Yuan Shi Design｜VARIO Shanghai Flagship Store

Since Shanghai’s opening as a port city, it has been a cultural crossroads where East and West meet, clash, merge, and evolve into something entirely new. In recent years, with the popularity of the TV drama Blossoms Shanghai, Haipai culture has re-entered the public eye. It’s a tapestry of everyday street life, the understated opulence of East-West fusion, and that unique Haipai charm that reveals itself slowly over time.

But as Haipai evolves into the modern era, embracing new dimensions of contemporary life, the question arises: where does it go from here?

When the grandeur of Shanghai’s golden age collides with modern luxury and minimalism, a new paradigm of comfortable elegance emerges—one that redefines the Haipai style for a new generation.

Shanghai-based custom home brand VARIO embraces its brand philosophy of "Haipai Elegance," with a focus on Haipai culture. By blending this cultural essence with the finesse of Western design, VARIO explores the delicate balance between the two. In the pursuit of transforming abstract concepts into tangible forms, the brand reimagines the possibilities of Neo-Orientalism.

As the renowned artist Tim Yip once said, "Neo-Orientalism is not about replicating tradition, nor is it a postmodern deconstruction. It’s about reconstructing the world and the self from a Chinese perspective."

In the showroom, sculptures are lacquered using ancient techniques, with metal joints lending them an aura of both antiquity and reverence. These handmade forms convey a sense of depth and soul to the space, bridging traditional and modern narratives. The result is a transformation of the traditional home, infusing it with contemporary grandeur and setting the tone for a bold Haipai fusion the moment you step inside.

The curved entryway draws the eye naturally, and as you turn, you’re greeted by a soft, harmonious living space. Whether you find a corner that matches your mood or sit back to let your thoughts drift, the delicate interplay of light and shadow creates an atmosphere of comfortable immersion.

At the heart of the space hangs the artwork Lines by artist Zhang Liping, a creator who paints with light itself, using it as both brush and medium. His cut, irregular, and floating lines capture the presence of light in a way that perfectly echoes the atmosphere of the room, reflecting the subtle energy the space exudes.

Dream Journeys Through Mountains and Rivers: A Vibrant Oriental Vision

VARIO greets visitors with a wide, open space that feels soothing and liberating. The oval ceiling extends its arms in a warm embrace, as if issuing an invitation, creating a centripetal flow that makes moving through the space both physically and mentally calming.

The staged scenes within the showroom are merely a sample—a starting point. VARIO aspires to incorporate a sense of freedom within the design, sparking the visitor’s imagination of an ideal life. The designers have adopted a holistic approach here, blending different household functions and activities into one cohesive space, offering a glimpse of future living concepts.

Most corners in the space are softly rounded, their fullness evoking the comforting embrace of home. These curves subtly lower the visitor’s psychological defenses, drawing them into a contemplative state about what their future home life could be like.

Wheat, the staple food of the Chinese people, is deeply rooted in the country’s survival and economy. It is the lifeblood that has nourished China’s social development. Art created from wheat, therefore, springs from the heart, devoid of pretense or artifice, embodying the raw essence of life.

In ancient times, wheat straw was used in artwork, making it one of China’s unique traditional crafts. Through processes like smoking, steaming, bleaching, scraping, polishing, ironing, cutting, carving, weaving, and painting, the natural luster, grain, and texture of the straw are preserved. Combined with the airy, cloud-like installation, it presents a beauty that feels both ancient and alive. The installation also incorporates the brand’s initials, imbuing time-honored Chinese craftsmanship with a fresh, modern interpretation.

Every weathered texture here is a product of nature and the passage of time, breaking down the boundaries between art and life.

The high-quality materials used in the furniture—solid wood, marble, leather, metal, and plush fabrics—invite viewers to touch, to imagine. These materials are the brand’s way of offering a sense of refined pleasure to the users of the space. Each texture further unveils the secret of the room’s simplicity, layered with richness.

The Flow of Objects: A Hidden Sanctuary of Healing

The Western-style kitchen is the ideal spot for casual cooking and dining, with its understated materials and color palette hitting just the right notes. An island, subtly incorporating the brand’s initial “V,” quietly reinforces its identity, bringing harmony to the entire space.

The wine cellar is bathed in a soft, diffused light, where the play of shadows and the richly textured materials create a delicate balance between opulence and restraint, layering refinement upon refinement.

Modern linear light strips, embedded in the floor, ceiling, and walls, segment the space while forming structured frames that draw the eye deeper into the room. As you move through the space, you inevitably become part of its choreography, with each gesture triggering subtle shifts in the interplay of light and shadow.

From afar, life’s delightful quirks come into focus; up close, the cabinets reveal their treasures. An arched corridor extends into an independent, deep study, inviting visitors to experience the joy of living with art. The corridor itself is like a tunnel of time, bridging the contemplative essence of an Eastern study with the avant-garde trends of Western design.

Some elements are intended to alter perception, such as the dark-toned corridor. The designers have drawn inspiration from the "long corridors" of Chinese gardens, linking spaces such as the study, walk-in closet, and bedroom into a cohesive whole. This corridor serves both as a passage and a scenic route—offering views from both sides while separating areas, adding layers of richness and variety to the showroom.

The shape and length of the corridor unfold in a rhythmic, continuous landscape, evoking the serene feeling of a winding path leading to hidden depths. This design allows the brand’s products and core philosophy to be showcased in a way that is gradual, rhythmic, and deeply immersive.

Light in Every Corner

Metallic sheen and wooden lattices intersect in a layout that is precise yet not overbearing, offering a sense of calm luxury. The subdued tones of black and grey bring a soothing effect to the space, making it a retreat for the overstimulated modern mind. Here, in this understated yet character-filled enclave, one can truly find sanctuary.

The use of natural stone in the alcoves, where refined and rough textures contrast, introduces an unpolished authenticity to the urban atmosphere. Different cultural styles blend seamlessly, radiating a harmonious visual balance where every element finds its place.

As you turn a corner, a new world begins to reveal itself. Wandering through the showroom feels like delving into the architecture of one's inner self—a fluid journey through light, time, and space. It’s a slow yet delightful exploration.

The elongated lighting fixtures complement the shelves' forms, and the furniture's meticulous design language creates a space perfect for meetings or intimate conversations—an oasis of quiet stability.

When Shanghai’s Haipai style meets contemporary living, traditional hues and materials converse with modern design, drawing a picture where East and West, reality and illusion, come together. It’s an invitation to you, to join in this modern, stylish symphony.