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The digital age sees online shopping growing in popularity, and furniture and home decor brands have caught on the trend too. Modern interpretation Taking inspiration from the incredibly influential Bauhaus art school and design movement, MuralsWallpaper created a signature new collection to celebrate a century since the founding of Bauhaus in 1919. Classic Bauhaus shapes and colours are scaled up as murals, in this collection of six colourful and stunning designs.
TEXT VANITHA PAVAPATHI
Bauhaus collection is available at MuralsWallpaper, www.muralswallpaper.com
Merry-go-round If you’re shopping for unique and thoughtful presents, Gifts Less Ordinary is the answer. Kids and adults alike will be enthralled by this Carousel Tea Set inspired by vintage fairgrounds. Each set comes with four fine bone china cups and saucers, and a carousel stand that really spins! When the cups are hung in place, they look like animals riding a rotating merry-go-round. Carousel Tea Set by Maid in China is available at Gifts Less Ordinary, www.giftslessordinary.com
Lazy Sunday Making the bed can now be a fuss-free affair with Sunday Bedding’s wrinkle-free sheets. This latest bedding brand offers smooth cotton sateen and bamboo sateen sheet sets in three sizes, and you’d be pleased to know that formaldehyde levels are kept below industry standards. The local label will be launching more textile materials this year such as linen, organic cotton and even down comforters with different amount of filling in each half for couples who prefer to sleep under different temperatures. Sheet set is available at Sunday Bedding, www.sundaybedding.com 16 | LOOKBOXLIVING.COM.SG
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Streamlined storage One can never have too much storage. Keep your home looking clean and minimalist with this sleek and handleless sideboard in solid oak with black powder coated metal legs. Available in a three-door, threedrawer variant as well as a four-door, four-drawer variant. Ligna sideboard is available at Soul & Tables, www.soulandtables.com.sg
Tropical vibe Ubiquitous in Bali, or any tropical resort for that matter, hanging chairs instantly puts anyone in relaxation mode. There’s just something about the material, construction and idea that puts one at ease. So, why not have one at home? This Sophia hanging chair from Elements Concept is the real deal, if not better. Handcrafted by skilled Indonesian craftsmen, and composed of iron, rattan and a comfy seat cushion, it’s no surprise if one drifts to la la land in it. Sophia Hanging Chair is available at Elements Concept, www.elementsconcept.com.sg
Chop and serve Stylish, ergonomic and functional best describe this multipurpose cutting and serving board. Lift the cutting board by its curved lip to tip chopped food into a pan or bowl in one graceful motion. For a larger cutting surface, place the serving ring (one side is flat while the other is concave) around the board. It’s also perfect for dips and sauces, and neatly collects excess liquid as you chop juicy meats. Depending on your preference, you can choose environmentally friendly recycled plastic, natural wood or solid surface. Lift cutting/serving board is available at Caveman Factory, www.cavemanfactory.com
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SIMPLE UPGRADES Giving your home a makeover need not be a costly and daunting affair. These simple yet effective tricks need no renovation and can be done in one weekend. TEXT VANITHA PAVAPATHI
Inject some colour There’s no time like the present to express your personality with statement making shades. Paint your wall a new colour or add patterns to them with wallcovering. For an understated drama, special effects paint is a great option as it adds texture to the wall. But if this seems like a big commitment to make, try introducing colour in your home through furniture, decor and soft furnishings. The colourful yet whimsical Globe Trotter collection by Roche Bobois, for instance, is an ideal choice. Globe Trotter collection by Marcel Wanders is available at Roche Bobois, www.rochebobois.com
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Bring the outdoors in (Above) It’s safe to say that having plants in your home is one of the cheapest yet most effective way to transform any space. Unlike home furnishings, you don’t have to worry about whether they match or not. Popular houseplants include pothos, sansiviera, fern, fiddle leaf fig and peace lily. Not only do they beautify your home, they’re natural air purifiers too.
Swap out your throw pillows (Right) Changing the covers of your throw pillows according to season, occasion or mood is a quick way to enliven your living space. But if your throw pillows don’t hold their shape anymore, it’s time to get new ones. Use this opportunity to shop for new shapes, sizes and textures for added diversity.
