Cover The home’s Asian influences are expressed through an elegant mix of traditional and modern furnishings. All photography: Tommaso Riva
The home’s Asian influences are expressed through an elegant mix of traditional and modern furnishings. All photography: Tommaso Riva
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Lilith House, a sprawling mansion in Surabaya designed by BK Studio, is designed to meld the family’s Chinese roots with stunning examples of Indonesian craftsmanship
A home is often a reflection of the owners’ personalities and backgrounds, so when an Indonesian family embarked on a renovation project, their designer knew exactly what to do. Founder of BK Studio Budi Kurniawan saw this project as the ideal opportunity to showcase Eastern touches such as decorative chinoiserie elements alongside exquisite artisanal details that were specially created by local craftsmen.
The sprawling 18,298 sq ft home is located in one of the most prestigious mansion clusters in West Surabaya and overlooks a beautiful golf course. Additionally, the homeowners, who run a fashion business and have three grown-up sons, wished to pay homage to the heart and soul of the family—the mother.
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Mirrored wall panels expand the sense of space in the living area
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To achieve this, Kurniawan, who specialises in offering a bespoke, hands-on approach to each of his projects, drew inspiration from the mythical female character, Lilith, to bring the refurbishment of the family abode to life. “If Lilith were to exist in this world, you would identify her in the characteristics of the lady of the house—strong and focused, yet loving. She is the centre of the home, where this residence not only fulfils her needs but those of family as well,” he explains.
He gave this theme an artistic interpretation by embedding three-dimensional flower petals created by a local artist on the staircase walls and incorporating a motif of curlicues into the wrought-iron handrail. “The flower petals symbolise the figure of a woman as a source of life while spreading its beauty to the surroundings while the wrought iron elaborates on the characteristic of the owner; firm yet gentle at the same time,” says Kurniawan.
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A view of the Sans Souci Lighting’s Flamenco chandelier from the hallway
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At the entrance, the handcrafted main door, which was created by local artisans, heralds the Southeast Asian theme. The light-filled entryway features double-volume glass doors and window panels to maximise natural light; two full-length etageres also offer the owners ample display space for their lovingly curated collection of Eastern-themed jars.
In the same space, a Chinese-style black credenza with gold imagery stands alongside furniture by respected Indonesian designer Jaya Ibrahim, while a Flamenco chandelier by Sans Souci Lighting and a grand piano complete the homely tableau. Eastern decorative motifs are also echoed in the living room, on a TV console and cabinet. In a nod to the owner’s fashion background, coffee table tomes of iconic luxury labels including Louis Vuitton are artfully scattered around the space.
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Above The custom doors make a statement with their striking geometric design
Above A grand piano takes pride of place in the foyer
The custom doors make a statement with their striking geometric design
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Above The angular forms of the chaise longue and the Visual Comfort pendant lamps echo the linear details on the full-height glass panes
Above The double-layered mirror at this vanity area is among the many playful touches in the home
The angular forms of the chaise longue and the Visual Comfort pendant lamps echo the linear details on the full-height glass panes
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To enliven the atmosphere of the living and dining areas, most of the other key furnishings, such as the sofa set and dining chairs as well as the curtain drapes and carpets, feature light tones of dove grey, cream and ecru. Mirrored panels and two Waterfall chandeliers from Serip Lighting—positioned over a Lillian August dining table—further reflect light to create an aura of expansiveness in these zones.
Sparing no expense in creating a home that will nourish the family and their guests, the homeowners also enlisted BK Studio to outfit their pantry and kitchen with quality cabinetry by German brand Leicht Kitchen and stylish appliances by Italian label Smeg. “Some of the most enjoyable aspects of the project were the discussions the team had with the homeowner throughout the design process. With her strong background in textiles and her keen mind, it was very pleasant to make decisions based on the family’s needs and preferences,” reflects Kurniawan.
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Above A pair of Serip Waterfall chandeliers float above a dining table from Lillian August
Above The kitchen is outfitted with cabinetry from Leicht Kitchen and appliances from Smeg
A pair of Serip Waterfall chandeliers float above a dining table from Lillian August
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The designers also paid special attention to the master suite, where the couple spend much of their private time. Comprising a series of rooms including a lounge, individual studies, a walk-in closet, bathroom and the bedroom, the space features soothing cream and grey tones interspersed with handsome accents of wood to evoke the tropics of the region.
A plush Bernhardt sofa in the private lounge marks the transition to a space that inspires a more contemplative mood. Meanwhile, a daybed in the hallway faces a selection of gold-framed portraits of their children—now grown up—a visual representation of the strong ties in the family. At the owners’ request, the team selected wall lamps and chandeliers from notable brands including French crystal maker Baccarat, with the lights casting a warm glow throughout the space, while their bathroom sports fittings and sanitary ware from luxury Italian brand Devon & Devon.
The striped rug plays up the linear details on the abstract painting in this bedroom
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Amid the contemporary touches, decorative jars and lacquered storage boxes provide a sense of continuity to the Asian influences present in the home.
“As storytellers, we incorporated elements of their culture encompassing fashion, social habits and art into the design. Every corner of the residence was carefully thought out so that each space has its own unique identity. The overall effect is a timeless aesthetic that is warm yet contemporary, while still showcasing the identity of the owners,” says Kurniawan.
The owners love the end result as the house has been specially designed to cater to their various needs. They declare: “Finally, our dream house has become a reality.
Credits
Photography: Tommaso Riva
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