By Willy Wilson | Jul 23, 2010
Photographs courtesy of id iN design magazine
Two popular concepts, one ethnic contemporary home
The Balinese aesthetic is not a new concept in the ethnic design world. The island owes much of its unique design philosophy to the deep-rooted Hindu tradition embraced by its society.
Equally popular among ethnic design enthusiasts is the Oriental aesthetic. Known for its rich history across geographical boundaries in Central Asia – from India all the way to China – Oriental aesthetic has been influenced by centuries-old Persian, Turkish and Chinese culture.
Attempting to capture these two popular design concepts is designer Frankie Chin of One Stop Design & Display Sdn. Bhd. His challenge wasn’t only to integrate two strong design aesthetics, but also to frame them within a contemporary context.
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| Two popular design concepts: Combination of Balinese and Oriental aesthetics |
Situated amidst the bungalows in Desa ParkCity, Chin’s client’s house is an open-concept house with a living room that invites the outside landscaping in. Here, the designer tells StarProperty.my about his effort to make a thoroughly contemporary architecture that embraces traditional Balinese and Oriental aesthetics.
The epitome of ethnic contemporary design
A 4,600sq ft semi-D house located in the hilly part of Desa ParkCity, the house is blessed with a panoramic view of the city. Blocking this view with brick walls was the last thing the homeowner wanted.
With this in mind, Chin laid out a blueprint with exceptional open-concept, trading the traditional brick walls with floor-to-ceiling glass frontier in addition to the already large and tall windows. He insists that the prominent use of glass allows a seamless connection between the outdoor and indoor living.
According to the designer, garden is a big part of the house, measuring up to 1,500sq ft. This includes a verandah and a 140sf ft fish pond. All are part of the Balinese tropical living experience. Such an arrangement enables the homeowners to admire the panoramic view of the city whilst enjoying the evening breeze.
Further emphasising the ethnic feel is a decorative water feature and Buddhist statues at the main entrance. Once in, a contemporary Buddhist painting greets guests at the foyer. Underneath the painting is an array of antique Oriental decorations, such as a metal horse and a Buddha head sculpture which sit atop a teak wood cabinet.
Next to the foyer is the living area. Surrounded by a tropical garden, this living area endures a distinctive Oriental style with clean-cut modern executions. Take, for example, the traditional Chinese cupboard in striking red. Cornered at one end of the room, this cupboard is sandwiched between an elegant Ming chair and a flat-screen television.
Large windows cover most part of the living area. However, one side of the room is walled up with raw cement and bricks finishing, on which the flat-screen television is hung.
Design elements
How ethnic design aesthetic became a popular trend worldwide is a story of cross-cultural legacy. Both Balinese and Oriental designs are an amalgamation of different design elements. It is said that simplifying the ornate furnishings and toning down the colours will give that contemporary edge.
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| Modern meets traditional: Solid surface table top meets black plywood dining table |
But for Chin, it is the selection of material that matter the most. He believes that an imaginative use of stone, concrete, ceramic, glass and teak wood is key to achieving the ideal ethnic contemporary look. Chin also adds that meticulous precisions when it comes to space measurement and choice of colours are crucial factors in developing contemporary style that complements the fascinating array of ethnic interior.
His design philosophy is obvious in the kitchen and dining area, where modern elements – solid surface table top, spray paint finishing, glass windows and black plywood dining table – meet traditional ethnic finishing such as bird cage lamps and bamboo wall feature.
Ethnic contemporary essentials for beginners
1.) Stoned on stone
Giving texture using natural stone is a technique popular among contemporary design genre. Such look, too, is a reminiscent of ancient Asian aesthetic during the heyday of Buddhist and Hindu era.
2.) Connecting outdoor and indoor living
Creating a seamless pattern between the outdoor and indoor living is embraced by the Balinese culture. A smart way to maintain such look, sans intolerable humidity and blood-hungry mosquitoes in the living room, is to use a glass frontier to separate the outdoor from the indoor space.
3.) Ethnic decorations
The usual Buddha head sculpture is good. But you may want to consider contemporary Buddha paintings to maintain the modern atmosphere.
4.) Garden
Regardless the size, a garden is essential when it comes to an ethnic contemporary house. Keep the garden simple by opting for plants with slender trunks such as the Frangipani tree.
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