Lookboxliving Issue #40

#40

SINGAPORE

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YOUR SOURCEBOOK FOR HOME INTERIORS, DESIGNERS AND PRODUCTS

SHORTLIST SEE RED (AND BLUE) WITH PRODUCTS THAT PERK UP YOUR SPACE

SPOTLIGHT A SELECTION OF KITCHEN ISLANDS TO FIT EVERY TYPE OF HOME

SHOWCASE INTERIORS TO FUEL YOUR DREAM-HOME ASPIRATIONS

KITCHEN SECRETS

Tips from our favourite chefs on the perfect prep space

COLOUR BREAK!

Step out of your colour comfort zone

Come Together Kitchens that are more than mere cooking machines

LOOKBOXLIVING.COM.SG

SHADES OF WOOD Fresh from its collaboration with Abitex, local furniture manufacturer Commune has recently released its new Dualtone Collection of living and dining furniture. Each piece highlights the contrast between bright oak and dark walnut (hence its name), presented as mid-century modern designs. We’re especially drawn to the sleek tapered legs and brass finishing, details that bring a hint of elegance to the range of tables, sideboards and chairs. www.thecommunelife.com

SOUND OF MUSIC Audiophiles looking to set up an immersive sound system at home are probably celebrating Jamo’s launch of its latest Concert Series of ten passive home theatre speakers. The brand’s flagship series, now in its second generation, brings impeccably clear sounds to the home. But it’s not just the high-performance sound production that draws you in – the Concert Series has beautifully designed hardware with simple lines and natural textures. The hand-polished, high-gloss finish, satin-painted MDF baffles and polished chrome logo are just some of the design details that caught our eye.

Jamo Concert series, $480 onwards, from Hwee Seng Electronics www.jamo.com

BASKET CASE Make an impression with these woven baskets from Danish brand House Doctor. We are particularly taken with the graphic patterns, achieved by carefully weaving different coloured strands to form the shape of the basket. They’re sold in sets of three, with diameters ranging from 28cm to 37cm.

House Doctor baskets, price on enquiry, from Journey East www.journeyeast.com

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SHORTLIST

THE COLLECTIVE

GUILT-FREE SEATS Keep it green with the colourful Broom stools, designed

by Philippe Starck for Emeco. If you’re looking for environmentally friendly furniture, then this might be a good place to start. The Broom chair is made from reclaimed plastics and discarded wood fibres that would otherwise end up in landfills. By reclaiming, repurposing and recycling materials, you get a sturdy and durable chair that can be used both indoors and outdoors.

Emeco Broom chair, $720 each, from Space www.spacefurniture.com.sg

TURN OFF THE LIGHTS This year, Earth Hour falls on Saturday, 28 March, and after the success of previous years’ events, WWF Singapore hopes to make a bigger impression on Singaporeans.

This year’s global initiative highlights the fact that we are the first generation to feel the effects of climate change and are possibly the last generation that can make an impactful change.

To be a part of Earth Hour 2015, head down to ION Orchard on 28 March between 6pm to 10pm, or visit www.wwf.sg for more information.

GREEN, GREEN GRASS Thinking of cultivating your green fingers? Noah Garden Centre is a newly launched e-tailer that can quickly get you started on your gardening ambitions.

Whether you’re just starting to grow fresh herbs in the kitchen or building an urban farm in your backyard, this new local website delivers plants and garden accessories right to your doorstep. www.noahgardencentre.com.sg

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SHORTLIST

THE COLLECTIVE

Colour Shock

The Fox outdoor lounge chair from Sika Design has been a firm favourite, thanks to its handsome design, sturdy build and eco-friendly choice of rattan for its frame. The timeless chair was first designed in 1936 and now, almost 80 years later, has received a fresh splash of colour. Previously only available in black or natural colours, the new range is now also available in green, blue and yellow. The new series is made from aluminium, making it the perfect weatherproof complement to your outdoor spaces.

Sika DesignFox outdoor lounge chair, $1,600 each, from Dreamweave and other stories www.dreamweaveconcepts.com

IN A WAFFLE Love the fluffy texture of waffles?

Now you can easily make your own at home with Cornell’s new models of easy-to-use waffle makers. Cornell’s new technology simplifies the baking process without compromising the taste, letting you whip up tasty waffles in just five minutes! If you prefer crunchier Belgian waffles or crispier American waffles, you’ll be glad to know that the integrated timers and indicator lights give you greater control over the batter’s consistency.

CW2308 and CWMS2921RD waffle makers, $29.90 and $39, both from Cornell www.cornellappliances.com

CELEBRITY SLEEP

Acebed reinvents the spring mattress system with the introduction of its 5th generation spring mattress technology. Unlike other mattresses, the Hybrid Z Spring completely supports your body with its Zero Sinking system. The mattress also features Zero Noise (the springs don’t make any noise), Zero Gap (the springs act independently without touching one another) and Zero Motion (each spring moves independently on the upper springboard). www.acebedsg.com

FULL OF FLOWERS The pretty and petite Daisy rug is meant for children’s rooms but we think it’ll look just as great in places like the master bedroom or reading room. The playful circles and muted colours make the Daisy rug a great addition to any space at home. It’s made from hemp and wool and comes in two sizes (98cm and 155cm) so you can pick the appropriate size depending on where you plan on using it. $290 onwards, from Cuckoo www.cuckoo.com.sg

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SHORTLIST

THE COLLECTIVE

EXPERT

Q&A

APP-SOLUTELY PERFECT!

It seems like there’s a mobile app for almost anything these days, and this includes an app that helps you find the perfect washbasin and faucet combination for your home. The Grohe BestMatch app is a unique online configurator that makes designing your own bathroom fun and relatively simple. You’ll find that looks isn’t the only thing that matters, as the app takes into consideration factors such as the spout length, washbasin depth, and the angle at which the running water touches your hand. www.grohe.com/bestmatch

ROBOT REVOLUTION Take away the stresses of modern life with Samsung’s new POWERbot VR9000 robot vacuum cleaner. This smart, automated robot is even more powerful than a conventional Samsung vacuum cleaner, and is equipped with a CycloneForce technology that maintains suction power by minimising the risk of clogging. Samsung’s new robot vacuum cleaner is smart enough to create a complete map of your home and calculate the most efficient cleaning path, and intelligent enough to avoid small obstacles and “blind spots”. Missed a spot? Take control of your robot and tell it where to go with a wave of your hand.

POWERbot VR9000 robot vacuum cleaner, $1,499, from Samsung www.samsung.com/sg/home

Chiah Tian Ming, director of design firm White Attic Interior, is an expert at creating personality-driven homes.

He offers his opinions on the latest design trends.

In your opinion, which design trend do you think is overrated?

If I had to choose, I would say, generally, that it’s the modern look. It’s something that’s really quite common and probably, one of the most overused!

Which look do you think will continue to grow in popularity?

The Scandinavian, Industrial and vintage styles are still very popular with homeowners. But I think we’re all moving towards a more eclectic concept.

Homeowners don’t like to be restricted to just one theme or concept. So instead of a straightforward Scandinavian look, for example, they will add in little details and tweak the design look to make the space more interesting.

Describe your own home.

CONTAIN YOURSELF These Hachiman stacking boxes are like miniature shipping containers, complete with corrugated sides and available in seven different colours. They come in three sizes, so stack them up or lay them out.

Hachiman stacking boxes, $19 onwards, from atomi www.atomi-jp.com

I like things to be neat and to make sure that everything has a place. My own home has a cosy, minimalist look, where everything is neat and orderly. The only messy part of my home is my work desk!

My favourite part of the home is the living room, by far. I enjoy having guests over and it’s an area where friends can gather and have a great time.

What are some of your favourite spots for furniture shopping?

It actually depends on the style of the home I’m designing. But generally, some of the furniture stores located around Tai Seng or in Tan Boon Liat Building make for really good shopping places.

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SHORTLIST

THE COLLECTIVE

Out of the Woods

FOUR ON THE FLOOR Streamlined yet intricate, this 4-drawer chest is a slim storage solution that brings understated charm and elegance to homes that are a little tight on space. We love how the glossy white lacquered surfaces contrast with the dark walnut fronts, making for a simple yet well-designed storage standard.

