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contents
April
Art Deco Standout rugs that lay graphic elements under your feet.
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23 nouveau luxe A new chapter in luxury living.
s ho p ping 24
great buys Our monthly roundup of the hottest new design products for the home.
h ot sp ot 32
the Pantheon IconIc rome hotel This hotel nestled in a historical building reveals a modern look coupled with oldworld charm. 34
bottega veneta tokyo FlagshIP The brand’s biggest store in Asia is an ode to the Japanese city and European craftsmanship.
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now
healIng stay kosmos The unique mix of sensual design and New Age metaphysics makes this hotel in South Korea a must-visit.
design news, places to v i s i t, t h i n g s t o b u y
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ZurI ZanZIbar Authenticity is what makes this luxury resort in East Africa so beautiful.
n e w sto r e
42 goldheart Jewellery at PlaZa sIngaPura This store breaks away from a conventional layout.
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contents
April
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p eo p l e 45
Tribal TradiTion South African artist Esther Mahlangu’s evocative works keep the heritage of her Ndebele tribe alive.
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National Treasure
The 83-year-old has exhibited in some of the world’s most respected museums.
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Holy TriniTy principal Chris Godfrey of HBA residential talks about his luxury design philosophy.
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designing for Tomorrow, Today Wilkinson Eyre’s Matthew potter shares his views on the global design landscape and architectural issues in Singapore.
design
i d e a s a n d i n s p i r at i o n f r o m those in the know
my s pac e 56
THe arT of Homeliness Tips to make your living room feel cosy and inviting.
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CONTENTS
APRIL
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FAMILY FIRST A thoughtful design influenced by the needs of a multigenerational family. 68
HOMES THE NEW MODERN
SLEEK AESTHETIC Find out how a palette of grey, black and brown creates a posh and modern feel. 76 HEART OF HOME By staying resolute to her style, this renter has created a uniquely personal home.
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on the cover
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How the tranquil and the dramatic can co-exist to connect, rather than divide. PHOTOGRAPHY V ERONICA TAY ART DIRECTION NONIE CHEN
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82 ARTISTRY EXPOSED
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An open and luxurious abode adorned with art and furnished with designer accessories.
THE STORY OF US This couple’s self-designed home is an expression of their identity and life journey.
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OPPOSITES ATTRACT This semi-detached home is a marriage of contrasting styles.
BRIGHT & BREEZY A dark and dull apartment gets an airy Scandinavianstyle transformation.
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contents
April
features T h e L aT e s T i n D e s i g n anD Decor TrenDs
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108 f eat ur e 10 8
The Real Deal learn to separate the authentic from replicas, in a world filled with designer furniture knockoffs. 114
Suave KiTchenS Quality setups for the best of form and function, that sit atop homeowners’ wish lists. 118
DiY FuRniTuRe A look at places that offer DiY workshops, and an account of the experience by our writer.
prop e r ty 122
Double TRouble A look at the consequences of being saddled with two HDB flats. 18
eDiToR’S noTe 20
h&D.com.Sg
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21 DigiTal eDiTion excluSiveS 1 24 wheRe To buY 1 26
buYing guiDe 1 28
The haRD TRuTh
Bad Egg? This 1958 design by Arne Jacobsen is one of the most copied, alongside the Wishbone chair (below).
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crEativE CrEativE dirECtor Maureen Cheng (chenglpm@sph.com.sg) SEnior art dirECtor Nonie Chen (noniec@sph.com.sg) art dirECtor Kristy Quah (krisquah@sph.com.sg)
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digital trEnding dEsk Group Editor Dhylan Boey dhylanb@sph.com.sg aSSoCiatE Editor Joy Fang joyfang@sph.com.sg SEnior ContEnt SpECialiSt (bEauty) Joyce Cheo jcheo@sph.com.sg
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SEnior adminiStrativE ExECutivE Wendy Wong (wwong@sph.com.sg)
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d i g i tal development Home & Decor is published by SPH Magazines Pte Ltd, 1000 Toa Payoh North, News Centre, Annexe Block Level 8, Singapore 318994, Tel: 6319-6319, Fax: 6319-6345 Distributed by Circulation Department, Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. Printed by KHL Printing Co Pte Ltd, Singapore registration no.: 197801823M. SPH Magazines registration no: 196900476M MCI (P) 098/03/2019
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e d i to r ’ s n ot e
Art of refinement
Yo u n g l i m e d i to r
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finer things in life when it comes to home and interior decorating. For me, I’m an avid fan of iconic armchairs and, given enough space at home (and a matching bank account, for that matter), I would love to have armchairs designed by Mid-Century masters such as Arne Jacobsen, Eero Saarinen and Harry Bertoia, proudly showcased around my living room. But regardless of the budget one has, it is always a good thing to know what terrific design is, and be inspired by it. I hope this issue fills you with plenty of ideas on living the good life, and that it offers you inspiration on turning your space into a luxurious and pampering retreat, tailored just for you.
photography AngelA guo art direction nonie chen
One of the things that I tell everyone I meet is that design should be accessible to everybody, regardless of income bracket, gender or age. That’s an important factor to keep in mind, especially for young and/or first-time homeowners, because all it takes is some effort to style up a living space. However, for those who have reached a certain point in their appreciation of outstanding design, and who are on the hunt for something unique and distinctive, they will be glad to know that there is a whole universe of creativity and beauty worth investing in. That is the topic that we will delve into within this issue; the many new ways to enjoy the
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Three ways to style a ladder A ladder as an accessory? Here’s how you do it. www.tinyurl.com/styleladder
house tour: colour-blocking in a bachelor pad This Queenstown apartment is filled with colours like blue, green and pink! www.tinyurl.com/colourblockhd
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IN THE APRIL DIGITAL ISSUE… LIVE IT UP Fall in love with this private home designed to enhance the seamless flow of spaces.
BONUS GALLERIES & VIDEOS GET INTO THE GROOVE Find out more about places offering furniture-making lessons for homeowners.
GRAY SCALE Take a closer look at this stylish domain decked out in natural textures and a chic monotone palette. 21
DWELL INTERIOR DESIGN P. L . INTERIOR DESIGN & CONSULTANCY DESIGN & BUILD | ADDITIONS & ALTERATIONS W W W.DW E LL.CO M .SG
RIVER VALLEY | 11 KIM YAM ROAD | T 6883 1005 | TALKTOUS@DWELL.COM.SG BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
D E S I G N N E W S , P L A C E S T O V I S I T, T H I N G S T O B U Y
NOUVEAU LUXE What does luxury living mean to you? Gone are the days when living the fine life meant splurging on bulky furniture finished in ostentatious gold and velvet trimmings. Modern luxury is an attitude, a preference for appreciating the details in life instead of going for the obvious. Luxury is having the space for nothing, and understanding that, sometimes, all a room needs is a single statement piece to make a big impression. That is the meaning of mod-luxe. The Canape armless banquette sofa is part of Pierre Frey’s new furniture line. Visit www.romanez.com. sg for more information.
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Ad d to ca rt
Mitzi Lighting An offshoot of the luxurious American lighting brand Hudson Valley Lighting, Mitzi presents more affordably priced, but no less chic, collections sporting similar colour schemes like black and gold. Mitzi carries various lighting options, from chandeliers and floor lamps to wall sconces. Styles range from elevated industrial to sculptural and geometric. See the designs at https:// mitzi.hvlgroup.com.
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Take a SeaT American modern furniture brand Bernhardt Design has launched the Claus Breinholt’s Queue collection of dining chairs that are sleek and versatile for use in any interior space. Thanks to its seamless, understated design paired with comfortable upholstery, it delivers both on function and form. Each Queue dining chair costs 406 euros (S$620). Find out more at www. bernhardtdesign.com.
news New Designs
Local furniture brand Ipse Ipsa Ipsum has launched two collections: Straits and Muse. The Straits collection – a joint collaboration between Saurabh Mangla, founder and creative head of Ipse Ipsa Ipsum, and Jeremy Sun, design director of Orcadesign – comprises Singapore
heritage-inspired designs. The Muse collection by London design studio AMR offers furniture inspired by sets from the early days of cinema. Visit the showroom at #11-02 Tan Boon Liat Building, or check out the website at www. ipseipsaipsum.com.
Laze in Luxury
Guests visiting Renaissance Bali Uluwatu Resort & Spa will now get to enjoy the Victoria + Albert range of Napoli and Cabrits free-standing luxury bathtubs. Imagine relaxing in one, while soaking up the stunning views of the sea. The tubs are designed to be elegant and contemporary, with fluid forms to make bathrooms exude a spa-like ambience.
Interior Inspirations
Working in an interior design firm has its perks. You’ll likely get to work in gorgeous office spaces, just like that of leading interior design firm Wilson Associates; it officially opened its new Singapore office recently. The interiors are colourful and artfilled, with modern designs, bespoke lighting and iconic furniture and fixtures – including an inviting reception counter that doubles as a bar. Wilson Associates Singapore is located at #03-308 Marina Square.
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SIMPLY STYLISH A contemporary interpretation of the timeless Asian stool, the Dot collection by French architect and designer Reda Amalou is clean and minimalist. It was designed to be functional and stylish, inconspicuous yet attractive. The exclusive range of glass stools in silver and gold finishes will add just the right amount of pizzazz to your living room or vanity area. Check out more of Reda Amalou’s designs at www.redaamalou.com.
TILE OF THE MONTH
SIGHTS AND SMELLS Diptyque recently collaborated with Pierre Frey to create candles inspired by gorgeous fabric and wallpaper swatches, in the Materials That Stir Emotions collection. Each candle is also packaged in an eye-catching box that is adorned with a design by the French fabric and wallpaper specialist. Look out for scents such as The Flower Festival with notes of rose and jasmine flower; and The Artist’s Drawing Pouch with leather and violet notes. Each candle is priced at $88 (190g) at Diptyque Takashimaya and Tangs Vivocity, and Escentials stores.
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BLACK BEAUTY Get the look, without breaking the bank. With the marble-inspired Black Marquina, you get the classy, elegant aesthetic of natural marble, while ensuring easy maintenance and affordability. The mostly-black tile has distinctive white veins that stand out without looking overbearing. Black Marquina is available at Soon Bee Huat, 3A Toh Guan Road East, www.sbh. com.sg.
STAY GROUNDED Achieve the Art Deco style in your home with brass-finished furniture, fixtures that have curvy forms, or standout furnishings such as those in the Spring collection by Rug Society. The designs combine graphic elements and a cohesive colour palette. See collections by Rug Society at www.rugsociety.eu.
EDITOR’S CHOICE
ASIAN INFLUENCES
STEPPING IT UP The unique Altai coffee table is part of brand new local furniture start-up Mokkomokko’s debut collection. The design of this tiered coffee table parallels the arrangement of layered mountain ranges. A mix of walnut and teak lends a dash of colour, grain and tonality. The Altai coffee table retails for $3,799 at 312 Hougang Ave 5, www.mokkomokko.com.
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Inspired by the nations of Southeast Asia, Forbidden Hill’s lacquerware sports graphic motifs that are cultural representations of Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. The pieces are designed in Singapore and hand-lacquered
in Vietnam, and they make perfect styling and storage accessories on your kitchen countertop and even dressing table. The collection comprises a vanity tray, tea tray, ring box and keepsake box, and retails from $115 at www. forbiddenhill.com.
KITCHEN PERFECTION INTRODUCING THE NEW BLACK BUILT-IN OVEN
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REVIEW BY ELIZA
I’ve been testing out the Betterair Biologic Purifier in the office for over a month. Placed between the desks of my colleague and I, the purifier has been spritzing environmental probiotics (envirobiotics) into the air every 30 minutes. I was impressed when my colleague, whose eye has been itching
in the office, noticed an improvement in her condition. I have also been using the travel-friendly Betterair Spray (75ml) in my bedroom. It has effectively removed the polluting smells of traffic and cigarette smoke. Overall, I may not have experienced a big change, but I believe its science. Like our bodies,
surfaces need a balanced ecology of good and bad bacteria; in the presence of bad bacteria, envirobiotics will deprive it of food and space supply thus helping to control bad bacteria from multiplying. Better Air purifiers are available exclusively at Courts. Visit www.courts. com.sg to find a store near you.
NATURAL TONES Looking for a timeless-looking marble side table? Alexander Lamont’s latest Peninsula collection offers the Quill side table, which has a tabletop made of striated Onyx marble, and three gently curved legs to lend it a fluid silhouette. Shop for Quill side tables at www.alexanderlamont.com.
ART OR STORAGE We bet you did a double take. With a gold-finished frame, this refrigerated display by Italian brand Bodega looks just like an impressive, wall-mounted art piece. You can customise a piece that matches the style of your home, too. Bodega’s bespoke services cover a wide range of size, configuration, capacity, and frame designs and colours. Check out your options on www. bodegaliving.com, tel: 6100-4148.
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text DOMENICA TAN, ELIZA HAMIZAH
h o t s p ot
L t h e pa n t h e o n IconIc Rome hotel This hotel nestled in a historical building reveals a modern look coupled with old-world charm.
