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During the renovation, Chu extended the bathroom next to the master bedroom outwards to create a bath and shower room that blurs the boundaries between interior and exterior. He also added a skylight made from a repurposed car sunroof, which was purchased secondhand for $100 and could be operated by remote control to easily let the elements in. “There were many challenges in what we wanted to do,” says Chu. “Then, we searched for materials and ways of doing that—or we let the site inspire us.”
During the renovation, Chu extended the bathroom next to the master bedroom outwards to create a bath and shower room that blurs the boundaries between interior and exterior. He also added a skylight made from a repurposed car sunroof, which was purchased secondhand for $100 and could be operated by remote control to easily let the elements in. “There were many challenges in what we wanted to do,” says Chu. “Then, we searched for materials and ways of doing that—or we let the site inspire us.”
“Throughout the renovation, it was important to understand the cultural heritage of the Japanese elements and bring them back to life, and also understand what Taiwanese contractors can do,” says Chu. “There is an amazing relationship between the house, the contractors, and us.” The multipurpose family room connects, through a sliding wall, to the master bedroom, which leads out to the garden courtyard.
“Throughout the renovation, it was important to understand the cultural heritage of the Japanese elements and bring them back to life, and also understand what Taiwanese contractors can do,” says Chu. “There is an amazing relationship between the house, the contractors, and us.” The multipurpose family room connects, through a sliding wall, to the master bedroom, which leads out to the garden courtyard.
The main living room is located where the old kitchen used to be. It features the original stone flooring.
The main living room is located where the old kitchen used to be. It features the original stone flooring.
The sliding front door is made of glass panels, and its bright red color was inspired by the red doors (symbolic of fortune and prosperity) found in traditional villages in Taiwan. “We wanted the front door to be transparent so that light filters into the interior even when the door is closed,” says Chu. “It was very important to have a constant relationship between inside and outside.”
The sliding front door is made of glass panels, and its bright red color was inspired by the red doors (symbolic of fortune and prosperity) found in traditional villages in Taiwan. “We wanted the front door to be transparent so that light filters into the interior even when the door is closed,” says Chu. “It was very important to have a constant relationship between inside and outside.”
The original entrance was a simple wooden door, which had seriously deteriorated over time. The new tenants are very interested in Feng Shui, which dictates that the entrance to a home should be located in the middle of the building’s front facade—luckily, the existing entrance met this criteria.
The original entrance was a simple wooden door, which had seriously deteriorated over time. The new tenants are very interested in Feng Shui, which dictates that the entrance to a home should be located in the middle of the building’s front facade—luckily, the existing entrance met this criteria.
“It’s a really beautiful piece set in that corridor,” says Yoon.
“It’s a really beautiful piece set in that corridor,” says Yoon.
The master suite didn’t have room for a full-fledged stair, so the team came up with the idea for a ship’s ladder, executed by Tradern Fine Woodworking, that’s completely concealed in the cabinetry.
The master suite didn’t have room for a full-fledged stair, so the team came up with the idea for a ship’s ladder, executed by Tradern Fine Woodworking, that’s completely concealed in the cabinetry.
The updated cottage offers another bedroom and a full kitchen.
The updated cottage offers another bedroom and a full kitchen.
Original woodwork, including exposed trusses and hardwood floors, adds rustic flair. A bright-green staircase climbs to a loft that looks out over the dining and living room.
Original woodwork, including exposed trusses and hardwood floors, adds rustic flair. A bright-green staircase climbs to a loft that looks out over the dining and living room.
The living area is located in a corner underneath the loft, opposite the home’s single bedroom.
The living area is located in a corner underneath the loft, opposite the home’s single bedroom.
While this is a full-sized bathroom, West says that the same principles should apply to a powder room: add dimension and detail wherever possible. She thinks using matte black finishes adds more drama, too.
While this is a full-sized bathroom, West says that the same principles should apply to a powder room: add dimension and detail wherever possible. She thinks using matte black finishes adds more drama, too.
When space is tight, Dabito says that you should also consider designing niches for storage. In this case, a shelf was added for plants and cosmetics.
When space is tight, Dabito says that you should also consider designing niches for storage. In this case, a shelf was added for plants and cosmetics.
West says that you should choose a bold, colorful tile for the floor, and then run it up the side of a wall as an eye-catching accent. That's what she did in this kids' bathroom.
West says that you should choose a bold, colorful tile for the floor, and then run it up the side of a wall as an eye-catching accent. That's what she did in this kids' bathroom.