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10 WAYS TO
DOUBLE SPACE IN A SHOEBOX HOME 20 FRESH IDEAS FOR A WALK-IN WARDROBE
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MAR 2019
CONDOS WITH THE MOST GORGEOUS INTERIORS AND VIEWS OF THE CITY
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CONTENTS
MARCH
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21 BUILD YOUR NEST Ikea’s Delaktig 2.0 series allows you to customise your bed. 22 COLOUR OF THE MONTH Check out Dulux’s colour of the year: Spiced Honey.
S HO PPING 24
GREAT BUYS Our monthly roundup of the hottest new design products for the home.
NE W STO R E 30 CHATEAU D’AX The latest Italian brand to open a showroom in Singapore. 32
V-ZUG EXPERIENCE CENTRE AND RESTAURANT V The premium kitchen appliance brand unveils its showroom.
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HOT SP OT 34
CALDERA HOUSE This Wild West getaway combines European style and American craftsmanship.
NOW DESIGN NEWS, PLACES TO
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V I S I T, T H I N G S T O B U Y
SIRI HOUSE AT DEMPSEY Thai luxury property developer Sansiri opens a lifestyle destination offering design, art, retail and food.
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VILLON RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE Star designer Kelly Wearstler pays tribute to Cubist artist Jacques Villon in San Francisco.
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Hot Seat A Danishdesigned wooden chair with iconic Y-shaped legs.
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CONTENTS
MARCH
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
PEOPLE
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VOICES
SWEDE SENTIMENT
The executive director of an art consultancy gives ideas on how to enhance a space with art.
How the unassuming Kristina Karlsson of Kikki.K hopes to help millions of women reach their dreams. 44
A DEEP AWAKENING In an interview exclusive, architect Jason Pomeroy talks about the urgency of building sustainable marine cities and helping them thrive. 46
DOYENNE OF DESIGN Lim Siew Hui, designer and founder of Hui Designs, shares with us her fondest memory and what makes her tick.
M Y S PAC E 48
THE TECH KITCHEN These cutting-edge appliances will change the way you whip up a feast for your family.
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Blue Architecture Jason Pomeroy talks about the need for a blue agenda, besides greening the city.
CONTENTS
MARCH
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AHEAD OF THE CURVE The transformation of an old, small flat in Barcelona into a chic and trendy space. 60
IT TAKES TWO This interior is the result of close collaboration between designer and homeowner.
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68 SMART GUISE A smart home doesn’t need to have its tech wizardry and gadgetry blatantly displayed. 76 NEW LIGHT
HOMES THE NEW MODERN
84 TOP FORM
84 on the cover
60 Get a load of this amazing condo interior, styled with curvy lines and bold forms. PHOTOGRAPHY
A N G ELA G UO ART DIRECTION
N O NIE CH EN
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Find out why we are absolutely in love with this renovated family home, which exudes a chic yet sensible Japaneseinspired design.
National rower Oz Titus Hong devotes the same passion to the design of his bachelor pad as he does to his sport. 92
DIY DESIGNER This apartment with an Oriental-European style was designed by the homeowner himself.
interiors + design consultancy . construction + project management
designed spaces
connect lives
The Orange Cube Pte Ltd 14 Arumugam Road #01-03 . LTC Building C . Singapore 409959 . (MacPherson MRT Exit 'B') Tel: (65) 6337 7277 . www.theorangecube.com . enquiry@theorangecube.com . www.facebook.com/theorangecube
CONTENTS
MARCH
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Maximum function Storage options aplenty in a hotel room? Why not.
F EAT UR E 10 0
SPACE INNOVATORS Clever ways to live large as urban homes get smaller. 10 6
20 IDEAS FOR THE PERFECT WALK-IN WARDROBE Tips on designing a personal dressing room that doesn’t compromise on function, comfort and aesthetics.
PROP E R TY 114
NEW CONDO HOTSPOTS Four condo projects in Singapore to examine for investment or a home upgrade.
FEATURES T H E L AT E S T I N D E S I G N AND DECOR TRENDS
TRAVE L 118
ROMANCING THE RYOKAN The icon of Japanese rural hospitality gets a modern update, with growing interest in heritage architecture.
EDITOR’S NOTE
1 25 WHERE TO BUY
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H&D.COM.SG
BUYING GUIDE
19 DIGITAL EDITION EXCLUSIVES
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1 24 IN STORE
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THE HARD TRUTH
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Redefining Surfaces. Redefining Kitchens.
Homes evolve, they become social spaces in which we do not only cook, but live in. We have created a resistant and durable material with unlimited designs, to create spaces without labels.
New Dekton
Flooring Dekton Lunar Exterior Dekton Kreta Kitchen Island Dekton Soke & Kreta Slim 4mm
Find out more about the 25 year Dekton warranty, look out inspiration and find resources at www.cosentino.com Follow Us: W CosentinoTV F Cosentino Asia ô Cosentino.Asia
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A. O. Smith Heaters are available from $560 at AOS Bath Pte Ltd 178 Paya Lebar Road, #05-10 | T: 6842 0030 | www.aosbath.com
E D I TO R ’ S N O T E
M A R C H O N BY
YO U N G L I M E D I TO R
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Singaporeans can be capable of producing good design, but that they also have the capacity to learn about and love it. However, while we are in the midst of enjoying the events at this year’s design week, I hope that we can also give recognition to the early generation of furniture producers, who have done much to pave the way for upcoming designers of today. You can see some of their works at the “50 years of Design” exhibition, now on at National Design Centre – but there are many more unsung heroes from our past. Do let me know if you have any ideas on how we can add to this design conversation, and how we can make Singapore an even more vibrant city for design.
photography ANGELA GUO art direction NONIE CHEN
I always get excited around this time of year, because that’s when the annual Singapore Design Week takes place. This year, it runs from March 4-17, and includes events such as Design Trailblazers, a showcase of works that have won National Design awards by Cooper Hewitt, and President’s Design awards; and Singaplural, an exhibition featuring crossdisciplinary design created in collaboration between local and foreign brands and designers. I was a child in the early 80s, when there were no local events championing the design scene in Singapore. So, seeing visitors take in the work of local talents today brings joy to my heart – because not only does it show that
REAL-TIME DESIGN UPDATES WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/ HOMEANDDECOR.SINGAPORE Read new content on home decor and more, daily.
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5 tips on organisation, for kids What parents can do to guide their children to maintain a neat playroom. www.tinyurl.com/orgkids
House Tour: A Telok Blangah home with a bold black and pink palette This four-room HDB home is definitely not ordinary! www.tinyurl.com/HDblackpink
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IN THE MARCH DIGITAL ISSUE… OH SO SWANKY Take an exclusive video tour of this classy suite located at Duo Residences.
BONUS GALLERIES & VIDEOS BREATHTAKING RYOKAN View more stunning images of beautiful ryokan interiors and gorgeous scenery in Japan.
WHITE AND LIGHT Find out more about how a neutral palette and chic accessories helped to turn this condo into a stylish abode. 19
DWELL INTERIOR DESIGN P. L . INTERIOR DESIGN & CONSULTANCY DESIGN & BUILD | ADDITIONS & ALTERATIONS W W W.DW E LL.CO M .SG
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D E S I G N N E W S , P L A C E S T O V I S I T, T H I N G S T O B U Y
BUILD YO U R N E S T Hot on the heels of Tom °ÿÐÉʙâ ĝ Þâé РÐÞ é°ÐÉ ÛÞм é ú°é É°â ¦îÞÉ°éîÞ §° Éé ,¿ ÐÈ â É ú °é°ÐÉ éÐ °â  ¿é°§ â Þ° â ʌ îâéÐÈ°â  ʨ )ÐÈ ÐúÉ Þâ É ÉÐú È ¿ ʂú È Éʣ ÐÉâéÞî éʃ é °Þ É âÂ Û °É °éʣ °é Þ ÂÂĀ ʋ Ā â°ÈÛÂĀ ɧ°É§ é ââÐÞ° â é é §Ð ú°é °éʨ V ¦Þ â é ÂÐп Ц ĀÐîÞ ÞÐÐÈ Ā âúÐÛ۰ɧ é  ¿ Ð Þ ¦ÐÞ ÉÐé Þ È ú°é úÐù É Þ éé Éʣ ÐÞ â° Â ÈÛâ °¦ ĀÐî ɼÐĀ B éĞ °ÿ°É§ °É ʨ r éʙâ ÈÐÞ ʣ é  ¿é°§ °â È Ð¦ Ɂȼ Û Þ Éé Þ Ā  ÂîÈ°É°îÈʣ Éâîްɧ é é ĀÐî Þ Ð°É§ ĀÐîÞ Û Þé ¦ÐÞ é Éù°ÞÐÉÈ Ééʣ ù É ú É ĀÐîʙÞ é °É§ îÛ ÐÉ ĀÐîÞ â Ûʨ The Delaktig bed is available at all Ikea stores and website. Visit http://ikea. sg for more information.
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C O LO U R O F T H E M O N T H
C O LO U R O F THE MONTH
T I M E TO WA R M U P
#CF19 SPICED HONEY
Paint specialist Dulux recently announced that Spiced Honey is the Colour of 2019, sending homeowners into a tizzy – wondering why, and how this muted hue can be worked into interiors. According to Heleen van Gent, creative director of Akzonobel’s Global Aesthetic Center: “It’s a colour which can be calming or nourishing, stimulating and energising, depending on the light and colours surrounding it.” With that in mind, it makes sense to treat this shade as a contrasting note to a lighter main colour used in the same space. In the kitchen pictured, Spiced Honey is used as a ceiling colour, tempering the brighter accents of the accessories and the neutral tone on the walls.
PANTONE 324C
PANTONE 7401CP
The Colour of the Year is the result of research into global trends and consumer behaviour. Visit www.dulux. com.sg for four recommended palettes.
the experts
YOUNG L I M Editor
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“At first glance, it’s easy to dismiss this colour simply because we’re used to associating such shades with less positive terms, such as “dirty yellow” or “drabby caramel”, but you’d be surprised to see how Spiced Honey can help to lift other colours in a room when used sparingly. Try using it in soft furnishings as well.”
I N TE RI O R C ON S ULTAN CY BE SPOKE DE SI G N & BUIL D
W W W. H A U S AT E L I E R . C O M . S G 15-9A JA L AN R I A N G, S I N GA PO RE 3 589 8 7 T : 6687 3210 | HELLO@H AUSATELIER.COM.SG
PROJE CT M A NAG EMEN T
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TRENDING
SHOW IT OFF If you’ve got it, Ğ îÉé °éʣ É ú é éé Þ ú Ā éÐ âÐú â ĀÐîÞ Ð é°ÐÉâ é É ÐÉ â ¦ é é â Āâ â Èî Ðîé ĀÐîÞ °Éé Þ âé°É§ Û ÞâÐÉ Â°éĀ â é °é Èâ ÐÉ °âÛ Āʨ ) Þ Þ âÐÈ Ð¦ ÐîÞ ¦ ùÐîÞ°é â éÐ ÐÉâ° Þʨ
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3 1 . Leyva bookshelf by Saba Italia, $3,647, from P5 Studio 2 . Shelfmate by D-bodhi, from $120, from Journey East 3 . Won Slice shelf by 365 North, $3,010, from Made & Make 4 . Alfred Wall System by Harto, $375, from Lifestorey
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TILE OF THE MONTH
LIFE ON AN AXIS
DESIGNER DISNEY Renowned designer Kelly Hoppen gave childhood icon Mickey Mouse an elegant makeover with her version of the Disney character swathed in taupe and black, signature colours Kelly uses in her interior projects. Only 99 pieces are available. More on the 140cm tall handmade Mickey by Kelly at www. leblon-delienne.com 24
Grid patterns are ideal for making small spaces appear larger, and this Graph tile collection does it with a modern twist, in modern shades and timeless designs. Choose from over 10 colour options for walls and floors. From far, the designs look understated; look closer and you’ll notice intricate lines that add character. Pair the tiles with furniture in bold forms and straight lines for a clean, sophisticated look. The Graph tile collection is available at Hafary, 105 Eunos Avenue 3.
NEW TERRITORIES Themed Unnatural Phenomena, this year’s design event Singaplural is curated by local architecture firm Formwerkz Architects and design agency Bravo. It will explore topics regarding changing landscapes, emerging technologies and shifting paradigms. Be inspired by new design ideas to be presented by well-known brands including laminate specialist EDL, luxury tea brand TWG Tea, and furniture maker Ipse Ipsa Ipsum. There will also be a Master Lectures series where three distinguished speakers – Elena Manferdini, owner of Atelier Manferdini; Raffi Lehrer, associate art director of Goldenvoice; and Brandon Kruysman, creative technology director of Novel Technologies – will discuss ways to navigate unfamiliar environments in future.
SLEEK SYSTEMS German high-end home appliances brand Gaggenau has introduced the new Vario cooling 400 series – an allin-one built-in system featuring a modular-style refrigerator, freezer, fridgefreezer and wine climate cabinet. Extremely sleek, it can seamlessly integrate with
any kitchen design. When the door is opened, the machine reveals stainless steel interiors with anodised aluminium elements in dark anthracite. The new Vario cooling 400 series is available at Gaggenau Experience Centre, Level 4, 11 Bishan Street 21.
Find out more about Singaplural at https://singaplural.com.
We have Gojek for transport and Redmart for groceries. Now, there is Ovvy, an app that matches users with reliable service providers – from painters and movers to
aircon repairmen and plumbers. Once a user has found the right service provider, a payment via Paypal has to be made. This payment is held in a secure account till the
WHEN ART & LIGHT MEET Designed by founder Omer Arbel of Canadian sculptural lighting and light installation company Bocci, 21 – yes, that’s the name of this pendant lamp – is made of thin porcelain sheets draped over an inverted diffuser made of sandblasted borosilicate glass. The result is a uniquely shaped LED lighting fixture that’s almost conical. Whether used as a singular sculpture, or in a cluster, 21 is a statement-making installation that’s unlike any other. Find out more about 21 at www.bocci.ca.
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Ad d to ca rt
job is completed. Ovvy is available on both Apple App Store and Google Playstore. More on Ovvy at www. ovvyapp.com.
SUPPORT LOCAL Scene Shang is known for its heritage-inspired furniture, while Binary Style for its vibrant printed scarves. The two local brands came together to launch two upholstered accessories: the Paramour screen that works perfectly as a room divider or even headboard, as well as the Old Elm Wood Gate bench whose slim profile will fit in the narrowest foyers. These limited edition pieces are clad in a printed velvet fabric featuring nutmegs and lush botanicals, designed by Binary Style. Find the Nutmeg collection at Scene Shang, 263 Beach Road, tel: 6291-9629, https://shop.sceneshang.com.
NEWS New Jewels Italian furniture brand Flexform has introduced several new pieces in its showroom, adding jewel tones into the space with iconic products including the Sveva armchair. Check it out at #01-01, 200 Newton.
Music to the Ears Audio specialist Bose has a new store in town. Bose @ Paragon boasts 1,400 sq ft of space, with a demo room for customers to enjoy a fully immersive audio experience. Visit the store at #04-31 Paragon. Singapore Design Week Into its sixth year, the Singapore Design Week runs from March 4 to 17. It’s organised by the Design Singapore Council. Look out for key events such as Singaplural and trade show International Furniture Fair Singapore, as well as several fringe events around the island. Find out more at www. designsingapore.org/sdw.
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CLEAN EASY Window cleaning is a chore – and even dangerous, if you live in a high-rise apartment. Now, a robot can do it for you. Ecovacs has the world’s first cordless window cleaning robot: Winbot X. Tap its buttons, and the 1.8kg appliance will map the entire area, and work its way across the window panes to give a thorough clean.
SOMETHING QUIRKY Every home needs a statement piece, and the Satellite Ottoman by luxurious French furniture brand Counot Blandin will get your guests talking – with its thick ring of natural fur. In an Art Deco-style space, it will fit right in. It was created by Jean Louis Deniot, a French interior designer known for his atmospheric designs. The Satellite Ottoman is available in three styles and colours, and retails for 2,150 euros (S$3,319.50) each. More information on www.counotblandin.fr.
Ecovacs Winbot X is available for $629 at Harvey Norman and Best Denki, and online at www.hachi. tech, www.lazada.sg and www.qoo10.sg.
DID YOU KNOW THAT HAVING PROBIOTICS ON SURFACES CAN HELP QUARANTINE BAD BACTERIA? ISRAELI COMPANY BETTER AIR HAS LAUNCHED PURIFIERS THAT RELEASE PROBIOTICS EVERY 30 MINUTES. The plug-and-play Biotica800 and portable Biologic retails for $499 and $299 respectively (first cartridge of probiotics included). They are available exclusively at all Courts stores. Visit www.courts.com.sg.
EDITOR’S CHOICE
HOT SEAT Home furnishing and artisanal decor retailer Wright & Smith is partnering luxury fashion and lifestyle brand Lane Crawford to launch their latest collection of furniture and accessories, including the Sibast No. 8 chair. Designed by Danish designer Helge Sibast in 1953, it
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looks timeless and modern with its iconic Y-shaped legs and â ȰɧÂĀ Ğ Ð é°É§ seat. A touch of elegance is added, with its solid oak frame, and the upholstered wool seat. Sibast No. 8 chair retails for HK$11,200 (S$1,925) at www. wrightandsmith.com.
text DOMENICA TAN, ELIZA HAMIZAH
HIT THE SHEETS A good sleep experience depends on the quality of the mattress, and bedsheets too. Silky and cool Tencel, soft and breathable bamboo, as well as extra-long staple cotton, are some of the bedding from local brand Grand Atelier that feel as good as they look. Find Grand Atelier bedsheets at Takashimaya, Tangs and Courts. See the full list of retailers at www.havenlifestyle.asia.
