Inspired by the owners’s cross-cultural experience, this private residence was designed by Hoe & Yin Design Studio for a couple returning home after many years in London. Beyond visual impact, the space is designed to support everyday comfort, family togetherness, and the rhythms of faith. An American-style aesthetic provides the foundation, layered with considered proportions, gentle lines, and warm materials that allow the home to unfold with quiet confidence.
The sense of balance continues into the living room, where a timber slatted television wall subtly anchors the space. Rather than remaining static, the wall can be opened or concealed, allowing the room to shift between moments of focus and calm. Flanked by dark-toned display cabinets, softly illuminated to reveal personal collections, the elevation feels composed yet lived-in. Curved, low-backed seating encourages relaxed conversation, while timber flooring and layered textiles soften the scale of the open plan.
Movement through the home becomes an experience in itself along the staircase. Floating treads appear to hover lightly in space, their outlines traced by concealed lighting that changes gently with each step. Behind, a pairing of dark timber and black marble grounds the composition, adding depth and quiet drama without overwhelming the minimalist structure.
Natural light plays a defining role in the dining area. Extra-tall side windows draw daylight deep into the space, allowing the walls to glow softly and reducing the need for artificial lighting. At the heart of the adjacent light-dining zone, a sculptural marble island stands as a single, seamless form. Storage and appliances are hidden behind timber panels, keeping the visual field calm, while subtle shelf lighting brings tableware into view. Angled edges along the island introduce a sense of movement, improving circulation and softening the stone’s coolness.
As the home transitions further inward, the kitchen reveals itself as a social core rather than a purely functional space. The island integrates cooking functions, naturally gathering daily activity around it. To one side, a softly upholstered banquette and ambient lighting evoke the intimacy of a café, equally suited to slow mornings and unhurried evenings. Glass sliding doors extend the kitchen outdoors to a semi-open prep area, allowing cooking, conversation, and connection to flow seamlessly during gatherings.
The master bedroom offers a quieter retreat. A half-height upholstered headboard gently frames the bed, creating a sense of comfort and security without enclosure. Delicate wall mouldings provide an elegant backdrop that encourages the eye to rest, while a discreetly positioned dressing area preserves privacy and allows daily routines to remain unhurried. Continuing this calm language, the master bathroom is finished in a bright white palette, accented with restrained gold details. A patterned floor introduces subtle texture, while natural light animates the stone surfaces and metallic finishes, shifting the atmosphere throughout the day.
Personal expression emerges more clearly in the son’s bedroom, where inspiration is drawn from his love for Liverpool Football Club. Rather than an overt theme, the club’s emblem is abstracted into a symbolic wall feature. A concrete-style grey headboard wall balances the energy of the motif, grounding the space in a calm, composed tone.
In the guest bathroom, the designers embraced a more expressive approach. Custom art wallpaper—based on an original design by an artist—introduces a strong yet composed visual presence. Set against a dark base and enhanced by indirect lighting, the layered patterns reveal themselves gradually, adding depth and intrigue.
This project is a My Favourite International Design Awards (MFID 2025) winner.
Check out Iko In’s Live Home Tour of this ultra-glam home:
