Yael2019

Page 1

HOMEANDDECOR.COM.SG

TRENDING NOW

THE LATEST IN SMART HOME TECH H O U S E TO U R

A CLASSY 4-ROOMER WITH MODERN SG STYLE

S$6.00

JAN 2019

20

HOTTEST TRENDS FOR 2019

First Anti-Rust ECM DC Ceiling fan design for Singapore

CONTENTS

JANUARY

NOW DESIGN NEWS, PLACES TO V I S I T, T H I N G S T O B U Y 21 THE BREATH OF LIFE Flowers are an essential part of home decorating, 22 COLOUR OF THE MONTH Pantone’s official colour of 2019 is Coral Pink.

S HOP P IN G

32

24 GREAT BUYS Our monthly roundup of the hottest new design products for the home.

N E W STO R E 29 BORN IN COLOUR AND SPOTLIGHT Latest store openings by a local furniture retailer and the Australian DIY brand.

34 See Thomas Frebel’s new restaurant in the heart of Tokyo.

4

30 LIVING Denim is a hardy cotton material that looks as good on your furnishings as it does on you. Here are our favourite picks.

H OT SP OT 31 WALDORF ASTORIA BANGKOK A design masterpiece with past and present intertwined. 32 LINE DC Washington D.C.’s new social hub delivers thoughtful design and culinary delights in an eclectic atmosphere. 33 LITTLE ALBION GUEST HOUSE Sydney is home to a small hotel with big history. 34 NORDIC NUANCES Former Noma chef Thomas Frebel’s new restaurant in Tokyo blends Japanese and Nordic heritage.

CONTENTS

JANUARY

PEOPLE 37 FLAMES OF PASSION Lalique, started by visionary artist Rene-Jules Lalique, is among the world’s great crystalware manufacturers today. 42 GET SMART Kohler’s Mark Bickerstaffe talks about digital spaces as the brand unveils its smart bathrooms. 44 DESIGNED TO CLEAN Karcher Singapore’s GM Vincent Sim on the brand’s imprint on the home appliances industry. 45 TRICIA GUILD The creative director and founder of Designers Guild.

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

6

37 Know the process behind Lalique’s most coveted pieces.

46 WISH UPON A SPA Spa veteran Tomoka Y. Nguyen’s deep conviction to make wellness accessible inspired her tome, Beauty Confidential. 48 10 QUESTIONS WITH JONAS HULTQVIST The designer at Ikea Product Development Centre tells us what gets him going throughout the day. 49 VOICES David Tham of Studio Norm shares what he learnt from his recent trip to Japan.

M Y S PACE 50 COOL FRONT Tips on staying cool in the tropics.

CONTENTS

JANUARY 56

64

HOMES THE NEW MODERN

88

on the cover

72 Quietness and simplicity in this airy home. PHOTOGRAPHY FRENCHESCAR LIM ART DIRECTION NONIE CHEN

8

56 REVERENT CHARM In the creative hands of Ryan Gordon Jackson, a Chinesestyle property in Beverly Hills takes on a contemporary aesthetic. 64 SMART DESIGN Maximise storage when moving into a smaller home, without compromising on space.

72 THE RIGHT TOUCH This apartment may have a dominant white palette, but it’s far from being a nondescript box. 82 UMBRA, PENUMBRA Eliza Hamizah checks out this sophisticated home, whose design is inspired by varying shades of black.

88 CAPTIVATING BEAUTY Interior designer Joey Khu transformed an ageing apartment into his bachelor pad, reflecting his taste and lifestyle. 94 A PLAY ON PALETTE Having a favourite colour in mind helped drive the look of this matrimonial home.

interiors + design consultancy . construction + project management

designed spaces

connect lives

The Orange Cube Pte Ltd 14 Arumugam Road #01-03 . LTC Building C . Singapore 409959 . (MacPherson MRT Exit 'B') Tel: (65) 6337 7277 . www.theorangecube.com . enquiry@theorangecube.com . www.facebook.com/theorangecube

CONTENTS

JANUARY

FEATURES T H E L AT E S T I N D E S I G N AND DECOR TRENDS

FEATU RE 10 0 20 TOP TRENDS FOR 2019 From textured styling to large format tiles – we tell you how and where. 11 8 JUST SO CLEVER Keen to turn your home into a smart domain? Check out the seven traits of the latest smart devices.

10

16 EDITOR’S NOTE 18 H&D.COM.SG 19 DIGITAL EDITION EXCLUSIVES 12 3 WHERE TO BUY 12 6 BUYING GUIDE 12 8 THE HARD TRUTH

10 0 The Tekio lamp by Anthony Dickens was named after “adaptation” in Japanese.

(wwong@sph.com.sg)

GROUP EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Caroline Ngui (nguislc@sph.com.sg) GROUP EDITOR Joanna Lee-Miller (jolee@sph.com.sg)

EDITORIAL EDITOR Young Lim (younglim@sph.com.sg) EXECUTIVE SUB-EDITOR Adeline Wong (adewong@sph.com.sg) SENIOR WRITER Domenica Tan (domtan@sph.com.sg) WRITERS Eliza Hamizah (elizahby@sph.com.sg) Isabelle Tow (imztow@sph.com.sg)

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)

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 CONTENT SPECIALIST (FASHION & LIFESTYLE) Sean Tham stham@sph.com.sg

CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER Veronica Tay (verontay@sph.com.sg) EXECUTIVE PHOTOGRAPHERS Frenchescar Lim (frenchl@sph.com.sg) Tan Wei Te (tanweite@sph.com.sg) SUPERVISING VIDEO PRODUCER Leon Kiong (leonkw@sph.com.sg) PHOTOGRAPHERS Darren Chang (darrenc@sph.com.sg)

VIDEO LAB

Vee Chin (veechin@sph.com.sg)

GROUP EDITOR Tara Barker (tbarker@sph.com.sg)

Angela Guo (angelag@sph.com.sg)

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Felicia Liew (felliew@sph.com.sg) Sherry Leung (suetyee@sph.com.sg) Taphath Chin (taphchin@sph.com.sg)

BRAND LAB DIRECTOR Ong Ting Nee (tingnee@sph.com.sg) EDITOR Grace Chua (cshgrace@sph.com.sg) SENIOR ART DIRECTOR Neccol Woo (neccolw@sph.com.sg)

12

PHOTOGRAPHY

Zaphs Zhang (teolc@sph.com.sg) VIDEOGRAPHERS Gong Yimin (gongym@sph.com.sg) Alicia Chong (achong@sph.com.sg) ASSISTANT PHOTOGRAPHER Phyllicia Wang (wanglx@sph.com.sg) EDITORIAL SUPPORT EXECUTIVE Wendy Wong

EDITORIAL SUPPORT SENIOR MANAGER, ADMINISTRATION & EDITORIAL SUPPORT UNIT Juliana Chong (julianac@sph.com.sg) MANAGER Alice Han (tayaha@sph.com.sg) ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Charlene Rodrigues (charrod@sph.com.sg)

INTERNATIONAL EDITIONS HOME & DECOR INDONESIA MPG MEDIA PUBLISHING Jl Palmerah Utara 55 Slipi, Jakarta 11910 Indonesia AD SALES ENQUIRIES Tel: +62 21 5366 7777 E-mail: info.homeanddecor @mpgmedia.co.id

HOME & DECOR MALAYSIA BLUINC MEDIA SDN BHD Lot 7, Jalan Bersatu 13/4, Section 13, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia Tel: (603) 5569-6800, Fax: (603) 5569-6810, E-mail: sales@bluinc.com.my DEPUTY EDITOR Emmelyn Mah AD SALES ENQUIRIES Michelle Yow E-mail: michelleyow @bluinc.com.my

MANAGING DIRECTOR Maureen Wee

BUSINESS SOLUTIONS GENERAL MANAGER Diana Lee

Property ACCOUNT DIRECTOR Charmaine Soh Retail & Education ACCOUNT DIRECTOR Sean Chen For sales enquiries, do contact Maggie at magadpromo@sph.com.sg

Homes & FMCG ACCOUNT DIRECTOR Chelsea Lam SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGERS Catherine Chan Kevin Sim Patrick Chew ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Mandy Low Banking & Insurance ACCOUNT DIRECTOR Ajit Abraham ACCOUNT MANAGER Renee Ong Weddings, Entertainment & Travel ACCOUNT DIRECTOR Joe Tan

MANAGING DIRECTOR Joseph Lee DIRECTOR, PRODUCT AND INNOVATION Faith Yoong DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER Serene Ong

GROUP HEAD, DIGITAL HEAD Irene Tan

Tech, Comms, Media & Exhibitions ACCOUNT DIRECTOR Michelle Tan GROUP ACCOUNT MANAGERS Chia Lai San Fion Yip ACCOUNT MANAGER Ng Shu Hui ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Nicholas Soh

D I G I TA L DEVELOPMENT

MARKET DEVELOPMENT MANAGING DIRECTOR Geoff Tan DIRECTORS, PARTNERSHIPS & STRATEGY Eileen Chia Jovary Jose DIRECTOR, INSIGHTS & INTELLIGENCE Leong Tscheng Yee HEAD, MARKETING & CIRCULATION Lin Shaomei MARKETING HEAD Patricia Ong MARKETING EXECUTIVE Chelsea Chng

ASSISTANT MARKETING MANAGER Ten Hui Ling SENIOR MARKETING EXECUTIVE Justin Chong

PUBLISHING S E RV I C E S TEAM HEAD Alice Chee (siewyuen@sph.com.sg) TEAM LEAD Lisa Yong (lisayong@sph.com.sg) SENIOR EXECUTIVE Mustapha Mohamed (musmohd@sph.com.sg)

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Loh Yew Seng (lohys@sph.com.sg) PUBLISHING SERVICES DIRECTOR Leong Tscheng Yee (leongty@sph.com.sg) CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS HEAD Chin Soo Fang (soofang@sph.com.sg) VICE-PRESIDENT, HUMAN RESOURCES Irene Lee (leebl@sph.com.sg)

14

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) 041/05/2018

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the written permission of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed or implied in Home & Decor are those of the authors or contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. For back issues, e-mail: circs@sph.com.sg. Subscribe online: www.homeanddecor.com.sg.

E D I TO R ’ S N O T E

I love January, not just because the weather tends to be cooler and more bearable during this time of the year, but also because it heralds a new ÚÁěäĢàÁŅ ÚűÚěä ƈěěäà ūĆőĂ Á multitude of opportunities for good things to happen. I like to give my home a thorough spring clean in anticipation of that, as well as retire worn out furniture items so they can be replaced. To usher in the new year, I prefer to start my domain with a plain white theme. Ăä łĩĆĢő Ćʼn őĩ ʼněĩūěű ƈěě Ćő with new colour throughout the rest of the year. It is something that I have been doing for the last few years, and I enjoy the entire

YO U N G L I M E D I TO R

16

process as much as seeing how much my spaces will change over the next 12 months. It is a practice in interior styling that I would recommend to homeowners, who are interested to see how their evolving tastes in colour and ʼnőűěä ūĆěě ĆĢƉŖäĢÚä őĂä ěĩĩė ĩù their home. You’d be surprised Ăĩū àĆƅäŅäĢő űĩŖŅ Ņĩĩġʼn ÚÁĢ look over the course of time. For me, 2019 is also a year that I seriously embark on the pursuit of turning my humble abode into a smart dwelling. I’m late to jump on the bandwagon but, with the slew of new gadgets on the market, this is perhaps the best time to begin. What is one area of the home you’d like to work on this year?

photography ANGELA GUO art direction NONIE CHEN location SPACE

A F R E S H S TA R T A N D NEW BEGINNING

REAL-TIME DESIGN UPDATES WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/ HOMEANDDECOR.SINGAPORE Read new content on home decor and more, daily.

SIGHTS & INSPIRATION CHECK US OUT AT @HOMEANDDECOR_SG

A DBSS bachelorette pad in Boon Keng The under-$40,000 renovation includes many bespoke details. www.tinyurl.com/rettepad

Does thread count really matter? A guide to buying bedsheets. www.tinyurl.com/sheettips

HOMEANDDECOR .COM.SG

Check out popular blog posts of the month MORE INTERIOR STYLES FROM OUR ONLINE IMAGE LIBRARY

ON THIS MONTH’S STYLISH BEDROOM BOARD… WWW.PINTEREST.COM/ HOMEANDDECORSG

18

DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY OR SUBSCRIBE AT

WWW.HOMEANDDECOR.COM.SG/MAGAZINE

<äő ̠̞ łäŅ ÚäĢő ĩƅ a single issue (UP: $6) or ̣̞ łäŅ ÚäĢő ĩƅ ÁĢ annual subscription (UP: $72)! Details at www. homeanddecor.com.sg/ promotions.

NOW AVAILABLE AT

IN THE JANUARY DIGITAL ISSUE… PLAY ON PALETTE Simple can be beautiful. Find out how both was achieved in this chic HDB home.

BONUS GALLERIES & VIDEOS SMART DESIGN See more of this posh suite designed with a sleek style and modern conveniences.

THE RIGHT TOUCH Take a walk through this home that comes with elegant touches ÁĢà àäʼnĆúĢäŅ Ɖ ÁĆŅ͠ 19

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

T H E B R E AT H OF LIFE Flowers are an essential part of home decorating, not only because they soften the look of a room, but also because they remind us of the beauty, fragility and, above all, impermanence of life. When selecting blossoms for the home at springtime, the latest trend this year is to consider using long-stemmed cuttings, such as irises, đÐ °Ââʣ °° âʣ éî°Ûâ É ­Ðâé ĞÐú Þâʣ °É

light cream shades. Allow the delicate blooms to become the focal point by presenting them in a vase with a clean silhouette. Make sure to leave plenty of âÛ éú É é­ ĞÐú Þâ so you can inject a sense of lightness and elegance to the arrangement. These Hurricane vessels from Ro – ( f ro m l e f t ) Fl owe r Vase N o. 1 , Hurri c ane te a l i g ht N o. 2 5 and Hurri cane N o. 26 – are available from P5 Studio. P ri ce s ran ge f rom $5 5 to $ 220.

text YOUNG LIM

21

C O LO U R O F T H E M O N T H

CRIMSON TIDE Internationally renowned colour specialist Pantone recently announced that Coral Pink is its official colour of 2019, and the news has got everyone in the design circle talking. According to the leading colour expert: “Just as coral reefs are a source of sustenance and shelter to sea life, vibrant yet mellow Pantone 16-1546 Living Coral embraces us with warmth and nourishment to provide comfort and buoyancy in our continually shifting environment.” We’re not entirely sure what it means by buoyancy or why we need it to survive, but we can say that this bright orange hue with a golden undertone does look uplifting and cheerful. At the same time, it also helps to draw muchneeded discussion on the need for reef conservation, in order to preserve this alluring colour in our ocean.

LIVING CORAL PANTONE 16-1546

the expert says

YO U NG LIM Editor

22

“Pantone advises that the Living Coral colour be used in shag rugs, cosy blankets and lush upholstery to create a warm, comforting and nurturing feeling in the home. In my opinion, local

homeowners can consider using it in curtains and cushion covers to add a pop of colour to the room, and complement that with wooden furniture, to accentuate the beauty of the natural grain.”

This radiant hue is best contrasted against a neutral earth tone. Go for a beige, brown or pale blonde base.

NEWS

LUXE LO T U S Interesting, no? This chest-height Lotus cabinet is the result of the combined efforts of Indian luxury brand Secret Splendour, which was inspired by the sacredness of the lotus, and Italian designer Matteo Cibic, who is known for his surreal ideas. Whimsical, ornate and divine at the same time, the cabinet dazzles with its glossy teal and green resin and brass inlay. Its sheer size makes it ideal for commercial spaces, as well as homes. Price u pon requ est . Vi sit www. s carle tsp l end ou r. co m, an d www. gregnatale.com.

Hot Seat In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the iconic Sacco beanbag chair, W. Atelier, in partnership with Zanotta, invited local talents to design and recreate their version of this furniture piece, with the theme “Urban Living the Asian Way”. The top 10 designs were recently unveiled, including three winning designs, which will be exhibited in the Zanotta showroom in Milan next month. The winners are Jarrod Lim from Jarrod Lim Design, Karyn Lim and Tiffany Loy.

All 10 des ign s of th e Sa cco b ea n bag cha ir will be showcased at W. Atelier flags h ip showroom a n d t he Nat ion al Des ign Cen t re in Sin gapore on July 2 , 2019.

Celebrating Design

TILE OF THE MONTH

Renowned and leading interior designer Kelly Hoppen has launched The Kelly Hoppen International Design Awards, with the aim of recognising and celebrating interior design excellence. Submission for the inaugural competition opens till Jan 31, with the award ceremony to take place at Design Shanghai in March 2019. With categories such as residential interiors, hotel interiors, restaurant interiors, commercial interiors, product design, lighting design, and architecture, as well as a new talent award, the competition will celebrate all facets of the industry.

Property Curation

Textures and Patterns 'űäͿÚÁőÚĂĆĢú łÁőőäŅĢäà őĆěäʼn ĆĢ űĩŖŅ Ăĩġä ĩĢ ūÁěěʼn ÁĢà Ɖ ĩĩŅʼn can easily make the look of your home iconic and unique – such as in the Alabama porcelain tile collection. The decorative patterns are combined with textural vein designs to help add dimension and depth to surfaces. The Alabama porcelain tile collection is available at H afary, 1 0 5 E u n o s Ave nu e 3 .

24

Search for your dream home easily with newly launched property search portal Mogul.sg. The keyword-based search engine uses custom keywords – generated from the Singapore Land Authority’s Onemap geospatial data – to optimise its results, so potential buyers can also configure their property search along MRT lines.

EDITOR’S CHOICE

C A S T I N S TO N E Italian designer Matteo Leorato took inspiration from Venetian architecture for his design of the Loggia series of coffee tables, which are made entirely of terrazzo. Specialising in the use of marble, Matteo enjoys exploring new patterns and ways of incorporating the material into his works. The popularity of terrazzo is seeing a comeback, so the Loggia tables are right on-trend! See Matteo Leorato’s complete collection at www.matteoleorato. it. The Loggia table is available at www.1 stdi b s.com .

Kitchen Goals Keep your kitchen free of clutter with the Kitchenminis range of compact and space-saving appliances including a smoothie maker, one-litre glass kettle, two-egg cooker, steamer and chopper. Made

of Cromargan stainless steel casing and with brushed surfaces that have high matte finish, these timeless appliances are designed to complement any interior style.

E C O - F R I E N D LY 'ŪäŅ ʼnääĢ Á ūÁěě ƈĢĆʼnĂĆĢú ūĂĆÚĂ àĩäʼn Ģĩő ĩĢěű ěĩĩė úĩĩà͡ ÙŖő ÚÁĢ Áěʼnĩ Ăäěł łŖŅĆùű őĂä ÁĆŅ ÁĢà ÁÙʼnĩŅÙ ġĩĆʼnőŖŅäͧ ŖŅĆĩĢ Ćʼn ĆĢúÁłĩŅäΎʼn ƈŅʼnő ĢÁőŖŅÁě łÁĆĢő ĩłőĆĩĢ ġÁàä ĩù ÁĢ ĩŅúÁĢĆÚ ġÁőäŅĆÁě ÚÁěěäà #ĆÁőĩġ͡ ūĂĆÚĂ͡ őĂŅĩŖúĂ äŰőäĢʼnĆŪä ŅäʼnäÁŅÚĂ ÁĢà àäŪäěĩłġäĢő͡ ĂÁʼn łŅĩŪäĢ őĩ Ùä ĩàĩŖŅěäʼnʼn͡ ġĩĆʼnőŖŅäͿÁÙʼnĩŅÙäĢő͡ ÁĢőĆͿÙÁÚőäŅĆÁě͡ ġĩŖěàͿłŅĩĩù͡ ƈŅäͿŅäőÁŅàÁĢő͡ àŖŅÁÙěä ÁĢà äŪäĢ ÁĆŅͿłŖŅĆùűĆĢú͠ Ăä őäÁġ Áő ŖŅĆĩĢ ©Áěě ĂÁʼn ÚŅäÁőäà Á ūĆàä ʼnäěäÚőĆĩĢ ĩù ̢̦ ÚĩěĩŖŅʼn ÁĢà ʼnĆŰ őäŰőŖŅäʼn ĆĢÚěŖàĆĢú ġÁŅÙěäͿ ěĩĩė͡ ÙŅĆÚėͿĆĢʼnłĆŅäà ÁĢà ʼnĆěėͿőäŰőŖŅäà͠

Ap pl i ance s f ro m th e W M F K i tch e nmi ni s rang e retail from $89 (c h opp er) . Fi n d o u t more at www. wmf.sg, or at one o f th e 20 WMF con cep t stores i sl an dwi de.

Learn mo re abo ut Pu rion Wa ll a t it s showroom, #01-75, Midview City, 22 Sin M ing L ane, www.pu rion .com.s g.

NOW AND ZEN

ÙÁőĂőŖÙʼn ĩù Ćőʼn ·äĢ

ÙÁőĂőŖÙʼn͠ ěě

ÚĩěěäÚőĆĩĢ͡ űĩŖ ūĆěě

łÁĆʼnäŅ łŅĩàŖÚőʼn

ʼnää Á ƈ Ģä ÙÁěÁĢÚä

ÁŅä ĂÁĢàÚŅÁùőäà

©ÁőäŅ Ćʼn ÁĢ

ÙäőūääĢ ĂÁŅà ÁĢà

ùŅĩġ łÁĆʼnäŅ

ĆġłĩŅőÁĢő äěäġäĢő

ʼnĩùő ěĆĢäʼn ÁĢà őĂä

`ÁŅÙěä͡ Á ÙěäĢà ĩù

ĆĢ ġäàĆőÁőĆĩĢ ʼnĩ͡

ġäŅúäŅ ĩù úäĩġäőŅű

ŅäłŖŅłĩʼnäà ġÁŅÙěä͡

ĢÁőŖŅÁěěű͡ ÙÁőĂūÁŅä

ÁĢà ʼnŖÙőěäőű͠ Ăä

ʼnőĩĢä ÁĢà ġĆĢäŅÁěʼn͠

ěÁÙäě łÁĆʼnäŅ őÁėäʼn

·äĢ ÙÁʼnĆĢ ÁĢà

ÙÁőĂĆĢú őĩ Ùä ÁĢ

ŖőěäŅΎʼn ŅÁű͡ Áěʼnĩ

äńŖÁěěű ġäàĆőÁőĆŪä

ĆĢ Á ʼnĩùő ūĂĆőä ĂŖä

äŰłäŅĆäĢÚä͠

ÁĢà ĆĢʼnłĆŅäà Ùű

ĂŅĩŖúĂ őĂä ĩŪÁě

UÁłÁĢäʼnä ÚäŅÁġĆÚʼn͡

See t he Zen collect ion at the Apaiser s h owroom, 2 3 Mos que St reet , tel: 62 2 3- 2 378 , www. apa is er.com .