Cleaning made easy – all you need is always within reach. Vacuuming your home has never been so effortless. The Bosch Flexxo vacuum cleaners vacuum fibers up to 30% faster* with specialized accessories on all levels, surfaces and floors. The pet accessory kit plus handheld is directly integrated into the device for maximum convenience. www.bosch-home.com.sg/flexxo
Extendable flexible crevice tool
+ Handheld
* Fibre pick-up on carpet in comparison to a corded vacuum cleaner from Bosch with turbo brush (BGL3A315). Tested according to EN 60312-1.
2in1 furniture brush and upholstery nozzle
N E W S TO R E
C H AT E A U D ’A X The latest Italian brand to open a showroom in Singapore.
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here’s a new kid on the block in the realm of Italian upholstered furniture. Chateau d’Ax, a 70-year-old sofa-maker with stores in over 80 countries, has launched its latest showroom in high-end shopping destination Palais Renaissance. The brand has been helmed by the Colombo family for three generations; they started the business after World War II in Lentate sul Seveso, Milan – one of the furniture industrial districts in Italy. Today, Chateau d’Ax counts an impressive list of designers in its portfolio. This includes Cini Boeri, an architect and designer who have worked for brands like Artemide and Arflex, as well as Karim Rashid, an industrial designer known for his luxury designs for many brands, from Kenzo to the revamp of Mexico’s Temptation Cancun Resort. These designers offer a seamless marriage between style and functionality for the sofas. The showroom is home to the brand’s best pieces, which range from classic sofas to recliners. The Monaco, for instance, impresses with its adjustable head- and legrests. It is powered by a silent and smooth mechanism, and sits on high metal legs for a contemporary look. The Green L-shaped Sofa is unlike traditional, bulky sectional sofas; it has a slim silhouette and equally minimalist legs, which give the
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illusion that it is floating on air. You will also find the plush Bellagio, curvaceous Lady T and Nordic-inspired Eastway Chair. These pieces come in a wide range of fabric and leather options. Only leathers that are in full compliance with environmental standards are used. Other pieces to look forward to are contemporarystyle coffee tables and floor lamps. Prices for sofas range from $6,000 to $25,000. Visit Chateau d’Ax at #01-01 Palais Renaissance, or www.admoreliving.com.
text ELIZA HAMIZAH
LEF T Silhouette is a collection of armless, modular seating that can form endless configurations. This S-shape layout is one of them. BELOW Designed to exude a sense of lightness, the Green L-shaped Sofa is ideal for homeowners who desire to create cosy spaces.
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RIGH T Get ideas on designing your own sophisticated open kitchen, from the various setups in this showroom. B ELOW Restaurant V, which utilises V-Zug appliances, overlooks Orchard Road. Adjacent to it is the showroom, which shows how various appliances can be concealed behind panels.
V- Z U G E X P E R I E N C E CENTRE AND R E S TAU R A N T V The premium kitchen appliance brand unveils its showroom and dining concept.
S good to know In its home country of Switzerland, V-Zug is a household brand famed for its range of high precision instruments and home appliances.
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tep into the V-Zug experience centre and you will realise it is unlike any other appliance store. Launched in mid-2018, the Swiss brand’s showroom showcases the full range of its luxury kitchen appliances, from sleek handleless ovens and hobs, to uber sexy-looking built-in refrigerators, washing machines and highly precise vacuum drawers that even professional chefs swear by. Take a closer look, and hidden behind concealed doors is a suite of home appliances designed to blend perfectly into contemporary and elegant home interiors. But the 106-year-old brand will have you know its products offer more than
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just sleek looks, by putting them to the test right in front of you. Pop by restaurant V, situated next door — which opened early this year — to watch chef Ryan Clift and his team whip up a culinary storm with V-Zug appliances. Awardwinning interior designer Peter Tay, tasked with designing both areas, kept to an openplan concept, while taking advantage of the vantage point where the restaurant is located; it opens up to a panoramic view of bustling Orchard Road. Head down now for a V-Zug experience and cap it with a meal at V; its menu offers twoto five-course options. The V-Zug experience centre and V are at #03-11/12/13, Scotts Square.
H OT S P O T
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CALDERA HOUSE This Wild West getaway combines European style and American craftsmanship.
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inter sport enthusiasts and nature lovers can find everything they dream about at Caldera House, in the heart of Wyoming, United States. Located at the foot of mountain slopes and at the door of Grand Teton National Park, the hotel is an ideal starting point for exploring the area, where mountains and lakes make up a sublime landscape. With only eight suites – each with several bedrooms, balconies and a chef’s kitchen – Caldera House is nestled in a beautiful
chalet, giving it the feel of a private residence. Elegant and relaxed, sophisticated and comfortable, the interior spaces were designed by two renowned organisations. Los Angeles-based design studio Commune was in charge of the public areas, while local firm Carney Logan Burke worked on the design of the suites. European style and American craftsmanship meet in pieces of furniture and lighting by designers including George Nakashima, Jean Prouve, Lindsey Adelman and Axel Vervoordt.
Some of the most famous ski resorts in Europe (such as St Moritz in the 1950s, Gstaad in the ’60s and Cortina d’Ampezzo in the ’70s) were sources of inspiration. However, Caldera House owner Wesley Edens, along with his friends and coowners Michael Novogratz, David Barry and Randal Nardone, also wanted the chalet to reflect the rugged spirit of the American West, to pay tribute to the area and the local culture, both through the decor and atmosphere. The spacious suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows,
good to know The Grand Teton National Park, located next to the hotel, offers over 300km of hiking trails across a wide range of terrain and landscapes.
A BOVE A variety of different wood tones gives a feeling of cosiness in every nook, while high ceilings accentuate the open and spacious feel in the hotel. R I GHT The sophisticated design of the suites evokes a sleek and stylish atmosphere. LE FT On the third oor, guests have access to the exclusive Members Lounge, which features a club-like interior and an outdoor patio facing the mountains.
wood-burning fireplaces and outdoor patios with hot tubs and exceptional mountain views. Equipped with heated floors, steam showers and large soaking tubs, the master bathrooms are havens of peace where guests can relax at the end of a busy day. The hotel is also home to Italian restaurant Old Yellowstone Garage, a Jackson Hole institution that has started a new chapter with Caldera
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House. Another food venue, Southcable Cafe, is perfect for a morning or afternoon break. A spa, fitness centre and yoga studio are also available to guests. Operated by local ski legend Gov Carrigan, the on-site ski shop The Mudroom offers the opportunity to obtain equipment needed to enjoy different types of outdoor activities in winter. For more on Caldera House, visit https://calderahouse.com
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H OT S P OT
T S I R I H O U S E AT DEMPSEY Luxury property developer Sansiri opens a lifestyle destination that combines design, art, retail and food.
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hailand remains a favourite holiday destination among Singaporeans, thanks to its colourful design and fashion scene, as well as it being a gastronomical paradise. So it will thrill design enthusiasts here that one of the biggest names on the Thai luxury property scene, Sansiri, has set up shop in our very own Dempsey. Named Siri House, the 3,000 sq ft space is described as a lifestyle destination showcasing the Sansiri persona: to live a Sansiri life is to be fashionable, cultured and in the know. Siri House takes the form of four stunningly designed yet unpretentious spaces. First, the Sales Gallery for The
Monument Thong Lo. This show flat of Sansiri’s prestigious Bangkok property was designed by interior designer Vichada Sitakalin, who dressed it up in luxurious and bold Jim Thompson fabric and wallpaper. The gallery will introduce a different Sansiri property every six to eight months, offering inspiration for home design and styling, as well as a chance to consider properties without flying to Thailand. Next is The Shop, where you will find – housed in antique cabinets that have been deconstructed and reassembled with modern elements like acrylic panels – a plethora of limited edition souvenirs, accessories and apparel by
good to know Siri House at Dempsey opens ahead of the flagship concept in Bangkok, called Siri House at Somkid. The latter is to be launched in March.
A BOVE The Monument Thong Lo luxury home is fully represented in the show flat, with living room, bathroom, kitchen and dining area for viewing.
RIG H T Prices at The Shop range from $12 for incense sticks to $415 for lamp sculptures. BE LOW Jam plans to launch a weekend latebreakfast club. B E LOW, RIG H T Sur sculptures make great statement pieces. BOTTOM Art show Another Dimension has an exhibit featuring mirror “teleports” that encourage self-reflection.
the future who’s who of Thai design. For home decor, there’s Sur, which offers off-kilter sculptures; The Archivist, which produces abstract prints; Thingg, the brand behind many of the ceramic wares in The Shop; as well as Siri House Curate, which sells everything from Indian incense sticks to glassware, made by Chiangmai artisans. Jam at Siri House is a 48seat restaurant and bar with an open kitchen. Inspired by Asian cuisine and customs, the menu revolves around sharing plates as well as classic dishes and drinks with a playful twist. Complementing this is the chinoiserie and Art Decoesque interiors – De Gournay handprinted wallpaper and Jim Thompson fabric are paired with vintage chandeliers and dark lacquered walls. With a dramatic palette of coral,
yellow and blue, Jam at Siri House exudes an electrifying yet nostalgic atmosphere. Last but certainly not least is Art Space at Siri House, a small art gallery that aims to showcase an international and cross-generational list of artists – be it up-and-coming artists or known names in
the industry. Thai artist Gongkan opens with Another Dimension, his first show in Singapore. The space will feature new art exhibitions every three to four months. Visit Siri House at #01-02 Block 8D Dempsey Hill, or visit www.sirihouse.com.
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H O T S P OT
V I L LO N R E S TA U R A N T A N D LO U N G E Star designer Kelly Wearstler pays tribute to French Cubist artist Jacques Villon in San Francisco.
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an Francisco has become the worldwide reference for innovation and technology, thanks to Silicon Valley. Its bohemian tradition, cultural history and European influences, however, live on in the city. Opened in 2018, San Francisco Proper Hotel reminds us of that. Nestled in an almost 100-year-old Beaux Arts building, the hotel, which is home to restaurant and lounge Villon, is an ode to San Francisco. It is located in an
area with old theatres and arts institutions that is currently enjoying a revival, with luxury residential projects and offices of large companies making their home there. Forgotten for years and then damaged by a fire, the building was recently reimagined, with the objective of contributing to the local community’s development. On the exterior facade, real estate investment and management company The Kor Group took care of every detail. Inside, Kelly Wearstler designed sophisticated spaces, with references to several artistic movements. “While carefully preserving the original elements of this classified landmark, we looked to bring something new to San Francisco by ‘collaging’ a reimagining of past, present
and future,” Kelly says. “The spirit of pre-Modernist European influence, handselected vintage furnishings, and works by local artists are all part of the warm, inviting design mix.” Villon is named for the French Cubist painter Jacques Villon, and it has three spaces with different looks – an intimate private dining room that seats 14; a 32-seat lobby lounge inspired by a classic European salon and reflecting a residential atmosphere with cosy nooks; as well as the main hall, which is a 44-seat dining room with Cubist decor. For more on Villon in San Francisco, visit www.villonsf.com.
good to know Previously known as the “Paris of the West”, San Francisco has forged its own identity, mixing the best of Europe and the United States.
A B OVE Sharp lines contrast with soft colours to create a bold and edgy look. LEFT Trapezoid- and triangular shaped mirrors are eye-catching accents in the main hall.
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text KARINE MONIE photos NOAH WEBB & MANOLO
JOI N T HE H&D T RIB E N OW E n j oy st yl i s h living on th e go , w i th trend reports, d es i gn er i n ter v i ews and i n ter i o r d es i g n features, all in th e pal m of yo u r h an d.
Home and Decor Singapore @homeanddecor_sg www.homeanddecor.com.sg
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
SWEDE SENTIMENT Kristina Karlsson does not ĝé é âé Þ ÐéĀÛ Ð¦ ú é âéÞÐɧʌú°Â ÉéÞ ÛÞ É îÞ Ðî§é éÐ ÂÐп °¿ ʨ â° ¦ÞÐÈ Þ °â ÞȰɧ âÈ°Â É ÛÞ ¦ Þ É ¦ÐÞ ÐȦÐÞé Â É âî  éé°Þ îްɧ È é°É§âʣ 9Þ°âé°É â ÉÐ ¦ÐÞÈ Â éÞ °É°É§ °É îâ°É ââ ÐÞ È Éî¦ éîްɧʨ ,é ú â °É ÈÐÈ Éé Ц Û É° ʣ é éÞ °É é ÈÐÞɰɧ Ƚȼ Ā Þâ §Ðʣ é é â ° éÐ Þ é Þ ÐúÉ âé é°ÐÉ ÞĀ Þ É ʨ " âéʌ¦ÐÞú Þ éÐ é ÛÞ â Ééʣ É 9°¿¿°ʨ9 â Ðù Þ ȽȼȾ ÈÐÉÐ Þ É âéÐÞ â °É ȽɀɃ ÐîÉéÞ° âʣ Þ ¿°É§ °É ÉÉî  â  â Ц ˏɄȽ Ȱ°ÐÉ §ÂÐ ÂÂĀʨ ¦é Þ Þ Â°â°É§ Þ Þ È Ð¦ â éé°É§ îÛ ú é °â Û Þ Ûâ é úÐÞ ʙâ ÈÐâé â°Þ  âé é°ÐÉ ÞĀ âéÐÞ ʣ 9Þ°âé°É °â ÉÐú  â é éÐ ÂÛ È°Â°ÐÉâ ÈÐÞ úÐÈ É ° ù é °Þâʨ
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SPOTLIGHT
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e don’t have to be stationery lovers (or hoarders) to ĝÉ ÐîÞâ Âù â ù°É§ °É to the appeal of Kikki.K’s collection. Who can resist its beautiful (and thoughtfully designed) diaries, planners and a host of other stationery items? Embracing the clean lines of Swedish design, the products can be kooky at times, or uplifting, with new collections to look forward to throughout the year. With Kikki.K now a global brand, it’s easy to forget that for Kristina, its founder and creative director, it all started with a dream – and was followed up by hard work. After ÂÂʣ °é âÐîÉ â đÐÞé ââ ÉÐî§ʢ The catchy name was adapted from Kristina’s childhood nickname, and the logo was drawn on a serviette after a few glasses of wine with a friend. In Singapore late last year to launch her debut book, Your Dream Life Starts Here, Kristina will have you know that her success story was realised through sheer hard work. She peppers the book with life lessons and experiences to draw from 42
along the way, and she wants to spur and empower 101 million people all over the world to dream big and to get from “dreaming” to “doing”. The book includes exercises which encourage people to tune into their own passions and curiosities, and develop clear action plans to take control of their lives. It also comes ú°é Þ È ;°¦ 7ÐîÞÉ ÂˈéÐ be used as a workbook, with each chapter corresponding to a chapter in the book.
5 a Û § â Þ ĝ ú°é her personal experiences, as well as those of big names like Þ° ÉÉ )îĔɧéÐÉʣ HÛÞ Winfrey, Richard Branson and Stella McCartney. Every purchase of the book also serves a good cause: US$1 from each book sold will be donated éÐˈa Þ Þ ° aÞ Éé ,Éé ÞÉ é°ÐÉ Âʣ a foundation established by scholar/humanitarian Dr a Þ Þ ° aÞ Ééʣ úÐ °â HÛÞ Winfrey’s “all-time favourite guest”. Funds raised will
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support Dr Trent’s dream to provide universal access to quality education for children.
1. Kristina hopes to motivate people around the world to turn their dreams into reality, by following the steps listed in her book. 2. According to Kristina, listing your dreams down on paper is an essential part of the planning process. 3 . The Kikki.K stationery collections can be found in 147 countries.
What was your childhood like? I grew up on a farm, amid a beautiful and natural environment. We never really travelled far. But I was a curious child and wondered a lot about the outside world. I was determined to go explore and ĝÉ Ðîé ÈÐÞ ʣ ù É â ¿° ʨ
type. I’m more of a “go for everything and if you never try you never know” person. I’ve worked very hard to put Kikki.K where it is today and am still very hands-on with the business, overseeing the design aspects, but I never stop dreaming and setting new goals. And writing Your Dream Life Starts Here is just one of them. I write it with young people in mind.
How much of a “lagom” (the Swedish philosophy of having “just the right amount for a balanced life”) person are you? I am not a “lagom” person at all (laughs). It’s a good philosophy to adopt, but I am just not the
Who or what inspires you? All the people I have included in my book have inspired me one way or another. Big names like Oprah, Branson and, of course, Dr Tererai Trent. Dr Trent’s story is
incredibly inspiring. Born into ÛÐù ÞéĀ É È ÞÞ° Ðđ é young age, she never stopped dreaming and pursuing her love for knowledge and education, with sheer grit and determination. Ask any successful person how they §Ðé é Þ É ĀÐîʙ ĝÉ Ðîé it’s a lot of hard work along the way and no shortcuts. No one’s life is perfect, even if it may seem a perfect life. Spending time journalling also gives you ideas and inspirations.
