A modern community of low buildings near Chaoyang Park provides a quiet retreat for Hou Youyou, a man who has been working in the frantic world of interior design for the last decade.

Walking into the apartment, visitors are immediately faced by a jellyfish-shaped chandelier. This unusual object hangs as the centerpiece of the home, linking the hallway, salon and dining area together.

While the flat might initially seem more cluttered than anything else, a closer look reveals order and artistic flair governing the arrangement of all the decorative items.

Luxurious sofas, exquisite urns and vases, hand-crafted ironworks, antique framed mirrors and paintings and a mosaic floor pattern decorate the home. With splashes of greenery here and there, every room looks like a piece of art.

Dotted throughout are cabinets and shelves, filled with objects of both Chinese and Western origin.

Each has its own story, such as a carved table sitting under the chandelier. Hou said he fell in love with it at first sight and tried hard to acquire it, from an owner who preferred to show it off rather than sell it. After many attempts, he was able to purchase it.

The flat is also home to articles made in a classically American style. Most pieces of furniture and fabric come from Harbor House, a brand that principally produces mahogany furniture.

While the walls in each room are covered in simple patterned wallpaper, the use of wooden furniture conveys a sense of history and balance to the overall decor.

But not every space has been designed for artistic effect. In the corner on the balcony, Hou has set aside a space for reading in the sunshine.

A table and set of chairs, designed to match the furniture style of Venice in the 18th century, leads the imagination to a scene of noble ladies playing cards. On the table are vintage silver tea sets including pots, cups and saucers, sugar bowls, creamer pots and tea urns.

Moving back in the shadows of the flat, visitors will see that Hou has incorporated mirrors to open up the space and bring in extra light.

The mood continues into the children's bedroom, where he has placed several small mirrors housed in cast iron frames onto walls to resemble portholes. Complimented by a sailing boat that is perched on a bedside table, the room has a strong nautical feel.

The bathroom continues the trend. In the confines of a guest bathroom, which is only 3 square meters and has no windows, Hou has placed a ceiling high mirror with a semi-transparent pattern. The result is to again amplify the space and increase light, but it also promotes an opportunity for a degree of artistic reflection.

Additionally, Hou has experimented with textures and materials such as cast iron furniture.

"Cast iron tends to be cold and lumpy and is often made for outdoor use in parks, cemeteries and gardens," Hou said. "But I took it inside and made it rustic."

Although the flat is loaded with raw metal and wood, with strength and simplicity, a few additions have been dotted around for a sense of luxury.

Simple bath accessories, such as gold taps in honed finishes and antique mirrors encircled by mosaics, add a romantic touch and low profile decadence.

Hou has mastered color and drama, producing a superb vintage apartment that has left 21st century Beijing on its doorstep.