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CONTENTS
JANUARY
13 RAYS OF HOPE There is nothing like lighting objects that inject a dose of drama into spaces.
NOW
DESIGN/NEWS/PLACES TO V I S I T/ T H I N G S T O B U Y
26
14 COLOUR OF THE MONTH Cheerful, rich and energetic, Solid Marigold is the colour to start a year of recovery
SH OP PI N G
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Graphic Content Less is more for these furniture pieces.
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GREAT BUYS Our monthly roundup of the hottest new design products for the home.
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LIVING Organic shapes, rounded corners, voluptuous curves, these items add a sensual touch to any room.
N E W STO R E 22
VERSACE CHILDREN Versace’s line for boys, girls and newborns now has a standalone boutique with a chic interior at The Shoppes at MBS.
H OT S P OT 24
CAPELLA SANYA On the southern end of Hainan, China, this beachfront retreat was inspired by the history of the Maritime Silk Road. 26
HOTEL ESENCIA Surrounded by tropical vegetation and featuring views of the Caribbean Sea, this coastal hotel in Mexico’s Riviera Maya is a historical, cultural and gastronomic oasis. 30
NEON PIGEON 2.0 The urban izakaya is back with a familiar eclectic buzz and an even better culinary experience at Carpenter Street.
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CONTENTS
JANUARY
51
On the Go “The more you know, the more there is to know,” says Tom Dixon.
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
PEO P L E 51
ON THE GO Tom Dixon just can’t sit still. The awardwinning, self-taught maverick British designer-businessman is easily bored and always searching for his next new project. 56
REDISCOVERING RATTAN Multidisciplinary designer Priscilla Ong Shunmugam talks about putting South-east Asians at the forefront of her brand’s inaugural furniture offering.
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60
CRAFTING WELLNESS Jason Lee, the founder of SIX, talks about the artisanal Singapore fragrance brand’s social mission, championing mental wellness through fragrance and crafting personalised ambient scents. 62
UP CLOSE American neo-pop artist Jan Larsen describes his design style as well as biggest strength. And what makes him smile the most.
CONTENTS
JANUARY
64
HOMES THE NEW MODERN
LAKESIDE LUXURY This contemporary summer retreat in a small remote town close to Ontario, Canada, is an architectural statement that melds elegant design, technology and sustainability with a natural setting. 72
LABOUR OF LOVE This pre-war Tiong Bahru walk-up combines industrial edge with speakeasy and heritage elements.
72 on the cover
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This pre-war walk-up in by Three-D Conceptwerke offers an updated take on heritage. PHOTOGRAPHY V ERONI CA TAY STYLING NONIE CH EN
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IN CONVERSATION WITH NATURE This inter-terrace home’s external appearance belies its spacious and airy interior with everything a threegeneration family needs. 88
MAKING ROOM FOR FAMILY By reconfiguring some areas, more space was created for the three-generation family that lives here. 94
SUCH GREAT HEIGHTS Located on the 50th floor of the tallest building in Singapore, this bachelor pad sports an elegantly curated monochromatic palette.
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The Looks of New Normal The top three design trends that shape our homes today.
F E ATU R ES
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TOP OF THE CLASS Singapore’s most notable interior design firms of 2020 and their most recent projects. 96
THE LOOKS OF NEW NORMAL What will our homes look like in the months to come? 1 02
INTO THE OPEN Ten ideas for separating the spaces in your openconcept home for better spatial flow.
THE ART OF LETTING GO The Singaporean Dream of home upgrading comes with a great responsibility of disposing of your items correctly, sustainably, and preferably profitably. 112
SMART MOVES Optimise your study with these productitivity tips and expert feng shui advice.
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EDITOR’S NOTE 11 DIGITAL EDITION EXCLUSIVES 117 WHERE TO BUY 118
BUYING GUIDE 12 0
THE HARD TRUTH
FEATURES T H E L AT E S T I N D E S I G N AND DECOR TRENDS
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EDITORIAL
PHOTOGRAPHY
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CREATIVE SENIOR ART DIRECTOR Nonie Chen (noniec@sph.com.sg) ART DIRECTOR Kristy Quah (krisquah@sph.com.sg)
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CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER Ignatius Low HEAD, AD SOLUTIONS Maureen Wee HEAD, AD PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT & INNOVATION Helen Lee HEAD, CONTENT MARKETING Phin Wong HEAD, PARTNERSHIPS & NEW GROWTH Linda Lim
Home & Decor is published by SPH Magazines, a division of Singapore Press Holdings Ltd, 1000 Toa Payoh N, S318994, Tel: 6319-6319 Distributed by Circulation Department, Singapore Press Holdings Ltd, Singapore registration no.: 198402868E Printed by Times Printers. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the written permission of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed or implied in Home & Decor are those of the authors or contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. For back issues, e-mail: circs@sph.com.sg. Subscribe online: www.homeanddecor.com.sg.
HEAD, BUSINESS PLANNING & OPS EXCELLENCE Joanna Ho GROUP MARKETING HEAD Sharon Cheong CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS HEAD Chin Soo Fang VICE-PRESIDENT, HUMAN RESOURCES Irene Lee
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EDITOR’S NOTE
OUT WITH MINIMALISM home furniture and work desks have seen a sharp rise recently. The apperance of Covid signalled the end of Minimalist living. In my opinion that may not be a bad thing, because elegant home living needs to be more than just throwing stuff away and packing things up so they can be hidden out of sight. Homeowners have to learn how to appreciate and live with their possessions, and find the love to treasure those items in their own unique way. That is why the Zakka way of living is trending in home styling now. Find out more in this issue, and I hope you have a great year ahead.
YO U N G L I M E D I TO R - I N - C H I E F
photography ANGELA GUO art direction NONIE CHEN
Having spent the better part of last year working from home, I discovered just how difficult it can be to operate from a space that everyone (especially those who subscribe to the method of a particularly well-known Japanese home organiser with her own Netflix show) thinks should be kept sparse and simple. I began to regret throwing out things that I thought I didn’t need anymore, like a printer and an office chair, and having to rush out to buy new ones again. I believe I am not the only one too, as industry experts share that sales of
A N A L L- N E W O N LI N E EX PE R I E N C E ! YOUR ENHANCED DESIGN JOURNEY INCLUDES: THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF H&D TV WITH VIDEO PLAYLISTS & MORE THE LATEST STYLE TIPS, TREND STORIES AND DESIGNER FEATURES EXCITING GIVEAWAYS AND EXCLUSIVE OFFERS
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W W W. H O M E A N D D E C O R . C O M . S G Check out popular blog posts of the month
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SIGHTS & INSPIRATION Check us out at @Homeanddecor_sg
THIS MONTH ON OUR “HOME OFFICE TO DIE FOR” BOARD… www.pinterest.com/homeanddecorsg
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
R AYS O F HOPE There is nothing like lighting objects that inject a dose of drama into spaces. Crafted from 390 aluminium “rays”, the Sun - Light of Love pendant light from Italian brand Foscarini is at once poetic like a giant floating dandelion and majestic like a mysterious glowing star. That one can’t discern the light source in a cursory glance makes it the perfect conversation starter. “I wanted to bring the sun inside; into the house and its spaces,” says designer Tord Boontje. “Just like sunlight, Sun – Light of Love is an object that makes it hard to know where it begins and where it ends. It has no clear separation between inside and outside. Its geometric presence is very fluid and organic at the same time.” The Foscarini Sun – Light of Love pendant light is available in white and gold and retails from £2,239 (S$3,980) at www.nest.co.uk.
C O LO U R O F T H E M O N T H
C O LO U R O F THE MONTH PANTONE 143C
SOLID MARIGOLD The year 2021 is shaping up to be a year of recovery, and the colour trends reflect this. In an unprecedented move, Pantone chose two colours as its Colour of the Year 2021: a mid-tone grey Ultimate Gray and a sunny yellow Illuminating, which expresses a marriage of reliability and hope. Similarly, Dulux’s beige Brave Ground, Nippon Paint’s powder blue Smooth Sailing, and Sherwin-Williams’ greige Urbane Bronze all paint a serene picture of a kinder and gentler year. Taking inspiration from this, we’ve chosen warm, golden yellow marigold as our colour of the month. “I would match marigold or ochre with splashes of its complementary cooler tones like blue or green as it can make for a very sophisticated palette,” says Wong Liangyuan, colour specialist at Haven Lifestyle. Marigold is a naturally rich, energetic, cheerful and flighty that pairs well with grounding neutrals. “I personally think that dark greys and marigold can be stunning, especially if layered with bold black accents,” says Liangyuan. This room setting by Danish furniture brand Fritz Hansen is a good example, pairing a marigold wall with black pendant lights and natural wood finish, with mint and dark green chairs as the cool colour accents.
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PANTONE 7526C
PANTONE COOL GREY 1
Marigold accessories like cushions or throws add an unexpected cheerful touches to dark colour schemes populated by greys, black, navy or teal.
the expert says
WONG L I A NGYUA N Colour specialist, Haven Lifestyle
photo COURTESY OF FRITZ HANSEN
“Marigold is great as the main colour of the wall. Pair it with cooltoned or neutral furniture to balance out this very vibrant shade. As an accent colour, I would put it on sofas or throw cushions, but always ensure that there are similarly warm tones in the room so that these accents will not be too jarring.”
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SPACE SAVER As working from home becomes the norm, the design of residential furniture has evolved to accommodate the daily transformation of living space to working space and back to a resting space at the end of the day. Very Good & Proper’s Pasadena Desk is designed to be a compact wall-mounted shelf desk with a full-width drawer that can function as a workstation during the day, and a minimalist floating storage at night, keeping everything clear at the start and end of the day. The Pasadena Desk retails for £545 (S$976) from www.verygoodandproper.shop
BETTER STAMINA Always tired after a vacuuming session? Karcher’s cordless VC 4S can help you clean without feeling fatigued, thanks to its lightweight design that weighs in at only 1.25kg. With its dual-hold ergonomic design and runtime of 60 minutes in Eco mode, it’ll let you clean large floor spaces without you or the machine having to take a break in between. It’s no less powerful, though – its 100,000-rpm high-speed brushless motor and multi-cyclone technology suck up debris quickly and effectively. The Karcher VC 4S retails for $498 at all leading electronic stores.
HANDY HEMP
Cambio retail sfor INR 21,900 (approximately S$395) from www.therugrepublic.in.
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ARTIST OF THE MONTH TIFFANY LOY Local textile artist Tiffany Loy started her creative career as an industrial designer working at the Design Incubation Centre at National University of Singapore (NUS) before opening her textile design studio in 2014. Tiffany’s curious textile exploration has taken her to Kyoto, and most recently to London, where she exhibited a 3.6m-tall site-specific textile sculpture called The Weaverly Way during the London Craft Week 2020 at the lobby of citizenM hotel Bankside. Created In collaboration with British silk mill Gainsborough Weaving, it showcased a weaver’s approach to building 3D forms.
PHOTO ED REEVE
Hemp ties with bamboo as one of the fastest-growing plants on earth, making it a sustainable material for furniture and homeware. The Cambio rug from Indian brand The Rug Republic is a highly textural and extremely sturdy handmade hemp rug with a hexagonal pattern that adds a rich tactile dimension to any room. Pair it with shabby chic furniture and exposed brick wall for a charming cottage core look.
Visit www.tiffanyloy.com for more information.
Add to cart A CONTEMPORARY BLESSING What comes to your mind when you hear the word lucky animal feng shui totems? Gaudy and gilded? Not any more, thanks to local designer Lin Quixia, who has updated the aesthetic of these artefacts to suit our contemporary taste. Her Ji Jian Wu collection comprises five feng shui artefacts made of white and gold lustre porcelain: Qi Lin (for good fortune), Jin Chan (for luck in wealth), Hu Lu (to contain negative energy), Pi Xiu (to guard wealth), and Ma (for immediacy), that would look at home in any contemporary setting. Ji Jian Wu collection retails for $138 each at www.didit.sg.