ÁĢà ŅĩŖĢà ġÁŅÙěä

ÚĩġłěäġäĢő őĂä

25

CHARACTER-FILLED What does rockstar-themed furniture look like? Commune shows you, with the latest Volta furniture collection. Featuring bold contrasts and a marriage between elegant and rustic elements such as walnut wood and leather finishes respectively, the furniture pieces in this collection are chic and full of character. Take the Volta side chair for example (right). Its solid walnut frame contrasts with steel stretchers and leg caps in a matte brass finish. The chair seat and back is upholstered in genuine black leather for that cushy, luxurious feel.

The Volta co ll e ct i o n com pri s es a di ni ng t abl e, di n i ng c hai r, en d tabl e, si d eb oard , co ffe e t abl e and TV un i t . Sho p t he new collection at Co mm une f l ags hi p store, # 02- 52, Mi ll eni a Wal k.

SLEEK S U R FAC E S

Play House Make your kid’s room a fun, stylish and safe space to live in. Flexa’s latest collection — Flexa Classic House —is designed to transform into a small playhouse complete with window boxes and even a chimney. Available ĆĢ ŪÁŅĆĩŖʼn ÚĩĢƈ úŖŅÁőĆĩĢʼn ʼnŖÚĂ Áʼn őĂä Full House, Half Classic House and Midsleeper with a Half Classic House, customise according to your kid’s preferences, needs and even to your interior design style at home. Ch ec k o ut F lexa C la ss i c H o u s e at their showrooms, #01-33 to 35 Uni ted S quare, #03 -3 8 i1 2 Kato n g , a n d # 02 - 2 2 Fo r u m t he S h o p p in g M a l l.

26

Leading surface specialist Cosentino has launched a new range of colours for its Dekton and Silestone collections. Inspired by materials such as cement and natural marble, the new colours in Dekton’s ultra-compact surface Industrial collection include four matte options – Laos, Soke, Kreta and Lunar – which have detailed aesthetics and a variety of shades from dark to light grey. For the Silestone quartz Loft series, go for the Brooklyn and Silver Lake options if you’d like a cement- or concrete-look surface. As for natural stone-inspired looks, choose the Vera and Kira, which are elegant and mimic the look of Gris Pulpis marble.

Check out t h e n ew Dekton and Sileston e ran ge at Cosentino City Center, 34/35 Duxton Roa d.

PRADA APL E N T Y Luxury fashion brand Prada’s new creative lab, Atelier Lab, launched a collection of fragrances with bottle sleeves inspired by signature patterns iconic to the brand. The fragrance bottle covers can be customised from a selection of six graphic designs, which were featured in various Prada fashion collections over the years. The ÁƆÁĢĩͿʼnőűěä Ùĩőőěä ÚÁʼnäʼn ÁŅä äŪäĢ made to measure for La Femme Prada and L’Homme Prada.

Shop t h e Atelier L a b collect ion at www. pra da .com .

Ad d to ca rt

PIECE O F C AK E New online store Piece of Cake has launched a line-up of small accessories. First on its list of brands is Thai label Labrador Factory, which uses recycled full-grain cow leather to create key jackets, travel wallets and table trays. You can even choose the colour of the leather, like green or grey, when purchasing the table trays. Minimal chemicals have been applied to the leather, and the brand focuses on achieving the most natural feel of leather. Watch this space for more brands and updates. Vi si t www. sg l abrado rfacto ry. w ixsi te.co m /p i e ce ofcake.

B L AC K I N S T Y L E Create the perfect all-black kitchen with Turbo’s range of black appliances. The Turbo Incanto Chimney hood TD8188 has an air flow of 900 cubic metres per hour and a four-speed touch panel, while the Incanto Multi-Function Oven TFM628T – awarded an A-class energy rating – features an easy-toclean enamel interior, five removable shelves, and eight functions, so you can bake cookies and roast meats. The T702GV-BK hob is made with Schott glass for extra durability and produces flames at the energy-efficient angle of 45 degrees. Vis it Turb o’s exc lusive s h owroom at Meng Kee & Co, 55 Jalan Besar, tel: 6294-377 1. The products are also availab le at al l gas , elec tric al, h a rdwa re and s anit aryware dealers .

27

THE RIGHT SHADE Operated via a single remote control, the wind-, water-, and UV-resistant Lagune can be installed on three sides of a balcony, easily turning it into an “indoor” area. The retractable terrace cover lets just the right amount of sun in and features concealed drainage gutters for the rain, preventing water from splashing into the balcony. You can also opt for LED lights and ƉÁő łÁĢäě ʼnłäÁėäŅʼn őĩ Ùä ĆĢÚěŖàäà͡ giving you the freedom to create the ambience you want. Re nso n L agun e is ava i la b le in 1 0 co l o u rs i n cl u d i ng b l a c k , g rey, mustard and blue. Find it at MC2, #01-28, Vertex Building, 33 Ubi Ave n ue 3, te l: 6 63 4-73 3 3 .

NEUE IN STORES TRENDING

Waste Not

There is actually a lot that goes into creating the perfect bin, from odour and soft-closing mechanisms to the fit of its liners and recycling efforts. Designers then condense this into chic vessels which now include fingerprint-resistant finishes and vibrant colours. Take a look at these trendy bins and you’ll know what we mean.

2

28

3

1

4

1 . Joseph Joseph 24L Stack Bin, $109, from Redmart 2 . Simplehuman 55L Rectangular Step Bin in Rose Gold, $369, from Robinsons 3 . Brabantia 20L New Icon Pedal Bin in Moss Green, $168, from Robinsons 4 . Rotho 40L Stepbin in Patchwork, $119, from Hipvan

text DOMENICA TAN, ELIZA HAMIZAH

Skeletal in design, the Neue Chair is made up of strong yet lightweight materials. This computer chair comes under Neue, Secretlab’s latest subsidiary. So confident are they about this launch, that the chair comes with a 12-year warranty. The durable three-layer mesh blend (which includes Dupont Yarn) promises to feel good on the skin, while the aluminium alloy used for the wheelbase and backspin offers durability. To adjust the height, simply squeeze the Controlshift hand levers located at the handrests. The Silver ($999) and Ob sid ian ($1,149) Neu e ch airs are availa ble on Lazad a, Sh opee a n d Secret lab’s webs ite. The Obsidian features ad di tio nal in du st ria l plating to increase resist ance to corros ion . Visit www.s ecret lab.co.

N E W S TO R E

IN ALL SHAPES & FORMS

F

rom retro kitchen-range cabinets and French vanity desks to a series of acacia wood furniture, local retailer Born in Colour’s diverse collection is one worth seeing in person. Head down to Apex @ Henderson, where the local brand – which was launched in 2014 – has opened the doors to its second studio. The 2,000 sq ft space is home to the aforementioned signature collections, as well as many new ones, including wooden and granite dining sets, sofa sets, and compact dresser consoles ideal for small spaces. Thanks to its collaboration

with Spin, you will also be able to find stylish ceiling fans to complement Born in Colour’s furniture pieces. The local brand has also partnered School of Clay Arts Salon to feature and sell unique clay art pieces by local hobbyists and students. Visit Born in Colour at #07-11 Apex @ Henderson, 201 Henderson Road, tel: 6988-3308, www.bornincolour. com.

S P OT L I G H T ’ S O N YO U

Y

ou know Spotlight as the go-to store for fabric, DIY craft projects, and party essentials but did you know about its wide and stylish range of home accessories? Set a day to explore its new Westgate store, which spans a massive 25,800 sq ft, to check out its range of chic quilt cover sets, rugs in all styles and sizes, and printed cushion covers. You can also count on the Australian brand to have decor like faux plants, vases and table accessories, as well as essentials like indoor blinds, laundry baskets and soap dispensers.

Visit the new Spotlight store at Level 3, Westgate Shopping Centre, 3 Gateway Drive, www.spotlight. com.sg.

text ELIZA HAMIZAH

29

LIVING

1 2

FEELING BLUE

5

Created by the French (it was known as serge de Nimes) and popularised by early American settlers in the 19th century, denim is a hardy cotton material that looks as good on your furnishings as it does on you. Here are our favourite picks.

3

4

6

7

8

9

10 30

Faux Denim laminate, price upon request, from Lamitak. 2 . Camberley Eton Denim fabric by Villa Nova, price upon request, from Tatum. 3 . Beads sofa and cover, $219, from Muji. 4 . Sanctum denim fabric three-seater sofa, $476, from

5 . Patterned denim fabric, price upon request, from Onlewo. 6 . Retro denimstyle FAB28RDB fridge, $3,580, from Smeg. 7. Saga armchair by Bolia, from $2,543, from Kuhl Home.

by Eilersen, from $7,428, from Danish Design Co. 9. Massimo silk rug (80x200cm), from $290, from Danish Design Co. 1 0. Simply Denim Wash fabric by Mark Alexander, price upon request, from Tatum.

H O T S P OT

WA L D O R F A S T O R I A B A N G KO K A design masterpiece with past and present intertwined.

TO P The imposing 57-storey building stands out prominently among other developments. B ELOW, LEF T Muted colours inject elegance into the hotel spaces. B ELOW, R I GHT The hotel’s design is influenced by traditional Thai architecture.

S

outh-east Asia’s first Waldorf Astoria hotel recently opened in the heart of Thailand’s capital. Located in Magnolias Ratchadamri Boulevard – a dazzling, sculptural, 57-storey high-rise building that celebrates its floral namesake through design – the luxurious hotel is an ode to legacy and modernity at the same time, combining references to the past and the present day.

“My notion is to reflect on the past, think through it, absorb it, digest it and then come up with something that is relevant to the modern world,” says Andre Fu of Hong Kong-based studio Afso, who designed most of the hotel’s spaces. The top three floors, which comprise three dining concepts, were shaped by design firm Avroko. “The inspiration for the Waldorf Astoria Bangkok is born of my personal reflection on many artisanal aspects of Thai culture, infusing these elements with what I felt would evoke the quintessential Waldorf Astoria experience,” adds Fu. “I was also hugely influenced by the Art Deco motifs in the original Waldorf Astoria New York and I sought to challenge myself, with the goal to juxtapose these elements in a new form of expression in the Bangkok hotel.” On the ground level, an 8m-high lobby lined in white Carrara marble welcomes guests; the atmosphere is sophisticated, with a residential feel. Floor-to-ceiling burnished bronze screens wrought into an

text KARINE MONIE Photos WALDORF ASTORIA BANGKOK

intricate lattice are combined with Art Deco motifs and silhouettes of arched fingers, drawing from Thai classical dance. “We have choreographed a scenography for when guests arrive,” says Fu. Also on this floor is Front Room, an 80-seat, contemporary Thai-inspired Nordic cuisine restaurant, which features an open kitchen and a lighting installation inspired by floating glass lanterns used during Yi Peng Festival in northern Thailand. Spanning levels six to 15 with floor-to-ceiling windows, the 171 guest rooms and suites offer the comforts of home, and are decorated with large wood furniture pieces, artworks and artisanal pieces that pay homage to the local culture. To complete the ultimate luxury experience, Waldorf Astoria Bangkok also includes several event spaces, a fitness studio and a spa. Guests will agree that no detail has been spared in creating one of South-east Asia’s hottest new destinations. Visit https://waldorfastoria3.hilton. com for more information.

31

H O T S P OT

LE F T The hotel owes the stately look of its facade to the building’s former past as a Neoclassical church.

B OT TOM There are plenty of interesting art installations gracing the spaces within the property.

B E LOW The design of the interiors is vibrant and lively, with pops of colour and patterns.

LINE DC Washington D.C.’s new social hub delivers thoughtful design and culinary delights in an eclectic atmosphere.

G

randiose and charming are two adjectives that well describe Washington D.C. With landmarks and museums all over the city, it is a must-visit destination, especially for those interested in American history and culture. Located in the Adams Morgan neighbourhood, the Line DC draws inspiration from the surrounding community, home to cafes, bookshops, flower shops, vintage boutiques, live music acts and restaurants offering a diversity of cuisine – including Ethiopian, Salvadoran, Vietnamese, West African, Middle Eastern, Japanese, Peruvian and more. The hotel occupies a 110-year-

32

old Neoclassical church that was recently remodelled. Owned by Sydell Group – the hospitality company behind the Freehand and Nomad hotels, among others – the historic building features interior spaces with strong personality, in the form of 18m-high vaulted ceilings, brass detailing, large copper entry doors and church organ pipes that have been transformed into chandeliers. In addition to the old structure, the hotel also has a contemporary addition, linked to the legacy section through the lobby. The majestic architecture transports anyone who steps foot inside to another world. The rich palette of colours and materials adds touches of warmth, and the contemporary pieces of furniture create balance. In every area of the Line DC, the creativity of the local community pervades in a timeless atmosphere.

Chef and restaurateur Spike Gjerde and bar director Corey Polyoka put their talent at the service of A Rake’s Progress restaurant, A Rake’s bar, and The Cup We All Race 4 coffee shop; while Spoken English, an exclusive 12-guest bar, expresses chef Erik Bruner-Yang’s interpretation of a Japanese tachinomiya. The 220 guest rooms are adorned with wood, brass, linen, leather and granite detailing. Living plants, textiles, micro-libraries stocked by local store Idle Times Books, custom bookends by furniture maker and musician Jonah Takagi, and artworks and photographs (3,000 in total) created by artists from the area are some of the many surprises to discover and enjoy inside the guest rooms and around the common areas. Visit www.thelinehotel.com to find out more about The Line D.C..

text KARINE MONIE Photos ADRIAN GAUT, GARY WILLIAMS AND JAMES JACKSON

H O T S P OT

LITTLE ALBION GUEST HOUSE Sydney is home to a small hotel with big history.

C

ressida Kennedy, founder of Australian design studio Space Control – launched in 2010 – wants to tell unique stories through her interior design projects. She expresses herself through spaces that echo their locales – communicating, through their unique designs, their purpose as well as cultural, social and historic aspects. Her latest project exemplifies that approach. Opened in July, in Surry Hills, an inner city suburb of Sydney, Little Albion Guest House is a boutique hotel designed in collaboration with designer Connie Alessi. The hotel occupies a former Federation-era convent, which dates back to 1903, and a new adjacent, angular white brick, steel and glass extension, which makes

reference to the neighbouring Brutalist architecture that was developed in the latter part of the 20th century. “I love every stage of the process and, particularly, the early phase of discovery, especially when working with an existing building,” Kennedy says, “I was compelled to deliver quite a strong 1970s feel to the extension by incorporating one of the hallmarks of that period: the sunken lounge. From this foundation point, we threaded the design aesthetics of both the 1920s and the 1970s, in order to create an altogether engaging and inspiring interior.” The public areas of Little Albion Guest House (the lounge, bar and terrace) and its 35 rooms feature a mix of colours, textures, floral and geometric motifs (for example, through the original printed linen curtains by Kerrie Brown Designs, and the cement tiles) and materials (such as the classic marble flooring). A few bold elements are combined with pieces of wooden furniture, and brass and marble details.

Photographs by renowned artist Nicholas Samartis adorn the inspiring spaces of the hotel, where high ceilings, irregular alcoves and tight angles have been preserved from the original building. In order to create consistency among all areas, Kennedy included terrazzo tiles, timber-panelled ceilings and graphic motif-papered walls in the new extension, constantly connecting the old with the new. Visit www.littlealbion.com.au for

A B OV E , L E FT Quirky artworks and colourful accents greet guests at the entrance of the hotel. RIGHT The ambience is more muted and elegant in the rooms. B ELOW The designer turned various architectural elements of the building into interesting features of the interior design.

more information.

text KARINE MONIE photos TOM FERGUSON

33

HOT SPOT

W

NORDIC NUANCES Former Noma chef Thomas Frebel’s new restaurant in the heart of bustling Tokyo is an invigorating blend of Japanese and Nordic heritage.

34

hen a former chef from the world’s best restaurant opens a restaurant in Tokyo, you can expect not just an exciting menu, but also an uberchic interior that offers an unparalleled dining experience. Inua (from the Inuit term, “the life force that runs through nature”), a 60-seat eatery helmed by chef Thomas Frebel, is a partnership with chef Rene Redzepi (co-owner of Noma) and Kadokawa Corporation. “Thomas Frebel is a man who knows what he wants. He spent a year researching in Japan to find the best food makers and local ingredients,” says Thomas Lykke, head of design and founder of OEO Studio, a Copenhagen-based

firm which worked on Inua’s interior. “The brief was to design a unique destination, a place like no other that blends Nordic design with Japanese.” Much like the menu which focuses on Nordicinfluenced dishes with Japanese ingredients, the 700 sq m restaurant space also reflects a novel blend of Japanese and Nordic elements, creating a whole new aesthetic to wow guests and put them at ease at the same time. “Inua is an abundance of tactility and materiality and all colours are carefully picked and created. It is a subtle and muted palette where there is a clear thread and connection,” says OEO managing partner AnneMarie Buemann.

LEFT The entrance to the restaurant is bright, airy and welcoming. RIGHT Natural light fills much of the space in the restaurant. MIDD LE, R IG HT Chef Thomas Frebel. BELOW The mix of grey hues and wooden textures results in a unique look with an East-meetsWest feel.

good to know To achieve a subtle Scandinavian look in a space, opt for muted tones and wooden furnishings.

“We have created an ambience that is relaxed and embracing. The styling and furniture is a mix of old and new, and bespoke elements.” At the start of the design process, a material mood board consisting of Denmarksourced materials was created. The design team went on to find alternative products in Japan that had the same values of materiality but were slightly different in size, shape and finish. “Our vision for the design of Inua is to have Japanese people feel that it is very Nordic and, on the other hand, we want the Westerners to have the feeling that it is very Japanese in spirit,” explains Thomas Lykke. A colour palette of muted warm grey hues, blue, green and burnt clay tones runs through the restaurant, with darker and lighter shades used to divide the space and provide ambient zoning. Enhancing the overall interior design is the ceiling grid design inspired by the lines of tatami flooring. “We’ve carefully planned the space so that no matter where you are inside, you’ll always text JACQUELINE TAN

have a great view of the kitchen and the lounge, etc. It has a homey feel to it and is inspired by Danish architecture from the ’60s and ’70s,” says Thomas Lykke. More than just bespoke elements, Inua also boasts elegant custom pieces specially designed by OEO Studio. “The tables and dining chairs in the private dining room are from the Jari collection (“jari” means pebbles in Japanese), made in collaboration with Danish makers Brdr. Kruger,” says Anne-Marie. “The table tops resemble pebble stones when spread out in the dining room. They are ‘soft’ in look and are slightly asymmetrical. The Jari chair has a sleekly crafted backrest that resembles both a perfectly shaped stone at the beach or driftwood shaped by nature over time.” Inua’s beautiful Japaneseinspired details interpreted with a Nordic edge pay homage to cultural influences and, at the same time, are a nod to Danish strong traditions in carpentry and cabinet making. Inua, 2-13-12 Fujimi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8552 Japan.

35

www.herworld.com/weddings EVERYTHING YOU'LL EVER NEED TO HAVE THE PERFECT WEDDING IDEAS WE LOVE The hottest trends for the ideal celebration.

WEDDING ADVICE Tips and creative ideas to help you prep for your big day.

FASHION Stylish gowns, stunning jewellery, sensational makeup, and super suits for the groom.

Her World Brides Singapore

Scan this QR code to visit us now!

@herworldbrides

@herworldbrides

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

FLAMES OF PA S S I O N Now entering its 131st ye a r, L a l i q u e h a s earned a reputation as one of the world’s great crystalware manufacturers, with its mastery of traditional techniques and understanding of light, transparency and colour that result in the creation of precious works of art.

W

hether it was jewellery, tableware, perfume bottles, vases, objets d’art, luxury car mascots, furniture, lighting, wall decorations or architectural elements, visionary artist ReneJules Lalique, born in 1860 in Ay in the Marne region of France, was outstanding in everything he designed. He left his mark on the Art Nouveau and Art Deco movements. ěäÁàĆĢú ƈ úŖŅä ĆĢ ĔäūäěěäŅű and decorative arts in the 19thand 20th-centuries in his time, he was beloved both by royalty and the artistic elite. He had said: “I work relentlessly, with the will to arrive at a new result and to create something never seen before.”

37

SPOTLIGHT

3

4

2

1 5

Man with a vision Hailed as the father of modern jewellery design, Rene apprenticed with jeweller Louis Aucoc and studied gold smithing and design at the Decorative Arts School in Paris, before working for celebrated brands like Boucheron, Vever and Cartier. He started his own business in 1888. Inspired by classical antiquity, Japonism, Byzantine and Florentine art, nature and the female body, the avant-gardist ornamented his creations with unconventional materials, combining gold and precious stones with semiprecious gems, enamel, glass, leather, horn, ivory and motherof-pearl. His philosophy was this: “Better to seek beauty than Ɖ ÁŖĢő ěŖŰŖŅű͠Ό 38

Rene then moved into the glassmaking industry at the height of his jewellery career for the 1900 World’s Fair in Paris, thereafter abandoning jewellery-making in 1912 to concentrate solely on glass, tired of his jewels being counterfeited. By 1920, he became known as a master glassmaker and, a year later, built a glassworks factory in Wingen-sur-Moder, Alsace – the only Lalique crystal production facility in äŰĆʼnőäĢÚä őĩàÁű͡ ūĂĆÚĂ ūÁʼn well-forested at a time when ūĩĩàͿƈ Ņäà ĩŪäĢʼn ūäŅä Ŗʼnäà͠ Eschewing the multilayer, multicoloured glass produced by other glassmakers, he favoured clear and colourless glass and created forms displaying simplicity, balance and symmetry, by

1. A Lalique de Lalique perfume bottle designed in 1993. 2. Bacchantes vase designed by Rene-Jules Lalique in 1927. 3. Rene Lalique in 1903. 4. Lalique’s Bouquets de Fleurs crystal creations are featured on

6

the walls in the cabins of the Orient Express. 5. Crystal chandeliers gracing the halls of the Le Normandie ocean liner. 6. The Vesta necklace was launched in 2012, marking Lalique’s return to jewellery making.

