yinjispace

INTERIOR
Muka Architects
PHOTOGRAPHY
Zheng Jie
EDITOR
Gina
Collection

This is a fully renovated second-hand flat. The homeowners appreciate aesthetic elements unique to the 20th century and hope for a distinctive richness, balanced decorative touches, and natural plants. Our design strategy was to evoke an artistic atmosphere and thematic mood through exterior materials without changing the main layout.

The public area has a spacious but rather monotonous long hallway, which needed rhythm and a sense of depth. At the entrance-viewpoint area, we set up a vinyl record collection shelf to create a welcoming interface and set the theme of a home blending art and nature. Through the custom leather-textured wood wall finishes and an artistic sliding door system, we unified the transitions between different functions like the TV lounge, storage cabinets, passage to private areas, and the dining nook.

Inspired by a Picasso painting, we used six types of natural wood with different textures and depths and arranged them geometrically on the large sliding doors to create a Cubist-style artwork. In this artwork, the guitar symbolizes “music and freedom,” and the mirror represents “light and aesthetics,” perfectly matching the different interests and aesthetic preferences of the homeowners.

We customized an L-shaped blue velvet sofa specifically for the owner's height, creating a cozy, enclosed space that actively breaks up the originally monotonous and straightforward tall hall structure. Behind it, square modular golden nanmu wood panels add contrast, while some playful mirror elements lighten the heaviness and formality. Near the balcony end, this also cleverly extends the lighting surface and frames a borrowed view. At the far end, we installed a super-wide motorized honeycomb blind. Up close, it has a fiber texture like rice paper; from a distance, it effectively shields the messy outdoor view and the fixed original apartment façade. The filtered light enhances the living quality and gives the space a calm, serene vibe.

The kitchen and dining space is designed around a sense of enclosure with a wooden box structure. The banquette extends into the entryway as a horizontal element you notice right away. Black square Beijing tiles, randomly patterned stainless steel, and an irregular jade island, along with a simulated circular skylight coffer, create a rich, layered visual theme and experience. A custom full-stone dining table paired with the same sculptural-style solid wood vintage chairs sets up the perfect artistic dining atmosphere.

We boldly gave up the view from the back balcony floor-to-ceiling windows, which don’t get good light. Instead, the lower area features a horizontal high sideboard for functionality and a cozy, enclosed feel. The upper part uses a 'yukimi'-style window made from washi paper and acrylic to filter external clutter while keeping the light soft and even.

For the main background wall in the study, we designed it with rough, off-white sand-colored sandstone featuring a rusty ice-crack pattern using traditional masonry techniques. For the beams on the ceiling that we couldn’t modify, we used mirrored elements to make them 'disappear,' creating a nice contrast between a rugged style and refined minimalism. Since the homeowner likes zebra elements, we chose imported Alpi swirl wood veneer paired with stainless steel table legs. With a sliding mechanism, it can adapt to all the homeowner’s needs for a creative SOHO workspace and entertainment, whether it’s working, painting, playing music, brainstorming, or holding meetings.

We used the fabric technique of bamboo fiber and linen blend, typically used in clothing, to make the bedroom's bed screen. The standout panel-like screen design effectively softens the originally protruding beams above. For the bed, we paired Changphel's deconstructivist black wool Tibetan rug with French-imported rain linen. We turned the original bay window into a low table to sit on the floor and soak up the light; at the same time, we custom-made a retro bedroom chest from golden Phoebe nanmu and pale green jade. A handmade glass grape sculpture can be turned into a super soft and playful art piece just by adjusting the light.

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