Our regular Interiors features take a look through the keyhole into the homes of some of Shanghai's well known faces.
Interior designer Thomas Dariel has been running a multi-award-winning interior design company here in Shanghai since 2006. Dariel Studio is renowned for seamlessly blending together bold aesthetics and contemporary practices, whimsical objects and unique home and office solutions. His latest venture, furniture brand Maison Dada, is equally reflective of such diverse visual endeavours. Last month, Dariel let us into his workplace – a four-story heritage house in Jing’an – where he and his team make interesting design happen.
The studio is located in a colonial house that dates back to 1923, when it was built for a British Customs official. Over the years, and before Dariel moved in with his company in 2013, it was used as residence for Chinese and foreign families, as well as an art gallery.
Heritage elements like the original wooden floor and the traditional iron window frames of many 1920s Shanghai buildings have been kept throughout the office. To juxtapose them are modern touches Dariel has introduced in each and every room, from contemporary furniture to vivid colors and stainless steel oversized mirrors that were installed to brighten up the space.
Thomas Dariel at work.
A peek into the GM’s office reveals a tasteful mix of past and present.
The house still retains plenty of original fixtures, nooks and crannies.
The meeting room shows a muted palette for both the walls and the chairs. To make an impact here are the lamp, cabinet and occasional splashes of color.
A close up of one of Maison Dada’s products, inspired by René Magritte.
One of the studio’s ‘regular’ office corners.
Mirroring the creative line of work of the Dariel team, every working space boasts plenty of different bold colors, to great effect.
A small, enticing terrace grants further creative inspiration as well as stunning views of the local neighborhood.
Photos by Jan Prochazka and Dairel Studio. To see other interiors features, click here.
0 User Comments