Warm yet elegant, urban yet connected to nature – the aptly-named House in the Woods looks very different from its former self. Its new incarnation was designed by Istanbul-based design studio Ofist, and is now home to the Yilmaz family.
The home is one of the wooden houses in Kemer Country, Istanbul. Its previous look was extremely modern, so much that it jarred the eye against the natural landscape.
Ofist’s challenge was to simplify the overall look while keeping it warm and urban and reconnecting the home with its surroundings.
AT A GLANCE
Home: A landed home in Istanbul, Turkey
Who lives here: The Ylmaz family
Interior Designer: Ofist
The design studio also had to complete the entire project in a very short time, as it was the start of the pandemic, and the homeowners wanted to move in within a month.
![home-_-decor-house-tour-ofist-hygge-modern-contemporary_living02-829x1024-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home-_-decor-house-tour-ofist-hygge-modern-contemporary_living02-829x1024-1.jpg)
This led to the decision to avoid changing too much of the infrastructure, focusing instead on the interiors.
![home-_-decor-house-tour-ofist-hygge-modern-contemporary_ceiling](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home-_-decor-house-tour-ofist-hygge-modern-contemporary_ceiling.jpg)
As the Yilmaz family owns one of the leading pret-a-porter businesses in Turkey, they knew all about fabrics, colours, and textures. It proved to be an exciting collaboration with Ofist, resulting in a home that balances vibrant pops of colour with clean, modern lines.
![home-_-decor-house-tour-ofist-hygge-modern-contemporary_living05](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home-_-decor-house-tour-ofist-hygge-modern-contemporary_living05.jpg)
The living room features a bright burnt-orange rug that takes centre stage, contrasted with the cool teal colour of the furniture. The playful drama is echoed by the lights strung high above in the gable ceiling, though the overall look is carefully considered, so it doesn’t overwhelm the eye.
![home-_-decor-house-tour-ofist-hygge-modern-contemporary_living04-1-717x1024-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home-_-decor-house-tour-ofist-hygge-modern-contemporary_living04-1-717x1024-1.jpg)
Other hues – all equally bright and bold – are scattered throughout the home, mainly in the form of soft furnishings that can be swapped out at any time to change up the look.
![home-_-decor-house-tour-ofist-hygge-modern-contemporary_living04-1024x589-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home-_-decor-house-tour-ofist-hygge-modern-contemporary_living04-1024x589-1.jpg)
The walls and floors are kept muted in shades of whites and anthracites, providing a backdrop for all the textures and colours.
![home-_-decor-house-tour-ofist-hygge-modern-contemporary_living01-905x1024-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home-_-decor-house-tour-ofist-hygge-modern-contemporary_living01-905x1024-1.jpg)
Window treatments were kept minimalist to let more light flood in and allow unfettered views of the woods outside.
![home-_-decor-house-tour-ofist-hygge-modern-contemporary_studyroom01-1024x704-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home-_-decor-house-tour-ofist-hygge-modern-contemporary_studyroom01-1024x704-1.jpg)
The design team ensured that the vibrant colour palette extended to the outdoor furniture, providing a natural transition from the outdoors to the indoors.
![home-_-decor-house-tour-ofist-hygge-modern-contemporary_outdoor01-1024x744-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home-_-decor-house-tour-ofist-hygge-modern-contemporary_outdoor01-1024x744-1.jpg)
“Creating a balance between the surrounding nature and the family’s busy urban life was key,” says the design team.
“We believe a house should be designed specifically for its user, fitting perfectly like an haute couture suit. Not for just good looks, but to be used and enjoyed.”
Photography Ali Bekman
![home-_-decor-house-tour-ofist-hygge-modern-contemporary_living03-855x1024-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home-_-decor-house-tour-ofist-hygge-modern-contemporary_living03-855x1024-1.jpg)