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ocated in the historical heart of Rome, The Pantheon Iconic Rome Hotel opened in May 2018 after an 11-month makeover by Studio Marco Piva. Part of the Autograph Collection – Marriott’s portfolio of upscale hotels – the five-star property occupies a building that has been brought back to its original function. Initially known as the hotel Bologna when it was built in the 1800s, the structure became offices for the Senate of the Republic,
before this latest rebirth two years ago. Studio Marco Piva carefully led the renovation, introducing contemporary features that both echo and reinterpret the majestic architectural environment. “The research focused on the shapes, colours and surfaces of the surrounding monuments, and on how they change during the day because of the special Roman light,” the team says. For the facade lighting, the firm collaborated with Artemide,
below
The rooftop terrace allows guests to dine among the breathtaking views of church basilicas in the area.
above
good to know
ri ght
The hotel is a two-minute walk away from the Pantheon itself, and a five-minute stroll from the popular Piazza Navona and the Piazza della Rotonda.
The bronze arches in the lobby create a formal setting, conveying an elegant atmosphere. The hotel is conveniently located close to the ancient sights and main shopping districts of the city. below
Leather-covered panelling on the walls and red Lepanto marble in the bathrooms characterise the hotel rooms.
while for the interior, several pieces were created by local craftsmen, honouring Italian tradition and skills. In the lobby, bronze arches, white gypsum vaults, black stone floors, ceilings recalling the oculus of the Roman Pantheon dome (an architectural masterpiece located near the hotel), Calacatta Gold marble desks, and an LED lighting system based on the principles of classic architecture set the tone. “Stone and marble recall the monumental nature of Rome, whereas bronze was chosen as a reference to the huge hinges on the Pantheon entrance door,” the team explains. Spread over six floors and with a roof terrace (plus a basement for the back-ofhouse), the hotel comprises 79 rooms designed as apartments to make guests feel like they
text Karine Monie photos andrea Martiradonna
are residing in a Roman palace. Also designed by Studio Marco Piva, the Dionysus Restaurant is situated on the ground floor, while the Divinity Terrace Restaurant, and the Divinity Terrace Lounge Bar – the panoramic terrace offering a spectacular view of Rome – are on the sixth level. The materials used throughout the hotel create a relaxing atmosphere, and they were carefully considered to align with the style of the exterior. “The project’s added value comes from its refined design, combined with the antique and knowledgeable craftsmanship of the Roman territory,” notes the Studio Marco Piva team. For visitors to this historic region, this is the best place to take in the spirit of the Eternal City. Visit www.marriott.com to find out more about the hotel.
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h o t s p ot
righ t
The interesting look of the building’s facade references the signature leather weave pattern of the brand. fa r r igh t
The store was inspired by the Light And Space movement, which focused on how geometric shapes and light affect the environment. be low
Founded in 1966, Bottega Veneta is best known for its collections of It bags and sophisticated fashion apparel.
B ot t e g a V e n e ta to k yo F l ag s h i p The brand’s biggest store in Asia is an ode to the Japanese city and European craftsmanship.
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W
hen in Tokyo, fashion lovers know where to go. The neighbourhood of Ginza is a must-visit destination, with the most famous luxury brands gathering there. And, since December 2018, it has been home to the biggest Bottega Veneta boutique in Asia. Spread over six floors, the 800 sq m flagship is nestled in a sleek structure inspired by Tokyo’s futuristic spirit and Modernist architecture.
Its facade is made of 900 silvery square metal panels – a reference to the famous intrecciato weave technique created by Bottega Veneta. The ground level features women’s leather goods and eyewear. A women’s shoe salon, a dedicated space for women’s bags and personalisation services are located on the second floor. The third floor is filled with women’s ready-to-wear and more shoes, and the fourth level hosts men’s ready-towear. The top floor is dedicated to private appointments, while men’s leather goods and shoes are showcased one floor down. The Bottega Veneta furniture collections of Tassello and Rudi seats in an exclusive palette, as well as Italian icons (think Gio Ponti chairs), furnish the space. In addition, the flagship features natural oak
text Karine Monie
flooring with a clean and linear pattern – reminiscent of the markings of a local species of ash tree called Tamo. The different materials that prevail in the space – marble, plaster (in the construction of the inclined and folding planes that frame the windows), teppeiseki (a type of slate prominent in the architecture of the late Edo period), and hammered oak with a honeycomb texture – allude to Japan and Italy. “With a comprehensive selection in a unique and beautifully designed environment, the Ginza flagship is an investment in elevating and enhancing the shopping experience of our Japanese clients and customers throughout Asia”, says Bottega Veneta CEO Claus-Dietrich Lahrs. Visit www.bottegaveneta.com to find out more.
h o t s p ot
T h e a l i n g s tay Ko s m o s The unique mix of sensual design and New Age metaphysics makes this hotel in South Korea a must-visit.
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he Healing Stay Kosmos hotel in South Korea is the ideal destination for intrepid travellers, who are tired of the usual tourist haunts and are yearning to stray from the beaten path. Situated on the otherwise deserted Ulleungdo Island, the cluster of organically shaped buildings perched just off the edge of Songgot-bong (Ice Pick Peak) pops up like gigantic white seashells that have been washed ashore by the swirling tides of the milky way. As its name suggests, this hotel was developed to offer the perfect place for healing. Every aspect of the hotel’s design, from the selection of the site on the volcanic island
good to know to the curvy silhouette of the buildings, has been strategically planned to take advantage of the earth’s “qi” energy to help put guests in a healing state. However, getting there is no mean feat. Visitors have to travel 120km east of the Korean peninsula, before embarking on a three-hour ferry ride from the Gangneung port. Those who are willing to make the trip are handsomely rewarded with breathtaking views, as well as the warm hospitality of the hotel’s service crew. The architecture of the hotel, brainchild of Chanjoong Kim, principal at Seoulbased firm The System Lab, comprises a series of concrete
It takes six hours to get to Ulleungdo Island, three by car and another three by ferry. The island is known for its untouched natural beauty and springs.
ABOVE
The undulating form of the hotel’s facade is influenced by the idea of the earth’s energy force circling the site.
RIG HT
Guests enjoy an unobstructed view of the Ice Pick Peak from the dining area. BE LOW, LE fT
Rock slabs hewn from the island are used to clad the walls leading to the saunas. BE LOW, R IGHT
Furniture is kept to a minimum in the rooms, in order to encourage guests to focus on the views outside.
walls that elegant swirl atop the peak. Inspiration for this was drawn from the idea of the earth’s energy force rising from the ground, like a tornado, to embrace the individuals within its eye. The minimalist interior design style helps to bring forth a sense of peace and calm, while drawing attention to the captivating vistas outside. Three types of rooms are available, ranging from single-bedders to a family room that can sleep up to four. Larger groups of up to eight guests will be housed in Villa Kosmos, a villa by itself with four bedrooms and a central living room. The interior design of Villa Kosmos is influenced by the Taoist concept of the five elements (metal, wood, water, fire and earth), and each room has been designed with colours
and style corresponding to each element. On the terrace, outdoor furniture by Italian brand Kettal helps to create a luxurious space for taking in the views of the lush terrain and mesmerising night sky. Aside from the unique design, the hotel also offers a range of luxurious treatments, from fine-dining cuisine prepared by private chef Sunjin
Hwang (who previously worked at acclaimed Michelin-star restaurants El Bulli in Spain and Noma in Denmark) to two saunas (representing the sun and moon), as well as an outdoor infinity jacuzzi filled with water sourced from a nearby volcanic basin. Visit www.thekosmos.co.kr for more information.
text yOunG LIm photos kIm yOnG kWan
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Cosy Corners Muji Singapore celebrates its 16th anniversary with good quality home essentials that will keep your home tidy, and your mind stress-free. If you jumped on the bandwagon when the Netflix series Tidying Up with Marie Kondo dropped, you might have been inspired to declutter your home by adopting the KonMari method. One of Marie’s top homeorganising tips is to keep everything (which sparks joy) in storage boxes that let you easily retrieve anything when you need it. Where else to stock up on these storage boxes but at Muji? The lifestyle chain offers a variety of box sizes so you can create your preferred configurations based on your home space and storage needs. If you’ve amassed a collection of trinkets, jewellery or even office stationery, it’s time to reorganise the items neatly and keep your tabletops free of clutter. With the acrylic storage series, you can clean up your study desk and kitchen countertop effectively. This range lets you display items such as necklaces, earrings and rings in doubledoor cases, organise the spices in your kitchen, and arrange the cosmetics on your dresser. You can
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even add an inner velour case with sections to help your further organise the interiors of these storage slots, so you can see everything at a glance. If you’re a fashonista with an extensive collection of clothing and shoes, Muji’s polypropylene boxes allow you to organise big and small items in the most convenient way. They’re modular and stackable, so you can expect your wardrobe to look neat and tidy after stowing away items such as blouses, pants and accessories in these boxes. They’re translucent, so you won’t run into any trouble looking for what you need. After all that is done, you are ready to relax in your well-organised home, as tidying up your space can rid your mind of stress and free you from worrying over misplaced items. Lounge on Muji’s selection of cushy furniture, such as the highback reclining sofa with three cushion segments for the headrest, back and seat. It is made from crushed urethane and polyester cotton for added comfort. Position the seat at your preferred angle – the backrest has a reclining function with six angle options, and the headrest has 14 angle options, offering lots of flexibility. Muji also has the iconic
and truly versatile beads cushion for use anywhere in the home. It comes in a variety of colours and materials, so you can choose suitable ones that will work with your palette and interior style. The micro beads – which are resistant to deformation – allow the cushion to mould to your body shape, creating a cosy, soft seat to sink into. MUJI JEWEL CHANGI AIRPORT OPENS THIS APRIL!
Shop for these home essentials at Muji’s 12th and newest store at Jewel Changi Airport. The twostorey store also houses a Café&Meal Muji, which has a new, exclusive menu available only at this outlet, so you can enjoy a delicious meal after shopping! Visit Muji Jewel Changi Airport, or go to www.muji.com/sg to find out more.
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Zanzibar is an island in the similarly named semiautonomous region in Tanzania, and it’s blessed with bountiful natural sights. rig Ht
Jestico + Whiles used natural and local materials, as well as polished and exposed wood accents, to create this island-life look. bElow
Natural wood – for instance, furnishings made of wicker – and a neutral colour scheme make up the open, airy spaces.
Zuri ZanZibar Authenticity is what makes this luxury resort in East Africa so beautiful.
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estled somewhere on the coast of East Africa, where there are pristine white sand beaches and a view of the Indian Ocean, Zuri Zanzibar – Zuri is “beautiful” in Swahili – is undoubtedly living up to its name. However, that beauty lies not only in its prime location, but also in the resort’s ability to provide responsible tourism. Everything, from its design language to the food and service, is grounded in local culture. Designed by Jestico + Whiles, with a striking landscape design by Ferdinand Leffler, Zuri Zanzibar strikes a balance between opposing ends of spectrums. It is private yet open:
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The designers built a cluster of 55 villas and bungalows within thick indigenous greenery, while creating winding paths that connect to common spaces. It is modern, yet rooted in African traditions. The cluster of stilted homes and thatched roofs, amid palm trees that provide cool shade, is inspired by and resembles a traditional African village. The rooms, too, highlight African craftsmanship, with the use of handcrafted carved doors and beaded curtains by local artisans. Finally, the resort is progressive, while remaining authentic. Zuri Zanzibar aims to be as self-sufficient as text Eliza HamizaH
possible, and uses water from its own wells and desalination plant. And a quarter of its land is dedicated to a spice garden, where ginger, turmeric, peppers and cumins are grown for use in the kitchens. Despite its modern conveniences and attractions – all guests are assigned a host who can organise private lunches and activities — the undeniable respect for Zanzibar and African culture will easily get you to switch from tourist to traveller. Find out more about Zuri Zanzibar at www.designhotels. com/zuri-zanzibar.
H D B s p e c ia l
WHat’s next after collecting my keys? wondering about the next step after collecting the keys to your new hdB flat? here’s everything you need to know to ensure a smooth renovation process.
Collecting the keys to your new flat may be one of the most exciting moments in your life, especially if you are a first-time homeowner. But this milestone might also come with anxiety and stress, if you are unsure about what to do after that. Here are some tips to guide you on this journey towards building your dream home. Firstly, what should you do?
