A dwelling that can make people feel calm must have an atmosphere of privacy and tranquility inside. In this harmonious space, light and form all express love for life and art.
Art is a bridge to the past. —— Ryuichi Sakamoto
In the book “The Poetics of Space,” it is said that “a home possesses a strong integrating power that blends together one’s spirit, memories, dreams, character, and even one’s past and present lives.” The furniture, decor, and overall layout within a home reflect the inhabitant’s experiences and inspirations accumulated over a lifetime, representing a merging of the personal and the universal.
The art of emerging artist Zhang Wenzhi, whose paintings are inspired by the specimens of animals found in natural history museums. Each painting showcases a mesmerizing display of colorful fish weaving between bones, creating a striking dialogue between the present and the past, between the dynamic and the silent. Through these contrasts and collisions, Wenzhi’s unique imagination is brought to life in a truly captivating way.
An ideal living space should have a quality that is both satisfying and enduring, something that imbues life with a sense of well-being and contentment. In this case, the lady of the house has a background in fashion design, having studied overseas and developed a keen eye for fabrics, patterns, and colors.
MDO has a deep understanding of the balance between form and detail within a space. Drawing upon practices from fashion design, we have incorporated the interrupted relationship between curves and angles found on cardboard into our home design. By juxtaposing different elements such as materials, patterns, curves, and geometry, we create a space that seamlessly blends these disparate elements together. The result is a home that is fluid and free-spirited, cleverly reflecting the owner’s lifestyle and personality, and blending various qualities such as an art gallery, a living space, and a chic boutique into one.
Atmospheric Collage Art
As the black double doors open, one enters a realm of mysticism. The high arches form an elegant curve, enveloping the foyer. On the three-dimensional console table rests a Michael Aram tray and a Klong Tender droplet candle holder, exuding the essence of home with a blend of natural elements, traditional craftsmanship, and modernist details.
On one side of the hallway is the entrance to the standalone cloakroom. The elliptical ceiling design and curved shelves echo and stretch layer by layer, creating a luxurious and relaxed texture with gentle earth tones and BAXTER plush chairs.
In this entrance hallway leading to the main space, distinct lines sketch out clear images, like in Rousseau’s paintings. Each object stands independently yet carries a dreamlike quality, all of them summoning the essence of life and expressing the internal spirit.
Pushing open the door with the handle made of bronze casting sand, one enters the entertainment space of the home. The Naviglio series sofa designed by YabuPushelberg sits atop a beige base, expressing a visual balance between structure and form. The subtle confrontation between the cylindrical backrest and rectangular cushion creates a smooth yet lively look.
On one side, a Meridiani coffee table features a round mirrored surface with a vintage brass border, exuding an elegant charm that withstands the test of time. Opposite to it, a pair of green-hued Minotti armchairs with slightly outward-turned armrests offer a more relaxed and comfortable seating experience.
On the other side of the room, tucked away behind the sofa and facing towards the end of the space, is a sleek bar. Its black and white marble countertop matches perfectly with the MATER bar stools, creating a minimalistic and refined feel. The bar is surrounded by a black background wall that undulates like waves, occasionally interrupted by a golden accent that adds a touch of edginess to the harmonious setting. From here, a pathway leads to the outdoor garden, beckoning for further exploration.
The meticulous home space is like music, full of rhythm and melody, with gathering places and quiet corners. Between the leisure area and the tea room, the designer inserted an artistic metal block to separate the two functional areas. Above the arc, there are concave and convex lines like sculptures, while the back of the block also serves as a practical bookshelf.
If you look closely, you can see a subtle ripple pattern in the silk-textured walls of the room, echoing the artistic hanging paintings of SHANG XIA. Together, they form a space that exudes a Zen-like artistic atmosphere. As Philip Colbert said, ” the rich resources of art history have created a language, and only the unconscious, surreal world can get rid of all reality constraints. Life itself is the ultimate essence of art. “
The Power of Sequencing
Ascending to the next level, you arrive at the dining room in the house, where the main color scheme is a subtle shade of beige, and a circular carpet and coffee table create an atmosphere of intimacy and gathering. The Gogan series long sofa, designed by MOROSO, complements the modern and streamlined design of the CASSINA single chairs, resembling soft sculptures that are graceful and airy.TheLigneRoset sofa, on the other hand, declares its uniqueness with an orange hue, and its nest-like shape adds a sense of comfort. The gold-tripod side table from MOROSO in this space highlights the combination of natural forms and design aesthetics with its irregular patchwork elements, brimming with playfulness. Tom Dixon’s fragrance adds a tangible element to the home’s air, capturing the joy of opening up all five senses.
Indeed, only by seeing the beauty on the
dining table can one see the beauty in life.
The black dining table in this dining room is like a structured architectural piece, with slender metal bars twisting upright from the base, giving it a sculptural appearance. The aluminum legs add a sense of complexity and elegance. Paired with the matching black ROCHE BOBOIS chairs, textured sideboard, and branching chandelier, this design exudes a sense of stability and comfort for family gatherings.
Balancing Fun and Sophistication
Walking up the wooden staircase, the lighting fixture overhead resembles a gentle cloud, inviting natural light and dispersing any dullness.
Upon reaching the second floor, you’ll find the bedroom area. The main bedroom is dominated by wood and white, achieving a level of aesthetics that embodies the idea that ” seeing white is not just seeing white; it is a perception that arises from the mind.” The three-dimensional accent wall, paired with a Kelly Wearstler table lamp, creates a humorous contrast between the intricate carvings on the lamp base and the wall’s playful contours, striking a delicate balance between whimsy and refinement.
The daughter’s room is imbued with a smoky pink hue, created by the gradient pattern, warm textiles, checkered carpet, Flos table lamp, and the &TRADITION lounge chair, whose shape was inspired by the moment when a swan folds its wings. All of these elements work together to create a space that is delicately softened by the passage of time.
Project Name: Private Villa
Project Area: 600 m2
Design Team: More Design Office
Design Content: Interior, soft furnishings, lighting
Design Directors: Jaycee Chui, Justin Bridgland,
Lead Designers: Gao Da, Zhao Jianjun
Assistant Designers: Wang Li, Huang Shuo, Zhu Jun, He Bin, Zheng Hao
Completion Time: December 2022
Photography: Boris Shiu@AGENT PAY
About MDO (MORE DESIGN OFFICE)
Founded in 2014 by partners Jaycee Chui and Justin Bridgland, MDO is an interdisciplinary architectural and interior design practice based in Shanghai.
MDO Shanghai practice’s global portfolio includes real estate, architecture design, urban renewal, commercial design, product, exhibition and graphic works. MDO UK is a new brand specializing in designing and developing high end sustainable residential projects in Europe.
Jaycee Chui is an ARB registered Architect and interior designer, Justin Bridgland is a RIBA chartered Architect and musician. Their diverse cultural backgrounds allow MDO to emphasize the notion of “transformation” in design practice, fusing different cultural contexts into their designs.
MDO anchors its ethos on dynamic interactions, between architecture and interior, exploring scale and proportion, material and form, light and color, creating journeys and stories for the space.
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