Riverside Duplex: As Spring Light Quietly Enters the Interior, Art and Life Engage in a Free Dialogue
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
“Space should not be a pre-set style label, but a flowing narrative. We step back in the design process, allowing the river view, light and shadow, and the homeowner’s art collection to take center stage, so the home can gradually develop its own marks of life over time”
Stepping into this penthouse duplex in Nantong, with its unobstructed river views, the first impression is not one of ostentation, but of quiet composure and ease. At the entrance, an abstract artwork, Blooming Flowers, sets a lively tone with expressive brushstrokes, bringing the spirit of spring indoors and offering a gentle pause upon arrival. This resonates with project manager Simon Chong’s design philosophy: architecture should recede into the background, allowing the residents’ lifestyle and artistic sensibility to lead the spatial experience.
The overall planning centers on the natural river scenery beyond the windows. A full-height panoramic glass curtain wall extends the visual horizon, linking the living room, master bedroom, and sunken reading area in a fluid sequence. Meanwhile, the 5.5-meter atrium, together with the open-plan living, dining, and kitchen areas, dissolves rigid boundaries and creates a sense of openness and continuity. Materially, the design is deliberately restrained. Natural stone and wood veneer establish clean vertical and horizontal lines, while subtle metal details are used sparingly in select areas. This quiet discipline in material expression brings craftsmanship and refinement into focus, allowing daylight and the changing river views to remain the true protagonists of the home.
The furnishings and accessories further reflect an appreciation for craft and cultural depth. A classic Roche Bobois sofa from France and a stone coffee table by Baxter from Italy are paired with a hand-woven wool velvet rug, their tactile qualities and sculptural lines integrating seamlessly with the architecture. Near the window, hand-painted gold detailing on European bone china teaware adds an elegant touch to everyday ritual. Elsewhere, the designer reinterprets traditional Nantong blue-and-white printed fabric motifs into a modern stone mosaic platform, creating a dialogue between French sophistication and local heritage.
In the multi-functional area, bookshelves are arranged with books and collectibles gathered from the homeowner’s travels, alongside prints by Chang Yu. In the adjacent sunken reading area, the fireplace glow and natural light overlap to create a private, contemplative retreat. For Simon, the ideal home returns agency to life itself: through carefully considered negative space, the materials are allowed to age naturally, and the residence gradually accumulates a character all its own.