SOPHISTICATED TRIO The new Talis M54 kitchen minimalist faucet series from hansgrohe adds a sculptural element to any kitchen with its timelessly sophisticated silhouette. The series comprises three models: L-shaped, U-shaped and high arc (pictured) spouts, each available in chrome, stainless steel or matte black finish that would look at home in any kitchen setting, whether installed in a stately open-plan kitchen or a snug kitchenette. Talis M54 retails from various hansgrohe dealers, price upon request. Visit www. hansgrohe.com. sg for more information.
EDITOR’S CHOICE
FOLKTALE FANCY Local fashion apparel brand Binary Style, known for its whimsical Singapore folkloric prints, has collaborated with Scene Shang to offer its Sang Kancil Mouse Deer print as upholstery. Scene Shang’s art deco-inspired Maverick Cane Chair is now available to order in velvet upholstery with the mouse deer print, adding a whimsical and distinctively local flavour to any room. The Maverick Cane Chair x Binary Style in ‘Sang Kanchil Mouse Deer’ Velvet is made to order from $770 from Scene Shang at shop.sceneshang.com.
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EXHIBITION OF THE MONTH Singapore Ceramics Now!
SPARKLING CLEAN
Dishwashing doesn’t have to be a chore any longer. The new Miele G7000 dishwasher can be programmed right from your smartphone using the Miele@ mobile app, so you can activate the dishwasher and monitor supply levels of detergent remotely. Its baskets and cutlery trays have also been optimised for the Asian market, so you can load up more bowls, shallow dishes, and even chopsticks with the reassurance that they’ll get thoroughly and gently cleaned.
What: Ceramics exhibition at Singapore Art Week Where: Block 7, Level 1, Gillman Barracks When: 20 January to 13 February 2021
The Miele G7000 retails at www.miele. sg, price upon enquiry.
Curated by renowned ceramicist Jason Lim together with SEED The Art Space, Singapore Ceramics Now! showcases contemporary ceramics work of 19 Singapore-based artists. Taking the theme of Marking | Making, the exhibition
celebrates the diverse processes, techniques, and artistic ideas in the local ceramics scene. The exhibits blend the dexterity of traditional and experimental techniques and present ceramic art objects in refreshing contexts.
ROLL ON OVER Once in a while, furniture brands will roll out products that look totally out there, but might just work for you. Spanish furniture brand Sancal’s latest creation, the Roll Chair by design studio MUT, is an example. Roll Chair is an exercise of extreme minimalism that reduces the chair form into two cylindrical pads as seat and backrest, and simple crossing steel tube as its frame. The result is highly graphical, quirky and surprisingly functional. Sancal is distributed in Singapore by Grafunkt. Price for Roll Chair is available upon enquiry via www.grafunkt.com.
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TRENDING
GRAPHIC CONTENT Less is more for these furniture pieces, each features a thin and slim metal frame that lends a graphic touch to any room – be it as chairs, desk, or lighting – without overcrowding the design. They also convey a sense of lightness.
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1 . Sancal Tonella Lounge Chair by NOTE, from $1,850 at Grafunkt, www. grafunkt.com. 2 . Wendelbo Half 1& Half Lounge Chair by Iskos, from $1,490 at Made & Make, www. madeandmake.sg. 3 . Living Divani Era Scrittoio desk by David Lopez Quincoces, from $9,860 at Space Furniture, www. spacefurniture.com.sg. 4 . Heco wall lamp by Nendo, price upon request from Flos at www.flos.com
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FULL TRANSPARENCY
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STAY GOLD Add a luxe accent to your space with the Beosound Balance, now outfitted with golden detailing and a natural Carrara marble base, which guarantees you a unique piece. The speaker is
part of Bang & Olufsen’s new Golden Collection, comprising nine of the brand’s most popular products clad in goldtoned aluminium and accented with luxurious
materials like solid oak, lambskin, and marble. The collection is a celebration of B&O’s 95year history of craftsmanship and crafting memories with its customers.
Audiophiles seeking true sound clarity (pun intended), listen up: the Transparent speaker is now on local shores. These minimalist speakers feature clean, bold lines and a completely transparent glass body, so they blend seamlessly into almost any aesthetic. They’ve been designed for accurate sound reproduction with a 140W output and a Digital Studio Processor chip for studio-level sound, so you can enjoy those tunes with crystal-clear quality. The Transparent speaker retails for $1,699 at www.antelimited.com, the Takashimaya department store, and Grafunkt.
The Beosound Balance retails for $4,000 at Bang & Olufsen’s Grand Hyatt flagship store and on the official Bang & Olufsen Lazada store.
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TILE OF THE MONTH
VERSATILE SQUARES Simple square ceramic tiles, when made and applied well in a space, can elevate the look of the space while remaining relatively easy to maintain. Founded in 1949 in Sassuolo, Italy, tile brand Ragno is known internationally for its glazed ceramic tile collection. One of its latest collections is the Melange, a collection of highly versatile squares with a glazed finish that creates subtle colour variation, lending a handmade touch to the room that is perfect for wabi-sabi aesthetic. Available in nine colours. Ragno is available in Singapore from Rice Fields, price upon request. Visit www.ricefields.com for more information.
NEWS Online Art Concierge The Artling celebrated its 7th anniversary by launching a B2B online concierge called Artling Projects, which differentiates itself by using AI and specific workflow management systems relevant to the creative industry. It integrates art sourcing, budgeting and timeline management, allowing users to manage various projects, streamlining sourcing procedures, and opening up the opportunity for to scale across projects. Visit projects.theartling.com for more
information.
Architects Apartment Italian furniture brand Living Divani has joined Space Furniture’s portfolio. The brand’s latest and greatest, including pieces from local designers like the Pebble vanity by Lanzavecchia + Wai and Rabbit & Tortoise tables by Studio Juju, can be viewed at Space Furniture’s new showcase, titled the Architects Apartment, which features Living Divani products alongside other brands like Flos and Glas Italia.
Visit www.spacefurniture.com.sg for more information.
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Seven Zones of Sleep European mattress company Emma established a presence in Singapore in December. Hailed as Europe’s most-awarded mattress, the Emma Original Mattress provides full-body support with advanced zoning technology featuring seven foam zones that distribute pressure and support with exceptional motion isolation for the best sleep. Each purchase comes with a 100-night trial with a money-back guarantee and a 10-year warranty.
Emma mattresses retail for $499 (single), $799 (double) and $899 (king) from www. emma-sleep.com.sg, Shopee and Lazada.
text ASIH JENIE & MELODY BAY
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A B S O L U T E LY AMORPHOUS Organic shapes, rounded c voluptuous curves – these items add a soft and sensual touch to any room.
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1., 3. & 1 0. Cocoon Fuschia by Campana Brothers, Anemona Table by Atelier Biagetti and Blossom Stool by Tokujin Yoshioka, all from Louis Vuitton Objets Nomades. 2 . Qeeboo Filicudi Armchair, $1,040 from Journey East.
5. & 7. Kundalini Evita Floor Lamp Fluorescent, $2,415, and Domitalia Oslo Table, from $5,002, both from The Beuro. 6 . Tacchini Julep Sofa by Andrea Ferrar, $9,160, from Made and Make.
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9. Blue Mist tray, $160, from Soul and Table.
4. & 8. Flos Gatto table lamp by Achille and Pier Giacomo CastiglionI, $855, and Moooi Carpets Wild, $4,565, both from Space Furniture.
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N E W S TO R E
L V E R S AC E CHILDREN The Italian fashion brand’s clothing and accessories line for boys, girls and newborns now has a stand-alone with a chic interior at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands that’s inspired by its grown-up store.
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oud colours, geometric objects and oversized toy props have long been popular tropes in children’s fashion stores. But not at Versace’s new 90 sqm boutique for children that’s chic and inviting as well as on-brand and age-appropriate. Located at B1 of The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, it showcases Versace’s comprehensive children’s line, which includes ready-to-wear, footwear, bags, toys, jewellery and other accessories. The interior follows the design
concept of the grown-up store, also created by French architect and interior designer Gwenael Nicolas, who is also the founder of the Japan-based studio Curiosity. Gwenael is no stranger to luxury fashion boutiques. He has designed stores for Issey Miyake, Dolce & Gabbana and Moncler, as well as the Versace boutiques in Miami, Munich, Florence, and Beijing. And, while each has a distinctive feature, all share a cohesive design language articulated with a black and white
TOP
The entrance. FAR RI GHT
The minimalist racks allow the clothing to set the tone of the interior.
good to know
RI GHT
The elegant brass and glass display shelves are embedded into the wall. O PPOSI TE
The vibe of the boutique is luxe, super youthful and recognisably Versace.
triangular geometric pattern and the liberal use of brushed brass and dark-veined white marble – a perfect balance that has refreshed Versace’s opulent baroque aesthetic for millennial and Gen Z customers. The children’s boutique here reinterprets Gwenael’s design to charm its youngest audience and their parents by swapping the stark back and white geometrics with soft pastels and scaling back the brass elements to inject whimsical youthfulness. Plush blue, pink and gold geometric carpets and organically shaped armchairs clad in velvet of the same colours create a comfortable seating area at the centre. Both the floor and the ceiling also feature geometric patterns.
The former is finished with a golden beige wood pattern while the latter sports black lighting tracks that add a graphic edge to the surface. Around the main seating area are display cases in brass, glass and a glossy white finish. The clothing racks and shelves embedded in the wall are also made of brass and glass. These allow the colours of the clothes to pop and change the overall mood of the store according to the seasons without losing its character. Versace’s signature Barocco print is also incorporated into the interior via the ivory and gold wallpaper of the fitting room and the back of some display cabinets, applying a recognisable brand stamp while allowing the boutique’s decidedly more contemporary sensibilities to shine.
Gwenael Nicolas, whose interior design for Versace serves as the blueprint of this boutique, also designed luxury winterwear brand Moncler’s boutique at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.
Versace Children’s Boutique Marina Bay Sands is located at B1-064, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. Visit boutiques.versace. com for more information.
text ASIH JENIE photos VERSACE
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H O T S P OT
CAPELLA S A N YA On the southern end of Hainan, China, this beachfront retreat was inspired by the history of the Maritime Silk Road.
T
he design of Capella Sanya reflects rich Chinese cultural elements combined with the beauty of nature and luxurious architectural spaces,” says Jean-Michel Gathy, founder and principal architect-designer of Malaysia-based Denniston International Architects & Planners. “For example, flowing water symbolises success in China, so we have created a complete central water system that starts at the lobby with a water fountain and flows down through the resort. Serene, reflective pools, another distinguishing feature, are layered throughout the resort.” Co-created by Denniston and Bensley Design Studio, which has offices in Bangkok and Bali, Capella Sanya on Hainan Island welcomes guests with a stunning water feature called the Dream Pool of Essays, which spans 4,257 sq m. Everywhere, Jean-Michel references Chinese culture. He used feng shui principles in the spectacular lobby, where a dome trickling water into a central pool symbolises prosperity. At the top, the circle 24
LEF T
The vast Dream Pool of Essays welcomes arriving guests. BOT TOM, FAR L EF T
The majestic “treasure bowl” lobby is bathed in golden hues.
