Let-it-flow design in Jogokaryan

People who pass Markus Winarto’s house in Jogokaryan, Yogyakarta, must stop and wonder, is that a house or a cafe?

At a glance, it indeed looks like a cafe.

Hidden behind greenery and trees, the home’s front porch is filled with different sets of chairs and tables in almost every corner.

“Those [chairs and tables] are secondhand. I got them from exhibitions that I run. Instead of throwing them away, I decided to put them here,” said the designer and former chef.

Apart from the chairs, many peculiar objects that reflect the owner’s interests and obsessions are displayed in the open living room.

Among them are a bicycle, kitchen tools, bamboo rice steamers and even used water bottles.

Markus explained he used recycled and secondhand items for economic reasons. He said he spent only Rp 40 million (US$4,440) to renovate his house, which was destroyed by the 2006 earthquake.

The house’s design and interior were selected according to his limited budget.

The front porch, for example, is higher than the land surrounding it to utilize the ruins of the old house’s walls, which collapsed during the quake.

Apart from being cluttered with secondhand objects, the home is far from dull. A touch of modernity can be sensed from the black that dominates the floors and main pillars.

A homey feeling is engendered from the wood used for the interior of the room.

Entering further, a foyer of handmade grey stone bricks awaits, connecting the open patio to the main house with the bedrooms and kitchen.

Markus said his design was far from finished, as he continues to add things here and there, utilizing used materials he discovers.

“I let the design go with the flow because I didn’t have a fixed design as a guideline from the start,” the father of two said.

Just like the toilet under the front porch that was abruptly made after Markus received a large canvas from an exhibition, or the second floor that was built with used wood.

And what’s next?

Markus shrugged.

He says he chooses to allow his designs to remain open to any possibilities.