A Gallery-Inspired Home

Emulating the clean-lined and minimal aesthetic of an art gallery, the Taipei home of designer Chih-Hao Tseng is a tactful exercise in restraint and functionality

When Taipei-based designer Chih-Hao Tseng envisioned the new home he would share with his partner, he sought a space that felt bright, clean and modern. Inspired by the idea of an art gallery, he turned a 46-square-metre apartment with a mezzanine into a sleek and minimalist home that evokes a sense of calm and tranquillity.

At the entrance, a dark timber doorway opens into the living space, where large windows and a sculptural staircase take advantage of the four-and-a-half-metre-high ceiling. ‘Since the original space was quite small, we tried to reconfigure the position and style of the stairs to match the white walls, mirrors and glass, creating a sort of magnifying effect,’ says Tseng, who heads up interiors studio Degree Design. ‘The spiral staircase combines elegance with minimalism, like a unique sculpture.’ Materials like mirror, glass, veneer, iron, stone and mineral paint give the space a polished and uncluttered look. ‘The intention was to make the space look pure and relaxed, with an art gallery feel,’ Tseng explains.

Custom pieces like the spiral staircase, the black iron shelf and the marble coffee table and bar in the living room subtly evoke art displays and bring a personal touch to the pared-down space. ‘I like to juxtapose iron pieces with wood and stone to keep the space cool while adding some natural texture and a feeling of warmth,’ the designer says.

It’s the home’s simple geometry and thoughtful use of materials that give the apartment its unique character. Every area and element was imagined with intention and purpose, achieving a well-designed home that feels both functional and inspiring.

Text / Nina Milhaud
Images / Hey! Cheese