Walk through your home and familiarise yourself with the layout. This allows you to experience the flow of the spaces and you may have ideas on where to place storage and bulky appliances, such as the television and fridge. Check for flaws. Some common imperfections that homeowners have spotted are hairline cracks on walls or tiles, scratches and colour inconsistencies on timber
flooring, and uneven tile joints. But don’t worry, these are not major causes for concern. They often arise as a result of individual worker’s skills, or the natural characteristics of certain materials, such as timber. As these minor imperfections do not affect the structural integrity of the building, they can be rectified rather easily and quickly, either before or during renovation works. Put aside issues such as stained walls, as you’ll probably have these surfaces repainted during the renovation process. If you have bought a new flat, you can approach the Building Service Centre in your area for assistance within the Defects Liability Period of one year. Get creative
Make your home truly one of a kind by exploring new
ideas. You could opt for wallpaper, or even plaster your walls with cement screed if you like the industrial look. It helps to keep a scrapbook or an album of design looks you prefer, so you can refer to them easily, and share them with your interior designer during the briefing process. PlanninG your renovation
Regardless whether you’re engaging a contractor or an interior designer, it is important to ensure you’re working with someone who shares your ideas on the style of your dream home, and is a trustworthy partner. Even as you trawl the Internet for reviews, you should check that the contractor is listed in the Directory of Renovation Contractors on HDB’s website. These contractors are aware
of HDB’s renovation guidelines, so you’ll have greater peace of mind during your renovation. what you cannot do durinG renovation
You might have lots of ideas but bear in mind that they must not compromise the structural integrity of the building. For instance, you need to get approval from HDB before hacking any walls in the flat. If you are planning to re-screed the flooring, you should check that the floor level is not raised by more than 50mm. With these tips in mind, you’re a step closer to making your dream home a reality! Visit www.mynicehome.sg for more tips, design ideas and interesting stories from other HDB homeowners.
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Goldheart Jewellery at P l a z a S i n G a P u r a This store breaks away from the conventional layout of its counterparts.
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f stepping into a jewellery store feels intimidating, it could be because the layout is making you feel that way. With retail consultants guarding long counters of pristine jewels, there is a pressure on shoppers to make a purchase. Goldheart Jewellery wants to change this, and make jewellery shopping a casual, delightful and fun affair. It has done away with the conventional setting – and even the doors – for its new Plaza Singapura store. Instead, its designs are now showcased in an intimate and unpretentious “public living room” setting. “We outfitted the interior with a credenza, dresser and settee, which are furniture items one expects to find in a home. It is so that the brand can connect with shoppers on a more relaxed level, and they don’t feel hurried. Materials like terrazzo, timber and fabric in warm colours also create a welcoming ambience,” says Dannie Seow, founder of design consultancy Alchemist Office. The store also has dedicated spaces that cater to the manner of browsing. The Communal Table, for instance, serves as a gathering point, around which shoppers can converse. At the bookcase-like Library of Gold, shoppers are encouraged to pull out drawers and check out
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the collection of 916/999 gold pieces. And, when ready to see the bejewelled items up close, head over to the lounge area: High-back seats offer privacy, while a round display counter encourages casual tete-a-tetes. Even the retail consultants have had a uniform change. Instead of a stuffy suit, a sweater-and-pants combination to match the casual setting has been implemented. Expect three more Goldheart stores, designed with the same “living room” setting, to be launched in 2019. Visit this concept store at #01-30 Plaza Singapura, tel: 6884-9498.
text Eliza HamizaH
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The new store configuration was designed to make guests comfortable, with this marble Communal Table allowing shoppers to browse without pressure.
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Designer Dannie Seow says this concept is the way forward, explaining: “Retail stores need to create an experiential and personal environment for shoppers – something the digital world cannot offer.”
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I D E A S A N D I N S P I R AT I O N F R O M T H O S E I N T H E K N O W
TRIBAL TRADITION Self-taught South African artist Esther Mahlangu’s powerful, evocative works keep the heritage of her Ndebele tribe alive. “To paint is in my heart and in my blood,” says Esther. She may not know how to read or write, having never attended school, but she was born an artist. Aged 83 and considered a national treasure, she has devoted her life to sharing her cultural heritage with the world through her vibrant, geometric and symmetrical abstract paintings and murals in the Ndebele tradition. She is among South Africa’s most famous living artists who have exhibited in some of the world’s most respected museums, and counts celebrities Usher, Swizz Beatz, John Legend and Oprah Winfrey as collectors. She was the first person to transfer the time-honoured Ndebele style of painting from wall to canvas, effectively promoting and preserving the art form.
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spotlight
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1. Esther Mahlangu spends much of her time engaged in community work in her home village of Mabhoko in Mpumalanga province. 2. Esther’s painting technique was taught to her by her mother, who learnt it from Esther’s grandmother. 3 . Esther’s works also serve as political and social commentaries.
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lad in colourful traditional regalia with gold neck, arm and leg rings that never come off, and wearing beaded necklaces, bracelets, earrings and headbands, Esther travels frequently to ensure the survival of Ndebele art and spread her culture globally. Old World Charm The Ndebele custom of painting the exterior walls of houses was traditionally performed by the women of the community. The elaborately painted patterns and graphic elements constituting rectangle, triangle,
chevron and diamond shapes heralded news of important life events such as a birth, death, wedding or a boy heading off to initiation school. “When you get married, you paint your first house,” Esther relates. “It’s very important to have straight lines and not zigzag lines because your family members will come and look. If your lines are perfectly straight, then you are a very good wife and can look after your family.” A traditional art combining social and decorative functions, it also became a symbol of resistance against the Boer
farmers initially, then against the British expansion and finally against the apartheid regime. A means of information and communication, the large wall paintings denoted combat, cultural ties and the affirmation of identity at the same time. At 10 years old, Esther used to watch her mother and grandmother paint their house. Longing to join them, she would try her luck without their knowledge when they took a break. But, when they returned, they scolded her, telling her never to do that again as her lines were skewed.
She recalls: “Every single afternoon when they went to have a nap, I’d try to paint. I got into trouble every day, until eventually they realised that in my heart, I wanted to paint.” She was granted a small space at the back of the house to paint, with daily inspections by her mother and grandmother, and as her artwork gradually improved, she was allowed to paint the front of the house. Artisanal Technique With Modern Touches Using a chicken feather rather than a paintbrush, Esther applies thick black outlines and vivid colours. She creates her compositions without preliminary drawings or a ruler, painting freehand with incredible precision, and deciding on the shades as she proceeds. Although she has included acrylic paint in her arsenal today, which opened up an entirely new colour palette, she worked with natural pigments when she first started, with an ingredient being cow dung, and the colours were limited to yellow, white, ochre, black and red hues. “Acrylic paints have allowed me to use many more colours than I could have with natural pigments,” she notes. “What many find interesting about my artworks is that although they are based on traditional Ndebele designs, they are very modern and current. They can fit into a home or office anywhere in the world and don’t appear dated.” The embrace of the traditional in a modern setting has elevated the art and helped to showcase the Ndebele people’s contribution to contemporary art.
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“if your lines are perfectly straight, then you are a very good wife and can look after your family.” 3
Recognition Abroad Since the late 1980s, she has been taking trips outside of South Africa. She was one of over 100 participating artists who took part in the groundbreaking 1989 group exhibition Magiciens de la Terre (Magicians of the Earth) at the Centre Pompidou and Parc de la Villette in Paris. It placed non-Western contemporary art on the international art map and propelled her onto the global stage – a significant achievement for a black female artist at the time. The exhibition’s associate curator, Andre Magnin, had chanced upon her house on a
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About the Ndebele The Ndebele (pronounced as “te-beh-leh”, and adapted from the SothoTswana word meaning a stranger, or one who plunders) tribe lives in parts of South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe, with origins dating back to the 1600s.
research visit to South Africa two years prior, discovering “a work of absolutely exemplary colour, with very well-ordered geometric shapes that give the whole property an exemplary brilliance”, and immediately invited her to Paris for her first overseas show. The museum constructed a replica of her house for her to paint. By 1990, she had started to receive invitations to create murals in public spaces in South Africa, Europe and the United States, and to exhibit in over 12 countries. Big on collaboration, Esther has successfully brought her people’s traditional art of painting into a new context, applying her artistic vocabulary to sculpture, ceramics, automobiles and even planes. Partnering a variety of well-known brands such as Belvedere Vodka, Fiat, British Airways and cult Swedish footwear label Eytys, she was the first African and first
female artist to paint a BMW Art Car in 1991, following in the footsteps of Andy Warhol, Alexander Calder, Frank Stella, Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Rauschenberg and David Hockney since 1975 when the programme was instituted. For almost half a century now, the BMW Group has initiated and been engaged in over 100 cultural initiatives globally. Back then, after opening a car plant in Rosslyn, South Africa, in 1986 and with former South African president Nelson Mandela’s release from prison in 1990, BMW felt the need to make a commitment to the art scene there. By painting a BMW 525i, Esther transferred her tribe’s traditional means of expression to an object of contemporary technology, and, 25 years later, BMW commissioned her to paint the interior wood panels of a BMW Individual 7 Series. She describes the partnership: “It was a great
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4. Esther set up a school in her backyard, teaching children to paint and create beadwork.
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honour to have been invited to participate in the BMW Art Car project with so many respected global artists. This project played a major role in my career. My art has taken me all over the world and I have seen many places, I have painted many walls and objects, and my work is in many museums, but I am still Esther Mahlangu from Mpumalanga in South Africa. My heart was full of joy when BMW asked me again to paint for them.” Africa To The World Continuing her role as cultural ambassador for the Ndebele, Esther has earned an honorary doctorate from the University of Johannesburg and the French decoration of the Order of Arts and Letters for her contribution to the arts. In 2004, she collaborated with Nelson Mandela, painting prints of drawings that he had done. “I was very humbled to do the paintings, but the main reason why I did them was because the artworks were to be sold to benefit education for the youth,” she discloses. “I love to paint and have been doing it my whole life. I will paint anything, as long as there’s a benefit where my culture can be preserved, and where somebody growing up might value (it) and never forget their Ndebele roots.” Sadly, there are few traditional Ndebele painters left, as girls no longer stay home, but this does not discourage her. She states: “As children grow up today, they’re losing their culture. I don’t want my culture to die. That’s why I teach children Ndebele art. They must know their culture and where they come from.”
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5 . Esther hopes to keep the traditional art of her tribe alive for the benefit of future generations. 6. Artworks created for the BMW Individual 7 Series. 7. Prior to using acrylic paints, Esther created her own paints with natural pigments and cow dung. 8 &9. The Art Car by Esther Mahlangu, painted on the BMW 525i in 1991.
text JEAN MUN-DELSALLE
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people
Holy TriniTy As the principal at Hirsch Bedner Associates’ ultra-high-end residential design house HBA Residential, Chris Godfrey possesses a design philosophy that draws inspiration from people, places and possessions. He tells us how he creates luxury through design.
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hris Godfrey, an awardwinning chartered architect with the Royal Institute of British Architects, has over 22 years of experience in designing residences for very discerning clients. The British architect and interior designer moved to Singapore five years ago and has since established HBA Residential, under parent company Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA). He has set up design studios in Singapore and London, and a third is slated to open in Los Angeles this year. Chris oversees all architectural and interior design, as well as operational aspects, and he regards the practice as “one studio in two (soon-to-be three) locations”. “We collaborate, we share work, we share geographical locations,” he says. With a staff strength of 30 in Singapore
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According to Chris Godfrey, luxury is achieved through understanding the process of creation, instead of just keeping an eye on the final product. l ef t
Chris and his team created a water feature below a skylight in the entrance foyer to bring the elements of nature into the space.
and 15 in London, HBA Residential is like a boutique studio within HBA’s 54-yearold, 1,800-strong, global framework across 26 locations. “The strong foundation of our parent company and its wide geographical reach give us the genuine ability to service our clients globally,” he emphasises.
The studios have commissions all over Europe, the Middle East, India and even Russia. Around the region, they are working on private residences for a fashion designer just outside of Shanghai, and for an Indian steel industrialist family on the sea coast in central Mumbai, as well as on a
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While the team’s portfolio features expansive home designs, Chris says his team is adept at dealing with homes of all sizes. be low
The design team used a mix of texture and colour to help create a sense of luxe in this living room.
good to know HBA Residential is a full service design studio comprising architects, interior and furniture designers and other specialists to deliver a holistic result for clients.
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residence located at The Peak in Hong Kong. They are also working on their first significant project in Singapore for a private client. What is hBa Residential’s design philosophy?
We see ourselves as the first point in the client-situationdesigner triangle. It is a unique triangle that will never be repeated. For example, we may work with the same client again, but in a different location. People are at the centre of everything that we do and we try to respond uniquely to unique clients. We need to remove our personal egos and ambitions so that we can respond objectively to the hows, whats and whys involving the site, programmatic requirements, cultural and religious drivers, the client’s collection and so on. We meld all of that together, like cooking; we put all the ingredients into a pot and keep reducing it. What aRe some of the challenges that youR teams face in Residential design?
