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Jing Interior 

My Home Tour Video
project

Home Tour Video

Hi, welcome to my home. When I first moved in, it was a blank slate. My place has gone through a few iterations, and you are now looking at the latest incarnation:

My Green Living Room.

My New Channel
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Interior & Exterior

Interior & Exterior

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My Mix & Match Style

My Mix & Match Style

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Part One - My Interior Details

01

Over the last three years, I've undertaken small-scale yet painstaking renovations. The biggest triumph, among all the trials and errors, was stripping off the carpet and installing wood flooring. Despite the daunting strata procedures, the outcome has absolutely transformed the entire space in an overarching sense. There's nothing more rewarding than seeing my ultimate vision come to life after three years of hard work. As I'm not a trained designer or artist, decorating my place has been an intuitive process. Even now, I find it hard to encapsulate or define my interior style. I guess it's a bit of mix-and-match approach, layering materials, textures, color palettes, and lighting to achieve a dynamic yet balanced look with a fun twist and juxtaposition. But if I do try to fit it into a box of interior style, gazing upon the current finished look, I see a blend of borrowed styles. It features Scandinavian clean lines and natural materials, accent steel, wood flooring, woven and rattan textures, and greenery. Complementing this are rustic edges, free-flowing silhouettes, asymmetrical compositions, and raw material accessories that evoke a sense of Japanese wabi-sabi—imperfectly perfect—with playful elements referencing Japanese culture through subtle styling details.

I celebrate the unique qualities found in natural materials, which create a tactile and organic feel in home decor. So, maybe it's where East meets West—Japandi, perhaps? I also embrace aesthetics that prioritize comfort and natural trends, touching on the heart of the Organic Modern trend, you know, delicate balances between sleek, crisp modern lines and raw, earthy elements.

And I am not a minimalist at this stage of my life. Three years ago, when kicking off this project, I thought to myself to catch up with this trend, wabi-sabi, as I am heavily influenced by Japanese aesthetics and sensibility. But very quickly, I was like, who am I kidding? I am in this solitary living. The last thing I need is a minimalist, restrained, and understated approach. I guess that explains my choice of artwork featuring very characteristic Art Deco motifs: female figures, animals, foliage, and floral elements, infusing my space with dynamic and vibrant energy.

Here, I want to shine the spotlight on my Chinoiserie-inspired wallpaper, which brings exoticism, color, pattern, and movement to my living room. Wallpaper really brings personality, energy, and whimsy to a space. I also want to point out that exterior architectural detailing and the outside environment pretty much dictate how my interior unfolds.

My place is a brick-made unit built in the early 90s, nestled in a big, lush park neighborhood. Every day I walk through the forest, and I just touch on this awe emotion; it's awe-inspiring every day. The soft green wallpapers with botanical motifs function as an extension of the outdoor gardens and scenery, seamlessly inviting the outdoors in to connect with nature. Post-COVID, outdoor and indoor living is a big trend, right? Speaking of trends, there's definitely a rising sentimental longing for something past. With a big focus on thoughtful, sustainable design in 2024 and a nod to nostalgic styles, we're not just shopping smarter but also celebrating handmade, artisan crafts from around the world. Nostalgia always has a special place in my heart, and I always appreciate quality and craftsmanship.

One of my favorite pieces is my Tiffany pendant that reminisces about the Art Nouveau movement, adding a hint of heritage and historical appeal. This stunning piece is made with an imperial bronze base and 100% handcrafted Tiffany stained glass lamps with a multi-color shade. I'm amazed by its intricate ironwork, epitomizing craftsmanship at a high level of execution, evoking a sense of retro opulence and adding a bit of medieval gothic touch.

Mid-century modern has always held a soft spot in my heart, which definitely influences my choice of furnishings: geometric shapes and forms, streamlined looks, rich textures, and above all, being bold with color and pattern, as you can tell.

Again, it's very intuitive, yet more intentional later down the road over the span of the project, figuring out color composition and layering of materials, textures, and lighting.

