She’s an acclaimed actress and a singer, and now she’s the driving force behind an impeccable entertainment venue in Beijing for parents and children.
Not your regular dining destination, Chinese actress Dong Xuan’s beautifully imaginative YooYuumi Kids Club is more like your wildest childhood dreams come true. Shanghai-based architectural design firm X+Living was enlisted to bring the vision to life; founder and CEO Li Xiang recalls the cheerful creative journey: “Dong Xuan and I were introduced through a famous designer, and to them, X+Living is one of the most symbolic brands in the parent-child design industry. So they got in touch with us through Weibo and everything started from there.”
Spanning almost 11,000sqft, the statement-making restaurant is the result of an immaculate combination of sophisticated flair that appeals to adults as well as arresting accents that kids can hardly resist. “We carefully observe the differences between parents and children in terms of psychological sense, and then extract the ritual feeling adults long for and implement entertainment facilities necessary for children,” says Li Xiang. “Dong Xuan already had one parent-child restaurant under her belt at that time, so this latest establishment is more about upgrading the brand. It’s essential to bring aesthetics and functionality together to conceive a warm, loving ambience for families.”
Accentuating the interiors is an elegant white foundation that’s adorned with bright colours and striking patterns to stimulate the senses. “We lend a touch of reinterpreted French flair to the space, which we identify as ‘the new romanticism’, and then merge it with Eastern aesthetics for an unassuming contrast,” explains Li Xiang, further elaborating on how she and the team provide a timeless backdrop to the decidedly whimsical decor. “By playing with a juxtaposition of abstract sculptural installations, European-style door arches and a deliberate use of sumptuous shades, we have successfully created an interior that people from different walks of life can enjoy and relate to.” Exquisite patterns mimic splashes of ink, soft curves echo the delicate art of Chinese paper-cutting and otherworldly custom-designed lightings enhance the ethereal appearance – and such carefully curated elements help shape a design dialogue of class and interest.
“It took seamless cooperation and effective communication to make this project possible,” says Dong Xuan. “I shared my thoughts and preferences with Li Xiang, and then travelled with my partner to Shanghai to meet with X+Living to go through every step of the way. I really appreciate how X+Living develops its distinctive take on aesthetics and exclusive creative approaches, instead of chasing trends. The impeccable craftsmanship shines from details throughout the space, and it’s such a delight to experience warmth and tactility in every corner.”
Photography: Shao Feng
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