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CONTENTS

MARCH

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

12

24

SWEET DREAMS ARE MADE OF THESE Six experts share their tips on designing the perfect bedroom.

SLEEP ZONE Sleepless in Singapore?

Check out these soothing finds to help you sleep better.

30

18

A RECHARGE DONE RIGHT Your mattress and pillow work together like a charger for your body. For a proper recharge, you need the right gear. Here is our guide to choosing the right ones for you.

THE ESSENCE OF SLEEP It may seem like a basic human need to get quality, healthy sleep, but there is more to it than meets the eye. From practical reasons to engaging apps, we’ve got you covered.

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44

H OT S POT

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COLOUR OF THE MONTH We’ve heard of Pantone’s famed Very Peri, but how do we use it in our spaces?

THE BERTAZZONI FLAGSHIP From ovens and hobs to hoods and ventilation systems, the famed Italian brand’s flagship gallery offers everything you need for a stylish home kitchen.

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FRENCH FOLD PALAIS RENAISSANCE The second French Fold outlet features a rustic-minimalist design narrative, and a menu with a nod to local flavours.

S HO P P I N G 36

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

NE W STO R E 42

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2

WHITE JACKET GALLERY A sleek new office for boutique design studio White Jacket contains an art gallery where it plans to hold a residency programme.

46

FOTILE The Chinese brand wants to make cooking and cleaning a breeze for busy households.

5 ON 25 The newest restaurant at the Andaz Singapore is a romantic take on Cantonese supper clubs.

50

AM I ADDICTED Shape your own glazed ceramics before dining in its korean-fusion vegetarian cafe in capitol singapore.

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LUDOVICA MASCHERONI APARTMENT SUITE This Milan showroom invites visitors to experience the timeless luxury of the Italian brand.

LI V IN G

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PARADIS PIETRASANTA The new boutique hotel in Tuscany, epitomises Italy’s dolce vita.

NESTING MODE Our picks for the ultimate cosy bedroom.

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

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PAINT CARVER

FIT FOR A KING

Hannah Jensen talks about painting in reverse, where she applies all the layers of paint first, and then carves away to reveal what’s in her heart.

Frette CEO Filippo Arnaboldi shares his thoughts on luxury in the bedroom.

PEOPLE 66

MAKING ROOM FOR ART With its bold initiative, co-living brand Figment offers promising artists a temporary paradise where they can practise their art without the distractions of everyday life.

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UP CLOSE Argentinian artist Renatta shares her inspiration and the importance of family.

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VOICES Tempur Singapore’s managing director, Iris Leong, discusses the latest technologies in mattresses, how our sleep habits have evolved, and future trends for better sleep.

68

DESIGNING REST Lin Weizhang, founder of Super Fat Designs, talks about what goes into creating an inviting bedroom show unit and tips on how to style a relaxing bedroom.

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EDITOR’S NOTE 10

H&D.COM.SG 1 11

WHERE TO BUY 1 12

FINISHING NOTE

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Paint Carver

Hannah Jensen creates artworks by carving into layers of paint.

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CONTENTS

MARCH

92

HOMES

on the cover

THE NEW MODERN

12 76

92

LUXURIOUSLY LAID-BACK The Flemish barn architecture of this Malibu home for a family of five and two dogs combines old and new design elements with ample textures to create a relaxed and luxurious ambience.

WORK AND PLAY Designed for versatility and flexibility, this home is a textbook showcase of how our living dynamic has changed in the face of the pandemic.

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A RUSTIC CHARACTERISTIC The surrounding landscape dominates the design of this Italian country house by Simone Subissati Architects.

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1 02

FORMULA FOR SUCCESS This silver winner of the Best Residential Design Apartment (2,001 sq ft and over) category at the Interior Design Confederation Singapore’s 2021 Design Excellence Awards is an open and airy home that exemplifies simplicity in design.

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This sumptuously feminine bedroom by Design Intervention balances colours with a wealth of textures.

PHOTO DESIGN INTE RVE NT IO N

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CREATIVE SENIOR ART DIRECTOR Nonie Chen (noniec@sph.com.sg) ART DIRECTOR Kristy Quah (krisquah@sph.com.sg)

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EDITOR’S NOTE

NIGHTS OF P E AC E F U L S L U M B E R seems that sleep seems to be elusive for many other homeowners here as well.

Everyone knows that a good rest sets the tone for the day ­ îâ °é đ éâ ÐîÞ mood and our performance, but being disciplined enough to ignore the siren calls of staying up to catch your favourite television serials or social media alerts presents a real challenge. That is why it is essential to design a bedroom that is dedicated to lulling you to get under the covers and turn down the lights.

In the following pages, we é ¿ Û °ù °ÉéÐ ĝÉ °É§ out what are the qualities of a well-designed bedroom, and the home accessories that can aid you in your pursuit of a well-rested night. I hope é­ é ÐîÞ ĝÉ °É§â ú°Â able to inspire you to deck out your bedroom into the perfect sanctuary of rest.

Good night, and sleep tight!

YO U N G L I M E D I TO R - I N - C H I E F

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photography ANGELA GUO art direction NONIE CHEN

There was a time when I loved ‘R.E.M’ because it was the name of a popular rock band in the nineties. These days however, I am more concerned about the term because it stands for Rapid Eye Movement, which is a stage of our sleep process where the brain enters into a full rest while allowing the body to recover.

Living in a fast paced society and being surrounded by a vast array of mobile devices have distracted us from getting the sleep we need at night. I have developed a terrible habit of checking in on my social media accounts before bedtime, telling myself that it will be a quick scroll, ÐÉÂĀ éÐ ĝÉ é­ é ­ÐîÞâ ­ ù passed since I logged in and guilt for robbing myself of my valuable sleep time.

And judging by the amount of research my team and I have done for this issue, it

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A N I MM ER S IV E ON L IN E EXP E RI E N C E !

YOUR ENHANCED DESIGN JOURNEY INCLUDES: THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF H&D TV WITH VIDEO PLAYLISTS & MORE THE LATEST STYLE TIPS, TREND STORIES AND DESIGN FEATURES EXCITING GIVEAWAYS AND EXCLUSIVE OFFERS

AVAILABLE ON DESKTOPS & ALL MOBILE DEVICES.

W W W. H O M E A N D D E C O R . C O M . S G Check out popular blog posts of the month

REAL-TIME DESIGN UPDATES www.facebook.com/ homeanddecor.singapore The latest on home decor and shopping scoops.

MORE INTERIOR STYLES FROM OUR ONLINE IMAGE LIBRARY

SIGHTS & INSPIRATION Follow us @Homeanddecor_sg for the latest news, events and happenings about town.

THIS MONTH ON OUR “KITCHENS TO DIE FOR” BOARD www.pinterest.com/homeanddecorsg

F E AT U R E

SWEET DREAMS ARE MADE OF THESE Six experts share their tips on designing the perfect bedroom.

The bedroom is one of the most private and personal spaces. It’s where we sleep, dream, and feel safe enough to fully express ourselves.

It’s also the room we need to pay the most attention to when designing the space. In these pages, we get down to the art of sleeping in the best place possible with experts in interior â°§Éʣ °§­é°É§ʣ âÐîÉ ÛÞÐÐĝɧʣ and window treatments.

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good to know DESIGNING THE LAYOUT

A low-hanging pendant light or ceiling beams will add drama if most of your furniture has a low profile. Such fixtures emphasise the height of the room by drawing the eye upwards.

It’s important to design the room in a way that’s both practical and pleasing to the eye. Make sure there’s a mix Ц °đ Þ Éé ­ °§­éâʣ É ùа Ðù ÞÂĀ ­ ùĀ ¦îÞÉ°éîÞ ʨ ZÂ°È legs on the bed frame and table are ideal for a compact space or ask your designer to build you ĞÐ é°É§ ¦îÞÉ°éîÞ ¦ÐÞ Â Éʣ minimalist look.

“ALLOW A MINIMUM OF 0.9M BETWEEN THE ID ERSTUDIO

BED AND WALLS, AND AT LEAST 0.60M BETWEEN THE BED AND LOW FURNITURE, SUCH AS TABLES AND DRESSERS.”

ID ARTISTROOM

ID THREE-D CONCEPTWERKE

ID DESIGN INTERVENTION

– DESS CHEW, THREE-D CONCEPTWERKE

THE CONTRASTING SHADES OF PINK, GREY AND MUSTARD IN THIS BEDROOM (ABOVE), DESIGNED BY NIKKI HUNT OF DESIGN INTERVENTION, HELP TO MAKE THE SPACE FEEL COSY AND WARM.

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“PICK COLOURS THAT ARE MORE NATURAL AND SOOTHING TO THE EYES. THEY WILL HELP YOU TO RELAX AND UNWIND AFTER A STRESSFUL DAY.” – AMANDA PANG, AMP DESIGN CO

PICKING A COLOUR

ID AMP DESIGN CO

A bedroom should inspire calm and rest, so avoid bright colours. Pastels like blushes or creams can create a cosier ambience, while deeper hues create a cocoon-like environment. Make sure the ¦îÞÉ°éîÞ É ĝÿéîÞ â úÐÞ¿ °É harmony with the wall colour to create a cohesive look.

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DESIGN SOL LUMINAIRE

“KEEP YOUR LIFESTYLE IN MIND WHEN SELECTING A LIGHTING SYSTEM. IT SHOULD BE BOTH FUNCTIONAL AND EASY TO MAINTAIN.” – JOSEPH HO, SOL LUMINAIRE

Smart lighting systems, such as Sol Luminaire’s Lutron RA2, let you control the lights or set lighting scenes without getting up from your bed

“CHOOSE RECESSED CEILING LIGHT FITTINGS, SO THE GLARE FROM THE LIGHT BULBS WON’T DAMAGE YOUR EYES.” – AMANDA PANG, AMP DESIGN CO

Lighting strategies should be based on your lifestyle and needs. Do you like to read in bed? Then you’ll need a pair of bedside lamps that provide focussed light without being overly bright. ɼÐĀ B éĞ°ÿʪ âĀâé È with indirect lighting and a dim-to-warm feature might be just what you need for setting the mood. As we spend a lot of time in the bedroom, you will need a variety of lighting options.

Sol Luminaire cofounder Joseph Ho recommends downlights with a colour temperature between 1,800K and 3,000K. White light is warmer with a lower Kelvin number, while cool light has a higher Kelvin number. “This gives homeowners the option to have either a cosy warm glow or functional task lighting,” he says.

ID AMP DESIGN CO

good to know

ASSIGNING LIGHTS

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ID ARKHILITE

SOUNDPROOFING THE SPACE xÐî É âÐîÉ ÛÞÐÐĝɧ °É ĀÐîÞ ÞÐÐÈ °¦ ĀÐî Þ Â°§­é âÂ Û Þʨ ÐÐÞâ É ú°É Ðúâ éÞ ÉâÈ°é âÐîÉ ʣ âÐ â¿ ĀÐîÞ ÐÉéÞ éÐÞ ÐÞ â°§É Þ °¦ é­ Ā É Þ Û ʨ ,¦ ĀÐî °ù É Þ îâĀ ÞÐ ÐÞ éÞ °É éÞ ¿ʣ Þ Û °É§ ĀÐîÞ Þ §îÂ Þ ú°É Ðú ú°é­ Ðî  ʌ§Â ą ÐÉ È°§­é §ÐÐ °Éù âéÈ Ééʨ ,¦ ÛÐââ° Â ʣ ­ÐÐâ âа ʌ ÐÞ ÐÐÞâ Ðù Þ ­ÐÂÂÐú ÐÉ âʣ ÐÞ ÐÐÞ â Ââ éÐ é­ éÐÛ É ÐééÐÈ éÐ Þ î Ðîéâ° Éаâ ʨ ,¦ Þ ÉÐù é°É§ °âÉʙé É ÐÛé°ÐÉʣ ĀÐî É îâ ¦ Þ° â éÐ Þ î Éаâ  ù Ââʨ aÞĀ ­ ù° Þ îÞé °Éâʣ Þî§âʣ ÐÞ ¦ Þ° ­ Ð Þ ʨ

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“IN GENERAL, WOODEN FLOORS ARE LESS REVERBERANT AND ECHOEY THAN CONCRETE OR TILED FLOORS.” – EDRIC HWANG, EHKA F

CHOOSING WINDOW TREATMENTS

good to know In warm weather, blinds perform better than curtains in terms of energy efficiency. By maximising natural light and airflow, they provide better ventilation and reduce the need for air conditioning.

ID PARENTHESIS

DESIGN ALTEX

Blinds or curtains? According to Wilson Chew, managing director and founder of mc.2, one of Singapore’s leading window treatment suppliers, the answer depends on the size of the room, your preferred style, and light control.

Flowing curtains are a great ÐÛé°ÐÉ ¦ÐÞ É đÐÞé ââÂĀ  § Éé look, but they may be too heavy for a small space. “Full-length curtains work best in large rooms with high ceilings, while blinds work better in smaller spaces.”

Blinds can be made from fabric, metal, or wood and Ðđ Þ È°É°È Â°âéʣ ÈÐ ÞÉ aesthetic. They also allow greater light adjustment, but may let in light from the sides even when fully closed.

For complete darkness in your bedroom, nothing beats blackout blinds. The ALTEX 100% Block-Out Blinds from mc.2 completely eliminate all light with âÛ ° ÂÂĀʌĝéé ¦Þ È â É É controlled via a smartphone app or even voice command.

text MELODY BAY

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F E AT U R E

PHOTO SEALY

Sealy Posturepedic Orthopaedic Premium Superior Cushion Firm Mattress, available in four sizes, retails from $4,541.21 (including bonus pillow and mattress protector) at www. shop.sealy.com.sg.

A RECHARGE DONE RIGHT Your mattress and pillow work together like a charger for your body. For a proper recharge, you need the right gear. Here is our guide to choosing the right ones for you.

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D

ream.co.uk’s Your Life in Numbers infographic estimates that the average person spends 33 years in bed. Where did the number come from?

It’s based on the average lifespan of healthy humans, which is 79 years, and the amount of sleep a human should get in a day for a restful night’s sleep, which is seven or eight hours. As a result, 26 years or 227,760 hours of that lifetime were spent sleeping. The other seven was the time spent trying to fall asleep. Research is essential to selecting the right products, as it is with any other major purchase in your life. But how do we start? Here are some points to consider and handy tips from experts.

SIZE Do you sleep alone or with a partner? How big is your bedroom?

These factors determine mattress size. Being the most substantial item in your bedroom, its size plays a crucial role in the room’s layout, so getting a new one could be a good time for a makeover.

According to Simmons, the standard sizes popular in Singapore are: Single = 91cm x 190cm Super Single = 107cm x 190cm Queen = 152cm x 190cm King = 182cm x 190cm King Long = 182cm x 198cm US King = 193cm x 203cm

PHOTO SIMMONS

Simmons BackCare 4 e-ION Crystal Series Mattress retails from $3,177 (including bonus pillow and mattress protector) at www.simmons.com.sg and authorised retailers.

King Koil Hotel Collection The Signature II, available in four sizes, retails from $3,079 at shop.ashleyfurniture.sg.

PHOTO KING KOIL

PHOTO TEMPUR

Tempur Original Supreme Mattress with CoolTouch, available in three thicknesses and four sizes, retails from $3,699 at sg.tempur.com and authorised retailers.

