It’s clear from the products available on her online boutique that JENNIFER MARGOLIN has a passion for beautiful homeware, and her Hong Kong apartment design reflects that too. We take a look inside her abode located in the Mid-Levels in Hong Kong!
Tell us about yourself and your journey to Hong Kong.
I’m originally from the United States. My family and I relocated to Hong Kong over 11 years ago. We are the classic expat story – I followed my husband for his job and fell in love with Hong Kong, and I’ve been fortunate to call it home ever since!
What do you do in HK?
I co-own Belevivi, an online marketplace destination for stylish and unique design led homeware brands. We feature a diverse selection of heritage brands, local artisans, and independent boutiques. Additionally, I founded BYDEAU, Hong Kong’s first online platform for floral and gift delivery.
Where have you lived in your years here, and where is your most recent Hong Kong home?
We initially settled in Happy Valley and then moved to Mid-Levels in Hong Kong. Ironically, we had just finished decorating our Hong Kong apartment when the building started major construction. We quickly realised we couldn’t live through that, so we found our current place, which we absolutely love. I live here with my husband, daughter and two fur babies.
What’s the location like? What do you like about the area?
The Mid-Levels in Hong Kong is an incredibly convenient area. We love being able to walk everywhere – Central is just a short walk away. It’s so nice to be so close to everything. Plus, we have a great partial harbour view, and we can even see the fireworks from our balcony!
Have you made any significant changes to the home since moving in?
The Hong Kong apartment was in great shape when we moved in, so we really only needed to do some painting and update the lighting. It was practically move-in ready!
One of the things we love is all the built-in storage and display space. I’ve been able to showcase a lot of family heirlooms and things we’ve collected on our travels. It’s funny: when we first saw the place, we realised how similar it is to an apartment we had years ago in Pacific Heights, San Francisco. It almost felt like coming home!
As the founder of Belevivi, you obviously love all things home décor. What apartment design touches have you brought to your home?
For me, a home should be both stylish and welcoming. I want our space to tell the story of our lives – where we’ve come from, the places we’ve lived, and our favourite travel destinations. My grandmother was a huge inspiration. She was an incredible hostess and always had an open door.
She taught me to use and enjoy everything, not to save things for special occasions or be afraid of breaking them. That philosophy definitely influences my decorating style.
Could you tell us about a couple of items in the home that have an interesting background or story behind them?
We have so many pieces with special stories. One of my favourites is a Chinese brass bowl that my mother-in-law gave me when my husband proposed. It was part of her home growing up, and now that we live in Hong Kong, it feels like it was meant to be.
I also have a beautiful black-and-white photo of my grandmother as a baby. She gave it to me, saying I was the grandchild who looked most like her. She was such an important part of my life, so it’s a truly treasured item.
A lot of our artwork is from our travels and artist friends, each piece a reminder of a special time or place.
Is there a spot in the home that you enjoy the most?
Our den is definitely where we spend the most time together as a family. We watch movies there, catch up on our days, and it even transforms into a gaming and karaoke zone when we have friends over. It’s just a fun, relaxed space that we all love.
What are a few things you like to do in Hong Kong when you’re not working?
We love entertaining and having friends over for dinners on the weekends. Sundays are usually a chill day and great for walking around and exploring Hong Kong.
Jennifer’s apartment design and lifestyle recommendations
Home Décor
- Belevivi | belevivi.com
- Black Moss Living (“so great to design and collaborate with – they’ve custom made most of my furniture in my home”) | blackmossliving.com
Fashion
- Lane Crawford | lanecrawford.com
- HULA (“for great gently used fashion and vintage”) | thehula.com
Dining & Drinks
- Louise (“love the chicken!”) | louise.hk
- The Diplomat | thediplomat.hk
- Botanical Garden @ The Magistracy (“for cocktails before dinner”) | themagistracyhongkong.com/botanical-garden
- Bedu (“it’s become our go-to brunch spot”) | bedurestaurant.com
- Lau Haa Hot Pot | FB @lauhaahotpot
This article featuring a Hong Kong apartment design first appeared in the March 2025 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe so you never miss a copy!
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