BOT TOM, LEF T
The Library Bar serves craft cocktails infused with tea and spices traded along the old spice route. BOT TOM, RIGH T
The sculptural wall lights reflect modern times.
represents heaven while the square at the bottom refers to the earth. “This is a resort respecting Chinese culture and Chinese symbolism”, says JeanMichel. “We respect the way the Chinese live and what we have here is genuine.” Early Tang dynasty poet Zhang Ruoxu, the legendary Maritime Silk Route and nature were three key sources of inspiration. The decor, cuisine and landscaping were all taken into consideration as well to create a coherent, harmonious project in which several meditative spaces invite guests to slow down. Designed amid lush gardens overlooking the South China Sea, Capella Sanya comprises 190 rooms and six private villas where Chinese elements and contemporary design meet. The colour red, a Chinese symbol of energy and wealth, is present
throughout different areas of the hotel, from the tiled roof all the way to the Steinway piano in the library. The bars, lounge and four restaurants, including the fine dining Lan Ting – reachable through a traditional Chinese garden with ponds, passages and pathways – as well as the infinity pool and the 4,020 sq m Sanya Auriga Spa resembling a giant canopy housing an authentic Moroccan bath and the region’s first Snow Cabin, among other features – all contribute to the peaceful ambience. All in all, this coastal China resort offers a cultural journey inspired by Silk Road stories in a secluded, relaxing environment. Learn more about the hotel at www.capellahotels.com/en/ capella-sanya.
good to know With fivestar resorts mushrooming all over the island, Sanya is quickly becoming China’s first choice for tropical domestic getaways.
text KARINE MONIE photos CAPELLA SANYA & CAPELLA HOTEL GROUP
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H O T S P OT
ABOVE
The Jungle Suite. LEFT
H OT E L E S E N C I A Surrounded by tropical vegetation and featuring views of the Caribbean Sea, this coastal hotel in Mexico’s Riviera Maya is a historical, cultural and gastronomic oasis.
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The Beach Suites.
T
his 20ha property between the towns of Tulum and Playa del Carmen in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico was the private holiday refuge of an Italian duchess who fell in love with the idyllic landscape before it transformed into Hotel Esencia in 2014. Its current owner Kevin Wendle led an 18-month renovation with the help of creative director C S Valentin and architects Gabriel and Alfonso Nunez. Designed as an oasis in the middle of lush vegetation, Hotel Esencia overlooks the beautiful, white, sandy beach and crystalclear waters of Xpu-Ha. It consists of the main house and paths that take guests to 38 suites and three villas, each with a private terrace and a rest area. The most spectacular are the jungle-backed penthouse
FAR LEFT, TO P
The Master Suite. FAR LEFT, BOTTO M
A corridor in the main house. LEFT
The private beach. BOT TO M
The hotel compound.
good to know Xpu-Ha in Quintana Roo state on the Mayan Riviera is famous for its cenotes or natural sinkholes that are surface connections to subterranean water bodies in a network of underground caves.
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suites that look like apartments in the sky. Art and antique collections adorn the spaces. Traditional mid-century furnishings, including Pierre Jeanneret chairs, Serge Mouille and Pierre Guariche lights and a Charlotte Perriand table, exist harmoniously alongside artworks by renowned Spanish and Latin American artists such as Pablo Picasso, Fernando Botero and Eduardo Santiere. Last summer the hotel introduced Beefbar Esencia to its F&B outlets that include Mistura that serves seafood dishes and specialities from the grill, Cafe Esencia, Coffee Bar & Juice Bar and Beach Bar. Beefbar’s concept is the international gold standard for meat lovers. “In my eyes,
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Beefbar Esencia represents the ultimate elegance for my brand”, says its founder Riccardo Giraudi, who established the concept in 2005. “While many other lifestyle brands grow bigger and bolder, I wanted this to be the bestkept secret location. “Knowing that only a very few would have access to it and that it reflects the same ethos of my unique and exclusive meats, I fell in love with the spot. Most of all, Beefbar Esencia represents a simple bet between two old friends who do what they do out of love and passion. Kevin and I go back a long way and I surely hope this little gem will forever be a symbol of our bond.” Situated in the luscious Palm Garden, the restaurant
TOP
Beefbar Esencia. ABOVE
The Master Suite’s pool.
OPPOSITE, R IGHT & FAR RIGH T
The bar in Beefbar. Its thatched ceiling is decorated with woven rattan lamps and artificial greenery.
offers a high-level epicurean experience. According to Kevin, “No one has better taste than Riccardo when it comes to modern, unpretentious fine dining. He truly understands what the world’s most sophisticated travellers want.” In addition to the many outdoor activities such as snorkelling, hiking, visits to archaeological sites or just farniente (Spanish for lazing around), guests also have the opportunity to enjoy Hotel Esencia’s well-being centre. Here, paradise is indeed within reach. To learn more about the hotel, visit www.hotelesencia.com.
“BEEFBAR ESENCIA REPRESENTS A SIMPLE BET BETWEEN TWO OLD FRIENDS WHO DO WHAT THEY DO OUT OF LOVE AND PASSION. KEVIN AND I GO BACK A LONG WAY AND I SURELY HOPE THIS LITTLE GEM WILL FOREVER BE A SYMBOL OF OUR BOND.” – RICCARDO GIRAUDI, FOUNDER
text KARINE MONIE photos COURTESY OF HOTEL ESENCIA
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H O T S P OT
O NEON PIGEON 2.0 The urban izakaya is back with a familiar eclectic buzz and an even better culinary experience at Carpenter Street.
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n the outside, it’s a nondescript wall of tinted windows with a smooth expanse broken only by the single outline of a neon pink bird. There is no signboard. Push your way in through the towering door and it’s a very different story. Immediately, you are greeted by hip, pulsating tracks, concrete and dark wood dimly lit by artfully-placed lamps and the bar, standing smack in the centre of the place. The whole feel is part New York speakeasy and part Tokyo underground – gritty, urban, ever so slightly illicit and always with the sense that something
exciting is about to happen. This is Neon Pigeon 2.0, the second incarnation of the well-loved izakaya bar formerly located at Keong Saik Road. Its presence in Carpenter Street now lends the otherwise quiet area a definite buzz. Add to that its iconic brand of eclectic grunge and it’s no surprise that it’s pulling crowds in droves. Once inside, one’s gaze is immediately arrested by the three murals dominating the space. Created by visual artist ZERO (otherwise known as Zulkarnaen Othman, founder of local street art collective RSCLS), the graffitied walls are
A BOVE
The bone marrow and uni are a crowd favourite. RI GHT
The cocktail bar is made of recycled rebar leftovers from construction projects.
good to know
B ELOW
Explosive murals by visual artist ZERO dominate.
ZERO’s murals are a playful take on iconic scenes from pop culture films with cult followings like Pulp Fiction and Say Anything.
OP POSI TE
A cosy dining space sits beyond the bar.
tongue-in-cheek and explosively vibrant. Pigeons, of course, star and are depicted doing things like holding up boomboxes and wielding guns with flowers blooming out of their barrels. The art is balanced out by a dark, industrial-leaning palette of mostly concrete and walnut. While there is plenty of seating in this 2,100 sq ft den, the central buzz happens at the cocktail bar in the middle of the room. Lit by an overhead neon sign spelling out Neon Pigeon in kanji, diners can enjoy Tokyo-inspired tipples from a visually delightful mangastyle menu. Favourites include Ichi-go Lightly, a gin sour with strawberries and nori, and the rum- and miso-based Tiki Otaku.
text MELODY BAY photos OWEN RAGGETT
Those popping in for a bite will enjoy the Raw Bar, a new addition to the experience. One highlight is the Kumamoto oysters with smoky dashi gelee, ponzu and chilli oil. There are also the classic Tokyo Hummus and Sake Glazed Iberico Pork Ribs. To its credit, the izakaya has adapted to the times. No longer just for night owls, it’s embraced the concept of being a daytime restaurant, too. Brunch and lunch menus were rolled out last month, giving diners a chance to feast on seasonal Japanese dishes and experience the space in the bright light of day. Neon Pigeon 2.0 is at 36 Carpenter Street. For more information, please visit www.neonpigeonsg.com.
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TO P ACHI E VE RS IN I NTERIO R D E S I G N E XCELLENCE It ca n b e a cha llengi ng ta sk tr yi ng t o f i nd a go od int eri or desi gner, one t hat und er s ta nds your needs a nd who i s a l so a b le to i nt er pret your req ui re m ent s i nt o a well- thought out desi gn pro pos a l. In 2 02 0 , my tea m a nd I ha d the pl ea sure of f eatur i ng over a hundred lo ca l ho mes i n the ma gazi ne a nd on our web si te. We sha red wi th our a ud i enc e th e qua li ty a nd a pti tud e of S i nga p ore- ba sed i nter i or des ig ner s c a p a b l e o f off er i ng i nterest i ng d es i gn so luti ons t o the va ri ous sorts of spat i a l c ha llenges a nd ti me or b ud geta r y c o nstrai nt s. Th e Top of the C las s honour roll i s t he d ea n's li st of the most out sta nd i ng i nt er i or d esi gners i n S i nga pore, wh os e p rojec ts ha ve previ ousl y been f eat ured la s t year, and s tood out wit h t hei r f l a wles s execut i on combi ni ng exc ellent d esi gn k nowledge a nd i mp ress i ve use of materi a ls, colo ur a nd a rc h i tec t ural el ement s. These d es i gn tea ms c onsta ntly push the b o und a r i es o f uni que home i nt eri or d es i gn a nd rai se t he ba r i n t erms of c li ent ex pec tati ons a nd relat io nshi p m a na gem ent wi th the homeowner. I h ope t hat loc al homeowner s wi ll b e a b l e to a ppreci at e the tremen d o us eff ort th ese desi gn tea ms put i nt o th ei r pro jects , and be a ble to us e i t a s a g ui de when on the sea rch f or a q ua li f i ed desi g n p rof essi ona l. YO U NG L IM EDITO R-IN-C H IEF
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D E S I GN INTERVENTIO N
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J O E Y K HU I NTERI OR D ES I GN
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K N Q AS S OC IATES
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M O W I NTERI OR
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THREE- D CONC EPTWER KE
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WO LF WOOF
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CO L LECTI VE D ES IGNS
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D I STINCTID ENTITY
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D W E LL INTER IO RÂ D ES IGN
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E HKA STUD I O
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E I G HTY TWO
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M E TAPHO R STU DI O
PENTHOU SE/B ANG KOK
D ESIG N IN TE RV EN TI O N
Design Intervention is a multiple awardwinning firm helmed by partners Nikki Hunt (left) and Andrea Savage. While they pride themselves on their national, regional and international accolades across the full spectrum of projects, including residential, retail and the public sector, they consider the creation of environments that put a smile on the faces of clients their greatest achievements. Nikki and Andrea's mission as designers is to craft joyful, sensual and liveable homes that inspire the mind, soothe the body and nourish the soul. FOUNDER
N I KK I H UNT
PARTNER & CO-CEO
A ND REA S AVAG E
CO N TACT
75E Loe wen Ro ad Ta ng li n Vi lla ge Tel: 65 0 6-092 0 www.desig nin tervention. co m.sg @ourdesig nin tervention
Belonging to a bachelor in his 30s, this luxurious penthouse in the heart of Bangkok enjoys a 270-degree view of the city skyline. Formerly a four-bedroom family unit, it has been reconfigured to suit the needs and lifestyle of its single occupant who desired a refined bachelor pad with all the trappings of a modern-day, luxury Hollywood set. Design Intervention's focus for this project – conferred Best Apartment Design (Thailand) and Best Bathroom Design (Thailand) at the International Property Awards 2020 – was to create a home that soothes and restores by conceptualising comfort as the ultimate luxury. For example, by repositioning the master bedroom to the East-facing elevation of the development, he wakes up to a glorious sunrise every day. The interior – immaculately finished with materials and colours that complement the stunning vista – is a private retreat that allows the homeowner to be himself and completely at ease.
PENTH OU SE/A RD MORE
Home to a young family, the brief called for a bright, cheerful abode with hard-wearing finishes that could withstand the antics of young children. It also had to exude a sense of modern luxury appropriate for entertaining friends and business colleagues in an elegant environment. The colour palette, with its medley of magnificent pinks, yellows and turquoises, takes its cue from the sunset sky. The piece de resistance is the swing sofa at the entrance hall that is positioned directly in line with the main entrance. Never failing to elicit a smile, it welcomes visitors with its fun, carefree vibe. Inspired by classic Indian wooden swings, it is a modern interpretation with a more streamlined form using blackened steel and upholstery in a vibrant turquoise fabric juxtaposed with a trompe l’oeil design.
