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Beijing flat has loads of relaxed elegance
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COOL to the eye but warm to the touch, designer Meng Jun’s apartment in Beijing is sleek, bright and soothing. As you enter the welcoming living room, the ambience helps to disperse any residue of daily anxieties.
The flat was the only place he viewed: The moment he saw the windows looking out to the Sanlitun area and how the landlord painted the space all white, he knew it was all he needed.
“Although it was only a shell — no furniture or decorations — I had a strong sense that I would find sanctuary and create my own style out of it,” said Meng, who divides his time between Beijing and Germany. “I wanted to create a calm and soothing space, a little haven where I could escape from a hectic city like Beijing. However, like in most of my interior projects, I always love to inject one or two glamorous, baroque-style pieces to give a slight feeling of luxury,” he added, pointing the chest placed in the living room and antique pieces from Bavaria and the Netherlands.
“I loved to integrate some traditional elements, no matter whether of European or Chinese style, since it was important that the flat didn’t end up looking totally modern,” Meng said.
It took him a month to find most of the furniture for the general setting. Even though the flat contains lots of furniture sourced locally and traditional Chinese decorative pieces found in flea-markets such as Panjiayuan, Meng brought elegant décor pieces from the eastern part of the Netherlands, including table lamps, vases, trays, boxes and fabrics due to their high-quality materials and tasteful color combinations.
Meng is drawn to the interior style of the Netherlands and Belgium and appreciates living close to the Dutch border in Germany, as this widens his choice of styles and inspirations.
Look beyond the black and white palette and you’ll find a warm and welcoming interior that oozes personality. The light-filled living room has lots of delicate details that contribute to the warm, classic and sensual character of this home. The Shanghainese native has a real talent for transforming a rather plain space into a chic interior, using his magical touch. Cushions, with different patterns in black and white, as well as the lampshades and flower arrangements are the key items for him to make the space look glam instantly.
Accents of blue, red, green, which he’s added in the form of art, as well as cut flowers and tableware, help to soften the hardness of the monochrome interior. “In order to live in a black and white flat, you have to find a way to make it feel alive and vibrant,” he said.
Meng favors new classic style furniture, contemporary clean lines with classical elements in shades of grey, white and black that can be easily combined to create a soothing living environment. His bedroom, mostly in white, helps him switch off and clears his mind. A bit of black and grey is injected with cushions and throws.
“My style of decorating is instinctive — it’s grown with me. Over the years, I’ve developed things I love and built up a collection of treasured pieces,” he said. However, he wanted to keep the Beijing apartment as minimalist as possible. “Since I spend most of my time in Germany, I wanted to make this city flat easy to maintain. Every time back in Beijing, the first thing I do is to buy fresh flowers for the interior — it’s good for feng shui and brings me positive energy everyday.”
In 2008, Meng started an interior design business in Germany and opened Meng Gallery, offering his design décor accessories including cushions, blankets and flower arrangements. From time to time, he organizes small parties and salons at his Beijing flat showcasing his style for appointment-only clients.
Ask the owner
Q: What’s the best thing about living in Beijing?
A: The dry air is good for interior products.
Q: Describe your home in three words.
A: Jazzy, black and white, space
Q: What’s the first thing you do when you get home?
A: Light a candle.
Q: How do you unwind?
A: I’m always relaxed.
Q: Where do you spend most of the time at home?
A: Living room. It’s the space I like the most.
Q: What’s your view outside your window?
A: Sanlitun Taiguli
Q: How do you scent your home?
A: Candles from Ralph Lauren.
Q: What’s your favorite object at home?
A: All of them.
Q: Where do you source furniture in Beijing?
A: Furniture brand Camerich and Panjiayuan market.
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