Putting their heart into their home
Disillusioned by big city living, one couple have returned to their rural roots and established a homestay with an award-winning aesthetic, Yang Feiyue reports.
"It seems as if the guests walk out of the water," Gong says.
A swimming pool is placed in the west courtyard, with a bar located on one side where guests can enjoy a refreshing drink and chat with friends.
The east, south and west courtyards are enclosed with glass railings, allowing guests in the courtyard to look out over unhindered views of the distant village.
After consulting with Li, the designers named her new home and guesthouse Mymory.
Almost as soon as the project was completed, Gong and Liu brought their friends from a choir to experience the property, and Liu wants more of their city-based friends to visit from time to time, to relax in the heart of nature.
"It feels great to sing together under the sky in the village, the songs echoing off the mountain and bamboo forest," Gong says.
More choir members have come to visit since.
Most of them come from downtown Hangzhou to practice singing on Li's homestay's balcony and pool.
Li and her husband love gardening and music, and their new home grants them much more space to continue their interests.
They are now taking care of the 2,000-square-meter garden, which is populated by a variety of plants, including rose, hydrangea, osmanthus and cedar.
The first thing Li does in the morning is to inspect the flowers and plants in the garden.
"It's the best of both worlds, having my own life and running a business I love," Li says.