äŰłäŅĆġäĢőĆĢú ūĆőĂ őĂä äƅ äÚőʼn ĩù őŅÁĢʼnłÁŅäĢÚű͡ ĩłÁÚĆőű ÁĢà ĩłÁěäʼnÚäĢÚä ĆĢĂäŅäĢő ĆĢ őĂä ġÁőäŅĆÁě͠ Dä ƈ ěäà ̟̣ łÁőäĢőʼn ÙäőūääĢ ̧̧̟̞ ÁĢà ̧̡̟̤͠

HÚĩĢĆÚ ÙäúĆĢĢĆĢúʼn ĩġä ĩù ĂĆʼn ĢĩőÁÙěä ÚĩġġĆʼnʼnĆĩĢäà ūĩŅė ĆĢÚěŖàä őĂä àäʼnĆúĢ ĩù àäÚĩŅÁőĆĩĢʼn ùĩŅ őĂä ěäúäĢàÁŅű gŅĆäĢő 'ŰłŅäʼnʼn őŅÁĆĢ ÁĢà őĂä ĩÚäÁĢ ěĆĢäŅ Zä aĩŅġÁĢàĆä͡ őĂä ěŖġĆĢĩŖʼn ùĩŖĢőÁĆĢ ŅäłŅäʼnäĢőĆĢú őĂä ʼnłŅĆĢúʼn ĩù ;ŅÁĢÚä ġĩŖĢőäà ĩĢ őĂä äʼnłěÁĢÁàä ĩù Zäʼn HĢŪÁěĆàäʼn ĆĢ ÁŅĆʼn͡ őĂä àĩĩŅʼn ĩù őĂä łÁěÁÚä ĩù ŅĆĢÚä ʼnÁėÁ ¯ÁʼnŖĂĆėĩ ĆĢ ĩėűĩ͡ ÁĢà őĂä ÚŅĩʼnʼn͡ ÁěőÁŅ ÁĢà ūĆĢàĩūʼn ĩù aĩőŅä #Áġä àä ;ĆàäěĆőä ÚĂŖŅÚĂ ĆĢ ÁěŪÁàĩʼn͠ łĩĢ äĢäΎʼn àäÁőĂ ĆĢ ̧̢̟̣͡ ĂĆʼn ʼnĩĢ͡ `ÁŅÚ͡ łŅĩłäěěäà őĂä ʼnĂĆùő ùŅĩġ ġĆàͿŅÁĢúä͡ ŖőĆěĆőÁŅĆÁĢ úěÁʼnʼn őĩ ĂĆúĂͿäĢà ÚŅűʼnőÁě͡ ÁĢà őĂä ZÁěĆńŖä ùÁÚőĩŅű ĂÁʼn ġÁĢŖùÁÚőŖŅäà ĩĢěű ÚŅűʼnőÁěūÁŅä ʼnĆĢÚä͠ ŅűʼnőÁě Ćʼn úěÁʼnʼn ÚĩĢőÁĆĢĆĢú Áő ěäÁʼnő ̢̠ łäŅ ÚäĢő ěäÁà ĩŰĆàä͡ őĂä ĆĢúŅäàĆäĢő őĂÁő úĆŪäʼn Ćő Ćőʼn ūäĆúĂő͡ ÙŅĆěěĆÁĢÚä ÁĢà ʼnĩĢĩŅĆőű͠ gőĂäŅ ŅÁū ġÁőäŅĆÁěʼn ĩù ʼnĆěĆÚÁ͡ łĩőÁʼnĂ͡ ÚŖěěäő ΁ ÁĢà ġäőÁě ĩŰĆàäʼn ùĩŅ ÚĩěĩŖŅäà ÚŅűʼnőÁě͡ ʼnŖÚĂ Áʼn ÚĩÙÁěő ĩŰĆàä őĩ ĩÙőÁĆĢ ÙěŖä ΁ ÁŅä ġĆŰäà ĆĢ łŅĩłĩŅőĆĩĢʼn

őĂÁő ŅäġÁĆĢ ʼnäÚŅäő͠ ©ĆőĂ ̡̠̞ äġłěĩűääʼn͡ ĆĢÚěŖàĆĢú ʼnĆŰ ūĆőĂ őĂä ĂĆúĂěű ÚĩġłäőĆőĆŪä őĆőěä ĩù äʼnő ŅÁùőʼnġÁĢ ĩù ;ŅÁĢÚä łŅäʼnäŅŪĆĢú ÁĢÚäʼnőŅÁě ʼnÁŪĩĆŅͿùÁĆŅä͡ őĂä ̠̞̞͡​̞​̞ ʼnń ġ ùÁÚőĩŅű łŅĩàŖÚäʼn ĂÁěù Á ġĆěěĆĩĢ ĂÁĢàÚŅÁùőäà Ćőäġʼn ÁĢĢŖÁěěű͠

8

;ĩŅúäà ĆĢ ƈ Ņä Hő őÁėäʼn ĩŪäŅ Á àĩŹäĢ űäÁŅʼn őĩ ńŖÁěĆùű Áʼn Á ġÁʼnőäŅ úěÁʼnʼnġÁėäŅ͡ ÁĢà őĂä ƈ ĢĆʼnĂäà łŅĩàŖÚő àäłäĢàʼn ĩĢ őĂä ÁěÚĂäġű ÙäőūääĢ őĂä ÚŅäÁőĆŪä őäÁġΎʼn ʼnäĢʼnĆÙĆěĆőű ÁĢà őĂä ÁŅőĆʼnÁĢʼnΎ ʼnėĆěěʼn͠ 'ěäŪäĢ ĆĢͿ ĂĩŖʼnä àäʼnĆúĢäŅʼn ĆĢ ÁŅĆʼn Ŗʼnä őŅÁàĆőĆĩĢÁě őäÚĂĢĆńŖäʼn ʼnŖÚĂ Áʼn àŅÁūĆĢú ÁĢà ġĩàäěěĆĢú͡ ÁĢà Ģäū őäÚĂĢĩěĩúĆäʼn͡ őĂÁĢėʼn őĩ àĆúĆőÁěĆʼnÁőĆĩĢ ÁĢà ̡Ϳ# łŅĆĢőĆĢú͡ ÙäùĩŅä őĂä łŅĩàŖÚőĆĩĢ łŅĩÚäʼnʼn ÙäúĆĢʼn͠ ʼnĆĢúěä łĆäÚä ġÁű ŅäńŖĆŅä Ŗł őĩ ̢̞ ʼnőäłʼn͠ ZÁěĆńŖä łÁĆĢʼnőÁėĆĢúěű ùÁÙŅĆÚÁőäʼn ġĩŖěàʼn Ùű ġÁÚĂĆĢä͡ őĂäĢ ÁàĔŖʼnőʼn őĂäġ Ùű ĂÁĢà͡ ÙäùĩŅä úěÁʼnʼnġÁėäŅʼn ĆĢ őĂä ĂĩőͿúěÁʼnʼn ūĩŅėʼnĂĩłʼn ÙŅĆĢú ġĩěőäĢ ÚŅűʼnőÁě ĆĢ äěäÚőŅĆÚ ĩŅ łĩő ùŖŅĢÁÚäʼn őĩ äŰőŅäġäěű ĂĆúĂ őäġłäŅÁőŖŅäʼn ͳ̢̟̞͡​̞ àäú ʹ͠ ùőäŅ úÁőĂäŅĆĢú͡ ʼnĂÁłĆĢú͡ ŅäĂäÁőĆĢú ÁĢà ÚÁʼnőĆĢú őĂä ÚŅűʼnőÁě ĆĢ őĂä ġĩŖěà ŪĆÁ

7

7. Zaha Hadid’s Manifesto vase in midnight blue. 8. Green Lalique vase designed by artist Terry Rodgers. 9. Dancing elephant in amber, designed by Rembrandt Bugatti for Lalique. 0. The Prism exhibition was aunched this year at the Lalique museum. 1. Rene Lalique’s on, Marc, helmed he company, ollowing Rene’s death in 1945.

9

10

11

39

12

12. Creation of Lalique’s glass and crystal pieces requires an entire team of artisans, from firing to finish. 13. The process of applying enamel paint to the glass creations. 14. The lostwax technique to shape glass involves the use of plaster moulds. 15. Five per cent of all glass creations are rejected during the cold finishing stage.

various techniques (including blowing and pressing), the workers anneal it for one week, as otherwise the thermic shock would cause it to crack, shatter or explode. In the cold-glass workshops, once retouching, cutting, sculpting and engraving are carried out manually, the pieces ÁŅä łĩěĆʼnĂäà͡ ĩŅ ʼnÁőĆĢͿƈĢĆʼnĂäà by sandblasting or plunging in acid baths. The parts that have received protective surface treatments remain clear, whereas the uncovered parts become frosted. The contrast between transparency and satin ƈĢĆʼnĂĆĢú Ćʼn ZÁěĆńŖäΎʼn ʼnĆúĢÁőŖŅä style; playing with light and shadow, it gives relief to pieces. 13

Finishing touches Enamelling and gold or platinum painting add touches of colour 40

before the item is recooked at around 500 deg C, running the risk of deformation. ĂÁŅÁÚőäŅĆʼnőĆÚ ĩù ZÁěĆńŖä͡ őĂäʼnä cold-glass operations showing extreme attention to detail represent two thirds of the time spent on the manufacturing of each object. Approximately half of all products are rejected during the hot-glass procedures and 5 per cent during the coldglass ones. Items undergo at least 10 rigorous checks throughout the manufacturing process to ensure they satisfy quality standards in terms of technical (absence of defects) and aesthetic (faithfulness to the àäʼnĆúĢäŅΎʼn ĆĢőäĢőĆĩĢʼnʹ ÚŅĆőäŅĆÁ͠ Ăä ZÁěĆńŖä ĢÁġä Ćʼn ĂÁĢàͿ applied to certify authenticity ÁĢà ńŖÁěĆőű͡ Áʼn őĂä ƈĢÁě ʼnőäł͠ Created in 1927 by Rene, the best-selling Bacchantes vase decorated with female nudes

ĆĢ ÙÁʼnͿŅäěĆäù ÚÁěěʼn ùĩŅ ̡̞ ūĩŅė ĂĩŖŅʼn Ùű ̠̣ ÚŅÁùőʼnġäĢ͠ Ăä large Anemones vase requires ʼnäŪäĢ ĂĩőͿúěÁʼnʼn ūĩŅėäŅʼn͡ ūĂĩ úÁőĂäŅ ̠̣ėú ĩù ġĩěőäĢ ÚŅűʼnőÁě͡ ÚĩĢőŅĩě őĂä ĆġłŅĆĢőĆĢú ĩù őĂä àäÚĩŅÁőĆĩĢ͡ ÁĢà äĢʼnŖŅä őĂä úĩĩà àĆʼnőŅĆÙŖőĆĩĢ ĩù őĂä ÚŅűʼnőÁě ĆĢ őĂä ġĩŖěà͠ ĂĆʼn demands extreme dexterity ÁĢà őäÚĂĢĆÚÁě ġÁʼnőäŅű͡ ĆĢ őäŅġʼn ĩù őĂä ġĩŖěà őäġłäŅÁőŖŅä ÁĢà őĂä ńŖÁĢőĆőű ĩù ÚŅűʼnőÁě͠ 'ĆúĂő łäŅʼnĩĢʼn ÁĢà ĩŪäŅ őūĩ àÁűʼn ĩù ūĩŅė ÁŅä Ģääàäà ĔŖʼnő ùĩŅ őĂä ÚĩěàͿúěÁʼnʼn ĩłäŅÁőĆĩĢʼn͠

14

Intense sculpting work is ÚÁŅŅĆäà ĩŖő őĩ ŅäàäƈĢä äÁÚĂ anemone and remove seams, ÙŖÙÙěäʼn ÁĢà ĩőĂäŅ ƉÁūʼn͡ ūĂĆěä ġÁĢŖÁě łĩěĆʼnĂĆĢú Ćʼn ÁĢ äŰäŅÚĆʼnä ĆĢ łŅäÚĆʼnĆĩĢ őĩ ŅäÁÚĂ őĂä őĆĢĆäʼnő ĆġłäŅùäÚőĆĩĢʼn͠ ;ĆĢÁěěű͡ ̡̠̣̞͡ łĩĆĢőʼn ĩù äĢÁġäě ÁŅä łĩʼnĆőĆĩĢäà ùŅääĂÁĢà ĩĢ őĂä ÁĢäġĩĢä łĆʼnőĆěʼn͡ őĂäĢ Úĩĩėäà Áő ̣̟̞ àäú ĩŪäŅĢĆúĂő͠ Particularly complicated, detailed, extra-large or unique łĆäÚäʼn ÁŅä ÚÁʼnő ŖʼnĆĢú őĂä őĆġäͿ consuming and costly lost wax őäÚĂĢĆńŖä Ŗʼnäà Ùű äĢä ŖĢőĆě ̧̡̟̞͡ ūĂĆÚĂ ĆĢŪĩěŪäʼn ʼnĆĢúěäͿ Ŗʼnä łěÁʼnőäŅ ġĩŖěàʼn ĆĢʼnőäÁà ĩù ÚÁʼnőͿĆŅĩĢ ĩŅ ʼnőääě ġĩŖěàʼn͠ ĂĆʼn őäÚĂĢĆńŖä Ćʼn ūĆàäěű äġłěĩűäà ùĩŅ ZÁěĆńŖäΎʼn ÁŅőĆʼnőĆÚ editions introduced in 2011, ūĂĆÚĂ łěÁÚäʼn őĂä ʼnÁŪĩĆŅͿ ùÁĆŅä ĩù Ćőʼn ÁŅőĆʼnÁĢʼn Áő őĂä ʼnäŅŪĆÚä ĩù ÚĩĢőäġłĩŅÁŅű artists and designers like ¯Ūäʼn WěäĆĢ͡ äġÙŅÁĢàő ŖúÁőőĆ͡ #ÁġĆäĢ DĆŅʼnő͡ ĢĆʼnĂ WÁłĩĩŅ͡ äŅŅű ĩàúäŅʼn ÁĢà ·ÁĂÁ DÁàĆà͡ ūĂĩ ÙŅĆĢú Á Ģäū łäŅʼnłäÚőĆŪä őĩ őĂä ÙŅÁĢà͠ 15

VILLA RENE LALIQUE

As Rene-Jules Lalique’s main Alsatian residence built in 1920, the villa in Wingen-sur-Moder reopened in 2015 as a five-star hotel with six exclusive suites, after four years of renovation. Designed by Lady Tina Green and Pietro Mingarelli, it serves as a showcase of Lalique’s craftsmanship and creativity. The exterior was faithfully restored to its original appearance complete with blue shutters, while the interiors reflect the virtuosity of the master glassmaker, with each suite named after an iconic Rene creation and one named after his granddaughter Marie-Claude’s (right) famous panther, Zeila. Highlights are the Hirondelles (swallows) suite in red and black with bunches of grapes on the crystal decorative panels, and lamps with bird motif – this was once Rene’s own room with views of his factory – and the Dragon suite, referencing

text Y-JEAN MUN-DELSALLE

the mythical creature with a sizeable balcony overlooking the peaceful 2.4ha park planted with hydrangea, and chestnut, birch, beech, oak, spruce and blue cedar trees. Italian-made wooden furniture and accessories from the Lalique Maison Art Deco-inspired collections were used for the guest rooms, with pieces of crystal embellishing bed frames, dresser and bedside tables, armchairs, sofas, cabinets, mirrors and bathrooms according to each suite’s theme. Chef Jean-Georges Klein runs the adjoining

two Michelin-star, 40-seat restaurant with large glass bay windows, red Vosges sandstone columns and plant-covered roof built by Swiss architect Mario Botta, together with head sommelier Romain Iltis, who oversees one of Europe’s most extraordinary cellars housing over 60,000 bottles. Room prices range from 360 euros (S$565) to 890 euros per night.

41

PEOPLE

GET SMART Kohler unveils its intelligent bathrooms on Ê­Âœ Ä?ĂžâÊ Â†Ă‰Ă‰°ÚÂœĂžâ†ÞĀ Ă?ÂŚ °Êâ ĂżĂ›ÂœĂž°ÂœĂ‰Â’Âœ ÂœĂ‰ĂŠĂžÂœʨ A†Þ¿ °Â’ÂżÂœĂžâÊÂ†Ä‘ÂœĘŁ ˜°ĂžÂœÂ’ĂŠĂ?Ăž Ă?ÂŚ Ă‰ÂœĂş ÛÞĂ?Â˜ĂŽÂ’ĂŠ Â˜ÂœĂšÂœĂ‚Ă?Ă›ĂˆÂœĂ‰ĂŠ ÂŚĂ?Ăž ¿°ÊÂ’­ÂœĂ‰ Â†Ă‰Â˜ ‘†ʭʣ ÂœĂ‚Â†Â‘Ă?ĂžÂ†ĂŠÂœâ Ă?É Ê­Âœ °ĂˆĂ›Ă?ĂžĂŠÂ†Ă‰Â’Âœ Ă?ÂŚ Â’ĂžÂœÂ†Ê°Ă‰§ ˜°§°Ê†ÂÂĀ Â’Ă?Ă‰Ă‰ÂœÂ’ĂŠÂœÂ˜ âĂ›Â†Â’Âœâ °Ă‰ ĂˆĂ?Â˜ÂœĂžĂ‰ ­Ă?ĂˆÂœâʨ

L

iving rooms are no longer the only space you will feel most at home. With toilet and bath facilities as ultraluxe and highly innovative as Kohler’s, the bathroom is the Ä?ĂžâÊ Ă›Ă‚Â†Â’Âœ Ä€Ă?ĂŽĘ™Â˜ ú†ÉÊ ĂŠĂ? ĂžÂœĂŠĂžÂœÂ†ĂŠ to, especially after a long day at ĂşĂ?Þ¿ Ę‹ Â†Ă‰Â˜ °Œ Ä€Ă?ĂŽ ’†É ĂşÂœĂ‚Ă‚ †đĂ?ĂžÂ˜ the luxury. ,É Â’ÂœĂ‚ÂœÂ‘ĂžÂ†Ê°Ă?É Ă?ÂŚ °Êâ Ä?ĂžâÊ anniversary, Kohler Experience Centre Singapore – which Ă?Ă›ÂœĂ‰ÂœÂ˜ °Êâ Ä?ĂžâÊ °ĂˆĂˆÂœĂžâ°Ă?É centre at a lovely three-storey conservation shophouse in Peck Seah Street last September

42

– launched fully functioning displays of the latest designs and product innovations in both the bathroom and kitchen arenas. â Ä€Ă?ĂŽ Ɇڰ§Â†ĂŠÂœ Ê­Âœ ˜°Ä‘ÂœĂžÂœĂ‰ĂŠ ÄžĂ?Ă?Ăžâʣ âÊÂ†ĂžÊ°Ă‰§ ú°Ê­ Ê­Âœ bold and beautiful bathtubs â­Ă?ú’†âœ˜ Ă?É Ê­Âœ §ĂžĂ?ĂŽĂ‰Â˜ ÄžĂ?Ă?Ăž to the intelligent toilets and sensational showers displayed on the second, you will be wowed by how far technology has come, to create an insanely relaxing (and mesmerising) bathroom experience. Leading the pack is Kohler Konnect, a new platform

that allows homeowners to personalise their experience with Kohler products through app presets, and automate everyday tasks in the bath (and even kitchen) through voice control. “Kohler Konnect embeds smart technology in many bathroom products, creating a network which links to your home with an app to customise and control it from wherever you are,” explains A Þ¿ ° ¿ Þâé đ ʣ °Þ éÐÞ Ð¦ new product development for kitchen and bath. “It’s focused on responding to your personal needs and making your experience in the bathroom easier, more convenient and delightful. Products will evolve to learn your behaviour and respond to them, in conjunction with your calendar, time of day, weather and so on. The smart bathroom is one that’s focused on how you want to feel.” The Sensis, Kohler’s new intelligent toilet, is also another standout in the showroom. Its elegant design (think curved ergonomic seat that reduces pressure points for optimal sitting comfort) is packed with cutting-edge features (see sidebar). With such snazzy toilets, a good book or magazine in hand will no longer be the only reason you’ll ĝÉ °é ­ Þ éÐ é Þ ĀÐîÞâ ¦ away from the seat. “The intelligent toilet is not just beautiful, but also incorporates leading-edge technology for a healthier and safer experience,” â ° ¿ Þâé đ ʨ ʖZÈ Þé technology will continue to make bathrooms better, and materials will also continue to ­ ɧ ʨˈ °§°é Â È Éî¦ éîްɧ is progressing at breakneck speed, constantly opening up new ways to conceive products, and decorate and

interact with the bathroom. We see personalisation and customisation as the new wave. Like living rooms, our bathrooms and kitchens will exude the comfort and decor you desire. Wood, fabric, polymers have joined the traditional ‘hard’ bathroom materials as, through science and R&D, we have made them robust and durable.” Kohler’s belief that design is inextricably linked to art has also led to the company committing to many artistic endeavours. One of its most eye-popping art projects is the artists’ edition range of washbasins. “The basins are inspired by culture from all over the world and translated by our artists into industrial craft. They are the highlight of any bathroom ÐÞʣʗ â Āâ ° ¿ Þâé đ ʨ ʖa­°â brings us back to the point that the bathroom and kitchen sections are getting more central to the quality of life in modern times. They are becoming more and more like ‘living ÞÐÐÈâʙ ú­ Þ ú ĝÉ Û âîÞ ʣ relaxation and escape.” While cutting-edge technology and artistic expressions form the ideas and principles behind many Kohler products, the company ÂâÐ ­Ð â ĝÞÈ ÐÈÈ°éÈ Éé to sustainability. “We are committed to Net Zero 2035, and everything we do is driven by design for the environment – and we measure ourselves at the highest corporate îâ°É ââ  ù  éÐ ÈÐÞ environmentally friendly every year to meet this goal. We are proud of the work we have done with minimum water usage, waterless urinals, low ĞÐú ¦ î éâ É â­Ðú ްɧʣ etc, but we are committed to doing better all the time,” âéÞ ââ â ° ¿ Þâé đ ʨ

BE BOWLED OVER BY THESE TOP 5 ICONIC KOHLER PRODUCTS.