F OU R-BED RO OM COND O /RI VER VAL L EY
The clients’ brief called for a home that conveys a luxurious feel without a hint of stuffiness; one with a cheerful vibe that also makes one feel spoilt and indulged. Today, it gives the owners, avid collectors of Indian art, the perfect opportunity to showcase their collection as well as their heritage in a contemporary manner that blends the best of the East and the West. With two young children, practical considerations such as the durability and easy maintenance of materials were also paramount. Located in a 40-year-old development, the unit had never been renovated since its completion. The project entailed reworking the floor plan, overhauling of the old plumbing and electrical provisions, rationalising the existing low-hanging beams and pipes and rethinking the low ceiling that was installed for their concealment. The impeccably decked out kitchen clinched the Best Kitchen Design (Singapore) at the International Property Awards 2020.
TH REE-B ED ROOM CONDO /W EST AREA
JO EY K H U IN TERI OR DE S I G N
With over 23 years of experience in the industry, Joey Khu has established a reputation for his skilful space planning, meticulous interior styling and decorating as well as well-resolved design details. Continuing a childhood love for art and design, he has honed his ability to incorporate sophisticated touches in a contemporary way, with an eye for rich materiality. When the occasion arises, he even creates statement art pieces to complement his interiors.
The design concept for this apartment is proof that dark need not be dull. The walls, ceiling and built-in cabinets are clad in various shades of black and grey. Playing up the variations in the tonality of the black ash veneer and taupe and black laminates, as well as their different levels of light reflectivity, Joey Khu Interior Design's layering of the dark colour palette gives it a sense of depth. From the moment you enter the apartment, the timber strip detailing on the shoe cabinet across from the main door catches the eye with its 3D effect. Display niches featuring white marble bases and blue-tipped edges stand out against the dark background. The floor-to-ceiling slab of invisible grey marble provides a focal point within the apartment and a backdrop for the dining area. Its white-grey with richlypatterned taupe veins adds a touch of drama. The spaces, lines, colours, textures and patterns are delicately balanced and complemented by a curated selection of art and furniture to create an elegant scheme. TH REE-B ED ROOM CONDO/EAST AREA
DIRECTOR
J O EY K H U
CO N TACT
1 Ja lan Pisa ng, #02-01 Tel: 644 0-792 0 www.jo ey kh u-id.com e@joe y khu -id .com
This modern, resort-themed home with its harmony of colours and textures possesses a pervading simplicity. The neutral colour range allows the furnishings to convey the narrative. The home is conceived as a gallery for the homeowner’s books and collectibles displayed on backlit shelves finished in a rustic, wood-textured stucco. They double as a backdrop for the living and dining areas. Sliding, Shoji-style screen doors run the length of the living and dining spaces, separating them from the balcony. The tranquil feel of the interior is carried through to the bedrooms. The master bedroom is adjoined by a study-cum-walk-in wardrobe converted from another bedroom. Its bare walls bring out the wood grain of the bed frame and bedside tables as well as the dark timber flooring. The result is understated and stylish.
TWO-BED RO OM COND O/ CB D AREA
This 560 sq ft apartment is home to a couple and their pet dog, who downsized from a maisonette with almost three times the floor area. The gargantuan task of creating sufficient storage within the small apartment was akin to trying to fit the contents of a suitcase into a shoebox. Joey's solution: incorporate fullheight, built-in storage that extends from the main door across from the kitchen to the living room and terminates just before the balcony. These not only include kitchen cabinets above and below the countertop and others that conceal the refrigerator as well as the washing machine, but also open shelves for the homeowner’s extensive toy collection. Another set of floor-to-ceiling storage along the wall facing the kitchen doubles as a pantry-cumdisplay area for more toys. Counting the kitchen counter and cabinets, they form an efficient galley layout. In the hands of a skilful designer, this small apartment has been transformed into a cosy, efficient and well-organised space that epitomises city living.
TH REE-BED ROOM CONDO/ST. MICH AEL’S ROAD
KN Q AS S OCI ATES
Fostering a closer relationship between interior spaces and people is what KNQ Associates does best. Its design DNA evokes architectural sensibilities articulated with quiet luxury, layered with richness and finished in a sleek, modernist manner. Every project is an opportunity to spark design conversations with clients and embark on a journey of design discovery together. Driven by a motivation to resolve interior challenges through design to achieve bespoke living spaces imbued with a distinct reflection of the clients’ personalities and lifestyles, every space is a reflection of the team’s fresh and novel approach. PRINCIPAL DESIGNERS
STA NLEY TH AM K US NI N TA N
CO N TACT
#0 6-6 0 O x ley Bizhub 73 Ubi Ro ad 1 Tel: 622 2-096 6 www.knq asso ciates.co m
Having designed their previous home, KNQ Associates had a thorough understanding of the clients' preference for a quaint-looking interior with the vintage elements and quirky accents they also wanted in their new home. The designers planned the layout around a lot of the furniture from their previous home and included plenty of concealed storage for their books, clothes, shoes and other bric-a-brac. A carefully curated palette of materials comprising veneers, laminates, tiles, wallpaper and paint finishes achieves a layered effect. The sage green wall that envelopes the dining area is carried through to the kitchen, visually linking the two spaces. The master bedroom is impressive with its deep blue carpeting that continues into a horizontal band on the lower half of the walls and builtin wardrobes. Despite the disruptions from the circuit breaker, the project was completed within two months once renovation works resumed.
FO UR-BED ROO M COND O/C H ESTNU T AVENU E
The brief called for a cottage look with plenty of spaces for the couple’s two young children to play in as well as a generous provision of built-in storage to keep clutter at bay. The predominantly white interior is complemented by the greys and blacks of the furniture and built-in shaker-style carpentry as well as the dark wenge-looking vinyl flooring. By continuing the balcony flooring in a similar wood tone, it reads as a spatial extension of the living room, making the interior appear larger while simultaneously establishing a connection with nature by drawing the eye to an elevated view of the surrounding greenery from the apartment’s high floor. And, meeting the husband’s wish for a man cave-cum-home office, the designers created a private hideaway that's concealed behind the wall panelling in the living room. T WO -B ED ROO M CO ND O/J O O C H I AT ROAD
Another of KNQ Associates’ repeat clients, the couple was looking for a neat, uncluttered and easy to maintain home with a positive and happy vibe. The proposal entailed some reconfiguration of the original layout to accommodate more storage and to enhance the functionality of the limited floor space. The existing kitchen walls were hacked away to create an open-concept kitchen that’s conceived more like a pantry since the homeowners do not usually cook. This also makes the interior appear more spacious as the kitchen flows seamlessly into the dining and the living areas. Also, continuing the TV feature wall into a hidden door leading to the bedroom, work area, altar, concealed storage and display niches visually conveys a sense of breadth.
FOU R-BED R OOM CO NDO/MARINA BAY
M OW I N T ERI OR
MOW Interior is known for delivering design excellence that exceeds clients' expectations. With its expertise in residential and commercial projects, from design development to project management, the studio spares no effort in putting together designs that are inspirational and functional. PRINCIPAL DESIGNER
S H ER M AIN E O N G
CO N TACT
#0 8-0 2 Ta i Seng Point 11 Irv ing P la ce Tel: 624 6-661 4 www.mo win ter ior.com
Looking at the immaculately appointed interior of this stylish apartment, it is hard to imagine that MOW Interior took only 10 weeks to complete the project. As the homeowners wanted to move in before the arrival of their second child, the team rallied to pull off an assignment that would normally take four months. This boils down to experience and the commitment to achieve their design goals while being on time and within the budget. The contrasting style preferences of the couple also presented a demanding brief. The wife wanted the Scandinavian style with a mix of pastels and warm-toned wood while the husband preferred the bling of the baroque ego. By pairing a more subtle material palette with statement furnishings, the delicate balance satisfies both. Finally, the articulation of architectural details and book-matched slabs of Volakas marble form a cohesive design language that unifies the whole interior.
F IVE-RO OM H D B R ESA L E APARTME NT/C H OA CHU KANG
This French-inspired apartment is home to TS Wong of MOW Interior. Designed with input from his wife, business partner and co-founder Shermaine Ong, the needs of their large family were top priority. The spaces are flexible enough to comfortably accommodate everyone. With storage an important consideration, built-in cabinets along the walls provide plenty of storage while clutter is discreetly concealed behind a series of continuous panelling with French mouldings. The kitchen cabinets echo a similar design. Clad in a deep blue, these statement panels, along with the brass accents from the handles, evoke a restaurant or art gallery feel that is a blend of classic and contemporary. By cleverly combining premium materials and pieces with Taobao finds, the designers managed to achieve a classy and elegant look. T HREE -STOREY SH O PHO U SE/TEMBE LI NG ROAD
Conserved as part of a new condominium development, the developer kept the original façade of the shophouse and reconstructed the interior. The three-storey address had only two bedrooms as the third level was more of an attic. Its new owners – a couple with two young children and a helper – required more rooms to comfortably accommodate everyone, plus a guest room. The design team’s biggest challenge was carving out the extra rooms. With some reconfiguration, they managed to create one for the helper on the first storey and transformed the attic, originally a family area, into the guest room. The interior design concept is a blend of old and new, taking inspiration from the shophouse’s history and giving it a modern interpretation. Tying the whole scheme together is an earthy colour palette and antique furniture that accentuates the modern European style of the interior.
TH REE-B ED ROO M WALK-U P APARTMENT/EAST COAST
TH RE E-D CON C E PTW E R K E
Behind this multidisciplinary studio that specialises in interior design, interior styling and furniture craftsmanship is a team of design renegades who live and breathe their work. They are constantly pushing and rethinking design boundaries, bestowing renewed purpose to spaces, seamlessly integrating design into the daily lives of homeowners and creating tangible, longlasting relationships between inhabitants and their homes. All regard their work as a stamp of communicative design that leaves an indelible mark on every blank canvas they encounter. PRINCIPAL DESIGNER
D E S S CH EW
CO N TACT
5 Ja lan Klap a Tel: 629 3-800 1 www.th ree-d-conceptwer ke.com
Here, the design team had free rein as the client did not have a specific brief. Based on factors such as the location, the immediate surroundings and the age and context of the apartment, Three-D Conceptwerke proposed a scheme based on bringing nature inside. Beyond just incorporating plants there and on the balcony, the team chose materials and finishes as well as furnishings to achieve a raw or unfinished aesthetic that's right at home with the greenery. Most of the floors are in their natural state. After a false ceiling was removed, the original concrete ceiling was uncovered and left deliberately exposed, complete with old marks, paint splatters and even the nails. Other rustic touches include the use of unshaven wooden planks for the bedroom doors and raw plywood in the walkin wardrobe.
FO UR-RO OM H D B A PA RTMENT/TELO K B LA NGA H HEIGH TS
The homeowners are an expatriate couple who love oriental design. However, instead of creating a completely oriental interior, the design team has gone for a colourful, contemporary space against which the oriental elements stand out. The bold use of muted colours on a feature wall injects a refreshing vibe. Elsewhere, the materials, hues and furniture are neutral to balance out the composition. This even distracts from the air-conditioner. The openconcept kitchen sports a monochromatic theme differentiated by textures and geometries such as the square white backsplash tiles and hexagonal black floor tiles. While many homeowners and designers would dismiss the oldschool glass blocks as old-fashioned and opt to conceal them, the designers have held on to the original glass blocks that allow an abundance of diffused natural light into the interior, giving the space a sense of openness. Even an old window grille has been repurposed into a screen that separates the entrance foyer from the living room and creates a sense of nostalgia. Then there's the couple’s macrame collection that softens and personalises the metal grille.