KIKKI.K HAS OVER 102 MONOBRAND STORES IN 147 COUNTRIES, RAKING IN ANNUAL SALES OF $81 MILLION GLOBALLY. 3
How do you destress? I am big on self-care. And I do meditation and take long walks early in the morning, even when I am away. I also pour out my thoughts, feelings and frustrations on paper, at least three pages of it. It’s like a stream of consciousness thing. After reading through, I’ll crush everything and throw it away. I always feel better after that. I also believe gratitude ú°ÂÂ é ¿ ĀÐî ¦ Þ ʋˈ ù É ÐÉ Āʣ ĀÐî É ĝÉ é°É§â to be grateful for. Life is short, regardless how long you live. Which Kikki.K items can’t you live without? I can’t live without the metal rollerball gold pen. It’s with me wherever I go. And also my journal, in which I record ÈĀ Þ Ğ é°ÐÉâ Ц é °đ Þ Éé cities I visit for business or vacation, write about the people I meet, and the things I am grateful for. Kristina Karlsson’s Your Dream
Life Starts Here is out in all Kikki.K stores and available online at www.kikki-k.com.
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PEOPLE
A DEEP AWAKENING In an exclusive interview with Home & Decor, architect Jason Pomeroy talks about the urgency of building sustainable marine cities and what’s needed for them to thrive.
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he future lies at sea, and the future is now. At the SMM (shipbuilding, machinery, marine technology) fair held in September last year – the fair is the leading international maritime trade show held biennially in Hamburg – technology group Wartsila announced its global initiative titled “An Oceanic Awakening”. Wartsila, the Finnish global leader in smart technology in the marine and energy sectors, announced that the bold new project focuses on “the radical transformation of the world’s marine and energy industry °ÉéÐ ÐÉ âîÛÞ È ÂĀ Ĕ ° Ééʣ ecologically sound and digitally connected ecosystem”. The visions birthed at the Hamburg workshop were also meant to inspire the global marine industry and the authorities to address complex problems caused by rapid urban growth. Jason Pomeroy of Pomeroy Studios was one of three prominent Singapore-based design and sustainability innovators representing the city at Hamburg (the other two are Vivien Leong, partner at Ipli Architects, and Song Kee Hong, a leading academic with the industrial design
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division at National University of Singapore and winner of the prestigious Red Dot Luminary Award in 2009). “The workshop experience in Hamburg brought together urban planners, architects, and experts in smart technology ¦ÞÐÈ °đ Þ Éé °é° âʣ úÐ È together to discuss ideas for a better, sustainable use of port infrastructure,” recalls Jason. He adds: “With the world population projected to reach 9.6 billion in about 30 years’ time, our cities continue to face tremendous urban pressures. There has got to be an alternative. “Currently, there is a lot of talk about green architecture but, while we are passionate about greening cities, it is just as important we focus on the blue agenda.” Jason, who’s also a TV host on Channel News Asia’s Smart Cities 2.0, City Time Traveller and City Redesign, is well-known for his work on sustainable architecture, having conceived outstanding projects ranging from a green technological hub in Jakarta dubbed the “Silicon Valley of Indonesia” to the “Idea House”, é ĝÞâé ą ÞÐ Þ ÐÉ Ðîâ °É ZÐîéʌ âé â° ʣ É đÐÞ Â housing in the Philippines.
“WITH WORLD POPULATION PROJECTED TO REACH 9.6 BILLION IN 30 YEARS, OUR CITIES FACE TREMENDOUS URBAN PRESSURES.”
“It is just as important we talk about blue architecture,” he stresses. “We need to look into how we can break down barriers within ports and cities so that they can be better connected.” Through working with thought leaders like Jason, Wartsila hopes to also create and shape a vision for how Singapore may evolve as a smart marine city. Harking back to the old days when Clarke Quay and Boat Quay were once a vibrant trade and transshipment zone, a period in history where godowns and
shophouses teemed with people working and living in the area, Jason is grounded in the belief that it is only through learning from the past that the present can be informed. “Trade and commerce took place at those godowns, and people worked and lived there,” he says. “How do we then breathe vitality and life back into our modern port cities? “We need to reinvigorate them economically, culturally and socially again.” Find out more about Wartsila and the SEA20 Forum on www. sea20.org.
TO P One of the solutions to the future of urban living is to bring back the functionality of ports and harbours. AB OV E Green architecture needs to take into account marine conservation as well. RI GH T The proposal of a smart marine city development, which utilises energy generated from wind and oceans.
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U P C LO S E
D OY E N N E
OF DESIGN Lim Siew Hui, designer and founder of Hui Designs, shares with us her fondest memory and what makes her tick.
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Describe your fondest memory as a child. My father was an architect, and I was fascinated by his work. I remember sneaking into his study as a child and unrolling his blueprints when he was not around. I would trace the lines ĂşÂ°ĂŠÂ ĂˆÄ€ Ä? Ă‰Â§ÂœĂžĂ˘ Â†Ă‰Â˜ ĂˆÂ†ĂžĂšÂœĂ‚ †Ê the intricacy and details. I think ĂŠÂ†Ê ú†â ĂşÂ†Ê °ÉĞ ĂŽÂœĂ‰Â’ÂœÂ˜ ĂˆÂœ ĂŠĂ? pursue interior design as a career.
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Name one music track you listen to, while at work. It really depends on my mood, †â ĂˆÄ€ ĂˆĂŽĂ˘Â°Â’ ĂŠÂ†Ă˘ĂŠÂœ °â ĂšÂœĂžÄ€ Â˜Â°ĂšÂœĂžĂ˘Âœ and eclectic. I could be listening to French rap by MC Solaar one moment, and switch to songs by Goldfrapp, Leonard Ă?ÂÂœĂ‰ĘŁ A†˜Ă?ÉɆ Ă?Ăž ÂœĂšÂœĂ‰ P.Diddy, the next.
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One worthy or charitable Â’Â†ĂŽĂ˘Âœ Ä€Ă?ĂŽĘ™Â˜ Ä? §ÂĂŠ ÂŚĂ?Þʪ , Â‘ÂœĂ‚Â°ÂœĂšÂœ âÊÞĂ?ɧÂĀ ĂŠÂ†Ê ĂŠÂÂœ ÂŚÂ†ĂŠÂœ of our future lies with children and the next generation, that’s why I support World Vision. I am sponsoring three children and ÂĂ?Ă›Âœ ĂŠĂ? ˜Ă? ĂˆĂ?ĂžÂœ ĂşÂÂœĂ‰ , ÂÂ†ĂšÂœ ĂŠÂÂœ ĂŠÂ°ĂˆÂœĘŁ °É ĂŠÂÂœ ÂŚĂŽĂŠĂŽĂžÂœĘ¨ , Â‘ÂœĂ‚Â°ÂœĂšÂœ ĂŠÂ†Ê in order to create a good society, ĂşÂœ ÂÂ†ĂšÂœ ĂŠĂ? âʆÞÊ ú°Ê °Éâʰ°ɧ §Ă?Ă?˜ ĂšÂ†Ă‚ĂŽÂœĂ˘ Â†Ă‰Â˜ ÉÎÞÊÎްɧ children to grow up to be great human beings.
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Your design style is... , ˜Ă?ÉʙÊ ĂŠÂ°É¿ , ÂÂ†ĂšÂœ † Ă˘Ă›ÂœÂ’Â°Ä? Â’ Â˜ÂœĂ˘Â°Â§Ă‰ Ă˘ĂŠÄ€Ă‚ÂœĘŁ ‘ÎÊ , ˜Ă? ÂŚÂœÂœĂ‚ , Â†Ăˆ †É Â°Ă‰ĂŠĂŽÂ°ĂŠÂ°ĂšÂœ Â˜ÂœĂ˘Â°Â§Ă‰ÂœĂžĘ¨ I approach the concept and design of each project by understanding the brief and †ڰɧ † §Ă?Ă?˜ ÂŚÂœÂœĂ‚ Ă?ÂŚ ĂŠÂÂœ Ă˘Â°ĂŠÂœĘ¨ ,É ĂŠÂ†Ê Ă˘ÂœĂ‰Ă˘ÂœĘŁ ĂŠÂÂœ Ă˘ĂŠÄ€Ă‚Âœ Ă?ÂŚ ÂœĂšÂœĂžÄ€
ÛÞĂ?ÂźÂœÂ’ĂŠ °â °ÉĞ ĂŽÂœĂ‰Â’ÂœÂ˜ ‘Āʣ Â†Ă‰Â˜ Â˜ÂœĂšÂœĂ‚Ă?Ă›ÂœÂ˜ ĂşÂ°ĂŠÂ ĂžÂœĂ˘Ă›ÂœÂ’ĂŠ ĂŠĂ?ĘŁ چްĂ?Îâ Œ†’ÊĂ?Þâʨ
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Which room of the house do you spend the most time in and which natural ÂœĂ‚ÂœĂˆÂœĂ‰ĂŠ ˜Ă? Ä€Ă?ĂŽ Ä? Ă‰Â˜ ĂˆĂ?âÊ inspiring? , ˜Ă?ÉʙÊ Ă‚Â°ÂżÂœ ĂŠĂ? ‘œ Â’Ă?ÉÄ? Ă‰ÂœÂ˜ ĂŠĂ? Ă˘ĂˆÂ†Ă‚Ă‚ Ă˘Ă›Â†Â’ÂœĂ˘ĘŁ âĂ? ĂˆÄ€ Œ†ÚĂ?ĂŽĂžÂ°ĂŠÂœ spot has to be lounging in my °ڰɧ ĂžĂ?Ă?ĂˆĘ¨ ,Êʙâ † Œ†°ÞÂĀ Ă‚Â†ĂžÂ§Âœ space and situated close to my ‘†Â’Ă?ÉĀʣ âĂ? °Ê Ă?Ä‘ ÂœĂžĂ˘ ĂˆÂœ † Â§ĂžÂœÂ†ĂŠ ĂšÂ°ÂœĂş Ă?ÂŚ ĂŠÂÂœ Ă˘Â’ÂœĂ‰ÂœĂžÄ€ Ă?ĂŽĂŠĂ˘Â°Â˜ÂœĘ¨ As for inspiring elements, I’m drawn to the mountains and Ă?Â’ÂœÂ†Ă‰ Â‘ÂœÂ’Â†ĂŽĂ˘Âœ ĂŠÂœĀ Â§Â°ĂšÂœ ĂˆÂœ † feeling of unbounded freedom Â†Ă‰Â˜ † Ă‰ÂœĂş Ă›ÂœĂžĂ˘Ă›ÂœÂ’ĂŠÂ°ĂšÂœ Ă?É Ă‚Â°ÂŚÂœĘ¨ "Ă?Ăž ĂŠÂ†Ê ĂžÂœÂ†Ă˘Ă?Éʣ , Ă‚Ă?ĂšÂœ °¿°É§ and spending a lot of time connecting with nature.
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M Y S PAC E
THE TECH KITCHEN Soup up your kitchen with these cutting-edge appliances that will change the way you prep food and whip up a delectable feast for your family.
echnology is moving fast in many spheres of our life, including in food preparation, with kitchen appliance makers revving up new technologies to provide new and better ways for home cooks to get tasty results in half the time. The new gadgets were unveiled during the Eurocucina fair in Milan last year and quickly became the talk of the town. Here’s a look at some of é ÈÐâé Ðîéâé É °É§ Ðđ ްɧâ reaching our shores.
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W C O L L E C T I O N BY WHIRLPOOL With its sixth Sense technology and Internet connectivity, the W Collection of appliances is designed for seamless performance. The collection includes hobs, hoods, ovens, fridge freezers and a dishwasher. The built-in ovens, for example, come with intuitive control and a 4.5-inch TFT My Smart Display. You can also search for recipes and cooking cycles, and follow step-by-step guides. An app lets you choose recipes, and manage and monitor your cooking progress from your gadgets. You can also steam food with the oven.
FRENCH DOOR R E F R I G E R ATO R BY S U B -Z E R O A highlight from Sub-Zero is the 36-inch French Door Refrigerator. It is equipped with an air purification system inspired by Nasa technology. What it does is clean the air of mould, viruses and bacteria every 20 minutes to ensure an optimal environment for storing fresh food. Its magnetic door seal system, one-piece construction and heavy-duty insulation also help lock in cold air. Its French door design is ideal for small spaces.
VAC U U M D R AW E R B Y WO L F Among the offerings by Wolf are a ceiling-mounted hood, French door fridge, vacuum drawer and convection steam oven. The built-in appliances fit into any kitchen design with ease. The vacuum drawer, for instance, lets you seal food to lock in flavours, for sous vide cooking. It can also be used to preserve frozen food effortlessly. For convenience, position it near the steam or convection oven.
C O O K TO P E X T R AC TO R SYS T E M BY B O R A The founder of Bora had a vision to eliminate the ubiquitous extractor hood. Using cross flow suction that is greater than the rising speed of cooking vapours, Bora’s design combines the hob with the hood so that cooking vapours and odours are drawn away at the source – as they arise from boiling soups and sizzling pans. Not only is it a quiet technology, but it is also more
pleasant – allowing a clear view of what’s cooking. It’s available at Kitchen Culture in three ranges – Bora Basic, Bora Classic and Bora Professional – to cater to specific needs.
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D I A LO G OV E N BY M I E L E The Dialog Oven is Miele’s star product at Eurocucina – and for good reason. The oven, designed with new technology, is set to revolutionise baking, roasting and cooking. It allows food of different textures to be cooked together – perfectly well too – so you
COMFORT LIFT D I S H WA S H E R B Y ELECTROLUX For ultimate ease, the Comfort Lift dishwasher raises the lower basket so that loading and unloading it is easy. The mechanism then lowers the basket to its normal position safely. Other notable features are the Airdry technology, and the Flexiwash and Flexispray features. The Airdry technology
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don’t have to spend more time in the kitchen. The oven uses electromagnetic waves at various frequencies to detect the food and adjust the cooking intensity to match the ingredients. That way, you get perfectly cooked vegetables with your roast.
automatically opens the door slightly near the end of the drying to enhance drying and eliminate humidity inside the dishwasher. With Flexiwash, you can choose from different settings to suit the content and load. Lastly, Flexispray has five spray levels and mobile arms for thorough cleaning.
THE NEW LINEA SERIES BY SMEG Fans of this stylish and hip kitchen brand will no doubt be familiar with its awardwinning Linea collection. Renowned for the clean lines and minimalist look of its design, Linea now comes in a new collection with a classic silver facade and polished steel handles. Added innovations come in the form of a vacuum drawer, blast chiller, a wine cooler with a sommelier drawer, as well as a pizza oven that ensures pizzas are evenly cooked.
Lyndon Craig, design director of Electrolux Asia Pacific, on the future of kitchens What is a significant trend set to emerge? WAT C H &T O U C H OV E N B Y C A N DY Candy’s latest multi-function oven (available at Mayer) combines the latest technology with an app, a high-definition video camera, and a Full Touch Total Control Screen door with a 19-inch user-friendly interface. The video camera lets you monitor the cooking process despite a closed door. The display will also show the time left, the internal temperature and the progress – so you have control. The 78-litre oven provides a range of cooking options, including personal programmes and video recipes equipped with tutorials that you can watch on the oven touchscreen.
An exciting, emerging trend that will have a major impact on the way future kitchens look and work is the rise of ambient tech – where technology is instead seamlessly integrated into your kitchen. By incorporating functional technology into the kitchen, it leaves kitchen counters and surfaces clutter-free, and allows more widespread use of natural materials, giving your high-tech kitchen a more natural feel.
How are these trends changing the way we use kitchens? With kitchen spaces evolving based on our habits, another development is the “reveal-conceal” trend. Apartments are being
FULL FLEX INDUCTION H O B BY V-Z U G Swiss brand V-Zug showcased several key products, including its Combi-steam ovens and the Refresh-butler. The latter is a product that sanitises and prepares clothes to be crisp and ready to wear. V-Zug’s Full Flex induction hob was
text ROSSARA JAMIL
designed with openconcept kitchens, and in those kitchens, countertops, appliances and cupboards are concealed behind large cupboard doors that completely integrate with the interior of the home. Folding walls, as well as sliding tops that cover sinks and stovetops when not in use, all allow the kitchen space to be transformed from a place for cooking to a place for studying, relaxing, or entertaining, simply by sliding a door.
What should homeowners look for when choosing appliances? Your appliances should make your life easier and allow you to achieve better results, whether it’s making tastier food for family or friends with a steam oven, or taking better care of your meat, fruit and vegetables in special zones in your refrigerator. Make sure the capabilities of your chosen appliance match your own ambition for how you want to use it. Finally, your appliances should also reflect what is important to you. If you believe in environmental responsibility, choose a machine with the best energy and water ratings, or with low energy consumption.
also a highlight, thanks to its features derived from professional kitchen standards. These include a specially designed teppanyaki plate and a space for up to six pots which the hob automatically detects.
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VOI C E S
CHOOSE PIECES YOU ENJOY
There are simply no rules to govern which art piece would speak to you - its appeal boils down to emotional connection. Think of artworks as permanent friends that will live in your home – therefore, they have to positively resonate with you and your lifestyle.
