Taking inspiration from So Dongpo’s poetic verses, the design team reflects on silence is moving and reflect this tranquillity in their serene interiors

So Dongpo has a poem that reads: “The silence caused the crowds to move, emptiness surrounds.”

Emptiness means freedom and agility, and emptiness means the flow of spiritual energy. Zong Baihua once mentioned in his script "Aesthetic Walking" that spiritual indifference is the basic condition for art to become ethereal. When the ethereal spirit of art is incorporated into the charm of space and the philosophy of living, this is a creation from artistic conception that evolves with personality, allowing its residents living within to understand life and taste it deeply, enjoying life, art and freedom.

In Li Yizhong's over 20 years of design journey, he has perfected the integration of contemporary aesthetics, culture, art and function. According to the characteristics of each space, Li spares no effort in creating an elegant, flexible and harmonious humanistic temperament. For this residential mansion, he sought inner enlightenment and led their design team from Chengdu to express the rhythm of life through spatial design while realising the freedom of life. This space was to embody an ethereal nature, filled with a sense of freedom while being artistic.

A deep state of emotion pervades the dining space of the residence, while the living room evokes timeless beauty. Chosen materials come from nature, and this is paired with down to earth colours and textures throughout. From the lightness of the stairs, the rhythm of the hanging paintings, the outline of the furniture, the texture of the suede, the freshness of the wood, the poetry of cotton and linen, and the low saturation of colours to the warmth of the lights, all these work holistically in the space. Chosen soft furnishings form a rhyme within, connecting and cementing a mood. As the light falls in, inch by inch, the effect is ethereal and elegant.

Meanwhile, in the master bedroom, a true sanctuary for rest and peace has been created. While the design narrative seems to be one of simplicity and elegance at the outset, it in fact succinctly proves that sometimes, reducing everything in life to its essence is sometimes the most effective design. Less is more here, also highlighting the inner cultivation and emotional wealth of its residents. A brick-red painting placed on the wall adds colour and spontaneity to the space, and evokes the imagery of “the lotus blossoms are red at sunset, and they sit and relax for the rest of their lives”.

The designer’s understanding is, when a person's spirit is free enough, what he or she sees is not only the beauty of objects but also the resonance caused by the soul and life of objects. Therefore, good design reflects the richness of the realm, allowing people to arouse endless interest and imagination in the swaying rhythm and harmony. A Phalaenopsis is in full bloom by the window, and a dark green hanging painting is placed randomly, creating a deep and tranquil mood like "willows by the lake, a touch of green willow" under the warm light.  On the second floor is the living space for children. Here, the rhythm of space has been adapted to a livelier, high-spirited one, while the mood is clean and bright, evoking the flavours of spring. A grassland carpet filled with wildlife charm by Alexandra Kehayoglou is a standout, where colours bring joy and a hammock is a touch of whimsy while providing a relaxing spot.

Concludes Li, "A house is material, but life must be poetic.” This residence is a fine example: the design is neither stale or stagnant, and explores the deepest meaning of life in a harmonious way. Objets d’art and inspiring scenes form their own realm through Li’s design expression. The space is rich and ethereal and the spirit is contented and free.