Gracefully | XING Interior Design | World Design Awards 2024

XING Interior Design: Winner of World Design Awards 2024. The inspiration for the design comes from the homeowner’s professional background and personal preferences. As the homeowner works in stone processing, he has a particularly deep connection with marble. He wished to incorporate the presence of stone patterns in his home but was concerned that the inherent qualities of stone might make the space feel too cold or dark. The designers addressed this by using various marble patterns, aiming to create a luxurious yet vibrant look through multi-layered textures. They redefined the space’s refined character, using linear lighting to connect the relationship between the occupants and the space.

UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION／DIFFERENTIATION	Creating a Sense of Luxury Based on the homeowner’s affinity for stone patterns, the designers utilized various marble patterns on the floors, walls, and kitchen island. The floor features waterjet-cut marble in a mosaic of black and gray tones, subtly delineating the boundary between the living and dining areas. The wall behind the sofa showcases an artistic panel combining metal accents with laminate board. The bar counter is adorned with light-colored marble of varying densities, where the slight differences between the stone patterns add a layer of visual interest to the space. Enhancing the Depth A large horizontal beam runs across the ceiling between the living and dining areas, which the designers cleverly transformed into a “hidden boarder.” They installed linear lighting on the beam, turning it into a highlight. The lighting extends onto the walls, aligning perfectly with the width of the cabinet. The project combines different materials with similar characteristics across the ceiling, floor, and walls, creating a balanced aesthetic that is both functional and visually appealing, making the space appear even brighter.
PRODUCTION OR REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY (AND MATERIALS)	The project extensively uses light-colored marble, laminate, and walnut wood in black and gray tones, with all materials meeting green building standards. In terms of color planning, the designers selected white, gray, and black as the base palette, complemented by ironwork, glass, and metal to achieve an understated luxury style. To prevent the space from looking too intense, warm wood grain tones and green plants were incorporated, adding vitality and transforming the imposing sense of prestige into a more comfortable and elegant sense of luxury.
SPECIFICATIONS / DIMENSIONS / PACKAGE / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES	The site is an 86.3-square-meter, over ten-year-old apartment with three bedrooms, a living room, a dining room, and two bathrooms. The layout and circulation design focus on smooth flow and functionality. The designers converted the kitchen from a closed layout to an open one, connecting it with the living and dining areas to enhance interaction and openness. The kitchen island becomes a central area for daily activities, serving both as a cooking space and a spot for socializing and dining. Additionally, flexible partition designs, such as movable sliding doors, further optimize the efficiency and visual coherence of the study room.
CHALLENGE	The main challenge was budget constraints and maximizing the sense of spaciousness within the limited budget. The designers aimed to create a luxurious feel that matched the homeowner’s aspirations. This required careful management of expenses, especially when selecting high-end materials. Furthermore, the unique characteristics of marble mean that different patterns can create varying effects. Initially, the homeowner’s chosen marble patterns conflicted slightly with the design plan. Through multiple rounds of coordination and adjustments by the designers, a mutually satisfactory solution was eventually achieved.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION／FUNCTION	The homeowner is extremely satisfied with the final look, particularly appreciating how the use of marble enhances the space’s luxurious feel. They believe the space not only meets their living needs but also elevates the taste of their home. Despite various constraints such as budget limitations and beam locations, the designers managed to create a personalized style and functionality that is highly valued. Since completion, the homeowner frequently invites friends over to enjoy and admire the meticulously designed home.
FORM	“Stone’s richness meets wood’s subtle fragrance.” Interior designers act as the space’s little fairies, gracefully crafting a refined home environment between different areas. Every touch reveals a pursuit of beauty and a commitment to detail. Once the design is complete, elegance is instantly transformed by daylight. The light streams through the windows, traversing between the ceiling, floor, and walls, deftly dancing across the surfaces of stone and metal, casting soft and warm halos. These halos not only illuminate the space but also warm every corner, adding an unusual artistic atmosphere to daily living. The graceful light dance is encapsulated within the space, intensified by the stone. The multi-layered design sparkles with a butterfly-like agility, gently creating a cozy ambiance. The designers have captured a sense of happiness within the space, turning every occasion the homeowner hosts into an opportunity to share this beauty.
RESEARCH ABSTRACT	The site is an old apartment. The homeowner has a deep appreciation for the luxury and elegance that marble brings, desiring a space that reflects their personal style. Based on this vision, the designers set the theme of the project as “elegantly.” They highlighted the distinctive features of various marble patterns to enhance the essence of the space. White, gray, and black tones express a blend of sophistication with a touch of intellectual grace. Light weaves through the space, whether in serene, understated solitude or in warm, comfortable gatherings, creating a poetic ambiance that guides residents to experience a sense of “the heart following the environment.” The cool tones of the marble intertwine with the warmth of wooden elements, offering both visual and sensory delight. The designers meticulously selected each piece of stone, making its natural and unique textures the highlight, so that every corner radiates a distinctive artistic atmosphere.

IMPACT /SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability considerations are primarily reflected in the choice of materials and interior design. All materials used in this project, including marble and wood, meet green building standards to minimize environmental impact. The chosen marbles, favored by the homeowner for their luxury and elegance, are selected for their durability and ease of maintenance, ensuring long-term use with no frequent upkeep. The project transformed the original closed layout into an open plan, blurring the boundaries between the kitchen and living areas and enhancing overall spatial flow. By connecting the front and rear windows, the indoor air circulation was significantly improved. Additionally, energy-efficient LED lighting was used to save energy while providing a more comfortable and even illumination. Through a comprehensive sustainability plan, this project achieves a balance between aesthetics and functionality while addressing environmental and sustainable development requirements.