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FIRMNESS

TIP FINDING YOUR FIRMNESS

While lying down on the mattress, slide your hand under the small of your ¿ʨ a­ È ééÞ ââ °â ÛÞÐ ÂĀ éÐÐ ĝÞÈ °¦ it slides behind your ¿ â°ÂĀʣ É éÐÐ soft if it doesn’t move é ÂÂʨ a âé °é ú°é­ Û ÞéÉ Þ éÐ ­ ¿ é­ mattress’ motion transferability to È ¿ âîÞ ĀÐî úÐÉʙé be disturbed by their ÈÐù È Ééâʨ

Z ÂĀ SÐâéîÞ Û ° HÞé­ÐÛ ° SÞ È°îÈ ZîÛ Þ°ÐÞ "°ÞÈ A ééÞ ââʣ ù °Â  in four sizes, retails from ˏȿʣɅɁȾʨɀȿ ʂ°É Âî °É§ ÐÉîâ Û°ÂÂÐú É È ééÞ ââ ÛÞÐé éÐÞʃ é úúúʨ â­ÐÛʨâ ÂĀʨ ÐÈʨâ§ʨ

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PHOTO SEALY

The international mattress °É îâéÞĀ îâ â ĝÞÈÉ ââ â  ranging from one to 10, with one being the softest and 10 é­ ĝÞÈ âéʨ â § É Þ Â Þî ʣ é­ ­ ù° Þ ĀÐî Þ ʣ é­ ĝÞÈ Þ ĀÐîÞ È ééÞ ââ â­Ðî ʨ xÐîÞ â ۰ɧ ­ °éâ ÂâÐ Û Ā ÞРʨ Side sleepers need mattresses â  éúÐ éÐ ¦ÐîÞʣ ¿ âÂ Û Þâ É ÐîÛ âʣ ĝù éÐ â ù Éʣ É âéÐÈ ­ âÂ Û Þâ É Û ÐÛ ú°é­ ¿ Û °Éʣ °§­é éÐ Ƚȼʨ However, every mattress Þ É ú°Â ĝÉ é­ â ÉîÈ Þâ °đ Þ ÉéÂĀʨ â Þ âîÂéʣ é­ âé ú Ā éÐ é ÞÈ°É ú­° ­ mattress is right for you is to visit a showroom and test them Ðîé ¦ÐÞ ĀÐîÞâ ¦ʨ “Don’t just sit on the mattress! Try it out lying ÐúÉʨ xÐîÞ Ð Ā Èîâé ¦ Â Â É É Â°§É ʨ a­ spine and other parts of your body should not be under any stress,” says Jenny Koh, é­ §ÞÐîÛ HH É ÿ îé°ù °Þ éÐÞ Ð¦ A éâîâ­°é Greatwall Corporation, the Û Þ Éé ÐÈÛ ÉĀ Ц 9°É§ 9а Z°É§ ÛÐÞ ʨ ʖZÛ É é  âé ĝù to 10 minutes or more on the mattress the way you sleep ù ÞĀ É°§­éʨʗ

M AT E R I A L S

PHOTO TEMPUR

PRICE A mattress’s price is determined by its material and its construction, and we’ve come a long way from kapok, goose down, and coil spring mattresses.

“An aspect that is often overlooked is the budget for mattress purchases,” says Michelle Anne Ng, senior marketing manager at Simmons SEA. “Don’t choose the cheapest mattress. Buy what is best for you.”

Your mattresses should last you between 10 and 15 years, and you should invest in the best ones. Spend some time ĝ§îްɧ Ðîé ĀÐîÞ ÛÞ°ÐÞ°é° â É ÉÐÉʌ negotiables. And be aware that poor sleep can negatively impact your health and cost you money in the future.

Simmons Beautyrest Ladies Desire Mattress retails from $1,272 at www.simmons.com.sg/ shop and authorised retailers.

PHOTO SIMMONS

PHOTO KING LIVING

King Sleep+ 6000 Mattress, available in four comfort layers and é­Þ ĝé Ðù Þâʣ Þ é °Ââ from $2,990 at www. kingliving.com.sg.

The most popular mattresses today are made of latex and memory foam. The former is hypoallergenic, made from natural materials, and has a low motion transfer, whereas the latter is best at changing with your body shape.

On a budget? Consider a hybrid mattress, which combines these materials with inner or pocket springs for comparable comfort.

Tempur Firm Supreme Mattress with CoolTouch, available in three thicknesses and six sizes, retails from $3,188 at sg.tempur.com and authorised retailers.

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LO G I S T I C S

TIP

What is your plan for the mattress in your bedroom? Are you going to put it on a platform?

Do you have a bed frame? Ensure the design of your mattress is compatible with the design of the foundation. You should also consider the delivery method and whether your building’s elevator can lift your mattress to your home. Check the ĝÉ ÛÞ°Éé ÐÉ é­ ú ÞÞ ÉéĀʣ °ù ÞĀʣ É Þ éîÞÉ Ûа ° âʣ É ÛÞÐé é ĀÐîÞ È ééÞ ââ ¦ÞÐÈ ú Þ É tear with a mattress protector.

,É é­°â ÛÞÐ ââʣ the mattress is compressed and ĝéé °ÉéÐ Ðÿ ¦ÐÞ Â°ù ÞĀʣ Ðđ ްɧ greater convenience É đÐÞ °Â°éĀʨ fÉ Ðÿ °é É Â Ā °é Ğ é îÉé°Â °é é ¿ â â­ Û ʨ )Ðú ù Þʣ the downside to online shopping is that you have to do your homework beforehand to ensure it will be comfortable and supportive.

JENNY’S TIPS ON CHOOSING THE RIGHT PILLOW FOR YOUR SLEEPING POSITION

PHOTO EMMA SLEEP

ÈÈ HÉ A ééÞ ââʣ conveniently delivered in Ðÿʣ Þ é °Ââ ¦ÞÐÈ ˏɂɅɅ (Queen) at www.emmasleep.com.sg.

MATTRESS IN A BOX

“DON’T JUST SIT ON THE MATTRESS! TRY IT OUT LYING DOWN. YOUR BODY MUST FEEL BALANCED AND ALIGNED. THE SPINE AND OTHER PARTS OF YOUR BODY SHOULD NOT BE UNDER ANY STRESS.” –JENNY KOH, KING KOIL SINGAPORE

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SIDE SLEEPERS Pressure relief is needed at the shoulder and hip areas.

It is important to have a pillow that can fill the gap between your neck and shoulder and align your body while you are lying sideways.

Support the gap between the legs with a bolster or knee pillow. This position lengthens your spine and reduces snoring.

King Koil Royale Gel Pillow, available in four comfort levels, retails from $95 at www.kingkoil.com.sg, www.sleepwell.sg and authorised retailers.

BACK SLEEPERS You’re good as long as you don’t feel your lower body sinking.

Using a pillow that supports your neck and shoulder as wellas elevates your upper body will give you the best alignment.

You can elevate the knee slightly by placing a thin pillow under it, especially if you have back problems.

Sleeping in this position will reduce or prevent back pain.

PHOTO SIMMONS

Simmons Beautyrest NeckCare Pillow, available °É ¦ÐîÞ §Þ â Ц ĝÞÈÉ ââʣ retails from $210 at www. simmons.com.sg/shop and authorised retailers.

PHOTO KING KOIL

PHOTO TEMPUR

Tempur Original Pillow with SmartCool Technology, available in four sizes, retails from $439 at sg.tempur. com and authorised retailers.

STOMACH OR FRONT SLEEPERS This is not a good sleeping position. You will strain your neck muscles and arm and shoulder joints since you will not be able to maintain a neutral spine position.

If changing the habit is difficult, make sure the mattress and pillow provide you with adequate support. Visit the brick-and-mortar store to try out the best mattresses and pillows. Ask the salesperson for assistance.

text ASIH JENIE graphics 123.RF.com

TIP WHEN TO REPLACE YOUR PILLOWS?

Éʙé ĝÉ comfortable position on your pillow? Do you often wake up with neck pain and backache? Your pillow might be losing its ĝÞÈÉ ââʣ Þ âîÂé°É§ °É °ÉâîĔ ° Éé âÛ°É Â alignment. It’s time to replace it. It is recommended that you change your pillow every two to three years for reasons of hygiene and wear and tear.

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F E AT U R E

TRANQUIL TIPS Sleepless in Singapore? Check out these soothing finds to help you sleep better.

S

ingaporeans, according to studies, are one of the world’s most sleep-deprived populations. Covid-19 and its variants have also negatively impacted our stress levels, mental and emotional health, and work routines, disrupting sleep.

Getting enough sleep is vital to our mental and physical wellbeing. A lack of it slows cognitive processes and concentration.

Hé­ Þ éÞ°È Éé Â đ éâ °É Âî anxiety and clinical depression, ageing skin and weight gain.

We are at a greater risk of heart disease and diabetes as well.

During sleep, the body goes through non-REM and REM sleep cycles. REM or Rapid Eye Movement usually happens 90 minutes after you fall asleep and is associated with consolidating your memories. Your body repairs and rebuilds tissue, bones, and muscles while boosting the immune system as you sleep in the deep stages of non-REM. When you wake up exhausted, it is a sign that you are not getting enough deep sleep.

According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adults need seven to nine hours of sleep while children and teens require eight to 12. The reasons Singaporeans lack sleep include Internet distractions and a culture of long work hours. đ °É É Â Ð­ÐÂ É ÂâÐ impair sleep quality, so it is best to consume them earlier in the day.

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STAYING COSY Already have pillows and mattresses that provide support? You can do more.

Where do you start?

Improve your sleep hygiene

and create a conducive bedroom ¦ÐÞ Þ âé¦î â Ûʨ xÐîʙ ĝÉ advice on sleep hygiene at www. sleepassociation.org/about-sleep/ sleep-hygiene-tips.

Establish boundaries between

work, entertainment and rest by keeping screens – yes, your phone and laptop, especially – out of the bedroom.

Develop a regular routine to

relax before you sleep. Take 30 minutes to wind down with soft music, yoga stretches, and gentle scents such as lavender.

Exercising for 20 to 30

minutes a day can make it easier to fall asleep.

To get a good night’s sleep,

make sure your bedroom is clean, cool, quiet, and dark. Light regulates the circadian rhythm.

Blackout curtains keep light out, and warm lighting prepares your body for sleep.

Choose colours, materials and products that tell the brain that the bedroom is a place for sleep.

If you must have a desk in the

bedroom, look for a place to stash papers and keep it clutter-free.

S U N DAY B E D D I N G F R E N C H LINEN SHEETS

Known for its rumpled aesthetic and natural feel, French linen is durable and ideal for air-conditioned rooms.

Retails from $355 per set at www.sundaybedding.com.

W E AV V E W E I G H T E D BLANKET

A blanket with additional weight provides a deep touch pressure that makes falling asleep easy and helps you feel safe, relaxed, and comfortable.

Retails from $185 at www. weavvehome.com.

SOMA 10-CUP P I TC H E R

The shatter-proof, BPA-free pitcher keeps refreshing filtered water at your fingertips.

Retails for $59.90 at www.soma.com.sg and major retail stores.

A E VA R Y B A M B O O S H E E T S

In our humid climate, bamboo sheets wick away moisture and keep you cool.

Retails from $88.40 for bedsheet bundles at www. aevary.com.

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CUDDLE BEDDINGS COOL 2.0 WEIGHTED BLANKET

Due to the bamboo fibre fabric and deep touch pressure of this blanket, you will sleep more peacefully and stay cool.

Retails from $78.80 at www. cuddlebeddings.com, Lazada and Shopee.

KEEPING COOL, CLEAN AND SAFE Cool technology maximises fresh air and minimises accidents.

CUDDLE BEDDINGS WEIGHTED EYE MASK

This 180g mask provides gentle, deep pressure stimulation while you snooze, nourishing your eyes.

Retails for $25.90 at www. cuddlebeddings.com, Lazada and Shopee.

LG M U LT I S P L I T I N V E R T E R AIR CONDITIONER (THINQ)

SHARP L SERIES

This has features that sterilise aerial bacteria and eliminate odour, and connects to LG’s ThinQ app for smarter, more efficient operation.

Retails for $2,918 for System 3 at authorised retailers.

P L A S M AC L U S T E R

N OV I TA A I R P U R I F I E R A 4 S

Breathe easy as it purifies, humidifies, ionises, and sanitises all at once.

Retails for $899 at www. novita.com.sg.

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An air purifier, humidifier, airborne bacteria inactivator, and stand fan are all incorporated into the design. Its AIoT technology also monitors your habits.

Retails from $1,199 at authorised dealers.

Retails from $1,199 at authorised dealers.

I K E A M O LG A N L E D

CHOOSE COLOURS, MATERIALS, AND PRODUCTS THAT TELL THE BRAIN THAT THE BEDROOM IS A PLACE FOR SLEEP.

NIGHT LIGHT

No more bumping into corners during bathroom visits at night with this motion sensor light.

Retails for $9.90 at Ikea.

Choosing an ĆŅ ŖŅĆƈäŅ Learn about the cleaning technology. The High Ĕ ° É Ā S Þé° îÂ é °Þ ʂ) S ʃ ĝÂé Þ °â Þ ÐÈÈ É â °é Þ ÈÐù â ɅɅʨɅɃ Û Þ Éé Ц îâéʣ ÈÐî ʣ é Þ°

SAMSUNG SMART AIR PURIFIER

Reduce your exposure to asthma and allergy triggers.

Keep track of air pollution with the SmartThings app.

Retails from $649 at major consumer electronics and IT stores.

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Using Dyson V12’s laser technology that detects dust and a slim brush bar that reaches under furniture and into tight spaces, this thoroughly cleans your mattress.

Retails from $899 at www.dyson.com. sg and Dyson Demo stores.

ZÈп ʣ îâéʣ É ÛÐÂÂ É Þ °É Âî °É the Clean Air Delivery V é ʂ Vʃ Þ é°É§â ÐÉ âÐÈ °Þ ÛîÞ°ĝ Þâʨ É É ÂÐâ âÛ ú°é­ §ÐÐ V Þ é°É§ Ðù Þâ é  âé éúÐʌé­°Þ â Ц é­ ÞÐÐÈʙâ âîÞ¦ Þ ʣ ú°é­ ­°§­ Þ V Þ é°É§ Ⱗɰ¦Ā°É§ ¦ âé Þ cleaning.

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S O N Y L S PX- S 3 G L A S S SOUND SPEAKER

The wireless glass sound speaker produces crystal-clear sound. Enhance the experience with the soft candlelight mode for a cosy evening before bed.

Retails for $499 at all Sony stores and authorised retail dealers.

SETTING THE MOOD These relaxing must-haves will help you wind down.

OLIGO JUST A LITTLE LAMP

A flexible bedside lamp with a dimmer? With Just A Little Bit, you can read at bedtime without disturbing your partner.

Retails for $497 at P5 Studio, www.p5studio.com.sg.

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F LO D I F F U S E R H O M E R A I N D R O P

Using this heatless and waterless nebulising diffuser from FLO, you can scent your bedroom with sleep-promoting essential oils.

Retails for $168 at www.floaroma.com.

NANOLEAF ELEMENTS WO O D LO O K H E X AG O N S

Connect your Nanoleaf Elements installation to the Nanoleaf app for the Circadian Lighting feature and sync your light’s colour temperature with natural sunlight.

Retails for $429 for a sevenpiece set on Lazada, Shopee and authorised dealers.

N OV I TA H U M I D I F I E R

V I P P S C U L P T U R E TA B L E

BANG & OLUFSEN BEOLIT

NH900

LAMP

20 SPEAKER

If the air in your airconditioned room is too dry, add moisture with this Novita humidifier and enjoy aromatherapy with its special blends of essential oils.

Retails for $299 at www. novita.com.sg.

Through a three-layer opal glass shade, Vipp’s lamp provides soft illumination that is perfect for decorative lighting. The dimmer switch on the cylinder base allows you to adjust the brightness.

Price upon request at VolumeFive.

The Beolit 20 Bluetooth speaker plays your favourite sleepy-time playlists. The new indigo and ultramarine model is from the APAC Moment Collection.

Retails for $829 at Bang & Olufsen and authorised dealers.

text AIRIS ABDULLAH

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F E AT U R E

THE ESSENCE OF SLEEP It may seem like a basic human need to get quality, healthy sleep, but there is more to it than meets the eye. From practical reasons to engaging apps, we’ve got you covered.

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S

leep is essential for our health. Philips conducted a study in 2021 and found that Singaporeans are a tired bunch. We get on average only 6.8 hours of sleep a night, and ÐîÞ ­°Â Þ Éʙâ âÂ Û É â °đ Þ according to their age.

10 REASONS WHY YO U S H O U L D N ’ T SKIMP ON SLEEP Sleep is as essential as breathing, eating, and drinking. However, we do not sleep enough. Lack Ц âÂ Û É § é°ù ÂĀ đ éâ ĀÐîÞ mental and physical health.

2 . I T A F F E C T S YO U R M O O D

While you sleep, your brain processes your emotions. Sleep deprivation may cause more negative and fewer positive emotional reactions. Studies showed that it is also linked to depression.

3 . I T W E A K E N S YO U R IMMUNITY

,ÉâîĔ ° Éé âÂ Û °ÈÛ °Þâ immune functions. According to several studies, getting enough sleep improves your body’s Þ âÛÐÉâ éÐ °ÉĞî Éą ù °É âʨ 4 . I T R A I S E S YO U R B LO O D

1 . I T S LOW S T H E B R A I N

PRESSURE

If you’re running low on â Ûʣ ĀÐîʙ ­ ù °Ĕ îÂéĀ retaining and recalling details.

Additionally, your brain does not get enough time to store memories properly, so you can access them later.

As you sleep, your blood pressure drops, giving your heart and blood vessels some rest. The less sleep you get, the longer your blood pressure stays up. High blood pressure can lead to heart problems.

