Kaohsiung, Taiwan is a place filled with color. The massive city boasts unique architecture, lively night markets, and in certain months, blossoming cherry trees. HAO Design's overhaul of a retired couple's three-bedroom house in the busy metropolis is both reflective of the locale's vibrancy, and a relaxing retreat from the bustle.
The team worked to incorporate two different client desires — minimalist decor vs. soft textures and metallics — into the design. The result is a moody and calm space that is rich in textures and dark tones. Another interesting tidbit: The gilded features and dim lighting are meant to conjure images of the salons of the Parisian Enlightenment.
Despite the vintage ambience of the interior, the apartment is firmly forward-thinking in its design, with modern furnishings and multifunctional spaces.
A crescent moon-shaped copper metallic lamp from the Italian lighting company Catellani & Smith is a glowing welcome to the entryway. A Ginger & Jagger Fig Tree console table, with branch-like legs and a blue lacquer top, is an unexpected piece.
Venetian blinds over the floor-to-ceiling windows cast a Noir-esque light over the living room. A blue sofa from Munna is one of many blue elements in the home that evoke a sense of calm and relaxation.
The 1,800-square-foot home is outfitted in modern furnishings including a Beetle Lounge Chair by Gubi. Sleek flooring was made from Italian faux-iron plate tiles in a cement ash color.
A sliding door makes the "study" portion of the living room multifunctional, as it can also be closed to create a guest room.
The open kitchen features a luxurious array of materials and textures. An Italian terrazzo-clad wall and marble backsplash are at once fun and functional. Copper cabinets echo the metallic tones found elsewhere in the house.
An open dining room, anchored by a large Porada white marble table with a copper base with oval perforations, is a futuristic take on a classic look. A mix of gray and blue plush Beetle Chairs by Gubi surround the table.
In a bedroom, an upholstered panel acts as a headboard and evokes the tones of cherry blossoms, while the heavy blue curtains feel sky-like.
A black and white tile, similar in style to the decorative wall in the dining room but inverted in color, sets the bathroom's tone as a private space.