From Wonder Plants 2: Your Urban Jungle Interior,
Design by Styledbypt
by Irene Schampaert and Judith Baehner. Available at www.amazon.com
SPOTLIGHT
Rearrange your furniture This is a no-brainer and costs absolutely nothing. You’ll be surprised at how repositioning your furniture can dramatically alter the look and feel of a space. Realign your bed, swap pieces from different rooms, or peel your sofa and chairs away from the walls and have them positioned close together to form a clearly defined zone. Experiment with various configurations and find what works for you and your family. Design by UPSTAIRS_
Put a rug on it If your home adopts an open plan layout, laying a rug on the floor not only anchors a space, it protects the floor too, especially if you have wood flooring. Moreover, it enhances your decor, adds colour to the space and makes the space feel a lot more inviting. With proper care and maintenance, your rug should last you a decade or more. Image courtesy of The Rug Maker
GET THE RIGHT RUG SIZE
Small living area setting Length: [sofa length] + 20cm Width: [distance from front of sofa to console] - 30cm to 50cm
Medium living area setting Length: [sofa length] + [side table(s)] + 20cm Width: [half of sofa depth] + [distance from front of sofa to console] - 30cm to 50cm
Large living area setting Length: [length of furniture setting] + 20cm to 40cm Width: [width of furniture setting] + 20cm to 40cm
Dining room Length: [length of table] + [depth of chair] + [depth of chair] + 40cm Width: [width of table] + [depth of chair] + [depth of chair] + 40cm
Bedroom with queen or king sized bed Length: [3/4 length of bed] + 80cm to 100cm from bed end Width: [width of bed] + [width of both side tables]
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DESIGN MAKERS Three specialist craft studios in Singapore are taking ordinary materials to the next level through experimentation and innovation. TEXT YVONNE XU PHOTOGRAPHY JUSTIN LOH (UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED)
CONCRETE E VERY THING A lvin C han , Founde r
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As an industrial designer, Alvin Chan is accustomed to applied, hands-on work; as a part-time lecturer at School of Technology for the Arts at Republic Polytechnic, teaching becomes second nature. These professional qualities set him up perfectly to run Concrete Everything, a craft studio offering products and workshops that explore materials such as concrete, resin and jesmonite. Concrete Everything started in 2014 as a hobby and side gig focused on the retail of concrete objects Alvin had made outside of work hours as an industrial designer. It became a full-time pursuit for Alvin last year as he sought to balance work and family responsibilities. The business has also evolved from being a concrete-focused studio to one interested in materials research. Says Alvin, “I am exploring a variety of materials and marry different ones to create pieces that are visually engaging and thought provoking. I think the nature of what we do is all about pushing boundaries and giving people a different perspective as to what a material can be made into. I am branching out into a variety of materials such as resin and jesmonite; the latter has a beautiful terrazzo effect. We are looking forward to a whole variety of home pieces
that pushes people’s perception of these materials.” Encouraging experimentation, Alvin adds, “Resin, jesmonite and concrete are all just materials; what you can make is really up to your imagination. Traditional concrete is used to make buildings but we are making holders, lamps and stools out of it. The same can be said for resin — traditionally a coating element for boats and used in industrial applications, we use it to make coasters, jewellery, et cetera. Jesmonite is traditionally used to make sculptures, but we are exploring its use and because it is a pricey material, we are starting to make smaller things like coasters and holders.” While attending a workshop may mean a visit to Alvin’s home, and meeting his wife and two children, Ernest and Lauren, Alvin shares that Concrete Everything also runs corporate workshops and has been conducting them at co-working space The Hive. “We started running our bimonthly workshops there for a better environment as well as to have a space that is insta-friendly. This is important for people – to document their crafts with beautiful pictures,” Alvin concludes. www.concrete-everything.com
SPOTLIGHT
“I am branching out into a variety of materials and as we venture into these new areas, we are looking forward to a whole variety of home pieces that pushes your perception of these materials.”
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1. Alvin runs a workshop for shoe company Melissa. 2. A post-event display of
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concrete lamps. 3. Alvin fixes the details of an event. 4. A stationery holder cast from an origami-inspired mould. 5. A workshop participant mixes concrete. 6. A resin and concrete lamp that explores the marrying of the two materials. 7. A workshop participant pours concrete into a mould formed from corrugated plastic. Images courtesy of Concrete Everything LOOKBOXLIVING.COM.SG | 31
The Lookbox Design Awards (LBDA) honours the most exciting projects, progressive ideas and outstanding talents in Singapore’s home interior design scene. It’s a celebration of our country’s best, and history in the making. See the 51 inspiring homes and interior design firms that made it to the top of LBDA 2018!