Artifacts Inspired by turn-ofthe-century charm, each piece in the Artifacts faucet and accessory collection is akin to a vintage treasure rediscovered. With so many possible combinations, the collection allows you to personalise the look of your sink area.

Composed This range of faucets embodies pure simplicity and understated beauty. For those who love a decidedly modern look with minimal fuss.

text JACQUELINE TAN

Mica Delicate-looking and super slim, Mica’s roundor square-rim basins belie their extremely strong and durable material. Its Cleancoat stain-resistant coating also keeps these basins glossy and easy to clean.

Sensis A swish toilet bowl fitted with a water filtration system that purifies water sprayed from the wand to the body, a one-click sanitiser button that activates e-water and UV light to ensure top-notch hygiene, and a choice of pulsating and oscillating spray modes for a more comfortable wash. Also can be installed against the wall. Veil With its immaculately balanced curves, the Veil is a one-piece toilet with one-touch control of cleansing features. Its sculpted core provides a suite of precision features, offering optimal hygiene and ultimate individual comfort, from personal cleansing to LED night light and hands-free opening and closing.

43

DESIGN

DESIGNED TO CLEAN The general manager of Karcher Singapore shares how the German brand is contributing to the home appliances industry.

V

incent Sim spends his weekends cleaning his home, but he doesn’t mind it one bit. Working at Karcher has been such an eye-opening experience – he even dubs cleaning the toilet his “favourite chore, given that it’s probably the most challenging”. Another unconventional view he shared – especially in an industry that seeks to combine

many functions in one appliance – is that a homeowner needs at least two or three appliances to clean a house thoroughly. While multi-purpose cleaners are a boon for timestrapped working professionals, Karcher has produced ÁłłěĆÁĢÚäʼn őĂÁő őÁŅúäő ʼnłäÚĆƈÚ cleaning requirements. For instance, one to take care of mopping and vacuuming, and another to remove stains. Products suitable for sensitive skin as well as equipment for mattresses and windows, should be considered. He tells us more ÁÙĩŖő ūĂÁő WÁŅÚĂäŅ ĂÁʼn őĩ ĩƅäŅ͠ Hù Á ĂĩŖʼnäĂĩěà ÚÁĢ ĩĢěű ÁƅĩŅà one cleaning appliance, which WÁŅÚĂäŅ łŅĩàŖÚő ūĩŖěà űĩŖ ŅäÚĩġġäĢàͧ The compact and multi-purpose

vacuum cleaner, WD 3. It is designed to pick up both wet and dry dirt, and therefore is ideal for thorough cleaning of both indoor and outdoor spaces. Despite the strong suction power, it has an energysaving power consumption of only 1,400 watts. It also has specially developed nozzles suitable for cleaning airconditioners, ensuring you enjoy clean air while prolonging the life of the appliance. ©ĂÁő Ćʼn WÁŅÚĂäŅΎʼn őÁėä ĩĢ őĂä ʼnŖʼnőÁĆĢÁÙěä ÁĢà ĢÁőŖŅÁě ġĩŪäġäĢőͧ Apart from reducing the ecological footprint in our business activities, we also care about the health of our users. Toxic, chemical-based products put a family’s health at stake, which is why we prefer one of the simplest alternatives – the use of pressurised steam. Firstly, it eliminates the use of chemicals as a jet of hightemperature steam can easily dislodge and remove grease, dirt particles, stains, mould

and mildew from the smallest crevices. No chemicals means no allergen residues. Secondly, you save water! Steam cleaning uses 80 per cent less water compared to conventional cleaning methods. Personally, I use the Karcher’s steam cleaner, the SC2 Deluxe, to keep my toilet clean and looking new. ©ĂÁő ÁÙĩŖő ĢÁőŖŅÁě ÚěäÁĢĆĢú ŅäġäàĆäʼnͧ I recommend using lemon, one of the strongest food acids ÁĢà ÁĢ äƅäÚőĆŪä àĆʼnĆĢùäÚőÁĢő͡ to remove oil, dirt, and soap scum from tiles, as well as disinfect the cutting board Ŗʼnäà ùĩŅ ŅÁū ùĩĩàʼn ěĆėä ƈʼnĂ ÁĢà meat. It also protects surfaces against the growth of mould. Another natural alternative is the abrasive baking soda, which Ćʼn äƅäÚőĆŪä Áő ÚěäÁĢĆĢú ʼnőÁĆĢʼn ÁĢà dirt found on sanitaryware and kitchen worktops. More about Karcher at www. kaercher.com/sg. You will find Karcher appliances at all major authorised retail stores.

LEFT The VC 4i weighs only 1.8kg. It was designed to cater to Asian customers who prefer ease of manoeuvrability.

44

text ELIZA HAMIZAH

AB OVE The SC2 Deluxe is what Vincent uses to keep his bathroom looking clean and new.

PEOPLE

TR I CI A

GUILD The creative director and founder of Designers Guild.

In 1970, when Tricia Guild was an interior designer on the hunt for the perfect textile, she decided to instead create her own. Designers #î°Â ʙâ ĝÞâé ÐÂÂ é°ÐÉ ÐÉâ°âé of Indian hand-blocked printed textiles, which Tricia edited with her own choice of colours. Today, the brand is known for producing vivacious colours and illustrations in collections that make it easy for homeowners to mix and match prints and textures. We pick this design doyenne’s brain for tips. WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THE FABRIC INDUSTRY AND YOUR JOB?

a­ °É îâéÞĀ Â ¿â é­ ĝ ¿Â É ââ of, say, fashion, but it is every bit as creative and artistic. And Designers Guild is my passion – I live and breathe it and no day is quite the same. WHAT SHOULD WE USE AS A GUIDE WHEN SHOPPING FOR FABRIC?

For depth and a cosseting feel, I would choose a heavyweight velvet but, if you prefer light and airy spaces that feel more delicate and fresh, opt for linen. When combining colour and texture, white and neutral shades are your building blocks. They add crisp graphic detailing and airy expanse to their vivid counterparts. They also ensure the palette — which should include two or three colourful shades — is relevant and modern.

WHICH PATTERN OR MATERIAL IS NEVER OUT OF STYLE?

Textured plains such as velvet, , ĝÉ ʣ Þ îéé ÞÂĀ ù Þâ é°Â ʮ they work perfectly in their own right and can also coordinate with printed fabrics. TAKE US THROUGH THE PRODUCTION PROCESS OF ONE OF YOUR FABRICS.

Let’s use the exceptionally soft Brera Moda linen as an example. We choose yarns that are characterful but robust, É îé°Â°â âÛ °ĝ âÛ°Éɰɧ techniques that retain all the gorgeous “slubbiness” Ц é­ Â°É É ĝ Þ ʨ ,é °â é­ É made in Italy using artisanal manufacturing techniques âÛ °ĝ ÂÂĀ ­ÐÉ éÐ ÐîÞ âÛ °ĝ é°ÐÉʨ Þ Þ AÐ °â dyed, washed with enzymes to give a vintage feel, then wet-tumbled to create bounce and liveliness.

LE F T Designers Guild carries silk, faux leather, voile, taffeta as well as linen, such as the Brera Moda (pictured).

SHARE WITH US ONE OF YOUR FAVOURITE PIECES FROM THE SPRING 2018 COLLECTION ‘GIARDINO SEGRETO’.

We have such exquisite elements this season – from painterly panoramic scenes to gorgeous textured plains, all expressed in a new and useable language of colour. I adore the more structural Jourdain wallpaper design with its glamorous geometric trellising. It’s perfect for modern living.

TO P Following your instinct is far more rewarding than following trends, advises Tricia.

B E LOW The Jourdain wallpaper combines pattern with texture, against a smooth marble background.

Check out Desi g n e rs Gu il d collections at Romanez, 9 Mut huraman Che t t y, tel: 6463 - 93 3 0.

text ELIZA HAMIZAH

45

PEOPLE

WISH UPON A SPA

Bringing wellness into your home is easier than you think, thanks to spa veteran Tomoka Y. Nguyen, whose deep conviction to make wellness accessible is the inspiration behind her tome, Beauty Confidential.

L

ÁĢàĆĢú ĂäŅ ƈŅʼnő ʼnŖÚÚäʼnʼnùŖě àÁű ʼnłÁ ĔĩÙ ĆĢ ÁěĆ ĆĢ ̧̟​̧̥͡ Áő Á őĆġä ūĂäĢ ʼnłÁʼn ÙäěĩĢúäà ġĩʼnőěű ĆĢ őĂä ŅäÁěġ ĩù ŅäʼnĩŅőʼn͡ ĩġĩėÁ ¯͠ aúŖűäĢ ūäĢő ĩĢ őĩ ġÁĢÁúä ʼnĩġä ĩù őĂä ġĩʼnő ěŖŰŖŅĆĩŖʼn ʼnłÁʼn ĆĢ ʼnĆÁ ùĩŅ ġÁĢű űäÁŅʼn͠ Ăä ěĆŪäà ÁĢà ūĩŅėäà ĆĢ HĢàĩĢäʼnĆÁ ùĩŅ Áěġĩʼnő ̟̞ űäÁŅʼn͡ ÁĢà ūÁʼn ġĩʼnő ŅäÚäĢőěű őĂä àĆŅäÚőĩŅ ĩù ʼnłÁ Áő 'ʼnłÁ͡ äʼnĩŅőʼn ©ĩŅěà äĢőĩʼnÁ ĆĢúÁłĩŅä͡ ÁĢà Ăä äĢĆĢʼnŖěÁ ÁĢúėĩė͠ łŖŅŅäà Ùű Á úŅĩūĆĢú ÚĩĢŪĆÚőĆĩĢ ĩŪäŅ őĂä űäÁŅʼn őĂÁő ΋ūäěěĢäʼnʼnΌ ʼnĂĩŖěà Ùä ʼnĩġäőĂĆĢú őĂÁő ÁĢűĩĢä ÚÁĢ äĢĔĩű àÁĆěű͡ őĂä UÁłÁĢäʼnä ĢÁőĆŪä ěäùő őĂä ĆĢàŖʼnőŅű͡ ÁĢà͡ ʼnĆĢÚä ̠̞̟̞͡ ĂÁʼn ÙääĢ ÙŖĆěàĆĢú ĂäŅ ĩūĢ ěĆĢä ĩù ÚĂäġĆÚÁěͿùŅää łäŅʼnĩĢÁě ÚÁŅä łŅĩàŖÚőʼn͡ UĩĔĩġĩėÁ DĩġäġÁàä ėĆĢÚÁŅä͠ Ăä Áěʼnĩ ŅäÚäĢőěű ŅäěäÁʼnäà Á Ùĩĩė͡ äÁŖőű ĩĢƈàäĢőĆÁě͡ ūĂĆÚĂ őĩĩė ƈŪä

46

űäÁŅʼn ĩù ŅäʼnäÁŅÚĂ͡ ÁĆġäà Áő äġłĩūäŅĆĢú ūĩġäĢ ͳÁĢà ġäĢʹ őĩ ÚÁŅä ùĩŅ őĂäĆŅ ʼnėĆĢ ÁĢà ūäěěͿ ÙäĆĢú͠ ΋ ʼn ġŖÚĂ Áʼn H ěĩŪäà őĂä ĆĢàŖʼnőŅű ÁĢà őĂä äĢŪĆŅĩĢġäĢő H ūÁʼn ĆĢ͡ H ʼnőÁŅőäà őĩ ńŖäʼnőĆĩĢ ūĂäőĂäŅ ʼnłÁ ÁĢà ūäěěĢäʼnʼn ĂÁʼn ÙäÚĩġä ʼnŖÚĂ ÁĢ äŰÚěŖʼnĆŪä ÚěŖÙ͡ ġäÁĢő ĩĢěű ùĩŅ őĂä łŅĆŪĆěäúäà͡Ό ʼnÁűʼn ĩġĩėÁ͡ ūĂĩΎʼn Á ġĩőĂäŅ ĩù őūĩ úĆŅěʼn͡ ̟̞ ÁĢà ̟​̟͡ ÁĢà Ģĩū Á ÚĩĢʼnŖěőÁĢő ūĆőĂ ʼnäŪäŅÁě ěäÁàĆĢú ĂĩʼnłĆőÁěĆőű ÙŅÁĢàʼn͠ What do you hope readers will úěäÁĢ ùŅĩġ űĩŖŅ Ùĩĩėͧέ ©äěěĢäʼnʼn ŅĩŖőĆĢäʼn ÚÁĢ Ùä äĢĔĩűäà äŪäŅű àÁű Ùű äŪäŅűĩĢä͡ ĆĢÚěŖàĆĢú ÚĂĆěàŅäĢ ÁĢà őĂä äěàäŅěű͠ DĩġäġÁàä ʼnėĆĢÚÁŅä ÁĢà Ăĩġä ʼnłÁ ʼnäʼnʼnĆĩĢʼn ÁŅä äÁʼnű͡ ĆĢäŰłäĢʼnĆŪä ÁĢà äƅäÚőĆŪä͠ HőΎʼn ĔŖʼnő őĂÁő ġĩʼnő łäĩłěä àĩ Ģĩő ĂÁŪä Á ÚěŖä ĩŅ őĂĆĢė ĆőΎʼn őĩĩ ÚĩġłěĆÚÁőäà͠ H Ăĩłä ĂĩġäġÁàä

ʼnėĆĢÚÁŅä ÚÁĢ ÚĂÁĢúä őĂä ūÁű ūä ʼnääė ÙäÁŖőű͠ HőΎʼn łĩʼnʼnĆÙěä őĩ ėääł Ćő ʼnĆġłěä ÁĢà ÁƅĩŅàÁÙěä͡ űäő łĩūäŅùŖě ÁĢà äƅäÚőĆŪä͠ What are some top beauty myths you want to debunk? gĢä őĩł ġűőĂ Ćʼn őĂÁő ūĩġäĢ Ģääà Á ěĩĢú ěĆʼnő ĩù ÙäÁŖőű łŅĩàŖÚőʼn őĂÁő ÁŅä Ùĩőőěäà ĆĢ äŰłäĢʼnĆŪä łÁÚėÁúĆĢú͡ ÁĢà ūĂĆÚĂ ÁŅä łŅĩġĩőäà Ùű łäŅùäÚőͿěĩĩėĆĢú ūĩġäĢ͠ HĢ ùÁÚő͡ ΋ĢÁőŖŅÁěΌ ÁĢà ΋ĩŅúÁĢĆÚΌ ʼnėĆĢÚÁŅä ÚÁĢ ĩùőäĢ ÙäőŅÁű Ŗʼn ΁ ÙĆú ÙŖʼnĆĢäʼnʼnäʼn Ŗʼnä Á ʼnőŅÁőäúű ėĢĩūĢ Áʼn ΋úŅääĢūÁʼnĂĆĢúΌ͠ What are some things to note when preparing a home spa ʼnäʼnʼnĆĩĢͧέ HàäÁěěű͡ Á úĩĩà ÁĆŅ ÚĆŅÚŖěÁőĆĩĢ ʼnűʼnőäġ͠ <ĩĩà ʼnłÁʼn äĢʼnŖŅä ÁĆŅ Ćʼn łŅĩłäŅěű ÚĆŅÚŖěÁőäà ĩĢ Á ŅäúŖěÁŅ ÙÁʼnĆʼn͡ ʼnĩ őĂÁő őĂäŅä Ćʼn

ÁěūÁűʼn ùŅäʼnĂ äĢäŅúű ÙäőūääĢ őŅäÁőġäĢőʼn͠έ ĂäŅä ʼnĂĩŖěà Áěʼnĩ Ùä ĢÁőŖŅÁě ěĆúĂő͡ ÙŖő ūĆőĂ őĂä ĩłőĆĩĢ őĩ őĩĢä Ćő àĩūĢ͠έ ä ġĆĢàùŖě ÁÙĩŖő łŅĩàŖÚőʼn͢ #ĩĢΎő Ùä àäÚäĆŪäà Ùű ΋ĢÁőŖŅÁěΌ ÁĢà ΋ĩŅúÁĢĆÚΌ łŅĩàŖÚőʼnͣ úĩ ùĩŅ ŅäÁě ĆĢúŅäàĆäĢőʼn ʼnŖÚĂ Áʼn ġÁʼnĂäà ùŅŖĆőʼn͡ ŅĆÚä ūÁőäŅ͡ Úĩěà łŅäʼnʼnäà ŪäúäőÁÙěä ĩĆěʼn͡ äʼnʼnäĢőĆÁě ĩĆěʼn͠

TOMOKA’S RECIPES TO SOAK THE STRESS AWAY

to your preference, but at a temperature slightly warmer than the body’s. 2. Mix the ingredients well. Never put essential oils directly into the bathtub without first mixing with base ingredient (in this case, sea salt). 3. Soak in the bathtub for at least 20 minutes for best effect. 4. Finish off with a cold shower. 5. Make sure to dry and wrap your body straight away and hydrate with a glass of clean water, but avoid drinking cold drinks or alcohol. 6. This soak is not suitable for children below eight years old.

For a calming bathtub soak

For a relaxing herbal foot soak

INGREDIENTS đ 100g mineral sea salt đ 2 teabags of camomile

INGREDIENTS đ 100g dried herbs (mix

(make it strong) đ 2 pieces of mediumsized orange peel (preferably sun dried) OR đ Use essential oil blends: - lavender, 16 drops - German camomile, 12 drops - sweet orange, 8 drops - sandalwood, 4 drops (make sure you use no more than 40 drops in total) METHOD 1. Set temperature for

around 40 deg C or

of dried tea leaves such as green tea, white tea, rosella, camomile) OR đ 300g fresh herbs (lemon grass, ginger, thyme) Warm water to a temperature of 39 to 42 deg C METHOD 1. Make sure the container

is clean. 2. Put in the herbs and have them submerged entirely in warm water. 3. Stir gently and soak your feet, for no longer than 15 minutes.

What are your best tips on creating a spa-like environment at home? #äÚěŖőőäŅĆĢú Ćʼn őĂä ƈŅʼnő ʼnőäł͠ Hő ĂÁʼn Á łŅĩùĩŖĢà äƅäÚő ĩĢ űĩŖŅ úäĢäŅÁě ūäěěͿÙäĆĢú őĩĩ͠ ĂäŅÁłĆʼnőʼn ùŅĩġ őĂä Ùäʼnő ʼnłÁʼn ĆĢ őĂä ūĩŅěà ÁŅä ÁěūÁűʼn ƈŅʼnő őÁŖúĂő őĩ Ùä ĩŅúÁĢĆʼnäà Áő őĂäĆŅ ūĩŅėʼnőÁőĆĩĢʼn͡ ÁĢà őĩ ùĩěěĩū ʼnőŅĆÚő ĂűúĆäĢä ʼnőÁĢàÁŅàʼn͠ gŅúÁĢĆʼnä űĩŖŅ ÚŖłÙĩÁŅà ÁĢà őĂä ÁŅäÁʼn űĩŖΎŅä łěÁĢĢĆĢú őĩ Ŗʼnä ùĩŅ űĩŖŅ Ăĩġä ʼnłÁ͠ 47

U P C LO S E

ɇ Ɇ Uf Z a ,HBZ r,a )

JONAS HULTQVIST The designer at Ikea Product Development Centre tells us what gets him going throughout the day.

1 Name one music track that you

listen to while at work. There are SO many! At the moment, I’m into old jazz, so maybe Chet Baker’s Alone Together. If I crank that one up, it gets me into a nice work mood and mode, even if it’s a bit melancholic.

2 Name your favourite pet.

The cat we had in the family when I was young; it had a mind of its own and was kind of wild. It must have got tired of us because, one day, it took off and we never saw it again. I hope it had a few good remaining years out in the wild.

3 Which natural element inspires you most? The ocean. I grew up around the shores in the south west of Sweden and have always loved the open landscape, the light and neverending horizons – something I really miss now living in Shanghai.

building skate ramps, playing with the band and going night swimming.

5 A worthy cause you’d

fight for would be… I’m passionate about using design to better the world, which is why I was very keen to be a facilitator for the Ikea Young Designer Awards. It gave me a chance to guide the youth towards changing their mindset about design and using it to creatively solve social problems.

6 Describe your personal

design style. Hmm, that’s a tough one. I usually try to have some element of playfulness in the things that I make.

7 What would you like to have as your last meal on earth? A classic Swedish (open) north sea shrimp sandwich.

4 Describe your fondest memory 8 Which room in the house do you as a child. Whenever spring school semesters ended and we had a never-ending sunny and hot summer ahead of us. Our agenda usually started with

48

spend the most time in? The living room – it’s the most open and bright space in my apartment. It’s where I keep my stereo and TV set.

text YOUNG LIM photos JONAS HULTQVIST

9 Name one movie that you have watched more than once. Lost in Translation. I love the acting, the story, the atmosphere, the dark humour and the small details about everyday life frustrations – it’s all brilliant. I’ve seen it about five or six times and hope to â °é ÐîÛ Ц é°È â ÈÐÞ ʨˈ

10 Attach the very last picture

you took with your mobile device. ˈ It’s a picture of Sweden winning and advancing in the World Cup!

