When our client – Daniel and his family migrated from China to Australia a while ago, they sought a new home with oriental influences. The client purchased a newly developed house with 2 levels on a corner block. The house was designed and constructed by another company; however, Daniel’s family did not satisfy with the interior design. They asked for a modern and sleek look for the indoor with a subtle touch of oriental influences.

In his brief, Daniel insisted that he had aged parents and that the top priority for layout planning was to provide easy access for them. In addition, the house locates on a corner block with a complicated site, irritating corners, and odd-shaped rooms in the original layout. With a growing family including three generations, our client required hidden storage to ensure the clean & sleek look of the interior.

Inspired by the lifestyles of the client, team Bato Studio started to redesign the house. The communal spaces as the kitchen, dining, and living are combined in an open plan to create a seamless connection between the dynamic areas. The odd shape of the original bathrooms has been modified by our team to avoid irritating corners. In addition, the separation of the sink, toilet and shower area in the bathrooms also allows flexible access to accommodate each family member’s needs. Moreover, we have included hidden storage in unattended spaces such as under the stairs to maximize the use of space.

The Oriental influences are illustrated through the selection of material finishes and design principles. We decide to use a minimal palette of color with black, white, and beige to avoid overpowering feelings. The light palette also lits up the interior to create a calming and cozy space. The Asian-inspired finishes such as wallpapers and tiles pattern are carefully mixed with a modern western look in our design. The oriental design principles often promote the unity of families; therefore, we allow a big space for family gatherings and a worship room.

The hybrid combination of Eastern influences and Western design has become fashionable in interior design recently. Our team’s focus is to maintain traditional Asian values through modern design techniques.