This monochromatic interior with its distinct balance of dark and light, reflects the couple's individual personalities and preferences, proving that opposites attract. While homeowner, K, has always been drawn to a darker environment which benefits his decompression process from his daily grind, he agrees to some contrasting white-washed walls understanding that this element will help uplift the spirits of his wife, W.
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As the user enters the space, their line of sight travels to the living room where most walls behind the sofa and television are retained white. However, when standing within the living room to face the dining and main door, a juxtaposing backdrop exuding mysterious depth conceals not only the white walls but also the entry into the kitchen allowing for a more functional than aesthetic area to be hidden in plain sight. In this area now termed as the 'welcome lounge' rather than the dining area, lighting was of particular importance to illuminate the already intense backdrop. Lead designer, Cher, further explains why she offered 5 different lighting configurations and also decorated the space with a custom abstract art and entry console filled with curated objects.
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"Because the small space and its structural walls left us no options for a creative layout change, we aimed to elevate the experience at the dining area by transforming it into a swanky 'welcome lounge'. The carefully curated lighting options allow the homeowners create their desired ambience depending on the activities they take on. Providing multiple lighting configurations is something most would think may be excessive in a nifty space but I often feel it's a fun little activity for the homeowners to interact with their environment rather than dwell in a static, non-engaging space which is already limited by space. While designing the 'welcome lounge' experience, I thought this is usually where people would appreciate art and decorative objects while enjoying their favourite drink," explains Cher.
The intentional use of dark surfaces on the flooring ensures a continuous effect from walls to floor and makes the dining space look more elongated than it actually is since the ceiling height reached only 2.4-metres. Furthermore, the dark flooring provides a stark but necessary contrast against the white-washed walls as the users' eyes take a break. Additionally, the choice of metallic furnishing and mirrored decorative objects enable natural light to be further reflected in the home, adding dimension the otherwise dark environment.
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The home's play of dark and light, solid and void, and materiality creates a unique experience for the homeowners for years to come.
















