Something Different

Out of the interplay of yin and yang comes five manifestations of ch'i : wood, earth, fire, water and metal. Like yin and yang and ch'i these elements are not physical substances but powers or essences describing all matter and attributes. The Chinese associate these elements with time, space, matter, senses, colors and psychological moods.

Water, the element of insight, motivation and social contacts, can be classified as living (flowing) and dead (still). Flowing water is a person's drive and effectiveness in society while still water reflects a person's clearness of mind.

When a Chinese gentleman, who is in the jewelery business, wanted his town house designed, his only stipulation was that "it must be something different." I don't get many clients who give me carte blanche. This project is one of them and is also my most extensive and happy assignment. An interplay of yin and yang was applied throughout this home with water as the main theme.

This house is approached through an Oriental style garden, yin, accentuated by a Western style bronze sculpture, yang, housed in the niche at the end of the foyer. The niche serves as a feng shui wall. Flanking the glass entry doors are Flos wall lamps. When lighted, the rays of light cast upon the white marble represents the Sun, yang. At day when not lighted, they represent the moon, yin.

Beyond the niche is the dining area. The feeling of flowing water is seen in the muted tones of greys and pale mauves of the hand-made carpet. The Vico Magistretti dining chairs in grey leather and black painted wood have arms in the shape of lucky number seven for further auspicious fortune. Hanging over the glass and crystal dining table is a Bacarrat chandelier.

The brown marble framing the bevelled mirrors and the console table in the dining room is continued in the living room. The split level space is demarcated by bevelled clear glass balustrades. The antique Kashan silk rug breaks the coldness of the marble floor and provides some pleasing pattern and color to a tone on tone color palette.

On the other side of this high-ceilinged living room hangs a large oil painting of a lotus field done by a Thai contemporary artist. The effect is like looking into a big window. Framing the artwork that is lighted around are angled suede panels with marble border.

The roof is an added bonus space but not many people utilize them except for utilities. To balance the coldness of the ceramic tile flooring, I created a platform in bleached teak that can also be used for sun bathing. A pair of Foo lions stand sentinel.

A screen made of woven nylon strips with stainless steel frame behind the built-in banquette shields the area from the neighbors. The large white shell from the Philippines decorates the top of the ledge with a stainless steel barbecue grill.

FROM THE READERS "Thank you very much for the beautiful page in the net. At the moment I am building my house. Now I am in the final stage of finish and to find your page was like finding a treasure. It inspired me deeply." Arleti Oertel Vieira, Rio Grande do Sul - Brazil; Jan.'98

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[Book Cover] | [Contents] | [Foreword] | [Introduction] | [Formative Years] | [Space to Start] | [Tools of Trade] [Concept Renderings] | [First Break] | [East by Southeast] | [Working Manner] | [Space Transitions] | [Seasons' Home] | [Sunsets' Place] | [Pied á Terre] | [Something Different] | [Restrained Elegance] | [Dream Zones] | [In Comfort] [Prestige Investments] | [Asian Gallery] | [Lighting] | [Objects] | [Flowers] | [Afterword] | [Professional Profile] [Personal Profile] | [Sign Guestbook] | [Guestbook]

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