D O YO U S N O R E ?

The tissues in our throats vibrate when we snore. While we sleep, our muscles loosen, narrowing our airways.

As we inhale and exhale, the air makes the tissues rattle. Some people snore due to the size or shape of the muscles and tissues in their necks. Snoring has a

profound impact on those who share a bed or bedroom with the snorer as it can reduce the quality of sleep if it wakes a person up.

HOW TO STOP SNORING Sleep On Your Side Those who sleep on their backs are more likely to snore than those who sleep on their sides.

SLEEPLESSNESS

Sleep deprivation happens when you clock less than the recommended hours needed for a healthy sleep cycle. According to the US National Sleep Foundation, adults should sleep seven to nine hours per night. Dr Sin Gwen Li, a senior consultant at Singapore General Hospital’s department of psychiatry warns against é­ ­ Âé­ đ éâ Ц âÂ Û deprivation. Sleep, she says, is an important time for the body to “heal, grow, eliminate waste products, and replenish energy stores”.

Stay Active Diet and exercise are two of the best ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Try Mouth Exercises Experts recommend mouth exercises to reduce snoring in addition to general exercise.

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5. IT HINDERS SOCIAL I N T E R AC T I O N S

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6 . I T R E D U C E S AT H L E T I C PERFORMANCE

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A P P S T H AT H E L P YO U

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UNWIND

The Calm app offers calming exercises, breathing techniques, and stories narrated by celebrities like Matthew McConaughey and LeBron James. Then relax with ambient sounds from a library of natural sounds.

Headspace’s sleep casts play ambient noise after you fall asleep to help you sleep well.

Its wind-down sessions prepare you for sleep by helping you relax and let go of your worries.

MyOasis is accompanied by soft, calming melodies made in collaboration with Korean indie artists. In this game, players start in a barren landscape and then work with animals to turn it into a lush oasis that leaves them in a meditative state. It offers supportive messages and advice when you tap on the thought bubbles of animals.

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TRACKING YO U R S L E E P

Sleep++ is a free app that tracks basic sleep patterns in a simple, uncluttered design. Sleep quality, restlessness, and awake time are all measured.

K N O W YO U R S L E E P BOOSTERS

sleep and keeping you awake longer than you’d like.

H O W D O YO U D E F I N E QUALIT Y SLEEP?

Your quality of sleep is as important as the length.

Sleep allows your brain to cycle through five distinct stages for optimal performance. Some stages will leave you feeling refreshed and energised the next day, while others assist in learning and memory retention. According to the National Library of Medicine in the US, you need all five stages of sleep for quality, healthy sleep.

TIPS TO IMPROVE SLEEP QUALITY Reduce Screen Time: At least 30 minutes before you go to bed, avoid watching TV or using your phone. Electronic devices emit blue light, which tricks your brain into delaying

Create a Cosy Environment: Transform your bedroom into a dark, quiet, and cosy haven. To relax your senses, light a candle, adjust the temperature of your room, and use blackout curtains.

Schedule Sleep Time: Every day, go to bed and wake up at the same time. When you follow a consistent sleep schedule, your brain learns when it’s time to sleep.

Find Ways to Relax: Establish a relaxing bedtime routine.

Consider calming activities, such as taking a warm bath or shower, listening to an audiobook, or journaling. If you perform these activities in the same order every night, your brain will recognise them as the start of sleep.

Lumihealth is an all-inone wellness app by Health Promotion Board.

If you are looking for a gamified app to track your exercises, calories, sleep, and more, this is it.

VALERIAN ROOT, native to Asia and Europe, is a popular supplement in America and Europe for improving sleep and treating symptoms of low moods.

MELATONIN is a hormone your body produces naturally, and it tells your brain that it’s time to sleep.

Melatonin levels naturally rise in the evening and fall in the morning, depending on the time of day.

TART CHERRY JUICE effectively improves sleep quality and duration, as it’s naturally rich in melatonin. Tart cherries also contain tryptophan and anthocyanins, two compounds that help the body create melatonin and prolong its effects.

Sleep Cycle records and analyses your sleep sounds, including snoring, talking, coughing, and other sounds, so you can figure out what is going on during different sleeping periods.

text NIKKI ANDREA BOUNAPARTE photos 123RF

Rem Premium is an auto sleep tracker that analyses your sleep using an AI-Machine Learning algorithm. Sleep quality is assessed on a scale of 0-100.

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

THE WA R M E S T BLUE

PANTONE 7615C

Pantone has a new colour especially created for its Colour of the Year 2022: Pantone 173938 Very Peri. Described as the “happiest and warmest of all blues”, it is a violet-blue with a distinct warm red undertone.

The colour conveys a positive outlook on transformative times, which presents a mix of newness and empowering energy.

How can we incorporate this colour into our palette?

Start small with accessories and accent colours in Very Peri or bold with solid walls. Besides pairing well with both cool and warm palettes, it can appear blue and purple depending on its surroundings. Peri’s red undertone also reduces harmful blue light generated by the screen. Plus, creating unusual colour combinations adds freshness to our physical spaces.

Refresh a classic look by pairing it with natural wood tones and greys. Create a contemporary, updated look by adding Very Peri elements to muted greens, blues, dusty pink and beige – the colours popular among paint brand giants this year – like this artistic living room corner by Essential home.

Very Peri is also suitable for more extravagant, experimental textures and materials with shimmery metallic finishes and iridescent and lustrous sheens.

Colours like this encourage experimentation, and the result may surprise you, in a good way. The world needs more of that in 2022.

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PANTONE 7606C

C O LO U R O F THE MONTH PANTONE 17-3938

With its bright blue pop, the Edith sideboard from Essential Home complements the room’s warm pastel colour scheme.

the expert says

LE ATRI C E EI S E MAN Executive director, Pantone Colour Institute.

photo ESSENTIAL HOME & PANTONE

“Very Peri brings a novel perspective and vision to the trusted and beloved blue family.

Spritely and joyous, it encourages courageous creativity and imaginative expression with its dynamic presence.”

/HDUQ PRUH

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TRENDING

MAD ABOUT RATTAN 2 Rattan furniture and accessories embody the laid-back, tropical lifestyle. They add a tactile dimension to your home and go with all colour schemes. Rattan woven densely makes for good storage, while transparent woven surfaces add a lightness to your interior ensemble.

Here are some of our favourites.

1

3

4

1. & 2 . The Botanist Cane Chair, $780, and Weave Weatherproof Pouf with Storage (Large), from Scene Shang, shop.sceneshang. com.

3. May Rattan Bohemian Sideboard Cabinet, $1,299 from Born in Colour, www. bornincolour.com.

4 . Nest Round Chair, from $1,916 from Danish Design Co Singapore, www. danishdesignco. com.sg.

CASUAL CURVES “I would describe the Kasual collection as casual luxury with fabrics and details that are rich but with a minimal softness and ease where new comforts prevail,” says Egyptian-born, Canadian-raised industrial designer Karim Rashid of his latest furniture collection for Essential Home. Kasual is a family of long-slung seating with curves in his signature candy pink palette that encourages relaxation. A matching upholstery collection is next.

Prices upon request. Visit www. essentialhome.eu for more information.

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GOOD VIBES Innerfyre’s Manifest Gift Set with Abundance Candle and Blooming Fortune Room Spray transports you to a fragrant garden with notes of tangerine, peony, and white tea. We love that the candle is made of a plant-derived coconut wax blend and that the packaging is all responsiblysourced and recyclable. The products include crystals such as the aventurine crystal (known as the stone of opportunity) and pyrite crystal for protection against negative energy.

The Manifest Gift Set retails for $68 at www.innerfyre.co.

EDITOR’S CHOICE

FASHIONABLE TOUCH A limited-edition Beosound A1 2nd Gen speaker collaboration between Bang & Olufsen and Hong Kong fashion label CLOT brings design and ¦ â­°ÐÉ éЧ é­ Þʨ a­ ÈÐâé Þ ĝ É little speaker we’ve seen and heard in a while, it features a metallic red aluminium grill printed with the CLOT logo and a black leather strap with an anthracite aluminium tag.

That has the Bang & Olufsen logo laser-engraved on one side and the CLOT’s logo on the other.

The Bang & Olufsen x CLOT Beosound A1 2nd Gen Speaker retails for $299 at Bang & Olufsen stores, www.bang-olufsen.com and www. juicestore.com.

BEDTIME STORY Scene Shang’s Love is a Warm Brew motif, which features spices such as star anise, cinnamon, and cloves in a batik-inspired graphic pattern won Most Popular Design in the 2019 Singapore Creator Awards Graphic Design Category. It is now available as pillowcases made from Lyocell, thanks to Weavve Home, providing whimsical warmth to your bedtime.

SUN-POWERED High-end blinds and curtain supplier mc.2 has introduced the Renson Fixscreen 100EVO Solar vertical, surface-mounted sun protection screens. They use solar power to operate, so there’s no need for wiring or additional construction during installation. The smart blinds are available in a wide range of fabrics and finishes. They are also adjustable and can cover a surface area of up to 10.8 sq m. Intelligent, versatile and environmentally responsible – what’s not to love?

Prices upon request. Available at the mc.2 showroom at #01-28 Vertex, 33 Ubi Ave 3. You can also check them out at www.facebook.com/ rensonbymc.2.

Scene Shang x Weavve Home Love is a Warm Brew Lyocell Pillowcase Pair (Pink/ Blue) retails at $59 from Scene Shang, shop. sceneshang.com and www.weavvehome.com.

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Add to cart

MINDFUL LIVING Yotto Home is an online homeware retailer ¦ÐîÉ Ā ÂÐ Â ¦ â­°ÐÉ ÉéÞ ÛÞ É îÞ 7 Þ É°â )Ðʣ ú­Ð ú â °ÉâÛ°Þ Ā Þ âÐÞé °ù°É§ É ¦îÉ é°ÐÉ Â â°§Éâʨ a­ merchandise ranges from wooden â Þù ú Þ éÐ â¿ éâ É éÐé â È ¦ÞÐÈ É éîÞ Â úÐù É È é Þ° Ââʣ â ú  as handmade furniture from Bali and 7 Û Þ °É ,É ÐÉ â° ʨ SÞÐ î éâ Þ â  é â ÐÉ é­ °Þ âîâé °É °Â°éĀ éÐ ÛÞÐÈÐé È°É ¦î ú Ā Ц °ù°É§ É ÐÉâîȰɧʨ a­ Þ °â ÂâÐ ­ É Ā Z­ÐÛ Ā SîÞÛÐâ é §ÐÞĀʣ ú­° ­ °âÛ Āâ °é Èâ ÐÞ °É§ éÐ ÞÐÐÈ Þ Ýî°Þ È Ééâʨ Free local shipping for orders above $80. Visit www.yottohome.com for more information.

EXHIBITION OF THE MONTH

What: Interactive design exhibition When: Until April 10 2022 Where: National Design Centre, 111 Middle Road

architecture with feng shui principles, industrial design, and more.

Viewers are encouraged to interact with the exhibits to conclude what design means to them.

In this exhibition, 10 creatives from around the globe explore the schizophrenic nature of design through their own unique practices, including illustration,

Opens daily from 9am to 9pm. Free admission.

Visit www. designsingapore.org for more information.

DESIGN SUPERPOSITION

BREAKTHROUGH COMFORT Steelcase’s new Karman chair, which debuted at NeoCon – the world’s leading trade show for ÐĔ ¦îÞÉ°éîÞ ʋ ­ â Þ °ù Þ ù Þ ù° úâʨ ,éâ Û é Éé âîâÛ Éâ°ÐÉ â é with integrated cushioning and an îÂéÞ ʌ°§­é ¦Þ È Ğ ÿ â ú°é­ ĀÐîÞ ÈÐù È Ééâʣ Â°È°É é°É§ Û °É¦î ÛÞ ââîÞ ÛаÉéâ ÐÈÈÐÉÂĀ ¦ÐîÉ °É È â­ ­ °Þâ É ÛÞÐù° °É§ È ÿ°ÈîÈ ÐȦÐÞéʨ °é°ÐÉ ÂÂĀʣ °é °â ù °Â  °É Ƚȿ ÐÂÐîÞâ É ĝ É°â­ â éÐ ÐÈÛÂ È Éé ĀÐîÞ úÐÞ¿âÛ ʣ ú­ é­ Þ é ­ÐÈ ÐÞ °É é­ ÐĔ ʨ The Steelcase Karman arrives in Singapore soon. Register your interest at www.steelcase.com/asia-en.

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TILE OF THE MONTH

FREEZE! In its latest refrigerator line-up, Sharp has launched the SJ-VX40PG-BK, a multidoor model that comes with the brand’s trademark Plasmacluster Ion Technology, which eliminates 99 per cent of airborne bacteria and the same amount of airborne mould. It also features the Super Freeze Mode that freezes food quicker, keeping it for a longer time without losing its nutritional value or flavour. It also has a default Eco Mode that conserves energy, and a Holiday Mode that sets everything for minimal energy consumption if the user is going away.

TERRIFIC IN TERRACOTTA In its latest collaboration with renowned German industrial designer Konstantin Grcic, Mutina presents Hives, a versatile 3D design element that can be used both as a surface finish as well as a freestanding structure.

Based on beehives, Hives consists of single 13cm x 22.5cm x 7cm modules made from extruded terracotta that are suitable for both indoor and shaded outdoor use.

The Sharp SJ-VX40PG-BK retails for $1,899 at sg.sharp and authorised retailers.

In Singapore, Mutina Hives is available from Rice Fields. Price upon request. Visit www.ricefields.com for more information.

STOUT & STYLISH Smeg’s KLF05PKUK Mini Kettle from the 50s Retro Style aesthetic is a timeless appliance with a distinctive appearance designed by Raffaella Mangiarotti and Matteo Bazzicalupo of Deepdesign.

With its miniature size and wide variety of colour choices, this kettle makes an effortless addition to any space, from the bedroom to the office.

The Smeg KLF05PKUK Mini Kettle retails for $208 at smegshop.sg.

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ARTIST OF THE MONTH GATOT INDRAJATI

ROCK STAR VIBE Known for its designer light bulbs and retro industrial hardware, Buster + Punch has collaborated with LA-based musician Travis Barker of Blink-128 fame on the Skull collection of door stops, a unique cast bowl, cabinet knobs, a table light, candleholders, jewellery, clothing, and a drum key inspired by the skull motif and crafted to Travis’ specification. This is his first foray into interior design. “They scream rock ’n’ roll,” he says.

In Singapore, Buster + Punch is available from Sol Luminaire and The LAB2.1. Visit www. sol-luminaire.com.sg and www.busterandpunch. com for more information.

An Indonesian artist based in Yogyakarta, Gatot Indrajati uses a variety of techniques, including painting, sculpture and installation.

Often, his works portray whimsical landscapes that highlight societal issues like environmental sustainability and responsible consumption. Gatot was awarded the UOB Southeast Asian Painting

of the Year Award in 2016 and has been widely exhibited in the region.

His most recent installation, Sender of Wishes, depicts a cityscape populated by toy robots. It can be viewed at the Esplanade Concourse until July 10 this year.

Visit www.instagram.com/ gatotindrajati for more information.

NEWS Designer Fittings Spanish brand Viefe’s designer hardware – knobs, handles, and wall hooks – are now available exclusively through EDL. Providing quality at a competitive price point, it sits comfortably in the affordable premium segment of the market.

Visit www.edleuro. com for more information.

Summer Salone The world’s most revered design fair, Salone del Mobile.Milano, typically held in April before the pandemic, will now take place in June this year. The 60th edition focusses on advancements in sustainability by creatives, designers and companies. “Moving the event will ensure a strong

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presence of foreign exhibitors and professionals, which has always been one of Salone’s strong points,” says Maria Porro, the youngest-ever president of Salone del Mobile and the first woman to hold the role.

For more information, visit www.salonemilano.it.

Demo Fan Alert Visit the recently opened Dyson Demo Store in VivoCity for its demonstration zones and interactive displays showing the designs in action. Dyson’s largest demo store in South-east Asia, it features exclusive technologies, limited-

text ASIH JENIE, MELODY BAY, NIKKI ANDREA BOUNAPARTE & KRISTY QUAH

edition colourways and a Beauty Lab that offers individualised hairstyling services. We love the selection of coloured foil initials at the Personalisation Bar – stylish and special.

For more information, visit www. dyson.com.sg.

N E W S TO R E

The art-filled gallery leading to the bar.

W H I T E J AC K E T G A L L E R Y A sleek new office for boutique design studio White Jacket contain an art gallery where it plans to hold a residency programme.

