A 521 sq.ft. Japandi apartment softened by curves, layered timber and hotel-like light.
When home becomes the place you most want to linger on a Sunday, every curve, colour and beam of light suddenly starts to matter. This apartment at Onmantin above Ho Man Tin MTR, designed by De Stijl Interior Design, turns a Japandi brief into a calm, hotel-like retreat where tactility and line take centre stage. Deep and light timber panelling, paired with slim vertical slats, wraps the interior in warmth, while black-and-white marble-grain cabinetry lends a crisp modern edge and breaks up what would otherwise be flat expanses of wall.
Curves are used as a quiet design tool throughout. From ceiling junctions to cabinet corners and headboards, softened profiles blur the hard lines typical of new builds, improving flow and lending a greater sense of visual comfort. This language of arcs and radii also subtly guides movement through the home, making every transition feel less abrupt.
Material layering is handled with restraint. Vertical timber grilles sit alongside stone- and leather-effect finishes in a close tonal range, creating depth without resorting to loud contrast. Hidden linear lighting — tucked behind headboards and within display units — washes surfaces in a warm glow, shifting the home into a cocoon-like mood after dark.
In compact areas such as the children’s room, suspended desks and integrated tall storage free up floor space, lightening the footprint while keeping the design language consistent. A tightly edited palette of earth tones, blacks, whites and greys runs through the apartment, with appliances and storage either recessed or concealed to maintain a clean, continuous visual field.
Tips:
Soften corners with curves
Use gentle curves at cabinet junctions, ceilings and headboards to blur sharp beams and columns, improving both circulation and visual comfort.
Layer slats and mixed materials
Combine vertical timber slats with marble- and leather-look finishes to give large walls or cabinets subtle depth while staying within a single colour family.
Use hidden linear lighting for mood
Tuck LED strips behind headboards and inside display units so indirect light washes the walls, creating a warm, hotel-like ambience at night.
Free up floor space in small rooms
Opt for a floating desk, slim-legged chair and integrated tall storage in children’s rooms to release floor area and ease the sense of pressure in compact spaces.
Unify the palette for calm
Keep to earthy tones balanced with black, white and grey, and hide or recess appliances and storage to maintain a clean, continuous visual line.
De Stijl Interior Design
Email: info@destijl-hk.com
Tel: +852 25060118
Website: https://www.destijl-hk.com/
Address: Flat B, 21/F, Loyong Court Commercial Building, 212-220 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