TH REE-BED RO OM CONDO/UPPER SERANGO ON
WOL F WOOF
Wolf Woof is synonymous with a creative and holistic approach to interior design. The boutique design studio does not believe in the standard practice of designing cookie-cutter homes. Neither does it go for simply creating pictureperfect spaces. The team believes in crafting personalised spaces that reflect their owners. DESIGN DIRECTOR
CA R MEN TAN G
While this home can be categorised as being of Nordic influence, Wolf Woof's Carmen Tang was determined to not let it turn into just another Scandi-style home. Instead, she adopted a light-hearted approach to its design. A series of built-in cabinets with handles comprising wooden birds peeking out of a hedge injects an element of fun to the living room as does the feature wall with its old-school TV frame with antennas that houses a flatscreen TV. In the dining area, concrete alphabets, complete with a fake salad in a wooden bowl and serving utensils, spell “EAT”. Even the dining room oozes a cheerful vibe with a pendant lamp that allows the owners to add to their decor. And humorously emblazoned across her walk-in wardrobe doors is line art featuring the quote “Quit saying you have nothing to wear. Your wardrobe is full." The overall result is a home that exudes a carefree vibe and reflects the homeowners’ philosophy in life. TWO-BED ROOM CO NDO/H ILLVIEW
CO N TACT
#0 8-7 4 Midv iew Cit y 22 S i n Min g La ne Tel: 984 2-173 0 www.wo lf wo o f .com. sg
Inspired by the vibes of Regent Singapore's Manhattan bar, the client wanted to create a personal gentleman’s club-style loft bar in his new home. The predominantly black interior with brass and gold accents as well as a touch of vintage brown set the tone for an elegant, masculine environment. Access to his bar is via a spiral staircase between the living room and kitchen, giving the cosy space an air of exclusivity and mystery. Unique fixtures, furniture and ornamental pieces – including a knight's full suit of armour by the staircase, a framed lion's head, a driftwood pendant lamp above the master bed as well as a custom-made barn door to the master bedroom with the same black laminate as the rest of the interior – add to the overall gentleman’s club vibe.
HD B EXEC U TI VE APA RTM ENT/TA MPI NES
The uniqueness of this project lies in the fact that it is not style-driven and its aesthetics are derived from the practical considerations of a three-generation family. Carmen’s strategy was to go for a clean, cohesive and comfortable design rich with character that celebrates every family member’s individuality and style and caters to their respective needs while injecting unexpected quirkiness and loads of character. Examples include the one-of-a-kind faux fireplace TV console and a distinctive arch that frames the bed the mother and daughter share. Also a highlight is the foyer that was under-utilised by its previous owners and is now dubbed “Garden of Eden”. It has been transformed into a chill-out spot where the family and visitors can also slip on and remove footwear in comfort.
D ETAC H ED H OU SE PROJECT/BROADRICK ROAD
COLLE CT IV E D ES I G NS With a 30-year history, this boutique ID company has built a reputation for contemporary designs that exude elegant simplicity. Accredited by the Interior Design Confederation Singapore, it has also grown from conceptualising boutique homes in Singapore to creating luxury homes around the world. FOUNDER AND
PRINCIPAL DESIGNER
SE LI NA TAY
ASSISTANT HEAD
INTERIOR DESIGNER
PH O EBE M AH
INTERIOR DESIGNERS
JA N E F EBR IN A ME R RY D KASI MAN CO N TACT
#0 1-2 1 Vertex Bui ldi ng 33 Ub i Av en ue 3 Te l: 6 2 80-61 61 www.co lle ctiv edesigns.com.s g
TWO-BED RO OM + ONE STU DY CONDO/BHAMO ROAD
D IST IN CTI DE NT I TY Driven by a “desire to inspire”, DISTINCTidENTITY takes pride in delivering design and architectural services to both trusting and returning clients by turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. The studio focuses on conveying the personality of each project by understanding the clients’ needs and seeking inspiration from various fields, visuals and lifestyles. D E S I G N C O N S U LTA N T S
A MBI KA CHO W D HRY E VA NG EE L IN G LUCAS CHO O SW E E L I AN G K UAY MEI Y EE CO N TACT
#0 1-0 2, Bu ild ing B LTC 12 Aru mug am Road Te l: 6 8 46-00 33 www.distinctidentit y.com. s g
FO U R-B ED ROO M CONDO/JERVOIS ROAD
D WE L L IN TER I O R D E SI G N Dwell provides interior design, styling and decoration services for discerning clients who desire to transform their homes into fine residences reflecting their personalities and styles. The design team is sensitive to the spatial nuances of both large and small homes – from detached houses to apartments and even conservation shophouses – and works tirelessly with clients to create personal sanctuaries. CREATIVE DIRECTOR
E D ONG
SENIOR DESIGNER
NI S U W EI CO N TACT
11 Kim Yam Ro a d Te l: 6 8 83-10 05 www.dwell.co m.sg ta lktou s@ dwell.com.sg
FIVE-RO OM H D B APARTMEN/SENG KANG EAST
EH KA ST UDI O EHKA Studio is a licensed architectural practice registered with the Board of Architects Singapore. Its approach is one of continuous exploration and logical clarity. Practical considerations along with a client's needs and budget are carefully resolved and refined in a poetic solution that seeks to engage human perception. PARTNERS
H S U H SIA P I N E UNI CE K H O O
SENIOR DESIGNER
A MOZ B O O N CO N TACT
89 1B Bu kit Timah Road Te l: 6 9 09-27 98 www.eh ka stud io.com i nfo@eh ka stud io.co m
THR EE-B ED ROOM CONDO/RIVER VALLEY
EI GH TYTWO EightyTwo is a leading, awardwinning bespoke interior design studio that believes in defying labels, debunking conventions and transcending trends. The team's designs distil the essence of how people live and the openendedness allows for multiple interpretations and showcases the studio's creativity. CO-FOUNDER AND
DESIGN DIRECTOR
TER E NCE N E O DESIGN LEAD
D OUG L AS O N G
INTERIOR DESIGNERS
GL E NN TOH C HA R L ES CHAI CO N TACT
68 5A Ea st Co a st Road Te l: 6 6 98-79 87 http s://eigh ty two.sg
SEMI -D ETAC H ED H OU SE/U PPER B UKIT TIMAH
M ETAPH OR STU D I O Founded by two architecturally-trained graduates in 1998, Metaphor Studio specialises in exclusive residential and hospitality projects around the region. The founders regard interior architectural design as a framework within which life can be experienced through the constructive orientation of space, light and material. FOUNDER AND
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
STE PH EN G O H FOUNDER AND
DESIGN PRINCIPAL
A NGEL A TAN T RY CO N TACT
33 1A Bea ch Road Te l: 6 2 91-97 86 www.meta ph o r- studio.co m
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
ON THE GO Tom Dixon just can’t sit still. The award-winning, self-taught maverick British designer-businessman is easily bored and always searching for his next new project. “My observation is that in the modern world, a brand is no longer a fixed, enclosed unit,” he says. Writer Y-JEAN MUN-DELSALLE finds out what keeps him experimenting and how he thinks the furniture industry has – or has not – evolved.
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SPOTLIGHT
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om Dixon lives in a perpetual state of dissatisfaction with his body of work. This pushes him to keep on going and trying new things. “I can’t even look at anything without thinking I could have done slightly better. It’s not because the thing is bad but because I know more. As I didn’t have formal training nor a certificate to say I was allowed to do what I do, every day is still magical,especially as it was never a decision of mine to be a designer in the first place. It grew on me as I made things. I was astonished that people liked my ideas so much that they were prepared to pay for them. Otherwise, I’d have been doing something else.” He views his lack of conventional design education as a major advantage as it has allowed him to experiment without constraints. Going to work these days feels like a playground as he has set up his business – spanning furniture and lighting to interior design through his practice Design Research Studio – in such a way that he can dabble in a variety of trades, some days working more like an engineer or a graphic designer and others like a businessman or branding guy. Designer Upcycling Early last year, Tom launched Press, a series of fat, chunky and grooved vases, bowls and candleholders made of
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industrially pressed glass, as well as psychedelic Swirl vases produced from recycled marble powder blended with pigment and resin and inspired by ikebana. The accessories collections will be expanded into furniture at an all-day event in multiple locations called 24 Hours in Paris. After having participated in Maison&Objet for many years, he decided to adopt a different attitude that’s in line with the introduction of the Coal Office in London and the showroomrestaurant concept The Manzoni in Milan.
1. & 2. The Jungle at The Manzoni is a showroom during the day and the restaurant’s event space at night. The Manzoni also has a shop area for Tom Dixon tableware.
“The trade fair is a very controlled environment. You can’t play loud music, you can’t stay up until midnight, you can’t spread out and you’re always the same as everybody else because you’re in a booth. So we started thinking about alternatives,” he explains. The idea for 24 Hours in Paris was to be in constant action and to pack as many events as possible into 24 hours to maximise the time there as a way to re-establish contact with old friends and make new ones. “My observation is that in the modern world, a brand is no longer a fixed, enclosed unit,” he notes. “It’s the sum of its networks, which need to be nurtured, reconnected and improved. You speak to a bubbly company, restaurant, florist and nightclub and suddenly
you’ve got new friends and a new context. I could get my people out of the photo studio and into Paris, using it as a backdrop. These things look very different when you recontextualise them.” Macro Approach Looking at the big picture, Tom has long focused on making the production chain more efficient and closer to the end-user. His pre-production, small-batch manufacturing workshop in London – dubbed The Factory – is an experimental space where ideas can be tested, prototypes created and customers directly engaged. It’s a place for making outside of the studio, where his designers and clients can get a true sense of proportion, colour, smell and the weight of
3 . Tom Dixon x Ikea Gardening Will Save The World showcase at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019 reimagined urban farming.
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4. The Press glass collection, guaranteed to last 1,000 years.
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“I RECKON I CAN GUARANTEE THAT MY GLASS, WHICH IS THICKER THAN THE ROMAN GLASS, WILL LAST 1,000 YEARS.” – TOM DIXON
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5 . Made using recycled powdered marble residue, the Swirl vase collection is inspired by ikebana. 6. Tom Dixon photographed with Melt pendant lights in a smoked finish.
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“I CAN’T EVEN LOOK AT ANYTHING WITHOUT THINKING I COULD HAVE DONE SLIGHTLY BETTER.” – TOM DIXON
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an object, which is impossible to experience if you’re sitting behind a computer. Does he feel that the furniture industry is now doing things differently than when he first started? “It’s trying to but nobody’s really cracked it. Ikea is still the dominant force in getting the customer closer to at least the warehouse, if not the factory. I think furniture is one of the harder things to revolutionise. It’s not as easy to do as music or fashion. It will continue to be more difficult because of the scale of things. It’s also not as shippable. Of course, if all of this was flatpackable, it would be one thing – but it’s not. I don’t think there have been a lot of changes; it’s more of a bit of consolidation. I think rapid manufacturing will become more important but people are conservative in their tastes and a lot of experiments have failed to really change. It’s also harder and harder to have a conventional furniture store.” Street-smart Born in Sfax, Tunisia, in 1959 to an English father and a French-Latvian mother, Tom lived in Egypt and Morocco before spending his childhood in London. After dropping out of art school in 1980, he went from playing bass guitar in the band Funkapolitan and running several nightclubs to welding furniture made from found objects like scaffolding, hubcaps and old grates before rising to prominence in the mid-’80s with a line of welded salvaged furniture. Then he became a household name in the 1990s with Jack, the original “sitting, lighting, stacking thing” and an award-winning, air-rotational
multifunctional object that was one of Tom’s first experiments with plastic, and a symbol of the times. He was also creative director of major retailer Habitat for almost a decade. The music industry trained him to be self-propelled. Tom had to do everything himself: create his tunes, find places to play, promote his own gigs and make posters. It was all about self-production and making and selling his industrial scrapturned-furniture was a direct extension of that experience. From this DIY approach to design, his S chair helped him to step out of self-production as Cappellini commercialised it. Against The Grain Considering that climate change and sustainability are hot topics in the world now, Tom’s argument from the beginning has been that he produces objects that have a long lifespan, eschew trends and are not disposable. They are recycled through either auction houses or the local market in second-hand and antique shops. Believing that furniture should improve with age rather than be discarded, he will be offering a 1,000-year guarantee for the Press collection after being inspired by a visit to a Venetian museum housing 2,000-year-old Roman glass. “I reckon I can guarantee that my glass, which is thicker than the Roman glass, will last 1,000 years,” he states. “This is a level of permanence that allows you to say it’s okay to produce this stuff. Sustainability is important for everybody. It’s No 1 right now, so I’m trying to make things that last and don’t get thrown away.”