VOI C E S

I

DAVID THAM FOUNDER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR, STUDIO NORM

MERGING SINGAPOREAN DESIGN WITH JAPANESE CRAFTSMANSHIP David Tham talks about his experience and lessons learnt from a recent trip to Japan, where a group of Singaporean designers interacted with Japanese artisans for the sake of creating works that combine the best of both countries.

was recently invited to what my team and I could bring to participate in a project, which the collaboration. involved working with a mix of craftsmen from the Kanto Two Lands, Two Cultures, region in Japan. The region Three Wins consists of Greater Tokyo Area and a­ ÛÞм é Ðđ Þ ú°Éʌú°É encompasses seven prefectures: situation for both countries. Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Saitama, On the one hand, Japan could Tokyo, Chiba and Kanagawa. promote its crafts and tap on The brief was to understand the Singapore as a platform for techniques and workings of the commerce to the region. On the artisans and their craft, and realise other hand, the project was a the potential for their crafts to be dream come true for any designer, replicated in Singapore, from the to have his or her concepts eye of a Singaporean designer. realised in the highest quality. As I embarked on the project While our mission was to and began to think about what learn the art of craft, what I was my studio and I could bring more inspired by, other than the to the table, I pondered the techniques and processes, was the character of each country. spirit of the artisans and craftsmen. Japan is a nation which has Their attitude was determined, had its image carved by histories their spirit unwavering, in terms Ц Þ ĝÉ îÂé°ù é°ÐÉâʨ ,éâ of enduring the traditions so as emblem of simplicity is its mark to master what was passed down of excellence, while delightful to them over generations (I met detailing and precise craftsmanship are the norm. I asked myself, what else Ðî , Ðđ Þ É ú­ é would they look for? Then I realised that it was an error to take this approach. Japan has long sustained its economy via trading several companies that the within its boundaries; have existed for more ob ective its products and than a century, with their The result of services are tailored to craft having originated this project is the tastes and culture from even further back a collection of of its people. With the in time). Their dedication products named decline in population and passion truly give life Kobo, and they can be found rate and spending to their craft. at local retailer on locally made , Þ Ğ é îÛÐÉ ÈĀ Supermama items, commerce and own practice and my (#01-26, 47 Malan trade needed to look way of practice; have I Road, or towards the world. lost track of the purpose 265 Beach Road). As Singaporeans, along the years? Did my we have grown up passion for design and exposed to a world of many cultures excellence dim, due to commercial and cross references. That said, § °Éâ É ÛÞÐĝéâʪ r­ é , é­Ðé we are aware of varied global Ц â É ÐÛÛÐÞéîÉ°éĀ éÐ Ðđ Þ ­ ÂÛ éÐ standards and knowledge and we foreign craft was, in fact, a chance apply them as a gauge to formulate to rejuvenate myself, in a timely our culture – this sensitivity and ÈÐÈ Éé Ц Þ Ğ é°ÐÉʨ a­ éʣ ¦ÐÞ È ʣ “culture” of worldly exposure was would be the third win. 49

M Y S PAC E

COOL FRONT Living comfortably means keeping your home cool and well ventilated, but there’s more you can do besides ensuring plenty of shade from the blazing rays of the sun. Here are some tips on staying cool in the tropics.

50

FA N S V S A I R CONDITIONERS Around these parts of the globe where heat is ever present, cooling solutions like fans and air-conditioners are ubiquitous, and almost certainly a necessity. Each has its merits and drawbacks.

FANS are in a completely àĆƅäŅäĢő ěäÁúŖä͡ ÚĩġłÁŅäà őĩ air-conditioners. Simpler in àäʼnĆúĢ ÁĢà ùŖĢÚőĆĩĢ͡ őĂäű ĂÁŪä őĂä ġĩàäʼnő őÁʼnė ĩù ġĩŪĆĢú ÁĆŅ ÁŅĩŖĢà͡ Ùä Ćő Úĩĩě ĩŅ ūÁŅġ͠ #Ŗä őĩ őĂäĆŅ ʼnĆġłěä ġäÚĂÁĢĆÚʼn͡ ùÁĢʼn ÁŅä ĆĢĂäŅäĢőěű ġĩŅä äÚĩĢĩġĆÚÁě őĩ ĩłäŅÁőä͡ ūĆőĂ ŖʼnÁúä ĢŖġÙäŅʼn őĂÁő ÁĆŅͿÚĩĢàĆőĆĩĢäŅʼn ÚÁĢ ĢäŪäŅ ġääő͠ ŖÙłÁŅ őäġłäŅÁőŖŅä ġÁĢÁúäġäĢő ÁĢà őĂä őäĢàäĢÚű őĩ ŅäÚĆŅÚŖěÁőä ūÁŅġ ÁĆŅ͡ ĂĩūäŪäŅ͡ ġäÁĢ ùÁĢʼn ĂÁŪä Á ĢÁŅŅĩū ʼnÚĩłä ĩù Ŗʼnä͠ äőőäŅ ʼnŖĆőäà ùĩŅ ĩłäĢ ʼnłÁÚäʼn őĂÁő ĂÁŪä ʼnŖƆÚĆäĢő ÁĆŅ Ɖĩū͡ ùÁĢʼn ŪäĢőĆěÁőä ġĩŅä őĂÁĢ őĂäű ŅäúŖěÁőä͠

H ΅ ga#H Hga' ÁŅä őĂä Ùäʼnő ÁłłěĆÁĢÚä őĩ ÚĩġÙÁő ÁúÁĆĢʼnő őĂä łĩőäĢő ĂäÁő ĩù ĩŖőĂͿäÁʼnő ʼnĆÁ͠ Hőʼn őäġłäŅÁőŖŅä ŅäúŖěÁőĆĩĢ ΁ ÁĢà ÁÙĆěĆőű őĩ ÚŅäÁőä Á ūĂĩěä àĆƅäŅäĢő ÚěĆġÁőä ΁ Ćʼn ŖĢŅĆŪÁěěäà͠ DĩūäŪäŅ͡ őĂäŅä Ćʼn Ģĩ äʼnÚÁłĆĢú őĂä ùÁÚő őĂÁő Ćő Ŗʼnäʼn ʼnŖÙʼnőÁĢőĆÁěěű ġĩŅä łĩūäŅ őĂÁĢ őĂä ÚĩĢŪäĢőĆĩĢÁě ùÁĢ͡ ĩùőäĢőĆġäʼn Ŗł őĩ Á őäĢùĩěà ĆĢÚŅäÁʼnä ĆĢ äĢäŅúű ÚĩĢʼnŖġłőĆĩĢ͠ HĢ őĂÁő ŅäúÁŅà͡ Ćő Ćʼn Ģĩő őĂä ġĩʼnő äÚĩĢĩġĆÚÁě ĩłőĆĩĢ͡ ĢĩŅ Ćʼn Ćő őĂä úŅääĢäʼnő ÁłłŅĩÁÚĂ͠ DĩūäŪäŅ͡ ġĩàäŅĢ őäÚĂĢĩěĩúĆÚÁě ʼnőŅĆàäʼn ĂÁŪä àĩĢä ġŖÚĂ őĩ ġĆőĆúÁőä őĂÁő łŅĩÙěäġ͡ őĂĩŖúĂ őĂäŅä Ćʼn ʼnőĆěě ʼnĩġä ūÁű őĩ úĩ͠

51

KEEP COOL T H E E C O WAY As the heat bears down on you during hotter months, it may seem like air-conditioning is the only way to go. Keep your cool and follow these passive cooling tips!

1 C H E AT S H E E T S

Tossing and turning at night? It could be due to your bed linen, which may be unsuited for the climate. Flannel ÁĢà ƉääÚä ʼnĂääőʼn ÁŅä ÚĩġùĩŅőÁÙěä͡ ÙŖő őĂäű ÁŅä àäƈĢĆőäěű Ģĩő ġÁàä ùĩŅ ūÁŅġ summer nights as they are insulators of heat; you will only be making yourself warmer. Go with tried-andtested cotton, which breathes easy and cools faster. To take it a step further, ÚĂĩĩʼnä ÙÁġÙĩĩ ʼnĂääőʼn őĩ ūÁŅà ĩƅ unwanted heat.

2 PLANT PLANTS

3

What better way to save nature than turning to nature itself? Plants not only have the ability to make a space feel inviting, but also have the ability to lower the ambient temperature. Plants rely on photosynthesis to survive and, in that process, they consume water, sunlight and energy – in this case, heat. Dot enough plants around the room and you could lower the ambient temperature by up to 10 deg C.

C LO S E T H E B L I N D S

This may sound like common sense but, with modern interiors àäʼnĆúĢäà ùĩŅ ĢÁőŖŅÁě ěĆúĂő őĩ Ɖĩĩà in, blinds are not used frequently. Up to 30 per cent of unwanted heat in the home comes from windows. The simple act of drawing down the blinds or installing some will prevent your home from becoming a greenhouse and save you an average of 7 per cent on your electricity bills. 52

FORM AND FUNCTION

Tired of the look of conventional ceiling and standing fans? Here are some sleek alternatives that combine high performance and quality with dashing looks and innovative technology.

4 M I N D A N D B O DY

;ĩÚŖʼn ĩĢ űĩŖŅ Ùĩàű ÁĢà Ģĩő őĂä äĢŪĆŅĩĢġäĢő͡ ÙäÚÁŖʼnä űĩŖŅ ĂĩŖʼnä does not care if it is hot or cold. Instead of relying on thermostats, ūÁőÚĂ űĩŖŅ ĩūĢ Ùĩàű őäġłäŅÁőŖŅä and regulate from there. Simple things like sipping a cold cup of lemon tea, or putting a chilled cloth on your neck and wrist, ūĆěě Úĩĩě őĂä Ùĩàű͡ ūĂĆÚĂ ŅäàŖÚäʼn the need for air-conditioning.

BRIGHT AND BREEZY

A high-performance ceiling fan, Acorn’s Fantasia DC-356 requires low energy consumption. #äʼnłĆőä őĂÁő͡ Ćő ĩƅäŅʼn äƆÚĆäĢő łäŅùĩŅġÁĢÚä͡ Áʼn it has higher revolutions per minute as compared to conventional ceiling fans. It is also anti-corrosive, ūĆőĂ ÙěÁàäʼn ġÁàä ĩù ÁÚŅűěĆÚ ͳ ʹ ġÁőäŅĆÁě͠ Hő Ćʼn ʼnŖĆőÁÙěä äŪäĢ ùĩŅ Ăĩġäʼn with higher ceilings as it comes with a powderÚĩÁőäà äŰőäĢàÁÙěä Ņĩà͡ so you can lower the fan to the desired height. #ĩŖÙěĆĢú͡ őĩĩ͡ Áʼn Á ěĆúĂőĆĢú ƈŰőŖŅä͡ Ćő Úĩġäʼn ūĆőĂ ÁĢ Z'# ěĆúĂő ėĆő őĩ ĩƅäŅ daylight, cool white and warm light options to ÚŅäÁőä őĂä ÁġÙĆäĢÚä űĩŖ you’d like in your home. Ăĩĩʼnä ùŅĩġ őĂŅää ʼnĆŹäʼn ΁ 36 inches, 46 inches or 56 ĆĢÚĂäʼn ΁ ÁĢà őĂŅää ÚĩěĩŖŅʼn ĆĢÚěŖàĆĢú Úĩƅää͡ ūĩĩàäĢ and white. Fantasia DC-356 retails at $599 for all sizes and colours. Available at Acorn.

AWARD-WINNING ELEGANCE

Haiku H Series is known for its sleek design and äƅäÚőĆŪä łäŅùĩŅġÁĢÚä͠ With aerodynamic airfoils made of sturdy, ʼnŖʼnőÁĆĢÁÙěä `ĩʼnĩ ÙÁġÙĩĩ͡ Haiku ceiling fans have ÙäÚĩġä ĆÚĩĢĆÚ ÁłłěĆÁĢÚäʼn to have in the home. For added convenience, you

can even control the fan with the Haiku Home app, and integrate it with your smart home automation ʼnűʼnőäġ͠ ƉäŰĆÙěä ĩłőĆĩĢ͡ it comes in two colours ΂ ÚÁŅÁġäě ÙÁġÙĩĩ ÁĢà ÚĩÚĩÁ ÙÁġÙĩĩ ΁ ÁĢà őĂŅää styles of mounting. Haiku H Series ceiling fan retails from $1,500. Available at Big Ass Fans.

CLEAN AIR

Keep the air in your home cool and free of dust and contaminants, such as cigarette smoke. With the two-in-one Dyson Pure Cool purifying fan (a fan and ÁĆŅ łŖŅĆƈäŅʹ͡ ŖěőŅÁͿƈĢä łÁŅőĆÚěäʼn and pollutants are detected and will Ùä őŅÁłłäà ĆĢ őĂä ġÁÚĂĆĢäΎʼn ÙŖĆěőͿĆĢ ƈěőäŅ͠ ¯ĩŖ ÚÁĢ äŪäĢ check the indoor air quality in real time on the LCD display screen! Dyson Pure Cool purifying fan is priced at $899. Available at Dyson.

53

5 K I TC H E N S E PA R AT I O N

If your home allows for it, keep your wet and dry kitchens separate, with the wet kitchen facing or placed outdoors. The wet kitchen is where the major cooking happens, so it’s logical to set that up where the heat generated would dissipate outwards, rather than inwards, to avoid taxing the air-conditioner. Alternatively, consider an outdoor summer kitchen for weekends when the whole family can spend their time on the green, while fresh patties cook on the grill. Quality time with family well-spent and electricity consumption saved!

6 EXHAUST AND VENT

Instead of relying on the main cooling appliances, look to kitchen or bathroom exhaust fans. Put them to good use and let them do their job of drawing rising hot air out and away from the interior of your Ăĩġä͠ ĂäĆŅ äƅäÚőʼn͡ Ćù őĂäűΎŅä ěäùő on long enough, will be felt not only in the kitchen or bathroom, but the whole house. They also use smaller motors, thus utilising less power, in comparison to a ceiling fan. 54

BREATHE EASY

The Samsung Triangle Wall-Mount Air Conditioner with Virus Doctor is a product that was built and àäʼnĆúĢäà őĩ Ùä äƆÚĆäĢő ùŅĩġ őĂä úŅĩŖĢà Ŗł͠ ©ĆőĂ Ćőʼn äĢäŅúű äƆÚĆäĢő Digital Inverter, it maintains a set temperature without frequently ʼnĂŖőőĆĢú ĩĢ ÁĢà ĩƅ͡ ÚĩĢʼnäŅŪĆĢú

WI-FI CHILL

Samsung introduces 21st-century smarts. Built-in Wi-Fi allows users to connect to their Smart Series air-conditioners using an app on their smartphones, which negates the need for a conventional remote control. One can command the

GREEN COOLING CHOICES Air-conditioners can never match fans in terms of lower energy consumption – due to their sheer complexity, and the harder role of cooling air rather than moving it. However, there are a growing number of such appliances that seek to reduce that gap by being smart and eco-friendly. Here are our picks.

DOUBLE THE COOLING

The LG Dualcool air-conditioner is őĂä ƈŅʼnő łŅĩàŖÚő őĩ Ùä ƈőőäà ūĆőĂ őĂä ÙŅÁĢàΎʼn ěÁőäʼnő äĢäŅúűͿäƆÚĆäĢő Dual Inverter Compressor. It aims

ALL-SEEING EYES

to reduce energy consumption by up to 70 per cent compared to conventional air-con units, while providing upwards of 40 per cent faster cooling. This compressor technology allows the appliance to stay extremely quiet. The air-conditioner also emits an ultrasonic frequency that works to repel mosquitoes.

Ăä àäƈĢĆĢú ùäÁőŖŅä ĩù őĂä DĆőÁÚĂĆ RAS-VX13CG Premium Inverter is its ability to “see” the condition of the room it is installed in. With a pair of Thermo and Image cameras, the aptly named Scene Camera

power. It also features a Single User mode which reduces power, while providing adequate cooling for the lone person. Best of all, it comes with the Virus Doctor and Easy Filter systems, which eliminate dust, dangerous airborne contaminants, and allergens, as well as bacteria and viruses. This air-con is an excellent ÁĆŅͿƈěőŅÁőĆĩĢ àäŪĆÚä͠ Available from Samsung

unit from anywhere, which means a room can be preÚĩĩěäà ÁĢà őŖŅĢäà ĩƅ Ņäġĩőäěű͠ There is also a bundled D’Light Cool Mode which gives the homeowner access to the room’s temperature and humidity readings. Not forgetting energy äƆÚĆäĢÚű͡ őĂĆʼn ÁĆŅͿÚĩĢ ʼnäŅĆäʼn Áěʼnĩ features a Smart Saver mode which ʼnĂŖőʼn őĂä ĆĢŪäŅőäŅ ÁĢà ùÁĢ ĩƅ͡ ĩĢÚä Á ƈŰäà őäġłäŅÁőŖŅä Ćʼn ŅäÁÚĂäà͠ Available from Samsung

Ceiling function notes the room’s heat distribution, level of activity, and occupant presence to control őäġłäŅÁőŖŅä ÁĢà ÁĆŅƉĩū direction for optimum cooling ÁĢà ġÁŰĆġŖġ äĢäŅúű äƆÚĆäĢÚű͠ A bundled feature called Air Sleep Ceiling targets the ceiling where heat normally accumulates and ÚŅäÁőäʼn Á őĩŅĢÁàĩ Ɖĩū͡ ūĂĆÚĂ ʼnĩùőěű cocoons occupants with chilly air for faster cooling. Available from Hitachi

TI P! Japanese-style air-con cleaning and servicing specialist Biken shares that keeping an air-conditioner running at a temperature setting of 25 deg C – not any lower – is the most energy efficient. With each 1 deg C increase in temperature, expect to save almost $25 per month on electrical bills!

Available from LG. text ARIC TING & DOMENICA TAN

55

Chinese inuences are apparent, even before entering the residence. O PPOSI TE The grounds of the property were designed by renowned Beverly Hills-based landscape architect, Christine London Ltd.

56

Charm

REVERENT

In the creative hands of Ryan Gordon Jackson, a Chinese-style property in Beverly Hills takes on a contemporary aesthetic, while still retaining the traditional elements that give the home its identity. LYNN TAN finds out how this was achieved.

57

L A BOVE The kitchen and morning room form one large space, allowing for a largescale kitchen as well as a more intimate family-style lounge and entertainment area within the same zone. R IG HT Designer Ryan Gordon Jackson. O PPOSI TE A Le Pentagon chandelier by Jonathan Browning Studios anchors the dining room, striking a dialogue with a Gordon dining table below. 58

ocated amongst the estates of some of Los Angeles’ oldest names is a home belonging to Robbie Shipp, the former owner of a plastic goods company that manufactures school and business supplies for some of the world’s largest retailers, and his wife, Michelle Israel, a practising physician. This Beverly Hills property has 1.2ha of formal Chinese gardens, a tennis court, viewing pavilion and entertaining

grounds, and its scale is a rarity in the city. What is even more unique is its Chinese influence. The original house was designed by architect Bob Ray Offenhauser, who brought in a team of Chinese artisans to construct it in the style of a traditional Suzhou country house. For Robbie, who came to appreciate Chinese culture through his time in China on business, it was reminiscent

59

The entrance gallery is ďŹ lled with light coming down from two centrally placed skylights, adding a unique perspective to the art collection along the hallway. O PPOSI TE, A BOV E Spaces like these provide the ideal retreat for the couple from their busy lives, or for spending time with their friends, family and two dogs, Fred and Walter. O PPOSI TE, B ELOW The study has an Art Moderne aesthetic, with a large Ryan Jackson Home desk taking pride of place.

60

of the homes of his Chinese colleagues, which explains his initial connection with the property. Michelle also recognised its potential. She says: “I, too, noticed the quality of the construction and the interesting details of the home, and I knew that our vision could be realised with this property.” The couple commissioned Ryan Gordon Jackson to undertake a complete remodelling of the house, to create an 18,000 sq ft contemporary residence with a relaxed sophistication. Says Ryan: “We saw the beauty in the forms, materials and workmanship of the original architecture: its intricate fretwork windows, carved

61

doors and ornamental beams. We knew that a lot of it had to be retained... Respect for the architecture was key.” Part of the clients’ brief was to showcase their art collection, such as works by contemporary artists such as Doug Aitken, Peter Alexander and Roy Lichtenstein. “The pairing of old and new, coupled with the art, was the essence of what we strove to capture for the clients,” shares Ryan. His approach hinged on balancing the Chinese architectural style with a cleaner palette. He adds: “Certain elements such as the beamed ceilings and granite entryways had to stay, as they were integral to the home’s identity. But, by removing many other details, the core structure of the home could come forth in a contemporary way.” The result is a home with a thoughtfully curated interior, incorporating some furniture pieces from Ryan Jackson Home, Ryan’s line of luxury furniture. “Each piece offers something particular and I know a room is done when I can’t remove anything else,” he says. Interestingly, the core directives of restraint and proportion often inherent in Chinese design also form the basis of his work. “Chinese technique and execution have stood the test of time for good reason and I find those qualities often subtly referenced in my own work,” he reveals. 62

The living room fireplace and coffee table are made from the same dark marble, which visually ties in with the dark stone floors and dark stainedtimber ceilings.

63

Using a pouf as a coffee table adds a refreshing twist to a typical living room, complemented by a custommade cowhide rug with a unique herringbone pattern.

64

WHO LIVES HERE

A couple in their 40s HOME A three-bedroom condominium apartment in Meyer Road SI Z E 1,400sqf

Storage is always the biggest issue when moving into a smaller home. LYNN TAN looks at how this hurdle can be overcome, without compromising on space and practicality.

65

he homeowners lived in a four-storey landed home for almost a decade. It had been designed by Adrian Heng, the principal consultant of Spaceone ID Consultancy, and they found it to be “a comfortable and beautiful nest”. When they decided to downsize and purchase this apartment in Meyer Road, Adrian was naturally their designer of choice. Having worked on their previous home, Adrian was familiar with the couple’s lifestyle and aesthetic preferences, but, as with any downsizing exercise, the biggest challenge was providing sufficient storage without cluttering up the apartment. He started by re-configuring the existing dining, kitchen, store and yard areas to the left of the entrance. Instead of one large storeroom, he hacked the walls and turned the space into two back-to-back built-in storage areas instead. One side faces the entrance foyer, while

66

A sculptural light above the island-dining table serves as a focal point, against the latter’s neutral grey-white colours. B ELOW Everything is hidden behind doors that are flush with the walls, even the pantry.

67

the other is accessible from the yard. “The deep shelves are actually more practical than one large room and help to keep things organised,� Adrian points out. The existing walls of the kitchen were also hacked to create an open-concept dry kitchen and dining area defined by a kitchen islandand-dining table centrepiece. The island anchors the structure, while the dining table cantilevers out from it to achieve a floating effect. There is plenty of storage space for kitchen appliances and cooking utensils, which are kept out of sight behind concealed cabinet doors and drawers. Even the pantry is discreetly tucked away behind flush doors, and the yard entrance is subtly camouflaged by a row of full-height cabinet doors. The living room is a few steps lower than the rest of the apartment, giving it the cosiness of a sunken alcove. 68

T I L E S T H AT R E S E M B LE T I M B E R ST R I P S A R E U S E D T H RO U G HOU T T H E H O ME TO C R E AT E A S E N S E O F CO N T I N UI T Y ACROSS SPACES.

All the doors and built-in cabinets are ush with adjacent walls to create a seamless effect throughout the apartment. O PP OSI T E, AB OVE The built-in storage wraps around the daybed like a portal frame, making it the focal point of the guest room. The daybed is set against a wallpaper backdrop with a cork-like texture for a 3-D effect. O PP OSI T E, BELOW Unlike a typical yard, this one has no visible trace of clutter.