Outdoor living gets a little more glamorous, thanks to the two new pieces in Minotti’s Aston Cord Outdoor collection. As with the rest of the furniture in the collection, the Loveseat and the 240cm Sofa are made from pewter-coloured metal frames that are braided with ultrastrong polypropylene cord. The materials used in the furniture’s construction are highly durable and are specially treated for exterior use. www.minotti.com

City Italian 4-drawer chest, $1,484, from The Bear Knows www.thebearknows.com

THE LUXURY OF SLEEP The Bel bed, by Treku, ranks high on our list of luxury sleepers. The slim profile and sculptural wood structure are just proof that this is a bed that deserves to be proudly displayed at home. Choose between walnut and oak for the bed base, and fabric or leather for the headboard.

Treku Bel bed, $4,965 onwards, from Grafunkt www.grafunkt.com

OUT OF AFRICA African tribal patterns get a modern makeover with these vibrant cushions from Bungalow 55. Not only are they bright, bold and colourful, each cushion also features a different print on each side. Want to quickly switch out the look in the living room? Just flip over the cushions!

African cushions, price on enquiry, from Bungalow 55 www.thebungalow55.com

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SHORTLIST

THE COLLECTIVE

SUNNY SIDE UP The new Button collection of storage furniture promises to put a smile on your face every day. The series – which includes a sideboard, a buffet, a chest of 5 drawers, an open shelf and a 2-seater sofa – boasts a chirpy canary yellow and introduces a bright burst of sunshine to the home. Pick a single piece to accentuate your interior or go for the whole set and make a bold statement.

Button furniture collection, $359 to $599, from Star Furniture www.starliving.com.sg

Trend Alert!

BATHROOM BONANZA

Shopping for the bathroom can be a chore for some, but when sanitary ware looks this good, we bet you’ll be more than happy to go shopping for tubs, toilets and basins. Here are some of our favourite finds from luxury sanitary ware provider, Carera Bathroom. www.carerabathroom.com

(left) NEXO WC & BIDET (below) ROCA MERIDIAN BATHROOM COLLECTION

(above) VIRGINIA BATHTUB (right) IN TANK MERIDIAN WC

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Fresh Takes

We look at how Greenlam’s laminates put a new spin on three tenacious interior design trends.

TEXT REDZMAN RAHMAT

Laminate manufacturer Greenlam has identified three interior design trends that continue to gain popularity well into the year. From the rugged textures of the industrial look, to the nature-inspired Scandinavian style, and the hodgepodge quirkiness of eclecticism, Greenlam predicts that these home styles will endure the test of time. We take a closer look at these prevailing designs and pick out the laminates (and matching furniture and accessories) that can help to achieve the look. www.greenlam.com

Rustic Industrial

The industrial look is so popular you can find it in cafes, retail stores, homes and even offices. One of its strongest appeal lies in its simplicity: raw textures, exposed surfaces and an openness to imperfection. Untreated cement floors, raw brick walls and exposed piping are common looks, but don’t be surprised to learn that a lot of effort is needed to make it look this effortless!

To achieve the look, stick to metal, wood and stone.

Greenlam predicts a more laidback version of the industrial look as homeowners bring in other design influences to soften the grittiness. Laminates with concrete, granite or even carbon fibre surfaces are all the rage in industrial homes. They offer the look and feel of the real thing but without the heaviness or the need for constant maintenance.

(Above) Light Hang 0008 Series pendant lamp, $85.60 each, from Comfort Design (Left) Spark V2 bar chair, $298.53, from Comfort Design (Below) Sonata 3-seater sofa, price on enquiry, from Courts

(Top) GCN 5616 Urban Concrete laminate, from Greenlam Ciment dining set, price on enquiry, from Courts

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(Bottom) SIR 5605 Euclid Grey Granite laminate, from Greenlam

SHORTLIST

TRENDS

Jordan sofa, $6,045, from The Bear Knows

Cool Scandinavian

The Scandinavian look is loosely defined by bright and airy interiors with a neutral colour scheme that is punctuated by bright pops of colours. It’s a look that is popular the world over, and readily embraced by Singaporean homeowners.

