The exterior, mostly preserved in its Victorian form, was refreshed with a warm, creamy tone, while splashes of apricot and gem-coloured leadlight glass around the entrance providing a hint of the surprises within. Upon entering, a deep peach-toned corridor lined with terracotta floor tiles leads to the newly built extension at the back of the house, an expansive, light-filled, open-plan living area where playful layers of colour and texture emerge.

Bringing together a ‘summer lounge’, a dining area and a spacious kitchen, complete with a breakfast nook, each part of the space is playfully demarcated through the use of porcelain mosaic tiles arranged in different pixelated patterns inspired by Persian rugs and Victorian era designs. Rising up the walls to create skirtings and extending outside onto the terrace, the carpet-like tiling not only marks transitions between zones, but also expands the room’s spatial boundaries.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the renovation is the owners’ colour-blindness, which allowed YSG Studio to take bold creative liberties with the palette. Vibrant hues that might overwhelm a more traditional home were used to dramatic effect, with rich textures enhancing the scheme's appeal. Garnet-red, peach, and baby-blue floor tiles anchor the space, while natural lime wash on the walls provides a tactile, earthy finish. Light Queensland Maple timber joinery adds warmth in the spirit of Scandinavian interiors throughout the home, contrasting beautifully with the kitchen’s apple-green birch cupboards, tangerine pulls, and turquoise granite fruit vessels cleverly integrated into the island. Garnet-red upholstery enlivens the breakfast nook, which is designed as a curvaceous alcove inspired by Egyptian architect Hassan Fathy’s mud-brick constructions, blending traditional influences with contemporary flair.

Coloured glass ribbons adorning the windows add yet another layer of playfulness. The strategic use of coloured glass, which can be found throughout the house, not only accentuates YSG Studio’s vibrant colour scheme but also ties into the home’s overarching theme of blending cultural motifs, as seen in the shifting hues from deep garnet in the communal areas to soft pinks and lilacs in the master suite. The use of vibrant marble in the bathrooms—Rosso Asiago in the powder room and Verde Riviera in the master ensuite—further plays into the house’s tactile and colourful narrative, as does the master bedroom’s quilted lapis lazuli headboard which provides a counterpoint to the softer baby blue, lilac and pink hues.

The rich tapestry of diverse colours and textures is complemented by YSG’s eclectic mix of contemporary and vintage furniture and lighting pieces that further enhance the dialogue between distant cultures and époques. Iconic pieces by Scandinavian designers such as Arne Jacobsen, Eero Saarinen, and Erik Ole Jørgensen can be found throughout the property mingling with new creations by contemporary luminaries like Jaime Hayón, Paola Navone, and Thomas Coward. Bespoke Middle Eastern-inspired elements, as seen in an organic-shaped, straw marquetry-topped dining table by Egyptian designer Shewekar, and a Louis Barthélemy-embroidered bed runner featuring Egyptian iconography, further enrich the narrative.

Even the lighting choices reflect this blend of influences. Eloquent glass pendants nod to the home’s Victorian heritage, a Louis Poulsen pendant in the breakfast nook exemplifies Scandinavian modernism, while an Apparatus sconce leading to the master suite adds an exotic, mystical touch. These details, along with the layered textures of tactile fabrics, including rugs and curtains custom-designed by YSG for the project, create an immersive experience where every corner of the home offers something new to discover.