photoxmsl“soMe of oUR PRojecTs ARe cReATIve
ATTeMPTs AT exTRAcTINg The cLAssIcAL
coNcePTs AND APPLYINg TheM To MoDeRN
INTeRIoRDesIgN.”MATThew LAI, DIRecToR of sTUDIo xMsLReINTeRPReTINg
chINese DesIgN
Think Chinese-style interiors,
and what comes to mind are
warm natural colours or bold,
bright palettes. This apartment,
however, redefines Chinese
design elements with white
surfaces and black-stained
timber details.
When working on this
project, Studio XMSL was
inspired by Suzhou architecture.
The design studio gave this
project, which it named
Suzhou Modern, a streamlined
framework. The restrained
palette and crisp lines provide
a dynamic balance. Here,
authentic antique scholar
chairs, a plush sofa and modern
classic pieces like the Noguchi
coffee table and Wishbone
chair share the space easily.
“The subtle compositions of
white and black create unique
shapes, inform a sense of depth
and evoke feelings of lightness
and space. Applying these
principles to interior design is
similar. Some of our projects,
like Suzhou Modern, are creative
attempts at extracting the
classical concepts and applying
them to modern interior
design,” says Matthew Lai.UsINg MATTe fINIshes
This terrace house’s living
area features a massive
wall of storage units finished
in matte white and black.
The slim lines form a grid
that accentuates the size of
this wall. Architology then
incorporated open shelves in
contrasting colours to serve as
a transition from the living area
to the dining area and open
kitchen. The matte surfaces
bring depth by diffusing the
light that falls on them.
This contemporary space
forms a backdrop for other
finishes like chrome, tribal
patterns and leather. Says
Bu Shukun: “Apart from
using black and white to
mark out texture, shape,
contrast, shadow and tone, the
emphasis is always to create
a clear design aspiration.
“Homeowners should focus
on the spatial reading of their
home, and personalise their
space according to its function
and their favourite objects to
create purposeful interiors.”photoArChiTologyinTeriors“focUs oN The
sPATIAL ReADINg
of The hoMe, AND
PeRsoNALIse The
sPAce AccoRDINg To
ITsfUNcTIoN.”
BU shUkUN, DesIgN DIRecToR of
ARchIToLogY INTeRIoRs