(Above) Pino seat & Plug leg, price on enquiry, from Comfort

To bring the Scandinavian style into your home, throw open the windows and let the sunlight flood your home.

Keep the profile of the furniture slim, lightweight and clean. When it comes to colours and materials, choose wood and white tones with the occasional greys and blacks.

But just as important is the inclusion of accent colours. It could be a statement lounge chair, a showstopping pendant lamp or playful scatter cushions.

(Left) Isaac 4-drawer dresser, price on enquiry, from Lush (Below) Aigner armchair, price on enquiry, from Grafunkt

“To bring the Scandinavian style into your home, throw open the windows and let the sunlight flood your home.”

Bang cushions, $368 to $382, from Dream

(Top) WSN 5401 Argent Elm laminate, from Greenlam (Bottom) WVB 5316 Oak Radiance laminate, from Greenlam

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Lay It All Out ADD SOME COLOUR, PATTERN AND TEXTURE TO YOUR DINE-IN EXPERIENCES. HERE’S OUR GOURMET SELECTION OF TABLEWARE AND CUTLERY THAT WILL BRIGHTEN UP ANY MEAL OF THE DAY. TEXT REDZMAN RAHMAT PHOTOGRAPHY JUSTIN LOH STYLING MICHELLE LIM, MORRPHSTYLING@GMAIL.COM

FOLKS Apollo dining table, $4,473, from Grafunkt On dining table, from left: Seletti Hybrid Zara teacup, $59, from Fred Lives Here; Dip Red martini glass, $13.95, from CB2; Seletti Hybrid Maurilia sugar pot, $58, from Fred Lives Here; Peaks napkin in red and orange $14.95, from CB2; Wayne orange teapot 46oz $49.95, from CB2; Seletti Hybrid Smeraldina teapot, $149, from Fred Lives Here; Seletti Hybrid Zenobia teacup, $59, from Fred Lives Here; Seletti teacup

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set blue, $44, from Fred Lives Here; Seletti Hybrid cakestand, $280, from Fred Lives Here; Green servers, $17.50 set of two, from CB2; Portrait Red platter $49.50, from CB2; Sukatmakkaralla stemware, red, clear, smoke $69, from Marimekko; HARIO Filterin bottle $35, from Tangs; Sukatmakkaralla flute glass in red, $65 for a pair, from Marimekko; Sukatmakkaralla pitcher in turquoise, $135, from Marimekko Background: Dri Matt Solid Marina (SCA5117D), from Lamitak

SHORTLIST

SHOP THE SHOOT

TIME FOR TEA Classic or contemporary, tea time gets a little more exciting with colourful tea sets and serving ware.

Style Kit Homes We Love

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Home

Walk-up Apartment

Floor Area

1,900 sqft

TEXT REDZMAN RAHMAT PHOTOGRAPHY JUSTIN LOH, SHINING HEAD MEDIA, UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED ART DIRECTION BETTY WONG

Expect the Unexpected THIS OLD WALK-UP APARTMENT RECEIVED A DRASTIC TRANSFORMATION THAT TURNED IT FROM A RUNDOWN HOME INTO A SWANKY, LIGHTFILLED BACHELOR PAD THAT DARES TO BE DIFFERENT.

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or someone like Shawn Loo, who has such a strong personality, finding a home that can live up to his expectations can be an all encompassing matter.

So when Shawn chanced upon this old walk-up apartment at Haig Road, the creative director was quick to nab it.

The apartment was in its original state – old, tired and rundown – but Shawn could sense its hidden potential and realised that it can be completely reshaped. He turned to Cherin Tan and her team from interior architecture firm LAANK to redesign and reconfigure this apartment, allowing it to live up to its full potential.

Image courtesy of Laank

“It was really fun to work on this apartment,” Cherin says.

“Our designs are more organic and totally dependent on the client’s personality, and because Shawn has this sense of quirkiness, the design of his home quickly developed into something unique and creative, with subtle and unexpected design shifts.”

