The project was a renovation of one level tropical bedroom into two levels bedroom with wabi-sabi and ethnic touch.

The attic lounge – photo by: helen agustine

Wabi-sabi is the Japanese world view of finding beauty / aesthetic in the decay of things/livings. “Wabi means things that are fresh and simple. It denotes simplicity and quietude, and also incorporates rustic beauty. Sabi means things whose beauty stems from age. It refers to patina of age, and the concept that changes due to use may make an object more beautiful and valuable.” (source: http://mercury.lcs.mit.edu/~jnc/nontech/wabisabi.html)

the attic bedroom – photo by: helen agustine

The young client has a special taste of her bedroom, she likes rustic, decay and simple room that refers to the wabi-sabi concept. She also likes to place ethnic and antique things to decorate her bedroom. The existing flat ceiling was demolished, and the empty roof space is converted and used for the private attic bedroom and small lounge. The existing windows on the attic were preserved to let the skylight filled the room. While the remain first floor is used as the study room, changing room, and TV room where the client can invite her friends to gather around her room.

the exterior of first floor bedroom – photo by: helen agustine

existing windows on the attic – photo by: helen agustine

The details and materials are important parts to create the wabi-sabi and ethnic look. The rustic wooden board covered the whole ceiling and continues to the outside eaves. It gave a warm interior space and hides the electrical and plumbing components behind the ceiling. Teak wood construction built the whole attic floor, and left unfinished to give the rustic feeling. The entrance was accentuated by the various of old Javanese tiles, while the remaining first floor was skim coated concrete floor.

wooden roof and small lounge – photo by: helen agustine

the combination of antique and rustic – photo by: helen agustine

teak wood construction of the attic – photo by: helen agustine

old javanese tiles – photo by: helen agustine

The wooden stairs is cantilevered from the wall with antique railing made from the branches, while doors and windows are made from brass.

cantilevered stairs and branches – photo by: helen agustine

brass windows and antique wall lamps – photo by: helen agustine

brass and wooden doors – photo by: helen agustine

Tamarind wood is used for the built-in furniture with a natural finishing, and antique furniture, lamps, and pendant was hunted from Java and flea market.

antique lamps – photo by: helen agustine

natural wooden table and concrete floor – photo by: helen agustine

The bathroom used the same tone with bedroom; the integrity of exposed concrete floor, tamarind wood of built-in furniture and rustic black tiles for the shower room. The client also requested for the round shape mirror, hanging casually on the bathroom wall.

shower room – photo by: helen agustine

bathroom – photo by: helen agustine

Project location: Pondok Indah, Jakarta

Principal: Bitte Design Studio

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