HOW TO DECORATE YOUR HOME WITH ART The interior design as well as architectural features of a space can be enhanced by art. Bernardo CoronadoGuerra shares suggestions on how to incorporate it into your home.
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even though you might think you do not have one. Trust me, you do. THINK OF PLACEMENT
There are various ways to approach the arrangement of art. Think of it as storytelling. Whether the placement is linear and regulated or sporadic and organic, the arrangement Þ Ğ éâ é ¼ÐîÞÉ Ā °É ú° START YOUR COLLECTION you want guests (and yourself, The purchase of one piece of art that brings you joy will likely lead of course) to discover them. You can go with a theme, whether to you acquiring more pieces it is subject matter, by artist that draw your attention. Art or colour. However, this is not fairs, galleries, markets, antique compulsory and randomness is shops and open studios are all also welcome – there is no right ideal starting points, especially or wrong when it comes to style. if they feature emerging artists. Also, consider If possible, get to that pieces do know the artists not always have who interest you. the to hang on a wall. This will provide a objective Leaning them better understanding against a wall, or of their design and Art pieces letting them sit on artistic voice, and are worthy °é Þ é ĞÐÐÞ ÐÞ possibly explain how investments for your space, a table surface, will and why their works because they are give an edge to the resonate with you. If an expression of art placement. this proves daunting your taste and or time-consuming, style, so select art consultancies can CHOOSE those that you connect with be a great alternative APPROPRIATE emotionally and – their services FRAMING appeal to you range from sales to Often if pieces aesthetically. professional design are radically consultation and °đ Þ Ééʣ é ÐÉÂĀ white-glove delivery commonality and installation. Scad Art Sales, between them might be through a full-service art consultancy the framing. I often choose with more than 45,000 artists frames in white, black or É â°§É Þâʣ Ðđ Þâ °âé°É é°ù É îéÞ Âʣ °É °đ Þ Éé â°ą â é é design and curatorial services. will complement the piece, never compete with it. Ask yourself if you want the frame ENSURE VARIETY to be bold, or subtle; again, do Do not be afraid to put up not feel overwhelmed. It is just a combination of artworks a choice that any professional °É °đ Þ Éé È °îÈâ ʋ framer or art consultation photography, prints, sculptures, service, perhaps even the artist, shadow boxes, simple drawings can help with. – it is after all for your home, your space. The place you and those around you call home More information on Scad Art âÐîÂ Þ Ğ é ĀÐîÞ Þé°âé° ùа ʣ Sales at www.scadartsales.com.
Bernardo CoronadoGuerra, executive director for design and operations, Scad Hong Kong
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OPPOSITE Original elements of the apartment were restored, such as the large balcony windows, detailed shutters, as well as the woodenbeam ceiling.
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AHEAD OF THE CURVE ELIZA HAMIZAH takes you through the transformation
Ц É Ð ʣ âÈ ÂÂ Ğ é °É Þ ÂÐÉ °ÉéÐ ° É éÞ É Ā âÛ ¦ÐÞ ¦ â°ÐÉ Â ,é ° É úÐÈ Éʨ
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ABOVE , LEFT A pink terrazzolike quartz surface, warm grey cabinetry, and vintage concave brass handles make up this chic kitchen. LEF T The dark blue cabinets are designed to be symmetrical and mirror the balcony windows.
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AB OVE Timeless designs with soft silhouettes were chosen, like the Mags sofa by Hay, side tables by Kettal, and Ypperlig chairs by Hay for Ikea.
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olours and curves dominate this vibrant apartment in Barcelona, which belongs to Francesca, a young and stylish Italian professional in the fashion industry. After tearing down all non-structural walls, the designers from Colombo and Serboli Architecture (Casa) worked on the apartment’s visual anchor – the element that informs the rest of the 699 sq ft space. This takes the form of a voluminous bespoke storage unit in the foyer. Clad in deep-
Âî É Â°§é Û°É¿ ĝÉ°â âʣ é°â ĞÐÐÞʌéÐʌ °Â°É§ îÉ°é Þ é â a grand doorway. The blue visually condenses the area, while the tall pink panels allow a transition before one steps into the larger and brighter openplan living area. It also conceals a walk-in wardrobe (home to Francesca’s large collection of clothing and sports equipment) and an entrance to the master bedroom. In the same vein is a coral, arc-shaped volume in the kitchen. While its eye-catching hue and large size catch the eye,
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Ê°â Ę–Â’Ă?Ă‰ĂŠÂ†Â°Ă‰ÂœĂžĘ— †ÂâĂ? Â’Ă?Ă‰Â’ÂœÂ†Ă‚Ă˘Ę¨ Zú°É§ Ă?Ă›ÂœĂ‰ ĂŠÂÂœ Â’Ă?ކ ˜Ă?Ă?Ăž ĂŠĂ? ĂžÂœĂšÂœÂ†Ă‚ † Ă›Â°Ă‰ÂżĘŒĂ?Ă‰ĘŒĂ›Â°Ă‰Âż Ă›Ă?ĂşÂ˜ÂœĂž ĂžĂ?Ă?ĂˆĘŁ ĂşÂÂ°Â’Â ÂŚÂœÂ†ĂŠĂŽĂžÂœĂ˘ âΑú†Ā tiles and a pink terrazzo-like Ă?ΆÞÊą Ă˘ĂŽĂžÂŚÂ†Â’ÂœĘ¨ Ę–rÂœ Ă?Ă›ĂŠÂœÂ˜ ÂŚĂ?Ăž †É †Þ’ âÂÂ†Ă›ÂœĘŁ and at a height that almost ĂŠĂ?ĂŽÂ’ÂÂœĂ˘ ĂŠÂÂœ ĂşĂ?Ă?Â˜ÂœĂ‰ĘŒÂ‘ÂœÂ†Ăˆ Â’ÂœÂ°Ă‚Â°Ă‰Â§Ă˘ĘŁ ĂŠĂ? °§Â塤ÂĂŠ ĂŠÂÂœ É€ĂˆĘŒ ÂÂ°Â§Â ĂšÂ†ĂŽĂ‚ĂŠÂœÂ˜ Â’ÂœÂ°Ă‚Â°Ă‰Â§Ă˘ Ă?ÂŚ Ê°â ȽȿÊÂĘŒÂ’ÂœĂ‰ĂŠĂŽĂžÄ€ Â‘ĂŽÂ°Ă‚Â˜Â°Ă‰Â§Ę¨ aÂÂœĂ˘Âœ Ę‚Ă‰ÂœĂş ÂŚÂœÂ†ĂŠĂŽĂžÂœĂ˘Ęƒ ÂœĂ‰ÂÂ†Ă‰Â’Âœ ĂŠÂÂœ Â§ĂžÂœÂ†ĂŠ ÛÞĂ?Ă›Ă?ÞÊ°Ă?Éâ Ă?ÂŚ Â†Ă‰Â’Â°ÂœĂ‰ĂŠ Ă˘Ă›Â†Â’ÂœĂ˘ĘŁ and transform the old property °ÉÊĂ? † Ú°‘Þ†ÉÊ ІÊʣʗ â†Ā ĂŠÂÂœ Â˜ÂœĂ˘Â°Â§Ă‰ÂœĂžĂ˘ ÂŚĂžĂ?Ăˆ †â†ʨ A palette of light pinks Â†Ă‰Â˜ Â§ĂžÂœÄ€Ă˘ĘŁ Â’Ă?ĂˆÂ‘Â°Ă‰ÂœÂ˜ ú°Ê † Â’ĂŽĂžĂšÂ°Ă‚Â°Ă‰ÂœÂ†Ăž ĂˆĂ?Ê°Œ Ę‹ Ă˘ÂœÂœĂ‰ Ă?É ĂŠÂÂœ °ڰɧ ĂžĂ?Ă?Ăˆ Â’Ă?ĂžĂ‰Â°Â’ÂœĘŁ Â’ĂŽĂžĂšÂœÂ˜ĘŒ œ˜§œ˜ ¿°Ê’ÂÂœĂ‰ Â°Ă˘Ă‚Â†Ă‰Â˜ĘŁ Â†Ă‰Â˜ Â†Â’Â’ÂœĂ‰ĂŠ Ă›Â°ÂœÂ’ÂœĂ˘ Ă‚Â°ÂżÂœ ĂŠÂÂœ VĂ?Ă‚Ă‚ ÂΑ †°Þ ‘Ā 9ÂœĂŠĂŠÂ†Ă‚ Â†Ă‰Â˜ ÂŚĂ?Ă‚Â˜ â’Ă?Ă‰Â’Âœ Ă‚Â†ĂˆĂ›Ă˘ ‘Ā †â† Ę‹ Â’ĂžÂœÂ†ĂŠÂœĂ˘ † 塤ÂĂŠ Â†Ă‰Â˜ ĂžÂœĂ˘ĂŠÂŚĂŽĂ‚ Â†ĂˆÂ‘Â°ÂœĂ‰Â’ÂœĘ¨
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FAR R I GHT Walls and ceilings painted in white increase the brightness of the home. R I GH T The rounded peninsula hosts a sink and dishwasher. It also serves as another dining area for the homeowner and her guests. The master bedroom is accessed through a door that matches, in colour and size, the wardrobe door in the foyer. B E LOW The designers sourced the pink ceramic tiles from Ceramica Ribesalbes and sanitary ďŹ ttings from Roca.
“THE ARC-SHAPED DOORWAY HIGHLIGHTS THE 4M-HIGH CEILING OF THIS 13TH-CENTURY BUILDING.” – COLOMBO AND SERBOLI ARCHITECTURE
photos ROBERTO RUIZ art direction COLOMBO AND SERBOLI ARCHITECTURE
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IT TAKES TWO This interior is the result of close collaboration between designer and homeowner. LYNN TAN learns how their chemistry led to stunning results.
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The Beam sofa by Patricia Urquiola, along with most of the furniture within the home, has earthy tones that help create a warm interior.
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OPPOSITE A view of Parkview Square gives the apartment a New York Art Deco loft quality, and is something that Charles particularly enjoys when he is in the study. RIG H T Another remnant piece of marble from the feature wall takes pride of place as a recessed display ledge along the entrance foyer, framed by a special metal laminate clad over built-in cabinets.
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BE LOW In between his frequent trips abroad, Charles spends quality time with his family in their beautiful home.
WHO LIVES HERE
A couple in their 40s and their preschool twins HOME A four-bedroom condominium apartment in Duo Residences S IZE 2,077sqf (Converted from 193sqm)
aving worked on business owner Charles Cheo’s previous home about 10 years ago, Raymond Seow, design director of Free Space Intent, was deemed the most suitable candidate to design the interior of Charles’ new apartment at Duo Residences. The previous property was Charles’ family home and his parents still reside there. It has an Old Shanghai theme and is furnished with many antique Peranakan furniture pieces from Charles’ collection. “For the Duo apartment, which I share with my wife, Lili, and our twin boys, I wanted something °đ Þ Éé É ú° Þ Ğ éâ its city location,” says Charles. Raymond thus went for a luxe concept that complements the high-end residential address. “I opted for a darker colour palette that conveys a more luxurious and opulent feel,” he says. The design process was progressive and Charles was very involved throughout. “We interacted closely and I would tweak the design along the way based on Charles’ input and
preferences,” Raymond reveals. Apart from design and space planning, Charles was also very involved in furniture selection. As a fan of Italian furniture, he hand-picked many pieces by Italian designers. One of the ù ÞĀ ĝÞâé Û° â é é ° ÐÉ ú â #°ÐÞ§ éé° # Â é Ðđ table, which was inspired by the imperfect regularity of a pebble. Charles chose it for its curved form that echoes the curvilinear building envelope. This organic language extends to various design features and even the choice of materials within the apartment. The living room ceiling has elliptical drop panels that mirror the pebble-like silhouette of the Ðđ é Â ÂÐúʨ However, the piece de resistance has got to be the marble feature wall beside the dining area. The white marble has dramatic black and grey veins with unusual dabs of green that have a moss-like quality. Four large slabs of this unique marble were book-matched to create an abstract pattern that is open to interpretation. “To me, the bold, black veins resemble 63
The delicate and sinuous lines on the headboard of the Kelly bed by Emmanuel Gallina blend in perfectly with the look of the master bedroom.
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rivers from an aerial view. Some people see a tiger, while others decipher a bull. Someone even spotted a Transformer,” Charles points out. An awkward kink in the wall along one side of the living area has been smoothed out, and forms a subtle arc that sweeps towards the curved balcony. This also allowed the television set to be mounted in a more centralised position on the wall. Beyond this wall is the twins’ bedroom, which Raymond transformed into the interior of a space shuttle. “The perspective Ц Ğ°§é ¿ ÐÉù Āâ Ûéʣ which gives a sense of space to a room that is not large,” he says. On the other side of the living area is the study, which was converted from a bedroom. The original solid bedroom wall made way for full-height sliding glass panels that open up the room and establish a connection with the rest of the living and dining areas. These can be closed for privacy.
The master bedroom has an understated design, with a few strategic elements that give visual focus. The headboard is a collage of stone-like laminate juxtaposed with antique mirror panels to create a rustic feel. A remnant piece of the dining room marble was put to good use, forming a ledge above a built-in cabinet below the wallmounted television set. This project was an interesting challenge for V ĀÈÐÉ â é °ÞÞ §îÂ Þ ĞÐÐÞ plan proved tricky, but he managed to make the necessary Þ ÐÉĝ§îÞ é°ÐÉâʣ âÛ ° ÂÂĀ within and around the living area to improve spatial quality. He had already built a good relationship, and established a strong rapport, with Charles from the previous home project but, because it is a totally °đ Þ Éé ÐÈ É ÐÉ Ûé this time, “I approached the design for the Duo home as if it is for another client altogether,” says Raymond.
A BOVE Many of the art pieces within the home have a recurring nature theme. LE FT Entering the boys’ bedroom feels like you are being transported to another galaxy. O PPOS IT E The solar system ceiling design was the inspiration behind the space-themed bedroom for the twins.
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photography ANGELA GUO art direction NONIE CHEN
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RIG HT Both homeowners and the designer have an equally keen eye for detail. A brass strip takes care of the transition between the marble and timber oors in the kitchen and dining area respectively. The kitchen island was also deliberately elevated slightly to accommodate the uneven level of the kitchen oor. LEF T Custom-made panelling and carpentry create discreet storage spaces that are well-integrated with the rest of the furniture.
SMART GUISE A smart home need not have all its technological wizardry and sophisticated gadgetry blatantly displayed. LYNN TAN discovers the inner workings of this discreetly smart home.
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he nightspots along Mohamed Sultan Road used to be among homeowner Edmund Chan’s favourite hangouts when he was growing up, so when he and his wife, Elaine Koh, were looking for a new home, they decided to explore the River Valley area. “It has a very ‘other worldliness’ about it, and I like the restaurants in the vicinity,” he says. r É é Ā ĝÉ ÂÂĀ ¦ÐîÉ É apartment that they liked, they decided to have the interior gutted, in order to start from scratch. “The renovation was so extensive that only two of the existing walls were left standing,” he recalls. The couple turned to Laank for its design expertise. The home-grown boutique practice is the creative genius behind Violet Oon’s culinary concepts and came highly recommended by her daughter, Tay Su-Lyn, who is a classmate of Elaine’s. “Laank has done a lot of commercial projects, which tend to have very high standards, so I îéÈÐâé ÐÉĝ É °É é Èʣʗ shares Edmund. Cherin Tan, the creative director and founder of Laank, began by understanding the couple’s aesthetic preferences. Edmund says: “Elaine put together a collection of images illustrating the looks that we liked and Cherin made sense of them, piecing them together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.” He adds: “I also played around with Sketchup, a 3-D modelling software, which I felt facilitated the discussion with Cherin and helped move things along.” Being in the business of home automation, it comes as no surprise that he wanted to integrate smart technologies into the home. The challenge for Laank was to address the client’s
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WHO LIVES HERE
A couple in their 40s and their two children H OME A three-bedroom condominium apartment in River Valley Road SIZ E 1,459sqf
TOP The living room, dining room and kitchen feature tinted glass walls that connect the spaces, while providing family members with a measure of privacy.
RIGH T Most of the furniture and shelves were tailor-made to fit the spaces.
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LEFT Brass fittings add just the right touch of luxury. BELOW No corner was overlooked and no detail too minor when it came to ensuring that every space is exactly as it should be – even the common bathroom. One wall concealing ducts was moved just 100mm to achieve the desired result. OPPOSITE Many of the units in this development are inward-facing. Edmund and Elaine chose this unit for its orientation, view and light-filled interior.
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brief for a home that possesses the comfort and opulence of a luxury hotel, and combine it with the convenience and ease of technology. “The goal was to balance technological savviness with the ingenuity of architectural detailing to create a space where function meets aesthetics,” says Cherin.
A voice prompt alerts the homeowners when there are visitors, who are greeted by a travertine feature wall as they cross the threshold into the entrance foyer. “Glass panels integrated into the wall allow glimpses of the interior, while a metal tray forms a ledge for decorative items or keys,”
Cherin points out. To the left of the entrance foyer is a series of concealed cabinets, within which is the “nerve centre” that controls the smart features of the home, along with an automated shoe carousel. A customised black marble dining table paired with dining chairs upholstered in a rich, 73
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Everything has been seamlessly integrated within the study room. A kick board under the table hides a CPU, the printer sits on a pull-out tray concealed inside a cabinet, and a switch built into the carpentry makes turning on the equipment a breeze. RIGH T
Edmund humorously nicknames his children’s rooms, “Not-ImportantPeople (NIP) rooms”.