LBDA.COM.SG
HOME OF THE YEAR
P R O J E C T: H O U S E I N A F L AT FIRM: NIT TON A RCHITECTS
“nitton architects managed to create a sense of spaciousness and expansiveness in an HDB flat, while still fulfilling the requirements of privacy and flexibility. The overall effect seems effortless but belies much planning and exploration. The spatial layering is particularly successful, making the space appear larger than it is.” – From the LBDA jury
LOOKBOX DESIGN AWARDS 2018
THE SLOW LIFE The home of SLOWHOUSE founder Bella Koh and designer/lecturer Terence Yeung is a tranquil abode where effortless style meets cool, relaxed vibes. TEXT JANICE SEOW
PHOTOGRAPHY WONG WEILIANG
ART DIRECTION BETY WONG & SITI NURFAIZAH
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STYLE KIT
This tranquil walk-up apartment features a delightful mix of designer furniture and rustic furnishings. Sofa is from Matteo Grassi and cowhide upholstered Dezza armchairs by Gio Ponti are from Poltrona Frau. The wooden table (extreme left) was given by a neighbour when the couple needed more table space for a party.
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I N D E TA I L Home: Black-and-white walk-up apartment | Floor area: 2,000sqft | Who lives here: Bella Koh (pictured), husband Terence Yeung and daughter Alessandra Yeung | Where: Bukit Timah |
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hen you step inside the home of Bella Koh and Terence Yeung, you find yourself transported back in time. The interiors of this rented 2,000sqft black-and-white colonial walk-up apartment in the leafy Bukit Timah district are delightfully light-filled and calm, while original design details bring on a sense of nostalgia. The outside mirrors the inside. Large, mature trees rise up to the apartment’s third-storey windows, while lush landscaping and gentle green slopes meet the eye in virtually every direction. Aside from the sounds of nature, all is quiet. And in a bustling place like Singapore, the experience is refreshing – even uplifting. It’s also worth noting that such tranquillity perfectly encapsulates the philosophy of the ‘slow life’ that Bella Koh expounds in her work at SLOWHOUSE, a conscious living and healing space that also provides design services centred around wellness and slow living. Bella and her husband Terence decided to make the move from their apartment in Tiong Bahru so as to give their three-year-old daughter Alessandra more room to run around. “She’s a hyperactive kid and the layout of our old place was a bit too narrow for her needs,” says Bella. “My husband and I also wanted her to be close to nature,” she adds. The couple have retained their Tiong Bahru residence and turned it into SLOWHOUSE’s event space. This gem of an apartment in the Bukit Timah area was perfect for what they were looking for. Bella shares that they were drawn to the “aura of the place, the space, the living experience, the greenery and the architectural presence of the place.” She adds, “We thought the environment met our criteria of a home to bring up our child.” If this apartment looks effortlessly stylish yet homey, it’s because it has had the combined creative input of husband and wife – Terence is a designer and senior lecturer at an arts school, while Bella is well
STYLE KIT
D E S I G N N OT E S Who says neutral is boring? Layer on different light coloured shades and throw in complementary accent colours for a calm, minimalist look. (Facing page) The kitchen is where Bella Koh develops new recipes for her work. She loves her Bertazzoni Heritage series standalone stove, which is the last available piece in Singapore. “It’s rare to find a beautifully designed standalone cooker. Also, since this space is a rental, we preferred something we could take along with us when we move,” she says. (Far right) The marble and travertine in the bathroom are unused material from the couple’s old residence. LOOKBOXLIVING.COM.SG | 91
Project type: 2-room HDB flat – Floor area: 484sqft
MODERNISING AN OLD HDB FLAT This resale flat was badly in need of an update when the new homeowner bought it over. She then engaged the help of Wincy Tang from Rhiss Interior, who gave this run-down flat a complete makeover and a new lease of life. TEXT JASMINE GOH
Bachelorette pad The homeowner works as a private tutor and often conducts classes in her living room. “Her main requirement was to keep her bedroom a private space and so she turned down suggestions of using glass walls to help this one-bedroom unit look bigger,” says designer Wincy Tang. Thus, the issue is resolved with a swivel door that also functions as a double-sided whiteboard, serving great purpose and saving precious floor space. 126 | LOOKBOXLIVING.COM.SG
SHOWCASE – RHISS INTERIOR
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