The Pearl's Abode

This project was completed in May 2025 in Kaohsiung City, involving the renovation of a 28-year-old house. The 68-year-old female homeowner has refined taste, enjoys collecting antique art pieces, and has an open, warm personality. She lives with her brother, who has limited mobility. Drawing inspiration from “pearls,” the designer creates a home that provides secure care while preserving memories and a sense of freedom. The result is a residence as warm and stable as a pearl, yet retaining the elegance and liberty befitting retirement.

Safety is embedded in daily living. In the hallways, handrails are equipped with motion-sensor lights for nighttime guidance. The bathroom features a 90-centimeter shower with slip-resistant flooring, a wider sliding door, a flower-shaped faucet, and a touchless toilet. In the dining area, a navy palette paired with warm yellow light makes a modern bistro, accented by the homeowner’s animal figurines. Warm wood tones and vibrant colors create a calm yet lively atmosphere. In the living room, the original air conditioning vent is preserved and framed with a retro stained-glass window to create shifting plays of light and shadow, infusing daily life with poetic charm. The front balcony is reimagined as a coffee bar and relaxation nook, framing views of the old cityscape and highlighting the interplay of new and old within the home. The master bedroom uses soft pink accents to reflect the female homeowner’s free-spirited personality, complemented by a semi-open walk-in closet that balances functionality and openness. The secondary bedroom embraces a calming green palette for the younger brother with fabric-draped open wardrobes that combine lightness and convenience. Together, the design of both bedrooms provides privacy while still carrying subtle traces of shared life. A cat passage in the storage room wall doubles as ventilation, creating joyful coexistence.

Electrical upgrades, LED lighting, soundproof windows, and tempered glass improve efficiency and comfort. Details like integrated sinks and mold-resistant coatings reduce maintenance for the elderly. The space harmoniously blends antique and modern, creating a “dialogue with time.” It safeguards safety while embodying the pursuit of a beautiful life.