02

Green, hands down, is the protagonist in my color palette. These pretty green hues strike a perfect balance—they’re bold enough to make a statement and create energy, yet muted enough to bring a sense of serenity and tranquility. Different shades and tones of green are embellished through styling objects and ornaments (paintings, teal pillows, moss vases, a velvet armchair, faux greenery, glassware, wall treatments, etc.). It was a very bold and rewarding move to paint my living room in Mint Circle, reaching my pinnacle design point upon completion of the wall painting and wallpaper.

My interior course teacher once said, “Painting your place in a primary color—I’ve seen enough white—if you want to impress me.”  An acclaimed interior designer also said, “Nothing transforms a space as radically and profoundly as painting it.”  In 2024, I finally took a leap of faith to paint my living room green. The process was far from linear. First, you spend years standing on the fence before pulling the trigger. Then you spend a few months searching for enough reference points to make that color call. Then you're torn between different shades of green, getting up at 6 a.m. to go to Bunnings to pick color samples many times. Finally, options were narrowed down between Mint Circle and Spring Green. You decided to flip a coin and landed on Spring Green but changed your mind at the last minute when placing the order. Such an emotional roller coaster ride it was! The same process applied to selecting the wallpaper, by the way.

I spent a few more weeks bonding with the finished look until I wholeheartedly embraced this transformative space. To avoid overwhelming the space, I kept the ceiling white and chose neutral tones for larger pieces of furniture like the sofa and curtains. I paired greens with yellow undertones and added metallic gold, brass accents, and bronze touches for warmth and shine. A pop of red and a touch of black added unexpected visual drama, elevating and grounding the living room.

I'm a big visual and tactile person, obsessed with tactility. Layering a mix of materials and textures in a scheme adds depth, interest, and rich tactility to my space, as each texture brings its own quality and arouses my different senses—a hint of sumptuous velvet, luxe brass, woven texture, raw ceramic, glass, etc. It turns visual interest into a sensory experience.

Texture in interior design is all about creating tactile moments that invite touch. Without texture, a space can feel flat and one-dimensional.

Upgrading the lighting turned out to be a debilitating dilemma when trying to apply decorative lighting to a low ceiling. Long story short, I was defeated by the lighting dilemma to the point where I paused my project for a year. Now, I’ve cracked the lighting code (sounds so cocky, but you know what I mean LoL) in a very expensive way. The simple lesson I feel compelled to share here is this: flush mounts or semi-flush mounts are the most optimal choices for low ceilings, but before going down the rabbit hole of sourcing any decorative lighting, please, first and foremost, install recessed lights or downlights to ensure the primary source of illumination. And always take firm control of the number of lights you actually need for a small living space as opposed to going with the number of lights your electrician advised. You simply don’t need that many lights.

Luckily, all my pain paid off, and I am very content with the lighting composition layered by two pendants, a table lamp, and a floor lamp.

I feel the lighting upgrade has added a touch of European sophistication and refinement to my living room. Along with my new gallery wall, it brings in a hint of Parisian chic that I always gravitate towards. The way the ambient light blends with the freshly painted mint green walls and forest green wallpaper creates an enveloping and immersive atmosphere, making the space feel warm and soothing.

03

I may kind of fit my interior into some boxes now, but my approach to this project has been intuitive from the start. Those reflections or unpacking-style bits and pieces mostly happened in hindsight. My goal has always been to create a space that brings me comfort and joy, not so much about style or trend. I do want to hone a more solid understanding of interior design right now, so I am currently reading and writing about interiors very densely and heavily, hoping to enhance my sensibility in this discipline a little more. At my core, home should be an authentic expression of myself. To be able to emotionally connect to a physical space, I think it essentially comes down to staying true to my character and the season of my life. I will definitely choose to eschew rigid adherence to a strict set of rules and trends—you know, throw out the rulebook and follow my heart when it comes to decorating my place. This vibrant, joyful, dynamic, and colorful green room best represents my current season.