Of Greta Thunberg, among today’s most recognised environmentalists, he says, “She’s fabulous. To have such a strong voice and to be so influential at 18 gives me hope because if you listen to popular music and see how few people are addressing any issues at all apart from love, you’d think youths have given up altogether. Also, in a context where general frustration turns into violence and a real lack of focus, I think that she’s a very important voice in peaceful protest.” Tom doesn’t feel that his design philosophy has evolved as he remains the same curious person who may have picked up a few more skills but has not become an expert in anything. Instead, he continues to be interested in how to make things and communicate them and delves into the manufacturing technique or function to see if there’s room for improvement or for injecting his perspective into it. Although it may now be over three decades since his first creations, Tom still professes the same enjoyment for the job. “If I lose enthusiasm for doing the same thing, I do something new. This is the wonderful thing about design – it’s not a job in itself. It’s a job that you apply to everything else, so if I decide I’m going to be an architect or a designer of hospitals, in principle, I can do that or I can get into electronics. “As soon as I get slightly bored, I’ll be making a chair out of mushrooms and then I’ll be excited again, so I don’t ever get tired of it. All it does is to throw up more possibilities. The more you know, the more there is to know.”
KEY DESIGNS
BEAT LIGHT Hand-spun, braised and hammered by artisan craftsmen in Northern India, each minimalist light is a unique testament to the time-consuming, age-old craft. Finished with an external matte grey powder coating, the collection is composed of Beat Light Stout, Beat Light Wide, Beat Light Fat and Beat Light Tall. MELT LIGHT Stemming from experimentations in the technologicallyadvanced field of vacuum metallisation, this distorted globe in copper, gold or silver features light bouncing and reflecting around the uneven surfaces, which produces a dramatic, melting hot blown glass effect. Translucent when on and mirror-finished when off, it emits a light resembling images of the cosmos at night. S CHAIR Some view it as a female form, a flame or a 1960s-influenced pop object, but the serpentine seat (above) originated decades ago in Tom’s London metal workshop from a doodle of a chicken, which went through many mutations before resulting in the
photos COURTESY OF TOM DIXON
S chair. Still produced today by Cappellini in Italy, the instantlyrecognisable chair with its unconventional shape is part of the permanent collections of the MOMA New York and the V&A London. PYLON CHAIR Aiming to design the world’s lightest metal chair, Tom created the Pylon in small series in his atelier in the ’90s. Inspired by early computer programming, electricity pylons and architectural models of bridges, it is engineered from latticed 3mm-diameter steel rods triangulated for maximum strength. It may not be the most comfortable, but is certainly one of the most distinctive. TANK TABLEWARE Echoing the functional shapes and volumes of scientific glassware, the sculptural collection is characterised by a handpainted copper band and may be used for
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PEOPLE
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hat are the cultural signposts in Asian homes? What defines and separates our living spaces from Western ones? How do South-east Asians savour life? What makes our nesting traditions and rituals so specific and so stalwart that they can resist technology or modern life? These are the questions that steered the Suvarnabumi universe, a lifestyle brand by Priscilla Ong Shunmugam, founder of fashion brand Ong Shunmugam. Since launching with tableware last year, Priscilla’s Suvarnabumi has recently expanded its offerings to include a rattan furniture collection. “We are not looking to replicate or mimic, and not going for kitsch or low-hanging fruit,” says Priscilla, who designed the collection during the lockdown in London. “It is safe to say that the design lens we use for womenswear is the same lens we apply here.” Of course, we wanted to find out more so here goes:
REDISCOVERING RATTAN Multidisciplinary designer Priscilla Ong Shunmugam talks about putting South-east Asians at the forefront of her brand’s inaugural furniture offering.
WHAT COMPELLED YOU TO CREATE THE SUVARNABUMI UNIVERSE?
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Two things: curiosity and a sense of timing. Fashion brands with the right DNA sometimes get restless to explore new territories, and I think we fit right in there. I love to create and am not precious when it comes to categories. But the real push came when I realised that enough years had passed for me to develop the foundations of a design language. Also, as a business, we were in a stable position to experiment.
WHAT MAKES YOUR SUVARNABUMI UNIQUE?
We create with South-east Asians at the forefront instead of as an afterthought. It is a counter-offer to the majority of options in the high-design value homeware market. WHY RATTAN AS THE PRIMARY MATERIAL FOR YOUR DEBUT FURNITURE COLLECTION?
I always design from a personal and instinctive place. My lack of design pedigree means I tend to work with materials that I feel familiar with and am confident of. When deciding on which new avenues to explore in the realm of homeware, my instincts zeroed in on rattan because, like any child of the ‘80s in South-east Asia, it had such a ubiquitous presence in my life. Today, the world’s interest in rattan comes from a place of desire. It ticks all the boxes in terms of being on-trend and perceivably ecofriendly and certainly carries tropical and idyllic notions. CAN YOU SHARE SOME OBSERVATIONS ON THE RATTAN FURNITURE MARKET?
Firstly, it’s incredible how uniform the options are in the market – be it from a seller in Brisbane or Miami or even locally. A quick search on Instagram or Pinterest shows you the same peacock chairs or bar trolleys with only minor tweaks to colours and finishes. Secondly, the unapologetic copying of designer pieces, flowing from the same Paul Frankl, Franco Albini and Gabriella Crespi influence. Did
rattan design plateau in the last 40 to 50 years? Despite it being such a valuable commodity that Malaysia and Indonesia banned the export of raw rattan since the ’80s, why weren’t Asian furniture designers interested in it? Connecting all these dots gave me a sinking feeling – the same way I generally feel about the evolution of South-east Asian design. So it was just a matter of turning that feeling into positivity and deciding to do something about it. WHAT ARE THE UNIQUE FEATURES OF THE SUVARNABUMI RATTAN COLLECTION?
We’ve merged rattan with traditional textiles and indigenous Iban weaving in a single product. For some pieces, we’ve used stamped batik and for others, batik prints. I decided it was too risky to use hand-drawn batik for upholstery as the dyes may not withstand the necessary cleaning processes that are inevitable over time. I’m going to see if I can get around this soon because I think it will be another technical triumph to merge some of the most valuable forms of batik with equally intricate rattan structures. In keeping with our ideological departures from common cultural signposting, we’ve chosen to liberate the use of these motifs beyond their symbolic implications. I’m always interested in traditions that can travel without baggage. In tandem with our distinctive edit of post-modern design
“WE ARE NOT LOOKING TO REPLICATE OR MIMIC, AND NOT GOING FOR KITSCH OR LOW-HANGING FRUIT,” – PRISCILLA ONG SHUNMUGAM, FOUNDER OF ONG SHUNMUGAM
2 1. The Screen and Dining Chair (Natural) combine rattan and stamped batik. 2. The basket part of the hoop planter can be swapped with other pots. 3
3 . & 4 . The Dining Chair and Tray highlight a woven indigenous Iban motif.
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5. The multipurpose Basket is woven from two species of natural rattan: Mantang and Sega.
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6. The Dining Table with a petal-shaped structure features a tempered glass top. 7. The Dining Chair (Brown) pairs floral jacquard back with indigenous Iban patterned seat.
expressions, we dug deep into our archives of batik from Pekalongan, Indonesia, and decided to let these textiles shine alongside other natural materials equally endemic to the region. CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THE MALAYSIAN CRAFTSPEOPLE WHO MANUFACTURED THESE PIECES?
My production manager was stranded there because of the lockdown, so we spent a fair amount of time looking online for rattan manufacturers. We soon found a family of craftsmen who were not put off by our rather unusual brief. Of course, we had to be mindful of crossing into unchartered waters and had to be very careful with our language and instructions. And, although the craftsmen we work with in Malaysia have been in the trade for close to 50 years, our pieces jolted them out of their autopilot mode. As I am not a product or furniture designer, there were some things I wasn’t even sure were technically feasible until we tried and failed – and tried again and again. I think the work carries these scars and you
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can tell the products took time and thought. HOW WOULD YOU STYLE THE RATTAN PIECES IN YOUR HOME?
I would make them fight it out with other equally beautiful and robust pieces and watch how they hold their own. I would also move them around the house, trying them out in different configurations from time to time. I am particularly proud of the dining table and the screen. Quite ambitious structures, they have turned out so regal and handsome. They will be heirlooms for anyone who cares enough for them.
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IS CREATING A COHESIVE UNIVERSE THE FUTURE OF BRANDS?
Not necessarily. Without a deep design reservoir to tap from, you could seem opportunistic or risk showing your laziness. I think consumers are very savvy and spoilt these days. They know when they can get something off Alibaba or Amazon at half the price. The collection is available for pre-order from www. ongshunmugam.com.
text ASIH JENIE photos IVAN LIM & THIS HUMID HOUSE
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CRAFTING WELLNESS Jason Lee, the founder of SIX, talks about the artisanal Singapore fragrance brand’s social mission, championing mental wellness through fragrance and crafting personalised ambient scents.
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ave you ever felt so happy, well-loved and uplifted and wished that you could bottle up those feelings and save them for the darkest hours? While we don’t have that technology yet, the fragrance industry comes close. Founded in 2016, SIX has grown into one of the leading fragrance brands in the region that’s known for its exquisite perfumes and ambient scents. At the heart of the brand is a mission to champion mental wellness through the sense of smell articulated with Hikaru, its latest range. In a collaboration with the Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH), SIX aims to also help raise awareness of mental health issues and the importance of taking care of one’s mental wellness. We asked founder Jason Lee to share more.
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HOW DID THE HIKARU COLLABORATION WITH SAMH COME ABOUT?
SIX has always championed mental wellness with scents. With the pandemic causing a lot of people unimaginable amounts of stress, it had me thinking that this was affecting a broad spectrum and not only those with severe depression but caregivers as well who may experience constant anxiety. Hikaru helps to alleviate some of this stress. We wanted to make sure it worked so when we designed the scent, took the work in progress to SAMH and did a workshop to get feedback on the kind of emotion its members felt on smelling the ingredients and what we could do to improve it. Since December, we have been putting aside $10 from the sale of each Hikaru item towards a fund for SAMH individuals with mental health issues. We aim to donate $10,000.
and then a fresh green like morning dew segues into notes of neroli, musk and amber that wrap you in a warm hug. HOW DOES A SCENT CULTIVATE
HIKARU MEANS ‘TO SHINE’ IN JAPANESE. I WANTED IT TO BE UPLIFTING AND SOOTHING – AND TO SMELL LIKE HOPE AND A SILVER LINING.
A CERTAIN FEELING?
We use the Magnetiscent fragrance intelligence technology from Japanese fragrance house Takasago to source the right scents that can influence whatever you’re feeling by triggering activities in certain parts of the brain. This has been scientifically proven by studies using fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) at the Technical University of Dresden Medical School. By finding out the scents that trigger the part of the brain that’s active when you are feeling happy and positive, we can influence the way you feel.
with many for a prolonged time. The home scent can be an intangible positive force. YOU HAVE CRAFTED AMBIENT SCENTS FOR SHOPS AND HOTELS. DO YOU ALSO OFFER
space was an animal, what would it be and why? These questions are designed to prompt intimate answers that will help us nominate the right scent. Once we’ve established it, we polish and perfect it.
