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A new dawn by Space Styling & Design

Space Styling & Design revived a forgotten 1980s residence into a mid-century modern sanctuary

07 Oct 2025

What happens when memory and modernity meet under the same roof? For Shaentelle Chapman, Principal Designer at Space Styling & Design, the question wasn’t just metaphorical. It was the reality she stepped into the moment she first encountered the 1980s residence, now known as House of the Rising Sun. Tucked into a neighbourhood quietly holding on to its architectural past, the home stood stoically, time-worn yet dignified in structure, but emotionally disconnected from the life it could hold today. What it needed wasn’t simply an update. It needed to be reborn.

The transformation began not with tearing down, but with listening. The design team retained the original structure and preserved its architectural bones with care and reimagined everything else. Outdated walls, closed-off rooms and muted palettes made way for light, flow and expression. At the heart of this reawakening was a hidden gem — a skylight that once sat forgotten, casting light that went unnoticed. Now, it’s the centrepiece of the home, reinterpreted with intention. A custom 20-foot mural rises beneath it, basking in morning sun and washing the interiors in a glow that feels almost sacred. It’s more than a visual focal point. It’s a spiritual one that sets the tone for the rest of the home’s aesthetic rhythm.

A Contemporary home by Space Styling — Photography by Ricken Desai

The living room unfolds like a gallery: sculptural, bright and alive with texture. Every piece of furniture feels deliberate. Art doesn’t just decorate the walls; it converses with the space. Natural light pours in and dances across surfaces, animating the room with warmth and quiet drama. From here, the space opens into the dining area — not with abrupt boundaries, but with a gentle, intentional flow. There are no hard stops or boxed-in layouts. Instead, movement is invited. The home becomes an experience in layers: subtle and steeped in soul.

Each bedroom in House of the Rising Sun tells a story of its own. Unique colour palettes, textures and moods make each room distinct, while mid-century modern influences lend cohesion throughout. The design language is confident, yet never overdone. There’s restraint, clarity, and an intuitive sense of when to hold back and when to lean in. Timber tones, clean silhouettes and curated finishes nod to the past, while firmly rooting the home in the present.

The mood board behind this transformation spoke of balance: modern living with soul, style without excess, art without pretension. This isn’t a house that’s been styled for the camera. It’s been styled for living. For sunlight that changes the feel of a room by the hour, for quiet mornings and thoughtful evenings, for stories in the making.

It’s this layered approach that defines the work of Space Styling & Design. Their portfolio spans high-end residences, retail experiences and commercial environments, but the philosophy remains constant: spaces must feel as good as they look. Timelines are honoured, materials are considered and every corner of every project is touched with purpose. The studio doesn’t chase trends. It listens to what a space is trying to become and then brings it to life with intuition, clarity and care.

In House of the Rising Sun, that philosophy is not just present. It’s palpable. What was once a house lost in Gme is now a living, breathing reflection of how design can elevate the everyday. From a forgotten skylight to a home bathed in light, the transformation is not just visual — it’s emotional.

Today, House of the Rising Sun stands as more than just a successful project. It is a reminder that with thoughtful design, a space can transcend eras, evoke emotion and quietly change the way we live. Because sometimes, beauty isn’t in building something new. It’s in seeing what already exists and giving it the light to rise again.

Explore more at www.spacestyling.com