Cover The living room sets the tone at The Continental, with orange walls, green draperies and classical mouldings, evoking an old-world salon where antiques and furniture from the Jaya Ibrahim collection create a layered sense of glamour
The living room sets the tone at The Continental, with orange walls, green draperies and classical mouldings, evoking an old-world salon where antiques and furniture from the Jaya Ibrahim collection create a layered sense of glamour
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Named after The Continental, the fictional luxury hotel chain in the “John Wick” universe, this Surabaya home for a family of nine unfolds through cinematic interiors where, as the architect insists, white is not a colour
In one of Surabaya’s most prestigious residential enclaves stands a house known simply as The Continental. Designed by BK Studio for a multigenerational family of nine, the 30,000 sq ft, four-level residence was named after the fictional luxury hotel chain in the John Wick cinematic universe. Each Continental hotel is designed as a sumptuously put together refuge for assassins, who must abide by certain codes of conduct on its grounds lest their membership be revoked.
The way the design concept of the home arrived at the fictional hotel’s aesthetics was somewhat serendipitous and organic. It helped that the homeowner already possessed the right ingredients to translate the high concept into reality. He was not a fan of minimalism, but a devoted admirer of vintage cinema, with an extensive collection of vintage cars, analogue cameras and vinyl records that architect Budi Kurniawan, founder of BK Studio, describes as an “old-soul sensibility”—a deep appreciation for objects with history and provenance.
In case you missed it: Home tour: how architecture intertwines two households in this South Jakarta home
Above The exterior of The Continental echoes old-world European architecture, framed by conifer-lined landscaping
Above The Continental shifts to a more modern architectural expression on the opposite façade
The exterior of The Continental echoes old-world European architecture, framed by conifer-lined landscaping
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The existing plot of land was a blank canvas. With the client entrusting BK Studio with the architecture, interior design, lighting design and design procurement for the new-build house, it presented a golden opportunity to explore and develop a cohesive vision from the ground up.
Above A silhouetted foyer screen creates a poetic moment at The Continental
Above A deep-blue console and gilt mirror punctuate this richly detailed foyer
A silhouetted foyer screen creates a poetic moment at The Continental
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“We were drawn to the idea of The Continental Hotel as a protected realm within a chaotic city,” shares Kurniawan. “A place where identities are acknowledged and boundaries are respected.” The concept became a framework for a private domestic world defined by mood, sequence and character.
Above At The Continental, a framed view leads from the living room into the kitchen
Above A vignette of orange and green brings a sense of freshness, viewed from the foyer at The Continental
At The Continental, a framed view leads from the living room into the kitchen
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Above An elongated dining table is paired with chandeliers, russet walls and classical panelling
An elongated dining table is paired with chandeliers, russet walls and classical panelling
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In Technicolour
If the fictional Continental hotel’s rules stipulate “no blood spilled”, then Kurniawan’s tenet for the house is “white is not a colour”, which serves as the guiding principle for the interior design, where colour becomes the primary instrument shaping the atmosphere.
Deep greens, textured oranges and layered textiles replace the pale minimalism often associated with contemporary luxury homes. The five locations of the Continental hotels—New York, Rome, Casablanca, Osaka and Paris—that have appeared in the cinematic universe so far all share an old-world glamour with East-meets-West elements.
Above A richly layered corner beneath a sparkling crystal chandelier
Above Green panelled walls, mirrored panels and brass chandeliers give this corridor a subtle reminiscence of Versailles’ Hall of Mirrors
A richly layered corner beneath a sparkling crystal chandelier
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Above The pantry pairs deep green cabinetry with brass accents and a marble island
The pantry pairs deep green cabinetry with brass accents and a marble island
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Pattern appears throughout the interiors in the form of damask fabrics, Eastern motifs and structured stripes, arranged carefully so that each room carries its own personality while remaining connected to the broader narrative of the house.
To Kurniawan, the decision was both aesthetic and emotional. The homeowner’s interests already pointed in this direction. “Their collections are not decorative objects,” Kurniawan says. “They are extensions of identity.”
Above The lift lobby at The Continental is dressed in green, with an old-school needle indicator marking the floors
Above An arched window frames the silhouette of an armchair and a classic gramophone at The Continental
The lift lobby at The Continental is dressed in green, with an old-school needle indicator marking the floors
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Parisian boiserie forms the architectural backbone of many rooms, introducing order and proportion, while Eastern antiques and patterned textiles bring warmth and historical resonance. Qing-dynasty pottery appears alongside classical and contemporary Western furniture, producing an environment that feels lived in and elevated at the same time.