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Gallery Wall & Coffee Table Book

Gallery Wall & Coffee Table Book

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Travel

Travel

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Objects of Affection

Objects of Affection

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Part Two -Objects of affection

01

Renowned interior architect André Fu once said, “It’s very easy to create designs that are purely driven by aesthetics. But good design actually communicates experiences. Objects express emotion.” I believe a home should be filled with meaningful objects that tell unique stories. Here comes my affection for object number one: my table lamp. It has a marble base with three layers of shell shade and a vintage brass frame that matches the brass-clad modern floor lamp on the other end of the sofa. Such a striking piece, with the fragile shells radiating femininity and delicacy, perfectly juxtaposes with the marble's hardness and the brass's vintage glam.

I remember I was looking at this lamp in the store for half an hour, and I knew I had to take it home. It’s made of authentic shell; each shell was wrapped in a plastic bag when it arrived—perhaps hundreds of them. It took me over half an hour to unpack the lighting fixtures. The magic moment is that every time I walk past it, the shells click together like wind chimes, creating a gentle, beautiful sound that adds an evocative touch to the room.

Over my dining table, there's another pendant with a geometric design—three spherical opal glass lights on a linear structure—that brings modern sculptural elegance with a classic aesthetic. It has strong Art Deco vibes with a modern twist. I had to wait a few weeks for this brass pendant to be shipped from Europe, but it was worth it. Overall, the lighting fixtures are distinct yet complementary in both material and style, unified by the common thread of brass accents.

02

Lovely Felicia’s portrait painting is such a strong statement piece with its various shades of green in the backdrop. It not only coordinates perfectly with my green theme but also stands out on its own. Felicia means "happy" and "lucky" in Latin, and I can really feel the healing and meditative energy from this painting. It brings me pure joy and a sense of calm.

Here's my favorite media console with an array of decorative pieces. I sourced each item and carried it home myself. This handmade wood piece was literally the first decor item I brought home, adding a bit of rustic feel and an artisanal touch. That cute little book is from the KAI Anjin hotel in Ito, part of the historic Hoshino brand, which has over 100 years of history. I'm a big fan of Hoshino hotels, and they said you could take the book home, so I did.

This masterpiece of a drawing here is my own creation. Hoshino hotels often organize workshops and activities, and I drew this one during a fun workshop at Hoshinoya Bali, where I painted the hotel’s silhouette using traditional techniques.

As you can see, I don’t have a TV, instead, I turned the media console into a display area. The asymmetrical arrangement adds a bit of visual interest. I think it fits into this rising 'analog spaces' trend—you know, more and more people are making a conscious effort to limit the presence of technology and screens in their homes. But mine is completely innocent; I just wanted to display all my decorative pieces.

03

I brought a piece of Tasmania home! I picked up this ocean-blue vase and some lavender on my first trip to Tas. They perfectly represent two things Tasmania boasts most: its pure drinking water and beautiful lavender fields.

My coffee table book staple: I've been really enjoying Crossing Cultures with Design by renowned interior architect André Fu. His incredible design portfolio spans over 20 years and includes iconic hotel projects. Critics say André is part of something yet also independent of it—meaning he can understand it from within while maintaining a critical distance. This balance allows his work to capture magic and energy, offering a deeper connection to and understanding of people, places, and oneself. I wholeheartedly agree that this is the core and essence of design.

This was a Christmas gift from my dear friend who relocated back to Tokyo with her family this year. She's an amazing photographer and always a strong light in my life. I'm almost done reading it. It might sound trivial, but the nuances in paper textures are so cool—some pages are glossy and tactile, while others are rough and rustic, like newspaper quality.

I bought this travel book about Europe from the National Art Center in Tokyo. It's like my dopamine book lol. Every time I flip through its pages, it brings me so much joy. This beautiful travel pictures really made me conjure up the romance of Europe. Another book I got is from the Art Gallery of NSW here in Sydney. It's such a vibrant green book. The green element just permeates the air everywhere.

