A residence is a stage for life, a harbour of the soul, the carrier of art. It is often said that writing mirrors the writer, and painting reflects the painter. Similarly, homes showcase our different life philosophies. Over the years, residential interior design has evolved from merely stylised to carefully tailored and highly personalised.

Shenzhen-based practice Co-Direction Design made an effort to address all of these ideas when designing and furnishing the 270-square-meter residential display suite in Binhai New District, Tianjin, China. The opulent interior features materials like delicious dark marble, timber floors, textured glass, silk and velvet upholstery and lacquered joinery.

“Across the large-sized foyer, red defines artistic enthusiasm of the space,” explains the design team. “Geometric golden sculpture intertwines with the colour, like melodies that reverberate throughout the space.”

In the living room, a striking modular brass rod ceiling plays a dual purpose – both aesthetic and functional, with integrated spotlights providing general illumination. Joinery with metallic lustre accents echoes the ceiling’s materiality. The interplay of red and gold continues as a subtle colour theme throughout the interior. In traditional Chinese culture, red is a symbol of prosperity, good fortune, happiness and joy, while gold is often considered the most beautiful colour, signifying brightness, purity, and fulfilment.

The dining area has a minimalist 90s feel thanks to the use of noble materials like marble and brass, and pure forms present in furniture. This room is elevated with the large-scale pink-ombre painting and a series of suspended Calder-esque sculptures.

The black marble staircase leads to the second level with a generously proportioned, opulent master bedroom. Co-Direction Design established a horizontal datum point in this room to match the human scale, while warm brown, orange and gold materials enrich the interior. The radial-patterned carpet creates a focal point that cleverly balances the king size bed.

[Images courtesy of Co-Direction Design. Photography by WYAP.]