We work across the world and one of our unique selling points is being able to utilise
“PeoPle are at the centre of everything that we do and we try to resPond uniquely to unique clients. ”
the HBA infrastructure to service and deliver projects globally. The challenge lies in ensuring that we deliver a very high level of quality across these geographical locations, and this depends not just on our skills, but that of everyone involved in the projects. The challenge is in meeting not just our own exacting standards, but also that of our clients. The duration of our projects tends to be long due to the scale and complexity, so it is always a challenge to keep things moving, especially with clients who travel extensively and frequently, and who are constantly exposed to new and interesting things.
opposed to brand and expense for expense’s sake. There is a paradigm shift towards attributing a greater perceived value to something that is made for you, something that has been crafted, over something that simply costs more. As a result of our international approach, we work with a good mix of East and West designs. We do a lot of work in China and there is an increasing appreciation of why design is the way it is. There is a better understanding of the reasons behind a design, and therefore a greater appreciation for what it is. hoW do youR pRojects addRess sustainaBility?
is the appRoach diffeRent When designing homes of vastly diffeRent sizes?
Our design principles are completely scalable. We apply the same methodology whether we are designing a 40,000 sq ft home or a table. We always start by understanding the premise of a project and appraising the given context – looking at the inherent constraints and opportunities, how we can maximise the potential and make the most out of it. Luxury is also about the space, the quality of light, the materials and the approach. It can be something very subtle and not necessarily just about size. I am pleased with some of the smallest things in some projects that I have been involved with over the years, because they present a different sort of challenge.
We have completed some very green projects over the years, including properties in Europe that were built from solid timber (no steel and no concrete) sourced from sustainable forests in Austria and Switzerland. I also designed a structure that was, at one time, the largest timber structure in the world. For residential projects, we try to source all our materials within a 500km radius around the site. However, sustainability takes many forms, from macro to micro scale. It includes considerations such as where we source our stone and timber, employing a local labour force, engaging local artisans and craftsmen, and providing a platform to people who may not otherwise have the opportunity to be engaged in such projects. in youR opinion, What defines a luxuRy home?
hoW do you see the Residential design landscape evolving and What aRe some tRends?
There is a general trend towards an understanding of individuality and personality, as
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The biggest luxury in the world is time. While we cannot create time, we can create space and space in turn creates a sense of time. A well-designed space can be a luxury. A serene interior where the light casts
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A spacious drawing room accented with muted colours and metallic elements. o pposi te
Oversized marble slabs help to give a sense of proportion to this space, adding to the emotional aspect of what Chris defines as modern luxury.
a beautiful shadow on the floor can be a luxury in itself, arising in a moment when you feel perfectly comfortable and relaxed. Within the residential sphere, this is ultimately what it is all about - the qualities and emotions that are quintessential to being in a residential space. What do you think gives hBa Residential an edge and hoW do you Raise the BaR against youR peeRs?
We appeal to a certain kind of clientele who is interested in the journey, and not just the
end product. This is not to say that another firm cannot take on the same client, but it would be a totally different journey. We can raise the bar because we have assembled an excellent team with 15 to 25 years’ experience purely in the residential sector, which is solely what we do and what we are passionate about. With residential design, it ultimately comes down to personality and the relationship between the lead designer and the client. If the chemistry is right, the project will be good.
text lynn tan
In the time that I have spent in Asia and in establishing the Singapore and London studios, what occurred to me was that besides working in Asia with our Asian clients, we would also excel in servicing Asian clients in Europe. In London, we position ourselves as an Asian-based, British design company that can help our clients in a territory that we know really well. Demonstrating an understanding of the cultural context is of vital importance, as are personal relationships.
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people
Designing for Tomorrow, ToDay As one of the world’s leading architectural practices, Wilkinson Eyre has designed many high-profile projects. Its managing director for Apac, Matthew Potter, shares his views on the global design landscape and architectural issues in Singapore.
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ounded in 1983 and with offices in London and Hong Kong, Wilkinson Eyre has a design philosophy based on an informed use of technology and materials to deliver bold, beautiful and intelligent architecture. The firm believes that high quality architectural design can be used to define the character, programme and ambitions of any project. Notable projects in London include the adaptive reuse of Battersea Power Station into one of the largest regeneration projects in Europe, and the reuse of King’s Cross Gasholders into apartments, in the largest urban development scheme in Europe. It is also responsible for projects in the Asia-Pacific, such as the Guangzhou International Finance Center in China, one of the tallest buildings in the world;
the Sky Bridge at Hong Kong International Airport, the largest bridge of its kind in the world; and One Barangaroo residences for Crown Resorts, Sydney. Wilkinson Eyre has also left its mark on the Singapore landscape and is the firm behind the Cooled Conservatories at Gardens by the Bay, which has become a landmark. what are the issues architects and designers are grappling with on a global scale?
Sustainability: In particular, in the environmental and social spheres. There is a pressing need to do more with less. Data: New technology gives us access to huge quantities of data, which need to be carefully managed and curated to be used effectively in architecture. This should help to create tailored solutions, but our buildings must also be flexible and adaptable; responding to information about their anticipated and actual use. Education: This is about ensuring that the next generation of architects, designers, regulatory authorities and end users have access to the latest information and are empowered to ask the right questions and effect the necessary changes. what are the unique challenges facing the built environment in singapore?
Climate change and associated sea level change present unique and unprecedented challenges the world over. Sea level change is a particular issue for the island state of Singapore and applies more pressure to already constrained land use. Singapore has already set the world standard by increasing its density, while simultaneously 54
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A sketch of the rejuvenated University of Hong Kong, by Wilkinson Eyre, of which Matthew Potter (pictured) is its MD for Apac. o pposiT e, above
An installation created by the firm for the Exploring Boundaries exhibition held during the London Design Festival in 2018. o pposiT e, below
A model of the Bridge of Aspiration at the Royal Ballet School in London, designed by Wilkinson Eyre.
before such endeavours should include and allow for all options – from re-use, refurbishment and change of use to demolition – to be considered. Infrastructure should be developed alongside future city planning that looks beyond the next five to 10 years. in high-density cities, such as singapore and hong kong, What do you think the approach toWards housing should be?
“I thInk the preservatIon of our exIstIng urban fabrIc Is goIng to be an IncreasIngly Important Issue.”
Going up is always better than going down. Going small is sometimes inevitable, but should be offset by a generous and active public realm. Housing is a complex issue and there is no set equation. Every individual project or development needs comprehensive site studies before the design is determined. The question is less what it looks like and more about whether it is sustainable, adaptable, fit for its purpose and liveable. are floating homes a
increasing greening, and I think there are fantastic opportunities to explore the occupation of the water’s edge that are safe, functional but intensely liveable, and retain a close and varied relationship with water. What is the key to balancing preservation of cultural heritage, versus making Way for neW buildings?
I think the preservation or adaptive reuse of the existing urban fabric is going to be an increasingly important issue. Important questions to ask text lynn tan
feasible option here?
Definitely. The water’s edge becomes an incredibly valuable and interesting zone in the context of land shortage and rising sea levels. Floating structures (not only homes) are certainly feasible but probably only part of the puzzle. There is some interesting work being done with individual houses, but I think it gets really interesting when it becomes a collection of houses, a cluster or even a village with all the other things that a community needs – from shops to work spaces, even playgrounds. 55
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The arT of homeliness Making your living room feel cosy and inviting is easy, as long as you follow these tips.
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ew homeowners are often faced with the issue of making their property feel liveable and cosy, which can be a challenge when you are neither inspired, nor do you have the necessary know-how to style your space. A good way to tackle this issue would be to start by giving character and personality to your living room, the area that tends to be the centre of all homes. The majority of homes, especially landed properties and condominiums, are based around open-plan living and dining spaces. Here are things to consider.
p l a n t h e l ayo u t Ensure that the layout of the room is conducive to entertaining, and that it’s more than just a space for two persons facing a TV screen. Focus on creating a layout that encourages interaction among the inhabitants. Ensure that the arrangement feels comfortable, before moving on to decorate the space. A sectional or three-seater sofa is ideal for positioning groups of people so they can interact with one another, but such furniture items can be a tough fit for a small living room. If that’s the case, look towards enhancing the atmosphere with mood lighting. You’ll be surprised by how ambient lighting helps to facilitate conversation among those present. The following is a list of items to consider when styling your living room. • • • • • •
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Armchair X-bench or small ottoman Ceramic stool Table lamp or floor lamp Small coffee tables that vary in shape, or one large coffee table Indoor palm tree, to create a tropical atmosphere and to place at odd corners
in come the d e c o r at i V e ac c e s s o r i e s Finding interesting decorative items to dress up your home is probably the most enjoyable part of putting your dream home together. However, many urban dwellers tend to overlook this aspect, owing to a lack of time or budget. It’s common to find many apartments here devoid of accessories, such as glass hurricanes, books or wall art. These items actually tell more about your personality than a sofa or a scatter cushion, and are essential additions if you want to soften the feel of your space.
V e r a n da h l i V i n g Living areas in condominium apartments are usually small. The space can be enlarged by dressing the verandah, so that it becomes an extension of the living room. Make sure to leave some money in your styling budget for large planters with star jasmine which flowers all year round. Top it off with battery operated lights to highlight the greenery and create mood lighting in the evenings.
s c e n t i s i m p o r ta n t Every home has its own smell which is a reflection of the homeowner’s character, as it’s a function of his or her preference. Don’t neglect to light a scented candle in the evening. The evening is a time to unwind, relax and recharge, so opt for soothing scents, such as lavender or lemongrass, to help you ease into the mood.
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wa l l a r t The wall behind the sofa must have something on it. You don’t have to wait to find the perfect art piece. Use black and white photographs of your family (enlarged to a suitable size) or some hand-coloured prints to create a statement wall.
G i v e m o r e t h o u G h t to h ow yo u s t y l e yo u r d i n i n G ta b l e While local homeowners prefer to keep surfaces neat and free of accessories, it can result in the dining table looking cold and uninviting. Adding pizzazz to your dining area doesn’t have to mean cluttering the table with plenty of knick-knacks. Small touches, such as the placement of a simple floral arrangement or some tea light candles in beautiful holders, can create a significant difference in enhancing the surrounding ambience.
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more on open-plan k i tc h e n s Kitchen countertops should be treated as though they are side buffet stations or a console. An easy way to jazz up the space would be to add a series of glass jars with limes or lemons, or place two large glass vases with fresh flowers on either end of the kitchen bench. This leaves space to use the countertop, but also dresses it for the evenings and when not in use.
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don’t forGet the c o f f e e ta b l e A coffee table, no matter the size of the room or whether you have small children, need to be dressed, otherwise its presence feels heavy and cold. It doesn’t need to be cluttered, but a few key items of varying heights will do the trick, for instance: • • • •
Faux orchid or real flowers in a bud vase Coffee table book or stack of magazines Box to hold remote controls Tray to anchor the pieces If you don’t have the space, consider two square or three round tables of different sizes. Use nickel or brass finishes, or textured sides, to add interest.
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The use of raw concrete creates a unique architectural expression not commonly seen in homes in Singapore.
FAMILY FIRST A thoughtful design inuenced by the needs of a multi-generational family makes this home layout meaningful, yet functional. LYNN TAN delves beyond the exterior to uncover the intricacies that lie within.
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The living room is a double volume, lightfilled space where family members can spend time together.
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usinessman Michael Mun, his wife and three sons have been living in this property for over two decades, during which the family grew in size, with the sons starting their own families. “Despite the size of the land, the old house had a built-up area of only about 6,000 sq ft and just five bedrooms. The layout was also not ideal and natural ventilation and light were limited,” says Michael. This prompted him to redevelop the home to better accommodate the needs of the extended household. The multi-generational family home project was undertaken by design architect Inte Architects, in collaboration with Kung & Tan Architects as the project architect and Qualified Person. In his brief to the architects, Michael requested a north-south oriented house, with good natural crossventilation and ample room for his grandchildren to play in. “I wanted a simple and modern design,” he added. Inspired by the works of Belgian architect Juliaan Lampens, which feature the extensive use of off-form concrete, Chan Loo Siang, design principal of Inte Architects, proposed a scheme comprising two concrete boxes connected by a link bridge overlooking a pool in between. “I chose concrete for its sense of permanence and solidity that conveys a massiveness and robustness, but in a fluid and malleable way,” says Loo Siang. “I love that it appears brutal, yet softens under natural lighting,” he adds.
Who lives here
A multi-generational family h ome A Good Class Bungalow in Old Holland Road s ize 15,153sqf (land area); 20,387sqf (built-up area) above
An oversized dining table was customised to meet the needs of the large extended family, who regularly have meals together. left
Pushing the two blocks towards the front and rear not only maximises the pool area in between, but also allows ample natural light to penetrate the internal corridors and rooms.
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During his free time, Michael relaxes by listening to music in the entertainment and family room.