Above Parisian-style boiserie frames a pair of double doors set against the home’s signature orange walls
Above A series of doorways frames a layered view through the house
Parisian-style boiserie frames a pair of double doors set against the home’s signature orange walls
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Above A barber chair and theatre mirror give this grooming room a cinematic flair
A barber chair and theatre mirror give this grooming room a cinematic flair
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Lighting plays a crucial role in this composition, sculpting surfaces and creating subtle contrasts between shadow and texture. As daylight moves across the house, colours shift and patterns emerge differently, allowing the interiors to transform throughout the day.
Kurniawan describes the process of procuring the new furniture pieces as unusually meticulous. “Every significant piece was proposed individually and discussed extensively with the owners,” he says.
This extended dialogue allowed the interiors to evolve organically, reflecting the family’s personal interests and collections. Each room carries its own palette and identity while remaining connected through the architectural framework of boiserie and pattern.
Above Modern artwork sits next orange walls, adding a contemporary layer to the neoclassical interiors
Modern artwork sits next orange walls, adding a contemporary layer to the neoclassical interiors
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Above A writing desk stands against richly textured walls trimmed with gilded mouldings
Above Thick curtains at the study allow for adjustable privacy while casting a dramatic silhouette.
A writing desk stands against richly textured walls trimmed with gilded mouldings
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Private Sanctuary
The house was also designed to function with the efficiency of a boutique hotel, an idea that aligns with the Continental reference at the heart of the concept.
The spatial journey begins at the entrance of the residence, where the architecture deliberately contracts before opening up into the main living floor. From this compressed threshold, the house expands into a series of salons that were designed for gathering and entertaining, each room unfolding into the next in a delightful symphony of colour and decorative vignettes.
Above Brass-framed cabinetry and a writing desk imbue the study with a quiet sophistication
Above A glimpse into the bathroom at The Continental reveals navy blue cabinetry
Brass-framed cabinetry and a writing desk imbue the study with a quiet sophistication
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Above Dark panelling, brass-framed cabinetry and a writing desk imbue the study with a quiet sophistication
Dark panelling, brass-framed cabinetry and a writing desk imbue the study with a quiet sophistication
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On the upper levels, the atmosphere gradually shifts. Semi-private family spaces sit on the intermediate levels, while the topmost floor transitions into quieter and more intimate rooms. Here, the drama of the lower levels softens. Bedrooms become retreats, designed for rest and privacy without completely disconnecting from the life of the household.
Above Striped wallpaper, intricate mirrors and terracotta walls continue the home’s old-world aesthetic
Striped wallpaper, intricate mirrors and terracotta walls continue the home’s old-world aesthetic
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Above A gilded mirror on striped wallpaper at The Continental juxtaposes old-world and new-world glamour
Above A layered view of the bathroom and vanity at The Continental, articulated with a chandelier, terracotta finishes and a clawfoot bathtub
A gilded mirror on striped wallpaper at The Continental juxtaposes old-world and new-world glamour
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Privacy zoning, storage systems and service circulation were carefully organised to support the daily rhythms of a large family. Behind the layered interiors lies a practical structure that allows the house to operate smoothly on a
daily basis.
Above A dark, glossy marble floor at The Continental lends a sense of mystery, echoing the John Wick universe
A dark, glossy marble floor at The Continental lends a sense of mystery, echoing the John Wick universe
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Above A dark, handsome view unfolds as one descends the spiral staircase in the master suite
Above A dark wood staircase curves through the levels of The Continental
A dark, handsome view unfolds as one descends the spiral staircase in the master suite
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The surrounding landscape introduces a softer counterpoint to the architecture’s structure. Sculptural trees frame courtyards and terraces, filtering light into the interiors throughout the day.
To Kurniawan, these elements reinforce the central idea of the project. “The house became more than a residence,” he says. “It was conceived as a private sanctuary for the family, a place in which they could retreat from the external world and exist fully as themselves.”
Above Deep teal walls frame the bed, flanked by pendants from Lasvit’s Neverending Glory series that mimic historical theatre chandeliers
Above At The Continental, the master bedroom looks out to the garden
Deep teal walls frame the bed, flanked by pendants from Lasvit’s Neverending Glory series that mimic historical theatre chandeliers
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Above Gilded motifs and deep green panelling frame the bed
Gilded motifs and deep green panelling frame the bed
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Credits
Photography: Tommaso Riva
Jakarta-born, Bandung-raised and Singapore-based, Asih Jenie trained in Visual Communication Design at Bandung Institute of Technology and Architecture at Parahyangan Catholic University. She brings both rigour and heart to design journalism, infused with a distinct Southeast Asian voice.
As a child, she doodled on the edges of her schoolbooks and never outgrew her fascination with all things well-made and well-told. Her 15-year career spans editorial roles and bylines in Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Australia, across spatial design titles such as Dwell Asia, Cubes, Design Anthology, Habitus Living, and Home & Decor.
After a brief stint in public relations, she returned to publishing in 2023 to lead Tatler Homes Singapore, where she continues to tell stories about how we shape the spaces that shape us.