69

Almost every conceivable wall space has been allocated to storage, but in such a neat and unobtrusive manner that they simply become part of the walls.

70

RI GHT Adrian extended the master bath outwards to create more space to accommodate a His and Hers basin. The existing bath tub was removed and converted into a shower compartment instead. BELOW Lots of storage has been discreetly incorporated into wall cabinetry.

Like most of the furniture and fixtures around the home, almost everything here is customdesigned and fabricated by Adrian and his team. “The homeowners love to read, so I included two loungers instead of one sofa, which are more suited for reading and relaxing,” he explains. The master bedroom and adjacent studycum-walk-in wardrobe used to be two separate rooms. Adrian did away with the walls between them so that they became one fluid space, but he incorporated two concealed doors that allow the two rooms to be segregated should the need arise. The overall colour scheme comprises predominantly greys, whites and off-whites because the homeowners prefer muted colours, but Adrian managed to work in pops of accent colours, such as the teal of the living room loungers and the yellow cushions in the guest room, that stand out against the neutral background. The success of this project lies not just in the incorporation of ample storage spaces throughout the home, but in keeping them inconspicuous. As one of the homeowners puts it: “Adrian has made our process of downsizing painless by creating ample storage spaces, while keeping everything creatively hidden.”

photography VERONICA TAY art direction NONIE CHEN

71

Take a walk around this stylish apartment via our video tour. See page 18.

Right Touch

THE

This apartment may be designed with a dominant white palette, but it’s far from being a nondescript white box. LYNN TAN finds out how the designer balanced elegance with charm and personality.

72

The living room is anchored by a white sofa, armchair, lounger, an antique chest that serves as a coffee table, and two framed contemporary Chinese paintings that complement the white walls.

73

A BOVE, L EF T Selectively introducing a pop of colour creates visual stimulus within the home.

WHO LIVES HERE

A German-Singaporean couple HO ME A former four-bedroom condominium apartment at Robertson Quay SIZE 1,733sqf

74

A BOVE, R IG H T Sometimes, simple is best, like this white shelf that blends in with the white wall. O PP OSITE The dining counter was rotated 90 degrees, so that when paired with the custom-made dining table, the two form a continuous surface for food preparation and dining.

photo STUDIO WILLS

f

or Mr and Mrs Schmoelz, moving to an apartment that is approximately two-thirds the size of their previous rental unit meant that they had to make efficient use of space. The apartment is by no means small, compared to many condominium apartments these days, but “the original layout was not well-appointed and we had many specific requirements”, says Mrs Schmoelz. The couple turned to William Ng and Kho Keguang from Studio Wills + Architects for help. “We looked through their portfolio and their overall style seem clean and minimalist, without being austere,” comments Mrs Schmoelz. They also took note that the studio’s projects incorporate interesting design elements but are not overly embellished or ornate, and those elements do not overwhelm the rest of the scheme. “Ultimately, we also had our own ideas and we felt

75

The furniture conďŹ guration accentuates the linearity of the dining space. 76

that Studio Wills + Architects could help us to execute them brilliantly,” she says. Some of the more major works include demolishing the walls of the master bedroom next to the living room, to create a separate television lounge area, incorporating a small study nook with built-in storage. Two bedrooms towards the rear of the apartment were combined into a new master suite comprising a sleeping area, walk-in wardrobe and an en-suite bath. The number of bedrooms was reduced from four to two, which suits the couple’s lifestyle better as they now have more space to entertain and relax. The discovery that the building is supported by structural shear walls, and the presence of numerous bay windows, inspired William and Keguang to come up with some very interesting design solutions. PARTI DIAGRAM A structural shear wall became a free-standing element when the walls around it were knocked down to create a television lounge adjacent to the living room. The design duo transformed what would otherwise have been an obstruction within an openconcept space into a visual focus and a point of orientation, rendering it black to further reinforce this. They deliberately increased the girth of the black shear wall to emphasise its prominence. The additional width also serves the practical function of concealing cables. One side of the black wall faces the television lounge and this is where the television set is mounted, with a television console below. The other side of the wall facing the dining area is where Mr Schmoelz’s 77

BELOW The muted palette of the bathroom is in line with the understated interiors of the rest of the apartment. O PPOSI TE The master suite is a private sanctuary, away from public zones such as the living room, lounge and dining room.

antique piano takes pride of place, together with Chinese calligraphy penned by Mrs Schmoelz’s father. A series of grey plaster and white painted walls radiate from this black wall, creating a fluid plan that resembles a Piet Mondrian composition. The various spaces flow freely around these vertical linear elements that serve as spatial organisers and dividers and which give definition and order. “As you move around the apartment, these walls reveal and conceal the spaces, thereby changing your perception,” William explains. On the horizontal plane, a white oak timber floor and white painted ceiling connect the series of spaces in what William describes as “one singular gesture”. BAY WINDOW DISPLAYS There are many bay windows around the home and the need

78

for a more efficient use of space prompted William and Keguang to explore how they could double as storage, shelves and showcases. Mr Schmoelz has a large collection of books and the bay window in the original master bedroom was converted into bookshelves, which complement the television lounge and study corner. “We did not want to seal off the bay window completely, so we added sliding panels behind the bookshelves. These can be opened to let more light in,” says Keguang. The interlocking L-shaped configuration of the shelves creates visual interest and also allows flexibility in arranging books or even using the shelf as a display. Another bay window in the dining area and dry kitchen is now a display for the couple’s wine glass collection. Adopting a similar approach as the bookshelves, a sliding panel behind the showcase allows

Many of the furniture items are pieces from the homeowners’ collection spanning a mix of styles, from antique and mid-century to contemporary.

79

the window to be opened when more natural light is preferred. A simple timber overlay enables the bay window in the master suite to be utilised as either a bench or a platform for placing handbags and other personal effects. CLARITY OF EXPRESSION Apart from having a clear diagram of spaces, form and elements, which are put together in a restrained manner using a controlled palette of colours and materials, the home reveals a deliberate expression of surfaces and a distinct articulation of the junctions between old and new. Walls that form part of the parti, such as the one between the dining area and entrance foyer, have been intentionally extended beyond the perpendicular wall so as to reinforce their significance. A 10mm shadow gap is maintained between a new and old wall for better construction tolerance, as well as to better articulate the two. These architectural expressions imbue the interior with a design complexity, while maintaining a “quietness and simplicity” that William personally enjoys. For the couple, the home very much reflects their tastes and suits their lifestyle. “It is a cosy, warm and intimate apartment that we have always wanted,” concludes Mrs Schmoelz.

80

The former wardrobe space was transformed into a study nook within the lounge area. Fullheight storage shelves provide a clutter-free solution for housing a printer, files and other stationery.

photography FRENCHESCAR LIM art direction NONIE CHEN

81

UMBRA, PENUMBRA ELIZA HAMIZAH checks out this

sophisticated home, whose design is inspired by varying shades of black.

WHO LIVES HERE

A couple in their 30s HOME A three-bedroom condominium apartment in Marine Parade SI ZE

W

1,300sqf

hen a shadow is cast, you will see varying shades of black. The darkest part of the shadow is called umbra, whereas the lighter, greyer area is known as the penumbra. This play on light and darkness is central to this apartment designed by Kelvin Lim of Atelier Here. He started with the main element, black walls, before softening it with layers of off-black and grey marble, tiles and soft furnishings. “I also alternated between dark and bright areas; when lighting is designed this way, it can visually stretch the space and help signify different zones,” he shares. Here’s what went into the renovation, which cost approximately $80,000.

82

SHARED S PAC E S The home belongs to 30-something professionals Mr and Mrs Yuen, who requested a large communal space that they could eat, work and entertain in. As a result, the space formerly occupied by a bedroom is now the living room. Black feature shelves, which conceal the television with a folding screen, separate the communal and private spaces of the home. “We wanted a contemporary design that is more serious and subdued, made up of furniture in simpler ¦ÐÞÈâʣ úÐÐ Ğ ÐÐްɧʣ and touches of marble,” says Mrs Yuen.

83

84

EYEC AT C H I N G K I TC H E N “I don’t cook much, but the kitchen is my favourite space of the home. I just love looking at it,” Mrs Yuen says, with a laugh. Occupying the open kitchen is a 2.6m-long island clad in Fantasy Black, a strikingly beautiful marble that stands out against the dark kitchen cabinets. Kelvin paired this with the glossy surfaces of brass and stainless steel, such as stainless steel open shelvings and a powder-coated steel box encasing the hood, for a more Þ ĝ É ÂÐпʨ a­ â high-end materials took up most of the renovation budget. The sofa is from Commune. 85

BRIGHT AND AIRY “The private lift opens to a small and dark foyer, in which you can get a sea view if you turn to the side. Opening the door to a bright and spacious room makes quite the entrance,” shares Kelvin. The living room is even brighter after expanding the communal space – which was why Mr and Mrs Yuen wanted a bold, dark interior. Wood pieces, like the ɧ°É Þ Ð ¿ ĞÐÐÞ and Mattiazzi dining chairs from Pomelo, as well as plants throughout the home, give the home pops of colour.

86

BESPOKE BEDROOM The bedroom was designed to feature a soothing and cool colour scheme. It has É Ðîéĝéé ú°é­ É ash laminate for the platform bed and a blue-grey hue for the bedroom wall. Mrs Yuen didn’t want a typical platform bed, so Kelvin customised a built-in bedframe, with a detachable headboard pillow to match. An open shelf at the foot of the bed Ðđ Þâ ÈÐÞ °âÛ Ā space, while ambient ĞÐÐÞ Â°§­é°É§ â to the intimate ambience.

87

This artwork was selected for its monochromatic colours, so it wouldn’t vie for attention with the colourful pieces in the living room, such as Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin floor lamp and the Bertoia Bird Chair from Knoll.

88

CAPTIVATING BEAUTY LYNN TAN finds out how interior designer Joey Khu

transformed an ageing apartment into his very own bachelor pad, reflecting his taste and lifestyle.

89

“THE MAIN CHALLENGE WAS TO ACCOMMODATE ALL THE SPACES THAT I WANTED, AS WELL AS FIT IN THE FURNITURE AND OTHER PIECES IN MY COLLECTION.”

90

hen Joey Khu, director of Joey Khu Interior Design, purchased this four-room HDB flat in Bedok, it was in a rundown condition, having been built over 40 years ago. That gave him the opportunity to redo the entire interior. He wanted a simple, modern luxe concept that would be warm and welcoming, with a play on contrasting colours and textures. “The main challenge was to accommodate all the spaces that I wanted for various activities, as well as fit in the furniture, lamps and other pieces in my collection,” Joey says. To achieve that, he hacked away the walls of a room adjacent to the kitchen, thereby creating a bigger space that could be reconfigured to suit his needs. That became the dining area and dry kitchen. A structural beam and column posed a challenge but Joey ingeniously turned the latter into a space divider. The column would have “segmented” the dining table into two, so he adjusted the positioning, with the dining table moved to one side of the obstacle and, on the other, placing a small work desk. The flat had only one small common bathroom and a

L E FT Vitra Standard chairs by Jean Prouve and a Verner Panton pendant lamp create visual interest within the small and simple dining area. B E LOW Joey did not want the entire colour scheme to be too muted or monochromatic, opting to include some pops of colour. O P P OS I T E Joey opted for travertine-look homogeneous floor tiles that add a modern tropical touch.

WHO LIVES HERE

A bachelor who is an interior designer HOM E Four-room HDB apartment in Chai Chee Road SIZE 900sqf 91

A B OVE Joey has a huge collection of furniture, lamps and other knickknacks amassed over the years, and his new home provides the perfect showcase for these pieces. R IG H T The small work desk on one side of the column is a cosy, yet practical, space.

92

FAR RIGHT Part of the original kitchen space was carved out to create a more spacious bathroom, with a proper vanity area and separate shower compartment, meeting Joey’s preference. Design boils down to the priorities of the individual.

separate WC, so Joey reduced the size of the wet kitchen, in order to make space for a bigger bathroom – complete with a proper vanity area and a separate shower compartment. That decision was also a result of efficient space-planning. “I designed a zig-zag wall that separates the wet kitchen from the bathroom. On the side facing the bathroom, I fitted in the vanity counter nicely, while on the other side, I installed a kitchen counter,” he elaborates. This creates additional space to place cooking appliances. As for the spacious living room, it has one drawback: a low ceiling. To address this, Joey used vertical elm wood wall panelling to create the impression of height. The choice of a darker wood

colour enhances the vibrancy of the surrounding greenery, bringing into the interior an element of nature. Two of the existing bedrooms were combined to make up one large master suite. Instead of walls, Joey used floor finishes to demarcate the sleeping area, walk-in wardrobe and balcony within the suite. In the same vein, colours were used to distinguish this private realm from the living room. For instance, the colour scheme in the master suite is stronger and darker to create a relaxing and cosy ambience. Joey carved out part of the floor area in the bedroom for a balcony-like space. “I love balconies and I wanted a cosy, cave-like space as an extension of the bedroom,” he shares. For this space, he opted for a dark grey vinyl resembling slate, to clad the floor, walls and ceiling, in contrast to the greenery outside. Having worked on countless homes for clients, Joey describes the experience of designing his own home as one that is “very exciting but also very difficult”. He reveals: “I have designed homes in a myriad of styles and learnt many valuable lessons from past projects. So, for my own home, it was really about distilling the features I love.” Being a perfectionist may have made the process more difficult but, ultimately, Joey enjoyed the freedom of designing his bachelor pad exactly the way he wanted. 93

A PLAY ON PALETTE DOMENICA TAN finds out how having

a favourite colour in mind helped drive these homeowners towards the look of their matrimonial home.

H

usband-and-wife Jonathan Chia and Melissa Tjahaja – a pilot and veterinarian respectively – were recommended by their family friend to approach architect Lim Shing Hui of L Architects, when they were looking to renovate their newly acquired home. The design of this matrimonial apartment was driven by the homeowners’ love for the colour, rose gold. The brief was rather simple, and the couple requested materials such as timber flooring as they wanted to achieve a warm, cosy ambience. Another requirement was to ensure the living and dining areas remain spacious to accommodate gatherings. With those requirements in mind, Shing Hui studied the colour palette to ensure the home would be able to effectively incorporate rose goldcoloured finishes and meet the functional needs of the couple. To draw the eye, two feature walls were incorporated, in the living room and bedroom, which also offers a continuity of design language in the home. With the aim of adding dimension and creating shadows when light penetrates the interiors, Shing Hui suggested constructing lattice structures against the walls in these spaces. The result is a timelesslooking apartment that has unique features, and sufficient space for the homeowners to display their accessories.

94

STRIKING A BALANCE With an overall palette of four main hues – rose gold, oak tones, blue and white – the home has a cohesive look, with all its furniture and decor features in harmony.

95

TA I LO R E D FOR FUNCTION

WHO LIVES HERE

A couple and their baby HOM E Four-room HDB BTO apartment at Lorong Limau SIZE 1,001sqf

96

The Oceanic Blue laminate from Lamitak clads the surface of the cabinetry, and őĂĆʼn ƈ ĢĆʼnĂ ÁłłäÁŅʼn ĆĢ ʼnäŪäŅÁě łÁŅőʼn ĩù őĂä home. The Carrara marble dining table was also customised by Shing Hui, as a gift from Melissa’s relative. The ŖĢàäŅʼnőÁőäà őÁÙěäőĩł Ćʼn Á łäŅùäÚő ùĩĆě ùĩŅ őĂä Ņĩʼnä úĩěà łäĢàÁĢő ěÁġłʼn͡ ÁěěĩūĆĢú őĂäġ to stand out among ĩőĂäŅ ƈ ŰőŖŅäʼn͠

SHADES OF BLUE Playing on various shades of blue, Shing Hui chose a Prussian blue subway-tiled backsplash for the kitchen. Because Jonathan and Melissa do not cook often, they opted for an openconcept kitchen, which helps the dining room look more spacious.

97

RESTFUL ROOM The lattice feature wall design in the bedroom was constructed using timber and given a striking coat of blue paint. It draws the eye, adding dimension to the otherwise plain wall, while creating the illusion of a higher ceiling.

98

MEETING ALL NEEDS Utilising wall space was a clever strategy in this home, as Shing Hui carved out a small study area, as well as a space where Melissa is able to doll up every day.

photos FINBARR FALLON

99

F E AT U R E

g ' a #

OF 2019 New Year, new decisions! It is time to give your home a fresh ěĩĩė őĩ ʼnőÁŅő ̧̠̞̟ ĩƅ ŅĆúĂő͠ ĩ help with your choices, here is the àäƈĢĆőĆŪä ěĆʼnő ĩù ̠̞ őŅäĢàʼn͡ łŅäàĆÚőäà by Home & Decor’s style gurus and a panel of internationally acclaimed interior designers, which will dominate the furnishing and design ʼnÚäĢäʼn ĆĢ őĂä ġĩĢőĂʼn ÁĂäÁà͠

4

2

1

100

1. Wendelbo Lobby Lounge chair. 2. Bump vase (tall), by Tom Dixon. 3. Tacchini Roma sofa. 4. (from left) Bat chair, Beetle table, 5321 lamp, Turbo pendant, Adnet Alcantara mirror, Revers sofa, Multi-lite lamp, TS console and Pacha chair, by Gubi.

3

1

CURVY DESIGN A LADYLIKE ALLURE A sense of serenity is achieved through the combination of simplicity, function and beauty – particularly true when it comes to pieces of furniture and accessories with curves. Whether one’s home style is classic or contemporary, incorporating curvilinear shapes creates a soft, feminine atmosphere. Based in Copenhagen, the Gubi brand exemplifies that. “A design has to be beautiful and sculptural,” explains Jacob Gubi. Curvy design evokes a feeling of relaxation, cosiness and fluidity at the same time, and it works for everything, from a chair to a mirror or a vase.

101

photo JULIA ROBBS FOR HOMEPOLISH

1

2

MATTE BLACK DARE TO GO DARK In addition to being visually strong, black makes other elements pop. “Painting with matte black doesn’t feel overpowering,” says Jae Joo, founder of Jae Joo Designs in New York City. “The muteness provides a calm vibe to the space. Even choosing something small, like black faucets or cabinet hardware, will give strong modern character to your space,” says Jae Joo. Black has a lot of other advantages. It makes any room feel larger; it is the perfect backdrop for colourful artworks and decorative accessories; it helps create a cohesive look; it can either be subtle or make a statement; and, it will never go out of style. Used on a whole wall, a piece of furniture or a few details, matte black is always a good idea.

102

2

1. Studio pendant lamp, by Muuto. 2. New York City project, by Jae Joo Designs. (www. jaejoodesigns. com)

3

GREY FORAY BOLD TONES ON GREY Grey has been dominating home palettes for a few years now, with each year spotlighting a different tone of grey or a different way to use it. Colour experts are speculating that grey will still very much be in the interior decor scene, but this year, it will take a back seat as a backdrop colour. Focus will be turned towards cheerful pastels and bold-coloured accents that will complement a grey canvas. In the Pantone’s Home + Interiors Guide for 2019, its key palettes feature harmonious combinations of warm tones amidst easy-going neutrals like greys to bring out the bolder colours. For instance, in the Classico palette, graceful swan white and camel-coloured tan coexist effortlessly with deep teal, chic grey flannel, burgundy red, and caviar black, as well as rich gold and apricot brandy.

1 2

1. Green and gold elements, from Covet House. 2. Mesmerising and eclectic details, from Covet House. 3. The H15 Boutique Apartments, by Design Hotels. 4. Saba Italia Sitar armchair and footstool, from Go Modern Furniture. 5. Miniforms Colony armchair, Caruso sideboard and Kiki lights, from Go Modern Furniture.

3

5

4

103

1

1. 2017-1215 rug, by Tom Dixon. 2. Ohleaf vases. 3. Vase, from Mudrock Ceramic.

4

LABOUR OF LOVE HANDMADE DECOR

2

104

3

As an extension of the ecochic trend, DIY or handmade decor is making its way into homes as a highly valued feature. From handcrafted wood furniture to smaller accessories meticulously made by hand, these charming handmade products offer a unique personal touch in contemporary interiors. “DIY projects (should) focus on affordable, sustainable uses of natural materials such as wood, metal and concrete,” says Ben Uyeda in his book Homemade Modern: Smart DIY Designs for a Stylish Home. “Making careful decisions about the materials you use will prevent you from overspending, or using anything unsafe for the environment.”

5

GEOMETRIC APPEAL PLAY THE ANGLES

1

2

1. Glam Rock Table (Cobalt), by Reflections Copenhagen. (www. reflectionscopenhagen. com) 2. Piedra lighting collection, by L’Aviva Home. (www. lavivahome.com)

Immediately eye-catching, triangles, squares, hexagons, circles and chevrons are easy to incorporate into your home, making any piece of furniture, lighting or accessory stand out. “Geometric designs and 3-D effects will give a fashionable touch to contemporary interiors in 2019,” says Julie Hugau, co-founder, CEO and designer at Reflections Copenhagen. “These shapes add volume, depth and style.” Taking its inspiration from the stone masks of the ancient civilisation of Teotihuacan and carved in the Mexican city of Tecali, the Piedra lighting collection by L’Aviva Home draws on defined angles, clean lines and streamlined silhouettes, reflecting a unique character. “The outside world is moving ever more quickly around us – and we’re constantly being ÙĩġÙÁŅàäà ūĆőĂ Ģäū ŪĆʼnŖÁě imagery, it comes at us 24/7 from all directions,” notes Laura Aviva, founder of L’aviva Home. “It’s a lot to process. Ģà őĂäŅäΎʼn ʼnĩġäőĂĆĢú ùÁġĆěĆÁŅ͡ a ‘known’ aspect with geometric shapes – there’s a comfort level with them őĂÁőΎʼn ÙĩőĂ őĩ Ùä ÚŅÁŪäàέÁĢà eminently appealing.”

“GEOMETRIC DESIGNS AND 3-D EFFECTS WILL GIVE A FASHIONABLE TOUCH TO CONTEMPORARY INTERIORS IN 2019.” JULIE HUGAU, CO-FOUNDER OF REFLECTIONS COPENHAGEN.

