THIS house north of Beijing blends itself with nature. At center stage are the spectacular views and when people are inside they don't feel enclosed. Yang Di reports.

A quiet, eloquent interior speaks volumes when the view says it all. This countryside retreat reflects its natural setting with a calm, down-to-earth design and exudes a sense of freedom.

North of Beijing city, a two-hour drive to the village of Huangyankou in Beizhuang, Naersu's weekend retreat on a mountain slope is the perfect perch to soak up nature's landscape. Ask her what she loves most about it and she points outside.

"The reason I built the house on this site speaks for itself," Naersu said, arm sweeping across the panorama. "Look at the 360-degree vistas of mountain landscape and scenic village, there's nothing like it in Beijing. We can sit in the garden, sip a glass of wine and see Great Wall watchtowers on the mountain."

Naersu, who uses only one name, found this farm house two years ago, and started to rebuild it to suit her personality and lifestyle. Her aim was to minimize environmental impact while maximizing the striking surrounding views. Her approach has been thoughtful, inventive and unhurried. The reconstruction took a year.

"This is a virtually unrestored village. It is fun simply walking around; the air is fresh, the people are friendly, and you come to realize just how peaceful the village is compared to a hectic city like Beijing," Naersu said.

"I wanted a low-key, modest house preserving the original village style, with local, simple, humble materials. It is a retreat discreetly hidden on a mountain slope in keeping with the region's rustic countryside flair. The focus is rural charm and comfort - a lifestyle I've always been missing in a city."

Naersu has lived in different cities both in and outside China, working on architectural and interior design projects as a manager (she's also a textile designer). But having her countryside retreat and building a home the way she would love to live was something she constantly dreamed about.

She had beautiful memories of living in a countryside house in the Qinling Mountains in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province during her childhood. "My children deserve the same happy natural childhood."

This two-story house seems grow organically out of the slope. Its lower levels anchored to the earth with plants and landscaping, the second level added along the contour of the hill.

Inside the 300-square-meter retreat is an open-plan living, dining and kitchen area, and three bedrooms are positioned throughout the flowing spaces. A seamless concrete floor enhances the sense of continuity.

The interior merges naturally with the exterior with its hauntingly beautiful landscape, and that principle of integration guided much of the house design.

Huge, floor-to-ceiling windows and soaring ceilings give the impression of endless space and light and emphasize the natural environment.

"The fact the house blends itself around nature is essential. When people are inside it is important that they do not feel inside," Naersu said.

A deck is an ideal spot for outdoor meals. A direct view of a watchtower from the bathroom makes using the facilities more pleasant. Each bedroom holds an abundance of visual surprises, offering spectacular views from different angles.

"Each space ensures that the views take center stage," the owner said.

In every aspect of the house - whether the public entertaining area or the private family zone - the appreciation for natural materials, craftsmanship and local culture is clear. The house uses recycled local village materials, such as old doors, bricks and roof tiles.

"This property was built with the help of warm-hearted local villagers. They help me build, maintain, clean the house and grow fruit trees," said Naersu, who is involved in the local community.

Naersu's approach to furnishing this large, flowing space was characteristically understated. Cream, beige, brown, gray, white - a neutral palette was chosen and the carefully selected furnishings are also muted. According to the owner, minimal and modern, functional and simple are the keys.

The space is a mix of pure lines and geometric forms, with hardly any furnishings or decoration to detract from the views.

The open-concept floor plan, with the kitchen, living and dining area all open to each other, allows Naersu to prepare meals without being separated from family and guests.

"Big, open, airy living spaces are ideal in a weekend retreat where friends and family move freely between the couch and the kitchen," she said.

It can be tricky to decorate since everything is in full view but Naersu chose colors, materials and accessories that complement each other.

"It's fitting that a space with such clarity of vision is used to enjoy the simple pleasures in life. The mountain house is an honest and warm space, perfect for unwinding after a busy city week or a vigorous day of a long hike. Naersu loves to bring her children and invite friends to spend time hiking, sunbathing, reading, cooking, outdoor dining and watching the sun go down.

"This is my private heaven," she said. "And I feel completely at ease here."

Who is he?

Dirk Wynants is the founder and main designer of Extremis. The Belgium designer was involved in the distribution of international design brands until he established Extremis in 1994 with own furniture designs for outdoor use.

Describe some of your works and a special achievement.

I am proud of the Extremis collection as a whole and I designed most of the products. "Gargantua" is the first Extremis product ever (1994) and it still is well received by the public in the Milan fair this year.

"PicNik" is a table-seating combination using a unique folding technique on one standard plate of aluminium to make two tables - zero material waste, natural and beautiful clean shape. "DoNuts" is a good example of combining fun and functionality. I expect them to be the real design classic.

What's your current project?

I am a designer, a business man, a furniture maker, but now I am also a farmer! I have my own hops field, growing my own hops, making my own beer, and creating another whole new story about togetherness. These are all related to Extremis' new product, which is to be launched in October.

Describe your design style.

I am innovative by creating atmospheres and togetherness, not just products but interactions between people. I think I'm still old-fashioned about one thing: I believe that a product always should serve the user.

It should not just be a fashionable thing that will make the designer a superstar.

Therefore, my design has always been the logical result of a functional need. This functionality can be situated on different levels: production, ecology, ergonomics, mobility, concept, and last but not least the actual use of the object. There are 3Ps I always bear in mind: people, planet and profit.

I am passionate about creating products that improve being together with other people. We are making "tools for togetherness." Products are just tools to bring people together.

And planet, it's about ecology. Everyone is talking about ecology design now, but it's absolutely not new to me.