THIS SERVICE TO PRIVATE HOMEOWNERS?
Yes. We’ve had clients from the royal families of Brunei and Malaysia requesting for personalised signature home fragrances after experiencing our ambient scents outside.
For more information, visit www.scentbysix.com.
WHAT GOES INTO THE CRAFTING OF AN AMBIENT SCENT?
THE PANDEMIC HAS LED TO A RETAIL APOCALYPSE FOR MANY BUT THE SALES FIGURES
HOW WOULD YOU
OF SIX’S HOME FRAGRANCE
DESCRIBE HIKARU?
PRODUCTS WENT UP. WHY DO
Hikaru means “to shine” in Japanese. I wanted it to be uplifting and soothing – and to smell like hope and a silver lining. The main note is yuzu, which holds a special memory for me. The first time I got whiff of it was when I was quite little. My grandmother bought me a yuzu ice cream in Hong Kong and the scent was so fresh, I had this incredible sense of joy that was unlike anything I’ve ever felt before. In Hikaru, the freshness of yuzu gives way to light floral notes of dandelion and jasmine
YOU THINK THAT IS SO?
I start by asking a client to describe their space with three questions. One: describe the personality of your space in three words. Two: describe it in three colours. Three: if your
It surprised me, too. Before the pandemic, the ratio of our sales was 50 per cent perfume and 50 per cent home fragrance. Since the pandemic, it’s been 90 to 95 per cent home fragrance! I think it’s because most have little reason to wear perfume these days. Instead, because they stay home all the time, they want to be able to uplift their mood and set their mind right for the activities ahead. Or they simply want to feel calmer in a space they are forced to share
text ASIH JENIE photos SIX
Launched in December, the Hikaru collection comprises a perfume, a nebuliser and essential oil set (above), a pure essential oil (left) and a pillow mist. Prices range between $28 and $158.
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U P C LO S E
JAN
LARSEN American neo-pop artist Jan Larsen describes his design style as well as biggest strength. And what makes him smile the most.
What is your favourite time of the day? The early morning, just after the sun comes up. I’d throw back the velvet curtains of the JLA Studios production offices, walk out onto the balcony and drink in the view of the majestic 100-year-old rain trees across the street from where I work and live with my family. In those moments, I cherish the preciousness of life, how lucky I am to live where I do in these exciting times – my wife and I just had a baby – and the clear-eyed vision of the beauty and purpose I am working to articulate in this life. What is your design style? Neat, colourful, crisp and light-hearted with stronglycontrasting colour fields, neatly hewn details and natural patterns and textures wherever possible. Everything is well crafted, of course, with
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top-quality materials and construction. In my abstract expressionist paintings, I enjoy large, bold gestures in lightly pigmented or even monochromatic traditional materials such as the black and white oils and acrylics as seen in the works of American abstract expressionists Franz Kline and Robert Motherwell. You could say there’s a bit of the Scandinavian in my personal design style, as explained by my Danish-American heritage. But there are other European, Asian, and Arabic inspirations in there as well, plus some edge from good ol’ American rock and roll and pop culture. What makes you smile the most? Looking into the face of my newborn daughter Emma and then seeing my wife Cathy’s beautiful face looking peacefully and attentively
text MELODY BAY photo JAN LARSEN
over her. Though I’m still very new at it, parenthood is quite a beautiful experience. I think everyone who has patience and a parental temperament should try it out. What’s your biggest strength? My creative mind powered by my energy. I was blessed with my mother Jane’s artist’s mind and the principled drive of a locomotive from my father Reed. How would you define yourself in three words? Thoughtful. Considerate. Driven. What’s one thing people don’t know about you? I suppose one thing most people don’t know about me is that although I appear to have a consistently sunny-sweet, happy and even Pollyanna-ish disposition about me, I possess a seasoned and practical business mind at work.
E H T F O T R A P E B
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, ts n e v e to s e it v in e iv s lu Join us now for exc eals and discounts! giveaways, dining d
TA ST E S O C I E T YS G
LAKESIDE LUXURY This contemporary summer retreat in a small remote town close to Ontario, Canada, is an architectural statement that melds elegant design, technology and sustainability with a natural setting. MICHELLE LEE delves into its design strategies.
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“We had fun designing the facade, including the layout of the panelling as well as vertical fins that create interesting shadow play,” says SAOTA’s design team. OPPOS ITE
Taking on the appearance of stacked, perpendicular boxes, the contemporary architecture presents a stark contrast to its natural surroundings.
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reinterpretation of the classic country vacation home by Cape Town-based architecture firm SAOTA, this family getaway set against the bucolic landscape of Lake Huron is a lesson in contemporary glamour. Sitting on a lakeside that bridges the forest and water, and rising 3.5m above the road before it dips down towards the lake, it is strategically positioned to maximise the vista of the natural landscape. The building exterior is dressed in a mix of light and
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dark tones, and clad with durable ceramic panels that can withstand the extremes of the Canadian climate. Conceptualised to resemble stacked concrete boxes, it creates a unique shadow play on the facade and inside. The front of the sevenbedroom property is wrapped in expansive floor-to-ceiling glass windows that invite in plenty of natural light and offer panoramic lakeside views. The back, featuring a two-storey wall of glass, is shrouded by fir trees that provide privacy
ABOVE
Furniture from Okha and Modloft, and pendant lamps from Elan Lighting, in the living room. CE NT R E
Natural light streams through the two-storey glass panel. R IG HT
The triple-height atrium. OPPOSIT E
The living spaces, inside and out, present amazing views of the lake.
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Merging indoor and outdoor living, the spacious patio is perfect for a dip or for lounging in the sun.
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THIS LARGE OUTDOOR AREA WITH A PATIO AND A SWIMMING POOL WAS DESIGNED FOR LONG SUMMER AFTERNOONS ON THE LAKE. from the road. Outdoors, a large space with a patio and a swimming pool was designed for long summer afternoons on the lake. One striking feature is the stone canopy, which extends from the indoor kitchen and shades an outdoor lounge, instantly establishing a relationship between the zones. Beyond the pool, a boardwalk and staircase descend to a refurbished cabin that predates the house, and which now accommodates a guest suite and an additional outdoor entertainment area. Inside the main house, the common living spaces are relatively open and fluid. They emulate the laid-back atmosphere one would expect of a holiday retreat with artfully designed interiors dreamt up by ARRCC, SAOTA’s interior design arm. A grey and woodtoned palette, mainly from a stone-effect Neolith surfacing, envelops the living and dining areas on the ground floor. The luxe factor is amped up by timber, marble and leather touches, including a selection of high-design decor accents. For instance,
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sculptural pendant lights by Tom Dixon create a statement over the custom dining table, while geometric lighting fixtures by Elan Lighting add drama to the triple-height atrium and living room, and an Okha sofa offers subtle elegance and plush comfort. On the upper level are the owners’ private spaces, comprising the master bedroom, an office and a gym. Similarly clad in neutral hues, the bedroom is all understated elegance, with a remarkable vista to wake up to and modern creature comforts. Several key furniture pieces have been custom-designed by ARRCC. The other bedrooms are located in a wing above the garage. The lower levels have a moodier colour scheme that blends with the surrounding low-level landscape and forest. The owner’s favourite room is situated here; an “engine room” housing a building services infrastructure, including a commercial-grade building automation system (BAS) that monitors and controls various systems within the residence. The building is powered by a 15-kilowatt solar array, has an in-property underground stormwater system, and an EcoFlo Biofilter septic system, which deals with all sewer requirements on site.
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ABOVE
Soothing hues, luxe bedding and sleek furnishings in an inviting, cosy bedroom. LEFT
A free-standing tub and glass windows for a relaxing soak with a serene view. OPPOS ITE
The staircase leads down to a revamped cabin with an additional entertainment area and a guest suite.
text MICHELLE LEE photos ADAM LETCH architecture SAOTA interior design ARRCC
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LABOUR OF LOVE This pre-war Tiong Bahru walk-up combines industrial edge with speakeasy and heritage elements. MELODY BAY does a walk-through.
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An arched doorway leads to the bedrooms and laundry room at the back. OPPOS ITE
The exposed brick and black accents give the space a distinctly industrial vibe.
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R IGH T
Both like to cook and need plenty of counter space in their kitchen.
B OTTOM
Ventilation blocks screen off the entrance from other features. OP P OSIT E
The dining area leads to the den where they enjoy gaming videos with friends.
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hen JP and Daniel clapped eyes on the pre-war apartment in Tiong Bahru, it was love at first sight. They visited it almost every day before they moved in. “I would come in here and just sit and visualise the place,” laughs JP, a 37-year-old financial planner. Today, the walk-up is home to him, partner Daniel, their 13-year-old chihuahua Clover and JP’s parents. And, much like the hip bars in the neighbourhood, it is a dimly-lit, welcoming place that’s a blend of industrial edge and vintage speakeasy, with nods to their Singaporean heritage. A tricky mix for sure but they pulled it off beautifully,
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thanks to working closely with Desmond Chew and Serene Tan of Three-D Conceptwerke. Of course, this has had friends and family members mistaking their place for a bar a few times. “I’ve had people coming up for a party and wondering if this was the right bar,” says JP. Beyond that, it hasn’t been much of a bother as they love to entertain. Needless to say, having a large space for hosting gatherings was high on their list of priorities. Now, the communal area consists of a large den, a sizeable dining space and an open kitchen with an island bar that would look right at home in one of the nearby restaurants with its walnut hue and urban-
WHO LIVES HERE
A family of four and a chihuahua HOME Pre-war walk-up apartment SIZ E 1,700 sq ft
“WE LOVE TO HOST GATHERINGS, SO HAVING PLENTY OF SEATING IS IMPORTANT.” – JP, HOMEOWNER
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A B OVE
The semicircular layout was a challenge at first, but they overcame it with the careful placement of the furniture. RIGHT
Brass accents lend a touch of luxe.
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OP POSI TE
The steampunkstyle barber chair and neon sign give the den an edgy vibe.
looking chandelier. Of these, the couple’s favourite room is undeniably the den – a large, semi-circular room with a generous, squashy sofa and a TV, plus their favourite video games lined up on the console – that they have fondly dubbed the gaming room. “The layout was quite a challenge, but placing the furniture just so everyone can see the TV was crucial,” says Desmond. Taking pride of place is a steampunk-style barber’s chair
JP purchased on Carousell from an interior design firm that was moving offices. Next to it is a bright pink custom neon sign that says “Glass ½ Full Since 2007” – the year the couple got together as well as a tongue-incheek reference to optimism and always having a drink in hand. Although the home has a predominantly dark palette, there are occasional pops of colour, like deep green, that add depth. JP and Daniel were also very hands-on in the selection of
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A B OVE
Both the bathrooms feature glass blocks.
“LAYING THE GLASS BLOCKS IN A CURVE WAS CHALLENGING, BUT THE RESULT IS TIMELESS AND THE LIGHT THAT COMES THROUGH IS BEAUTIFUL.” – DESMOND CHEW, THREE-D CONCEPTWERKE
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the colours throughout the place as well as the furniture that was mostly bought from sites like Taobao and Carousell. Of course, they were careful to have a good mix of splurges and inexpensive furniture, and the resulting look is luxe with a quirky character. Every feature feels right at home, including the flicker of the wall lamps, which the couple speculates is due to the age of the building. Their personalities are also introduced through accessories and artworks collected over the years and scattered throughout. JP loves collecting animal figurines from gacha machines, which he places in spots like above the clock, on kitchen shelves and in the ventilation blocks, so guests get delightful little surprises. Another welcoming touch: the constant, soft and warm tones of the Koshi wind chimes JP bought from France that are just outside the window.
ABOVE
The couple kept the large size of the bathrooms that were said to be communal back in the day. L EFT
Details like this intricate doorknob elevate the look of certain features, transforming them from utilitarian to opulent.
