Sea Side Haven

This two-bedroom apartment at Malabar Hill came to us as a reconfiguration project, the existing layout was functional, but it wasn't maximizing the space. We reworked some of the internal walls to open up the living areas and give the home a greater sense of flow. Since the apartment sits on the first floor, natural light was something we had to work deliberately to bring in, so we enlarged the windows to let more light and air move through the space.

The clients had a clear material preference - they wanted veneer and wood to lead the design. Rather than layering too much on top of that, we kept the colour palette deliberately neutral throughout, letting the warmth of the materials do the work and keeping everything feeling balanced rather than busy.

Here, the client mentioned early on that she's an avid reader, so we carved out a dedicated reading nook, the kind of corner you actually want to settle into. We also restored a handful of furniture pieces and paintings that the family had held onto for years. Keeping those in the design was important - they're what gives a home its character.

The brief also included designing the mother's bedroom and bathroom with particular care. She has partial blindness, so we considered every detail with her ease of movement in mind; rounded edges throughout, recessed handles, and an overall spatial logic that enables her to navigate the space comfortably and independently.