For those who collect, display areas might be the most important part of a home design. The two homes highlighted in this post belong to collectors of books and decorative treasures, necessitating a large amount of space for storage without compromising on style. The first home actually substitutes shelving in place of interior walls – a good use of a spacious interior. The second home relies on stylish shelves with a more traditional arrangement, yet the overall effect is no less stunning. From hidden features to innovative interpretations, this pair of luxury homes is sure to stoke your craving for creative storage and display solutions.
Built for a collector of books and ceramics, the social spaces of this Beijing home are divided not by walls, but by light wooden shelves constructed for an all-encompassing display. The ground floor is the primary space for receiving visitors so it makes sense to include these decorative features here for appreciation by guests and residents alike.
Wooden slats allow sunlight to filter through without casting harsh glares against glossy white surfaces, picking up a warm yellow tint as it traverses the interior.
The layout is rather unique. Those expecting to find a dining room or kitchen on the ground floor instead find a study, with the real dining and kitchen areas located in the basement.
Danish designer Hans Wegner's iconic Wishbone chairs, a classic yet always-relevant design, flows into the wooden theme perfectly
By inverting the usual material theme of wood on the floors or walls, the home gains a perceived sense of horizontal spaciousness while making the ceiling feel lower for increased intimacy.
Part of the appeal is the dynamic layering of materials throughout the home – the textural white walls visible through various layers of wooden slats.
A tearoom offers yet another place to gather on the first floor. The table rises from a sunken area that gives flexibility to allow guests a choice between sitting chair-style or cross-legged.
The transition from dark to light creates an impressive shift in atmosphere. Recessed and pendant lights shine down from above.
Downstairs, in the open basement, formal dining spaces and a large kitchen provide plenty of space for entertaining large parties.
The dining room gains the privacy and protection of an interior structure built from thin strips of multicolored wood, flawlessly continued by the flooring.
On the same level, a secondary gathering area soaks up the light from a window shielded by a bamboo garden. Storage cabinets and ceiling share the same material, cutting off to signify the transit path. A 4.5 tatami arrangement offers flexible seating.
And with intimate connection to natural elements – both inside the home and outside in the gardens - it becomes a pleasure to just sit back and relax with family and good friends.
Many views demonstrate the airy and organic side of the home.
Other views embrace modern minimalist trends without reserve.
Up from the basement and past the ground level, the topmost floor contains a casual living and dining area with bedrooms on all sides.
The gathering areas reside at either end of a long continuous space, its gently curved ceiling immensely expanding the perceived height of the room.
A dining table set for eight occupies the far end. Classy glass-fronted storage could hold all the secondary tableware necessary for a nice family meal.
Most of the upstairs space is set aside for bedrooms, with the exception of one bedroom on the ground floor.
Each bedroom embraces a streamlined minimalist aesthetic.
And each enjoys a private table to enjoy tea with a view.
Private sunken courtyards allow light to penetrate into the highly-utilized basement area.
This second home uses a shelving scheme that blends functionality with visual drama. This system, made by Poliform, highlights the owner's extensive collections as a focal point rather than a minor detail. The tour opens with this gorgeous media space – the emphasis is not on the television, but rather the striking lighting and arrangement of the shelves and drawers that surround it.
Elsewhere, square well-lit niches accommodate the larger objects on display quite nicely.
Furnishings remain simple with a blend of classic and modern styles with a touch of luxury.
The wing chairs, central coffee table, and sofa are designs by Jean-Mari Massaud. The table over the ottoman is from Roberto Barbieri.
For a book lover, it would be easy to spend the evening tucked in to a relaxing spot like this one.
Note the functional addition of hidden storage spaces, like the drawers on the left and the fold-down cabinets on the right.
Integrated features like the marble mantle and the display cases help prevent the typical "wall of shelves" look so many want to avoid.
These shelves aren't simple stationary home accents – they seem to take on a life of their own thanks to surprising hidden features like this pop-out bar.
And the level of detail is just incredible. The workmanship on the display cases is especially noticeable. Each one extends from the bookshelf face so each object can be appreciated from all sides.
A handsome chair by Emmanuel Gallina wants to steal the show, but it's hard to ignore the decorative folding screen in the background.
The chair also appears at the dining table, which has a subtle Art Deco flair tempered by modernist sensibility.
