Today's home tour takes a look at a little bungalow that is really a reimagining of conventional bungalow design we are used to seeing in places like Australia and California.
Instead of sloped, A-frames roofs, the Hukei Design architects have made the majority of the roof flat, with just one small sloped section visible from the front view. As far as bungalows go, we are sure you'll find a special affection for these such one that feature tatami mats and Shoji doors. Speaking of…
This little living room is full of light because the majority of two out of four walls are large picture windows. Window nooks of smoothed pinewoods have been built in round the entire room, while traditional tatami mats in a navy blue provide a comfy place to drag your feet after a hard day—or night’s—work.
Shoji slide doors offer the option of covering the windows and another wooden shoji slide door acts as an entrance to the room. Altogether, we’d say this is the most peaceful place in the house, built for winding down and reflecting, while you sit and gaze out the windows.
What immediately strikes us about this kitchen, and indeed, about the whole inner house, is the use of really organic woods that have been minimally processed. And viewed from the stairwell here—in true bungalow fashion—we can see the outer cabinets as well as floors and stairs have been enclosed with this fine wood.
The appliances are a shiny, light steel that, combined with the white cabinetry and wood, gives the entire kitchen and dining area a solidly clean and refreshed vibe. And for a last touch of texture, a bold red and white brick backsplash at the stovetop.
The main living room has been designed as a split-level, slightly raised above the kitchen and dining area, made accessible by a few wooden steps. Such a design is a twist on the flat bungalow design that has one and then a second floor.
The virtue of this design seems to be that the whole house has a really interesting dynamic, making it fun to navigate and this room, a great social space because of its central, slightly raised positioning.
Though this patio’s landscaping future has yet to be written, the potential for lush bungalow times out here are obvious enough. Again, stacked pinewood has been used for the back patio, but this time, a knotty wood instead of a plain one has been chosen as more appropriate for the outdoor design.
We can also see the black and cream colour scheme from the back, the charcoal metal roof against the scratchy cream stone—the latter being an ideal canvas for a climbing ivy or bold cherry blossom tree.
It is quite a striking building, with its black and cream scheme, looking a bit like a house wearing a tux or a fine hat. The large carport with spotlight lighting is somewhat unexpected, isn’t it? It adds lots to the impression from outside though. It is clear that simple, straight lines reign in this house’s design.
Very little is revealed about the inside architectural reality by looking at the outside front here, save the hints from the clean wooden door and brick entryway steps--the integrity of this whole house is pretty well cemented.
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