She also gave me a whole self-care set for Christmas. How sweet is that? It included a scented candle, a ritualistic mask, and my go-to water-drinking set. I can't live without it—I’m a bit of a water addict and easily drink 3 liters every day LoL. I also recently added this new glass set for drinking water, along with this ceramic mug mainly for tea or coffee, a gift from another friend. Honestly, with all the right gear, you can elevate your hydrating practice from a mundane habit to a truly blissful ritual. I have a strong affinity for scents. I often place scented candles, diffusers, and fragrances in different spaces. My favorite scents are jasmine, magnolia, and cucumber—fresh but also strong.

04

Here’s my newly unveiled gallery wall! It’s filled with photos from my travels, each one capturing a moment and telling a story. Travel means so much to me. Honestly, I’m not an extreme adventurer or a frequent globetrotter. My lifestyle is quite project-based, with a focus on self-discipline and structure. However, travel still manages to break me out of my routine every now and then, offering fresh perspectives and new experiences.

Part Three - : My Interior Philosophy

It’s been an experimental project, and little did I know it would turn into something that would last for years. Everyone knows interior design is an evolving and ongoing journey, but it holds enduring significance for my personal growth. Witnessing my vision come to life over three years of curation, collection, and execution fills me with happiness and pride. Although it’s been a small and humbling project, there were times during the process when it really pushed me to my limits—physically, emotionally, and creatively. Overall, it’s truly been a profound learning journey, and I’ve come to cultivate the best virtue: patience. It’s about being patient, waiting for that reference point, for that thunderbolt moment to kick in. I’ve learned about the conflicting relationship between vision and execution, but constraint is a condition, not a conclusion.

Through my home project, I also became aware that any creative endeavor, from contemplation to completion, requires collaboration with different spectrum of people. Tradespersons who did my flooring, painting, and wallpapering all played a part in bringing my vision to life.

I want to share some of the underlying drive that propels me to deepen my connection with interior design, architecture, and the environment. I believe that when we tap into the power of design, we unlock the wellness of design. Design has the power to boost our wellness, well-being, and health.

I deeply resonate with acclaimed interior designer Josh Smith and his design ethos. He said, and I quote: “A beautiful interior is not just something we see; it is something we experience. It should engage the senses and nourish the soul. When you live better, you feel better, and when you feel better, you do better in the world. Designing a home can mean transforming a life. There is magic in living beautifully.”

                      お部屋のルムツアービデオ
                              Living-Room Tour Video

Home Project
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私は 日本語で初めてのお部屋のルームツアービデオを作りました。 このビデオでは、私の リビング ルームのスペース プランニング と 室内装飾について詳しく説明しています。 

I made a living room tour video in Japanese. The video details spacing planning and home decoration choices  of  my living room.
一つ の 引用を共有したい : あなたの内なる芸術 (inner art) この世界に 共有すると, 魔法が起こる。 この 内なる芸術 は、メッセージ とか、パッションとか、一つのビジョン とか 、何でもかまいません。ミュージシャンの音楽とか、誰かの親切な言葉とか、または人々の内なる芸術の共有によって、私はしばしば元気づけられます。 だから私は自分の内なる芸術を共有したいのです. 私のシェアが聴衆に少しの喜びと エネルギー、または少しの希望を(ほんの一瞬でも)もたらすことができれば幸いです。 

Want to share a quoation here : Magic will happen when we share our inner art. It can be a passion, a message, or a vision that lights your soul. I  am often  uplifted by musicians’ music, someone's  kind words or people's  inner art. That's why I want to share my inner art.  I hope my share can bring a bit joy /enegery  or a  bit sense of hope  ( even just for a moment) for my audiences.
みんながこのビデオを楽しんでくれることを願っています.  私の日本語力は 限界がある. 私の2022年のホームプロジェクトに興味があるなら, 私の特別なポッドキャスト エピソードを聞いてください。これは私のウェブサイトです:https://www.lifedesignerwithjingyuchen.com 

I hope everyone will enjoy this video. My Japanese is limited. If you are interested in knowing more about my 2022 Home Project,  feel free to lisent to my special podcast episdoe ' My 2022 Home Project' . Thank you!