PROS & CONS OF OPEN-CONCEPT Homeowners and experts weigh in DESIGN RULE BREAKERS The quick guide for tiny homes
SMALL SPACE, BIG LIVING
11 inspiring homes under 850sqft
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A L L T H I N G S C O M PA C T
Bite-sized and beautiful. Cherry pick the furniture in your small home and opt for pieces that are compact and charismatic at the same time. TEXT ADITI GAITONDE FERNANDES
Slip and slide Here’s a side table to hold more than just magazines. The Frame Sofa Side Table is made entirely of oak but is available in teak too. It sits pretty next to the sofa or bed as a handy coffee cup holder. Double it up as a laptop table by sliding it under the sofa or bed and closer to you. Frame Sofa Side Table is available at Ethnicraft Online, www.ethnicraft-online.com.sg
Prime focus Don’t deny your home a lush and stylish sofa just because you’re starved for space. Skip the three-seaters and jump at the chance to furnish your living room with a two-seater sofa. Especially if it’s a classic one designed by Kaare Klint back in 1930 for the office of the then Danish Prime Minister. Also available in a three-seater option, choose from oak, walnut, or black-painted oak with leather and goatskin upholstery.
Flower power The iconic Tulip armchair by Eero Saarinen would be a gorgeous addition to a compactly sized living or dining space. Resolving the “ugly, confusing, unrestful world” underneath tables and chairs, the delicate silhouette of Eero’s chair for Knoll brings elegance to spaces. Its single and slender base, in fixed and swivel options, makes it a visually light furniture piece – ideal for tiny homes. Tulip armchair by Knoll is available at Proof Living,
Kaare Klint sofa by Carl Hansen & Son is available at P5, www.p5.com.sg 16 | LOOKBOXLIVING.COM.SG
www.proof.com.sg
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Good reflections The iconic Panthella Mini table lamp by Verner Panton for Louis Poulsen now comes in a new and stunning metallic chrome finish. Its organic design remains unchanged with the exception of the stunning modern colour update. The reflective finish playfully mirrors and distorts its surroundings while the compact form allows you to brighten up the smallest of nooks in style – always a good thing in a small space. This classic design comes with builtin LED technology complete with a stepless dimmer and a timer too.
Dine fine Not much room left for a dining set? Transform even the tiniest of spaces into a dining area for two with this trendy outdoor furniture. The Palissade Cone table and Élémentaire chairs are the result of a collaboration between the award-winning Bouroullec brothers and Danish brand Hay. Available in sophisticated colours, the elegant and compact table paired with robust yet elegant chairs make for a stylish sight. Palissade Cone table and Élémentaire chairs are
Get the skinny Measuring at a mere 33cm at its widest point, this slender chair can fit into any tight spot. Poppe by Swedish furniture brand Blå Station is a tall and skinny chair that is specifically designed for small homes. Made from a lacquered steel frame with moulded polyurethane foam upholstered in fabric or leather, it’s also lightweight – so you can move it around the house with ease.
available at Proof Contract, www.proof.com.sg Panthella Mini table lamp by Verner Panton is
Poppe chair is available at Blå Station,
available at Louis Poulsen, www.louispoulsen.com
www.blastation.com
Rock solid Pair your living room furniture with this petite side table by Kettal. Designed by Patricia Urquiola, these postmodernist tables have circular tops that rest on cylindrical concrete blocks. They are available in several colours but also come in teak and marble. The perfect way to pop some colour into your small flat! Roll table by Kettal is available at Xtra, www.xtra.com.sg LOOKBOXLIVING.COM.SG | 17
It’s no secret that the interior design industry in Singapore is over-saturated. With a low barrier of entry into the trade, many new companies pop up, only to quietly close down within a couple of years. But the ones that thrive are the ones that make the biggest impact, and not just to the clients but to the design industry as a whole. Take Design Intervention for example. This 14-year-old design discipline has grown exponentially to become one of Singapore’s most respected design studios. Helmed by founder Nikki Hunt and partner Andrea Savage, Design Intervention has made news, won awards and even represented Singapore on both regional and international levels. “It’s always nice to have a pat on the back,” says Nikki, humbly brushing aside the accolades, “but awards have been far more than a recognition of our work. They have always been a spur for us to innovate and to push for even higher standards.”
