Artisan Wood Floors
Nestled in Jiaxing’s Nanhu District beside Linggongtang Park, this fully renovated 550㎡ villa has become a tranquil refuge for its homeowners, who love nature, collectibles, sports, and travel.
Overseen by Zhiming Space Design and led by designer Zhang Liang—recently shortlisted in the Jiaxing Elite Design Competition—the renovation achieves a balance of vintage charm and modern minimalism, unified by CRAFT’s Kawartha Hickory floor.
The property’s spacious garden and close proximity to Linggongtang Park guided the design toward a nature-inspired approach. Zhang Liang echoes Teacher Lin Qi’s idea of returning to the essence of life—letting go of rigid “high-end” labels and focusing on warmth, simplicity, and softness.
Clear Skies After Rain at Linggongtang Park In Jiaxing’s Linggongtang Cultural Park, residents enjoy the early spring warmth, at left.
True to that philosophy, each room prioritizes open space, natural materials, and daily livability over ornate displays or clutter.
After much searching, the homeowners chose this villa in 2020 and poured their hearts into a renovation that would reflect their passions: plants, flowers, a real wood-burning fireplace, and a gently vintage aesthetic.
Despite the home’s generous size, it still evokes a tranquil botanical retreat.
The living room’s focal point is the dramatic, arched window framed by colour-blocking reminiscent of Le Corbusier’s Polychromie architecturale, and delicate references to a vintage era.
Rainbow-like vertical lines along the tall arch near the main window—Lego colour blocks—add a playful, modern kick to a stately interior. This nod to Le Corbusier’s approach sees curated colours arranged in geometric forms, subtly activating the otherwise neutral palette and keeping the home’s vibe upbeat and youthful.
The living room’s tall ceiling retain the villas original vintage plaster details.
Today, the room evokes the atmosphere of a greenhouse, with greenery and abundant light creating a refreshingly natural environment.
Designer Zhang Liang: “We tested hues that complement the Hickory floor’s natural swirl. Subtle brights highlight certain architectural curves without clashing with the neutral palette. In many ways, colour blocking helps us define zones—though here it’s more of an artistic statement, a playful homage to the owners’ love of creativity.”
CRAFT’s Kawartha Hickory floor, from the Lakeside Plank Collection plays a starring role, infusing the space with a rustic yet refined character. Heavy hand-texturing captures the lively swirl of heartwood and sapwood, echoing the organic spirit of the overall design.
Hickory’s durability suits an active household, while its eco certifications align with the homeowners’ desire for a healthy, responsibly sourced floor.
Green at Heart: Like all CRAFT floors, Kawartha is PEFC-certified, Red List Free, and GREENGUARD Gold for low VOC emissions, reflecting CRAFT’s focus on healthy homes and sustainably sourced materials.
Throughout the villa, carefully chosen furnishings blend modern simplicity with subtle vintage references.
There are no excessive adornments—just key elements that complement the wood floors, real stone finishes, and, of course, plants and collectibles cherished by the family.
The Pratone is a playful, iconic piece of Italian pop design introduced by Gufram in 1971. It recreates an oversized patch of grass, functioning as a lounge seat that invites whimsical interaction with its springy turf-like blades, at left and below.
The result is a home that the owners joyfully refer to as “the life I’ve always dreamed of.”
From the foyer to the open-plan living area to the upstairs rooms, every corner conveys a sense of relaxed comfort.
Through minimal clutter, biophilic design cues, and a fusion of modern and vintage elements, this Jiaxing villa demonstrates how carefully chosen materials (like CRAFT’s Kawartha) elevate a home’s spirit.
Kawartha’s timeworn texture underfoot invites one to move barefoot, savoring each step in a home that is truly meant to be lived in.
While the renovation underscores a Japanese-like reverence for natural materials, any specific style labels feel secondary.
Zhang Liang’s philosophy, “no fixed style is the best style,” resonates throughout.
Embracing the property’s natural surroundings, the design merges comfort, simplicity, and the organic warmth of wood.
Although the interior maintains a consistent palette, The owners describe the final result as “a botanical daydream”—where lofty ceilings, pastel touches, and an ever-present closeness to nature evoke a feeling of stepping into a private wellness retreat.
Invoking the senses: Soft pink or pistachio accents in the bedrooms, plus a sprinkling of colour-blocked columns, keep things from feeling overly monochromatic. The Kawartha floor, with its gentle colour variance, furthers this sense of lively calm.
The homeowners find these touches both playful and calming, reflecting their travels and creativity. Together with the abundant greenery, the bright windows, and the signature fireplace, these features deliver a gentle biophilic undertone: a reminder that nature need not stop at the door.
With the owners’ passion for greenery and the property’s park-side location, the renovation was crafted with sensory highlights in mind:
Sight: Playful colour blocks, large windows, and flickering fireplace flames.
Touch: The lightly Hickory floors underfoot, reminiscent of a beloved lodge.
Smell: Outdoor breezes drift in from the garden, carrying fresh morning air.
In the end, it’s this sense of living intimately with what one loves—without clutter—that most characterizes the villa. Whether relaxing over tea, displaying handmade collectibles, or gathering by the fireplace for a cozy evening, the family sees each day as an invitation to connect with nature, each other, and their personal passions.
Why Hickory?
Durability: With a Janka rating of 1820, Hickory stands up to active households, including sports gear and everyday foot traffic.
Visual Interest: The swirling grain patterns add a dimension of organic texture—a fitting counterpoint to the home’s uncluttered furnishings and smooth plaster details.
Installer’s Perspective: “CRAFT’s DACS III core is extremely stable, making an 8-inch-wide plank floor feasible in Jiaxing’s climate. The boards fit together with ease—saving time and reducing on-site headaches.”
For CRAFT, this residence is a testament to how well-chosen materials and thoughtful design can bring a nature-first, biophilic vision to life in a modern context. The resulting interior is cozy and peaceful, fostering shared experiences and reflecting a deep connection to the local landscape and climate. By balancing interior space with regional conditions, this villa stands as an inviting haven—both rooted in its surroundings and timelessly welcoming.
The featured 550㎡ villa in Jiaxing utilizes CRAFT’s Kawartha Hickory floors. These floors were integral to achieving a balance of vintage charm and modern minimalism, unifying the tranquil, nature-first design of the retreat.
The design for the "Growing in Green" villa was guided by a nature-inspired approach, influenced by its spacious garden and proximity to Linggongtang Park. Designer Zhang Liang focused on warmth, simplicity, and softness, blending biophilic design with vintage charm and modern minimalism.
The renovation of the 550㎡ villa in Jiaxing was overseen by Zhiming Space Design. The project was led by designer Zhang Liang, who was recently shortlisted in the Jiaxing Elite Design Competition.