105

6

MIXIN’ PATTERNS MULTI-COLOURED & TEXTURED

In 2019, we will see homeowners delving into mixing and matching colours, textures, materials and patterns, and there will be no limit to creativity. “We are seeing our clients more willing to experiment with colours, prints and patterns in their soft furnishings, as this is an easy way to take risks without the long-term commitment,” ʼnÁűʼn UäŅäġű Ŗěě͡ łŅĆĢÚĆłÁě Áő Sydney-based studio Alexander & Co. Pillows, wallpapers, curtains, tablecloths and bed linen are some of the many possibilities with which you can experiment and put together in a bold way. Just keep the look you want to achieve in mind, such as floral, tropical, eclectic or feminine. TOP Imperial Up restaurant and bar in Sydney, Australia, by Alexander & Co. (https:// alexanderand. co)

106

7

ART DECO

MAKING A BIG STATEMENT

1. Blossom Mirror, from the Thomas Pheasant collection for Baker Furniture. 2. Residential project in the United States, by Kelly Wearstler.

Originating in France, Art Deco – popular from the 1920s to the 1940s – is characterised by strong angles and sleek surfaces. “A designer must always look at history in order to formulate her own (sense of) aesthetics and point of view,” says Kelly Wearstler. “The geometric patterns, gilded materials and natureinspired forms of the Art #äÚĩ łäŅĆĩà ÁŅä äŪäŅúŅääĢ͠ ű introducing classic motifs to their contemporary counterparts, it is possible to create a tension that engages, ūĆőĂ Á ŅĆÚĂ àĆÁěĩúŖä͠Ό 2

photo GREY CRAWFORD

photo ANSON SMART

1

A style of design, architecture and visual arts, Art Deco contrasts with minimalistic design trends, finding its foundation in geometric shapes, rich colours and strong angles. Ćú ʼnőÁőäġäĢőʼn͡ ÚĩġġĩĢěű found in Art Deco, can be achieved both through the use of sleek surfaces such as lacquer, gold, steel and polished wood, and light fixtures including chandeliers, sconces and floor lamps. Sophisticated and timeless at the same time, a black palette is a perfect match for gold and brass touches, as well as mirrored furnishings and accessories. From floor to ceiling, bold and geometric details can inject personality into every nook of a home.

8

T OUCH ME, FEEL ME TEXTURE EVERYWHERE

1

Materials that invite touch, and decor items with a distinctive tactile quality, are rising trends this year. Rough or plush, textures create a hearty interior space that has depth and its own sensual aesthetics. During September 2018’s Maison & Objet in Paris, materials and textures dominated the fair, indicating that this year’s home

trends is going to be about how it feels as much as how it looks. Textures that are on-trend include natural, rustic fibres with a craft-like characteristic. At 2018’s London Textile Fair, the fabric trends on display leaned towards a natural and authentic quality. Raw cotton, jacquard weaves and basket structures

along with wool, cashmere and alpaca were predicted to be top favourites. As a material for interior decor, natural, sustainable fabrics are perfect as upholstery, rugs and soft furnishing elements – complementing the eco-chic style that is still making waves in the decorating world.

2

1. Mood Board Neutrals, by Tom Dixon. 2. Shelby throw, from Crate & Barrel.

107

9

FLOWER POWER SIMPLE FLORAL PIECES Simplicity rules in floral decor. It’s time to say goodbye to huge bouquets of blossoms or complicated flower arrangements, and make way for simpler, minimalist floral decorations at home. Less is truly more – aim for Ikebanainspired compositions or Scandinavian-styled floral decor. “Emphasise one flower, one branch. Create the arrangement as an essence of nature,” said the late Sofu Teshigahara, founder of one of the first ikebana flower arranging schools in Japan. The choice of vases and flowers is crucial too. When selecting flowers or plants, stay within a neutral palette, with single bold hues. For instance, white orchids or Easter lilies offer a minimalist appearance. It doesn’t always have to be flowers, you can use palm fronds, a single banana leaf or even twigs and branches as part of your floral decor. Broadwell Vase, from Garden Trading.

108

2

3

1

10

PICTURE PERFECT

ABSTRACT RUG DESIGNS

Persian rugs with elaborate designs featuring animal or floral shapes are beautiful, but, in 2019, interior trends are diverting from those designs in favour of rugs with abstract art featuring nature-inspired themes. Much like what we see being framed and hung up on walls, contemporary abstract art now has a place underfoot, with rugs resembling a fullfledged painting. Each piece tells a story, interpreted in colourful weaves with an artistic quality. For example, “The Rabbit Hole” collection from The Rug Maker features an entire series of rugs depicting the true nature of reality.

4

1, 2, 3. Ferreira de Sa’s rug designs (available from Flexform). 4. Oscar and Mira rug, from Rug Society.

109

11

EARTH- PROUD DECOR

1. Red Bicycle Wheel Wall Art, from Smithers of Stamford. 2. Lessmore, Tavolino table.

12 VELVET 1

photo JONATHAN ADLER

110

1

2

1. Pernille cotton velvet chair (pastel blue), by Broste Copenhagen. (www.amara.com) 2. Lampert sofa, by Jonathan Adler. (www. jonathanadler. com)

2

photo JONATHAN ADLER

When it comes to decorating in 2019, sustainable style takes centre stage. Eco-friendly accessories are at the forefront of home decorating, with recycled and upcycled products taking the lead – consider, for instance, wood remnants made into bowls and containers, or cabinets and armoires given a new lease of life with a fresh coat of (eco-friendly) paint, or metal waste that have been recycled into furniture parts. Eco-friendly wood flooring, such as reclaimed wood floors, and salvaged wood panels are also gaining popularity. “We scour the land for wood that can be salvaged and upcycled, giving discarded timber a second lease on life,” says Wonderwall Studios, renowned for its wall panels made from salvaged wood. “Typically, we’ll turn a weathered girder into a striking collection of unique wall tiles.”

photo AMARA

ECO-FRIENDLY ACCESSORIES

TACTILITY AT ITS BEST While velvet in dark, brooding hues has been trending in furniture design for the past three years, the luscious fabric now comes in softer and muted shades of coral pink, beige and cream. And homeowners are still drawn to its sensual appeal and luxe look. “Velvet is one of the few fabrics that is sensual to the touch and visually holds colour in a way that is bright yet deep”, says India Mahdavi, who designed the True Velvet collection for Pierre Frey. Says potter, designer and author Jonathan Adler: “Velvet is the ultimate luxe texture. It’s a little bit ’70s and a lot today, and can instantly ‘swank up’ any pad.” Velvet tones can be applied in a variety of ways, including on cushions, rugs and upholstered walls. This fabric adds texture and warmth to a space, and is sumptuous and glamorous. Using it carefully and balancing it with other materials is recommended.

13

THE BOHEMIAN LOOK THE ART OF LAYERING

Blending old and new decorative elements harmoniously, and layering textures and colours, helps to create a joyful and spirited home, according to Australian designer Louise Walsh. “As we lead such busy lives, we’re seeing a calling back to an authentic and individualistic design approach,” she says. “The tactile nature of a true boho style encourages the use of handmade and organic elements, rather than mass-produced furnishings. People now want their homes to be a reflection of their lives, travels and loves, rather than a

contrived interior lacking in heart.” For Barcelona-based designer Jaime Beriestain, the bohemian style is also accompanied by the return to the authentic and traditional. “Handmade works and the concept of uniqueness are starting to be valued again,” he says. “It is, for example, the case for natural materials such as ceramic, rattan, linen, stone and terrazzo. You can see that through handcrafted items, wallcoverings such as tiles produced piece by piece, or textiles with natural fibre and traditional motifs.”

photo MANOLO YLLERA

Hotel Jardín Tropical in Tenerife, Spain. (https:// beriestain.com)

111

1

2

14

SHADES OF GREEN THE FUTURE OF DESIGN

Combining sustainability and style through the use of ecofriendly products and design techniques is a new way to improve our home lives. The ideas of seamlessly connecting exterior and interior, and creating a unique harmony with the environment, without neglecting the importance of comfort and aesthetic, are booming. Choosing locally sourced and reclaimed materials such as wood; integrating plants into interior spaces; and using green

decorative accessories that introduce visual freshness and mimic the natural surroundings are key to achieving this flourishing aesthetic, which paves the way for the future. It is possible to minimise our impact and be respectful of the environment, while simultaneously maintaining a sense of style. 1. Little Beach House Barcelona. (www.littlebeachhousebarcelona. com/en) 2. Helmikka Pillow Cover (Green/ Pink/Violet), by Marimekko. 3. Dual tone three-seater sofa, from Commune.

3

112

Antique World Map Mural, by Lovell Johns. (www.wallsauce. com)

15

THE SKY IS THE LIMIT STATEMENT CEILING Ceilings used to be the focal point in Victorian and classical architecture, but then pretty much got ignored when the International design era came about. Today, beautiful, striking, neck-bending ceilings are making a huge comeback. Now known as the “fifth wall”, statement ceilings are making headlines in interior spaces, no matter if it’s in the main living areas or even in the bathroom. As one of the prime attractions in home interior trends, ceilings are being

crafted into a feature element using interesting material choices and meticulous detailing. Styles are varied, but ceilings are meticulously designed to express a specific theme. Wood beams are preferred by those aiming for a more natural, rustic look, while solid black ceilings bring out a sexy quality in contemporary interiors. Ceilings are also getting a coffered look – perfect for a classic, Parisianinspired appearance.

NOW KNOWN AS THE “FIFTH WALL”, STATEMENT CEILINGS ARE MAKING HEADLINES IN INTERIOR SPACES, NO MATTER IF IT’S IN THE MAIN LIVING AREAS OR EVEN IN THE BATHROOM.

113

Originally from Italy, terrazzo is a composite material made with chips of marble, quartz, granite or glass poured with concrete or epoxy resin. Today it is favoured by design lovers because of its versatility as it complements all types of decoration. Floor tiles, tables or candles – terrazzo can be seen everywhere.

For Swedish designer Daniel Enoksso, who created the indoor and outdoor Terrazzo Table for Hay, the material was “an obvious choice to use as the base, partly due to its excellent durable properties, but, more importantly, (because) it has such a unique and distinctive finish that makes an effective contrast against the stark simplicity of the tabletop.”

TERRAZZO STAYS STRONG

16

VERSATILITY IS KEY

2

114

1. Terrazzo, from Atlas Concorde Marvel Gems. 2. Terrazzo square table, by Daniel Enoksso for Hay. (https:// hay.dk) 3. Materialism Terrazzo candle, by Tom Dixon. (www.tomdixon. net)

photo HAY

3

photo TOM DIXON

1

17

BETTER TOGETHER CLUSTER LIGHTING ACCESSORIES

In 2018, cluster coffee tables were everywhere. In 2019, the cluster trend is moving upwards – in the form of cluster lighting. Instead of a single point of light, a cluster of similar looking lamps is bundled together to create an artistic effect. Cluster pendant lamps beautifully cast a soft glow over the living area, resulting in a cosy, intimate environment. Versatile and fashionable, cluster lighting comes in many styles, shapes and sizes. If you are going for a contemporary look, lighting professionals advise to go for those with sleeker lines and simpler details. For a rustic and industrial appeal, opt for those with a more organic cluster. A rule of thumb is to pay attention to the scale and size of your cluster.

1

2

1. Bocci 28 Series, by Omer Arbel 02. 2. Pendant lights, from Tekio by Anthony Dickens for Santa & Cole.

1. Frozen Terra Landscape, from Caesarstone. 2., Toronto Off White Matt tiles, from Original Style Tileworks.

Tiles are getting larger, and homeowners are loving it. Thanks to advanced technology in the tiles industry, large format tiles rose to fame in 2018 and are speculated to last into 2019 and beyond. There’s a distinct charm to these bigger-than-average tiles, which can be used on walls and floors. The top choices include slab-sized porcelain sheets and large-sized natural stone tiles which offer a modern and cleaner look. “Large format tiles can make a dramatic difference to a room and create a sense of creative freedom,” says Italia Ceramics. “There was a time where 600x600mm tiles were considered huge but, now, we are seeing tile slabs as big as 4m x 1.5m, which is enormous!” With larger sizes, there are less grout lines, making large format tiles perfect for a seamless look. Maintenance is also easier. “With large format tiles, less joinery is required, thus lesser lines can be seen,” says Priscilla Ng, creative director and founder of Paul+Pris Interior Design Studio. “This helps to simplify and bring out the material surface quality even better.” The tiles are available in different finishings, which allows for more design possibilities.

1

18

BIG IS BEAUTIFUL

2

LARGE FORMAT TILES 115

19

METALLIC ACCENTS

photo JOSEPH DE LEO

GLAMOROUS SHINE

1

photo SONDER LIVING

Touches of silver, gold, brass and copper exude refinement and perfectly combine with different styles, textures and neutral tones. “The effective thing about a metallic accent on any form is that it reflects our reality, which is a good way to head into the new year,” says industrial designer Lindsey Adelman who, with her team of about 40 plus a small network of local artisans both in New York City and Los Angeles, aims at maximising lighting to capture the ephemeral beauty of nature in a sensual way, through sculptural and elegant chandeliers.

116

2

1. Agnes 6-bulb chandelier in brushed brass, by Lindsey Adelman. (www. lindseyadelman.com) 2. Door cabinet, by Andrew Martin for Sonder Living. (https://sonderliving. com)

1. Copper Leaf Landscape, from Original Style’s Glassworks Tiles. 2. Dotted Wave, from SynerG. 3. Singapore Treasures, from SynerG. 4. Odyssey Mezzo Nocturne 8206, from Original Style.

1

2

3

4

20

MAKING A SPLASH VIBRANT KITCHEN BACKSPLASH

In recent years, backsplash designs have become a key design feature in kitchens. In 2019, this trend will continue to get even more colourful and artistic, creating a strong focal point in the cooking space. Materials play a significant role – designers are using a variety of materials including stone, glass, mirror, metal, brick and wood. Next year, we will see more textures and prints adorning kitchen backsplashes using tiles of different shapes and sizes. Topping the list of backsplash design trends are patterned surfaces and interesting finishes ranging from glossy and reflective to acid washes and even a weathered look. Large format tiles with a subway-inspired look are also gaining popularity. Backsplashes are getting very colourful as well – for instance, lemon yellow, succulent green, chilli red and other vibrant hues. On the other side of the colour spectrum, designers are also opting for inky black backsplashes for a sense of luxurious drama.

text KARINE MONIE, LILY ELLE WONG AND DOMENICA TAN images RESPECTIVE BRANDS AND INTERIOR DESIGNERS

117

F E AT U R E

JUST SO CLEVER Keen to turn your humble home into a smart domain? Start by taking a look at the seven characteristics the latest smart devices possess, and home appliances on the market that exemplify them.

ĩàÁű͡ őĂä ūĩŅà ΋ʼnġÁŅőΌ Ćʼn Á łŅäƈŰ ĆĢ ġÁĢű Ăĩġä äʼnʼnäĢőĆÁěʼn͠ ĂäŅä Ćʼn őĂä ʼnġÁŅő ěĩÚė͡ ʼnġÁŅő ūÁʼnĂĆĢú ġÁÚĂĆĢä ÁĢà äŪäĢ Á ʼnġÁŅő äúú őŅÁű ͳěĩĩė Ŗł 'úú `ĆĢàäŅʹ͠ DĩūäŪäŅ͡ Ģĩő äŪäŅűőĂĆĢú őĂÁő ÙääĢ ěÁÙäěěäà ʼnġÁŅő͡ Ćʼn͠ Áėä őĂä ĆĢ Áġ Ùű aäūÚÁʼnőěä ĢĆŪäŅʼnĆőű͡ ūĂĆÚĂ łŅĩłĩʼnäà őĂä ĆàäÁ ĩù ĆĢͿÙĆĢ ÚÁġäŅÁʼn őĂÁő ΁ ĆĢ őĂä ĢÁġä ĩù ūÁʼnőä ġÁĢÁúäġäĢő ΁ ŅäÚĩŅà ÁĢà ŅäŪĆäū őĂä ÚĩĢőäĢőʼn ĩù űĩŖŅ ÙĆĢ͠ Hő ūĆěě äŪäĢ ŖłěĩÁà őĂä łĂĩőĩʼn őĩ ;ÁÚäÙĩĩė͠ Hʼn Ćő ΋ʼnġÁŅőäŅΌ őĂÁĢ Á ŅäúŖěÁŅ ÙĆĢͧ ¯äʼn͠ #ĩäʼn Ćő ġÁėä łŅÁÚőĆÚÁě ʼnäĢʼnäͧ aĩ͠ DĩūäŪäŅ͡ ĆőΎʼn Ģĩő Áěě ʼnäŅĆĩŖʼn ÙŖʼnĆĢäʼnʼn͠ ĩġäőĆġäʼn͡ ʼnġÁŅő őäÚĂĢĩěĩúű ÙŅĆĢúʼn ÁĢ äěäġäĢő ĩù ùŖĢ͡ ŖʼnŖÁěěű ūĂäĢ łÁĆŅäà ūĆőĂ Á ʼnĆġłěä ĩÙĔäÚő ΂ ÁĢà őĂÁőΎʼn ĩėÁű͡ őĩĩ͠ gŖŅ ÁàŪĆÚä͢ Zĩĩė łÁʼnő ġÁŅėäőĆĢú łěĩűʼn ÁĢà ĩłő ùĩŅ àäŪĆÚäʼn ūĆőĂ ùŖĢÚőĆĩĢʼn őĂÁő äŰÚĆőä űĩŖ ÁĢà ʼnŖĆő űĩŖŅ ěĆùäʼnőűěä͠ ©ĂäĢ ʼnĂĩłłĆĢú͡ ěĩĩė ùĩŅ Á ʼnġÁŅő àäŪĆÚä őĂÁő ÚĂäÚėʼn őĂä ùĩěěĩūĆĢú ěĆʼnő͠

118

1

2

T I M E - S AV I N G

THOUGHTFUL DESIGN

©Ăű ġĩł ÁùőäŅ ŪÁÚŖŖġĆĢú͡ ūĂäĢ űĩŖ ÚÁĢ àĩ ÙĩőĂ Áő őĂä ʼnÁġä őĆġäͧ Ăä Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo 900 ùäÁőŖŅäʼn gŹġĩ `ĩłłĆĢú äÚĂĢĩěĩúű͠ Ăä ÁłłěĆÁĢÚä ÚěäŪäŅěű ʼnūĆőÚĂäʼn őĩ ġĩłłĆĢú ġĩàä ÁùőäŅ Ćő ĂÁʼn ŪÁÚŖŖġäà ÁĢ ÁŅäÁ͠ äĢʼnĩŅʼn àäőäŅġĆĢä őĂä Ɖĩū ĩù ūÁőäŅ͡ ÁĢà ÁĢ äěäÚőŅĩĢĆÚÁěěű ÚĩĢőŅĩěěäà ūÁőäŅ łŖġł àŅÁūʼn äĢĩŖúĂ ūÁőäŅ ùŅĩġ Á ŅäʼnäŅŪĩĆŅ ùĩŅ Á àääł ÚěäÁĢ͡ ūĆőĂĩŖő ÚŅäÁőĆĢú Á ʼněĆłłäŅű ʼnŖŅùÁÚä͠ Ăä ʼnÁġä ʼnäĢʼnĩŅʼn ĆĢùĩŅġ őĂä ŅĩÙĩőĆÚ ŪÁÚŖŖġ Ăĩū ġŖÚĂ ʼnŖÚőĆĩĢ łĩūäŅ Ćʼn Ģääàäà ĩĢ àĆƅäŅäĢő ʼnŖŅùÁÚäʼn͠ gőĂäŅ őäÚĂĢĩěĩúĆäʼn͡ ĆĢÚěŖàĆĢú őĂä àÁłőĆŪä ;ěĩĩŅ äĢʼnĆĢú͡ äĢÁÙěä őĂä ŅĩÙĩő őĩ ʼnÚÁĢ͡ ġÁł ÁĢà łěÁĢ ÁĢ äƆÚĆäĢő ÚěäÁĢĆĢú łÁőĂ͠ ʼnäŅʼn ÚÁĢ łŅĩúŅÁġ őĂä #ääÙĩő gŹġĩ ̧̞​̞ őĩ ÚěäÁĢ ūĆőĂĆĢ ʼnłäÚĆƈÚ ÁŅäÁʼn͡ ĩŅ łŅäŪäĢő Ćő ùŅĩġ äĢőäŅĆĢú ŅäʼnőŅĆÚőäà ÁŅäÁʼn͡ ūĆőĂ őĂä 'ÚĩŪÁÚʼn łł͠

Ăä ūĩŅěàΎʼn ƈŅʼnő ̟̞​̞ łäŅ ÚäĢő ūĆŅäͿùŅää͡ ūäÁőĂäŅłŅĩĩù ʼnġÁŅő ʼnäÚŖŅĆőű ÚÁġäŅÁ ΁ őĂä Netgear Arlo 2 ΁ ÚĩŪäŅʼn Áěě ÙÁʼnäʼn͠ Hő ĩƅäŅʼn ̟̞̦̞ł D# ńŖÁěĆőű ʼnĩ űĩŖ àĩĢΎő ĂÁŪä őĩ ʼnńŖĆĢő Áő ʼnŖʼnłäÚőʼnͣ űĩŖ ÚÁĢ ĂĆúĂěĆúĂő ʼnłäÚĆƈÚ ÁŅäÁʼn ĆĢ űĩŖŅ ÚÁġäŅÁΎʼn ŪĆäū őĩ ŅäÚäĆŪä ġĩőĆĩĢ ÁĢà ʼnĩŖĢà ÁěäŅőʼnͣ őĂä ġÁŅő ĆŅäĢ Áěěĩūʼn űĩŖ őĩ ʼnūĆőÚĂ ĩĢ Á ̟̞​̞θ àäÚĆÙäě ʼnĆŅäĢ Ņäġĩőäěű ʼnĩ űĩŖ ÚÁĢ ʼnÚÁŅä ĩƅ ĆĢőŅŖàäŅʼnͣ ÁĢà Ćő ĂÁʼn ĢĆúĂő ŪĆʼnĆĩĢ ÁĢà őūĩͿūÁű ÁŖàĆĩ͠ 'ÁÚĂ łÁÚė Úĩġäʼn ūĆőĂ őūĩ ÚÁġäŅÁʼn ÁĢà Á ÙÁʼnä ʼnőÁőĆĩĢ͠ Find it at Harvey Norman out let s, where it is ret a ilin g for $899.

The Deebot Ozmo 900 re tail s fo r $ 699, and o n Qoo 1 0 and Laz ada on l y.