IN PROFILE: DESIGN INTERVENTION As one of Singapore’s leading, high-profile interior design firms, Design Intervention thinks it’s time to give our local design industry a boost. TEXT REDZMAN RAHMAT IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGN INTERVENTION
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Design in the details At the core of Design Intervention’s acclaim is its aptitude for highly personalised designs, lush interiors and meticulous attention to details. “Over the years, we have worked on some truly opulent projects as well as some streamlined and understated ones,” says Nikki. “Our projects tend to look very different, depending on the client. But the one true commonality is the attention to details. We believe that comfort and function should not be sacrificed for the aesthetics.” “Our job as a designer is to understand the individual psyche of each homeowner so we can create an environment for them where they can truly ‘feel at home’,” says Nikki, when asked about the firm’s design process. “Homes are liveable, working spaces and our job is to create sanctuaries for our clients where their every need and design is anticipated and where they can feel rejuvenated and restored.” Taking the top spot With its position as one of the leaders in residential design, Design Intervention has been an active supporter of Singapore’s design industry. Nikki and Andrea actively foster local (and soon to be regional) talent through its own Young Designers Award (YDA) programme. Nikki explains that they implemented the awards as a way to highlight the importance of the needs of the private residential consumer. “Unfortunately, most Design degree syllabus don’t focus on residential design,” she continues. “The idea of the YDA was a reaction to the challenges that
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we face, as business owners, to seek new staff with knowledge of the residential design industry.” As stalwart supporters of the interior design industry, Design Intervention will also be part of the jury panel in this year’s Lookbox Design Awards. “Design awards play a critical role in raising industry standards, and we are thrilled to be part of this worthy initiative,” Nikki shares. “In Singapore, the design industry is still very much in its infancy. Events such as the design awards help us to highlight the very best of what’s possible. The awards are not only raising standards; they are also raising the profile of the industry. This is imperative if we are to attract talent that will enable the Singapore design industry to compete on the world stage.” www.designintervention.com.sg
“We have a great team here at Design Intervention, with a whole host of skills from all the different aspects of design, including lighting, furniture as well as interior architecture.” – Nikki Hunt, Principal, Design Intervention
(Top) The Design Intervention studio and offices are an apt reflection of the firm’s wellconsidered design sensibilities. (Left) In this showstopping bungalow in Bukit Timah, Design Intervention opted for a maximalist look that’s defined by bold strokes of colour on the walls and a strong interplay of prints, patterns and textures.
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SPOTLIGHT
COLOUR
Bell and Copper from Tom Dixon This year sees Tom Dixon launching recognisable silhouettes rethought through the power of colour. The electric blue on the Bell table light is created through the futuristic technique of Physical Vapour Deposition. The Copper shades on the other hand have been stripped and dipped into a vibrant blue glaze with extraordinary effect. Bell and Copper lamps from Tom Dixon are available at Xtra, www.xtra.com.sg
FROM MILAN TO SINGAPORE Have you been lusting after the products that were shown at Milan Design Week 2018 in April? We pick out some of the great new designs that are now available for purchase or special order. TEXT JANICE SEOW
All eyes turn to Milan Design Week and the fair’s main exhibition, Salone del Mobile, every year in April. For design enthusiasts, this is the best time to discover the latest international trends and products that are soon to hit the scene, or simply sit back and be inspired by the brilliant design talents as well as the extraordinary installations – from design, lifestyle, fashion and even tech brands – that rise up across the city. This year’s Milan Design Week, which drew a massive crowd of 434, 509 attendees (a 26 per cent rise from the 2017 edition), saw lovely material explorations and offerings by established brands, the rise of classic re-issues and accessories, and a bold play on colours. Now, see which new products from the fair are coming to you! Happy shopping.
