Residence Rouge

Dubbed Residence Rouge, the duplex apartment is a minimal house, refurbished for a young family, with parents deeply passionate about good design. This house is located in suburb of the city Changsha, embedded in a natural environment. We were commissioned to redesign a home that could be an antidote to city life, with its every corner embracing the warmth, calm and relaxation. 

Photo: ZHU Hai Video: ZHU Hai Stylist: LIAO Roger

The client's main aspiration was to achieve a light-filled open space and so the intervention opened up the volume of living area both vertically and horizontally. The partitions of kitchen and balcony were tore down for extending sightlines and bringing more natural light, while the position of the existing stairs were changed, not only to create the open-air staircase but also extend the extra bedroom for providing flexibility as the young family grows. The arrangement of the spaces accentuates beautiful sightlines through wide openings between them.

The challenge lied in converting a rather soulless, new build clothbound villa, into a warm and modern home. This complete refurbishment entails the living spaces and master room. The first floor is dedicated to the whole family, including living room, kitchen, dining room and child’s bedrooms. The interior embraces a clean, minimal and comfortable atmosphere. Pale white marble flooring, naturally light cream walls and dark oak cladding encase the volume as an ideal backdrop for the standout pieces. All the furniture was chosen to achieve a sense of cosy atmosphere while emphasising the idea of adaptability instead of solidifying each space with a predetermined function. The family could have a meal in the dining area while enjoying the panoramic landscape, or casually grad some food from breakfast island. Similarly, the living room can easily be reading room or home theater.

The newborn staircase with glass balustrade leading up to the master room, tearoom and roof garden on the second floor. As result of the movement of stairs, remaining space in the hallway has been made to accommodate a larger tearoom. Additionally, we partially extended the master bedroom into the terrace to allow rooms for an intimate living room and a walk-in-wardrobe on the other side of master room. The master bedroom’s interior design highlights the power of visual storytelling, riffing on charming elements like smooth curves, dark brown ceiling and off-whit wall as a dramatic contrast.

The newborn staircase with glass balustrade leading up to the master room, tearoom and roof garden on the second floor. As result of the movement of stairs, remaining space in the hallway has been made to accommodate a larger tearoom. Additionally, we partially extended the master bedroom into the terrace to allow rooms for an intimate living room and a walk-in-wardrobe on the other side of master room. The master bedroom’s interior design highlights the power of visual storytelling, riffing on charming elements like smooth curves, dark brown ceiling and off-whit wall as a dramatic contrast.