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hite Jacket is a design atelier specialising in hospitality, offering a holistic boutique design service that includes, among others, art consultancy. Its portfolio includes Naumi Hotel, JW Marriott South Beach Spa, and the soon-to-open Rosewood Hotel Ningbo and Kimpton Naranta Bali, and many more.

Studio founder Patricia Ho Douven – a recipient of the Society of Interior Designers Singapore’s inaugural 20 under 45 Award – counts design, art and travel amongst her life’s passions. She travelled constantly before the pandemic, working and collecting inspiration from all over the world. Confined in Singapore because of Covid, she focussed her energy on a project closer to her home and heart: her own studio.

White Jacket’s new home on Upper Circular Road, which opened late last year, is a spacious commercial unit within an ageing ‘80s warehouse building. It is large enough to house White Jacket’s atelier, an art gallery that is open to the public by appointment, and several communal areas. “I hope to one day make this a hub for local creative communities,” shares Patricia.

The atelier is a striking addition to the old building.

Walking out of the elevator, visitors’ eyes are drawn to its subtly-lit pastel interior and terrazzo floor made of leftover material samples the studio had accumulated over the years.

In the front portion, there is a sitting area inspired by Patricia’s childhood in Singapore and Malaysia, complete with a round table typical of HDB void decks and a chill-out corner with tiered seats that echoes stadium grandstands. The meeting room, Patricia’s office and the main office space feature bespoke furniture and artworks from local and international artists.

In the art gallery, there is a dining area with a kitchen and bar that can comfortably accommodate gatherings, as well as an exhibition space and a long gallery. Currently, it is hosting A Decade, a showcase

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A cosy corner in the studio.

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Ten Years of Work for One Minute on Stage

by Tan Zi Xi, one of the artworks in the Decade exhibition.

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One of the wooden stools in the WJ x NAFA Showcase titled Merantau Rindu - Wandering in Nostalgia by Grace Angel.

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Patricia Ho Douven.

FAR RIGHT

Liminal, a commissioned painting by David Chan, adds colours and cool factors to the bar area decked in teal, grey and black.

good to know

of commissioned artworks by nine local artists that celebrates White Jacket’s 10th anniversary.

The corridor gallery features the WJ x NAFA Showcase, featuring 10 wooden stools by NAFA alumni inspired by the lepak theme to complement the round table in the sitting area. Both exhibitions will run until the

end of this month. In the near future, an artist-in-residency programme will be offered.

Participants will be selected through interviews for the three-month programme. The chosen creatives will work at the atelier, and their creations will be promoted and showcased by White Jacket. text ASIH JENIE photos WHITE JACKET

White Jacket also has studios in Bangkok and Manila.

The White Jacket Studio is located at 17 Upper Circular Road, #03-00. Call 6883-2305 for appointments or visit www. whitejacket.com for more information.

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T H E B E R TA Z Z O N I F L AG S H I P From ovens and hobs to hoods and ventilation systems, the famed Italian brand’s flagship gallery offers everything you need for a stylish home kitchen.

Visitors to the showroom are greeted by the sight of a beautiful archway.

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estled in the hip district of Tiong Bahru is a new gem for home cooks and food lovers to explore. With its gathering of quirky cafes, chic bars and restaurants housed within cool art deco architecture, the oldest residential neighbourhood is a prime location for complementing Bertazzoni’s century-old legacy of producing quality-made kitchen appliances for homes and restaurants.

Artfully situated between a traditional coffee shop and an art gallery, the unit at 25 Yong Siak Street becomes a poetic stage to present Bertazzoni’s philosophy of offering premium quality, style and finesse for food connoisseurs in the pursuit of cooking perfection.

The journey begins as soon as one steps into the beautifully designed space, where Bertazzoni’s most outstanding kitchen appliance ranges are presented across three themed kitchen zones. There’s bound to be a look for the home cook to fall in love with from the Professional, Modern and Heritage series.

Located at the front of the showroom, the Professional kitchen series bears testament to Bertazzoni’s ability to combine both form and function in a domestic kitchen environment. All these built-

good to know Bertazzoni is a century-old Italian brand renowned for its range cookers, ovens and hoods.

in ovens are available in a no-fingerprint brushed steel finish, with metal knobs and handle for a smart look. Some models are also available in a new matte black finish, evocative of the paint finish on luxury sports cars.

The second section of the showroom features Bertazzoni’s popular Modern series. The stunning copper-textured finish of the kitchen cabinetry and appliances are immediately eyecatching and alluring.

A stroll through a corridor at the back of the showroom leads to an intimate corner featuring the Heritage series in the iconic style originally designed by Napoleone Bertazzoni at the start of the 20th century. Homeowners seeking design inspiration for their home kitchen will be able to find plenty of ideas in these creative spaces.

The Bertazzoni Flagship is located at 25 Yong Siak Street. Call 6922-9691 for an appointment or visit https:// bertazzonishowroombooking. setmore.com for more information.

ABOVE

The Professional series features brushed steel finish, with metal knobs and handle for a smart look.

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The Heritage series combines the rustic style of the brand’s original designs with hightech cooking functions and quality performance.

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Bertazzoni’s Modern series is complemented by the kitchen cabinetry in copper-textured finish.

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A BOVE

3-in-1 Sink Dishwasher can be securely covered, leaving the rest of the sink free.

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The JQG9009T Range Hood features a patented automatic smokescreen to remove cooking fumes.

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F OTILE The Chinese brand wants to make cooking and cleaning a breeze for busy households.

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otile is an established kitchen appliance brand in China with 25 years of history. At its showroom in TradeHub21, you will find a wide range of cooking hoods, ovens, dishwashers, and sinks.

A monochrome colour scheme highlights the products in the store. Kitchen appliances line both walls, while sinks occupy a good portion of the floor space. Homeowners will also find a collection of sleek, touch-activated cooking hoods here, with features for every kitchen. The fume hoods feature Smart Intelligent Air Stewards to remove smoke quickly and effectively.

Among the products is the 3-in-1 Sink Dishwasher (model SD2F-P1X) that can fit seamlessly into the kitchen without taking up too much space. It is accessible from the top-down and includes

text MELODY BAY photos FOTILE

a swivelling spray and the ability to sterilise dishes at 70 deg C. There is also a fruit and vegetable washing option, which removes over 90 per cent of pesticide residue from produce using water jets, ultrasound, and turbulent impact technology.

There’s also the 4-in-1 Steam-Combi Oven (model HYZK26-E1) which can bake, steam, dehydrate, and even air-fry your food in no time, creating quick and easy meals.

With an AI-driven algorithm that helps distribute heat evenly, and over 40 recipes to choose from, you’ll never run out of ideas for dinner.

Fotile is committed to fostering conversations and bonding in the kitchen. Its appliances can easily have a place in any household, whether it belongs to busy professionals or a large family.

Fotile’s range of steam and microwave ovens is designed for easy maintenance.

BOT TOM

Each of Fotile’s products is created with convenience for the family in mind.

The Fotile showroom is at TradeHub21, #0174, 24 Boon Lay Way. For more information, visit www. sg.fotileglobal. com.

LIVING

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1 . & 8. Kian Old Elm Wood Gate Bench, $280, and Yi Clothes Stand (Large), $590, from Scene Shang.

NESTING MODE The key to creating a happy place is surrounding oneself with the things one loves. These are our picks for the ultimate cosy bedroom.

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2 .& 3. Classicon SOL side table, from $2,700 and B&B Italia Tufty Queen bed (mattress not included), from $11,525, from Space Furniture.

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4 . Coplu Dream My Love – Blue Epoxy Resin sculpture, $32,500, from Ode to Art. 5 . Stella Console Blanche Small Rose, price upon request, from Scarlet Splendour.

6 .& 7. Umage Asteria Move Table Lamp, $331, and Nuur Liila 7 Optic Wall Lamp $3,473, from Danish Design Co.

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5 ON 25 The newest restaurant at the Andaz Singapore is a romantic take on Cantonese supper clubs

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hrough food, restaurants give us a sense of escape and reconnection,” says Hong Kong-based interior designer Andre Fu. To design Andaz Singapore’s 5 on 25, he drew on childhood memories of going to traditional Chinese restaurants and teahouses in Hong Kong. “I remember walking into those spaces and feeling like I’d stepped back in time. They were always quite cinematic and theatrical.”

In January, 5 on 25 opened in the space formerly occupied

by Auntie’s Wok and Steam restaurant on the hotel’s 25th level. The restaurant offers refined Cantonese cuisine and seats a total of 70 diners.Its interiors combine traditionally rich colours and materials with contemporary sensibilities; ruby red and dark brown are tempered by dusty pink and matte dark green; velvet and dark timber are paired with matte finishes and exuberant wallpaper.

The result evokes the old world glam of 1950s Singapore with a modern whimsical touch. “It’s sophisticated. It’s moody. It’s nostalgic,” says

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The colour red, which is a staple in Chinese restaurants, gets a contemporary spin here via matte finish and geometic shapes.

Mirrored panels, latticed ceiling, wallpaper and mismatched tableware adds an eclectic touch to the space.

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A dining booth dressed in leather and floral wallpaper.

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The delectable dim sum selection.

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The Boston lobster claw with housemade chili sauce.

good to know Hong Kong-based Andre Fu also designed the rest of Andaz Singapore’s interiors as well.

Andre. His bespoke designs are seen throughout the restaurant, from the stained oak wall finish and rattanbacked chairs to the modular bronze chandeliers and the lattice pattern that has become 5 on 25’s leitmotif.

The private dining suites – one seats 12, and the other eight – are no less dramatic, with plush sofas against a green onyx wall, hand-tufted lattice carpets and mint green, cut glass chandeliers. “There’s a sense of eclecticism in these rooms. I wanted to create an imagined narrative in which the diner being invited to dinner at the home of a well-travelled, sophisticated Chinese family,” Andre says.

“Chinese restaurants are always tricky to design.

With 5 on 25, though, I felt I was able to push its personality a bit further with the idea of dining in a private home.” With this narrative, he elevated the aesthetics without deviating too dramatically from the other F&B outlets on é­ â È ¦ÂÐÐÞʨˈ 5 on 25 is at Andaz Singapore, 5 Fraser Street. Visit www.hyatt. com for reservations and more information.

text ASIH JENIE photos ANDAZ SINGAPORE

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O AM I ADDICTED Shape your own glazed ceramics before dining in its korean-fusion vegetarian cafe in capitol singapore.

The vegan bimbimbap comes with three side dishes.

Txximalist-chic showrooms at Tan Boon Liat Building span over 6,000 sq ft.

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ccupying 6,000 sq ft inside the Capitol, the large-scale Korean pottery studio-cum-vegetarian cafe is the largest of its kind in Singapore.

The studio features a natural, open-space concept with neutral colours. Freshly dried ceramics line the walls, waiting for their turn in the kiln. Throwing wheels sit in a semicircle, perfect for beginners who need guidance during the first time.

Koreans’ rich history with ceramic wares dates back as far as 5000 BC and includes decorative earthenware and modern kitchen staples like clay pots and ttukbaegi, the

classic serve ware for bibimbap and jjigae dishes.

Am I Addicted provides clay of high quality from South Korea for local potters. It also has more than 130 glazes and five different types of clay, and offers classes for beginners and experts, freestyle sessions, and children’s workshops.

The Korean-fusion vegetarian cafe is right next to the studio. It boasts dark colours and warm lighting, creating an intimate ambience.

Diners are welcomed by a coffee bar with a black steel frame. Inside, dark timber chairs and tables are paired with textured upholstery, brass details, mirror panels,

good to know The studio’s pottery equipment is imported from Germany, Japan and Korea.

and racks displaying the actual fermented ingredients used for the menu.

The menu rotates monthly, featuring refreshing drinks, raw and cooked vegan plates, and cafe staples made guiltfree with alternative vegan ingredients. You must try the delicious Grilled Cheese Kimchi Sandwich. With the kimchi’s kick of flavour and the crisp crunch of the bread, you’ll be begging for more. The Torta Di

Riso Pasta, a vegan pasta dish with alternative prawns and squid, is also noteworthy. Wash it all down with I Am Addicted’s signature beverage chung, which is made with housemade Korean marmalade. Vibrantly coloured, it tastes of fresh fruits and flowers.

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The pottery studio.

The preserved puree is made in-house from sugar and fruits.

ABOVE, FAR L EFT

The strawberry milkshake chung has a refreshing aftertaste.

L EFT

AB OVE

Shape your clay before detailing it in hand building sessions.

Colour samples of ceramic glazes.

Am I Addicted is at #B2-5153, Capitol Singapore. Visit www.amiaddicted.sg for more information.

text NIKKI ANDREA BOUNAPARTE photos AM I ADDICTED

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H O T S P OT

A ‘70s-style bar greets guests at the entrance.

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FRENCH FOLD PA L A I S R E N A I S S A N C E The second French Fold at Palais Renaissance features a rustic-minimalist design narrative, and a menu with a nod to local flavours.

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cosy bistro serving up delicious food, is more quintessentially French than anything else, and that is precisely what the new French Fold at Palais Renaissance offers. Sister to the Merci Marcel flagship outlet on the same premises, French Fold promises a gastronomical experience with galettes and crepes, plus a new cocktail menu for thirsty diners.

Having opened in midJanuary, it has an al fresco and indoor dining area, as well as a bar at the entrance and overlooking Palais Renaissance’s

concourse. It is the piece de resistance of the place, celebrating ’70s charm with deep emerald hues and ceramic tiles. As diners enter, a boxwood bead pearl curtain from 1909 Perle de Bois, handmade in France, greets them.

Featuring earthy tones, bold lines, and lush greenery, the restaurant’s interior is a study in rustic minimalism.

Designed by Singapore studio Hui Designs, these elements create a welcoming, cosy atmosphere in the 1,507 sq ft space. The Merci Marcel Group

good to know The entire restaurant spans 1,507 sq ft and can seat 65 pax in total.

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Rustic warmth pervades the space, thanks to cosy lighting and plenty of greenery.

AB OVE

The furniture was sourced from Europe and put together to create a charming mix of styles.

RI GHT

The No.15 galette is for classic English breakfast lovers with its pork pancetta, egg, baked beans, and tomato slices.

spared no expense in sourcing materials and furnishings to achieve the perfect finish: you’ll find chairs by celebrated French studio Starck, Mediterraneaninspired upholstery by Dedar, and antique mahogany furniture from France and other European countries, all of which are softly illuminated by lamps from Danish heritage brand Louis Poulsen.

Despite being more avantgarde than the original outlet in Telok Ayer, it has achieved its goal. “While the new French Fold retains the essential galettes and crepes experience, we wanted it to be more experimental,” says Antoine Rouland, the founder of Merci Marcel Group.

A more experimental concept also translates to a refreshed menu where diners will find a marriage of local flavours with the traditional French galettes and crepes the restaurant is known for. The assortment includes No.11, which has a yellow curry base

text MELODY BAY photos FRENCH FOLD

with fresh sauteed shrimps and leek fondue and onions, and No. 14, a savoury galette with tandoori coconut milk sauce, pineapple and chicken. Glutenfree diners will appreciate that all savoury galettes are made with buckwheat flour from the UK. Sweet tooths will enjoy No. 28, which pairs tangy lime coulis and decadent milk chocolate cream and dark chocolate chips.

Crepes can also be paired with gelato from local brand partner Birds of Paradise.

In true French style, the beverage menu doesn’t disappoint. Try one of the cider-inspired cocktails like the Eurostar (rose cider stirred with Widges gin and a hint of lemon juice) or an organic, sustainably vinified wine from a curated selection from France. A range of non-alcoholic drinks is also available, including Kusmi Tea’s traditional teas, UMA Infusion’s organic iced teas with a dash of honey, produced in France without colourings or preservatives, and Patrick Font’s fruit juices and nectars.

“Given the pandemic situation, French Fold’s launch in 2020 was a bold move. We are grateful for the public’s overwhelmingly positive response. Opening this second location seemed like a natural next step for the group,” says Antoine. “We welcome all to join us here, whether for casual conversations or special dining occasions.”

French Fold Palais Renaissance is located at #01-02 Palais Renaissance. Visit www. mercimarcelgroup.com for more information.

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H O T S P OT

T L U D OV I C A MASCHERONI A PA R T M E N T S U I T E The top floor of the Ludovica Mascheroni showroom in Milan invites visitors to relax and experience the timeless luxury of the Italian brand.

he location of Via Gesu in Milan, which is near the fashion and luxury district Via Monte Napoleone, was a natural choice for highend furniture and clothing brand Ludovica Mascheroni’s boutique and showroom.