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velvety green convey a luxurious setting that is accentuated by the choice of brass hardware, echoed by the pendant lights above. In response to Edmund and Elaine’s requirement for more storage, more concealed cabinets were built into the dining room wall. The focus of the living room has been intentionally shifted away from the television set, with the Eames lounge chair and ottoman deliberately angled such that they do not directly face the television set. The television set itself will be concealed behind an artwork comprising two automated split panels that the couple specially commissioned and which is currently being produced. A study area has been carved out of the original living area. This is also where Edmund can play on his keyboard, which has been ingeniously integrated with his desk using a movable lift-up panel. Edmund and Cherin even addressed minute details, such as incorporating the circuitry so that when the panel is lifted, the keyboard É ÈÛ°ĝ Þ Þ îéÐÈ é° ÂÂĀ turned on without the need for separate switches. The master bedroom and bathroom feature various
technologies that enhance the seamlessness of the interior. The television set in the master bedroom is concealed in a console, and is automated to rise from it when necessary. Another screen has been built into the bathroom mirror, so that the couple can get their morning news update while going about their routine. Edmund went to the extent of making sure that the ceiling speakers were set into a recess. “The speakers are round, but I did not want to see a circular element, so I ensured the speakers were recessed into the
ceiling, and fabricated square Ðù Þâ é é Þ Ğîâ ú°é é ceiling,” he explains. Edmund and Elaine worked extremely closely with Cherin in order to ensure that every aspect of the home is well-integrated. Trained as an engineer, Edmund even took on some of the engineering aspects personally to quicken the process. For Cherin, the success of the project lies in being able to “achieve something that has good aesthetics, with good materials, and without â Þ°ĝ °É§ ¦îÉ é°ÐÉ Â°éĀ É Ĕ ° É Āʗʨ
TOP A dressing table, foldable mirror and power points are all neatly concealed within the vanity console. R IG HT The simplicity of the master bedroom belies a plethora of hidden technology, such as a television set that lowers back into the console when not in use.
photography DARREN CHANG art direction NONIE CHEN
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NEW TO N A L I T Y It was important to the homeowners that everything, from the timber slats and window blinds to the colour palette, was cohesively designed; silhouettes had to be aligned and symmetrical, and colours had to match. The right materials also created a smooth transition from cool to warm tones.
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NEW LIGHT ELIZA HAMIZAH visits this renovated
family home which exudes a chic yet sensible Japanese-inspired design.
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ut with the dark, and in with the light. After living with a dark colour palette for many years, the homeowners of this Yishun residence tasked their nephew, Mikael Teh of Monocot Studio, with giving their home a much-needed revamp. The new look: a bright and airy space influenced by the streamlined forms and light hues of Japanese design. However, this concept was chosen not only because of the couple’s love for Japan, but also out of consideration for their grandson. “He comes over to his grandparents house every day, so they requested an open space for him to play freely. As he is allergic to dust, minimalist designs and hidden storage that will not gather as much dust were key,” says Mikael. This includes doing away with shelving, despite their large collection of Lladro sculptures, and opting for a concealed television console instead. Mikael also enlarged the kitchen by taking some space from the outdoor dining area, and installing foldable glass doors to separate the two spaces. With natural light streaming in and a calmer colour palette, the change in design is a breath of fresh air.
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DREAM KITCHEN Now that their children are grown up, the couple’s dream for an allwhite kitchen can ĝÉ ÂÂĀ ° ù ʣ in the form of a ÐÉé ÈÛÐÞ ÞĀ white Blum kitchen. Taking into account the warm-toned °ù°É§ ÞÐÐÈʣ A°¿  decided to zone the spaces using two ĞÐÐްɧ éĀÛ âʢ ú°é È Þ Â é°Â â ¦ÐÞ é ¿°é É É Â°ù°É§ room, and lightúÐÐ é°È Þ âéÞ°Ûâ for the dining and é  ù°â°ÐÉ ÐÉâÐÂ Þ âʨ a é°È Þ ĞÐÐްɧ ÐÞ°§°É ÂÂĀ È °É  ާ â âʣ îé ú Þ îé °ÉéÐ narrower strips to create the illusion of a larger space.
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WHO LIVES HERE
A couple and their two adult children H OME Three-storey cluster terrace at The Shaughnessy SIZE 1,300sqf
KEEP IT CLEAN Unlike regular sliding doors, this television console panel has a push mechanism that allows it to be ÐÈÛÂ é ÂĀ Ğîâ with the console wall, once closed. The seamless panelling prevents trapped dust. A pull-out bench for additional seating in the dining area is also part of keeping the design clean and minimalist.
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JUST RIGHT Mikael took a long time to carefully put together this built-in sofa, which is undoubtedly the highlight of the Japaneseinspired living room. To achieve the architectural silhouette he had in mind, he gave it a slim and minimalist form. Brass strips and steel leg caps give it some glimmer, while downlights and a light box in the alcove illuminate any art pieces sitting against the timber wall. 80
“WE PAIRED THE CUSTOMISED SOFA WITH A CONDE HOUSE COFFEE TABLE. IT HAS THE SAME VISUAL LANGUAGE — FROM ITS COLOUR TO THE FRUIT TRAY MADE OUT OF WOOD STRIPS — AS THE LIVING ROOM.” – MIKAEL TEH, MONOCOT STUDIO
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T H E DA R K A B OV E Minor changes can make a big °đ Þ É ʨ "ÐÞ é son’s bedroom, Mikael jazzed up é âÛ ú°é luxurious suede fabric headboard, as ú  â îâéÐÈ°â ÐÉĀÿ âéÐÉ ʌÂÐп â° é  ʨ â ¦ÐÞ é éÞÐÐÈʣ É âĀ ú Ā éÐ È ¿ space look brand É ú °â éÐ Þ Û â É°é ÞĀ ĝéé°É§âʨ a É ú âÐú Þ É é Ûâ glamorous sheen éÐ é éÞÐÐÈʣ É é Ā È é é  ú  §â Ц é ééî ʣ éÐÐʨ
POLES A PA R T a ˏȽȼȼʣȼȼȼ Û Þé° Â Þ ÉÐù é°ÐÉ °É Âî úÐÞ¿â ÐÉ °É é â È Ééʣ °ù°É§ ÞÐÐÈʣ ¿°é É and dining areas, â ú  â âÐÉʙâ ÞÐÐÈʨ a  éé Þ ¦ éîÞ â É ÐÛ É §Â ââʌú Þ ÞÐ ú°é ÛРâĀâé Èʨ fÉ°¿ é °§é ÐÂÐîÞ Û Â éé ÐÉ é §ÞÐîÉ Â ù Âʣ é âÐÉʙâ ÞÐÐÈ remains an edgy and Þ¿ âÛ ʨ 82
M AT E R I A L M AT T E R S “As clothing may damage wood over time through ĝɧʣ , ÐÛé ¦ÐÞ Þ ââ ĝÉ°â on the dining settee. Brass is more durable than é°È Þ ù É Þʣʗ shares Mikael.
photography ANGELA GUO art direction KAFFY TAN
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BE LOW Everything has a dual function so as to make the most of a small space. The coffee table can be converted into a dining table, while the sofa serves a triple purpose, including as a dining banquette and a sofa bed. OPPOSITE Nothing was left to chance. Much thought went into the placement and choice of every element in the home.
TOP FORM National rower Oz Titus Hong devotes the same passion and precision to the design of his bachelor pad as he does to his sport. LYNN TAN °â Ðù Þâ ú é ĞÐ éâ °â Ð éʨ
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A DIY mirror feature creates an interesting visual element near the entrance foyer. OPPOSITE, TO P The multitalented national rower is also very creative; he likes to work on Peranakan beading during his spare time. B ELOW Even mundane drawer knobs become interesting when they take the form of plum blossoms.
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WHO LIVES HERE
A national rower H OM E A one-bedroom (formerly two-bedroom) condominium apartment in Tanjong Rhu S IZE 570sqf
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EA Games bronze medallist and model Oz Titus Hong’s apartment is located a stone’s throw away from Singapore Sports Hub where he trains. The multi-talented athlete had been trained as an interior architect and used to specialise in hospitality design. He may have swopped his design wand for oars, but he relished the opportunity to be creative when crafting his own living space. “I tried to infuse my home with bespoke, understated luxury, through the use of materials and all the little details and personal touches,” says Oz, not unlike the way he gave character to the numerous luxury hotels that he worked on in the past.
LAYER YOUR WAY TO MORE SPACE
Perhaps it has to do with his personality, or maybe it’s attributable to his background in design and his training as an athlete, but Oz admits to being very particular about the organisation, layering and framing of spaces. “I believe that these add depth to an interior, especially for small spaces,” he says. ) â Ûî é°â Ðđʣ framing the entrance portal and the threshold between the living room and the more private study and bedroom areas, as well as introducing screens to create a choreographed sequence of layers as you move through the apartment. It may be a modest 570 sq ft, but this layering gives 87
This shelf conceals the household shelter. When swung open 90 degrees, it becomes a partition that screens off the bedroom and bathroom.
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The bedroom has a pastel colour palette. Hand-painted silk wallpaper from Just Anthony, porcelain garden stools used as bedside tables and lamps from Ikea have been artfully put together to achieve a tasteful look.
A VARIATION ON THE PLUM BLOSSOM MOTIF TO ACCOMMODATE DOUBLE LEAF DOORS.
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Oz is also very meticulous when it comes to ensuring that every element in the apartment lines up neatly and follows a datum, which is determined by a horizontal line that is 900mm Ðù é ĝÉ°â ĞÐÐÞ Â ù Âʨ This reference point controls the height of the kitchen counter and is even expressed on the veneer-clad walls and doors, where the wood grain above and below the datum line are aligned vertically and horizontally respectively. This seemingly small detail goes a long way in making the home more comfortable, visually.
that is a historical, cultural and architectural landmark in Penang. Oz painted the wall himself and the deliberate paint drips add texture and give the wall a rustic feel. A Chinese element that Oz incorporated into the interior design is the plum blossom, a recurring motif that serves to tie the various spaces together. The corners of a customised sideboard in the entrance foyer are shaped like plum blossoms, similar to that found on the lattice work of the study room screens. The gold knobs for doors, cabinets and drawers are shaped like plum blossoms, and even the living room and bedroom curtains have plum blossom patterns on them.
CULTURAL SHOWCASE
SMALL, BUT SMART
WITH A MODERN TOUCH
ʖ âÈ Â âÛ ÂâÐ É â éÐ be a smart space, such that everything serves a dual purpose,” Oz points out. From a breakfast table that folds out from the side of the kitchen ÐîÉé Þ éÐ Ðđ é  é é can transform into a dining table for six, he has devoted much thought into the multiple functions that every object serves so as to maximise the use of space. The most ingenious contraption has to be the movable wall/door/shelf all rolled into one. Concealing the household shelter, it appears to be just a regular built-in, full-height shelf. It opens up to reveal the household shelter, but swing it 90 degrees, and it becomes a door that partitions Ðđ é ÞÐÐÈ ¦ÞÐÈ é Þ âé Ц the apartment.
the impression of a much larger space. IT ALL MATCHES UP
a ÐÈ ʙâ S Þ É ¿ É °ÉĞî É is a nod to Oz’s Peranakan roots, but with a modern take. The most prominent Peranakan reference is the study, which was converted from one of the original bedrooms. Two of the existing walls were hacked and replaced by timber screens. The screens adjacent to the living room are movable, while the panel facing the ÐÞÞ° ÐÞ °â ĝÿ ʨ ʖa  â ÐÛ° sliding panels require more depth allowance, which will encroach upon the corridor circulation,” he explains. One wall in the study has been painted a shade of violet blue that is reminiscent of the colour of Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, more commonly known as The Blue Mansion, a Unesco World Heritage Site
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LE FT These full-height screens set the oriental tone of the apartment, and creates privacy for the study room when desired. OPPOSI TE , AB OVE The study is also where Oz displays his collection of antique Peranakan porcelain jars, also known as chupu. BELOW A compact breakfast table folds out from the side of the kitchen island.
photography VEE CHIN art direction NONIE CHEN
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A black-andwhite ooring and pendant lamps give the kitchen a Parisian atmosphere. Desmond kept the kitchen cabinets but changed the rather damaged countertop to a quartz top.
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DIY DESIGNER ELIZA HAMIZAH ĝÉ â Ðîé ÈÐÞ Ðîé é°â
Û ÞéÈ Éé ú°é É HÞ° Éé Âʌ îÞÐÛ É âéĀ ʣ ú° ú â â°§É Ā é ÐÈ ÐúÉ Þ °Èâ ¦ʨ
WHO LIVES HERE
A couple and their two daughters in their 20s HOME Three-bedroom condominium apartment in Loyang SIZE 1,873sqf
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“My wife has a large handbag collection and her wardrobe is too full, so I chose those with tapestry and vibrant prints (that match our theme) for display,” says Desmond. OPPOSITE A lot of Desmond’s furniture was bought online. The Chesterfield sofa was shipped from the United States and set him back $6,000, while the rug is from Amazon and cost $600. He often shops on online site Taobao, too. OPPOSITE, B OT TOM Ever the salvager, Desmond can turn anything into a display piece. This school project, done by one of his daughters, is placed on a makeshift pedestal.
D ”I SPEND SO MUCH TIME ON DIY-ING, MY WIFE JOKES THAT THE TIME IS BETTER SPENT ON HOUSEWORK INSTEAD!” SAYS DESMOND, WITH A LAUGH.
esmond Leong is a jack of all trades. He not only runs Thelonius Interior Concept & Design, but is also the main contractor for other design firms. At home, he is the handyman of the house, upcycling bits of furniture in his spare time. For his home renovation, Desmond naturally retained elements that were in fairly good condition – such as the television console and kitchen cabinets – so he could modify them. To give the home a more European look, he Þ ââʌĝÉ°â É Â â to the kitchen cabinets, and °Éâé  Þްɧ ÐÉ ĞÐÐÞâ in the bedrooms. The balcony features diamond shaped tiles, as well as powdercoated steel folding doors. There is an oriental touch to the space, too. To bridge the two themes, he relied on colour. Black and white tiles “give a colonial and French look”, while teal – a hue often used on antique, Eastern-style furniture – was his primary choice of colour. He paired this with both antique and modern furniture to stay true to the overall aesthetic, while keeping the space vibrant. r ĝÉ Ðîé ÈÐÞ Ðîé é°â $130,000 transformation ( for renovation and furniture).
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Q
WHAT INSPIRED THE DESIGN OF YOUR HOME?
r ʙù °ù °É È ÉĀ °đ Þ Éé ÐÈ â ú°é °đ Þ Éé âéĀ âʣ îé ÐîÞ Þ Éé éÞ°Ûâ éÐ ;ÐÉ ÐÉ É S Þ°âʣ ú Þ ÈĀ î§é Þâ âéî ° â°§É É ¦ â°ÐÉ Þ âÛ é°ù ÂĀʣ °ÉâÛ°Þ îÞÐÛ É éú°âé °É ÐîÞ ÐÈ â°§É ʋ "Þ É ʣ °É Û Þé° î Þʨ r °¿ é ÐÞ° Éé  ÂÐпʣ éÐÐʣ É ú ʙù °É Âî ÉîÈ Þ Ð¦ Û° â ¦ÞÐÈ ÐîÞ ÛÞ ù°Ðîâ ÐÈ âʨ
Q
WE SEE THAT YOU ARE QUITE HANDS-ON WITH
ACCESSORISING. WHY?
ZÐÈ é°È âʣ , ¦ Â é ¦îÞÉ°éîÞ ú ù °â °é Þ éÐÐ ÐÉé ÈÛÐÞ ÞĀ ÐÞ Û °Éʣ âÐ ,ʙ ÐÞ Þ Þ ââ ÐÞ é ¿â É ÐÞÉ Þ Ûâ éÐ É É é Èʨ , úÐî ÂâÐ îĀ Þްɧâ É é ââ Ââ ¦ÞÐÈ °É éÐúÉ éРɧ é °Éé Þ âé°É§ Û â âî â ÐÉ é É Â° Þʣ  ÈÛ Ð Þâ É ú Þ ÞÐ É Â âʮ é°â Þ é â É ÐÞ° Éé  ÂÐпʨ V ÉéÂĀʣ , Û °Éé  ¿ ÐÞ Þâ ÞÐîÉ é Û °Éé°É§â ú ù ÐÉ é ú ÂÂâʨ a â ¦Þ È é È éé Þʨ
Q
YOU ACOUSTICALLY TREATED THE
ENTERTAINMENT ROOM BY YOURSELF. TELL US ABOUT THAT.
