Look Inside an Art Collector’s Apartment in Hangzhou
Modern design meets international art an the ancient Chinese city.
The studio is adjacent to the main terrace, and is filled with lush tropical greens. Lucite chairs float over the Daisy rug from the Tai Ping archive. Decorative cabinets hold a collection of art objects.
Hangzhou, the capital city of the Zhejiang province in China, sits at the terminus of the Grand Canal waterway, at the Eastern foot of the Tianmu (Eye of Heaven) Mountains, and on the shore of Xi (West) Lake. The city is celebrated for its beauty in poetry and paintings going back to the 9th century.
The living room is all curves, from the custom lighting to the sofas. The room is anchored by Tai Ping’s Raw rug, designed by Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance. The small kitchen is streamlined with cabinets by Poggenpohl.
The lake was a favorite imperial retreat, and has islands with temples, pavilions, gardens and arched bridges. Today, Hangzhou boasts world-class architecture and is a hub of trade, industry and science. It has been selected as the site of the 2022 Asian Games.
The Qiantang Residence by interior designer Austin Cai of NVD Interior Design reflects elements of life in this bustling metropolis of over 10 million people. The modern apartment is designed for an art collector and boasts a large collection of contemporary art from all over the world.
Left: A woven hemp screen by Marcel Wanders and Gabriele Chiave creates privacy for the master bedroom.
Right: A Maxalto table and Husk chairs from B&B Italia grace the dining room.
In the guest bedroom, the geometric rug brings contrast to the neutral palette.
In the living room, defined by woven screens made from hemp, the curvilinear sofas echo the curves of the room. The layered stacking of textures and shapes are accented by the Raw carpet designed by Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance for Tai Ping. A ring-shaped crystal light is designed by Hungarian artists János Héder and Judit Zoltai.
A small open kitchen adjacent to the living room provides convenience for entertaining small parties or cooking casual family meals. In the Chinese tradition, there is a larger private kitchen that is hidden from sight. A room called “The Studio,” is covered in tropical flora on the walls, and an effusive ode to spring, the Daisy carpet by Tai Ping, on the floor. The room connects with the lush greenery on the adjacent terrace.
Opposite from the impressive views in the master bedroom, a walk-in closet designed by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia is the ultimate in luxury.
In the studio, Tai Ping’s Daisy carpet and walls covered in tropical flora echo the greenery on the adjacent terrace.
The elegant master bedroom is anchored by Taiping’s Abalone rug from the Tides collection and is separated from the public rooms by a Diamond screen by Marcel Wanders and Gabriel Chiave. Walk-in closets by B&B Italia hold all the necessities of life. The marble-clad master bath is perfect for an in-home spa getaway.
Gold and marble finishes add to the modern elegance of the living room.
The spa bath is a perfect escape from busy city life.