The concrete expression also has a symbolic meaning that reinforces the multi-generation concept. The block in front is finished in an off-form timber textured concrete, while the rear block uses fair-faced concrete. This distinction alludes to a parent-and-child relationship between the two orthogonal volumes that are independent yet attached. “There is also an architectural dialogue between the darker grey, more rustic and tropical off-form timber textured concrete, versus the light grey, almost white, fairfaced concrete that has a more populist and Japanese style,� Loo Siang points out. Much thought has also been put into the design of the circulation, which responds to both the brief and the site. The house sits on a sloping terrain, with a 4.5m difference in level between the main entrance and the deck towards the rear. Loo Siang turned this constraint into an opportunity and conceived a circulation that weaves together both the horizontal and vertical axes. A series of corridors, walkways, decks, link bridges, platforms and balconies makes linkages on the horizontal plane. Openings on the facade visually reinforce the connections, while enhancing natural cross-ventilation. Vertically, the circulation is conveyed through elements such as staircases, lifts and skylights. The driveway located on higher ground leads to the entrance foyer on the upper first storey. This home has a splitlevel first storey, with the main living and dining areas and the pool deck situated on the lower 65
first storey. The bedrooms and family room are located on the second storey. A dramatic bridge shaped like a horseshoe sweeps above the entrance foyer, reinforcing the notion of an intricate web of spaces, volumes that orchestrate movement within the home in a continuous loop. “The occupants can move seamlessly throughout the home and there are no dead corners. Every space and room is wellconnected to the rest of the house, even in the basement,” Loo Siang explains. For Michael, his greatest joy lies in having a new home amid a familiar setting – one that is large enough to accommodate three generations comfortably, where they can spend time together as a family, while respecting everyone’s need for privacy.
a b ove, l e f t
The link bridge serves both functional and symbolic purposes. a b ove, ri ght
From big architectural gestures to minute details, every element has been carefully thought through. righ t
Michael loves food and he enjoys cooking, which explains the fully equipped industrial-scale kitchen. He used to cook for the extended family every weekend, before his business trips became more frequent.
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“There is an archiTecTural dialogue beTween The darker grey, more rusTic and Tropical off-form Timber TexTured concreTe, versus The lighT grey, almosT whiTe, fair-faced concreTe ThaT has a more populisT and Japanese sTyle.” – chan loo siang, design principal of inTe-archiTecTs
Circulation is one of the key concepts in the architectural design of a home and elements such as staircases and corridors are expressed in a celebratory manner.
photography Tan Wei Te art direction nonie chen
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sleek aesthetic Eliza HamizaH finds out how a palette
comprising grey, black and brown can give a contemporary-style apartment a posh and modern feel.
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F I N E -T U N E d FINISHES The homeowners love timeless design and a dark colour scheme. To achieve this, they kept the original cream tiles but opted for a darker floor in the bedroom. The floor-to-ceiling mirrors in the foyer, placed opposite the cosy dining room to achieve the illusion of a larger space, were also tinted to match the mood.
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STYLE SPY
o homeowners Kelvin and Julette Mun, the surfaces in a home play an important role in creating the right atmosphere. Kelvin dislikes plain walls, so they opted for a subtle fabric-like wallpaper to give the contemporary threebedroom apartment a softer look. Julette, on the other hand, had always dreamt of a marble feature wall. As large slabs of marble are difficult to come by and be transported
into smaller apartments, they opted for tiles. A dark colour scheme was also introduced to the matrimonial home; grey ceilings and dimmable lighting are a sensuous combination, while brown leather furniture adds a sense of masculinity. They achieved the desired look with the help of Sherlynn Low of Millimeters Studio, who completed the project just in time for their wedding. See what went into the $75,000 renovation.
“We visited the Commune outlet at IMM to score good deals on our dining set, coffee table, sofa and bed frame. The set of three pendant lamps cost only $150, whereas we saw the exact same product elsewhere selling for $80 each! We looked for simple forms, but which had texture and subtle design,� say the couple. The abstract painting is a gift from a client that came in a pair, symbolising yin and yang.
Who lives here
A couple in their early 30s home Three-bedroom premium condominium apartment in Lakeside size 1,087sqf
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MINIMAL WO R K At first glance, the black laminate cladding the kitchen cabinetry appears to be matte. However, it has a striped, stainless steellike finish, with its sheen offering visual interest in the otherwise simple kitchen. Sherlynn had removed the original cabinet doors, which sported a cream finish, to relaminate them. 72
“WE DO NOT HAVE MUCH COUNTERTOP SPACE, SO WE OPTED FOR WALL STORAGE IDEAS SUCH AS A HANGING SPICE RACK AND CHOPPING BOARD.” – HOMEOWNER KELVIN MUN
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H OT E L EXPERIENCE Kelvin and Julette wanted the comfort of a hotel room, therefore a kingsize mattress and a suspended television were on their wish list. To accommodate the mattress size and extra wardrobe space, the master bedroom was combined with the adjacent room. The couple extended the wardrobe and replaced its doors with tinted mirrors, for a plush look. “We wanted to wake up to a good view, so we arranged our bed to face the window. The built-in dresser also keeps the space clutter-free.�
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photography Darren chang art direction kaffy tan
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Below
This is a home with an interior that celebrates its circular layout. opposit e
Collectibles that reveal stories of Elyn Wong’s childhood and travels can be found around the home.
Heart of Home By following her heart and going with what she likes and what works for her, this renter has created a home that is uniquely her. Lynn Tan gets to know her better through the unusual, and oftentimes bold, choice of interior elements.
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A semi-circular corridor provides access to the bedrooms, demarcated by a curved parapet with built-in shelves. opp os ite , a b ove
Unlike the rest of the house, the kitchen adopts an almost allwhite colour palette. “We wanted it to be simple, clean and fresh,” says Elyn. be low
The master bedroom is comfortable and warm, with understated bedlinen against a wood and leather ensemble.
“Limit yourseLf to three main coLours, even right down to smaLL items Like the broom and fruit pLates.”
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Who lives here h ome
W
A fashion business owner and her partner A four-bedroom condominium apartment in Draycott Park size 2,600sqf
hen fashion business owner Elyn Wong and her partner, who is a medical doctor, embarked on their search for a rental apartment, they had only one criterion – it must have a huge balcony. The couple viewed countless apartments that met this requirement but, somehow, they all felt wrong. Ironically, the unit at Draycott Park was the only one without a balcony, but they fell in love with it at first sight. “We both love the unusual round layout and I personally find older developments more charming and more spacious,” she explains. Selecting suitable furniture and furnishings took four months, including a trip to Milan, but many of the pieces in the home are part of her collection. All of them have a story and many of them also have a history. She confesses her love for all things vintage, which
may have begun with treasurehunting trips to Sungei Road that she and her father used to go on when she was a child. The showstopper in the apartment is an oversized flora and foliage centrepiece from floral concierge service This Humid House that will replace the arrangement every two months. It takes centre stage in the original dining area just beyond the entrance foyer. The dried flowers, plants and palms arranged in a random and wild manner will stop you in your tracks. “I feel guilty about using fresh cut flowers, so I chose this alternative instead,” says Elyn. Elyn spent 16 years as an advertising creative. Almost a decade into her advertising career, she decided to start her own fashion label, Stolen. After seven years juggling two commitments, she finally took the plunge and devoted full attention to Stolen five years ago. Apart from fashion design, she 79
The master bedroom is furnished with various pieces from Raffles Hotel, which Elyn had the opportunity to procure before the hotel underwent renovation. opp os ite
Panoramic windows make the living room a light-filled space.
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also initiated Stolen Alliances, an annual installation art project in collaboration with home-grown artists. Her support for local works is apparent in the home, which is decorated with pieces such as calligraphy by Cultural Medallion recipient Lim Tze Peng, paintings of local buildings by Alicia Tan, and ceramics finished with ammunition powder by Leng.
my vintage collection comprises statement pieces, I went with more modern and simple lines for new furnishings.
which will add 10,000 times more charm to the actual pieces. What are some lessons learnt from this
hoW does your home
experience?
reflect your taste and
It is too easy to get distracted with buying too many small items. In my opinion, the sofa and dining table are the two anchoring pieces for any home.
lifestyle?
We travel extensively and I tend to buy vintage pieces wherever I go, so a lot of my journeys can be traced through items placed at home.
can you share some tips for homeoWners Who Wish
Why did you decide to take on the interior design
What Was the biggest
to design their oWn home?
yourself?
challenge?
No one knows me better than myself and I love to inject my personality into my home.
I tend to hoard things because everything has sentimental value.
What is the interior
What are some advantages
design concept?
of designing your oWn
We did not want it to be a singular style, but we knew that the eventual style would very much revolve around my vintage furniture collection. We also did not want the house looking like something from a typical magazine spread.
home?
Limit yourself to three main colours, even right down to small items like the broom and fruit plates. It is easy for your painstakingly wellplanned home to look cluttered with unplanned small items that do not complement the bigger scheme. Also, make sure that your home looks like your home and not somebody else’s.
The authenticity and personal touch to everything. Every decision you make, and every choice of furniture, has a story,
What brief and other requirements did you set?
We set a budget because it is a rented place. We wanted it to be an extension of us as individuals, celebrating all our vintage pieces, and with us showing support for all the local and Asian artists that we like. hoW did you go about conceptualising the scheme?
I basically stayed true to what I really like, not what is popular or famous. Picking a colour or material theme is a good starting point. I love brass, wood, crystals, and the colours gold and green, so I consciously selected other elements that would work well with these and not overpower one another. As
photography Frenchescar Lim art direction kristy quah
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artistry exposed Eliza HamizaH explores this airy and
luxurious abode, which is decorated with an impressive collection of designer furniture and accessories.
O
O D E TO ORANGE Pops of orange add zest to the cool, white living room, as illustrated by Hermes throw cushions and Poltrona Frau’s Montera dining chairs in shades of that colour. This was influenced by the lady of the house’s love for Hermes, the French fashion and furnishings brand with a similarly coloured logo.
pen the black, leatherclad front door of this three-storey semidetached home to reveal an expansive open-plan living room and kitchen. The first storey features glass doors – allowing natural light to illuminate the colours and textures of the furnishings within – with a large painting by local artist lim Tze Peng and surrounding greenery framing the space. it was not always this bright and airy, though. The home previously sported a cosy, Balinese-inspired look in warm hues, but the homeowners – an affluent family of six – sought a sleeker, modern design and opted for a complete overhaul. Helming the renovation and home styling was Chris Huang of Bowerman interior Planner. “as avid travellers with good taste, the homeowners asked for only authentic and quality materials and brands to be used. We started with the grey marble floor, which informed the rest of the design,” says Chris. The furnishings include a minotti Hamilton sofa in a white tweed fabric, and a blue-grey handwoven rug from india. Find out what went into the $650,000 renovation. 83
BRIGHT AND AIRY The home features a large, all-white dry kitchen with glass doors. Here, you will ĝÉ éúÐ ;Ðî°â #Ðâé chairs by Kartell that match the “seethrough” theme. There are also only two televisions in the house: one here, where the family watches the news during breakfast, and another in the family room on an îÛÛ Þ ĞÐÐÞʨ
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WHO LIVES HERE H OM E
A couple in their 50s and their four adult children A three-storey semi-detached home near Holland Village S IZ E 5,500sqf (land area); 4,500sqf (built-up area)
L AV I S H B AT H R O O M S The homeowners wanted a luxurious ambience in the home. Naturally, marble was the answer; it is used in all bathrooms for a consistent design language. HÉ é â ÐÉ ĞÐÐÞ is a jack-and-jill bathroom (right) which connects the family room with the guest room. 85
structured s pac e For an unconventional dry kitchen look, Chris introduced the family to Wind, a freestanding open bookcase from Italian brand Rimadesio. “The homeowners didn’t want a claustrophobic space, and this Red Dot Design Award winner fit the bill,” says Chris.
point of contrast Unique silhouettes and black marble tiles in this powder room create a striking first impression. The pendant lamp is Artemide’s Cosmic Leaf, and the pedestal sink is from Ferrara.
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ARCHITECTURAL D E TA I L To complement the openplan features such as the glass doors and open shelves, Chris created a “skeletal� staircase. It is made of cast metal and wood planks, and is designed to aid in air ventilation. Also, cast metal is a strong material that allows for a sleek yet sturdy silhouette.
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U N D E R S TAT E D LUXURY The outcome of a major space reconfiguration, the attic-turned-master suite is a spacious and luxurious space. It is decorated with art pieces and designer furniture, which stands out against the black walls. The Rimadesio tinted-glass wardrobe and the Hope prismatic lens pendant by Luceplan complete the look. The rugs are from the homeowners’ large collection of carpets from India and Pakistan.
“Some of the deSignS, Such aS the pond and garden beyond the maSter Suite, are a reSult of the home’S exiSting Structure. SometimeS, you have to play along with it and See how unique thingS turn out to be!” – chriS huang, bowerman interior planner
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OLD AND NEW “I thought it would be interesting to keep the beams. Everything else is contemporary, and this Balinese detail clashes with it – but I like that,” says Chris. He adds that getting ready in the morning while facing a garden is one of his biggest dreams – and not only did he realise it here, but the homeowners love it too. “The plants were chosen for their ‘Zen’ feel,” he adds.
photography Darren chang art direction kaffy tan
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OppOsites AttrAct This semi-detached home is a marriage of contrasting styles, and transcends interior and architectural boundaries. Lynn Tan explores how opposites can connect, rather than divide.
