yinjispace

INTERIOR
Mountain Hidden Design | Li Peng
PHOTOGRAPHY
Tt Independent Space Photography
EDITOR
Gina
Collection

The project is located on the banks of Dongjiang Lake in Zixing City, Hunan Province - the river flows through the mountains, overlapping the green on both banks, creating a hazy and picturesque scene. The mountain scenery blends with the water's reflection, and time seems to be moistened by water, becoming slow, low-saturation and moist. Such a scene not only attracts tourists to stop and linger, but also awakens the deep-seated dream of dwelling in many people's hearts: they long to build a homestay here to place their ideals and also to settle their minds and bodies.

So, what kind of space do contemporary people actually need? As the second homestay project we have collaborated on with the client, we did not rush to start the design. Instead, we delved into the local area of Dongjiang and conducted detailed research. This area has long formed a diverse and coexisting ecosystem of homestays, ranging from high-end design hotels to family-style inns, with various styles but also varying in quality. In the face of such a realistic context, after repeated communication with the client, we reached a consensus: We will not follow trends or imitate others. What we need to do is to return to the essence - to create products that truly belong to this era and can respond to the emotional needs of contemporary people.

It should not merely be a stopover during the journey, but rather a place where one can immerse oneself, savor and resonate. It not only offers accommodation and services, but also should carry emotions, inspire imagination and soothe the soul. It is not merely about "space"; rather, it should be a warm lifestyle. Therefore, this time what we are committed to creating is far from a traditional homestay, but a complex cultural life community - integrating coffee and light meals, a cocktail bar, and a leisure area, blending the serene mountains and waters with the hustle and bustle of daily life in one place. We expect it to become a light yet profound presence by the Dongjiang Lake, capable of both accommodating the bustling daily life and providing a place for quiet solitude.

Here, the overall space is imbued with a "mid-century aesthetic," pursuing a warm texture and inner warmth that can withstand the test of time. In the public area, the painting bearing traces of time and the simple, serene vintage candlestick were meticulously sought out; they accompany the space like old friends, exuding a unique warmth that only years can bestow. The client personally selected a vintage rattan chair from the 20th century, and every time one sits in it, it feels like a moment of heartfelt connection.

The lounge area is the first place guests wish to linger upon entering. The skylight draws sunlight into the interior, where island jasmine, moss, and natural stone come together to create an ecological landscape that evolves naturally over time, presenting a tranquil yet vibrant spatial atmosphere at different hours. In terms of materials, the sofa upholstered in skin-friendly linen and the coarse jute rug create a tactile contrast between refinement and rustic simplicity, satisfying the body’s desire for comfort while preserving the raw texture of nature.

Adjacent to it, the dining area and the coffee bar seamlessly blend, with the space naturally transitioning throughout the day. In the morning, guests can move to the bar after breakfast to enjoy a specially crafted drink that awakens the senses; in the afternoon, it transforms into a café, offering delicate pastries and a relaxed ambiance; as night falls, the lighting dims, shifting into a laid-back bar mode where strangers can sit side by side, sharing drinks and laughter over stories of life. The central 2.8-meter-long table further expands the possibilities—hosting private dinner parties, culinary salons, themed gatherings... Dining is no longer just about eating but becomes an immersive experiential journey.

How can we achieve regional coexistence with the environment? An honest expression of "making use of local materials", a humble attitude of "going with the flow", and a cultural confidence of "inheritance and innovation". We communicate with the land through materials. The art-painted walls retain the traces of hand-applied paint, the old wooden low tables bear the texture of time, and the jute carpets are casually spread out - they do not pursue the perfection of industrialization, but in the most genuine state, they evoke the emotion when touched. When people's fingertips touch the wood grain and feel the natural undulations of the jute, they are silently connected to the local area. Material is no longer merely decoration but a bridge that brings people closer to the land emotionally.

The drip device in the center of the public area is inspired by the water rhythm of the Dongjiang Lake. Water droplets fall at a constant frequency, creating a tiny sound field in space and forming a "natural anchor point" at both the visual and auditory levels, allowing visitors to reunite with nature unconsciously. The grand natural scenes transform into a perceptible indoor ritual, calming one's mind and allowing attention to return to the inner self and the environment.

The small balcony of the guest room is not enclosed, facing the river view directly. It is equipped with an intelligent control original color linen rain and wind curtain and a custom-made full-width folding door panel that can be pushed open. During the day, the view is fully opened, and the mountain breeze and greenery flow freely. When night falls, the gauze curtains filter out the moonlight and the hustle and bustle, and the light softens into a hazy landscape painting. This design not only resolves guests' concerns about mosquitoes and privacy, but also elevates the atmosphere of the stay: enjoying the protection of the interior while wandering in the natural scenery.

The spatial layout is extremely relaxed, discarding unnecessary partitions. Earthenware jars, coarse linen carpets, and wooden folding doors - these elements lead to a slowing behavior: leaning by the window in a daze, leaning against the bedside to read, and observing the changing mountain scenery in the aroma of tea. The design quietly recedes here, returning the true protagonist to each resident and the nature they are in.

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