Named the Apartment Suite, the showroom is a large multi-functional space with generous windows overlooking Via Gesu. It was conceptualised as a luxurious apartment, featuring a palette of maple and pastel shades.

Visitors are greeted by a sumptuous bedroom in shades of powder pink, with rich textural details such as handpainted wallpaper, nubuck and linen boiserie, and scents that flirt with the imagination.

There’s also a white dining space with a retractable kitchen decked out in bleached maple and Calacatta Altissimo marble, and a bathroom in white moon travertine marble.

Each area has been designed with attention to detail, particularly the

1 . The wardrobe area is perfumed, and can be transformed into a fitting room if needed.

2 . Visitors are invited to slow down and enjoy the luxury of the space.

3 . Every inch of the showroom is dedicated to showcasing the Italian brand’s finest craftsmanship.

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good to know living space with a large, artistic boiserie dedicated to the Castello Sforzesco. The furniture features elements such as leather, nubuck, brass, and marble, exuding a timeless elegance befitting the Italian brand. In fact, the entire showroom is designed to invite customers to slow down and relax in an atmosphere of luxury.

This Apartment Suite is just one of three floors – the boutique space below on the ground floor is dedicated to clothing items for both men

and women, while the Fashion Lounge in the basement showcases menswear and a lounge area with a bar cabinet and tearoom. Each floor features a different type of wood, such as oak and cedar, as its main highlight.

“We wanted to create not just a shop, but a place that talked about us, our company, that best represent what we are able to do both in the field of furniture and couture and that enhance the work of our artisans,” says Fabio Mascheroni, founder and

Even the tiniest details have been carefully curated, including sewing kits and sanitising trunks for garments.

owner of the brand together with Roberta Caglio. “The idea behind our project is to welcome our customers in a space that gives back the idea of home, cosy and with great attention to the smallest details.”

4. The lower floors are dedicated to the brand’s couture collections.

5 . Details like handpainted wallpaper and nubuck and linen boiserie lend timeless elegance to the bedroom.

For more information, visit www.ludovicamascheroni.eu.

text MELODY BAY photos LUDOVICA MASCHERONI

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H O T S P OT

PA R A D I S P I E T R A S A N TA The new boutique hotel in Tuscany, designed by Point3architecture, epitomises Italy’s dolce vita.

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L EFT

Guests spend a good deal of time soaking up the sun.

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Most of the day, the restaurant is flooded with sunlight.

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Statues, like this bust of Julius Caesar, are everywhere.

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Even the entrance to the restrooms evokes the building’s historical background.

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s in all rehabilitation projects, the historical study of the existing building was the basis of our design. We removed contemporary marks to go back to the rampart stone walls and Tuscan ceilings,” says architect Thibaut Julien.

He, Benjamin Macaire, and Victor Jauvin, the owners of Paradis Pietrasanta, founded SаÉéȿ Þ ­°é éîÞ °ÉˈS Þ°âʣ and drew inspiration from Tuscany – a region the trio

has visited many times – and Milan for the terrazzo flooring of their first hospitality project.

Within walking distance of Rocca di Scala, a 15th-century fortress, in the charming town of Pietrasanta, Italy, it is located in a traditional 18thcentury palazzo that used to be the home of a countess.

Renovation of the old threestory building focused on preserving its history while bringing it new life.

good to know The owners have a 7-ha, sustainably run farm less than a kilometre away that guests can visit by shuttle or electric bike or on foot.

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STONE, TERRACOTTA, CERAMICS, WROUGHT IRON, AND NATURAL COLOURS LIKE OCHRE AND EARTHY TONES BLEND WITH THE SURROUNDINGS, GIVING THE INTERIORS A WARM, WELCOMING APPEARANCE. Paradis Pietrasanta has been open since July 2015.

Among the public areas on the ground floor are the lounge bar and restaurant that overlook a large garden with marble fountains and citrus trees designed by landscape architect Jean Mus. Benjamin and Victor’s collection of sculptures inspired the visual story.

Those in the restaurant’s library, one of Thibaut’s favourite features in Paradis Pietrasanta, reference a sculptor’s studio.

Featuring wall tapestries designed by Moroccan artist Khalil Minka in collaboration with Point3architecture, the lobby opens onto a large terrace, and there are 12 rooms are on the first and â ÐÉ ˈ¦ÂÐÐÞâʨ As a direct reflection of the owners’ vision, the Point3architecture team evoked the feeling of an already existing home that has been present for generations. Stone, terracotta, ceramics, wrought iron, and natural colours like ochre and earthy tones blend with the surroundings, giving the interiors a warm feel.

Additionally, the furniture and lighting, inspired by 1970s-era Italy, blend harmoniously with artwork in an elegant, straightforward manner, paying homage to the city’s spirit.

Visit www. paradispietrasantahotel.com for more information.

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As they reach upwards from the walls, the hotel’s vaulted ceilings evoke the grandeur and spaciousness of old.

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The restaurant’s shelves display classic statues from Barsanti Laboratory.

The bedroom interior juxtaposes new and old items.

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The terracotta walls, vaulted ceiling and half moon mirrors evoke a retro look in the bathroom.

An artwork and clustered pendant lights dress up the classic stairwell.

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The poolside lounging area.

text KARINE MONIE photos FILIPPO BAMBERGHI

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I D E A S A N D I N S P I R AT I O N F R O M T H O S E I N T H E K N O W

PA I N T CARVER Christchurch-based New Zealand and British artist Hannah Jensen speaks to Y-JEAN MUN-DELSALLE about painting in reverse, where she applies all the layers of paint ĝÞâéʣ É é­ É Þù â ú Ā éÐ Þ ù  ú­ éʙâ °É ­ Þ ­ Þéʨ ʖ é ĝÞâéʣ , ú â annoyed at how thick it was, but within seconds, I discovered I could carve into the paint,” she says of the technique she discovered by accident in 2003 that went on to become a viral sensation.

photo PETRA MINGNEAU

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SPOTLIGHT

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photo PETRA MINGNEAU

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annah Jensen’s art is unlike traditional painting because she works in reverse. She applies between 40 and 80 layers of Resene Lumbersider acrylic house paint to a ply board before carving into by hand with a simple Speedball linoleum cutter to reveal various colours and Þ é é °Â °È § â ĝÂÂ with depth, texture and shadow.

A graduate of the Auckland University of Technology, where she studied intaglio, screenprinting, lithography, etching, and research into Japanese woodblocks, her current technique stems from a happy accident in 2003.

In love with the Scandinavian aesthetic, Hannah began experimenting with a large tin of white house paint and coated a wooden board with 23 layers. Initially planning to carve through the paint into the wood, she instead carved a design of gannets directly into the paint instead. ʖ é ĝÞâéʣ , ú â ÉÉÐĀ é how thick it was, but within seconds, the light bulb went Ðđʣ É , ¿É ú , Ðî Þù into the paint,” she says. “My ĝÞâé Û °Éé Þù°É§â ú Þ shallow into the white paint for highlights, and then deeper into the wood for shadows.

They were quite amazing.”

Hannah begins with an idea, then searches for the right image or photograph before choosing her colour palette.

Adding one to three layers a

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day, the layering process takes ÛÛÞÐÿ°È é ÂĀ ¦ÐîÞ éÐ ĝù weeks. Once the paint is dry, she sketches the design. The intricate carving alone, where she asserts varied pressures to Þ ­ °đ Þ Éé  Ā Þâʣ É é ¿ up to eight weeks. Finally, she paints subtle washes back into the work to add depth before spraying it with a matt varnish.

As a lover of the great outdoors and an avid hiker, °¿ Þʣ É âîÞ¦ Þʣ ) ÉÉ ­ ĝÉ â inspiration in nature. “Any Û Ééʣ éÞ ʣ ĞÐú Þʣ Ð É Â°¦ ʣ spring growth or the change of a season is magical,” she explains. Her artworks have featured leopards, silverback gorillas, polar bears, hares, wild horses, Japanese cranes, elephants and peacocks.

Time spent with the animals at her father’s South African game park, where he lived for the last 16 years of his life, was hugely

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inspirational. “The wild animals stole my heart,” she discloses. “I would spend hours walking around my dad’s game reserve, watching the animals: warthogs, kudus, °ÈÛ Â âʣ §°Þ đ âʣ ú°Â âéâʣ baboons, hippos, and more.”

With her art, Hannah aims to convey her passion for wildlife and create a connection between them and her audiences, encouraging them to consider the plight

1. Hannah carving a picture.

2. Kowhai (2020), 200mm diameter board with 43 layers of carved acrylic.

3. Two Tui (2020),600mm diameter board with 69 layers of carved acrylic.

4. Skateboard - Waka Huia (2019), Paper Rain Skateboard 190 x 760mm with 40 layers of carved acrylic.

5 5. Small Rounds (2019), a collection of 200mm diameter boards, each with 40 to 45 layers of carved acrylic.

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“I BELIEVE ART IS A WONDERFUL VISUAL LANGUAGE THAT CAN COMMUNICATE IDEAS AND SUBJECTS WE DON’T OFTEN TALK ABOUT.”

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of endangered species in our contemporary world. “I believe art is a wonderful visual language that can communicate ideas and subjects we don’t often talk about. I want my art to share the stories of animals, to be a voice for them.”

She presented 11 lifesize wildlife works - each representing a member of her family - in her 2012 solo exhibition, Heraldik, at Saatchi & Saatchi Gallery, Auckland. To complete her eight large-scale works for her upcoming exhibition, Wild, °é éÐп ­ Þ ĝù Ā Þâ É Ƚɀȼ litres of paint. “A good idea hangs around until it’s time to create it,” she points out.

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Hannah was born in Bath, England, in 1984, and moved to New Zealand, where her mother is from, when she was just 22 months old. She has spent most of her life in Auckland. Watching her mother work with clay as a potter on the kitchen table as a child, she has wanted to be an artist ever since she could speak. “I remember wanting to be an artist when I was around the age of four,” she recalls. “I knew it meant I could create things.

To me, that sounded magical.”

Hannah has been inundated with requests after a video of her creative process went viral on Instagram. In the past three years, she has completed 200

photo PETRA MINGNEAU

– HANNAH JENSEN

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commissions, bringing people’s dreams to life through her art. She is currently on break from commissioned work to focus on personal projects.

Her next two carvings are comparatively huge.

One features a rhino carved with blue and white Chinese porcelain patterns, bringing to mind the black market rhino horn trade in China.

The other, a whale covered °É ĞÐú Þâ â ­ÐÈ § éÐ ÐîÞ dying oceans, is also heartwrenching. Each is over 3m long, making them her largest pieces to date. She will use 62 litres of paint to create them.

Despite the sad stories in two of her works, she says most

of it aims to bring joy. “I hope they inspire viewers to make more sustainable, healthier choices in their daily lives.”

Today, Hannah works alone out of a converted garage in her home and says, “I adore making, using my hands to create images that come to me from a soul level; I feel them, then I see them, develop them in my mind, and then bring them to life in layers of paint using my technique. The moment I ĝÉ°â­ É ° ,ʙù É Èî°ɧ over for years is magical for me. It makes me happy to be able to create a body of work for people to interact with and be moved by.” photos HANNAH JENSEN

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6. Hannah carving an elephant in her studio in 2017.

7. Lady Bella Cape Buffalo with Chandelier Earrings (2021), 1150 x 1300mm board with 60 layers of carved acrylic.

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8 . The carving process.

9. David Dargaville - Stag and Birds (2012), 1,850 x 1,400mm with 48 layers (18 litres) of carved acrylic.

1 0. Hannah and Composed - Greater Kudu (2018), 1,400 x 1,800mm board with 65 layers (17 litres) of carved acrylic.

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PEOPLE

F

°§È Ééʣ ­ÐÈ ʌ§ÞÐúÉ Ðʌ°ù°É§ ÐÈÛ ÉĀ ¿ÉÐúÉ ¦ÐÞ °éâ î鰦ÐÈ â É Þé Ā ÂÐ Â Þé°âéâʣ é ¿ â ÉÐé­ Þ âé Û éÐ ­ ÈÛ°ÐÉ é­ Z°É§ ÛÐÞ Þéâ â É ú°é­ °éâ Þ éÐÞ V â° É Ā SÞÐ§Þ ÈÈ ʨ In a designated Artist Village on an Indonesian island ¼îâé Ðđ é­ Ð âé Ц Z°É§ ÛÐÞ ʣ é­ Þ â° Éé° Â ÛÞÐ§Þ ÈÈ ú°Â Ðđ Þ ÂÐ Â Þé°âéâʣ úÞ°é Þâʣ É Þ ¦éâÛ ÐÛÂ é­ ÐÛÛÐÞéîÉ°éĀ éÐ ¦Ð îâ ÐÉ é­ °Þ Þé É úÐÞ¿ ú°é­ Ðé­ Þâ °É é ÈÛÐÞ ÞĀ ­ÐÈ ú Ā ¦ÞÐÈ ­ÐÈ ¦ÐÞ é­Þ ÈÐÉé­â âé Þé°É§ ¦ÞÐÈ 7îÉ ʨ a­ "°§È Éé é È ú°Â ÂâÐ assist them in navigating the È Þ§°É§ BÐÉʌ"îɧ°  aп É (NFT) scene and converting é­ °Þ Þ é°ÐÉâʨ r âÛ ¿ ú°é­ " ɧ ;Ðúʣ é­ ¦ÐîÉ Þ Ð¦ "°§È Ééʣ éÐ Â ÞÉ ÈÐÞ Ðîé é­°â °É°é° é°ù ʨ

MAKING ROOM FOR ART With its bold initiative, co-living brand "°§È Éé Ðđ Þâ ÛÞÐÈ°â°É§ Þé°âéâ é ÈÛÐÞ ÞĀ Û Þ °â ú­ Þ é­ Ā É ÛÞ é°â é­ °Þ Þé ú°é­Ðîé é­ °âéÞ é°ÐÉâ Ц ù ÞĀ Ā °¦ ʨ

WHAT INSPIRED THE CREATOR RESIDENCY PROGRAMME?

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2

3

r ú Þ °ÉâÛ°Þ Ā Z°É§ ÛÐÞ ʙâ ĝÞâé Þé°âé ÐÂÐÉĀʣ a­ Þé°âé q°Â § ʣ ¦é Þ Â Þɰɧ Ðîé °éâ Ðđâ­ÐÞ Þ â° É Ā °É Sî î f °É ÐîÛ Ц Ā Þâ §Ðʨ â °é ¼îâé ÐÈÛ é é­ °Þ  âé â­Ðú °É 7 Éî ÞĀʣ ú ¦ Âé ÐÈÛ Â éÐ Ð ÐîÞ Û Þé éÐ ÐÉé°Éî é­ °Þ  § Āʨ WHAT IS THE SELECTION PROCESS FOR ARTISTS?

7 É Uî°ÉÉ ­ÐÐʣ ÐîÞ °Éʌ ­Ðîâ îÞ éÐÞʣ â­ÐÞé°âéâ é­ ÈÐâé ÛÞÐÈ°â°É§ ÛÛ° é°ÐÉâ ĝÞâéʨ a­ ÞÐ Þ "°§È Éé ÐÈÈîÉ°éĀ é­ É ùÐé â ÐÉ È°ââ°ÐÉâ îâ°É§ ÐîÞ È È Þâ­°Û éп Éâ ÐÉ

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the blockchain. We want to decentralise Figment’s curatorial authority. Since the Creators-in-Residence and their works will form part of our members’ living environment, we wanted them to feel a sense of ownership and have a say in how their surroundings develop.

HOW DO YOU SUPPORT ARTISTS WHO ARE NEW TO THE NFT WORLD?

ĝÉ°é ÂĀʥ q Þ°Ðîâ È È Þâ of the Figment community will have the opportunity to spend time in the village and meet the creators they have hand-picked.

Since the NFT scene is also new, we are all learning as we go. Networking and community building are critical for the growth and cultivation of the scene, and we believe Figment’s NFT Residency will eventually reach a self-sustaining, critical mass of Creators-in-Residence and alumni.

A selection of Figment Residences will be converted into physical salon spaces at the end of the residency to display selected NFT items.

It gives exposure to Figment members and their friends who may become potential NFT collectors. As Figment’s curator, Jen is compiling a Рé°ÐÉ Ð¦ B"aâ É Ðđ ްɧ advice on how to produce them.

Additionally, we have released our own NFT Collection with the help of Foreign Policy Design. The Figment team will help mentor and coach the Creators-inResidence.

DO THE ARTISTS STAY IN

WHAT STUDIO FACILITIES ARE

BATCHES OR CAN THEY LEAVE

PROVIDED IN THE VILLAGE?