Cherin and her team welcomed the challenge of redesigning an old apartment. They embraced the possibilities and completely changed its layout and introduced newer, modern elements to the space. At the same time, LAANK worked closely with Shawn in a successful attempt to translate his habits and personality into the interiors. “He made it clear that he has a sense of aesthetic that he wanted us to follow. And although he didn’t really know what he wanted, he knows what he doesn’t want,” she adds, with a smile. On the list of interior styles he wasn’t interested in are the Industrial and retro looks. “It worked out well for us because we don’t really do cookie-cutter concepts anyway,” Cherin adds.

Image courtesy of Laank

Top: Black and white patterned tiles demarcate the living room from the rest of the apartment. This is important because the apartment’s open concept visually connects different rooms to one communal space.

Above: This room has been converted into a home office.

Midnight blue on the walls lends to a calming masculine vibe while the windows offer a quick view of the greenery outside to help rest tired eyes. The wall that separates this study room from the rest of the home has been replaced with glass panels to bring a fresh deluge of natural light into the workspace.

Opposite: Over in the dining room the designers wanted to evoke a sense of quiet sophistication, ideal for both casual gettogethers and more formal dinner parties.

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With a clear direction in mind, Cherin completely gutted the apartment and started from scratch, turning the dilapidated apartment into a bright, spacious and efficient home that befits a creative personality. Each room has its own function, clearly defined by the use of colour and material transitions. The light-filled living room is perfect for lounging, the cosy dining area is great for casual gettogethers, and the open kitchen is almost like an open stage that looks out at the other rooms in the apartment.

“Shawn is a very sociable person and this home is almost the embodiment of a social house. He always has friends over so it’s important that this place is designed for that.”

Cherin points out the apartment’s revamped floor plan, “The kitchen is smack in between the living room and the dining room, so Shawn can put on a show when he’s cooking for his friends.”

STYLE KIT

HOMES WE LOVE

“Our designs are more organic and totally dependent on the client’s personality, and because Shawn has this sense of quirkiness, the design of his home quickly developed into something unique and creative, with subtle and unexpected design shifts.”

– Cherin Tan, Designer

Image courtesy of Laank

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The open kitchen holds prime position in this apartment, acting as the link between dining area, living room and even the bedroom. A lot of attention as been given to the heart of the home and its beauty lies in the details. From the meticulous carpentry of the kitchen cabinets to the high quality of the materials used to the carefully considered choice of appliances, storage and organisation, this is a professional-level kitchen that makes a strong impression.

Other parts of Shawn’s personality are duly represented.

Because he works from home, he needs a room where he can focus on the work at hand and maintain a distractionfree workspace. Cherin obliged with a room, separated from the living room by glass walls that welcomes bright daylight, while fresh air and midnight-blue walls help keep the creative juices flowing.

Another factor that Cherin kept in mind is the need to accentuate the material and design details. She points to the floors as an example: oakwood floors with brass inlays abruptly transition to black and white patterned tiles. This, she says, is a nod to Shawn’s nonconformity.

“It’s something different that helps to demarcate the living room. Instead of using something conventional like a rug, we tried doing something a little different.”

The theme of unexpected contrasts can be seen in all corners of the apartment: the cobalt blue sofa has cherry red legs, a plywood wall becomes a configurable storage

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rack with brass pegs drilled in, and a strikingly red door in the centre of the apartment surprisingly leads into the common bathroom.

Step into the bedroom and there’s another sudden shift in energy. “It’s a quiet zone,” Cherin describes the change.

“We didn’t want to do too much in this space. Because Shawn works from home, he needs specific zones to rest.

So we left the room clean and unblemished with thick hotel-like curtains to block out the sunlight.”

“A lot of the designs have been customised and fabricated just for this home. We don’t want anything to look like it’s off-the-rack or impersonal,” Cherin emphasises.

Thoughtful details like these are what give the home its unique personality. “It helps that Shawn is an easy-going person to work with and that he’s open to new ideas.

