While the interior and its layers of diversity are engaging from every angle, the mood is delightfully serene in this high-ceilinged house overlooking a typical Shanghai lane on Julu Road.

Originally from Paris, Hortense Van de Casteele and her husband Nicolas knew what they wanted in a Shanghai home -- views, natural light and easy elegance. After renting for five years, they wanted to own a place in the city so they could feel at home.

"We were looking for a 150-square-meter flat with a garden or terrace in a historic building -- luminous, quiet and well located,'' Hortense said. "The day we closed the deal we were at the border of China and Tajikistan in a motorbike with a sidecar. A good friend stayed in Shanghai and signed for us!''

This 163-square-meter old apartment with a terrace, French windows, high ceiling and loft-style wooden ceiling beams perfectly matched the couple's needs. "I loved it at first sight in terms of size, proportions, light and old style bricks and windows," she said.

In order to give the home a casual, well-balanced, lived-in feel, Hortense spent six months working hand-in-hand with a French architect and a Hong Kong contractor.

"My husband confirmed the measures, electricity, gas heater, central air conditioning, music system, drawings and more technical things. Well, I was more on the ambience, style, materials and colors,'' Hortense said.

French windows open the living room and master bedroom to a balcony and views of the neighborhood. Plenty of sunshine is perhaps the greatest asset any house can have and, luckily, every space in the house is bathed in sunlight.

The couple wanted to make really good use of the natural light. So apart from forgetting about heavy curtains, they decided on a light, airy palette of whites, creams, beige and taupe. For continuity, they painted all the walls in the main rooms the same contemporary, timeless color, one that they wouldn't soon become tired of.

They designed the layout with an open floor plan in mind for smooth movement between the spaces. They wanted this house to reflect their own personal living philosophy: how to make a house beautiful but also functional and livable, utilizing every centimeter of space.

The charm of the home is in its harmonious blend of classic architecture, tasteful appointments and a refined palette that allows the architectural elements to shine through.

Wood floors throughout the house anchor the all-white walls and lofty high ceilings. The well construed floor plan satisfies the family's main objective of spending time together.

A spacious living and dining area allows the couple to comfortably host and entertain a group of family and friends. Everyone can find a place to relax in the main living area and it seems to be an incredible place to hang out, particularly on the huge leather sofa sets.

"We designed the sofas in the living room to lay on watching DVDs on our big screen. My husband is crazy about gadgets, and we put a Sonos Sounds system and Bose speakers in each room so we could have the music we want in each space,'' Hortense said.

"I love the idea of wide wood flooring like Mountain houses in Les Alps in France. We also kept the original grey bricks and, with the gas fireplace next to it, it gives the impression of being in a loft in the French countryside. I just love the mix of the old and the modern.''

The living room opens to the dining area and the open kitchen. The use of wood, slate, stone, and rattan materials helps to convey a sense of relaxation and gives a restful effect in the dining and kitchen spaces.

The couple have just had a baby girl they named Penelope and her room decoration is Hortense's favorite in the house. "I knew that my baby would be a girl and I didn't want to have her room all in bright pink like Barbie's room,'' she said. "I prefer an old-style, charming and romantic feel, a quiet refuge and a stimulating place to play.''

The master bedroom is decked out in soothing colors and abundant sunlight and no clutter make the room appear larger. The furniture is proportional to the room and the use of comfy and natural fabrics makes is relaxing. With detailed designs and patterns throughout, the bedroom tends to evoke a very homey impression, combining warmth and elegance.

A staircase that divides the dining and living rooms leads to the second floor where there's a small cozy room and a roof deck terrace. Roof terraces are increasingly common as urban dwellers seek to make the most of outside space but having your own is truly a luxury.

An outdoor dining area, lots of light, and an expensive city view makes for a splendid ambience.

"My house is my cocoon. I could stay a week without going out,'' Hortense said. "What's great about owning is that you can design it to fit all your needs.''


Who is he?

Tim Richter is director of Naolab, a design and products company based in Hong Kong and Shanghai. Prior to founding Naolab in 2007, Richter's career ranged from all aspects of communication design to industrial design, engineering and manufacturing. This rich inter-disciplinary background is the foundation of Naolab's key principle: design connects. Richter began his career with a technical apprenticeship at Loewe, Germany's prestigious consumer electronics brand famous for its outstanding design and innovative technology. His training at Loewe continues to influence his design methodology today. His academic achievements include an advanced degree in Industrial Design from the University of Applied Sciences in Germany where he won acclaim for his final thesis "Design by Nature." Richter graduated with a view to pursuing an international career and relocated to China in 2003 to join s.point design in Shanghai. As partner and vice president, he contributed greatly to shaping the entity to become the leading industrial design company in China.

Tell us about some of your works and name one you are most proud of.

Naolab's debut project was ChargerFrame, a limited edition that transforms electronic products into wall art. It is a hub for chargers that creates an active interplay between cables, gadgets and indicator lights and is neatly framed and finished off by an energy-efficient master green switch. Another product called naoLoop is an ultimate organizer which can hold together mobile devices, name or credit cards, lipsticks or chewing gum. With its absolute reduction of material, naoLoop fits in every pocket -- or disco bag! It's made of an extremely flexible Polyester Latex Band which can extend more than 50 percent and holds items tightly and safely together so that nothing can slip out.

Naolab's latest work, naoooooooooo Crystal, is made of 10 LEDs which create a handsome, breathing light pattern for the living space. The subtle ambient lights randomly change to a natural, calming rhythm -- adding life to an otherwise still environment. Invited by Swarovski to create an elegant and energy-smart interpretation of light, it uses Crystallized Swarovski Elements. Each contemporary-cut fancy stone crystal engages and refracts delicately with the LED light pulses in a sharp contrast to it's smooth and half transparent white surface. I am most proud of naoLoop since it's such a simple product and it inspired me to create naoLoop Loft and some more products which will follow.

Are you currently involved with any project?

I am currently working on naoLED, a very innovative LED light family which is using latest technologies aiming to create good light considering its color, its efficiency and its flexibility when used as a direct or indirect light source. naoLED is innovative by breaking rules because it can be used on the table, the floor, the ceiling or wall. Naolab is also looking for a partner in the lighting industry to realize this challenging design.

Describe your design style.

My design style is based on innovation and the philosophy "design connects." This means to consider everything that influences the creation a good product. These products should be unique to the world, using resources and visual elements to the benefit of the user.

Where are you most creative?

I am most creative either outside walking on the street or at home being alone and not influenced by anything. Outside it's the visual impressions which influence me and being alone my brain can create things and make connections.

What does your home mean to you?

My home is the place where I can do what I want and escape the hectic life here in Shanghai. It's also the place where I work. But besides this my home is Germany where almost all my friends and my parents are -- it's another home which fortunately does not change as fast as China.

What do you collect?

I collect the spoons of my daughter's milk powder.

Where would you like to go most in Shanghai?

I would like to go to the Shanghai Concert Hall to listen to a classic concert but their schedule does not always fit mine.

What will be the next big design trend?

The next design trend here in China will be absolute reduction and clarity in terms of materials, colors and shapes. It's the result of the present overload of patterns, mix and match and different design influences from all around the world ... but this might take a while.