Inside Celebrity Hairdresser Kim Robinson's Hong Kong Home

One of the most sought-after celebrity hairdresser in Asia, Kim Robinson gives us a peek into his home in Hong Kong, which is an ode to the richness of life that travel affords

Moroccan scholar Ibn Battuta, widely considered one of the greatest voyagers of the medieval world, once said: “Travelling—it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” If this sentiment is true, then perhaps one of its greatest proponents is sought-after hairdresser to the stars and the style-savvy, Kim Robinson, whose Clear Water Bay home tells countless captivating tales of adventures and experiences overseas.

Robinson, who has been responsible for some of the most famous heads of hair in the world (he’s cut and styled the tresses of Diana, Princess of Wales, David Bowie, and Kate Moss, among others) has called Hong Kong home for 40 years, the last decade of which he has spent in his country house, surrounded by the mystical, misty forests of the luxuriant park it borders.

“I’ve lived all over Hong Kong. I’ve lived in Happy Valley; I’ve lived on the Peak, on Robinson Road, in Shouson Hill; and then I moved to Shek O, and lived on the beach for nearly 20 years and I loved it,” he says. “I loved the freedom and the fresh air, the ocean and the countryside. It was amazing, but it became very busy. I decided that, after nearly 30 years in Hong Kong, I really needed a change. One of my clients had this place; they showed it to me, and I just fell in love with the fact that it’s got so much privacy.”

Above The unique steel tableware perfect for entertaining

Above Sliding doors allow ample ambient light in

Above Robinson enjoys a moment with his dog Luca

When he bought it, the house did not have the inviting, open-plan layout it has today. Interior walls were knocked down and custommade floor-to-ceiling windows were installed to welcome natural light into the space. “I wanted to change the house into a country house,” Robinson explains. “I didn’t do anything structural, but I brought the outside in. Nature made what’s outside and I can’t improve on it; I think it’s just beautiful. Even when the rain pours, it still looks beautiful. It’s fantastic, like art.”

Building from a foundation of concrete, steel, and recycled wood, Robinson set about making his mark on the interiors, assembling appointments and accessories collected along the journey of his life to create what he calls an “industrial-country” aesthetic.

“I’ve got so many items in my home. It’s very eclectic from all the years I’ve spent travelling all over the world; everything holds memories,” says Robinson. “Personally, I like to live with things and be surrounded by my life. Each item has borne witness to my experiences, and I believe that when you walk in, it looks warm and friendly. It has a personality of its own, it’s a house to be lived in.”

Above Objets trouvés and artworks imbibe the open-plan living space with colour and texture

Above A horse sculpted out of Indonesian driftwood stands guard beneath the stairs

Above The contemporary kitchen retains a country-chic feel with elements of wood, stone, steel, and concrete, connecting it to the rest of the residence

Above The light-filled abode boasts an “industrial-country” appeal, with an assemblage of personal items acquired all over the world as well as designer appointments, like the Timothy Oulton coffee table, injecting individuality into the foundation of steel, wood, and cement

Indeed, from the moment you enter, there is a sense of warmth and hospitality. Robinson’s four dogs—three of which are rescues while the fourth, a Jack Russell named Luca, was bestowed on him by a client and came wrapped in a Hermès blanket—pad about the place, clearly at home in their environs. The eye is drawn from objets trouvés to striking artworks, many of which were painted by Robinson himself, and from stunning light fixtures to commanding items of furniture.

The zinc dining table, ideal for decadent dinner parties, is from London and sits on a base constructed from old steel once used to build the Eiffel Tower. A coffee table is, upon closer inspection, antique railway sleepers from Indonesia encased in clear acrylic. There are myriad flea market treasures, an ornate gilt and velvet armchair purchased from a gentleman’s club in Paris, and napkins galore. Robinson tells us, perhaps only slightly exaggerating, “I am a napkin freak, I have 50,000 napkins,” before presenting hand-dyed vintage linens from New York-based Samatha Verrone Textiles, acquired on a visit to the Big Apple.

Above The well-appointed dining table is perfect for both intimate meals and feasts with friends

“I’ve got so many items in my home. It’s very eclectIc from all the years I’ve spent travelling all over the world; everythIng holds memories”

Above Much of the art on display is Robinson’s own, which he creates in a studio upstairs

Upstairs, the bedroom is the ultimate refuge. Panoramic vistas over the forest canopy instill a profound feeling of peace, which is echoed in the reclaimed wood and sensational, spa-like bathroom.

Above The master’s bedroom looks out onto the forest canopy

Above A relaxing soak with a view

However, it remains an extension of Robinson’s irresistible aesthetic—one that is full of personality, and, like any individual, constantly evolving. “Where am I getting inspiration? It’s from travelling and seeing and trying to take it all in.” He concludes, “You have to embrace the new.”

TEXT: MERCEDES HUTTON | PRODUCTION: EMILY LEUNG | ART DIRECTION: MAY LAU | STYLING DAVID RODEN | PHOTOGRAPHY: MITCHELL GENG

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Inside Celebrity Hairdresser Kim Robinson's Hong Kong Home