Restrained Elegance

There is certain dynamic vitality in incompleteness as there is a certain natural charm in imperfection. The Orientals have known this all along and the Japanese, in particular, are the best exponent of this zen-like appreciation.

Sometimes, a blank space is more interesting because of its suggestiveness.

The high-ceilinged living room, viewed from the dining room, has no hanging artworks to detract from the glittering cityscape framed by a pair of sliding shoji panels. I made a dry arrangement using Australian flowers to identify with the owners.

Contrasts and balance are important to feng shui as to minimalist design. The polished beech wood (warm) flooring contrasts the unpolished granite (cool) flooring. The (fixed) seating banquettes upholstered in (soft) ultra suede are teamed with (loose) arm chairs in wood and metal (hard). The chairs with wavy backrest, match the yellow ochre lacquered ledges. The wavy design represents water, a prosperity symbol . Claret ultra suede echoes the accent wall divided into two parts by strip lighting.

The dining room features verdigris finished wrought iron dining and console tables topped with opal glass from Japan. Turquoise ultra suede covers the black lacquer dining chairs. Originally small windows, the niches hold a collection Japanese lacquer ware. The curvilinear back-lighted pink glass block wall adds warmth and drama.

Set for an Asian style dinner, the dining table has colorful burgundy and yellow ochre placemats and napkins matched by Baccarat glassware. The opal glass table top accentuates the centerpiece composed of gold leafed lotus from Japan entwined to a Botswana desert root.

*Read related article in Lifestyle Asia

FROM THE READERS "It has been inspiring to be able to read and see what one (a layman) cannot ordinarily express in home decor. Interesting to see the Botswana Desert Root in one of your pics. Thank you." Thalaia Alvarez, Gaborone, Botswana, Africa; March'99

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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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