The living room comprises a curated collection of well-known pieces such as the Ligne Roset Prado Sofa by Christian Werner, as well as the Love Sofa High Back by Marcel Wanders and Bart Daybed by Bart Schilder, both for Moooi. l eft
The architectural envelope was designed in relation to the functions within the house.
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omeowners Kevin Tham and Peggy Toh purchased this semidetached property about seven years ago, but had it tenanted out as they were living in Hong Kong. Upon their return to Singapore, they embarked on a major renovation project that redefined the spaces – in order to create a family home tailored to their needs. For Bu Shukun, the founder and design director of architology Interiors, the design intent was to transform the rooms into proper family spaces and to sculpt a spatial sequence that flows through the entire house. The client’s brief was relatively functional and straightforward. “We wanted something that was Japanese minimalist, clean and contemporary,” says Kevin. along with catering to what the clients wanted, Shukun incorporated elements that gave the home a touch of luxury reminiscent of that in six-star hotels. The result is an interesting juxtaposition of style and aesthetics. “It is a dwelling that has the luxury of hotels within a simple home; it combines a tranquil ryokan with dramatic materials, as well as contemporary minimalist spaces with statement furnishing pieces,” says Shukun. This aspect of “opposites” comes through immediately upon entering the home. a strong linear axis defined by a strip of teak floor and echoed
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Who lives here
A couple in their 40s and two teenage sons h om e A semi-detached house off Holland Road siz e 3,011sqf (land area); 4,284sqf (built-in area)
AbOve
A customised “Shou Sugi Ban” suar wood dining table takes centre stage in the dining room, complemented by a set of chairs from the About A Chair series by Hee Welling. OppOs ite
Grey marble with dramatic veining add a touch of luxury to the bathroom.
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le ft
Blue mosaic tiles inject a splash of fun into the teenagers’ bathroom. b elOw
The design of the master bedroom is a continuation of that on the first storey, both with strong linear axes anchoring them. Op p Osite
The central axis, defined a strip of teak flooring, runs from one end of the house to the other.
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by a dark walnut ceiling leads from the main entrance straight through to the pool at the other end of the house. Instead of dividing the house into two, this axis “stitches” the open plan together and heightens the lateral connections that arise from crossing between the teak floor and the adjacent grey-coloured Grigio Carnico marble with its noticeable veining. a similar
approach that combines a strong axis and articulated materials is applied to the master suite. The axis here is conceived as a “master catwalk”, a dramatic walkway flanked by an openconcept bath with views of the pool on one side, and the sleeping area and walk-in wardrobe on the other. This axis serves as a datum around which the spaces within the master suite are organised, and it brings
together a palette comprising fabric panels, Orobico marble, dark walnut and grey stone. Shukun adopted an “inside-out” strategy when conceptualising the various spaces. “In re-crafting the home, we wanted the interior spaces to communicate with the architecture and to correspond visually and functionally with the site,” he emphasises. The methodology was to first decide 95
tO p
The original master bedroom at the front was turned into the sons’ bedroom. The current master bedroom was created by combining two bedrooms and a study. right
The attic study is furnished with Mad King and Mad Queen armchairs by Marcel Wanders from Poliform, and a Disc table by 365 North from Wendelbo. 96
how the spaces would function, then tweak the architectural envelope to facilitate it. The entire first storey was opened to create a flow from the front garden to the living room, then on to the dining area and dry kitchen beside the pool. One corner of the living room can open fully to the garden and deck to form a seamless space that is perfect for entertaining. The spatial flow also occurs vertically. One bedroom on the second storey was removed to carve out a double volume void that visually connects the master suite and the sons’
bedroom on the second storey with the dining area on the first, establishing a vertical relationship between the levels. This is Kevin and Peggy’s first family home, after relocating back to Singapore. It is a labour of love, especially for Peggy, who devoted much effort to its fruition. Despite the fact that it turned out quite differently from what was envisioned, they are pleased. “Shukun guided us through the entire process. We took the time to develop a deeper understanding of his design proposal and came to appreciate its finer nuances,” says Kevin.
An open-riser staircase maintains porosity within the home, adding a degree of lightness that is juxtaposed against a palette of dark colours and materials.
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The open-plan living, dining and kitchen areas on the second storey extend out to a large balcony where Rafi and Helen enjoy having breakfast.
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The STory of US This couple’s self-designed home is an expression of who they are and their journey through life. They share with Lynn Tan their design inspiration, home-building process and tips for homeowners who aspire to do the same.
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Who lives here home
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A couple in their 50s A terraced house in Casuarina Road si ze 1,502sqf (land area); 3,498sqf (built-in area)
R
afi Marjan, the former creative director of an established education group, and his wife, Helen Marjan, recently relocated back to the United Kingdom where their three children are based. They currently spend about half their time in each of the two countries, and this three-storey terraced house with a basement and roof terrace is what they call home when they are in Singapore. It was a single-storey property in derelict condition when the couple acquired it. “We essentially bought the land and started over,” says Rafi. His creative background and
an interest in interior design naturally led to his decision to oversee the redesign of the home. “We worked with an architect to get all the necessary permits and paperwork settled, but I basically came up with the design, concept and layout,” he explains. Rafi and Helen have a penchant for clean lines and they wanted an open-concept plan, with as few columns as possible and lots of natural light. This is evident in their gallery-like entrance foyer, which extends a warm welcome to guests. The palm plant placed in this area is lit from below, casting interesting
The open shelves in the kitchen are a departure from traditional tophung cupboards. o pp osi t e A glass bubble installation arranged according to the homeowners’ astrological signs adds an interesting and personalised touch to a basic white wall.
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Enjoy an unobstructed view of the sky while in the bath, through the skylight in the master bathroom. op p osi te , right The roof terrace offers stunning sunset views. far r ig ht A natural wall of greenery gives the master bedroom total privacy, even with full-height glass sliding doors.
Polished concrete gives an interesting, modern and cool texture to the floors throughout the home.
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shadows on the ceiling. The ambient lighting conveys a minimalist restraint that is expressed throughout the rest of the interior. The open plan living, dining and kitchen areas on the second storey blend seamlessly into one fluid space, making it the perfect venue for entertaining friends or relaxation. Beyond the kitchen’s pristine and clutter-free appearance lies a fully functional place for culinary exploits. A sliding chopping board over the sink and quiet, splashfree mixer taps make light work of meal preparation and the cleaning up after. The drawers are designed without handles, reinforcing the theme of clean lines. The master bedroom on the third floor is a self-contained private suite that extends out to a private roof terrace and balcony. “The frangipani tree was the first thing that we bought for the house and we had it lifted up to the balcony by crane,” shares Helen. The master bathroom is her favourite part of the home and it offers a unique roofless shower experience, inspired by the couple’s trip to Bali. The pareddown simplicity of raw concrete surfaces contrasts beautifully
with handmade Italian fittings that add a touch of luxury. “The house doesn’t look particularly big from the outside, but we are proud to have created such an unbelievably spacious and lightfilled home with just 1,500 sq ft,” they say. The couple are currently renovating a Georgian-listed property in the UK. We chat with Helen to find out more about the design of their Singapore home. What inspired you?
We were inspired by modern house designs in Tokyo, where designers have earned the reputation for being smart with utilising space. The house was designed in consideration of Singapore’s humid climate, which warranted the added expense of doubleglazed doors and windows that keep air-conditioning in, heat out, and utility bills low. The exterior of the house has a Mediterranean look; its clean white walls and carefully positioned windows are complemented by meticulously chosen foliage, such as a beautiful date palm tree at the entrance of the house. There is no gate or fence, as we do not want to feel like we are living in a cage.
tell us about your choice of materials and finishes.
Polished concrete gives an interesting, modern and cool texture to the flooring throughout the home. This is complemented by the warmth of natural wood, open staircases and clean white walls, creating a sense of equilibrium. All the walls are white, adding to an atmosphere of spaciousness and calmness, and the neutral colours of the furnishings are in harmony with the soothing, clean lines of our home. hoW does your home reflect your tastes and complement your lifestyles?
We like to come home to a quiet, calm and private place where we can relax after a long day. Neither of us likes clutter. We both enjoy clean lines and a simple, minimalistic style, with a few carefully chosen personal touches that make our house a home, and not a home design showcase. What is the most challenging aspect of designing your oWn home?
It can be difficult if there are fundamental design issues
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Instead of trying to conceal unsightly wall units, the couple opted for industrial-style air-conditioning that makes a statement. righ t The combination of natural materials with quality fixtures in the bathroom reinforces the concept of modern luxury. op pos it e The natural grain of the white Italian marble countertops is accentuated by the natural light coming through the windows.
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over which you and your partner disagree. That is where compromise has to come in. Fortunately, despite being from very different cultural backgrounds (Rafi is Malay and I am British), our tastes are remarkably similar. However, I did draw the line when Rafi wanted to build the house such that he could park his car in the living room. what are some advantages?
It is a privilege and a luxury to be able to design your own home. You can really pay attention to details and customise the design so that from both an aesthetic and a functional point of view, you get exactly what you want.
Can you share some tips for homeowners on designing their homes?
Less is more! Often it seems people make the mistake of trying to include too many elements into one home. In fact, it is more challenging to design a simple home, than it is to design one with all sorts of features. Create mood boards to help you get an idea of the textures, colours and materials you prefer. In addition, think carefully about your lifestyle. For instance, if you love to bake, how is your kitchen designed and equipped to support your hobby? Above all, enjoy the design process.
photos Tim NolaN
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p r oj e c t s h owc a s e
Bright & Breezy A dark and dull apartment gets an airy Scandinavian-style transformation.
A
who lives here home
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A newly-wed couple Three-bedroom condominium apartment si ze 1,090sqf
chieving Scandinavianstyle interiors may sound effortless in theory, but it is much more challenging in reality. As a result, the homeowners (a newlywed couple) of the apartment featured here engaged interior design firm Free Space Intent, armed with ideas gleaned from social media platforms like Pinterest and Instagram. To fulfil the couple’s requests for a bright and spacious interior with a touch of nature, designer Raymond Seow went with a neutral colour palette comprising white, light wood as well as green accents. Natural lighting is one of the most crucial factors in Scandinavian-style interiors. So, in order to illuminate the space, Raymond installed glass partitions and sliding doors, letting in an ample amount of sunlight. Sheer drapes that frame the large sliding doors were used to bring a soft touch to the living room. Meanwhile, the wooden Danish furniture pieces feature clean lines and gentle curves that are easy on the eye. Raymond also strategically injected natural elements, by placing plants and tropical-print cushions throughout the home. A custom-built asymmetrical shelving unit in the study room adds character while offering plenty of space for books, decor pieces and memorabilia. After a long day at work, the homeowners can unwind and
l eft
Raymond picked cushions with different patterns, but they tie in well with the look of a home that has elements of nature. below, left
The customised asymmetrical bookcase is a bold feature in the study room. below, right
Cream and light wood features in the bathroom not only add a resort ambience, but also cohere with the Nordic design theme. opposite
Glass partitions are essential to give the home a spacious and airy feel.
read a book in their cosy daybed by the window. Numerous drawers, which are seamlessly integrated into the study area, serve as extra storage space. The bathroom was revamped using light wood laminate flooring and cream-coloured homogeneous tiles, to reflect the home’s Nordic theme. A wall-mounted mirror-cabinet was also used, so that it is easier for the homeowners to keep the sink area clutter-free. The renovation of this apartment, which included hacking, tiling, electrical and ceiling works, as well as plumbing, carpentry, painting, and the installation of glass partitions and doors, cost approximately $68,000.
text Marie Quek
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F E At u R E
the real deal With the proliferation of copies of iconic furniture designs available online and offline, how can buyers make a better informed purchasing decision?
Headrest in black leather or in the same colour as the seat mat.
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rom online marketplaces like Carousell to an array of online stores such as Taobao and EZbuy, shopping now goes beyond borders. No longer just places for fashion and small goods, these sites also offer furniture at low cost, with many of such items being copies of designer furniture. How then do you differentiate between a knockoff and the real McCoy? Paying attention to furniture descriptions is the first step. Look out for terms such as “genuine” and “original”; such furniture pieces are produced by the design firms or licensed manufacturers. The term “inspired” informs potential buyers that an item is a modification of an original design. Some who are selling copies will tell you that their wares are “replicas” and “reproductions”. The trouble is that sellers may not be truthful, or provide descriptions at all. As a guide, here are traits of some designer furniture icons we’ve compiled, to help you identify a genuine article before you shell out good money for it.
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Only full grain leather without any visible defect is used. The leather is durable, soft and rich in colour.
Black enamel steel base. Seams of the tubular frame are very smooth and polished, with no noticeable welding marks.
Look for the Cassina signature on the metal structure.