OR ARRIVE AS THEY PLEASE?

q Þ°Ðîâ éĀÛ â Ц úÐÞ¿âÛ â are available – from standard desks to high-ceilinged studios, and shaded pavilions for Plein air painting, which involves painting or drawing outdoors. NFT marketing and production are also made easy with free high-speed Internet.

Additionally, we always have art materials on hand, so everyone can experiment.

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE ARTIST VILLAGE?

,é °â ÂÐ é ¼îâé Ðđ é­ Ð âé of our city-state, and is an ideal escape from Singapore’s concrete jungle. It even has a rustic feel similar to that of the old Temasek. To avoid creating a cookie-cutter compound, we have kept the exact location a secret.

CAN NON-ARTISTS STAY IN OR NEAR THE ARTIST VILLAGE AS WELL?

We will run the programme on a rolling basis instead of batches to keep the ÐÉù Þâ é°ÐÉ ĞÐú°É§ ÈÐɧ a broader range of creators.

Figment members will also have the opportunity to learn about these creators and their works during workshops and ĝÞ â° ­ éâ é­ é ú°ÂÂ é ¿ place regularly.

“WE NEED TO CHAMPION OUR CREATORS, SINCE THEY INFUSE PERSONALITY AND SOUL INTO OUR INCREASINGLY COOKIE-CUTTER ENVIRONMENTS.” Having access to a wide variety of design books and being right by the beach are ÂâÐ É ĝéâʨ BÐ魰ɧ âÛ Þ¿â creativity like a lazy afternoon of reading by the beach.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE WITH THE RESIDENCY PROGRAMME?

As a continuation of our ‘Case Study’ programme, we are looking at issuing NFTs as an additional revenue stream to support emerging artists.

What will be groundbreaking for them is when they start earning 10 per cent in royalties on

text MELODY BAY photos FIGMENT & KHOO GUO JIE

all future NFT works. A direct relationship with their patrons that bypasses all middlemen is similarly empowering. Although there is no physical NFT residency yet, Figment hopes to be the ĝÞâé éÐ ú  ÐÈ È Þ§°É§ creators into the NFT space through our NFT Residency Programme.

We need to champion our creators, since they infuse personality and soul into increasingly cookie-cutter environments.

For more information, visit www.figment.live.

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1. Part co-living, part exhibition space, the Gallery House by Leow Wei Li features different wall textures.

2. & 3 . Residents get to interact with the art as part of their everyday living experience.

4. The Artist Village is half hidden by verdant greenery.

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PEOPLE

DESIGNING REST Lin Weizhang, founder of Super Fat Designs, talks about what goes into creating an inviting bedroom show unit and tips on how to style a relaxing bedroom.

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bedroom can be a place of balance between functionality, experience and limitless design possibilities.

For this reason, one in a show Ğ é °â é­ Û Þ¦ é Û ¦ÐÞ interior designers to let their imaginations run wild. Lin Weizhang of Super Fat Designs shows us how to create a restful space, both aesthetically and practically.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD BEDROOM DESIGN?

A bedroom must be able to provide restful sleep. It is where one relaxes and feels safe.

Lighting, textures and colours all play a role in this. We strive to create a space for rest by balancing and interweaving these elements to create a space for rest. It is important to sleep in a room that is conducive to your health, physically and mentally.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DESIGNING A BEDROOM FOR A SHOW FLAT AND A BEDROOM WE USE?

Z­Ðú Ğ éâ â­Ðú â ° Â layouts, design possibilities and potential. They originate from the designer’s perspective without input from the enduser. Speak to your interior designer about your habits, preferences, likes, and dislikes when designing your bedroom.

By synthesising these with the site condition, you can create a bespoke bedroom that meets the aesthetics as well as the purpose.

WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO CREATE A RESTFUL AND INVITING ENVIRONMENT AROUND THE BED?

A space’s physical experience shapes its environment.

You should pay attention to the textures of fabrics, wall

“A BEDROOM MUST BE ABLE TO PROVIDE RESTFUL SLEEP. IT IS WHERE ONE RELAXES AND FEELS SAFE. LIGHTING, TEXTURES AND COLOURS ALL PLAY A ROLE IN THIS.”

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LEFT

Textures add a cosy touch around the bed, while natureinspired decor lends the room an organic vibe BOTTOM

The cohesive colour palette of the soft furnishings creates a relaxing environment.

OPPOSITE, TOP

Indirect, warm lighting eliminates glare while illuminating the bedside table.

coverings and any surface by touching them before making any decisions. Together with the right lighting, a balanced colour palette creates a soothing, ÐȦÐÞé Â É Þ ĝÉ ÞÐÐÈʨ HOW CAN WE HELP HOMEOWNERS CREATE A STYLISH YET FUNCTIONAL BEDROOM?

The key to getting the bedroom of your dreams is to experiment.

9 Û éÞĀ°É§ îÉé°Â ĀÐî ĝÉ ú­ é is right for you. One size does ÉÐé ĝé ÂÂʨ BÐ éúÐ Û ÐÛÂ Þ é to the same environment in the same way. Alternatively, consider hiring a professional who will synthesise a solution that meets your needs.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD

WHAT ARE THE ESSENTIAL

HOMEOWNERS UPDATE THEIR

ITEMS FOR A MODERN

BEDROOM DESIGNS?

BEDROOM?

This is a tough question. I believe that if you do it right é­ ĝÞâé é°È ʣ é­ ÞÐÐÈ ú°ÂÂ last a long time. Refresh it only if it isn’t working for you any more. You should rotate your mattresses and sun your pillows regularly to keep them fresh.

These items have use-by dates, so change them as needed.

Good pillows and mattresses, as well as a super comfortable duvet. We recommend using down instead of âĀÉé­ é° ĝ°ɧâʨ

HOW DO YOU PLAN THE LIGHTING IN A BEDROOM?

Lighting is all about placement É ­ÐÐâ°É§ é­ Þ°§­é ĝéé°É§â to reduce glare, and direct illumination on areas that need task lighting.

text NIKKI ANDREA BOUNAPARTE photos SUPER FAT DESIGNS

WHAT DON’T YOU NEED IN A MODERN BEDROOM?

A TV, in our opinion. It interferes with sleep, looks awful, reduces private conversation time between two people and quiet time for oneself, all of which are vital for a healthy mental state.

Visit www.superfatdesigns. com for more information.

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PEOPLE

FIT FOR A KING Frette CEO Filippo Arnaboldi shares his thoughts on luxury in the bedroom.

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iscerning homeowners in Singapore can now take advantage of the ĝÉ Â°É Éâ "Þ éé °â ¿ÉÐúÉ ¦ÐÞ at its recently opened store at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. CEO Filippo Arnaboldi ĝÂÂâ îâ °É ÐÉ é­ Þ É ʙâ ¼ÐîÞÉ Āʣ ­°â ĝÉ°é°ÐÉ Ð¦ ÂîÿîÞĀʣ and upcoming trends for the bedroom.

embody luxury, comfort, and creativity.

Today, the iconic designs of our incomparable linens remain a favourite among our high-networth customers. Frette linens are found in more than 1,500 of the most prestigious hotels, as well as discerning private residences, yachts and aircraft.

Built on craftsmanship and rooted in innovation, we will ÐÉé°Éî éÐ Ðîéĝé é­ úÐÞ ʙâ most exceptional spaces for many more generations to come.

HAVE YOU NOTICED ANY CHANGES IN CONSUMER ATTITUDES TOWARDS LUXURY BEDDING THESE DAYS?IN

FRETTE TURNS 162 THIS DECEMBER. WHAT HAS REMAINED THE SAME THROUGHOUT ITS HISTORY?

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1. The Bicolore Sheet Set, one of Frette’s classics, features an elegant contrasting border finished with the signature open hemstitch cotton sateen.

2 . Frette’s offerings also include loungewear and bedroom accessories.

Frette has provided homes across the globe with masterfully crafted linens and decorative home accessories of unparalleled quality for all those Ā Þâʨ a­ ÐÈÛ ÉĀʙâ â â °É AÐÉą É A°Â É îâ é­ ĝÉ âé É éîÞ Â ĝ Þ â É ÐÂÂ ÐÞ é with the most skilled Italian artisans to craft products that

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Due to the pandemic, the focus has shifted to the home.

Across the globe, our clients are investing in their homes and creating relaxing spaces.

According to our research, many are also open to investing in high-quality luxury products, which is why they come to Frette.

Our clients appreciate the ¦ Þ° ʣ ĝÉ°â­ʣ É ¦  Ц "Þ éé linens. From their homes to their wardrobes, they lead °¦ âéĀ â é­ é Þ Ğ é é­ °Þ ÂÐù of design. And, as they enjoy luxury hotel and resort stays when they travel, they even experience Frette through these accommodations. Clients appreciate our incomparable quality, too. They know the value of true craftsmanship and want to incorporate it into their homes.

HOW DO YOU SEE THE BEDROOM CHANGING IN 2022 AND BEYOND?

Recreating our homes to replicate our favourite vacations 70

is an upsurge trend we have noticed with the uncertainty of travel. With masterfully crafted bed and bath linens, chic home accessories, cosy loungewear, and a beach capsule collection, Frette elevates lifestyles beyond the bedroom. We have carefully designed and curated each piece to bring a touch of luxury wherever you go.

This season’s collections are designed to transcend trends and showcase our years of exceptional design expertise and craftsmanship.

The latest collection introduces two new colours, Citrine and Celestine, as well as three staple hues, White, Natural and Milk.

Frette’s collections are known for elevating spaces with masterfully crafted linens and decorative accessories of unparalleled quality.

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HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE

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TRUE LUXURY AT HOME?

Our philosophy is that true luxury at home begins with thoughtfully creating a sanctuary where we get to rest and seek unparalleled comfort with the highest quality products that enhance the bedroom experience for every style. Frette’s products enrich lifestyles with timeless pieces that last for generations.

Bedroom linens are highly personal, and even though many people believe that thread count matters when choosing sheets, ĝÉ Â°É É ÿÛ Þéâ ¿ÉÐú otherwise. At Frette, we determine the quality of bed linens according to the three "âʢ ĝ Þ ʣ ĝÉ°â­ É ¦ Âʨ When selecting a fabric, you

should consider the weave, é­ ĝÉ°â­ʣ É ­Ðú °é ¦ Ââ against your skin. This way, you can select exceptionally comfortable bed linens that suit your preferences. Some prefer soft, silky sheets like cotton sateen, and others like crisp, airy linens like cotton percale.

ARE THERE ANY UPCOMING EXPANSIONS OR COLLABORATIONS FOR FRETTE THAT YOU COULD SHARE WITH US?

Frette is expanding into the â° ʌS °ĝ Þ §°ÐÉ ú°é­ recent openings in Singapore, Vietnam and China. We

“TRUE LUXURY AT HOME BEGINS WITH THOUGHTFULLY CREATING A SANCTUARY WHERE WE GET TO REST AND SEEK UNPARALLELED COMFORT WITH THE HIGHEST QUALITY PRODUCTS THAT ENHANCE THE BEDROOM EXPERIENCE.”

are also looking at expanding our collections by building our lifestyle experience. Our bed and bath linens are wellknown and we will continue to innovate in those areas while also exploring opportunities to bring Frette to homes around the world through other product categories.

3 . The Frette Luxury Silk and Luxury Silk Velvet collections adorn this living space.

4. Bath collection Unito gets a fresh update with new colours, with Citrine pictured here.

For more information, visit www. frette.com.

text MELODY BAY photos FRETTE

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U P C LO S E

RENATTA The Argentinian artist, whose pandemic-inspired show Emerge debuted in Singapore in December, talks about her inspiration and family.

When is your favourite time of day?

My favourite time of day is dinner time when I can relax after a long day at work and enjoy a glass of good wine.

What is your design style?

I am not sure if I have an established style. I like things éÐ ĞÐú ú°é­Ðîé Þî â ÐÞ structures. I am free-spirited.

When do you feel most inspired?

Movements and revolutions inspire me. The pandemic heightened people’s emotions.

From frustration over lockdowns and restrictions to ÂÂ é­ ÐÉĞ° é Ðîé °ɧ with Covid-19, nobody knew for sure what was right or wrong. Fortunately, I was able to transfer the energy onto é­ ˈ Éù âʨ What song can you listen to ÐÉˈÞ Û éʪ Bohemian Rhapsody from Queen! It gives me power É ˈÛÐé É Āʨ What makes you smile é­ ˈÈÐâéʪ My children’s happiness.

Their bright eyes give me peace and joy.

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How do you start your day?

Breakfast with my family, drinking a lot of mate (Argentina’s traditional and national drink brewed from the yerba-mate plant), and then I begin to paint while listening to good music.

solo exhibition in Singapore last December was also an experience I’d been looking forward to for a long time and one I put a lot of heart into. This year, these two experiences have been the ÈÐâé â é°â¦Ā°É§ É ¦îÂĝ°ɧʨ

What was the best thing that happened last year? , ú â ĝÉ ÂÂĀ  éÐ È é friends and family after what seemed like an eternity of lockdowns, thanks to the easing of Covid restrictions. My

What’s one thing people don’t ¿ÉÐú Ðîé ĀÐîʪˈ Probably that I hate tardiness and I love sports.

text MELODY BAY

)Ðú úÐî ĀÐî ĝÉ yourself in three words?

Powerful. Supportive. Brave.

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VO I C E S

T THE SCIENCE OF SLEEP Tempur Singapore’s managing director, Iris Leong, discusses the latest technologies in mattresses, how our sleep habits have evolved, and future trends for better sleep.

here is nothing better than a good night’s sleep.

About one-third of our life takes place in bed, and how well ú âÂ Û é É°§­é đ éâ ­Ðú ú feel the next day. That people are realising this and giving good sleep the attention it deserves is great.

Today, technology is so heavily integrated into our lives that it shouldn’t surprise anyone that sleep technology has also developed. The amount of science that goes into developing a good mattress might surprise some, but it has been a part of Tempur’s DNA from the beginning. The material we use originated from NASA technology.

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Sleep technology 1 . Iris Leong at Tempur Applying technology to Singapore mattresses gives consumers an Showroom. array of options. All of us have 2 . Tempur °đ Þ Éé â ۰ɧ ÛÞ ¦ Þ É â ACTIVEbreeze features and desires, which is why premium cooling true comfort is so individual. technologies that allow heat Given the options for mattress and humidity to é ­ÉÐÂЧĀʣ âî ­ â °đ Þ Éé be cycled out of the mattress, È é Þ° Ââʣ °đ Þ Éé ĝÞÈÉ ââ âʣ ensuring a °đ Þ Éé ¦ Ââʣ É ù Þ°Ðîâ deeper sleep. textures, consumers today will ĝÉ âÐÈ é­°É§ é­ é âî°éâ é­ °Þ âÛ °ĝ É âʨ Technology has ÂâРⰧɰĝ ÉéÂĀ good to improved the know health and comfort aspects of mattresses.

Tempur In addition to ACTIVEbreeze and selected providing great premium comfort and products are support, cooling available to technologies in experience at mattresses have the Tempur Suite at the Amara greatly enhanced Sanctuary Resort the comfort of Sentosa. warm sleepers, especially in Singapore’s tropical climate.

One area of sleep technology that has been gaining popularity in recent years is the adjustable bed. With just a touch of a button, consumers can watch B éĞ°ÿ â­Ðúâʣ úÐÞ¿ ÐÉ Â ÛéÐÛâʣ and wind down with a glass of wine after a long day.

Tempur Zero G Lifestyle Adjustable Bed Base, for example, has a pre-set Zero G (Zero Gravity) button and a vibration massage function that places you in a weightless position with just one touch.

This relieves stress from the back and relaxes your entire

body. Excellent use of bedding technology.

Some trends are here to stay Once consumers experience the comfort and convenience of technologically-enhanced beds, they become an integral part of their lifestyle. With technologies evolving around optimising these aspects, smart bedding products will be one of the hottest trends in the future.

Increasingly, people are looking for ways to make their homes more comfortable and convenient as they spend more time there. The pandemic has made many even more cautious about health. Sleeping well lowers your risk for serious health problems like diabetes and heart disease, reduces stress, and improves your mood.

of sleeping hours decreases, those few hours of quality sleep become even more precious.

In light of all these factors, the willingness to invest in a good quality mattress has inevitably increased. So has the interest in lifestyle beds.

Apart from just sleeping on a quality product, consumers are also becoming more concerned about ‘sleeping responsibly’ and supporting sustainable products. Likewise, companies are moving towards being more environmentally responsible.

Tempur has advanced in the green movement and is investing in environmentally friendly products and production facilities. Our factory in Denmark is now part of a solar park that uses renewable energy.