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Feltri from Cassina Designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1987 for Cassina, Feltri made its return at Milan Design Week 2018 dressed in new fabrics and bold new colours such as plum, midnight blue, forest green and pink melange for a contemporary update. It’s already a mainstay of the websites of modern art and a collector’s item, and its patented production technique makes it a symbol of cuttingedge design, even till today. Feltri armchair from Cassina is available at Space Furniture, www.spacefurniture.com.sg
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ACCESSORIES
Accessories from Hay Fans of Hay were certainly not disappointed with the Danish brand’s showing of stationery, table and kitchenware, and cushions at this year’s Milan Fair. The friendly shapes and playful colours have elevated these functional products into fun statement pieces for all areas of the home. Hay accessories are available at Grafunkt, www.grafunkt.com
Mirrors from Fritz Hansen Mirrors by Studio Roso for the Fritz Hansen accessories collection will have you taking a second, and third look. Using hand-painted aquarelle graphics, the studio has created wall-mounted pieces of semi-transparent glass that beautifully mirror the person in front of it. The reflection is defined by the surrounding light and the person’s perspective. Staring at your reflection in the mirror is now like staring at art – now, that’s an appealing idea! Mirrors from Fritz Hansen are available at W. Atelier, www.watelier.com
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THE SMALL SPACE RULEBOOK 2.0 Go ahead and Google ‘small space decor’ and you’ll find yourself spiralling down a rabbit hole full of design dos and don’ts. Working with a limited area is hard enough; you don’t need a list of restrictions that might not be entirely accurate or even useful. As they say, ‘You need to know the rules before you can break them’. So here are a few that deserve to be upheld and some that ought to be disobeyed. TEXT ADITI GAITONDE FERNANDES
KEEP THIS RULE!
Use windows to your advantage Windows are one of the most overlooked yet valuable spaces in a small home. Take a cue from this home by Artistroom where a window ledge in the corridor has been turned into a desk. A plank of quality wood and some bar stools can become a multi-purpose workstation where you can have breakfast, work on your craft project or get some paperwork done. Design by Artistroom
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BRE AK THIS RULE!
Large furniture makes a small room look smaller and cramped “An effective way of creating more space is to pair up and combine furniture pieces, especially those with a larger footprint,” Dennis Cheok of Upstairs says. The end result, he adds, can often be sculptural and impactful – opposite to what the ‘rule’ claims. In The Overlap Apartment, Dennis and his team combined the kitchen counter, bar and dining table into a customised piece of furniture. Whilst this approach isn’t entirely new, this sculptural bespoke piece was designed as a floating timber block that housed storage, a waste bin and a dish drying rack concealed neatly within its black metal plinth. By consolidating these features, the design team managed to free up more space around the counter.
DON’T FORGET TO UTILISE THE BALCONY Your balcony space isn’t just for growing plants or drying laundry. Transform the unused space into a dining area that is a natural extension of your living space. Just be sure to pick allweather furniture that’s suitable for Singapore’s climate.
Design by Upstairs
Design by Free Space Intent
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INTERIOR DESIGN BY EHKA STUDIO
DO WE REALLY NEED WALLS? The small homes movement combined with the popular open-concept trend that promotes fewer walls has got us wondering: Could walls become redundant someday? We set out to ask four individuals – a homeowner, a professor of interior design and two interior designers – their views on walls and whether we really need them in modern-day apartments. TEXT ADITI GAITONDE FERNANDES
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HSU HSIA PIN, DIRECTOR, EHK A STUDIO “I think walls are still needed. While we all love the feeling of open-plan spaces, life actually requires moments of privacy, separation, and concealment. Walls give us quiet rooms to sleep and study in, spaces for private conversations, and are needed to conceal our mess,” explains Hsia Pin. He believes that most of us are enticed by the look of an open-concept home, but once we live in them, we might begin to appreciate some form of partitioning. As a designer, Hsia Pin is more interested in a form of nuanced porosity where spaces can be more ambiguous – closed yet open, defined yet fluid, structured yet flexible. “But in the end, it really depends on the requirements of the homeowner. It may make sense for a bachelor pad but not for a family with or without plans for young children. Personally, I love the idea of an open-concept home and it worked great for me… until I had kids,” he adds.
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R O D R I G O B U E LVA S , PROFESSOR OF INTERIOR DESIGN, SCA D H O N G KO N G Professor Buelvas is of the opinion that walls are not absolutely necessary for a home. While walls play a crucial role, one can also opt for alternative solutions. Screens, curtains or glass partitions can be styled creatively in a home, allowing for an interesting and multi-purpose use of the space. Although open versus divided space is a subjective topic that depends on living and working culture, he personally prefers openplan spaces. He believes that walls or no walls, spaces are becoming more integrated and flexible. For instance, using open kitchens for food preparation, as well as a work area and dining area will help micro-homes tremendously. “In the future, living spaces will become more multi-functional. I believe open-plan spaces will be styled, so as to allow for more use of the area,” opines the professor.
