China Living. Sharon Leece

and pared-down elegance. Serene shades of taupe and charcoal offset the pure white palette. In the center of the room is a coffee table made of compressed bamboo.

      A molded handrail is recessed into the side of the sculptural staircase; lights are positioned at skirting level.

      Elegant dark taupe vinyl matting has been used for the floor of the staircase. It has a fine weave yet is very practical.

      The master bedroom is a symphony in white, cream, taupe and ivory. Adding extra glamour is a crystal drop chandelier, ivory glazed linens by Rubelli and a tri-toned loose pile linen rug.

      The son’s light-filled bedroom has been accessorized with a pale blue and charcoal color scheme. In the corner is a miniature horseshoe armchair; above the bed is a large pinboard.

      The family room is both cosy and stylish featuring tailor-made white shelf units to display sculptures and photographs. Above a faux lizard ottoman hangs a pleated lampshade by Santa and Cole.

      Blanket-stitched blue and charcoal felt rug by Roger Oats.

      Glass mosaic tiles in the bathroom continue the taupe and pale blue color scheme.

      Close-up of Zhu Wei sculpture.

      The dining room features a dark charcoal taupe wall as a backdrop to the pale, duck egg upholstery. On the wall hangs a painting by Natalie du Pasquier.

      With its picture windows, the living room offers picturesque views of the surrounding hillside. Rubelli linen curtains trimmed with dark taupe velvet contrast with the white lacquer flooring.

      Molded chairs flank a kitchen island which is topped with Statuario marble.

      A painting by Hong Zhu An hangs in a corner of the living room. The pair of rectangular sculpture stands to the right were designed by Oppenheimer.

      tang villa

       new courtyard house

      Designer ROCCO YIM and WILLIAM LIM | Pudong SHANGHAI

      THE SPRAWLING DISTRICT of Pudong, located on the east bank of Shanghai’s Huangpu River, is becoming the city’s financial and commercial hub. Just over a decade ago, Pudong was mainly farmland; today the area is a glittering mass of futuristic skyscrapers which face across the river towards the classical art deco buildings of The Bund.

      With its wide boulevards, sculpted parks and ordered sense of space, Pudong is home to growing numbers of high end villa developments. One of the most noteworthy is the Mandarin Palace or Jiu Jian Tang, a collection of modern Chinese garden houses designed by architects from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan. Since classical times, gardens have been an important element in the homes of China’s elite, demonstrating the status of their owners.

      The largest villa here is the Tang Villa by Hong Kong-based architect Rocco Yim of Rocco Design for developer Shanghai Zendai Delta Property. The interior design is by William Lim of CL3. Designed as a contemporary take on the Chinese courtyard house, the villa—which measures 900 square meters (9500 square feet) and is on a 2,000-square-meter (21,000-square-foot) plot of land—combines traditional Chinese architectural and cultural concepts with modern living requirements.

      Bamboo groves flank the modernist exterior of the villa.

      The expansive space is divided into several distinct areas—an impressive glass-walled formal reception hall and dining room with visible system of supporting pillars is on the ground floor with the guest and family quarters to the side. On the upper level is a master suite with bedroom, bathroom and study; in the basement is a gallery space, games room and bar.