Changes in our sleeping habits People who work from home these days are also more likely to work longer hours than usual.

This means that as the number

Trends to look out for Aids or gadgets that help people to sleep better, like anti-snoring products and sleep trackers are already being developed and

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used in some markets. I predict these products will be a big hit soon.

Especially in a tropical climate like Singapore, cooling technology of any sort is always welcomed and helpful, so there should be more such innovations, too.

You will experience the latest in cooling technology with the Tempur ACTIVEbreeze.

The adjustable bed has an integrated cooling system that Ûîâ­ â ĝÂé Þ °Þ é­ÞÐ é­ ventilated layers of Tempur’s trademarked material from ultra-quiet fans at the base of the bed. It allows you to customise your sleeping environment, so you can fall asleep faster and sleep longer with less tossing and turning.

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3 . The Tempur Zero G Lifestyle Adjustable Bed Base is the ultimate lifestyle bed.

4 . Through years of R&D, Tempur has developed five distinct mattress collections (with varying levels of firmness) using NASA’s unique material.

Iris Leong is the managing director of Tempur Singapore.

Visit sg.tempur. com for more information.

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photos TEMPUR 75

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The dark finish of the shou sugi ban wood that clad the Flemish barn-style house looks distinctly contemporary yet seamlessly blends with pastoral surrounding.

LUXURIOUSLY LAID-BACK The Flemish barn architecture of this Malibu ­ÐÈ ¦ÐÞ ¦ È°ÂĀ Ц ĝù É éúРЧâ ÐÈ °É â ÐÂ É É ú â°§É Â È Ééâ ú°é­ ÈÛ é ÿéîÞ â éÐ Þ é Þ Â ÿ É ÂîÿîÞ°Ðîâ È ° É ʨ ASIH JENIE ĝÉ â Ðîé ÈÐÞ ʨ

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M WHO LIVES HERE

H OME

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A couple in their 50s, their three sons and two dogs A barn-style landed home in Malibu SI ZE 6,636 sq ft

alibu has always been considered the quintessential Californian beach city, thanks to its close proximity to Los Angeles and 34 km of white sand beaches. The city’s outdoor offerings, however, go beyond that. It is also home to scenic canyons, stunning wetlands, and sprawling equestrian estates with horseback trails – a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. The Bonsall Canyon area offers easy access to all of these.

“It’s very close to the beach, and yet it feels pastoral. It’s a unique pocket within Malibu that is also extremely private,” shares interior designer Vanessa Alexander, founder of Alexander Design. She and her Hollywood agent husband Steve bought a property in the area in 2018. It had a ‘60s ranch-style, brick home with mahogany wood accents that was surrounded by a huge garden near the canyon.

Sadly, the existing home did not have adequate access to natural light or picturesque surroundings. Additionally, it had undergone several less than thoughtful renovations by its previous owners that caused °ââî â ú°é­ é­ âÛ é° Â ĞÐúʨ ʖ,é was dated in every way, and needed a complete reimagining,” Vanessa says.

For the remodelling of the house, she collaborated with Kovac Architects. She wanted a home with a unique connection to its community, neighbourhood, and surrounding nature where she and Steve can live in a relaxed and comfortable manner with their sons and dogs.

The elegantly renovated home incorporates elements of Belgium’s traditional Flemish farmhouses, including clean lines, plenty of textures, abundant natural light, and a monochromatic interior that is both luxurious and approachable.

Kovac Architects preserved the original house’s post and beam structure – they’re “good bones”, says Vanessa – but the bricks were traded for wood cladding that had been given the shou sugi ban treatment, which

“AESTHETICALLY, THE CHALLENGE WAS TO ACHIEVE A LOW KEY LUXURY. WE DID THAT

BY BLENDING MOMENTS OF HIGH ELEGANCE WITH A TEXTURALLY EDITED PALETTE.” - VANESSA ALEXANDER, ALEXANDER DESIGN

AB OVE

FAR RI GH T

Open to the garden, the family room features a rare pair of Axel Einar Hjorth chairs.

The pool room features Antony daybed

by Charlotte Perriand and Jean Prouve and Agnoli floor lamp from Oluce.

R IGHT

The handplastered wall lends a human touch that soften the conteporary furniture and artwork combo in this corner.

OPP OS ITE

The living room features a slew of classic and contemporary design objects.

An artwork by Callum Innes adds a pop of colour to the monochromatic palette.

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originated in 18th-century Japan and involves charring the úÐÐ É é­ É ú é­ ÞÛÞÐÐĝɧ it. Additionally, they added a new kitchen and family room, enlarged all the doors and most of the windows to allow better indoor-outdoor connections, and installed skylights to let more light in.

Using hand-plastered walls and ceilings by surfacing specialist Kamp Studios alongside walnut beams and black steel frame, the interior presents a contemporary architectural canvas with distinct handmade touches. The furnishings, upholstery, and ĝéé°É§â ¦ÐÂÂÐú ÈÐÉÐ ­ÞÐÈ é° colour scheme while a carefully curated collection of artworks and accessories brings a sense of family history to the space.

“Aesthetically, the challenge was to achieve a low key luxury,” says Vanessa. “Ultimately we did that by blending moments of high elegance with a texturally edited palette of materials, colours, fabrics and ¦îÞɰ⭰ɧâʨʗ B éîÞ Â ĝ Þ â °¿ jute, sisal, and linen, as well as aged timber lend tactility and a European sensibility while custom contemporary items bring the whole look into the 21st century.

The living room mixes mid-century and contemporary pieces by well-known creatives.

Two Regent armchairs by Marco Zanuso from the ‘60s, a Polar Bear sofa by Jean Royere, a vintage Radial chandelier and a bench by Charlotte Perriand é­ é ¦îÉ é°ÐÉâ â Ðđ é  blend harmoniously with the Brazier side table by Rick Owens

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The family spends most of their time in the cosy and elegant kitchen, under the timberslotted skylight.

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A B OVE

Vanessa customdesigned most of the items in this tranquil bedroom.

R IG H T

The dining room juxtaposes modern pendant light with vintage chairs and 19th-century dining table.

FA R RIG HT

Populated by olive and sage trees, the garden features many seating areas.

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and custom brass sconces by Alexander Design. A photograph

by Bill Henson titled Paris Opera – a gift from the late, Oscar-winning actor Heath Ledger, who was a family friend – hangs above the mid-century credenza.

The kitchen and the master bedroom are Vanessa’s favourite rooms in the house.

The family spends a lot of time in the kitchen. Featuring vintage bar stools by Alexandra Kohl and J.M. Szymanski, as well as a custom chandelier by Vanessa, it opens up to the yard and pool. The adjacent dining room combines old and new with a striking custom pendant light by Pierre Yovanovitch, a 19th-century dining table and a set of restored Chandigarh chairs by Pierre Jeanneret.

Vanessa designed the key pieces in the restful master bedroom, including the bed ¦Þ È ʣ é­ ĞÐ é°É§ â° é  and wall lights. An especially commissioned nude painting by Alisson Van Pelt hangs above the headboard.

Not including the eightmonth delay caused by the Woolsey Fire – a devastating ú°Â ĝÞ é­ é Þ ù § ȿɅʣȾȿɀ­ of land in California from November 8 for three days in ȾȼȽɄ ʋ é­ Þ ÉÐù é°ÐÉ éÐп ȽɄ months to complete. Vanessa and her family moved in soon after the Covid struck the US °É ȾȼȾȼʨ ʖ,éʙâ É É °É Þ °  ­ ù Éʣʗ â­ â Āâʨ ʖr ú Þ thrilled with the results and it has only gotten better with each day. We love how the house works for our everyday lives as well as for entertaining family and friends.”

The lush garden was designed by Terremoto Landscape.

The outdoor daybed is by Vanessa, the pool umbrella is from Santa Barbara Designs.

photos ADRIAN GAUT & DOUGLAS FRIEDMAN

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A RUSTIC CHARACTERISTIC The surrounding landscape dominates the design of this Italian country house by Simone Subissati Architects.

KARINE MONIE investigates.

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Designed

by Renato Sebastianelli, the exterior flooring features white cement and white quartz.

OPPOSITE

Simone Subissati Architects designed the home to be in harmony with its surroundings.

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envisioned a space that would feel inherited,” says Simone Subissati, founder Ц Z°ÈÐÉ Zî °ââ é° Þ ­°é éâʨ ʖ, ú Éé °é éÐ ¦  ⠰¦ °é ­ always been there by remaining contemporary and in many ways é ­°É§ °éâ ¦ ¦ÞÐÈ éÞ °é°ÐÉʨ "îÞé­ ÞÈÐÞ ʣ , ú Éé °é éÐ ¦  as if it were already there but had been reclaimed; as a space devoid of frills and luxury, much like rural traditional buildings ú­ Þ Û ÐÛ °ù É úÐÞ¿ ʨʗ On the hills of the Marche Þ §°ÐÉ °É âé ÞÉ ,é ÂĀʣ É Þ é­

,

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city of Ancona, this 3,767 sq ft house is located on a 4,337 sq m lot surrounded by lush green ĝ  âʨ ,éâ Â É Þ ­°é éîÞ Â lines appear to blend into the âîÞÞÐîÉ °É§âʨ Ā È Þ§°É§ é­ visual language of traditional rural constructions and the avant-garde approach of its architect, the rectangular steel building features several ÐÛ É°É§â ú°é­ °đ Þ Éé â­ Û âʨ a­ Þ âîÂé °â §Þ é Þ connection between the house, °éâ °Éé Þ°ÐÞ âÛ â É é­ ĝ  â Ц ú­ éʣ Þ Āʣ ĝ  Éâʣ

WHO LIVES HERE

HOM E

A couple in their mid-40s A two-story landed house in Italy SIZE 3,767 sq ft

ABOVE

OPPOSITE

The Strips sofa system by Cini Boeri for Arflex, white Crisis chairs by Piet Hein Eek, and Mexical pendant light by Renzo Serafini make up the living area.

The whole house is bathed in natural light, including this staircase area.

LEFT

Glass floor-toceiling windows connect the interior with the outdoors.

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É âîÉĞÐú Þâʨ Ðî  ʌ Û°é ­ âĀÈÈ éÞ°  ÞÐЦ È ¦ÞÐÈ Â È°É é úÐÐ ÐÞÉ ú°é­ È° ÞÐʌÛ Þ¦ÐÞ é È é  ⭠éâ éÐÛâ Ðđ é­ ÐÉâéÞî é°ÐÉʨ a­Þ ¿ Ā ÐÉ Ûéâ °É é­°â ÛÞм é Þ ÐÛ ÉÉ ââʣ °§­éÉ ââ É Ğ ÿ° °Â°éĀʨ ʖ, ú â ¦ â °É é Ā é­ ÞîÞ Â ­Ðîâ â ÈĀ §Þ É Û Þ Ééâ É Þ Â é°ù â î°Âé °É é­ A Þ ­ ÐîÉéÞĀâ° ʣ ú°é­ é­ °Þ âéÞ °§­é¦ÐÞú Þ â°ÈÛ° °éĀ é­ é °â ù ÞĀ °đ Þ Éé ¦ÞÐÈ éÐ Āʙâ éÞ É ¦ÐÞ È°É°È Â°âé â°§Éʣʗ â Āâ Z°ÈÐÉ ʨ HÉ é­ §ÞÐîÉ ĞÐÐÞʣ ú­ Þ Þ Ð é°É§ Þ é â ù°âî  ÐÉéÞ âéʣ é­ Â°ù°É§ Þ ­ â é­ ¿°é ­ Éʣ °ù°É§

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ÞÐÐÈʣ É âÛ é­ é  â Ðîé éÐ É Ðîé ÐÐÞ ÛÐРú­° ­ °â Û ÞÛ É ° îÂ Þ éÐ é­ ­Ðîâ ʨ a­ îÛÛ Þ ĞÐÐÞ Ð¦ é­ î°Â °É§ ­ â é°È Þ âé °Þ â ú°é­ ú­°é ʌÛ °Éé âéÞî éîÞ ʣ ú­° ­ ­Ðîâ â é­ â ۰ɧ Þ ʨ ) Þ ʣ Z°ÈÐÉ °Éâé  ú­ é ­ ÂÂâ ʖ ° Û­Þ §Èâʗ °Éâé Ц ú°É Ðúâʨ â ú°é­ é­ ú°Éé Þ § Þ Éʣ é­ â ÐÉ Â°ù°É§ ÞÐÐÈ ÐÉ é­ îÛÛ Þ ĞÐÐÞ °â ÛÐ é° ÂÂĀ °ÂÂîÈ°É é é É°§­éʨ ) ÿÛ °Éâʢ ʖa­ ° ú â éÐ Ðù ÞĞÐúʣ éÐ Þ ¿ é­ ÐîÉ Þ° â Ц ÐÉù Éé°ÐÉ éú É é­ ÛÞ°ù é °ù°É§ âÛ É é­ §Þ° îÂéîÞ Â úÐÞ¿âÛ ʨ ;îÿîÞĀ ° â °É ­Ðú ú îâ âÛ âʨ ,é °â é­ ¿°É Ц

LEF T

In this sitting room, a 1940s rocking chair pairs well with the 1980s Tavolino table from B&B Italia.

OPPOSITE, TOP

A varnished solid ash floor from World Parquet finishes the interior.

OPPOSITE, BOTTOM

Red accents create visual contrast, and add pops of colour.

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“THE IDEA WAS TO OVERFLOW, TO BREAK THE BOUNDARIES OF CONVENTION BETWEEN THE PRIVATE LIVING SPACE AND THE AGRICULTURAL WORKSPACE. LUXURY LIES IN HOW WE USE SPACES.”

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lifestyle the project and the site suggest. It is not dictated by whims and artefacts of precious value.”

The furniture pieces are made from solid ash wood and Ā ú­°é ÐÞ ÛÞ ʌĝÉ°â­ pine boards, while the kitchen countertops, sink and basin are made from cement and quartz. Simone customdesigned these to create a space that would, in his words, feel both eternal and forwardlooking.

As a testament to the harmony between architecture and nature, the house adheres to passive bioclimatic standards, which enable

passive regulation of the indoor temperatures, according to the seasons. A rainwater collection system connected to underground tanks is also present in the house. a­ ­Ðîâ ÿ ÈÛ°ĝ â Simone’s creative approach, which is to believe in an architecture of ideas and not of forms. “This arises through our senses and experiences.

Our starting point is an understanding of the body, relationships with other people, and our interactions with built empty spaces, with culture and with memories of the place.”

This house certainly goes along with that.

photography ALESSANDRO MAGI GALLUZZI

LEF T

Pops of colour and a skylight add visual interest to a minimalist space.

BOTTOM

Extruded red windows frame the landscape.

BOTTOM, LEFT

This bedroom features a minimalist aesthetic and a restrained colour palette.

OPPOSITE

Its peaceful surroundings invite you to admire it.

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Since there was a strong focus on the dining area, the homeowners decided to keep the living room simple and cosy.

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THE ISLAND LIFE An iconic colour palette and weathered details make this penthouse home feel like a beach house for a large family. MELODY BAY takes a look.

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WHO LIVES HERE

A family of five with their helper and cat HOM E Five-bedroom condominium apartment in Sunset Way SIZ E 1,980 sq ft

T

­°â ¦ È°ÂĀ Ц ĝù ­ âÐ Èî ­ ¦îÉ îްɧ é­ °Þ Z ÉéÐÞ°É° ù é°ÐÉ é­ é é­ Ā ° éÐ Þ Þ é é­ ° Ā° °¦ ÐÉ é­ #Þ ¿ °âÂ É ¿ °É Z°É§ ÛÐÞ ú­ É é­ Ā Þ éîÞÉ ʨ a­ °Þ Û Éé­Ðîâ Û ÞéÈ Éé ú°é­ é ÞÞ ʣ ú­° ­ ÛÞ ù°ÐîâÂĀ ­ 塃 â é­ È ʣ §Ðé Ýî°é È ¿ Ðù Þʨ aÐ â°§É É Þ ÉÐù é é­ Û ʣ é­ Ā ­°Þ 9 ÉÉ é­ B§ ¦ÞÐÈ r é ÞÈ Þ¿ â°§Éʨ aúÐ É ­ ¦ ÈÐÉé­â É ˏȽɂȼʣȼȼȼ  é Þʣ é­ Ðîé ÐÈ °â °§­éʣ ú­°é É °ÞĀʣ Ééî é Ā é­ °âé°É é°ù Âî Ц Z ÉéÐÞ°É°ʙâ Þ ­°é éîÞ É é­ âÛ Þ¿Â°É§ § É Z ʨ ,é ú â ÂâÐ ­ ÛÛĀ Ð°É ° É é­ é é­ ÐÉ ÐÈ°É°îÈ î°Â °É§ʙâ

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A console table from Island Living and bright oil paintings from Carre D’Artistes adorn the hallway.

