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Who Lives Here: Two, me and my boyfriend
Location: Shanghai, China
Size: 452 square feet
What is your one favorite element in your small, cool home? Ceiling hung projector that projects movie on the wall facing the bed. Since neither of us like to watch TV, and both of us are movie lovers, I opted for a high end projector and we watch movies with the comfort of lying on the bed. It's very cozy and the effect of crystal clear projection on the wall is fascinating. Sometimes, I would leave the projector on with a dance performance and turn off the sound. With the lights all turned off, the projection creates a very appealing motion wallpaper effect on the wall, illuminating the tiny apartment with blurs of light.
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What was one of the biggest challenges you faced in furnishing your small home? The biggest challenges I faced in the designing and furnishing of my small home is definitely the constraint of size and the dramatic variety of weather in Shanghai. In order to maximize the space, I abandoned the idea of an open space and modular furnishing structure that I love most, and opted for all build-in custom designed furniture. The bed is embedded in a raised platform which acts like a storage box all 3 sides around the bed. With the bed embedded in the "box" that function like a floor visually, the narrow entrance to the balcony (converted master bathroom) doesn't appear tight anymore. The ceiling mount light blocking curtains that surround the bed is used to separate the living space into two so that one of us can read inside the "hub" created by curtain, and the other one can work on the sofa facing the bed. Making the small room function as two spaces. The curtain also creates a room for privacy. The balcony is remolded with frosted windows all around to allow light to go through, and the space is converted into the master bathroom with a bathtub, sink and a 2 in 1 washing/drying machine (necessary due to no cloth hanging space). The small toilet faces the entrance of the apartment, I therefore designed its door as a hidden door, looking as a solid wall when closed. This makes the passage of the space more fluid and less disturbing. Everything is designed with the purpose of maximize the limited space therefore the materials are chosen carefully, mostly are clear color with wooden texture or reflective materials. The space when emptied, is like a white canvas, pure and fresh, ready to inspire creativity and calm the most exhausting soul, lost in the jungle of building in busy Shanghai. The space can be then colored or modified freely with the adding of accent color objects, making it intimate and cozy, instead of cold.
The dramatically changing weather in Shanghai is another big challenge. The winter is very windy and cold due to high humidity and the summer is very hot and humid with raining season that lasts up to 2 months. This makes the choice of material and paint more difficult if they need to last or survive such dramatic weather changes. I end up having to use USA imported paints to ensure lasting durability and composite wood that is more stable in both humid and dry environments.
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Very nicely done, the result is so fresh! I love your place!
view IsabelleS's profile
Calm, introverted- this is the kind of place I could lock myself inside for a week and not cause too much damage.
view Clopes's profile
In the crazy chaotic life of shanghai, the peace of mind is gold.... thanks for your comments. appreciated.
view angiewu's profile
Yes, it's interesting to think of these interiors in context of their surroundings. In suburbia, I'd want something to break out of conformity, in the woods, I'd want a place that interacts with nature. A place with a view is often designed around the windows. In a wild city, you need escape and refuge.
view Clopes's profile
It's not overly stylish or sleek. Very functional looking. A little sterile but calming. The look works. It almost looks like a futuristic bed and breakfast.
Interesting space.
view Sunnydark's profile
i'm very impressed. very cleverly designed. i can imagine how cool it must be to lie in bed with the curtain drawn around you watching a movie on the projector. the only thing i don't like is that it feels slightly claustrophobic, there don't seem to be any windows.
view Bozotown's profile
Two people, two bathrooms seems excessive, but I really like the design of the bedroom. The whole place is extremely serene, but a bit dark.
view pydepiper's profile
i would love to live in an apt like that! very fresh, stylish and cool!
view katherinzita's profile
I read somewhere that design is the physical manifestation of a solution and I have always added in my own mind-with feeling. This is it in my opinion. Wonderful!
view Betian's profile
I think the beauty of it is that it totally represents the unique decor of China. Very minimal and sleek. I've always wondered if the Chinese nurture this look because when they step outside there are so many people. Your place is so very serene and calming.
view baileyb's profile
Thank you all for your comments. One bathroom is very tiny and only host the toilet and a sink. The other one hosts a sink, a washing machine and a bathtub. There was no way I can fit a bathtub or shower room in the small washroom near the entrance. and I absolutely wants a bathtub, to spoil myself a bit :) So i had to convert the balcony into the master bathroom and buy the smallest bathtub existing.
I bought this place and it was the only one I could afford, in this area (right in the heart of french concession). It is very painful not to have any direct sunlight and very small windows. And i was forced to put metal fences on every single window because the apt is on a second floor, very easily reachable. Although it's really safe in Shanghai, my mom wouldn't allow me to move in if I don't have those windows fenced. Thought of using bamboo instead of alum fences but the neighbour didn't agree. It's an old apt and occupied by mostly retired shanghaineses.. who think they have the right to make up community rules.
When I designed this apt, I was about to move out of china after two years of living in Shanghai. China was getting me and I was about to quit the challenges. The culture shock was way too fierce. So when I finally decided to stay and finish this apt up, all i had in mind was to create a hub where no one can hurt me or reach me anymore. Where I can forget where I am, forget all the ugliness I see, and be safe, and hopefully find my peace of mind.
I am renovating it again in two weeks. thanks to wood eating white ants that consumed most of my bed and part of the toilet concealed door. This time, I will use maple laminated boards and keep the natural color of the material. the apartment will hopefully be more relaxing while keeping its' zen quality. You see, my life is very well right now in Shanghai, my whole attitude about this country changed thanks to my boyfriend who i met 2 years ago. This apt was inspired by him and finished for him. He saved my soul and restored my joyful self.
I will try to post the new photos after renovation. thanks for supporting me. And if any of you drop by Shanghai, do contact me! I can show you the wonderful part of Shanghai now that I am corrected minded!
my email: angiewush@gmail.com
skype: angiewu
facebook: angie wu
view angiewu's profile
Very nicely done indeed.
I know you are about to redo the place due to the white ants but one suggestion I'd make is on the wall where the soft chairs are, I'd put up a large bold piece of abstract art, just to bring the color up on the wall and up off the floor, that can help off set what appears to me to be a stark-ish room.
I do like the bed as it is here and perhaps leaving it natural may help warm things up a touch while leaving that peace and serenity that you are seeking within the chaotic world that is Shanghai.
Good luck w/ the redo.
view ciddyguy's profile
Way to save space! My Steam Shower is almost bigger than your place!
view ThainTiger's profile