AT HOME WITH…

The Electrolux Dishwasher in Cheng Yao’s kitchen makes light work of dishwashing, especially after an evening of entertaining.

We heard meowing when we came through the front door. Are you a cat person?

Cheng Yao: I am definitely a cat person. In fact, I have a recreation room for my cat! When I was younger, I actually used to sleep with my cat. Now, when my mother comes over, I sleep with my cat on the bed in the recreation room. When designing my house, I wanted a place for my cat to feel safe, so I decided to give it its own room and space. My cat is not very sociable when it comes to meeting new humans and is a bit fearful of them. Thus, I designed this recreation room for my cat to hide when guests come over and for me to spend time with it.

As somebody who doesn’t cook often, what did you prioritise when designing the kitchen?

Cheng Yao: I wanted my kitchen to be a functional gallery space designed to be a chill space with friends. The presence of an island was my main priority, so that it could serve as a storage space for me. I also wanted my island area to be a comfortable place for me to enjoy some “me time”.

Do you have any advice for new homeowners?

Cheng Yao: The most important lesson that I learnt from designing my home is that you should take note of the features of your new home before coming up with its design. In my opinion, the best home designs are when the carpentry and design fits your lifestyle. It is also important to remind yourself what kind of person you are, so that you can design a home with aesthetics that reflect you.