OPPOSITE, TOP

A deep blue sofa and generous rug help to anchor the space.

OPPOSITE, BOTTOM

Once a large aquarium, this space has been transformed to hold a buffet counter with open shelves.

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ABOVE

Each bedroom is designed in timeless, tasteful neutrals.

ABOVE , LEFT

all the children’s bedrooms are situated on the lower floor.

LE FT

Since it’s a penthouse unit, Kenneth designed the lift entryway to resemble a miniature lobby, complete with a lamp he gifted the owners.

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Fluted glass panelling on the door helps to differentiate the guest bathroom from the other rooms on this level.

BOT TOM

Kenneth designed a custom shelving system for each of the three children’s bedrooms.

exterior matched the blue and white palette perfectly, giving the aesthetic a sense of continuity.

Kenneth also enhanced the space with his own touches. The curved parapet on the lower ĞÐÐÞ É é­ °âÛÂ Ā É° ­ â °É the hallway have a distinctly hand-carved look, a detail he spent a lot of time perfecting.

“I wanted to make sure the parapet’s curve was not too perfect. It needed to look like weathered stone,” he tells us.

He did the same for the balcony walls, adding plaster to create a texture that resembled the worn stone walls of the island.

The niches hold the family’s collection of ceramics. Kenneth suggested spotlights and terracotta tiles in each display É° ­ ʨ ) ÂâÐ Ğîé glass panelling to the lower97

A single lantern illuminates the stairwell.

TOP

The kitchen’s view of the dining room is unobscured, thanks to the open concept, so the homeowners can chat with guests as they’re cooking.

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ĞÐÐÞ é­ÞÐÐÈʣ ú­° ­  éâ âÐÈ Â°§­é é­ÞÐ ú­°Â â Û Þ é°É§ °é ¦ÞÐÈ é­ Ðé­ Þ ÞÐÐÈâʨ a­ÞÐÐîé é­ ÐÈÈîÉ Â Þ ʣ É éîÞ Â Â°§­é ĞÐÐ â °É ¦ÞÐÈ é­ Â ÐÉĀʨ â é­ ­ÐÈ ÐúÉ Þâ ÂÐù éÐ Éé Þé °Éʣ é­ °É°É§ Þ Þ °ù âÛ °  éé Éé°ÐÉʨ Hđ éÐ ÐÉ â° °â ÂÐɧ ÐîÉé Þ âéÐ ¿ ú°é­ °â­ â É §Â ââ âʨ ʖa­°â °â ¦ÐÞ ú­ É ú â Þù ¦ÐÐ îđ éʌâéĀ ¦ÐÞ ÐîÞ §î âéâʣʗ â Āâ é­ ú°¦ ʨ °É éâ Þ Â °É é­ â È ú­°é é°È Þ ù É Þâ â é­Ðâ °É é­ ÐÛ É ¿°é ­ Éʣ Þ é°É§ â È ââ ĞÐú ¦ÞÐÈ é­ ¿°é ­ É éÐ é­ Â°ù°É§ Þ ʨ a­ é­Þ ­°Â Þ Éʣ § ȽɄ éÐ ȾȽʣ ­ Þ Ýî°Þ ÞÐÐÈʨ â Þ âîÂéʣ  é­Þ ÞÐÐÈâ âÛÐÞé °đ Þ Éé ʋ é­Ð Ýî ÂÂĀ âÐÐ魰ɧ ʋ â­ â ÐÉ é­ ú ÂÂâ É îÉ°Ýî ÐÉĝ§îÞ é°ÐÉâ é­ é é Þ éÐ é­ °Þ Û ÞâÐÉ Â°é° âʨ fÛâé °Þâʣ é­ È âé Þ ÞÐÐÈ °â ÐÉ Éé°Þ ÂĀ °É ú­°é ʣ ú°é­ Û É Â ú Þ ÞÐ â É é°È Þ °Â°É§ Èâ ¦ÐÞ ù°âî  °Éé Þ âéʨ a­ â ÂȰɧ ­î â Þ Û Þ¦ é ¿ ÞÐÛ ¦ÐÞ é­ ¦ È°ÂĀʙâ Рé°ÐÉ Ð¦ ù â â É Û °Éé°É§âʣ âÐÈ Ð¦ ú­° ­ ú Þ Ýî°Þ îްɧ é­ °Þ éÞ ù Ââʣ ú­°Â Ðé­ Þâ ú Þ §°¦éâʨ a­ ­ÐÈ ÐúÉ Þâ ÂâÐ ­Ðâ âéÞ é ĞÐÞ É ¦ îÉ ʌÛ éé ÞÉ é°Â â ¦ÞÐÈ AÐâ ° Ð Z# ¦ÐÞ é­ °Þ é­ÞÐÐÈâʣ Â É °É§ âî é Ýî°Þ¿Ā ¦  éÐ é­ âÛ ʨ H¦ ÐîÞâ ʣ 9 ÉÉ é­ °É ÐÞÛÐÞ é ÿ°âé°É§ Â È Ééâ °ÉéÐ ­°â úÐÞ¿ ú­ É ÛÐââ° Â ʨ a­ â É ʌ ÐÂÐîÞ È Þ Â ĞÐÐްɧ ÐÉ é­ ÂÐú Þ Â ù  É

The pitched roof and ceiling beams lend an islandcottage feel to the master bedroom.

THE OUTCOME IS LIGHT, WHITE AND AIRY, ACCENTUATED BY THE DISTINCTIVE BLUE OF SANTORINI’S ARCHITECTURE AND THE SPARKLING AEGEAN SEA.

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the iron balustrade on the stairs are original, as is the pale blue-green door on the upper level leading to the terrace outside. After cleaning and polishing, these elements with é­ °Þ ù°Éé § ­ ÞÈ ĝé Þ°§­é °Éʨ It’s impossible not to feel relaxed in such a home, as if you have entered another world. The apartment

combines holiday charm, old-world nostalgia, and natural exuberance. The close relationship between Kenneth and the homeowners played a role here as well. They chose the furnishings together. As Kenneth says, “I wanted the homeowners to participate in the renovation. The ambience and feel must be right.”

ABOVE

OPPOSITE

Vents in the wardrobe doors help to lend an air of lightness to the room.

A terrace provides space for al fresco dining on cool evenings.

LE FT

The original bathroom was kept intact.

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photography VERONICA TAY art direction NONIE CHEN

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Kang Hien and his family love to gather around the dining table that is large enough to accommodate everyone while allowing them to each do their own thing.

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FORMULA FOR SUCCESS This silver winner of the Best Residential Design Apartment (2,001 sq ft and over) category at the Interior Design Confederation Singapore’s 2021 Design Excellence ú Þ â °â É ÐÛ É É °ÞĀ ­ÐÈ é­ é ÿ ÈÛ°ĝ â simplicity in design. LYNN TAN checks it out.

T WHO LIVES HERE

A couple and their two children H O ME A four-room condominium at Paterson Road SIZ E 2,228 sq ft

he interior design of this home began with a simple brief from homeowners Kang Hien, a 43-year-old pilot, and his wife, a 41-year-old civil servant.

“With two growing children, we needed plenty of storage. My wife and kids are also avid readers, so reading nooks around the house are a plus. We also wanted to incorporate the use of rattan,” says Kang Hien, who entrusted the interior design to Hsu Hsia Pin, a partner at EHKA Studio, who designed their previous home, which he recalled as “an enjoyable experience”. Knowing Hsia Pin since they were both 13 may also account for their good rapport.

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There is plenty of space for the family to live and grow in this open and airy place.

OPPOSITE

Light filters into the private lift lobby through the screens separating the entrance foyer and dining area.

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Despite being designed by the same person, these two apartments couldn’t be more °đ Þ Ééʨ ʖr °ÉéÞÐ î many curved walls in the old Û ÞéÈ Éé éÐ Þ Ğ é é­Ðâ of the grand piano that they owned. Although they loved the design, they gave up the piano, so we thought we should try âÐÈ é­°É§ °đ Þ Éé é­°â é°È without curved walls,” says Hsia Pin. A lookbook the couple put together from books, the Internet, and images from their travels helped Hsia Pin create a space that blended Japanese lightwoods and Scandinavian furniture. The entryway features a screen panel that integrates plenty of shoe and bag storage instead of built-in cabinets to prevent clutter.

The living room has a few new decorative shelves to frame the view, but little else was done. To achieve consistency in the overall design, this framing concept appears in the bedrooms as well, Hsia Pin points out. The use of white oak and rattan in the frames helps tie the spaces together and creates an airier look, especially with the light ĝÂé ްɧ é­ÞÐ é­ Þ éé Éʨ As a lightweight material with texture, Hsia Pin recognised rattan as an excellent choice for screens in carpentry works, though he was also extra mindful of using it đ é°ù ÂĀʨ The renovations cost $180,000, plus another $50,000 for furniture and ĝéé°É§âʨ AÐâé Ц é­ ÐÞ°§°É Â

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 ĀÐîé É ĞÐÐްɧ ú Þ ÛÞ â Þù ʣ îé é­ °É°É§ Þ îÉ Þú Éé ÿé Éâ°ù Þ ÉÐù é°ÐÉâʨ a­ ÿ°âé°É§ ÞĀ ¿°é ­ É ú°é­ É °âÂ É ú â Þ ÈÐù â é­ ÐîÛ ° ÉÐé É °éʨ a­ ¦Þ îÛ âÛ °â ÉÐú Û Þé Ц É ú É Â Þ§ Þ °É°É§ Þ é­ é °â é­ ÉéÞ Ð¦ é­ ­ÐÈ ʨ a­ Þ °â È°É° Û ÉéÞĀ ÐÉ ÐÉ â° É ÐâĀ Þ °É§ ÐÞÉ Þ Þ é ¦ÞÐÈ î°Âéʌ°É Ā âЦ â éʨ ʖr Þ é úÐÐ É Ðÿ éÐ Â Þ é é­ ÉéÞ Â âÛ ú°é­°É é­ ­ÐÈ ʣʗ â Āâ

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)â° S°Éʨ ʖa­ Þ Þ Þ° ­ÂĀ é ÿéîÞ úÐÐ ĝÉ°â­ â ÐÉ é­ ú ÂÂâʣ é­ ĞÐÐÞʣ É é­ °Â°É§ ÞÐîÉ é­ °É°É§ Þ ʣ ú°é­ é­ °É°É§ é Â é ¿°É§ ÉéÞ âé § ʨʗ a­ ­  ɧ ú â éÐ îâ úÐÐ ú°é­Ðîé È ¿°É§ °é éÐÐ Â ­ ÐÞ Ðù Þú­ ÂȰɧʨ r ­° ù é­°â Ā ÿÛÞ ââ°É§ é­ úÐÐ â ù Þ°Ðîâ Â È Ééâ ú°é­ °đ Þ Éé â  â É é ÿéîÞ âʨ HÉ Ð¦ é­ ¦ÐîÞ ÞÐÐÈâ °â ÉÐú âéî Āʨ a­ éúÐ ­°Â Þ É â­ Þ ÐÉ ÞÐÐÈʣ ú­°Â é­ ­ ÂÛ Þ ­ â ­ Þ

LEF T

The rattan bed frame complements the rest of the home.

OPPOSITE, TOP

RATTAN HAS A DELIGHTFUL LIGHTNESS AND TEXTURE, AND HSIA PIN RECOGNISED ITS POTENTIAL AS SCREENS IN CARPENTRY WORKS.

The master bedroom’s mirrored finish between the sleeping area and walk-in wardrobe creates an illusion of space.

OPPOSITE, BOTTOM LEF T

Brass, glass and wood materials combine to add a touch of luxury to the walk-in closet.

OPPOSITE, BOTTOM RIGH T

White shades brighten up the interior.

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The master bathroom is defined by clean lines and monochrome colours with rattan and brass.

OPPOSITE, TOP

The children’s room has two bay windows.

One is a study desk, while the other has a bay seat and drawers.

OPPOSITE, BOTTOM

In the study, the bay window has been converted into a desk with open shelves on one side.

own room. In the bedrooms, the frames are attached to the existing bay windows. Designed to enhance the functionality of the bay windows, their distinct shapes meet the preferences of their occupants. “In this way, the bay windows become usable spaces, too,” Hsia Pin explains.

The master bedroom is bright and airy, like the rest of the house. Even its walk-in wardrobe features arched rattan doors that provide light and ventilation.

Despite the circuit breaker disrupting the renovation in 2020, Hsia Pin and his team worked closely with contractor Poshtree to ensure the project was completed in good time once construction resumed.

The renovation took almost three months, excluding the downtime, and the family moved into their new home in July 2020. a­ ­ÐÈ °â ĝ ú°é­ clean spaces, with a feeling of openness, lightness and connectedness. “These are qualities of spaces that we enjoy Þ é°É§ʣʗ ĔÞÈâ )â° S°Éʨ

photography VERONICA TAY art direction KRISTY QUAH

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I N S TO R E

CHOOSING YOUR CHILD’S BED There are many exciting choices for your children’s bed, from themed novelty beds to modular beds with interchangeable elements that can be adjusted as they grow. Jeremy Teo, founder of boutique children’s furniture store Kids Haven, shares some tips.

L E T YO U R C H I L D H AV E A S AY !

Sure, you could try to convince your child why they should not get the bed with a slide and have the final say, but involving them in the decision can be a rewarding experience overall that instils a sense of belonging. Talk and discuss with them the pros and cons of each design.

Cilek Gts Carbed (Red) (99X191 Cm), $2,099 at www.kidshaven.sg.

H E I G H T M AT T E R S

Loft and bunk beds are great space savers. Take note of the height and the safety features when you choose. Parents with young kids: choose staircases instead of ladders.

Maxtrix Corner High Loft Bed, from $3,156 at www.kidshaven.sg.

MODULARITY MEANS FLEXIBILITY

Your children’s needs and wants may change over time. Modular beds transform as your kids and your family grow. Start with a low bed with railings for toddlers, add parts along the way, and build up a high bunk plus a pull-out trundle as you welcome new additions to the family.

ModBed Low Bed (with pullout options - single or super single), from $649 at www.kidshaven.sg.

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W H E R E TO B U Y

BYND ARTISAN ION Orchard #04-11 Tel: 6634-2133 www.byndartisan.com FRETTE 2 Bayfront Avenue The Shoppes at MBS #01-10/11 Tel: 6688-7099 www.frette.com HOLM www.holmcollection. com LIVING DNA 18 Tampines Industrial Crescent Space@Tampines #01-10B Tel: 8511-3584 www.livingdna.sg

ROYAL SELANGOR www.royalselangor.com

INTERIOR DESIGNERS

STYLE DEGREE www.styledegree.sg

ALEXANDER DESIGN www.alexanderdb.com

SWAROVSKI www.swarovski.com

EHKA STUDIO 891B Bukit Timah Road Tel: 6909-2798 www.ehkastudio.com

TIGER & ARCADIA 317 Joo Chiat Rd Tel: 9062-9927 www.tigerandarcadia. com TWG TEA www.twgtea.com WMF Tel: 6861-6233 www.wmf.sg

SIMONE SUBISSATI ARCHITECTS www.simonesubissati.it WATERMARK DESIGN #05-16, The Beverly 45 Toh Tuck Road Tel: 6254-8966 www.watermark.sg

KIDS HAVEN 25 Playfair Road Tel: 8820-8604 www.kidshaven.sg

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FINISH ING NOTE

SUPER SPACE SAVER Bedrooms should be restful spaces.

They should be uncluttered. No other brand understands this like King Living of Australia. It recently expanded its Jasper collection with the King Jasper Storage Bed that meets several needs in one neat package. A hydraulic lift system easily raises the mattress to access the storage compartment underneath. To update the look, the head and base covers are removable and available in more than 200 fabrics and leathers.The Jasper Storage Bed also comes with a slew of optional accessories, including smart lighting and swivel tables with wireless charging. Combine it with King’s Sleep+ 9008 Mattress, which has a removable cover and six interchangeable elements to tailor the mattress’ firmness to your liking. Here’s a fun fact: David King, the brand’s founder, designed the mattress himself after being dissatisfied with a mattress he purchased elsewhere for $20,000.

The King Jasper Storage Bed retails for $7,137 (in leather) and the Sleep+ 9008 Mattress for $9,590 (king-size) at King showrooms and www.kingliving.com.sg. Look out for seasonal discounts.

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