DOES IT MATTER – AND WHY? GENUINE PROS
REPRODUCTION PROS
• You are paying for quality. • While they may resemble the • At a fraction of the cost of • The furniture items may original in appearance, they originals, such furniture increase in value over time. may not be ergonomically items make achieving the • They come in dimensions built in similar dimensions high-end look affordable. that are ergonomic and for comfort. • Often easier to source than aimed at providing comfort. • The lower cost of massthe original pieces. • You are supporting produced replicas leads to CONS the time, effort and sustainability issues, with • Due to the materials used creativity of designers. furniture being discarded and the production process, CONS faster as trends come and go. the quality varies widely. • High price.
Originally made with fibreglass, the DSW is now made with polypropylene. Replicas are typically made with ABS plastic. The polypropylene seats have a chalkier colour, compared to the brighter hues of the plastic replicas.
EAMEs DsW CHAIR by HERMAn M IllER, AvA I l A b l E At X t R A
Replicas of the DSW chair are ubiquitous. Conceptualised by Charles and Ray Eames, the design was born in 1950 in response to the urgency of furniture required in the post-war period. Herman Miller and Vitra are the two manufacturers of Eames products. The original looks sleek and elegant. The copies may be misproportioned and look bulky, and the cushion may seem flat.
There should be no puckering, folds and wrinkles in the seams along the curved edges.
The wooden dowel base comes in four options: ebony, natural maple, white ash and walnut. The underside of the chair has a Herman Miller label.
The wooden legs come with black screws to match the black frames. For replicas, chrome screws are a giveaway.
The original is stitched in a wave pattern. A fabric logo tag is added during the handstitching of the upholstery.
EGG CHAIR by FRItz H A n s E n , AvA I l A b l E At W. At E l I E R
The aluminium foot goes through a special polishing and grinding to achieve its unique finish.
Danish designer Arne Jacobsen’s 1958 design is considered the designer’s signature piece. To this day, it is still being produced by Fritz Hansen. First designed for the Radisson SAS Hotel in Copenhagen, Denmark, it is one of the most widely copied designs. On the aluminium base is a logo with a unique serial number engraving that corresponds with the number printed on the production label. If you can pinch the fabric, it’s not an authentic Egg Chair.
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M O D E l A C H A I R by tO l I X , AvA I l A b l E At P 5
French pioneer of galvanisation Xavier Pauchard’s heavily copied chair is loved for its industrial look. First designed in 1934, the chair arrived at its final design, which made it stackable, in 1956. The chair is meant for both indoor and outdoor use. The seat holes, a key feature, are for keeping the chair dry outdoors. A Tolix stamp is found at the side of the seat. Though it may appear simple, he chair requires about 100 ma al operations to produce.
The seat has a slight indent. Many replicas tend to be entirely flat from one edge to the other.
The metallic structure presents rounded curves due to a special welding technique. The copies tend to appear angular.
The seat consists of a foam core cushion wrapped in padding for structure and comfort.
lC 2 A R M C H A I R by C A s s I n A , AvA I l A b l E At s PAC E F u R n I t u R E
Designed in 1928, the LC2 armchair is a much-copied design that can be seen in many waiting areas in commercial spaces today. Seams of the tubular frame are smooth and polished, with no obvious welding marks.
Made of galvanised steel. The original piece weighs more than replicas, due to the higher density of galvanised steel used.
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On the metal structure, look for the “Cassina I Maestri” logotype. This includes the signatures of the designers and a production number identical to that on the “Identity Card”.
E A M E s lO u n G E A n D O t tO M A n by H E R M A n M I l l E R , AvA I l A b l E At X t R A
The wood grain on the veneer of each shell matches with that on the others and runs in the same direction, because the shells are cut from a single log.
An authentic Eames lounge chair does not recline. The chair is set at a permanent 15-degree angle.
Designed in 1956 by design couple Charles and Ray Eames, this piece made a splash due to the smooth curves of moulded plywood that were never seen before in furniture design. The original measure 32 inches from floor to the top of the headrest. The seat’s width and length are the same at 32.75 inches each. No exposed screws in the three moulded plywood shells. The base of the lounge chair should have five legs, and for the ottoman, four legs, all positioned at a slight angle.
s A A R I n E n tA b l E by K n O l l , AvA I l A b l E At P R O O F l I v I n G
Part of the Pedestal collection, this design by the Finnish American architect and designer Eero Saarinen was made in 1957. The collection, which also includes the iconic Tulip chairs, was conceptualised to remove what Saarinen referred to as a “slum of legs”. The classic marble table top features 0.75-inch Arabescato marble with a bevelled edge. The marble table top has a transparent polyester coating in either a satin or polished finish. An attached plaque with Saarinen’s signature or a Knoll logo is found on the underside of the table.
The base is in one solid piece, without any seam. The base is made of heavy moulded cast aluminium, painted in white or black.
While the tabletop comes in either marble, wood or laminate, the base is never made of any other material, other than cast aluminium.
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The chair is made of solid teak, oak or walnut only, and never other woods like maple or ash.
M O D E l 4 5 C H A I R by HOusE OF FInn JuHl, AvA I l A b l E At DA n I s H DEsIGn CO
Designed by Danish architect and designer Finn Juhl in 1945, the piece was one of the first to break free of tradition by freeing the upholstered areas from the wooden frame. This classic shape has inspired many furniture designs since. A metal emblem marks every product from House of Finn Juhl. Finn Juhl’s furniture pieces are made by craftsmen from Denmark and Japan for quality. Note the dimensions of the chair: 66.5cm in width, 73cm in depth and 88cm in height. The seat height should be 42cm. The chair presents flawless joinery.
W I s H b O n E C H A I R by CARl HAnsEn & sOn, AvA I l A b l E At P 5
The curved top rail is made from one solid piece of steambent timber.
It’s made of Danish timbers such as oak, ash or walnut. The wooden frame has a smooth and even finish, with no knots in the wood.
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Inspired by Ming chairs, this seat was designed by Hans Wegner in 1949. It has been in continuous production since 1950, and there are many copies out there. Identifying the real thing is perhaps made difficult with the chair available in 97 materials and colours today. Spot a Carl Hansen & Son label with Made in Denmark on the underside, or at the back, of newer chairs. On older versions, you might find a sticker label or just a Carl Hansen & Son stamp. The newer labels have Wegner’s signature and a serial number instead. The weaving is tight and uniform, at close to 90-degree angles, with the left a mirror image of the right.
Look closely at the seat. The original is handwoven from over 100m of durable paper cord, and not nylon or other synthetic materials.
When icons inspire contemporary designs
Available in two models: Panton Chair Classic (in rigid polyurethane foam with a glossy finish) and Panton Chair (in polypropylene with a matte finish).
PA n t O n C H A I R , AvA I l A b l E At v I t R A
The world’s first moulded plastic chair, it is entirely made out of one single piece of plastic. Designed in 1960 and produced by Vitra from the beginning, the Panton chair is named after its Danish designer, Verner Panton. A Vitra logo can be found on the underside, along with production information. On the copies, there are likely to be ribs in the plastic chair. When placed upside down on the floor, the original is strong enough to withstand weight when you stand on it. The Panton Chair is currently available in six colours: basic dark, white, ice grey, tangerine, classic red and chartreuse.
text rossara Jamil
The back of the chair has an embossed Verner Panton signature.
“Most of Finn Juhl’s furniture designs focus on materials such as elegant timber and soft leather or upholstery, and shapes which defy gravity and create visual lightness. The Kardell three-seater’s soft curves and rounded edges are also very much inspired by Finn Juhl’s 45 or 138 chair.” – Julian Koh, creative director of Commune
Reminiscent of the Elbow Chair by Hans Wegner, Danish brand Skovby’s #52 chair features streamlined backrest and legs. A departure from Wegner’s design is the backrest that features straight cut wood instead of curved lines. Available at Danish Design Co.
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F E AT U R E
SUAVE KITCHENS The kitchen is the heart of the home and having a quality setup will give you the best of both worlds, in terms of form and function. Here, we explore some highly customisable luxury systems, to ďŹ nd out what makes them the top on homeowners’ wish lists.
MI TON MAR OS I Italian kitchen brand Miton carries a very unusual collection, Marosi, whose design is inspired by waves and fluid movements. Its unique curvy form embodies a statement-making aesthetic that aims to make every home look stunning.
Deep drawers and embedded containers in the island offer lots of storage space.
good to know Miton kitchen systems (excluding appliances) range from $30,000 to $50,000.
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Customise a set of shelves that can be placed on the countertop to showcase recipe books and knickknacks, and accommodate spices and condiments. This can be hidden within the counter when not in use, keeping the surface neat and minimalist.
Boffi code Boffi Code is designed by Italian architect and designer Piero Lissoni and offers customised solutions combined with artisanal craftsmanship to suit a variety of needs and design preferences. Boffi Code is available at Boffi Studio, #0113 Regency House, 123 Penang Road. Prices upon request.
Abonos oak, Durinox stainless steel, Corian surface and solid wood ensure the durability of the kitchen systems.
A variety of wood, metal and stone – including a unique selection of aged wood, finished metal and natural stone – constitutes the brand’s uncompromised quality materials.
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Va lc u c i n e g e n i u s lo c i Created by Gabriele Centazzo, the designer and founding member of Italian kitchen brand Valcucine, the Genius Loci system was crafted to maximise storage innovatively by offering customisation of cabinetry to include features such as concealed drawers. Genius Loci is available at Valcucine Singapore, 182 Clemenceau Avenue North. Prices upon request.
The Gloss Ocean Green glass option gives kitchen cabinetry a sleek look.
The ceramic surfaces come in a selection of two colours and five wood effects for an elegant yet warm look.
Porphyry – a natural rock that consist of large-grained crystals such as quartz – adds an edge to the look of the kitchen counter.
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The use of brushed titanium zinc makes for a well-finished interior.
Link your kitchen seamlessly with the living room through the use of customised open wall shelving, so there is visual connectivity across spaces.
Bang for your Buck
Build a customisable kitchen, without breaking the bank. Tailored solution Get a custom-made kitchen system that fits your cooking requirements and space. With quality design and manufacturing, Hafele’s Meister collection is made of materials that ensure high moisture resistance for practicality of use. Its advanced modular technology and predrilled fixtures also mean assembling and disassembling is fussfree, so you can easily manage the installation on your own.
Next125 offers flexibility in the placement of kitchen fixtures. For instance, you can opt for a free-standing cooking table, if your preference is for a space around which family members can gather to prepare meals together.
N e x t 1 2 5 N at u r a l Premium German designer brand Next125 combines technology, design, architecture and ergonomics to create a quality kitchen that offers both convenience and style. Its Natural collection has a dark colour palette that exudes a sense of masculinity.
The Hafele Meister collection is available at its showroom, #01-27/28 Enterprise One, No. 1 Kaki Bukit Road 1.
good to know
Japanese technology If getting the look of a chef’s kitchen is what you’d like for your home, Japanese kitchen systems from the Centro and Stedia series are the solutions, with their extensive use of stainless steel – from the carcass and drawer base to door panels and countertops. This makes the fixtures durable, hygienic and easy to maintain. The Centro and Stedia kitchen collections are available at Songcho, #01-09, 37 Jalan Pemimpin. Prices start from $7,500 for a twomodule kitchen system.
Next125 kitchen systems (excluding appliances) range from $25,000 to $45,000.
The Next125 kitchen collection is available at W. Atelier showroom at 201 Henderson Road.
text Domenica Tan
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f e at u r e
Watch the video. See page 21
DIY FurnIture Keen to make your own furniture? Find out how it went when we put Eliza HamizaH through a crash course on making a side table, and explore places to visit for more DiY fun.
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f it weren’t for my editor, i would never have signed up for a furniture-making workshop. i much prefer shopping to making. But here i am in makerspace@XPC, putting on safety glasses while looking at the materials laid out before me. We – two men in their mid-40s and i – are to make a wooden end table each. makerspace is a 10,000 sq ft area in the Home-Fix building in Tai Seng, where makers and tinkerers dealing with all sorts of materials are welcome to use the space and equipment
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at an affordable price. To encourage more hands-on activities, this initiative by Home-Fix also conducts workshops. my four-hour end-table workshop costs $215. after a quick introduction to makerspace’s various tenants, like Reservoir Dayak and Day by They, as well as work sections – including one specially for metalwork – we are asked to decide on which wood planks look best as table legs. Thereafter, our instructors, Clement low and Grace Tan from Clamps &
1. Instructor Clement demonstrates how to use the router. The class size of three pax is ideal for a workshop of this difficulty level.