SHOULD YOU FOLD? “Folding walls can be difficult to operate sometimes. If you’re planning to integrate foldable walls, remember to select products with good hardware that can resist heavy usage and won’t give operational issues in the future.” – Rodrigo Buelvas
INTERIOR DESIGN BY SAZELI JALAL
INTERIOR DESIGN BY LINEAR SPACE CONCEPTS
HOW DO YOU REVIVE A DEAD SPACE? “With square footage becoming more premium, rooms like guest rooms, granny rooms, and kid’s playrooms become ‘dead’ spaces as they’re often not used every day. Make more meaningful use of them by partitioning them when required, but using them as extended spaces on a regular day.” – Hsu Hsia Pin
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STYLE KIT
SMALL SPACE, BIG PLAYGROUND With a gift for crafting space, Denise Chng, interior designer and co-founder of Habit, has turned her tiny 1+1 SOHO apartment into a stylish home with more than enough room to live and play. TEXT JANICE SEOW
PHOTOGRAPHY WONG WEILIANG
ART DIRECTION BETTY WONG & NURZULI SOBAHRI
I N D E TA I L Home: 1+1 SOHO unit | Floor area: 657sqft | Who lives here: Interior designer Denise Chng | Where: Telok Kurau
W
hen Denise Chng, interior designer and co-founder of design studio Habit, first set eyes on this 5th floor SOHO apartment, she immediately fell in love with its leafy, unblocked views and saw the potential of turning the space into a comfortable pad, despite its tight footprint. Working in collaboration with her business partner, interior designer Li Yanling, Denise has transformed her very first home into a stylish and moody chill-out space complete with a cosy bedroom loft, ingenious (and innumerous) storage solutions, and enough room to host intimate parties as well as the occasional house guest. We find out more from Denise.
Why did you decide to go with a SOHO apartment? To be honest, I didn’t plan to buy a SOHO unit, but I got a ‘this is the one’ kind of feeling when I first viewed this unit. The development being a SOHO just made me more certain of my choice, as I could also use this space as a home office if I were to decide to base my 62 | LOOKBOXLIVING.COM.SG
Denise enjoys sliding aside the panels in the loft, and perching at the edge for casual chats. The ceiling is wrapped in shimmery black mosaic tiles, giving the impression that the 3.2-metrehigh ceiling is higher than it really is. (Facing page) The fish-patterned wallcovering adds a touch of sensuality without overpowering the space. Denise wanted a darker colour palette, with subtle influences of a modern Japanese underground sake bar.
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STYLE KIT
D E S I G N N OT E S To fully maximise a small space, look for storage potential in every corner of your house. Don’t discount small nooks and crannies.
(Top left) The bomb shelter has been transformed into a storage space for 100 pairs of shoes. (Top right) A narrow display of Denise’s colourful Bearbrick collection is beautifully emphasised against an otherwise black and moody canvas. (Right) The guest room features a hidden pull-down bed and a nifty pull-down wardrobe hanging system. (Facing page) The en-suite bathroom can now be directly accessed from both the loft area and guest room. LOOKBOXLIVING.COM.SG | 65
MID-CENTURY MODERN FLAT WITH WELLCONCEALED STORAGE Attracted to the mid-century modern style, the married couple living in this HDB BTO flat wanted to imbue its timeless quality and organic design lines into their first home together. The Artistroom designers carved out a free-flowing floor plan that would allow the furniture silhouettes to take centrestage. TEXT DISA TAN
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Project type: 5-room HDB BTO flat – Floor area: 1,100sqft
Picture of poise Given the homeowners’ preference for dark-toned flooring, the designers chose black homogeneous tile flooring with woodgrain patterns, which pairs well with the whitewashed walls. To maintain the clean design language, they installed full-height cabinetry that lies flushed against the wall. It serves as shoe storage and even conceals the entrance of the bomb shelter.
Blue brillance A pop of blue anchors the open-concept kitchen and demarcates it from the rest of the monochromatichued communal zones. Aware that the homeowners wanted a storage-friendly area, the designers installed two full-height cabinets with countertop space for small appliances, and incorporated a storeroom behind the cabinetry to house cleaning appliances.
SHOWCASE – ARTISTROOM
Furnished with love A characterful mix of both high and low buys defines the living room setting. Working hand in hand, the homeowners and designers combed different furniture stores to put together a midcentury modern visual feast. “The homeowners did plenty of research towards the exact look they wanted,” say the designers. “They even purchased certain products like drawer handles and the copper pendant lamps online.”
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