Working with him felt natural and it translates well to the design of the apartment.”

STYLE KIT

HOMES WE LOVE

This old walk-up apartment has been restored and reconfigured, resulting in this bigger and brighter urban pad. The open concept welcomes a steady flow of sunlight and fresh air from the naturally large balcony, and is conducive for its status as a social home.

Image courtesy of Laank

“A lot of the designs have been customised and fabricated just for this home. We don’t want anything to look like it’s off-the-rack or impersonal.”

– Cherin Tan, Designer

DESIGN NOTES

Mount plywood panels on an empty wall and drill tiny holes into the surface.

Stick pegs into the holes and you’ll have a DIY wall to hang up your bags, clothes and even kitchen tools.

Image courtesy of Laank

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TEXT ASHLEY CHOO DANIELE, KAMIL AND JANICE PORTRAITS AND PHOTOGRAPHY MORVEN KOH BJORN PORTRAIT AND PHOTOGRAPHY KELVIN CUFF

COOKING LIKE A PRO

Four professional chefs reveal their insider tips when it comes to having the perfect kitchen set-up at home.

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DANIELE SPERINDIO

HEAD CHEF OF OPEN DOOR POLICY Any serious foodie worth his or her salt will know about the European and Asian fusion dishes of Open Door Policy located at Singapore’s hipville, Tiong Bahru Estate. And if you’ve brunched or dined at the bistro any time in the last year, you would have enjoyed the creations of Italian chef Daniele Sperindio. Daniele describes his menu as “comfort food with finesse”. As with most busy chefs, Daniele avoids cooking at home if he can help it. “Just give me a frozen pizza and I can survive the day,” he quips. It doesn't help that cooking at home tends to be frustrating since he’s so used to having a myriad of tools and ingredients at work.

“It’s easy to change or adjust a dish on the spot but we can’t do that at home, we rarely have the same extensive set up and space.”

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DANIELE'S KITCHEN DESIGN TIPS • Have a good working space like a large island table with a marble top • Plan for a spacious fridge, sink and storage areas.

• Get a proper stove and oven (Daniele is currently coveting a Miele kitchen set up which he finds “very sexy”)

SPOTLIGHT

CHEFS’ KITCHENS

BJORN SHEN

CHEF-OWNER OF ARTICHOKE Rebellious Middle Eastern restaurant Artichoke is not only popular for its mezze and meat dishes, most regulars are personally acquainted with the restaurant’s larger than life, potty-mouthed and affable owner, Bjorn Shen. Amidst participating in hipster pop-up events, collaborations and book writing, Bjorn managed to find time to get married and move into their new home last year. Home affairs are currently being taken care by the missus but Bjorn is grateful to be given free reign over their home’s kitchen design which he asked to be U-shaped with an island.

Instead of a complicated set-up, Bjorn went with a simple 3-burner stove. “Everyone was surprised that I went so low brow with the design,” he said. “I told my interior designer to just give me the basics. I’m only going to cook instant noodles at home! It’s my signature dish.”

DANIELE'S MUST-HAVE KITCHEN TOOLS 1. Kitchen Aid mixer Having the Kitchen Aid mixer is like having a little Commis Cook in your home. Whether you’re whipping cream or folding pasta dough, you can focus on other duties whilst saving time and still get better results than you would have achieved doing it all by hand.

2. Pacojet Pacotising allows chefs to micropuree deep-frozen foods into an ultra light mousse without thawing them first. This is good if you want to make ice creams, sorbets, soups, sauces or fillings. You will be able to capture intense flavours and vital nutrients in individual, read-to-serve portions with this machine.

3. Thermomix The Thermomix is a high-speed blender made in steel. With a combined heating and blending functionality, you can set the machine to reach a precise temperature for cooking.

BJORN'S MUST-HAVE KITCHEN TOOLS 1. Large cutting board Work with a cutting board that’s at least 50cm long as you don’t want to have food falling all over the place during food preparation.

2. Heavy bottom frying pan The frying pan should be built for abuse. “When professional chefs cook at home, we can be a bit rough. It’s something that we learnt from the kitchen at work, where we don’t have time to do the Nigella (Lawson) thing.”

