The home hadn’t been on the market in more than 30 years, and the previous owner kept it as a part-time residence for decades, which presented an almost blank slate when Gunawan and Wong began their work. “We preserved special details like the redwood ceilings and wall panels, but it was a full gut renovation,” Gunawan describes. Among the most dramatic changes included removing the exterior walls from part of the house and building a 14-foot-tall glass box enclosure that overlooks a new swimming pool. When it came to the interiors, the pair adopted a free-flowing approach. “As furniture was coming in, there was never really a fixed placement for them, as we were just buying pieces that we loved rather than to fit a floor plan,” the designer says. The priority was to create strategic viewpoints of nature, gardens, and the landscape, and furniture was kept low and minimal to help achieve this.
Another guiding principle during this process was the influence of Japan, which Gunawan and Wong (who are both originally from Singapore) have visited upwards of 20 times. “What we admire so much about Japan is a general philosophy, almost a duty, to be the best that they can be at whatever it is they do,” Gunawan says. The restrained aesthetic found so often in Japanese interiors can be seen in the pared back atmosphere of their own home. “We were inspired by Japanese ryokan [traditional inns]. People escape the city’s stress to occasionally visit one in the countryside, but I think about it differently—your baseline should be that feeling you get when you’re in a quiet ryokan. Residential spaces should evoke a sense of groundedness and feeling centered.” In particular, the couple have a special penchant for tatami—a traditional woven rush mat found in most Japanese ryokans. “We became friends with a classic tatami maker on one of our trips. It inspired us to find ways to utilize tatamis that were contemporary,” says Gunawan, who covered the primary bedroom’s bed platform with a sleek black version, giving it a modern spin while maintaining its original integrity and purpose.