, È É î °ÐÛ°Â É Ð éÐÞʣ É ÈĀ °Éé Þ âéâ âÛ É ÈîⰠ°¿ ÞÐ ¿ É ¼ ąą éÐ ÂîʌÞ Ā ÈÐù° âʨ â °é °â ÂÈÐâé °ÈÛÐââ° Â éÐ âÐîÉ ÛÞÐЦ ÞÐÐÈ °É Ðîâ ʋ îÉ ââ ĀÐî ù ÈÐÉ Ā É âÛ éÐ âÛ Þ ʋ , ù Ðîâé° ÂÂĀ éÞ é é°â ÞÐÐÈ â âé â , Ðî ʨ AĀ ú°É Ðú °â Ðî  §Â ą ʣ îé , ù â  °é ʂ É é Þ âé Ц é ú ÂÂâʃ ú°é È°É Þ Â úÐÐÂʣ â ú  â éúÐʌ°É é°È Þ Û É Âʨ ,ʙù é âé °éʮ ĀÐî Éʙé Þ ÉĀé°É§ ÐÉ é ĝÞâé ĞÐÐÞ É é Þ ù É ÉÐ ÐÈÛ °Ééâ âÐ ¦ Þʨ , ù ÂâÐ îâ âéĀÞÐ¦Ð È î â éÐ Þ é É îÉ ù É âîÞ¦ ÐÉ é °Â°É§ʨ a°â °â âÐ ĀÐî ÐÉʙé § é Èî Ц âÐîÉ Þ Ğ é°ÐÉ é é ú°Â °âéÐÞé é Èîâ° ʨ 96
Desmond’s entertainment room has two sound systems: one for movies, another for music. The audiophile sheepishly confesses that he cannot keep track of his CDs, and has many versions and copies of the same album.
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A BOV E Teal-coloured laminates and brass handles from Taobao clad the orientalstyle wardrobe and television console in the master bedroom.
OPPOSITE The master bathroom was previously dark and cramped. Desmond transformed it into a chic and airy space by removing the bathtub and opting for black and white tiles.
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WHAT TIPS DO YOU HAVE FOR HOMEOWNERS
WHO WANT TO DESIGN A HOME ON THEIR OWN?
An element may not look outstanding on its own, so you have to mix and match well. For instance, my wife initially did not like the teal laminate for the master bedroom console.
However, after I paired it with brass handles and designed the wardrobe, she is impressed with the outcome. And with upcycled or antique ¦îÞÉ°éîÞ ʣ °é °â  Ðîé ĝÉ °É§ the right spots and proportion. I îâî ÂÂĀ éÞĀ ú°é đÐÞ Â °é Èâʮ °¦ something doesn’t work out, at least it can be changed without denting your wallet.
photography VERONICA TAY art direction KAFFY TAN
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F E AT U R E
SPACE INNOVATORS â °ù°É§ âÛ â °É îÞ É°â Þ â ÐÈ ù Þ ÈÐÞ Þ âéÞ° é ʣ ÐÈ ÐúÉ Þâ Þ ÂÐп°É§ ¦ÐÞ Â ù Þ ú Āâ éÐ È ¿ âÈ Â ÐÈ ¦  °éé  ާ Þʨ )ÐÈ ˸ ÐÞ âÛ ¿â éÐ âÐÈ Ð¦ é °É îâéÞĀʙâ  °É§ ÛÞЦ ââ°ÐÉ Ââ éÐ ĝÉ Ðîé ¼îâé Ðú éÐ â ù âÛ ʣ ú°Â ÉÐé ÐÈÛÞÐÈ°â°É§ ÐÉ âéĀ ʨ
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s any homeowner will testify, â°ą È éé Þâʨ "ÞÐÈ ĞÐÐÞ space to how a room “feels”, achieving an environment that is spacious and harmonious is a priority, especially in our spacerestricted times. But creating such a home is less about square footage and more about clever design. With a little expert guidance from some of our favourite interior designers, even the daintiest of dwellings can feel positively palatial.
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S TA R T W I T H T H E F LO O R P L A N
Before considering the decor, úÐÞ¿ ÐÉ é ĞÐÐÞ ÛÂ É ú Þ ÛÐââ° Â ʋ ú°é é °È Ð¦ Þ é°É§ É ÐÛ Éʣ Ğî° âÛ ʨ ʖAÐù ÉĀ îé°Â°éĀ ÐÞ âéÐÞ § ÞÐÐÈâ éÐ é Û Þ°È é Þ Ð¦ ĀÐîÞ ÐÈ éÐ ° ù â°É§Â ʣ ÐÛ Éʣ ÉéÞ Â Þ ÐÈÈ ÉâîÞ é ú°é é ÛÞÐÛÐÞé°ÐÉâ ¦ÐîÉ °É  ާ Þ
Û ÞéÈ Ééâʣʗ ù°â â ZĀ É Āʌ â °Éé Þ°ÐÞ â°§É Þ B° Рâ #îÞÉ Āʣ úÐ °â Þ ÉÐúÉ ¦ÐÞ °â â¿°ÂÂâ ú É °é ÐÈ â éÐ éÞ Éâ¦ÐÞȰɧ âÈ Â âÛ âʨ ,¦ âé Þé°É§ ¦ÞÐÈ â Þ é °âÉʙé É ÐÛé°ÐÉʣ ÐÉâ° Þ Þ ÈÐù°É§ ÉĀ îÉÉ ââ ÞĀ ú ÂÂâʣ °É ÐÞ Þ éÐ Þ é â°È°Â Þ ¦ °ɧ Ц °Þ°É ââʨ
“MURPHY BEDS AND FOLDING OR EXTENSION TABLES ARE READILY AVAILABLE AND ARE A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE SOLUTION – ADD THEM TO THE ROOM WHEN YOU NEED THEM AND SUBTRACT THEM WHEN YOU DON’T!” – SYDNEY-BASED INTERIOR DESIGNER NICHOLAS GURNEY
A D D A N D S U B T R AC T
When Nicholas works on a small-scale project, he likes to use a method he calls “add and subtract”. He says: “Murphy beds and folding or extension tables are readily available and are a highly đ é°ù âÐÂîé°ÐÉ ʋ é È to the room when you need them and subtract them when you don’t!” Likewise, a butcher’s block on wheels is a nifty extra work surface that can be moved out of sight when not needed.
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C O LO U R I T B E A U T I F U L
While a soft neutral scheme is usually suggested to make a space appear larger, it isn’t necessarily to everybody’s taste. “If what you love is big, bright and bold, then don’t be afraid to show it – no matter how small the rooms may be,” says Nikki Hunt of Design Intervention. “When faced with decorating tiny rooms, it can be tempting to play it safe but colour and pattern can actually make those small rooms fun and inviting. With so much to see, the boundaries will blur.” Mix prints, shades, textures and trinkets for a home so full of personality, you won’t notice its size.
“IF WHAT YOU LOVE IS BIG, BRIGHT AND BOLD, THEN DON’T BE AFRAID TO SHOW IT – NO MATTER HOW SMALL THE ROOMS MAY BE.” – NIKKI HUNT OF DESIGN INTERVENTION
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REVEAL AND CONCEAL
Storage space is often an issue, but there are plenty of ways to increase the functionality of large furniture items to deal with this. Bu Shukun of Architology is a master of disguise, creating bespoke pieces that work twice, if not
three times, as hard. “We created a kitchen island that is a stove, dining table and TV console all at the same time. The layering of functions allows the limited space to have multiple dimensions,” he says of a project his team worked on.
“WE CREATED A KITCHEN ISLAND THAT IS A STOVE, DINING TABLE AND TV CONSOLE ALL AT THE SAME TIME.” – BU SHUKUN OF ARCHITOLOGY
U N I F Y YO U R C O LO U R PA L E T T E
ʖ îÉ°ĝ ÐÂÐîÞ Û Â éé that runs throughout the house will help it feel larger as it decreases visual noise,” explains Caroline Chin-Geyler of Arete Culture, which creates bespoke interiors and furniture for its Singapore clientele. “I like to use predominantly neutral palettes in small homes â °é È ¿ â é âÛ é° Â ĞÐú feel less ‘choppy’.” Adopting a scheme in clean, soft shades such as taupe, mushroom or beige will also enhance light, naturally amplifying the space of a room or a home. Consider this particularly in areas such as corridors or windowless éÞÐÐÈâʣ ú° ú°ÂÂ É ĝé greatly from a lick of fresh, uplifting paint.
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L I G H T E N T H E ‘ LOA D ’
“ADD LASHINGS OF REFLECTIVE MATERIALS SUCH AS GLASS AND ACRYLIC TO LIGHTEN THE MOOD.” – JEREMY TAY OF PRESTIGE GLOBAL DESIGN
C U S TO M I S E , C U S T O M I S E , C U S TO M I S E
The illusion of space is actually down to proportions and ensuring that all of the items within a room interact seamlessly with one another – a giant sofa in a small living room, for example, will visually swamp it, so consider îâéÐÈ°â°É§ ¦îÞÉ°éîÞ éÐ ĝéʨ “Instead of buying a smallerscale piece, a custom-made âЦ ú°Â ÉÐé ÐÉÂĀ ĝé âÛ ʣ îé will also remain comfortable, because you can maintain the depth while altering the length,” explains Jeremy.
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Heavy materials and fabrics will immediately weigh a room down, so look at alternatives for some of the larger items of furniture, and play around with soft furnishings and accessories. “Add lashings of Þ Ğ é°ù È é Þ° Ââ âî â glass and acrylic to lighten the mood,” suggests Jeremy Tay of Prestige Global Design. Trading a solid teak table for a more whimsical, glass-topped one will immediately give the illusion of a larger space, as would replacing heavy drapes with sheers and swopping shaggy rugs for low-pile ones.
R E F L E C T N AT U R A L LIGHT
Mirrors are the go-to trick for any interior designer looking to create depth and space. Nina Beale of Bungalow 55 likes to arrange three long mirrors along the back wall in a dining room to make it feel grander. It also creates a point of interest on an otherwise blank canvas and is a fresh alternative to a piece of art.
“VERSATILE PIECES OF FURNITURE SUCH AS CERAMIC STOOLS OR UPHOLSTERED OTTOMANS CAN BE USED AS ADDITIONAL SEATING OR SERVERS WHEN ENTERTAINING.” – NINA BEALE OF BUNGALOW 55
THINK OUTSIDE T H E B OX
Instead of trying to cram “traditional” furniture into a space, consider whether you really need it or if there might be a more optically pleasing option. Sideboards and seating can often clutter a space unnecessarily but, if you feel that they serve a vital purpose, look at other ways that you might be able to achieve the same result. “Versatile pieces of furniture such as ceramic stools or upholstered ottomans can be used as additional seating or servers when entertaining,” suggests Nina.
R E M OV E U N N E C E S S A R Y DOORS
While bedroom and bathroom doors are mandatory, consider removing those that aren’t, and leave a statement door frame instead. Alternatively, sliding doors do the job just as well, and are completely unobtrusive. “Sliding doors built into walls leave you with more wall space,” says Nina aÐÂâéÞîÛ Ð¦ˈ É°â âÈ ÂÂʌâ  design experts Studiomama.
text POLLY SWEET
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F E AT U R E S
20 IDEAS FOR THE PERFECT WALK-IN WARDROBE Such closet spaces have become a sought-after addition for the home, partly because they help to turn the hassle of getting ready in the mornings into a pleasant experience. Here are some tips for designing a personal dressing room that doesn’t compromise on function, comfort and aesthetics.
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DON’T BE AFRAID OF C O LO U R When creating your perfect walk-in wardrobe, don’t forget colour. It is a good way to shape a personal space and create a specific atmosphere, whether it is energising, chic, feminine or masculine. You can add colour in the form of a chair or by painting a wall, and change the former from time to time to make it feel like a new space. All colours work when it comes to a wardrobe.
design MUSEUM ID
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TIP V È È Þ éÐ §°ù ĀÐîÞ Þîė Þ ââ âʣ â¿°Þéâ É Â° é é ÿé°Â â ÉÐî§ âÛ ÐÉ é Þ ¿ʣ éÐ ÛÞ ù Éé é È ¦ÞÐÈ § éé°É§ úÞ°É¿Â ʨ
design GANNA DESIGN
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°É°é° Âˈâé Û °É Ⱗɰɧ é Û Þ¦ é ú Þ ÞÐ °â éÐ â¿ °¦ ĀÐî ú Éé °é ÐÛ É ÐÞ ÂÐâ ʣ â Āâ Zîâ É 9ÉЦʣ ¦ÐîÉ Þ Ð¦ 9ÉЦ â°§Éʨ ʖ,é °â ÐÈÛ é ÂĀ Û ÞâÐÉ Â ÛÞ ¦ Þ É ʮ âÐÈ Û ÐÛ °¿ éÐ â ÂÂ é °Þ ÂÐé â é ÐÉ ʣ ú°Â Ðé Þâ °¿ é È É éÂĀ éî ¿ ú Āʨ "ÐÞ È ʣ ÂéĀ Â É Ð¦ Ðé °â âéʥ a Éʣ °é °â é°È éÐ ÐÉâ° Þ ù ÞĀ  âé é °Âʣ ¦ÞÐÈ Ð éâ É ÂÐɧ Þ ââ â ÐúÉ éÐ âÐ â É ¼ ú  ÞĀʨʗ ZÐÈ Â È Ééâ éÐ ¿ Û °É È°É ʋ ÐÐâ ĝÉ°â â ĀÐî ÂÐù ʮ ÐÞ§ É°â ÂÐé â É ââÐÞ° â Ā ÐÂÐîÞ ÐÞ â°ą ʮ É È ¿ é ÈÐâé Ц ù Þé° Â âéÐÞ § âÛ ʨ ÉÉ 9ÞÐ ââ Þˈ É È Â° ZéÞ é Ц B ú xÐÞ¿ °Éé Þ°ÐÞ â°§É ĝÞÈ )ÐÈ Ûаâ Þ ÐÈÈ É °ÂÂîÈ°É é°É§ é ú Þ ÞÐ ʨ ÐÞ °É§ éÐ é îÐʣ é Þ Þ Û éÐÞ Ð¦ ÂÐâ é °§é°É§ ÐÛé°ÐÉâʣ ʖ¦ÞÐÈ Â°§é ; ÂÐâ é ÞÐ â ¦ÐÞ ÈÐÞ îâéÐÈ ÂÐâ éâ éÐ ÈÐé°ÐÉʌ é°ù é ; °§éâ ĀÐî É ÛÐÛ ÐÉ é ú  ÐÞ é îÉ ÞⰠЦ â Âù°É§ ¦ÐÞ Â ââ îâéÐÈ â°éî é°ÐÉâʗʨ ˈ ; éʙâ § é °ÉâÛ°Þ ʥ
C R E AT E A B O U T I Q U E S T Y L E C LO S E T The young couple who live in this 76 sq m apartment asked Ganna Design to help create a home that would feel like a boutique hotel. So, for the walk-in closet, the interior designers installed several functional clothes rails with pure lines and dark tones, creating an elegant atmosphere where every garment becomes part of the decor.
MAXIMISE EVERY CENTIMETRE Today, and especially in big cities, we are used to living in small spaces. That doesn’t mean that you need to give up all your belongings; rather, it encourages making the most of every centimetre. A good example is what the duo behind Humbert & Poyet did for the rooms of boutique hotel The Hoxton, Paris. Every corner is a possible storage area and can be transformed into a customised drawer, shelf or box. Folding your clothes properly will also help to maximise any available space.
design THE HOXTON, PARIS, BY HUMBERT & POYET
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“SOME PEOPLE LIKE TO SEE ALL THEIR CLOTHES AT ONCE, WHILE OTHERS LIKE THEM NEATLY TUCKED AWAY.” – SUSAN KNOF OF KNOF DESIGN
4 design HAO DESIGN
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I N S TA L L S L I D I N G D O O R S In this 165 sq m apartment in Pingtung City, Taiwan, Hao Design placed the walk-in wardrobe behind sliding doors, allowing the owners to separate or connect the space to the bedroom, according to their preferences. “Usually, walk-in wardrobes are not big, so we decided to use materials that make people feel less oppressed in a small space,” explains the team. The colour of the walls is in a darker tone than the rest of the bedroom, in order to create visual contrast between the areas.
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design GKATHRYN IVEY INTERIORS
SHAPE A GLAMOROUS REFUGE “Your personal closet is a space that should not be overlooked and designed only for function but, rather, it should be made an extension of your bedroom – and given the attention it deserves!” says Kathryn Ivey, founder of Kathryn Ivey Interiors. “I designed the layout of the closet keeping the function of utmost importance, but we added beautiful wallpaper and plush carpet, and used Lucite rods, mirrors and crystal lighting to add a bit of glamour,” the designer says about this project located in Maryland, United States. “I wanted my client to feel like she was shopping in her own closet!”
TIP Opt for earthcoloured tones if you’re going for a more feminine look, while dark wood and a grey palette are more suitable for a masculine look.
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design DAWSON DESIGN GROUP
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S TO R E YO U R M O S T U S E D C LOT H E S AT E Y E L E V E L Your most-used items should be placed in your line of sight for easy access and more clarity. Put less-used items below and the least-used items up high. The front and middle of your closet should be dedicated to the clothes you wear the most, while other parts can be used to store out-of-season clothing or occasional garments such as evening dresses, swimsuits or clothes for holidays abroad.
design HOMEPOLISH
I N S TA L L WA L L R AC K S AND HANGERS To achieve efficiency, any walkin wardrobe should have wall racks and hangers. Among the questions you have to ask is the number needed, and the height of the racks. You can group clothes of similar size or from the same season together. Try to evaluate beforehand the amount of space required. It doesn’t have to be big. Finding a way to hang your clothes strategically is key to orderliness.
