Located atop the Verde Apartment, this junior penthouse floats 32 storeys above Jakarta’s premier business district. Interior designer Roland Adam graciously unified his signature touches and the client’s vision to create a home that reflects the wanderlust of the homeowner.
Roland, principal designer of Goodlife Interior, was assigned by his stylish jet-setter client to design a home in the sky that is sophisticated, warm and cozy; a space that reminds her of a city like New York. Roland turned a 300 sqm space, which is blessed with a sweeping view of Central Jakarta, into a functional home with captivating and luxurious aesthetics. A departure from the client’s classically designed primary home, the vision for this weekend home is completely modern.
Originally a four-bed, four-bath, the owner requested to convert the room next to the master to be a spacious walk-in closet. The remaining two rooms are guest rooms for her children and grandchildren with the colours blue and white to differentiate each room, carefully picked by her son and daughter respectively.
“I’m very lucky to have the creative freedom in every project I work on such as this one. But I always accentuate and nurture my client’s style and vision in my design to make it uniquely theirs,” the Jakarta-based, London-educated designer explained. “Everyone has style and taste, even if they say they don’t. As a designer, it is my job to coax that out of them by spending time with my clients beyond the stores and showrooms. I like to have meals with them and talk about their lives, find out which restaurants they like and observe every detail.”
The sprawling home boasts a cohesive style thanks to a curated selection of furniture, lighting, and accessories. One of the main threads that connects each corner is the refined furnishing. “Quality materials are very important for the client; she appreciates understated beauty.” Every piece complements one another without overpowering, ultimately rendering a soothing and remarkable atmosphere.
An elegant crystal chandelier hangs in the living room, a personal request by the client, and stylish Thomas Pheasant pendants with bronze finishing from Baker Furniture decorate the kitchen just steps away.
The designer also considered the client being in her golden years, so he incorporated furniture pieces that are functional in height and with soft edges, and non-slip materials in the bathrooms.
Another main thread that ties the home together is the neutral palette of the interior. However, each room has its own character. Roland opted for exclusive wallcovering for each room that elevates with a sense of luxury.
The open concept living room is filled with upholsteries, designed to prioritize comfort. The dining area has its own unique view of the skyline with an exquisite dining table from Promemoria as the centre of the room, flanked by white chairs and a delicate Persian carpet to pull the room together. The kitchen is decked with an island, stylishly designed with state-of-the-art finishing that only spells understated luxury.
The common areas are sheltered from the sun with motorised roller blinds, while the bedrooms are embellished with layers of sheer and blackout curtains, also motorised, to provide a cozy, cocoon-like restful atmosphere.
The composition of the furniture and decoration was decided to showcase a calm yet elegant aesthetic, a perfect balance between design and functionality, and to be a nurturing environment for the client’s grandkids. “If they want to jump on the sofa, let them. We can always reupholster. That is also one of my design principles, that a home has to be enjoyed, be child-friendly and for them to have a good time,” divulged the senior designer.
A perfect home is one that fits the personality and lifestyle of the client, a space that is professionally designed but is truly hers. The suite is well appointed with high-end furniture, but nothing over the top, mirroring the owner’s humble and doting nature. This feat can only be achieved through the designer’s affable nature in making a human connection that goes beyond designer-client relationship.