3. Mixing bowls Get at least eight of them in varying sizes. Bjorn illustrates that even if you’re cooking a simple Asian stirfried dish, you will already cover about 6 ingredients.

Some of these may have to go in the fridge while others are being prepared.

4. Sharp knife You don’t need a lot of knives but you should invest in a good sharp knife of between 21 to 23cm long.

Bjorn reckons that anything below $100 or bought from a generic supermarket is probably a waste of time for serious cooks.

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5. Microplane Used for grating, grinding and sanding, microplane graters are one of those multipurpose tools that will make your life a lot easier when cooking. Bjorn likes that the tool can dice garlic without even taking the skin off.

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BJORN’S KITCHEN DESIGN TIPS • Plan for a massive basin. It’s annoying when you’re washing a wok and it doesn’t fit into your sink • Have lots of countertop spaces. Plan for what you need, then multiply it by one and a half times.

• Get a fridge that’s much bigger than what you think you need.

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KAMIL FOLTAN

HEAD BARTENDER OF TIPPLING CLUB Czech-born Kamil Foltan has been busy the last few months as the new head of Tippling Club. He also leads a new cocktail programme at bar and restaurant Ding Dong along Ann Siang Hill. Kamil’s extensive knowledge of spirits and flavours span a 13-year career and means that he has little trouble concocting new tastes for locals. At home, Kamil has a basic but decent bar set up which he describes as a “very simply designed corner”.

It consists of an area to hold his mixing tools, different types of glassware and a selection of alcohol for his favourite drinks. These include a simple gin martini, a Manhattan, an Old Fashioned, and a Daiquiri. He also uses his set up to mix drinks for his flatmates whom he claims can be more demanding than his guests.

KAMIL’S MUST-HAVE BARTENDING TOOLS

KAMIL’S BAR DESIGN TIPS • Have the right equipment - shaker, jigger, mixing glass and a couple of cocktail recipe books • Build your selection of spirits on your personal preferences rather than what you think you should have • Install a good sound system to help create the right ambience as you mix your cocktails

1. Bar spoon Not just any spoon, a bar spoon. The length of the spoon ensures that you can reach the bottom of the tallest jug or tumbler to mix ingredients directly.

Aside from stirring, the spoon also has a multipurpose use for tasting, measuring small doses and more.

2. Hawthorne strainer Kamil uses a shaker, as opposed to a mixing glass, and this strainer fits better over the mixing tin. It separates unwanted ice and other ingredients such as fruit, spices from your glass and the final product.

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3. Knife The traditional recipes of mixing cocktails with different spirits and juices just can’t cut it any more these days. Kamil uses fresh fruits and juices, botanicals, spices and other flavours in his concoctions and his knife is his BFF during ingredient preparation.

4. Jigger If you’re serious about your cocktails, you’ll also be serious about the proportions of ingredients that go into your drink. Kamil says this is one of the most important tools for mixing cocktails as a jigger makes it easy to accurately portion ingredients for your drinks.

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SPOTLIGHT

CHEFS’ KITCHENS

JANICE WONG

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CHEF/OWNER OF 2AM:DESSERTBAR The incredibly talented and two-time winner of Asia’s Best Pastry Chef in the San Pellegrino’s Asia’s 50 Best Restaurant annual awards, Janice Wong is always redefining the way people think about food. While she has experimented with many different courses, Janice’s specialty is in pastries and dessert. At 2am:dessertbar, diners are visually treated to chocolate painted tabletops to edible isomalt sugar “coral” decorations. There’s no rest for the wicked as Janice pushes herself with 7-day-work week packed with collaborations, pop-ups, guest appearances and research work. She reveals that the last time she cooked at home was more than six months ago. But when she does cook, Janice usually whips up a simple salmon meal. Unlike cooking in her professional kitchen, Janice keeps things more casual at home.

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JANICE’S MUST-HAVE BAKING ESSENTIALS

JANICE’S KITCHEN DESIGN TIPS • The tighter your work area, the better. Keep your cooking, sink and prep area within reach of each other.

