by Albert Kwan from Wing Sun Upholstery frame the gallery wall perfectly.
An arresting abstract bought in Dafen Art Village adds bright bursts of colour in the inviting dining area.
An arresting abstract bought in Dafen Art Village adds bright bursts of colour in the inviting dining area.
A Chinoise chippendale chair and indigo-pattered cushion from Sasha Young Design set the colour scheme for the spare bedroom/office.
A Chinoise chippendale chair and indigo-pattered cushion from Sasha Young Design set the colour scheme for the spare bedroom/office.

Certain pieces in the generous living and dining areas draw the eye; take the gallery wall as an example. "Every single piece has meaning," says Victoria. Included among the works on display are orchid pressings by a close friend, Gemma Hayden Blest; a 17th-century map of India Victoria gave to her husband for their paper wedding anniversary; original prints of Hong Kong in the early 1900s; and a sketch drawn by her great-great-grandmother. 

A muted cadet grey headboard sourced by Sasha Young Design structures the bedroom; distinctive Indian dressers bought shortly after the couple's engagement in India enjoy pride of place.
A muted cadet grey headboard sourced by Sasha Young Design structures the bedroom; distinctive Indian dressers bought shortly after the couple's engagement in India enjoy pride of place.
Starry wallpaper endows the children's bedroom with a sense of adventure.
Starry wallpaper endows the children's bedroom with a sense of adventure.

Other artworks by Victoria’s Italian-trained great-great-grandmother also enjoy pride of place above the mirrored cabinet, which captures the gaze of any guest. Bought in New York, the striking sideboard is the embodiment of Victoria’s design approach – bold, statement items peppered with personal touches. Thoughtfully presented atop this particular piece are seashells collected on her honeymoon on the Tanzanian island of Mnemba, a giraffe ornament from Zanzibar and a Mao Zedong figurine purchased in Shanghai. 

Forgo the formality with a simple white linen tablecloth and neutral napkins. Fruit, vegetables, herbs and garden greenery add colour and an irresistible organic ambience.
Forgo the formality with a simple white linen tablecloth and neutral napkins. Fruit, vegetables, herbs and garden greenery add colour and an irresistible organic ambience.

"I love that we have filled our home with mementos from our travels, friends and family," explains Victoria. "They provide a connection to those places and people that is extremely comforting. While I really don’t like clutter, those special pieces that we do have out bring me so much joy every day." 

The interplay of textures and materials invites a moment's repose.
The interplay of textures and materials invites a moment's repose.

Victoria continues, "I almost always entertain outside. My poor guests have shivered and sweltered at times, but I think there’s something so special about eating alfresco." She adds, "We’ve even been known to finish some dinner parties with a couple of rounds of beer pong in the garden – not so classy, but so much fun!" Fun, absolutely, and also indicative that Victoria understands the key to perfecting the art of entertaining is not only a stunning setting, but also a lot of heart. 

Photography: Edgar Tapan
Styling: Gemma Blest
Art Direction: May Lau
Production: Emily Leung
Tags: StanleyHongKonginteriordesignhome
Load more

We use Cookie on our website
In order to provide you with the best possible experience, this website uses cookies. For more information, please refer to our Privacy Policy.

Yes, I understand