A Home Bathed in the Warm Sunshine of Winter

The sound of children’s laughter echoes through the air as sunlight gently filters through expansive glass windows, softly diffusing into every corner. Light and shadow dance gracefully across the open views, while muted wall tones, enhanced by wooden textures, fill the space with a sense of serenity. A couple, along with their child, moved into an old house near Jingmei. During their first site visit, they were captivated by the poetic charm of the home, with sunlight streaming in from three sides. This deeply resonated with them, inspiring both the designer and homeowners to observe how the light shifted from dawn to dusk, tracing the patterns it painted across the interior. Through subtle layout adjustments, they sought to immerse the residents in the flow of time, allowing the rhythms of daily life to naturally shape the contours of their home.

The couple, both professional photographers, place great emphasis on how light interacts with their living space. Given the original house’s narrow layout, which restricted the free flow of light, the designer recessed the two bedrooms inward, creating a spacious corridor within the public areas. With windows positioned at both ends, sunlight now flows freely through the open floor plan, filling the entire space with natural light throughout the day. Since the homeowners often work from home editing photos or managing social media, much of their daily routine revolves around a long wooden table. This workspace, the heart of the home, enjoys abundant natural light. To maintain privacy, the designer extended a floor-to-ceiling window along the thick balcony wall, blending transparency with solidity, and paired with the original concrete pillar, this design creates varying widths that subtly screen views from neighboring buildings. Meanwhile, the windows bring in lush greenery, seamlessly blending tranquility into the family’s everyday life. On the opposite wall, a circular window subtly echoes the lantern-like pendant light above the table, creating a serene and evocative scene that feels both intimate and distant.

When the couple edits photos on timeworn wooden chairs, their child plays on a small daybed by the windowsill, easily climbing onto it. The wooden steps beneath hide compartments for storing toys. When the couple needs a dimmer environment for editing, they retreat to the living area, sliding aside a curtain near a classical column that blends seamlessly into the background. Behind a low partition, they continue their work. For this couple, spending quality time with their child is essential, which is why the living room and kitchen are connected, allowing joyful sounds to flow throughout the communal areas. During leisure moments, the family of four gathers on a vintage-inspired green sofa, admiring the mineral-painted walls, which develop a rich texture over time. At mealtimes, the children eagerly sit at the kitchen island, watching their parents joyfully prepare simple meals.

In this light-filled home, every space effortlessly reflects the family’s personality. Even the private bathroom is thoughtfully designed with light in mind—slender openings at both ends of the walls channel light from the adjoining bedrooms, creating a soothing ambiance. Since earthy tones dominate the home’s palette, green-tinted paint was chosen to balance the warmth of the wood. Natural elements are woven throughout the space, cultivating a harmonious elegance. With a particular appreciation for the tactile qualities of antique pieces, the couple collaborated with artists to create custom hand-dyed solid wood doors, their deep, intricate wood grains adding a sense of depth. Above, a custom-designed stainless steel exhaust pipe, carefully conceived, passes through an arched window, forming an artistic presence. This unintentional yet poetic design weaves together an interior landscape that infuses ordinary life with a sense of ritual.

Design Studio | Horizontal Studio @horizontal_studio

Photography | Suiyu Studio @suiyustudio