• Consider having different surface tops for different types of food. Stainless steel is good for rolling out cake doughs while a wooden surface top is good for breads and dim sum.

• Have a proper spice rack. Remove your spices from the original packaging and place them in air-tight bottles. Not only does it keep better, the display looks good in the kitchen.

1. Hand blender The hand blender comes with a variety of attachments, making it an extremely versatile tool in the kitchen.

It’s Janice’s favourite tool and she even brings it with her when she travels for work.

2. Mixer The mixer should have a permanent place in all aspiring bakers’ kitchens.

Janice uses it to whip up a variety of food during the prepping stage from creams to cake doughs.

3. Chocolate scraper Different types of chocolate at different temperatures are moulded together to achieve that pretty, shiny look. The chocolate scraper allows Janice to mould and control the temperature of the chocolates in a process known as tempering.

4. Mini spatula The humble spatula is used so often in Janice’s kitchen, you can find it tucked into the pockets of the uniforms on most of the kitchen staff.

It’s multipurpose – use it to pick up creams, ingredients or for serving.

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Project Type 4-room HDB

Floor Area 850 sqft

Rest and Calm Few local homes get the contemporary look just right. This one by Weiken.com, however, nails it on all fronts. Not only does it boast a neutral palette that is easy on the senses, it also does well in terms of proportion and textures, and is as functional a home as the practical Singaporean could want.

SPACE MAGIC

SIMPLE DOES IT

The secret to this home’s success lies in its spatial planning. While most would have set the dining area between the living area and kitchen, the designers created a small partition for a more formal entrance. The dining area has been pushed to the far end of the home where it is privy to natural light coming in through the windows.

The living area is the communal heart of the home and is simply dressed by a streamlined 3-seater sofa that doesn’t overwhelm the space. Opposite, a single bench serves as a TV console against a full brick wall rendered in white. Storage has been consolidated by the side in the form of a six-door cabinet.

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LIGHT COOKING The neutral palette found in the rest of the house is brought into the kitchen where glossy white overhead cabinets are contrasted against light timber laminates used on the lower cabinets. Cabinet fronts are kept handle-less for a seamless look and a glass backsplash ensures easy cleaning after heavy cooking.

ALL IN ORDER The bathrooom stays true to the design aesthetics in this home, but adapts a more laidback appeal. The main concern here is for sufficient storage, and the designers complied with a mixture of cabinets, cupboards and open cubby holes.

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KEEP IT CLEAN The first rule for the bedrooms was that it should feel clean and uncluttered. For this, a full height wardrobe with sliding doors provides ample storage. A customised study-cum-dressing unit also comes with its own storage space – overhead cabinets with mirrored fronts and drawers under the desk. In fact, one end of the table can be flipped up to reveal a mirror, making it a vanity of compact proportions.

REST EASY Design gymnastics are clearly avoided in the master bedroom, which is meant to feel restful and calming. A refreshing alternative to the bedroom feature wall is a single coat of taupe paint and an inspirational quote decal above the bed’s headboard.

WEIKEN.COM GROUP OF COMPANIES Weiken@Tradehub 21 18 Boon Lay Way #01-133 TradeHub 21 Singapore 609966 T (65) 6465 6656 F (65) 6316 8363 Weiken@Century Square 2 Tampines Central 5 #05-22 Century Square Singapore 529509 T (65) 6604 6656 F (65) 6604 6077 Weiken@Oxley Bizhub 2 62 Ubi Road 1 #01-04 Oxley Bizhub 2 Singapore 408734 T (65) 6264 2033 F (65) 6538 3540 Weiken@IMM 2 Jurong East St 21 #03-28G IMM Building Singapore 609601 T (65) 6560 6001 F (65) 6560 6005 Weiken@Midview City 24 Sin Ming Lane #01-103 Midview City Singapore 573970 T (65) 6455 6656 F (65) 6659 2007 Weiken.com@Big Box Mall 1 Venture Avenue (3rd Level) Singapore 608521 T (65) 6397 4648 weiken@singnet.com.sg www.weiken.com www.facebook.com/ weikeninterior

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