Ecology is always to be considered before designing new things. Profit, of course, without profit, I can not continue what I am doing now.

Where are you most creative?

It's a constant process, always creating in my mind. Design is not a work that you can start in the morning and turn off in the evening.

So I like to travel, to touch and experience real things in the real world.

I believe it's impossible to be really creative and innovative if I just stay at home and read the latest design magazines or grab information from websites without experiencing it.

What does your home mean to you?

Family, friends, inviting people to have a drink and talk. At the moment I am building a new big house which has a very beautiful view of a wild open field. My father and my son are also working on this house. It will create a relaxed atmosphere, even combining with private living space and a working studio. I like to mix things together.

For me, I don't see the need to draw a clear line between work and family. My home, my family is the nutrition of my design. Frankly the first product "Gargantua" was designed for improving the interaction between me and my family.

What do you collect?

Experiences. As I mentioned I like to travel, to observe different ways that people get together in different countries in different cultures. For example, one of my works "Beehive" was inspired by the Arabic culture and their tea houses when I was traveling in Istanbul.

I saw the way they gathered with friends and family, and I made a translation to the Western culture. Maybe in the future, you will see elements in my design that can be related to Chinese culture. Well in fact, the revolution and way of operating a parasol in one of my latest works "Kosmos" was inspired by the Chinese fan.

Where would you most like to go in Shanghai?

Now? World Expo. This is my third time in Shanghai, but the last two times were for business. The principal theme "better city better life" is the topic I am very interested in and I want to know how it's going to be presented from all over the world. So I really want to spend the time as much as possible in the World Expo with my family. Extremis are also the sponsor of the Belgian-EU Pavilion.

What will be the next big design trend?

People-centered design. Ergonomic design has been highly discussed recently. But just like ecology design, it's really not a new thing to me. As I said I believe a product always should serve the user, not the other way round. My designs always try to improve the user's life by offering everyday solutions in order to enjoy being together with family and friends, to have fun. All the pictures of my products include my family and friends, and they show what I value in life. My design is made for people who treasure these same values.

Who is he?

Dirk Wynants is the founder and main designer of Extremis. The Belgium designer was involved in the distribution of international design brands until he established Extremis in 1994 with own furniture designs for outdoor use.

Describe some of your works and a special achievement.

I am proud of the Extremis collection as a whole and I designed most of the products. "Gargantua" is the first Extremis product ever (1994) and it still is well received by the public in the Milan fair this year.

"PicNik" is a table-seating combination using a unique folding technique on one standard plate of aluminium to make two tables - zero material waste, natural and beautiful clean shape. "DoNuts" is a good example of combining fun and functionality. I expect them to be the real design classic.

What's your current project?

I am a designer, a business man, a furniture maker, but now I am also a farmer! I have my own hops field, growing my own hops, making my own beer, and creating another whole new story about togetherness. These are all related to Extremis' new product, which is to be launched in October.

Describe your design style.

I am innovative by creating atmospheres and togetherness, not just products but interactions between people. I think I'm still old-fashioned about one thing: I believe that a product always should serve the user.

It should not just be a fashionable thing that will make the designer a superstar.

Therefore, my design has always been the logical result of a functional need. This functionality can be situated on different levels: production, ecology, ergonomics, mobility, concept, and last but not least the actual use of the object. There are 3Ps I always bear in mind: people, planet and profit.

I am passionate about creating products that improve being together with other people. We are making "tools for togetherness." Products are just tools to bring people together.

And planet, it's about ecology. Everyone is talking about ecology design now, but it's absolutely not new to me.

Ecology is always to be considered before designing new things. Profit, of course, without profit, I can not continue what I am doing now.

Where are you most creative?

It's a constant process, always creating in my mind. Design is not a work that you can start in the morning and turn off in the evening.

So I like to travel, to touch and experience real things in the real world.

I believe it's impossible to be really creative and innovative if I just stay at home and read the latest design magazines or grab information from websites without experiencing it.

What does your home mean to you?

Family, friends, inviting people to have a drink and talk. At the moment I am building a new big house which has a very beautiful view of a wild open field. My father and my son are also working on this house. It will create a relaxed atmosphere, even combining with private living space and a working studio. I like to mix things together.

For me, I don't see the need to draw a clear line between work and family. My home, my family is the nutrition of my design. Frankly the first product "Gargantua" was designed for improving the interaction between me and my family.

What do you collect?

Experiences. As I mentioned I like to travel, to observe different ways that people get together in different countries in different cultures. For example, one of my works "Beehive" was inspired by the Arabic culture and their tea houses when I was traveling in Istanbul.

I saw the way they gathered with friends and family, and I made a translation to the Western culture. Maybe in the future, you will see elements in my design that can be related to Chinese culture. Well in fact, the revolution and way of operating a parasol in one of my latest works "Kosmos" was inspired by the Chinese fan.

Where would you most like to go in Shanghai?

Now? World Expo. This is my third time in Shanghai, but the last two times were for business. The principal theme "better city better life" is the topic I am very interested in and I want to know how it's going to be presented from all over the world. So I really want to spend the time as much as possible in the World Expo with my family. Extremis are also the sponsor of the Belgian-EU Pavilion.

What will be the next big design trend?

People-centered design. Ergonomic design has been highly discussed recently. But just like ecology design, it's really not a new thing to me. As I said I believe a product always should serve the user, not the other way round. My designs always try to improve the user's life by offering everyday solutions in order to enjoy being together with family and friends, to have fun. All the pictures of my products include my family and friends, and they show what I value in life. My design is made for people who treasure these same values.