119

3

4

5

FUN & INTUITIVE

A L L - E N C O M PA S S I N G

E D U C AT I O N A L

If your partner has the annoying habit of leaving the lights on, try the TP-Link LED bulb. Simply connect the bulb to your Wi-Fi, and control the light remotely with the Kasa app. The Multicolour bulb, in particular, allows you to choose from a wide range of colours (perfect for parties), from cool to warm whites, and opt for Circadian Mode. The mode changes the brightness and warmth of the light to match the time of day.

In the realm of smart home devices, Samsung has certainly been one step ahead. In the Samsung Smart Things ʼnűʼnőäġ͡ űĩŖ ūĆěě ƈ Ģà Á suite of Things that automate and secure all areas of your home. This includes working with ADT Security Services to power smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, water leak detectors (top), as well as window and motion detectors (above). The Smart Things website also lists complementary brands and products, such as the Philips Hue bulbs, Google Home, and smart plugs. It’s the whole package, and the website makes it easy for you to understand it, too.

Smart technology should allow devices to perform better, as well as educate its users. The Dyson Pure Cool air purifying fan, along with the Dyson Link app, collects data on the pollutants that enter people’s homes. Tear a piece of paper or spray deodorant in the air and the Pure Cool will pick up the pollutants, while the app instantly reports the spike to you. Now you ÚÁĢ ÚĩġłÁŅä őĂä ŖĢĂäÁěőĂű äƅäÚő ġÁĢű àĆƅäŅäĢő ĂĩŖʼnäĂĩěà Ćőäġʼn have on indoor air, and cut down on those that are bad for you. You can also choose how air circulates ĆĢ űĩŖŅ Ņĩĩġ͡ ʼnÁŪä äĢäŅúű͡ ÁĢà ƈĢà ĩŖő Ăĩū őĩ ŅäłěÁÚä Á ƈěőäŅ͡ ŪĆÁ őĂä Link app.

Find it at Harvey Norman o utlet s, w h ere it is ret a ilin g for $89.

Vis it www. smart t hi ng s.com to fi n d ou t mo re.

120

T he Dyso n Pure Cool air puri f ying fan ret ails from $699 and i s avail ab le at all majo r de partm ent and elect ric al store s.

7 M U LT I - F U N C T I O N A L

Ăä ƈŅʼnő ĩù Ćőʼn ėĆĢà͡ őĂä Samsung Family Hub Ćʼn Á ŅäùŅĆúäŅÁőĩŅ ūĆőĂ Á ÚÁěäĢàÁŅ Áłłͣ Á úŅĩÚäŅű ěĆʼnő őĂÁő ÚÁĢ Ùä ŖłàÁőäà ěĆŪä ÁĢà Ùä ʼnűĢÚäà ūĆőĂ űĩŖŅ ùÁġĆěű ġäġÙäŅʼnΎͣ ÁĢà Á ěÁŅúä ʼnÚŅääĢ ĩĢ ūĂĆÚĂ őĩ ūÁőÚĂ ¯ĩŖőŖÙä ŅäÚĆłäʼn͠ gù ÚĩŖŅʼnä͡ őĂĆʼn ġŖěőĆͿùŖĢÚőĆĩĢÁěĆőű Ćʼn Ģĩő Á Ģääà͡ ÙŖő ʼnġÁŅő őäÚĂĢĩěĩúű Ćʼn Áěʼnĩ ÁÙĩŖő łŖʼnĂĆĢú őĂä ÙĩŖĢàÁŅĆäʼn ĩù ʼnĆĢúěäͿ Ŗʼnä łŅĩàŖÚőʼn͠ ©ä ěĆėä őĂÁő őĂä ;ÁġĆěű DŖÙ ÚÁĢ Ùä ūĆŅäà őĩ ĩőĂäŅ ʼnġÁŅő àäŪĆÚäʼn ěĆėä őĂä ÁġʼnŖĢú ĩūäŅÙĩő͡ ūĂĆÚĂ ġäÁĢʼn űĩŖ ÚÁĢ ʼnőÁŅő ĩĢ ĩőĂäŅ ÚĂĩŅäʼn ūĆőĂĩŖő äŪäĢ ěäÁŪĆĢú őĂä ėĆőÚĂäĢ͠

6

Find it at Harvey Norman out let s, wh ere it is ret ailin g fo r $7,499.

I N T E R AC T I V E

Ăä Bang & Olufsen Beosound Edge ěĩĩėʼn ĢĩőĂĆĢú ěĆėä Á ʼnłäÁėäŅ ÁĢà őĂÁő Ćʼn őĂä łĩĆĢő͡ ÁÚÚĩŅàĆĢú őĩ àäʼnĆúĢäŅ `ĆÚĂÁäě ĢÁʼnőÁʼnʼnĆÁàäʼn͡ ūĂĩ ūÁĢőäà őĩ ÚŅäÁőä Á ġűʼnőäŅĆĩŖʼn ĩÙĔäÚő͠ ÁĢʼn ÙŖőőĩĢʼn͡ őĂä àĆʼnÚͿ ěĆėä äĩʼnĩŖĢà 'àúä ěĆúĂőʼn Ŗł ĆġġäàĆÁőäěű Áʼn űĩŖ ÁłłŅĩÁÚĂ Ćő͡ ʼnĂĩūĆĢú űĩŖ őĂä őĩŖÚĂ łÁĢäě őĩ ÚĩĢőŅĩě őĂä ŪĩěŖġä ÁĢà őŅÁÚėʼn͠ Ŗő ĂäŅä Ćʼn ʼnĩġäőĂĆĢú äŪäĢ ÙäőőäŅ͢ ¯ĩŖ ÚÁĢ Ņĩěě őĂä ʼnłäÁėäŅ ÙÁÚė ÁĢà ùĩŅőĂ ͳĩŅ łŖʼnĂ Ćő Ŗł ÁĢà àĩūĢ͡ Ćù ġĩŖĢőäà ĩĢ őĂä ūÁěěʹ őĩ ĆĢÚŅäÁʼnä ÁĢà àäÚŅäÁʼnä őĂä ŪĩěŖġä͠ Ģ ÁÚÚäěäŅĩġäőäŅ ġäÁʼnŖŅäʼn őĂä ŅĩÚėĆĢú͡ ūĂĆěä Á ʼnőĩłłäŅ ėääłʼn őĂä ʼnłäÁėäŅ ùŅĩġ ùÁěěĆĢú ĩŪäŅ ĩŅ ŅĩěěĆĢú ÁūÁű͠ Dĩū ġäʼnġäŅĆʼnĆĢúͥ The B &O Beosound Edge su p p or t s B l ueto o th , Air p l ay 2 a nd C hrom eca st, a nd wor ks v i a t h e B a ng & O lu fs e n A pp. It retails for $5,200 at all Bang & O l uf s e n o u tlets .

text ELIZA HAMIZAH

121

I N S TO R E

WAT C H I N G A R T The television may be an integral part of many people’s lives, but some homeowners consider it an eyesore. The Frame 2018 by Samsung will change that. This frame-like television features a less glossy screen, and can transform into a framed work of art by projecting stunning art pieces when it Ćʼn őŖŅĢäà ĩƅ͠ ¯ĩŖ ÚÁĢ ÚĂĩĩʼnä art from Samsung-partnered galleries like Lumas and

Saatchi Art, or upload your own photo via your smart devices. This stylish television ĂÁĢúʼn ƉŖʼnĂ ūĆőĂ őĂä ūÁěě͡ ÁĢà has an unobtrusive electricity cable. Place it among other photographs and no one will be ÁÙěä őĩ őäěě őĂä àĆƅäŅäĢÚäͥ

S P I N AWAY Survive hot days by turning on your ceiling fan to full speed. No need to worry about high energy consumption: The Intaglio DC-159 NL by Acorn features an innovative DC motor, making it possible to use only 27W at the highest speed. It has six speeds and the ability to mimic natural wind, which you can control via a remote. This 52-inch model was designed to have sleek acrylic blades, and is available in wood, matte black ĩŅ ġÁőőä ūĂĆőä ƈĢĆʼnĂäʼn͠

Samsung The Frame 2018 4K UHD TV retails for $3,999 and $5,599, for the 55-inch and 6 5 - i n c h m o d e l s , r e s p e c t i v e l y.

The Intaglio DC-159 NL retails fo r $2 9 9 ( wo o d ) a nd $ 249 (matte black or matte white).

STYLE & FUNCTIONALITY Possessing versatile and spacious pullout components, a multi-LED lighting system, and a retractable downdraft hood, all your kitchen needs will be met with the Poliform

Phoenix Kitchen. It was designed by R&D Poliform, which embedded these useful features within a sleek, minimalist form made up of pure geometric lines. The handle-less drawers and ʼnġĩĩőĂ ƈĢĆʼnĂäʼn͡ ěĆėä ʼnőääě and solid walnut wood, help keep it a simple yet stunning kitchen. The Poliform Phoenix WĆőÚĂäĢ ūĩĢ őĂä ƈŅʼnő łŅĆŹä ĆĢ őĂä ŅÚĂĆőĆŹäŅ θ ūÁŅàʼnΎ kitchen cabinetry category. Visit the Poliform Kitchen G allery at Space Furniture, 77 B encoo len Stre e t ,

T R U LY T I M E L E S S The Architec range by Duravit was designed by Frank Huster, who has a less-is-better philosophy. It was designed for public areas but has since found its way into homes, too. Its compact design, inspired by the fundamental architectural elements of the circle and square, makes it suitable for bathrooms. The smooth ceramic also makes it wear-resistant.

tel: 6415 - 0000, to e n joy sav ing s o n ki tchen an d

122

Visit the Duravit showroom at

wardrob e systems f ro m n ow

63 Tras Street, tel: 6221-9315,

till Jan 31, 2019.

www.d urav it . s g.

W H E R E TO B U Y

#01-05 Grand Hyatt Singapore Tel: 6737-7500 www.bang-olufsen. com CAESARSTONE

MADE AND MAKE

#04-00 Jubilee Industrial Building 6 Genting Road Tel: 6908-5908 www.madeandmake. sg

The Spire #08-06 10 Bukit Batok Cresent Tel: 6316-1938 www.caesarstone.sg

MUD ROCK CERAMICS

COMMUNE 28 Defu Lane 4 Tel: 6282-9086

REDMART

DESIGNERS GUILD ROMANEZ

ROBINSONS THE HEEREN

#04-01 APS Building 9 Muthuraman Chetty Road Tel: 6463-9330 www.romanez.com DYSON

https://shop.dyson. com.sg HARVEY NORMAN FLAGSHIP

#01-59 to 63 Millenia Walk Tel: 6311-9988 www.harveynorman. com.sg HIPVAN

#02-06/07/08 The Cathay Tel: 6291-1725 www.hipvan.com

85 Maude Road Tel: 6291-1186 www. mudrockceramics. com

Tel:6261-3456 www.redmart.com

260 Orchard Road Tel: 6738-4388 www.robinsons.com. sg

INTERIOR DESIGNERS

ATELIER HERE

#05-11 865 Mountbatten Road Tel: 6348-9932 www.at-here.co JOEY KHU INTERIOR DESIGN

772A North Bridge Road Tel: 6440-7920 www.joeykhu-id.com KNQ ASSOCIATES

#08-45 Oxley Bizhub 71 Ubi Road 1 Tel: 6222-0966 www.knqassociates. com L ARCHITECTS

15 Kian Teck Crescent Tel: 6586-0571 www.larchitects.com. sg STUDIO WILLS & ARCHITECTS

#07-04/05 Vertex (Tower B) 33, Ubi Avenue 3, Tel: 6966-9765 www.studio-wills.com SPACE ONE

#02-05 Talib Court No. 5 Purvis Street Tel: 9686-0165 www.spaceoneid.com photo 123RF.COM

BANG & OLUFSEN

123

ON THE TRAIL The year-end edition of Home & Decor’s popular D-tour takes design lovers to three hotspots.

1

2

124

3

When it comes to sussing out design tips from those in the know, nothing beats participating in our magazine’s hugely popular D-tour event. A staple in Home & Decor’s calendar, D-tour brings together like-minded design lovers on a hunt for great design around the island. In the latest edition, D-tour took our readers to three interesting locations: City Gas Gallery, Samsung @ Cosentino City Showroom and Homes65. The day began with breakfast and coffee at Providore Downtown, a sprawling cafe with a deli, bakery, grocery and cooking studio attached, situated in the heart of the CBD. Following a speech by editor Young Lim, the design groups set off for the locations. At City Gas Gallery, our readers attended a presentation on ways to optimise the use of gas services at home, and familiarised themselves with home appliances for the kitchen and bathroom. Over at Cosentino City Showroom, they gleaned tips on building a smart home filled with state-of-the-art devices. Another highlight was a visit to Homes65, which is filled with four floors of furniture and bedding ideas. If you missed this session, be sure to join us at the upcoming D-tour in 2019!

1

Young Lim, editor of Home & Decor, welcoming participants.

2

Aside from design tips, the guests also find out about ways to style the home.

3

4

A City Gas representative advises participants on ways to reduce use of gas.

4 Eager Home & Decor readers on the hunt for great design. 5 Guests learning that gas can also be used to power home appliances, such as the dryer. 5

6 The participants enjoying their afternoon of design as they are shuttled between locations.

6

7 Homes65 is a gallery filled with plenty of furnishing ideas. 8

The capabilities of Samsung’s Family Hub fridge being expounded to attendees.

9 Appliance specialists offer useful laundry tips. 10

Participants are treated to delectable treats along the way.

7

8

9

1 1 Guests at the Tatami section inside Homes65. 12

Time for a quirky photo, with the oversized armchair greeting guests outside Homes65.

1 3 D-tour attendees getting inspired to refresh their homes. 1 4 No D-tour is complete without a snack break.

10

11 14

13

photography ANGELA GUO

12

1 5 Soft furnishings are a key part of home decor, as participants find out.

15

125

BUYING GUIDE xHfV HB Ę?ZaHS V ZHfV "HV SVH f aZ B Z Vq, Z

; aV, ; ˸ ; aVHB, Z

"fVB,afV ˸ "fVB,Z),B#Z

ACORN

DA VINCI LIFESTYLE

#02-09 512 Chai Chee Lane Tel: 6445-6144 www.acorn ceilingfan.com

#01-01 Concorde Hotel Tel : 6468-6333 www.davincilifestyle. com

BRANDT ASIA

FURNITURE GALLERY

#02-51/52 Oxley Bizhub 65 Ubi Road One Tel: 6508-4639 www.brandt.sg

18 Tampines Industrial Crescent www.furniture gallery.sg

SAMAIRE CEILING FAN

FLEXFORM | STUDIO216

#06-01 1 Kallang Way 2A Tel: 6846-7737 www.samaire.com.sg

#01-01 200 Newton Road Tel: 6909-2128 www.exform.sg GRAFUNKT

#02-34/36 Millenia Walk Tel: 6336-6046 www.grafunkt.com HOME 2 U GALLERY

#02-719/720 Suntec City Tower 4 Tel: 6737-7838

HOUSE OF W.ATELIER

#01-01/02 75 Bukit Timah Road Tel: 6270-8828 www.watelier.com MUJI

#02-198 Vivocity Tel: 6376-8023 www.muji.com/sg

,Ba V,HV Z,#B VZ

RENAISSANCE PLANNERS & DESIGNERS

ARCHIVE DESIGN

#01-02 469 MacPherson Road Tel: 6291-1545 www.renaidesign group.com

#02-08 362 Upper Paya Lebar Road Tel: 6702-7738 www.archiveinterior design.com

THE ORANGE CUBE P5 STUDIO

#01-08 Henderson Industrial Park 213 Henderson Road Tel: 6771-9500 www.p5studio.com.sg

BLACK N WHITE HAUS

291 Tanjong Katong Road Tel: 6440-9766 www.blacknwhite house.com

#01-03 LTC Building C 14 Arumugam Road Tel: 6337-7277 www.theorangecube. com

STAR LIVING

DESIGN INTERVENTION

THREE-D CONCEPTWERKE

1 Pasir Panjang Road Tel: 6273-2522 www.starliving. com.sg

75E Loewen Road Tel: 6468-1942 www.design intervention.com.sg

24 Eng Hoon Street Tel: 6293-8001 www.three-dconceptwerke.com

XZQT

DWELL INTERIOR DESIGN

;,#)a,B# LIGHTCRAFT

131 Jalan Sultan Tel: 6297-6658 www.lightcraft.com.sg

V BHq a,HB A a V, ;Z CAESARSTONE S.E.A.

#08-06 The Spire 10 Bukit Batok Crescent Tel: 6316-1938 www.caesarstone.sg HAFARY

105 Eunos Avenue 3 Tel: 6250-1368 www.hafary.com.sg TIMPLEX

#01-05 8 Pandan Crescent Tel: 6774-8031 www.xzqt.com.sg

11 Kim Yam Road Tel: 6883-1005 www.dwell.com.sg HAIRE LIVING

Level 4 29 Mayo Street Tel: 6441-3345 www.haireliving.com

9,a ) BZ

#01-13 18 Sin Ming Lane Tel: 6898-1120 www.timplex.sg

TOTO KITCHEN @ W. ATELIER

WORLD OF WOOD

#01-01 and #03-01 201 Henderson Road Tel: 6270-8828 www.watelier.com

35 Tannery Road #07-05 Tannery Block Tel: 6747-5450 www.wowwow.com.sg

IMAGINE BY SK66

#01-22 UB One 81 Ubi Avenue 4 www.imaginebysk66. com

126

Ha) VZ ACACIA FABRICS

#04-03 Ubi Techpark Lobby A Tel: 6743-0060 www.acacia fabrics.com

SU B S C R I BE TO

HOME & DECOR AND ENJOY 20% SAVINGS!

AVAILABLE IN

One-year subscription at only

$57.60

(UP: $72)

LOG ON TO www.homeanddecor.com.sg/promotions TO SUBSCRIBE NOW!

TERMS AND CONDITIONS đ This subscription promotion is valid only for the print edition when signing up at www.homeanddecor.com.sg, for the sale period of the January 2019 edition. đ Your subscription will commence with the February 2019 edition. đ Current print subscribers may enjoy this subscription promotion as well (the new subscription period will automatically commence when the current one expires). đ The subscription rate offer is applicable to Singapore addresses only. đ Subscriptions are non-refundable and non-transferable. đ Please allow about four working days from the magazine release date for postage. đ Subscriber information may be used in future marketing or promotional activities. đ By providing the information set out in the subscription form and submitting the same to SPH Magazines, you confirm that you have read, understood and consent to the terms of this subscription and also to the collection, use or disclosure of any personal data by SPH Magazines for the purposes of your Home & Decor subscription, in accordance with its Data Protection Policy available at www.sphmagazines.com.sg. đ For subscription enquiries, call 6388-3838 or e-mail circs@sph.com.sg.

127

HARD TRUTH

MUCH ADO ABOUT A RUG

H

ave you ever thought about decorating the space under your feet? If your answer is no, don’t fret, because you are not alone. In their eagerness to dress up plain walls and decorate table tops, many homeowners őäĢà őĩ ĩŪäŅěĩĩė őĂä Ɖ ĩĩŅ͠ Just how crucial can adding a rug or carpet be to your interior design? Well, imagine a room with whitewashed walls and a plain white-tiled Ɖ ĩĩŅ͠ aĩū͡ ĆġÁúĆĢä őĂä ʼnÁġä room when you add a plush and intricately designed

128

vintage carpet. Compare that to the way the space would look with a sleek grey rug with silver trim instead. The àĆƅ äŅäĢÚä Ćʼn ĢĆúĂő ÁĢà àÁű͠ When faced with a plethora of possibilities to style a space, a great way for new homeowners to begin would be to work their way from the ground up, literally. Don’t leave the selection of carpets and rugs as the last thing on your agenda. In contrary, ġÁėĆĢú Ćő őĂä ƈ Ņʼnő łĩĆĢő ĩĢ your to-do list helps to provide a direction for your styling

Hygge movement was all the rage. Piling up the carpeting to prevent feet from getting cold also gave interiors a trendy casual-chic look, which quickly caught on among good to interior designers around the know world. Yet, layering rugs in a tropical climate like ours Get a rug that’s is not only unnecessary, it made to order also makes the homeowner for a unique look. seem as though he or she Established studios, is trying to compensate for such as ID firm some other failing in the home Design Intervention decor. In this instance, less is (www. àäƈ ĢĆőäěű Á ÙäőőäŅ ÁłłŅĩÁÚĂ͠ designintervention. Other important issues com.sg) and local surrounding one’s choice of carpet specialist rugs are its proportion and The Rug Maker placement. How much of the (http://www. Ɖ ĩĩŅ ʼnĂĩŖěà Á ŅŖú ÚĩŪäŅ͡ ÁĢà therugmaker.com. where should it be placed sg), offer bespoke in relation to the rest of the and customised furniture? Typically, a rug rug-making in the living room should be services. large enough to cover the main area in the room where the largest pieces of furniture are placed, with an 80cm äƅ ĩŅőʼn ÁĢà ĢÁŅŅĩūʼn àĩūĢ űĩŖŅ gap between the nearest wall search for furniture, lighting and the edge of the rug. and choice of home accessories. For apartment homes with Rug layering is the latest őŅäĢà ĆĢ Ɖ ĩĩŅ ʼnőűěĆĢú͠ ĂÁő ġäÁĢʼn integrated living, dining and kitchen spaces, you can also use ĂÁŪĆĢú ŅŖúʼn ĩù àĆƅ äŅäĢő ʼnĆŹäʼn a rug to compartmentalise the and weaves layered on top of ŪÁŅĆĩŖʼn ÁŅäÁʼnͣ őĂä ʼnĆŹä ĩù űĩŖŅ äÁÚĂ ĩőĂäŅ ùĩŅ àŅÁġÁőĆÚ äƅ äÚő͠ rugs should correspond to the However, it’s something that isn’t for the uninitiated, as slight amount of space you want for äÁÚĂ ÁŅäÁ͠ Ģà͡ Ćù űĩŖ ÚÁĢΎő ƈ Ģà lapses in judgment can result Á ŅŖú őĂÁő ƈ őʼn űĩŖŅ Ģääàʼn͡ űĩŖ in disastrous consequences. can opt to design or customise The trend began a couple your own, which is what many of years ago, when the rustic homeowners are doing today. and cosy nature of the Danish

illustration KAFFY TAN photo LIVING4MEDIA/KLAZINGA, JANSJE

WHAT’S TRENDING & WHAT WE THINK

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.