Get ready for a delightful home tour with Mrs. Huang, as Ellen pens down her journey of creating a cozy 23-ping (approximately 76 square meters) Japanese-style abode, scoring a whopping popularity of 8660! Mrs. Huang's story is all about transforming her new home in Taoyuan into a warm and efficient space, filled with light and clever storage solutions. Let's dive into her 'unboxing' adventure! 🗝️📦
Buying Background: Originally from Taichung, Mrs. Huang and her family moved back to her mother's place in Taoyuan, selling their Taichung home and buying a new one nearby. Proximity to her mother's house was key, as well as a reasonable price and a layout that didn't scream "overwhelming".
Finding the Right Designer: Unlike their previous home, which was simply furnished, this time they wanted a professionally designed, comfortable space. The designer turned out to be a relative, ensuring a smooth and trusting collaboration. 🤝
Initial State of the House: The presale unit came with a 3+1 room layout, but the Huangs didn't need the extra room. They decided to convert it into a dining and reading area. Also, Mrs. Huang, being an avid cook, expanded the kitchen slightly by sacrificing some living room space for additional storage and a prep counter.
Their Requirements:
A separate entryway.
A cabinet between the entryway and the dining area.
An extra door for the dressing room.
No pendant lights.
Bright, warm, Japanese-style aesthetic.
Just enough storage, nothing excessive.
The Renovation Journey: The designer used low-formaldehyde materials, especially for the ceiling woodwork. Most of the storage was system cabinets, considering the children's health.
The Grand Reveal:
Entryway: Mrs. Huang was particular about not revealing the entire house at first glance for Feng Shui reasons. The entryway was designed with a spacious drop zone and a glass screen made of small ice-pillar glass to let in light. It includes a shoe bench, essential for elderly guests, and cleverly hidden storage for helmets and outdoor gear.
Living Room: Simple TV wall with hidden sockets. The wood elements are in light colors, in contrast to the darker wood in their previous home.
Dining Room: The double-sided cabinet originally planned as a neat Muji-style unit was redesigned into a lively, assorted-size compartment layout. The back of the cabinet, appearing as a grey wall, has hooks for the kids' artwork. The dining side storage is for dry goods and snacks, keeping clutter out of sight.
Master Bedroom: Consistent with the rest of the house, it features a bathroom separated by an iron and glass door, doubling as a dressing room with just enough storage for their modest wardrobe.
Post-Renovation Thoughts: Mrs. Huang emphasizes the importance of knowing your desired functionality, style, and storage needs to efficiently communicate with the designer. She also highlights budget management, a crucial and realistic aspect of any renovation. Her parting advice is to meticulously review material costs to avoid budget blowouts.
So there you have it - a sneak peek into Mrs. Huang's cozy, light-filled, and efficiently planned Japanese minimalist home, a true inspiration for anyone looking to create a serene and functional living space! 🌸🛋️
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