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design KNOF DESIGN
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design SFA DESIGN
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ADD A MIRROR FOR A SENSE OF DEPTH According to interior designer Jesse Turek of Homepolish, the ideal walk-in wardrobe includes “a large, full-length mirror, installed flat on the wall, and placed properly within the space so that you can see your full look, head to toe”. If you don’t have enough space for a large mirror, a smaller one works, too. It will reflect light and give a sense of depth, as seen in this New York project designed by Louisa Guy Roeder of Homepolish, and adorned with a Cedar and Moss light fixture.
I N C L U D E A S E AT I N G AREA “I love allocating a ‘special area’ to store intimates and jewellery, and to put on all the final touches: perfume, makeup and accessories,” says Susan Knof of Knof Design. “In this penthouse in Sofia, Bulgaria, a small vanity area was integrated with the full-height grey oak-veneered wardrobe. It is neatly situated between a concealed wardrobe area and flush with the adjacent full-height shoe cupboard, allowing for a seamless final look, while making clever use of the entire space.”
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E N S U R E S TO R AG E F O R F O OT W E A R Says Susan Knof of Knof Design: “Oftentimes, the shoes are the last to be considered when styling the perfect outfit... I believe having a clean, eyelevel view of all your strappy heels and beautiful boots is key. In our recent Kensington Townhouse project, we created a floor-to-ceiling shoe storage area on pull-out rolling hinges, to allow for double-depth storage. Putting on a sexy pair of heels makes you feel amazing and choosing the right one should feel just as good.”
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U S E B E AU T I F U L L I G H T FIXTURES In their Hong Kong apartment that doubles as a showroom, the founders of Lim + Lu created a flexible space with a stylish chandelier. “We decided to use retail elements in a home setting, as shops have always been inspired by homes,” says Elaine Lu. “So we thought, ‘Why can’t we flip it the other way around?’” Fresh and sophisticated, this walk-in closet features rich pastels and dark jewel tones combined with patterned ceramic tiles.
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C O M B I N E S T O R AG E U N I T S FOR DIFFERENT NEEDS In this Montreal home, the spacious walk-in closet – separated from the bedroom by an oak sliding door – includes made-to-measure furniture from floor to ceiling, with storage units of different sizes and shapes. Clothes, shoes, bags and accessories all occupy specific areas according to their volume. Jesse Turek of Homepolish recommends taking inventory of what you have, to determine the number of shelves and hanging spaces.
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design HOMEPOLISH
design GANNA DESIGN
GET ORGANISED AND DECLUTTER According to the Kroesser & Strat team from Homepolish, it is essential to plan ahead for specific storage – a short hanging space for shirts and folded pants; long hanging for dresses and coats; storage for folded garments; plus space for shoes and accessories. “And we always include a safe, hidden on an out-ofthe-way shelf,” they say. In this Taiwan apartment, Ganna Design created an organised wardrobe to fit items in an effective way, creating an uncluttered bedroom.
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design NEWSAM CONSTRUCTION AND CATLIN STOTHERS DESIGN
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Manage your wardrobe by keeping to this rule: For every new item you buy, give or throw away something of the same size or type.
FOCUS ON LIGHT “It is important to install the proper amount of lighting so that you can see all your clothing, especially in the evenings,” says Jesse Turek of Homepolish. “I recommend layering light. It’s ideal to have recessed lighting, a pendant or chandelier to add some drama and, if possible, lighting above the clothes hanging areas. Also, don’t forget drawers for jewellery and accessories, and perhaps a hamper. Another thing I would suggest is a large counter surface so that you can lay out outfits.”
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S T Y L E T H E S PAC E In her London home, renowned designer Kelly Hoppen designed a dream walk-in wardrobe – which also acts as a sanctuary – filled with vintage clothes that she has collected over the years. Decorated with black-andwhite photographs, pendant lamps and a triple-sided mirror, the space is furnished with two warm taupe vintage chairs and two sculptural stools by India Mahdavi, which are used as side tables.
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design KELLY HOPPEN INTERIORS
G I V E E N O U G H S PAC E F O R AC C E S S O R I E S Influenced by Milanese design, this Toronto home designed by Audax includes a rich palette of materials. In the walk-in closet, which features an island for jewellery display, satin-finish brass handles add a touch of preciousness. It is always crucial to not only consider the amount of clothes and shoes you have, but also to take into account the space you need for accessories such as sunglasses, jewellery, belts and ties. Drawer dividers can help to keep things well organised.
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IN HER LONDON HOME, RENOWNED DESIGNER KELLY HOPPEN DESIGNED A DREAM WALK-IN WARDROBE – WHICH ALSO ACTS AS A SANCTUARY – FILLED WITH VINTAGE CLOTHES THAT SHE HAS COLLECTED OVER THE YEARS.
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S H OW O F F YO U R C LOT H E S A N D S H O E S In Paris, SC Edition (by Stephanie Coutas) designed this sumptuous closet structure with white ebony shelves and drawers in a high glossy finish, paired with gold rods in polished brass. The Eclat wallpaper by Elitis, bespoke mirrors and custom carpet designed by SC Edition in collaboration with Ferreira de Sa help to create a bright and glamorous walk-in wardrobe where every piece of clothing, bag and pair of shoes is elegantly on display.
KEEP IT MINIMALIST In Galicia, Spain, stylist and interior designer Gaila Gonzales from Egue y Seta shaped her 85 sq m urban refuge. According to Gonzales, this home, “far from looking like a museum, is rather the result of a constant but playful ‘beauty hunting’ through bazaars, antique markets and vintage shops around the world”. However, for her walk-in closet, Gaila chose a minimalist look with soft colours and a few items, in order to provide a feeling of peace and relaxation.
design SPAIN PROJECT BY EGUE Y SETA
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T R E AT YO U R WA R D R O B E LIKE A ROOM “Our client wanted an oasis within her home, a space that was her own to relax in, and enjoy getting dressed,” says the Kroesser & Strat team from Homepolish. “We took a guest room and turned it into her dressing room. We played up the cosy factor with a textured, tufted area rug, layered in beautiful blush-tone sheepskins, and included a velvet ottoman to give it a feminine vibe... The brass Sarah Sherman Samuel half-moon pulls were the perfect pop against the rest of the calmer, more feminine tones.”
design SC EDITION
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C O LO U R - C O D E YO U R WA R D R O B E Colour-coding your wardrobe will help save time every morning when choosing your clothes, shoes and accessories, as well as when returning home to store the items used during the day. In addition to being functional, this quick and easy system also adds a pleasant aesthetic. Several coding options exist, such as the rainbow and the light-to-dark methods. For multi-coloured items, just pick the dominant tone to determine where to place them.
text KARINE MONIE
design HOMEPOLISH
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PROPE R T Y
NEW CONDO HOTSPOTS With condominium developments being launched all over the island, it seems to be an opportune time to consider purchasing one for investment or upgrading. Here are four condo projects in the four corners of Singapore that are generating serious buzz.
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N O R T H WAV E E X E C U T I V E C O N D O M I N I U M WHERE: Between Admiralty, Woodlands, Sembawang and Yishun
This freshly completed executive condominium located along Gambas Avenue °â đÐÞ ÂĀ ÛÞ° ¦ÐÞ upgraders looking for good value. Developed by Hao Yuan Investment, it comprises six ȽɂʌâéÐÞ Ā éÐú Þâ Ðđ ްɧ ȿɁɄ units made up of two-, three-, ¦ÐîÞʌ É ĝù ʌ ÞÐÐÈ apartments, as well as six penthouses. The big draw at this EC is its practical  ĀÐîéʨ Z°ą â âé Þé ¦ÞÐÈ ɂɃɄ âÝ ¦é ¦ÐÞ éúÐʌ Þ éÐ ȽʣɁɅȿ sq ft for the penthouse. It was launched in 2016 at an đÐÞ Â ù Þ § Ц ˏɃɂȼÛâ¦ʣ éÐî§ ÐÉ ȽʣȽȼɅ âÝ ¦é îÉ°é sold in Nov 2016 went for as ÂÐú â ˏɂɅɁÛâ¦ʣ É ÉÐé Þ unit of the same size peaked é ˏɅɀȽÛ⦠°É î§ ȾȼȽɄʨ é ÛÞ ââ time, almost everything has been sold, with only four units
of three-bedders left. Facilities include a wading pool, jacuzzi, ɁȼÈ âú°ÈȰɧ ÛÐÐÂʣ Þ î pavilion, skate park, basketball ʯ¦îéâ  ÐîÞéʣ ĝéÉ ââ § Þ Éʣ hydro-spa pool, gymnasium and badminton court. Located between Admiralty and Sembawang MRT stations – ÐÉÂĀ ȽɁʌÈ°Éîé ú ¿ °é Þ way – Northwave is also close to Seletar Expressway. The upcoming major expressway, the North South Corridor, which will have an adjacent cycle path, will also run behind Northwave. Nearby shopping malls include Northpoint, Sun Plaza, Causeway Point and Sembawang Shopping Centre. Residents are served by schools, such as Greenwood Primary, Sembawang Secondary and Singapore Sports School.
E X E C U T I V E CO N D O M I N I U M AT S U M A N G WA L K WHERE: Punggol
The upcoming EC at Sumang Walk had generated buzz even when it was just a plot of land up for bidding. In 2018, it attracted a bidding war with 17 bids, and the tender ú†â ÂœĂšÂœĂ‰ĂŠĂŽÂ†Ă‚Ă‚Ä€ ĂşĂ?É ‘Ā ; Constellation (a subsidiary of City Developments) and TID Residential (owned by TID Pte ;ĂŠÂ˜Ęƒ †Ê ĂŠÂÂœ ĂşÂĂ?Û۰ɧ Ă˘ĂŽĂˆ Ă?ÂŚ $509.37 million. Experts estimate the launch price at between $1,100 and $1,150psf which, if it really happens, will make this Punggol’s most expensive EC so far when it is completed by 2022-2023. The 99-year leasehold, 297,693 sq ft project is connected by Tampines Expressway and Kallang Paya;ÂœÂ‘Â†Ăž ĂżĂ›ĂžÂœĂ˘Ă˘ĂşÂ†Ä€ ĂŠĂ? ĂŠĂ?úÉ and the rest of Singapore. aÂÂœĂžÂœĘ™ĂžÂœ Ă˘ÂœĂšÂœĂžÂ†Ă‚ ;Va stations nearby and residents will be served by schools
like Punggol Cove Primary School, Horizon Primary ZÂ’ÂĂ?Ă?Ă‚ĘŁ ˜§œÄ?ÂœĂ‚Â˜ Zœ’Ă?Ă‰Â˜Â†ĂžÄ€ĘŁ Greendale Secondary and Pioneer Junior College. Nearby amenities include the picturesque Punggol Reservoir and several shopping malls like Punggol Waterway Point, Rivervale Mall, Hougang Plaza and Punggol Plaza. Word on the street is that there will be 13 blocks of between 10 and 17 storeys, with ɄȞȟ ÎÉ°Êâ Ă?ÂŚ ĂŠÂĂžÂœÂœĘŒ ĂŠĂ? Ä?ĂšÂœĘŒ bedroom units. While details are still sketchy, the developer promises modern facilities like a 50m pool, fully equipped gym and barbecue area, sun deck, children’s playground and Ä?ĂŠĂ‰ÂœĂ˘Ă˘ Â’Ă?ĂžĂ‰ÂœĂžĘ¨ It is the only EC launch in 2019. Punggol is being developed into a mixed-use district for commercial and residential uses and with a business park.
photo 123RF
IT IS THE ONLY EC LAUNCH IN 2019. PUNGGOL IS BEING DEVELOPED INTO A MIXED-USE DISTRICT.
T H E WO O D L E I G H R E S I D E N C E S WHERE: Bidadari estate
The Woodleigh Residences occupies the much-coveted city-fringe location at Bidadari estate, bordered by Upper Serangoon and Upper Aljunied roads. Co-developed by Singapore Press Holdings and Kajima Development, which outbid 11 other contenders with † Ë?ȽʨȽȿȞ ‘°Â°Ă?É Ă?Ä‘ÂœĂžĘŁ Ê°⠰⠆ mixed development containing both residential condominium and retail mall. What caught the eye of top Asian property developers (and, undoubtedly, its future residents) is its sweet spot next to Woodleigh MRT Station. The 99-year leasehold project will host 11 blocks of 11 storeys, with a total of 667 units of two-, three- and four-bedroom units to be ready by 2020. Unit sizes range from 570 sq ft to 1,475 sq ft. Residents can also look forward to many exciting new developments in Bidadari New Town, from a retail mall and a community club to a commercial bridge connecting Bidadari Park
to the bus interchange for greater connectivity. Parents will also be pleased to know that within 1km to 2km are popular schools such as Maris Stella High School, Cedar Primary School, St Andrew’s Village and Stamford American International School – a plus for investors hoping to attract expat families. aĂ?ĂŽĂŠÂœÂ˜ †â Ę–ĂŠÂÂœ Ä?ÞâÊ Â†Ă‰Â˜ only integrated development in Bidadariâ€?, it also boasts a clean Japanese-style design, architecture and construction. Walls are built to be easily removed to expand spaces, with nifty storage spaces built into tight spaces. Residents will also enjoy unblocked views of ¿†đ ;Â†ÂżÂœĘ¨ ;Â†ĂŽĂ‰Â’Â Ă›ĂžÂ°Â’ÂœĂ˘ Â†ĂžÂœ estimated to be above $1,700psf (with some expecting it to be as high as $2,000). Prices may be steep but the connectivity and convenience of living in an integrated development right above an MRT station and The Woodleigh Mall, and so close to the city, are unparalleled. 115
3 ORCHARD BY-T H E - PA R K WHERE: Smack in town
If you’re an uptown girl (or family) who wants to sink roots in the uptown world, the chic 3 Orchard By-The-Park makes for both an eye-catching and investment-savvy choice. This is YTL Land & Development’s Ä?ÞâÊ ÂÎÿÎÞĀ Â’Ă?Ă‰Â˜Ă?ĂˆÂ°Ă‰Â°ĂŽĂˆ in Singapore. They are the same folks behind the awardwinning collection of villas in Sandy Island and Kasara - the Lake, both located in ZÂœĂ‰ĂŠĂ?↠Ă?ĂšÂœĘŽ Ă?ĂŠÂÂœĂž ÂÎÿÎÞĀ projects in Malaysia; and a chain of YTL hotels and resorts around the world. Ę–a°⠰⠆ÂâĂ? ĂŠÂÂœ Ä?ÞâÊ residential development in South-east Asia by the renowned Italian architect and designer Antonio Citterio who holistically designed the architecture, interior and products (including ÂŚĂŽĂžĂ‰Â°ĂŠĂŽĂžÂœ Â†Ă‰Â˜ Ä?ĂżĂŠĂŽĂžÂœĂ˘Ęƒ featured throughout the development,â€? says Joseph Yeoh, vice-president at YTL Land & Development. Citterio is the architect and creative maestro behind the Bulgari
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І§âÂ°Û ÂĂ?ĂŠÂœĂ‚Ă˘ °É A°Â†Éʣ London and Bali, and is also a much sought after furniture Â†Ă‰Â˜ Ä?Êʰɧâ Â˜ÂœĂ˘Â°Â§Ă‰ÂœĂžĘ¨ xĂ?ĂŽ ’†É âÛĂ?ĂŠ °â ĂŽĂ‰Â˜ÂœĂžĂ˘ĂŠÂ†ĂŠÂœÂ˜ ÂÎÿÎÞĀ touches and attention to detail throughout every apartment – for instance, the unique wooden boiserie feature wall in the living room, the customised Arclinea gourmet kitchen, and the door handles and the glass in the shower are designed and Ă˘Ă›ÂœÂ’Â°Ä?’†ÂÂĀ Ă˘ÂœĂ‚ÂœÂ’ĂŠÂœÂ˜ ‘Ā Â°ĂŠĂŠÂœĂžÂ°Ă?ʨ The boutique condominium of 77 freehold apartments in three towers is smack in a âÂĂ?Û۰ɧ ÂÂ†ĂšÂœĂ‰ Â†Ă‰Â˜ Ă‰ÂœĂżĂŠ ĂŠĂ? the Orchard Boulevard MRT Station, which will open in 2021. Facilities include a pool, gym, several spaces such as a gourmet dining and private dining areas and poolside kitchen, and an elegant library Ă‚Ă?ĂŽĂ‰Â§ÂœĘ¨ VÂœĂ‚Â†Ăż Ă?É Â°ĂŠĂŠÂœĂžÂ°Ă?ĘŒ designed furniture, as YTL’s specially trained concierge team serves up complimentary cheeses, crackers, dried fruits and beverages, catered by Jones The Grocer.
