A monochrome restaurant brings some modernistic glamour into its timeless setting is kicking the place in Gough Street

Basement is like no restaurant you've seen before and one you're not likely to forget in a hurry. Situated beneath the local lifestyle store Homeless, it is the brand's first venture into F&B. Basement's cosy temperament and the cave-like interior, fused with modern design elements, speaks for itself.

Homeless art director Heyman Poon decided to turn Basement into a bona fide design laboratory, experimenting with the various accessories and novelties the store has carried over the years. It is a trip back in time, with designer pieces and all-black designer chairs of different forms. "Where Homeless exists to promote novel design, Basement serves to bring them to life. I want this place to remind patrons of Homeless, but without overshadowing Basement's unique characteristics," says Poon.

Cleverly divided into four sections which each serve different functions, Poon mixes colour, form and texture in Basement – and in doing so, achieves a signature look which avoids clashes to achieve somewhat unexpected harmony.

"Each element has a story," Poon says. "Patrons know where they want to sit. If they come in big group, the cellar- or cave-like area suits them most; if they want more interaction with the kitchen, they can choose the rustic wood table in the centre."

The Victorian-style study at one end offers a haven for those who looking for peace and quiet, while the terrace offers an escape for outdoor-lovers.

The designer's favourite spot is the open kitchen area, designed to catch everyone's attention: "It's like any open-kitchen in a modern home – a kitchen is no longer just for preparing food, but a place for socialising. It allows interaction without losing functionally."

In the cellar, the walls are clad in rough-hewn chunks of stone, while the ceiling features curved wooden beams that recall the inside of a barrel. When it comes to design, Poon thinks that, in general, Hong Kong people lack the ability to visualise images: "Before the renovation took place, I already had the pictures visualised in my mind. Functionality always comes first. When functions of rooms are decided, I will turn those images into reality."

Ideas to steal

• Create your own wine storage: “Wine racks are pretty, but it’s not as creative as making your own, like our shelf in the space above the open bar,” Poon says.
• Good design should be driven by our personal habits and preferences – at Basement, Poon chose to place the washing basin separate from the mirror in the restroom.
• Let an object decide the theme of an area: it was a fabric wall lamp which inspired Poon to design a wooden wall resembling a chopping-board in the study area, aimed at underscoring the beauty of the lamp itself

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