Braces, quickly put us to work with routers. Routers are used to hollow out wood; the hollows are created so that table aprons, which help hold the legs and table top together, can be slotted into place. “already?” i think, panicking. i could do with a more detailed explanation on how to best hold the router. But it turns out to be easy and safe to use, albeit the noise suggesting otherwise, and the blade is encased in a plastic border to protect our hands. The instructors show two methods to achieve a wider hollow. after trying both, and with encouragement from the instructors, i choose free-hand. it’s faster and, for someone who’ve always wanted to release her angst in a rage room, i must say this is a more productive outlet. That is the toughest part of the workshop. Putting together the rest of the table is relatively easy. along the way, we learn how to use a bench drill, band saw, impact drill, wood sander and wood plane. Varnish it, and we are done – although two hours behind time. XPC has a well-rounded range of professional equipment and tools, ideal for beginners, the experienced, and those with advanced skills. The instructors also check our work and often advise us if any changes are necessary, without micro-managing. However, i would have preferred a brief overview of the process beforehand. as the tools often come with technical terms, most of which are foreign to a newbie like me, i was sometimes unsure what the instructors were referring to. i’m tired by the end of it, but surprised by my perseverance
“along the way, we learn how to use a bench drill, band saw, impact drill, wood sander and wood plane.” 2
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and how fast i picked up skills. it proves that a furnituremaking workshop is ideal not only because of the satisfaction of making something with your own hands, but to improve one’s self-confidence, too. For office workers, getting physical this way may just be the respite you need from a mundane desk job. Visit www.xpc.sg.
2 - 4. The bench drill (top right) is one of the many tools used during the workshop. It is also my first time using a drill (above). It is not as scary as it sounds! 5. To achieve a sturdy table, precise measurements are important. 6. I am proud to say I made this end table with my own two hands!
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photos ALAn Lee k stuDIo art direction krIstY quAh
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The Bare Collective according to founder zoey Wong, the three-hour acrylic pour workshops ($85) by The Bare Collective are good for beginners who eventually want to try painting or resin pouring. as it requires only a few materials, and explores the freedom of playing with paint while it is still wet on canvas, it is an easy introduction to the world of DiY. zoey will demonstrate the different techniques required to achieve various effects. By the end of the workshop, participants will be bringing home three pieces of art.
fabric or leather, even plastic and metal. She set up Big Blue Trunk to offer a range of creative workshops using annie Sloan paints, including the three-hour Paint a Small Piece Of Furniture ($240). For this, participants bring their own piece and choose from a range of 42 beautiful hues and various finishes to achieve a shabby chic, contemporary look. apart from learning the right techniques to paint and wax their piece, customers also get a discount on annie Sloan products. No furniture of your own? Big Blue Trunk offers antique bird cages, wine crates and more.
Visit www.naiise.com for a list of The Bare Collective workshops.
7. This is what you can achieve during an acrylic pour workshop with The Bare Collective.
Big Blue Trunk after discovering annie Sloan Chalk Paint during one of her DiY adventures, Deepti Chadda became a loyal customer. You can paint everything with it, she says, whether old or new,
Visit www.bigbluetrunk.sg.
Make Your Own From terrariums to dreamscape fountains, make Your Own is the place to go for small DiY projects. However, if you are looking to make your own furniture, try its
workshops for making a copper pipe side table ($229) or a copper pipe floor lamp ($239). In the two-hour workshops, you will learn to install a customised dimmer switch onto the lamp, as well as bend pipes. Visit www.makeyourown.sg.
Portobello Reclaimed Passionate about upcycling, James Hindle set up Portobello Reclaimed to educate likeminded folk on the basics of furniture painting, as well as to introduce his preferred mineral paint brand, Fusion. Known to be water-resistant without the need for a sealer, this paint will dry to the touch within five minutes. While the first half of the two-hour workshop is spent painting, the rest of the time is left for creative stencilling so participants can personalise their stools. light refreshments are also provided. Prices vary according to item. Visit www.portobello.com.sg.
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Triple Eyelid Triple Eyelid founder Jackie Tan has been upcycling wood since 2014. However, he recently launched Triple Eyeleague School (its workshops start from $1,400), where participants will work on two or three projects over two to three months. The first two projects comprise making a toolbox and a round coffee table. During the former, participants will be introduced to upcycling and wood processing, as well as cutting machinery. making a coffee table will involve learning different types of hardware and how to minimise waste, as well as use design software Sketchup. Those who opt to do a third project will need to define the furniture they want to make. Visit www.tripleeyelid.com.
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Tombalek This woodwork studio in Mandai, set up by Kung Guangjun, holds various wood-related workshops. You can start small with a three-hour bowl-turning or two-day step-stool class, or go full-fledged with an eight-week course on making Malacca-style chair and couches (from $1,750). Couches are ideal for two-pax teams. While there is an emphasis on sewing and foaming for this workshop, you will also learn about wood carving and lap joinery. You can even join the Tombalek team for a fabric-hunting session at Singapore Textile Centre, to choose your own fabric for the Malacca-style chair. Best part? You can pay part of the class fees with Skills Future Credits. Tombalek also offers machinery courses.
Bead Bad Wolf Cheryl Tan of Bead Bad Wolf conducts three-hour weaving workshops ($75), where you will play with different types of yarn to create a tapestry you can hang on your bedroom wall or gift your friends. Participants will learn how to set up a basic loom, apply the many techniques of weaving – each produces a different texture – and put together various colours in a piece. It is an ancient textile production many young homeowners are keen to take up! Visit www.naiise.com for a list of Bead Bad Wolf workshops.
Visit www.tombalek.com.
8 . Big Blue Trunk is great at breathing new life into old furniture.
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9. Bead Bad Wolf will teach you how to achieve this gorgeous tapestry in her weaving workshops. 1 0. A sideboard painted with Fusion Mineral Paint, used during Portobello Reclaimed workshops.
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1 1. Tombalek’s Malacca-style chair workshops teach you about joinery and upholstery. 1 2. Bring home a copper pipe lamp when you attend a class at Make Your Own.
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prope r t y
Double Trouble What happens when two singles who each own an HDB flat get married? Or a couple who already own a flat inherit their parents’? We check out the consequences.
H
DB flats, being heavily subsidised by the Government (never mind that some sell for over $1 million in the open market), come with strict eligibility and ownership regulations. According to public housing policy, every family nucleus is allowed to own only one HDB flat at any one time. But things get tricky should you and your spouse find yourselves in ownership of two HDB flats. We highlight some common scenarios and solutions.
That flat needs to be sold within six months of the marriage. Which should you sell? You should consider several factors, from location, the price each can fetch, proximity to work and family, age of the flats and their condition, to family plans. It would make sense to keep the bigger flat if you and your spouse want to have more than one child. Scenario 2 my mother anD I Co-own a flat whICh I have been payIng for wIth monthly
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Scenario 1
Cpf ContrIbutIons.
I bought my hDb flat when
however, my fIanCe anD
I was sIngle. subsequently,
I IntenD to apply for a
I met my partner anD
buIlD-to-orDer (bto) flat
marrIeD hIm, but my spouse
together. my mother
has hIs own hDb flat. Can
Doesn’t have enough Cash,
we keep both?
funDs In her Cpf aCCount,
The Housing & Development Board (HDB) is very clear on this issue. In a letter to one flat owner, which was shared on a local forum, it noted that “husband and wife are considered one family unit. After your marriage, you and your husband’s name cannot be listed in two separate flats”. It added that either the husband or the wife would have to inform the HDB Branch Office managing the (relevant) estate that his or her name would be included in the other spouse’s flat. The spouse who chooses to do this would then have to dispose of his or her own apartment.
nor a job to seCure a bank loan to buy over my share. Can I remove my name from our flat but ContInue payIng for both flats wIth my Cpf?
Your filial piety is admirable but, unfortunately, no. On HDB’s website, it is stated that “if your child is getting married and moving out, we will determine your eligibility to retain the flat alone, based on the merits of each case”. Let’s assume your mum is eligible. CPF’s and HDB’s rules require you to be a co-owner in order to utilise your CPF funds to pay for a flat. Low Po-Yu, a senior
marketing director at ERA, explains: “If you bought your flat with a parent, you must remove your name in order to buy your matrimonial home with your spouse. Technically, your mum has to sustain the loan. However, I’ve heard of cases where the mum is officially the owner but the financing is done by the children.” Do note that when you remove your name from the current flat and your mum buys over your share, you can’t just waive off the CPF contributions that you have paid thus far. She has to return the amount, with interest, to your Ordinary Account within six months of you collecting the keys to your new BTO flat.
This often proves too heavy a financial burden on the ageing parent. One of Po’s clients who was paying for the family flat she co-owned with her parents, applied for a BTO flat with her fiance. As her retired parents could not buy her out nor sustain the loan, they had no choice but to sell the family flat. The parents had to buy a much cheaper two-room BTO Flexi flat with a 30-year lease. “This is another option that those stuck in the same situation can consider,” says Po. If your mum really wants to keep the flat, an alternative is to take a personal loan from the bank or from relatives to “repay” your CPF money, though many Singaporeans will find this hard
to swallow. Imagine paying interest on a personal loan, in order to put money back into your own CPF account! On the plus side, if you manage to raise the funds for your mum to buy you out, she can stay with you in your BTO flat, while you sublet her flat for rental income – provided your spouse is okay with the idea, of course. This helps you cut your losses, while you wait for capital appreciation. Scenario 3 I own a flat but recently InherIted my late parents’. can I keep both?
No, you can’t. According to the HDB, “if you have inherited an HDB flat and decide to keep it,
you will have to sell your existing HDB flat (subject to eligibility conditions for sale, such as the Minimum Occupation Period), before taking possession of the inherited flat”. It added: “If you decide not to or are ineligible to take over the inherited flat, you may sell the flat in the open market.” This, however, applies only if the MOP for the inherited flat has been met. Otherwise, you will need to consult your HDB branch for advice. Technically, you must sell off one of the flats within six months. However, one couple we interviewed, who declined to be named, held onto both flats for a few years. After they bought their matrimonial flat, the husband’s parents transferred the ownership of their flat to him when they emigrated. “We kept their flat for sentimental value and also because we didn’t have an urgent need to sell it for money; we didn’t lease it out for rental income either,” explained the missus. After receiving several reminder letters from the HDB, the couple finally sold it. Is there punishment for being tardy? Not for this couple, perhaps because they didn’t try to sublet it illegally. But, if you are delaying the sale of one flat so as to sneakily make some rental income without receiving the HDB’s permission, beware that if you get caught, your flat may be subject to compulsory acquisition. It’s not worth the risk. Want a second property that badly? Follow the rules and sell one flat, save/invest your money till you meet your MOP of five years, and you can then buy a private property. And consider yourselves lucky that you have a second HDB flat to sell, when others are struggling to buy their first!
text STELLA THNG
Must I pay Seller’s Stamp Duty (SSD) if I sell my second flat? If you bought a property before March 11, 2017, you have to pay SSD of 16% if you sell it within the first year; 12% within the second year; 8% within the third year; and 4% within the fourth year. For properties bought after March 11, 2017, the SSD period was adjusted to three years, with the rate at 12%, 8% and 4% respectively. If you are forced to sell one of your flats and it has not met the Minimum Occupation Period yet, the consolation is that the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore will waive the SSD if you: • Own an HDB flat, inherit an HDB flat, and are required under the HDB’s regulations to dispose of either the inherited HDB flat or the existing HDB flat. • Own a non-HDB apartment, inherit an HDB flat, and are required to dispose of the inherited HDB flat. • Own an HDB flat, marry someone who owns another HDB flat, and are required under the regulations to dispose of one of them.
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hard TruTh
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what’s trending & what we think
The kiTchen of Tomorrow
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taly-based studio Adriano Design recently partnered dynamic new kitchenappliance start-up Fabita to propose a new approach to the most essential appliance in the cooking zone: the burner hob. Dubbed a deconstruction of an induction hob, Ordine (pictured) is a “burner” that home cooks can place anywhere along a kitchen counter. After cooking, the two round induction plates can be hung back onto a central rack, much like you would with pots, pans and other cooking utensils. According to Gabriele Adriano, one half of the duo – they’re brothers – who founded the studio, the hob is “no longer an irremovable block in your kitchen, where the distance between the hobs is never enough when you are cooking with larger pots. With Ordine, you can decide at what distance they need to be while cooking and how to put them back, leaving the surface free when you don’t need to cook.” If you think this is nothing more than mere suggestion, think again, because the fact is that even established chefs are making the move towards using portable induction hobs. One such professional is Grant Achatz, head chef of three-Michelin-star restaurant
Alinea in Chicago. Gone are the conventional (and static) burner hobs, replaced with magnetic induction hotplates that can be effortlessly shifted anywhere within the commercial kitchen. This frees the chefs from being stuck at a particular spot, allowing the kitchen layout to be reconfigured easily. While home cooks may not have to contend with cooking up enough food to feed an entire restaurant, this liberation is just as beneficial in a domestic setting. For one thing, it means homeowners no longer have to put up with the sight of clunkylooking gas hob rings, or have to find space along the kitchen counter to place induction or ceramic hobs. This effectively means you can now truly turn your cooking zone into a functional living area. When you do need to turn up the heat, simply whip out the induction ring and twist a knob. At the end of the day, your food will still get cooked, without any compromise to the taste. Whether or not you’re a gourmand, you have to admit that this is a wonderful solution to optimising the kitchen layout in a small apartment space, which is something more and more urban dwellers have to put up with. If you opt for induction plates, why not do it in style.