The bending tree put its head between the arms

Shivering birds, flying door

Sleeping window without quilt and rose tree with falling petals

They are the punctuations at dusk

Left by the wind in front of my house 

-Adonis 

“We’ve been fond of Dali for years, for the city is full of sunlight, ancient element, and fresh air. We’ve been here for endless times, being reluctant to live in any inn. Instead, we want to stay alone or cook some food with friends. We all thought that it’s time for us to have a place in Dali.” 

As a passionate and curious designer, Xie Ke injected his understanding and love for the nature of life when building the home to embrace future life in a comfortable manner. Everything should be pure and transparent. “Beauty” is not about visual communication, but the use, touch, and feeling……

The house is one of the buildings nearby the Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake. The four-floor building is low-profile, being part of the surroundings. It has a wood door receiving abundant sunlight, simple floor, and pure white walls under the blue sky. The articles inside are the favorite items collected by Xie Ke and Zhi Hongxin from all over the world, including antique lamps from Europe, cups and teapots from Japan, wood pieces from Southeast Asia, and books collected for ages, making the home have a sense of vicissitudes. 

After entering the lobby from the narrow staircase, you will focus on the paintings and green plants. The hallway is suddenly spacious, and the connecting courtyard, staircase, and living room extend the natural and comfortable experience to the outside. The slow rhythm, light and shadow on the handmade floor tiles, furniture, books, and music jointly produce a tranquil, gentle atmosphere. The furniture is placed at will to guarantee comfortable uses. As a result, anyone can stop and get a chair to get fully relaxed. 

The verdant tree in the yard is known as Dianpu in Yunnan, which was found by Xie Ke by accident. He took it home immediately and has taken care of it ever since. So far, its height nearly reaches the kitchen window on the 2nd floor, making it a view here. As an important area in the home, the second floor connects two staircases. As a space used as a dining room, kitchen, living room, garden, and private room, it is spacious and bright, with sufficient joys in life. 

Considerate thoughts can be found everywhere: A public area is available for the rooms on the 3rd floor. Wind and light go inside from the windows. The half-height curtain not only guarantees privacy but also ensures the sight of the beautiful Erhai Lake or Cangshan Mountain. 

Xie Ke was patient when building the home. The home is like his “self-portrait” in another form: without drawings were made for three years, and the building had nothing to do with any principle or style. He observed sunlight in the yard and thought about the location of a window and any window to be improved; “Yunnan is full of quality stones, but that’s not my style.” He is a lover of timbers, such as African teakwood, Borneo teak, and Catalpa wood floors.