One of the project’s most unique selling point is its lush garden. The condominium draws inspiration from nearby Unesco Heritage Site Singapore Botanic Gardens (which, incidentally, is the park referred to the project’s name). xĂ?ĂŽ ’†É Ä?Ă‰Â˜ ĂˆÂ†Ă‰Ä€ Â˜Â°ĂšÂœĂžĂ˘Âœ Û†ÉÊ species here too, which attract a symphony of singing cicadas and birds. 3 Orchard By-TheS†Þ¿ †â Ă›ĂŽĂ‚Ă‚ÂœÂ˜ °É † §Ă?Ă?˜ ĂˆÂ°Ăż of local and foreign buyers, particularly Indonesians and Chinese nationals. Apartments range from roomy 1,066 sq ft two-bedders, to 2,260 sq ÂŚĂŠ ÂŚĂ?ĂŽĂžĘŒÂ‘ÂœÂ˜Â˜ÂœĂžĂ˘ Â†Ă‰Â˜ † Ä?ĂšÂœĘŒ bedroom penthouse, which drew interest both from investors eyeing strong rental yield and home buyers alike, from singles and young couples to bigger families. For a rare freehold project along swanky Orchard Road, prices are considered value for money, averaging at about $3,400psf.
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T R AV E L
ROMANCING THE RYOKAN Conceived in the 18th century, the ryokan represents an exclusive form of rural hospitality based on treating guests as family. With growing interest in heritage architecture, the ryokan – updated with modern amenities – is coming in favour with travellers and design lovers.
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he ryokan has evolved, gone modern and reinvented itself to own an edgy aesthetic glamour, juggling quaint romance with the immediacy of contemporary style. Far from stagnating over time, today’s ryokan is a dynamic, creative space. Japan’s premium new ryokan have audaciously positioned themselves above the destination’s glitziest international five-star hotels. Suave, sometimes even smug, they preside over the upper echelons of design and exclusivity. Here are five modern ryokan worth a visit, on your next trip to the land of the rising sun.
H O S H I N OYA K YO T O Set along a river, on a rind of land wound around Arashiyama’s verdured hills, this heritage villa accessible via boat is a harmony of the old and the new in ryokan style. Heritage walls are unalterable, structurally. But they can be made contemporary with those vibrant, signature Hoshinoya hues sparkling with quartz-like effect. The tatami sofa in the Ku suite is at eye level when you sit in traditional Japanese style (to behold the seasons), but the sofa itself is urbane. Hoary moss-covered stone steps lead to increasingly more modern rooms that follow the river’s meander. Tradition returns in a Zen garden recalling Kyoto’s famous Ryoanji Temple rock garden. The 1848-established Ueyakato Landscape Co, which maintains gardens at Nanzenji and Higashi Honganji temples, is the mind behind the ryokan gardens. Trees are positioned by envisioning how they would look 100 years on. Salon & Bar Kura in Dozou “earthen storehouse” style has traditional Japanese architecture but interiors are spare and smart. The lobby lounge boasts the most splendid feature – creep out through a window onto a terrace strip with low chairs to sip matcha tea as the river, the seasons and eternity roll by. 11-2, Arashiyama Genrokuzancho, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan 616-0007. www.hoshinoya.com/ kyoto/en 119
ZABORIN This British-owned contemporary ryokan is a live-in art gallery with artworks selected and curated by co-owner and creative director Peter Grigg. His own art adorns 15 individually decorated rooms. Vast windows and floor-to-ceiling glass function like tableaux framing the ethereal natural surrounds. The window behind the bar grandly showcases a vista of the looming Mount Yotei amid forested trees while well-positioned windows unveil nature’s great show, as engineer-turned-chef Oshihiro Seno architects culinary showmanship. The windows can also be opened so guests can enjoy a cool breeze. For dessert, you are escorted up to a “living room” from where a sprawl of glass frames an ingeniously lit outdoors. It’s as if, suddenly, you’re in an enchanted garden. 76-4 Hanazono Kutchan-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido, Japan 044-0084. www.zaborin.com/
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THE WINDOW BEHIND THE BAR GRANDLY SHOWCASES A VISTA OF THE LOOMING MOUNT YOTEI AMID FORESTED TREES.
H O S H I N OYA T O K YO Tokyo’s first contemporary ryokan stands out prominently among other modern boutique hotels in the metropolis. Set daringly in the capital and not in remote rurality, this vigorously modern number has become a model for the urban ryokan. Accessible to in-house guests alone, Tokyo’s most private address generates wonder about what lies behind towering wooden doors. Enter and you’re in a vestibule with tremendous ceilings. Geometrically patterned walls stretch like vistas seen from a shinkansen ( Japanese bullet trains). They are made up of boxes of bamboo and chestnut, fancy repositories for your shoes, taken away in ryokan tradition upon entry. Blackclad staff, nimble like ninjas, escort you to the lift. The servers remain in a deep bow, until the lift doors shut. Extraordinary. This ryokan upholds that impressive aspect of Japanese
hospitality. Such guest rooms are usually an intimate affair; the 84 rooms at Hoshinoya Tokyo flout convention. Enclosed in washi-paper windows, the rooms are lanternlike. They have bold-hued walls and low Japanese chairs with marvellous fluted armrests. TVs, the bane of contemporary existence, are mercifully concealed in slick wooden cases. Over the building’s facade hangs a wrought-iron grille bearing a kimono motif which patterns your room when the sun strikes. The feel of the subterranean restaurant is evocative of a museum showcasing superb ornaments. The onsen is open to the heavens and views of the stars at night, or the rain which comes torrentially down onto the city in summer. 1-9-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan 100-0004. www.hoshinoya.com/tokyo/en
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H I R A M AT S U H OT E L S & R E S O R T S ATA M I Perched on a hill against a bamboo forest is Japan’s most exclusive ryokan, a converted private villa combining Japanese finesse and French influences. The original villa was transformed into two contemporary tatami-matted Japanese suites flanking a French auberge-style restaurant. Next to it is a modern new wing comprising 11 sophisticated Western rooms with Monte-Carloesque jacuzzi-encrusted private terraces. Communal spaces feature a clever assemblage of European antiques, uber-cool Danish chairs and owner Mr Hiramatsu’s amazing collection of antique model boats that reinforce a maritime feel. But it’s the
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two Japanese suites, Matsu (Pine) and Ume (Plum), that wow. They are creations of Kinoshita who designed the teahouse at Kyoto’s celebrated Golden Pavilion. At Matsu, choice Japanese antiques and adornments are exhibited mindfully and tastefully amidst delicate woodwork and paintings by the famous Tamako Karaoke. On the terrace, by the jazzy private open-air onsen, the swish seating area shows how Japanese low seating can evolve into an attractive outdoor feature. 1993-237, Atami, Atami City, Shizuoka, Japan 413-0033. www.hiramatsuhotels.com/eng/ atami
RYOKAN ALTERNATIVES These stellar hotels offer services and aesthetics modelled after traditional ryokan culture.
yonder. Villas stock Balinese furniture. Sankara says this is Yakushima, and not Balinese, decor. By whichever name, the upholstery with leafy motifs recalls the nearby rainforests of Yakushima that visitors can visit – unless you prefer to bask on the sundeck’s swank surfboard deckchairs. 553 Haginoe Aza Mugio, Yakushimacho, Kumage-gun, Kagoshima, japan 891-4402. www. sankarahotel-spa.com/ en/
Ritz-Carlton Kyoto
B E N I YA M U K AY U , R YO K A N COLLECTION “Mukayu” means empty and this place is about the elegance of emptiness. The lobby is white, light and strikingly nude, barely alleviated by minimalist seating. Stretches of glass overlook lovely gardens but, here, glass doesn’t “frame” the surrounds; it conjures a seamlessness with nature. There’s a purity that’s palpable, an infusion of calm. The shrewd use of space and the impression of void create that sense of what’s fashionably called “zen.” Now, there are artworks, hand-picked by owner Mrs Nakamichi. But the art is as silent as the space, and all the more eloquent for it. Flashes of colour come in regional ceramics and lacquerware used during supper or tea ceremonies
conducted by Mr Nakamichi in the garden teahouse. One of artist Kenya Hara’s masterwork, the teahouse is named Tsukubai (meaning stone wash basin) Ho Sun (“mind” in zen terminology). This installation with a contemplative composure presides outside the spartan nature-inspired spa, as are rooms with glass facades that have private outdoor onsen embowered in a tumble of foliage. The White Green Suite, in a rarefaction of style, is a culmination of this ryokan’s philosophy.
The Ritz has admirably incorporated ryokan aspects into an abode that has 409 pieces of contemporary art that fascinatingly evoke old Kyoto. The showpiece is in the principle private dining room Ebisugawatei at its Italian restaurant, La Locanda. The room overlooks an indoor garden (tsuboniwa), which is a feature of Kyoto homes, to get sunlight. Kamogawa NijoOhashi Hotori, Nakagyoku, Kyoto, Japan 604-0902. www. ritzcarlton.com/en/ hotels/japan/kyoto
Sankara The spacious lobby flows into a stunning infinity pool that seems to slip into the seas
Hoshinoya Fuji Outdoor kitchens in this glamping resort are tucked into different levels of the forested hillock, in a fiesta of garden gastronomy. There’s a charmingly lit Dutch-oven dinner kitchen offering homecooked meals and cooking workshops. 1408 Oishi, Fujikawaguchikomachi, Minami Tsuru-gun, Yamanashi, Japan 401-0305. www. hoshinoya.com/fuji/en
55-1-3 Yamashiro Onsen, Kaga, Ishikawa, Japan 922-0242. www.ryokancollection.com/ ryokan/beniya_mukayu/
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I N S TO R E
S H OW A N D T E L L With a good ratio of open and closed storage space, the Finder Pantry cabinet by local brand Jottergoods is ideal for those who would like to showcase a curated collection of items – be it tableware in the kitchen or clothing and accessories in the bedroom. There is a lift-up door reminiscent of that on mobile T H E C O M P L E T E PAC K AG E When shopping for appliances, a homeowner needs to take into consideration the issue of fire safety. As a gas producer and retailer of gas hobs, City Gas has made it easier to prevent and prepare for a fire emergency. Firstly, 15 of its gas hobs come with flame failure devices; this safety feature cuts off gas supply when the flame is accidentally extinguished. It also has gas leak detectors. Lastly, in an event of a small fire, you can rely on City Gas’ Firesave. It’s packaged in a 650ml bottle which you can throw at the base of fires – this Japanese technology will extinguish fires within seconds. Find these items at City Gas Gallery, #02-01 to 03, 8 Cross Street, www.citygas.com.sg
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E A SY C L E A N Suitable to be used on kitchen countertops, appliances and stainless steel surfaces, E-cloth is a kitchen cloth that promises to remove grease, dirt and bacteria with just water. It is made from specially treated polyester and nylon that does not absorb dirt, but rather trap the oil and grime within its fibres. The E-cloth also features a gentle scouring pocket for stubborn grease and stains. To remove the dirt, simply rinse the cloth. E-cloth retails at $15 each and is available at Takashimaya and selected Isetan and all Tangs outlets. More information at www.e-cloth.com.
text ELIZA HAMIZAH
coffee carts, as well as built-in sockets and sensor lightings, meaning it can host coffee machines and other electronic appliances, too. The Finder Pantry is available at all Jottergoods showrooms. The full list is available at www.jottergoods.com.
WHERE TO BUY
BANG & OLUFSEN
#01-05 Grand Hyatt Singapore Tel: 6737-7500 www.bang-olufsen. com
HIPVAN
#02-06/08 The Cathay Tel: 6291-1725 www.hipvan.com
ROBINSONS THE HEEREN
260 Orchard Road Tel: 6738-4388 www.robinsons.com. sg
HUI DESIGNS CAESARSTONE
The Spire #08-06, 10 Bukit Batok Crescent Tel: 6316-1938 www.caesarstone.sg
Tel: 9637-1304 www.huidesigns.com KITCHEN CULTURE
28 Defu Lane 4 Tel: 6282-9086
#01-02/05/07/08 Thye Hong Centre 2 Leng Kee Road Tel: 6473-6776 www.kitchenculture. com
DANOVEL
LOVERA COLLECTIONS
COMMUNE
ROMANEZ
#04-01 APS Building 9 Muthuraman Chetty Road Tel: 6463-9330 www.romanez.com.sg SMEG
www. loveracollections.com
Ground level, APS Building, 9 Muthuraman Chetty Road Tel: 6950-0900 www.smeg.sg
MADE AND MAKE
THE MONOCOT STUDIO
#02-13 333 Kreta Ayer Road www.monocotstudio. com
DYSON
#04-00 Jubilee Industrial Building 6 Genting Road Tel: 6908-5908 www.madeandmake. sg
https://shop.dyson. com.sg
MAYER
Tel: 9137-9453 www.facebook.com/ TheloniusInterior
#01-02, 100 Pasir Panjang Road & #02-54/55 Tanglin Shopping Centre Tel: 6338-2488 www.danovel.com www.facebook.com/ Danovel.Sofa
EGG3
#02-35, 112 East Coast Road Tel: 6538-3229 www.eggthree.com HARVEY NORMAN FLAGSHIP
#01-59/63 Millenia Walk Tel: 6311-9988 www.harveynorman. com.sg
#02-66 IMM Building Tel: 6563-4288 www.mayer.sg
THELONIUS INTERIOR CONCEPT & DESIGN
INTERIOR DESIGNERS
GENOME ARCHITECTS
20 Zion Road Tel: 6735-2361 www.gad.com.sg KNQ
#08-45 Oxley Bizhub Tel: 6222-0966 www.knqassociates. com ONG&ONG
#11-00 SLF Building 510 Thomson Road Tel: 6258-8666 www.ong-ong.com W2DA
#23-403, 20 Holland Drive Tel: 6224-5580 WAFF
#07-08, 55 Serangoon North Avenue 4 Tel: 6482-6388 www.waff.sg
MUD ROCK CERAMICS
85 Maude Road Tel: 6291-1186 www. mudrockceramics. com REDMART
Tel: 6261-3456 www.redmart.com
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ACORN
DA VINCI LIFESTYLE
#02-09 512 Chai Chee Lane Tel: 6445-6144 www.acorn ceilingfan.com
#01-01 Concorde Hotel Tel : 6468-6333 www.davincilifestyle. com
BRANDT ASIA
FURNITURE GALLERY
#02-51/52 Oxley Bizhub 65 Ubi Road One Tel: 6508-4639 www.brandt.sg
18 Tampines Industrial Crescent www.furniture gallery.sg
ELECTROLUX S.E.A.
FLEXFORM | STUDIO216
#07-10 Galaxis 1 Fusionopolis Place Tel: 6727-3699
#01-01 200 Newton Road Tel: 6909-2128 www.exform.sg
FISHER & PAYKEL
HOME 2 U GALLERY
#03-01A Ubi Biz Hub 150 Ubi Avenue 4 Tel: 6547-0100
#02-719/720 Suntec City Tower 4 Tel: 6737-7838
SAMAIRE CEILING FAN
MUJI
#06-01 1 Kallang Way 2A Tel: 6846-7737 www.samaire.com.sg
#02-198 Vivocity Tel: 6376-8023 www.muji.com/sg STAR LIVING
1 Pasir Panjang Road Tel: 6273-2522 www.starliving. com.sg
126
XZQT
THE ORANGE CUBE
HAFARY
#01-05 8 Pandan Crescent Tel: 6774-8031 www.xzqt.com.sg
#01-03 LTC Building C 14 Arumugam Road Tel: 6337-7277 www.theorangecube. com
105 Eunos Avenue 3 Tel: 6250-1368 www.hafary.com.sg
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THREE-D CONCEPTWERKE
BLACK N WHITE HAUS
24 Eng Hoon Street Tel: 6293-8001 www.three-dconceptwerke.com
291 Tanjong Katong Road Tel: 6440-9766 www.blacknwhite house.com
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DESIGN INTERVENTION
LIGHTCRAFT
75E Loewen Road Tel: 6468-1942 www.design intervention.com.sg
131 Jalan Sultan Tel: 6297-6658 www.lightcraft.com.sg
DWELL INTERIOR DESIGN
11 Kim Yam Road Tel: 6883-1005 www.dwell.com.sg HAIRE LIVING
Level 4 29 Mayo Street Tel: 6441-3345 www.haireliving.com IMAGINE BY SK66
#01-22 UB One 81 Ubi Avenue 4 www.imaginebysk66. com
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#08-06 The Spire 10 Bukit Batok Crescent Tel: 6316-1938 www.caesarstone.sg
TIMPLEX
#01-13 18 Sin Ming Lane Tel: 6898-1120 www.timplex.sg WORLD OF WOOD
35 Tannery Road #07-05 Tannery Block Singapore 347740 Tel: 6747 5450 www.wowwow.com.sg
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY SPECIAL
38% OFF MARCH IS ALL ABOUT CELEBRATING OUR SUCCESSES AND ACHIEVEMENTS AS WOMEN. TO MARK INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY, SPH MAGAZINES IS OFFERING 38% OFF SUBSCRIPTIONS TO THE PRINT EDITION OF THESE NINE ESSENTIAL LIFESTYLE MAGAZINES. PLUS, ADD $38 TO ENJOY ONE YEAR’S WORTH OF DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS TO ALL THESE TITLES. SUBSCRIBE TO ASIA’S LEADING MAGAZINES AT HTTP://SPHMAGAZINES.COM.SG/2019WOMEN AND BE EMPOWERED TODAY! PROMOTION ENDS MARCH 31, 2019.
127
HARD TRUTH
I
WHAT’S TRENDING & WHAT WE THINK
FUTURE OF FURNISHINGS
128
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