Yu Shan’s Home by ONE SOUL

The 130-square-meter interior is embraced on three sides by a 180-square-meter garden, a living canvas that shifts with the seasons. Originally a four-bedroom layout, the home was reimagined into a spacious one-bedroom retreat for two. As the couple frequently travel for work, they envisioned a haven where they could truly unwind. It was from this longing that the idea took root—to craft a home that feels like a forest.

For Yu Shan, a home is a vessel that grows and evolves with its inhabitants. He likens it to the quilt from his childhood—a secret world once hid his toys, snacks, and tiny treasures. Now, that quilt has expanded, spacious enough to cradle the shifting rhythms of adult life. Guided by this vision, they dismantled the original conventional layout, opening all four bedrooms to create a more continuous and fluid interior. A small timber cabin is added in the side garden, subtly dividing the outdoor area into a front orchard and a rear woodland retreat.

Inside, work and life weave together with effortless fluidity. Near the living room, a workspace facing the front yard supports moments of concentrated work, bathed in daylight and natural rhythms. Meanwhile, a more free-spirited study is placed beside the bathtub—so that inspiration arising in moments of repose can be noted without interruption. This spatial choreography reflects the designer couple’s sensitivity to their own creative rhythm.

The soul of the home lies in the couple’s distinctive attitude toward objects. Rather than adhering to a fixed style, cherished pieces naturally find their place in everyday life. From 1980s pieces by Dieter Rams to B&O sound systems and contemporary furnishings by Roche Bobois and Ligne Roset, each item plays a role—never dominating the space, but collectively nurturing the atmosphere.

Throughout the home, thoughtful details quietly unfold. The living room eschews traditional curtains in favor of sliding screens inspired by Japanese yukimi shoji, offering an ever-changing view of the garden. The kitchen ceiling features gradient stainless steel, recalling the charm of old-time kitchens where smoke left walls stained in fading shades. Modular stools crafted for gatherings double as sculptural pillars in the study when not in use, their surfaces intricately hand-carved by artisans. Lighting fixtures and a tea table take cues from nesting birds in the garden. The bedside cabinet is expandable, offering quiet storage for linens. A translucent cabinet, adapted from an artistic folding screen, subtly balances aesthetic appeal with everyday practicality. Each detail, playful yet purposeful, contributes to a space that is deeply lived-in and gently expressive.

The interior features black limestone flooring, its warm tactility and muted tone drawing the gaze toward the ever-changing landscape outside. The garden embraces a philosophy of “natural growth,” left intentionally untamed to provide a welcoming habitat for plants, birds, and insects to thrive freely. This living, ever-shifting canvas has become the home’s most treasured view.

The home eventually comes to life through the couple’s intuitive partnership. His spatial planning and her sensitivity to furnishings complement one another, weaving rationality and emotion into harmony. For them, home is not about efficiency but about authenticity—an honest embrace of their lifestyle, where every corner carries their story.