BOT TOM
Lampstands in the shape of monkeys, JP’s favourite animal, light the way in their bedroom.
“I believe we should surround ourselves with things that make us happy in a home,” JP tells us. The overall look is also a nod to local heritage and the character of the neighbourhood. Architectural elements such as ventilation blocks, usually found outdoors, were incorporated indoors via a screen that divides the entryway from the dining area, giving it privacy while allowing air and light through. Desmond and Serene also added textured glass blocks to
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the two bathrooms, letting in natural daylight to brighten them up. These heritageinspired touches give the home a timeless beauty to the home, says Desmond, and the couple concur. “We knew we wanted to work with Three-D Conceptwerke very early on. Just like we could feel the apartment was right for us, we also felt Desmond and Serene were the right designers to work with. After all, this is our forever home,” says JP.
ABOVE
The breezy back room is where the laundry gets down, the potted plants thrive and occasional mahjong sessions happen. LEFT
The windows open out onto the neighbourhood.
RIGHT
A safety door keeps Clover the chihuahua secure from unfamiliar visitors.
photos VERONICA TAY art direction NONIE CHEN
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Lush greenery abounds throughout the home, adding a tropical resort vibe. OPPOSIT E
The 21m lap pool was one of the top priorities in the design.
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IN CONVERSATION WITH NATURE This inter-terrace home’s external appearance belies its spacious and airy interior with everything a threegeneration family needs. MELODY BAY finds out more.
RI GHT
The owners chose to keep the textured masonry or stonework in many of the rooms. BOTTOM RI GHT
Most of the first floor is taken up by the lap pool. OP POSI TE
The boundaries between the outdoors and indoors are blurred by plants and open spaces.
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ust from its exterior, a passer-by would be hardpressed to believe that this terrace home is a resort-style paradise for three generations. Step inside, however, and it’s a completely different world – bright, airy and spacious with plenty of room for a supersized family. It was designed by owners and architects Tan Chee Yong and Rebecca Chia, who share it with their two sons and have made sure that there is more than enough room for when both of their parents stay over. “We wanted the overall feel to be simple and functional while exuding a relaxed, tropical atmosphere,” says Chee Yong.
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Since both are avid swimmers, a 21m lap pool was one of the top priorities. They worked around the issue of space by placing it at the ground level and elevating everything else – including the living room and kitchen. Although flanked by houses on both sides, the home is bright and wellventilated, thanks to the four-storey air well that rises above the pool. “We liked the enduring concept of the courtyard house,” shares Rebecca. The air well is the focal point in that all the rooms face it. Each has slide-and-fold window walls so it gets adequate cross-
WHO LIVES HERE
An architect couple in their 40s with their two sons – and, occasionally, both their parents HOM E Inter-terrace home in Hougang SI ZE 4,088 sq ft
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AS PART OF THE NATURE-FOCUSED DESIGN LANGUAGE, THE COLOURS AND MATERIALS WERE DELIBERATELY LEFT RAW OR NEUTRAL.
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ventilation and maintains a connection to the rest of the place. The air well also blurs the boundaries between the outdoors and indoors. Lush plants line its perimeter at each level, giving the appearance of a verdant green curtain. “We wanted our home to be in conversation with nature,” says Rebecca. The abundance of flourishing plants adds a tropical resort vibe. The bathrooms were also designed as open-concept – or open to the sky – with a veil of greenery for privacy. Chee Yong and Rebecca highlight the structural elements by leaving the walls as exposed brick or concrete and the floors as bare concrete screed – a choice that seems perfectly at one with nature. “It keeps the expression of the house true to its form and function,” shares Rebecca. They also chose natural materials such as rattan and teak for their furniture. The home offers plenty of spaces for privacy, including cosy nooks that overlook the air well and pool, as well as a library. At the same time, there’s also plenty of room for gatherings and conversations, including the roof terrace, the family room, and, of course, the dining room with a 3m-long suar wood table at the back of the house. And while they have plenty of light and space, fully adjustable aluminium pivot screens along the front and at the rear ensure privacy and control the amount of sunlight coming through. Of all the rooms, which is the couple’s favourite? “It has to be the dining room,” says Chee Yong. “It’s always airy and bright – and it’s the heart of the home where friends and family gather.”
photos KWAN YEONG KANG, REBECCA CHIA & TAN CHEE YONG
ABOVE
The couple’s favourite is the dining room with its 3m-long suar wood table. LEFT
The shrubbery adds privacy to the bathrooms.
BOT TOM
The aluminium pivot screens at the front and the rear are fully adjustable so they can control the degree of light and privacy. OPPOS ITE
Every room opens onto the air well, maximising light and crossventilation.
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The spacious apartment is airy and gets lots of natural light. OPP OS ITE
The finished look was just what Jeric and Steph wanted: modern with a hint of street style.
MAKING ROOM FOR FAMILY By reconfiguring some areas, more space was created for the three-generation family that lives here. LYNN TAN finds out how the homeowners got the interior they wanted, thanks to a designer who understood their style and needs.
WHO LIVES HERE H OME
A family of five A four-bedroom condo in Sengkang S IZE 1,367 sq ft
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B
ankers Jeric and Steph purchased this home from its previous owner after the five-year Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) for Executive Condominiums (EC). The couple liked how spacious the unit was but felt that there was a lot of “wasted space” and that the layout could be more efficient. “Functionality was our priority. We also wanted it to be cosy and fun so we can spend the whole day at home at weekends,” says the couple. They found Imagine SK66 online and entrusted the task of
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R IGHT
This showcase was created for Jeric’s Jordan shoe collection. He likes them because the logo symbolises always reaching for the highest point. O PPOSITE , TOP
An L-shaped sofa defines the living area. Not having a coffee table frees up more space for the children to play in. O PPOSITE , B OT TOM
The studycum-playroom combines work and fun.
“THE SHOES ARE ALWAYS SO NICELY DISPLAYED IN THE SHOPS, SO I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THAT AT HOME.” – JERIC, HOMEOWNER
transforming the unit to interior designer Kriszha Mae Soriano, who says, “They came prepared with inspirational images that gave me an understanding of their preference to formulate a design suited to their tastes,” Kriszha says. Besides their two daughters, aged 3 and 11 months, Steph’s father also lives with them, making them three generations under one roof. But this didn’t make the design any more challenging. “My father-in-law is very easy-going. He had only a few requirements for his room and left the design for the rest of the home to us,” Jeric comments. The scope of the renovation, which took three months and $85,000, was fairly extensive. Besides the electrical aspects and work on the ceiling, flooring and walls, there was some reconfiguration and the hacking of walls mainly in the kitchen, the master bedroom and one bedroom adjacent to the living area. An island at the front of the kitchen was removed and the freed-up space became the dining area. Relocating it away from the living space meant the latter is now bigger, creating more room for the girls to play in. Of the storeroom, the helper’s room and the toilet in the kitchen area, hacking the storeroom walls allowed Kriszha to add more built-in cabinets and a washing machine. And, since the owners don’t have a helper, the room for one and the toilet have been converted into the new storeroom that now occupies a smaller footprint than before but still provides adequate storage for the family while slightly enlarging the kitchen.
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One of the bedrooms is now both a study and a playroom. “I have always wanted this in my home. When we host family and friends, the ladies tend to occupy the living and dining areas while the men usually end up in the study-cum-playroom,” Jeric reveals. Two of the existing walls that formed an L-shape have been replaced by full-height fixed as well as sliding-folding glass panels. This opens up
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the room and connects it physically and visually with the living area. “It also makes the space look bigger,” Kriszha points out. The distinctly fun vibes are a fitting reflection of the room’s purpose. The wall above the desk has a colourful artwork depicting Kaws’ iconic characters. “I like street art and picked this up from an artist in Chatuchak Market in Bangkok,” says Jeric. One important item
BOTTOM
The feature wall with leaves, a focal point in the kitchen, stands out from the rest of the material palette.
OPPOSITE, TOP
The master suite now incorporates a sleeping zone, a walk-in wardrobe and a spacious bathroom. OPPOSITE, BOTTOM
Kriszha even incorporated a unique display case into the walk-in wardrobe for Jeric’s watch collection.
on Jeric’s wish list was a built-in display cabinet for his Jordan shoe collection. The requirement was to accommodate 20-plus pairs but, since moving in in March 2019, his collection has outgrown the display that is integrated into the living room feature wall. He got the idea while shoe shopping: “The shoes are always so nicely displayed in the shops, so I thought it would be nice to have something like that at home.” The master bedroom underwent major changes, too. The old en suite bathroom took up about half the entire bedroom. Kriszha felt would
be better utilised as a walk-in wardrobe since more storage space is always welcome. It even has a display case for Jeric’s watch collection as well. The walk-in also provides a spatial transition from the sleeping area to the new spacious bathroom. Jeric and Steph were so pleased to be able to achieve the modern design with a touch of street style that thay wanted. “We really appreciate Kriszha’s expertise, and especially her great sense of colour. The neutral shades of grey and white made furniture selection a breeze for us. She has created exactly what we desired.”
photography VEE CHIN art direction KRISTY QUAH
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P R O J E C T S H OWC A S E
SUCH GREAT HEIGHTS Located on the 50th floor of the tallest building in Singapore, this bachelor pad sports a disciplined monochromatic palette curated by its ophthalmologist owner’s keen eye for design.
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O
ccupying levels 39 to 64 of Singapore’s tallest building, the 181 luxury units at Wallich Residence sit between 180m and 290m above sea level and enjoy the most spectacular view. This was a deciding factor for ophthalmologist Desmond Quek when buying his unit. He went so far as to check the area’s development blueprint and when he found out that the plot near the residence might be developed into a 40-storey building, he bought a three-
ABOVE
The excellent natural light makes the contrast between the black furniture and the mostly white marble floors all the more sophisticated.
WHO LIVES HERE
A bachelor ophthalmologist in his 40s HOME A one-bedroom condo that used to have three bedrooms SIZE 1,098 sq ft
A BOV E
Smoked glass sliding doors separate the living area from the bedroom. A BOV E , RIGH T
Desmond Quek. LEF T
An elegant monochromatic palette that’s rich in texture. BE LOW
His bedroom.
bedroom unit on the 50th floor just so his view stayed unobstructed. Initially working with an interior designer to bring his concept to life, Desmond then worked directly with a contractor. The result is a minimalist, ultracontemporary bachelor pad with a disciplined material palette. The number of the bedrooms was reduced to one, turning the place into a bright studio apartment that makes the most of its panorama. The finishing materials are strictly black and white.
text ASIH JENIE photos VERONICA TAY art direction CHEN JINGHUA
Smoked glass sliding doors separate the living area from the bedroom. Even key furniture pieces, including the Nathan Yong Break Stool as well as the custom sofa and bed frame, are also black, which wasn’t that easy to put together. “The lines and shapes must match each other. Otherwise, in a monochromatic space, it’s easy to spot inconsistencies,” Desmond explains. High-rise living might seem high maintenance but for Desmond, it is the other way around. Since moving in in January last year, he’s sold his car and switched to riding the MRT from the station right below the building. Also, eight out of his 10 window panes are operable, allowing for natural ventilation during the weekly cleaning session. This has become an investment that is both stylish and sensible.
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F E AT U R E
THE LOOKS OF NEW NORMAL
ID COLLECTIVE DESIGNS
What will our homes look like in the months to come? Here are the top three trends shaping interiors now and how you can achieve them.
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BIOPHILIA
DESIGN TYCO TAT
Plant parenting is one of the most popular ways to battle the pandemic stress. It is therapeutic, rewarding and irresistibly Instagrammable. Biophilia or the love for nature has long been shaping our domestic environment. The pandemic has simply highlighted the benefit of biophilic design, especially in Singapore’s dense and vertical urban environment. Incorporating it into the design of your home is not that complicated. Here are a few ways:
DESIGN TYCO TAT
T R A N S F O R M YO U R
C A N ’ T M A K E I T ? FA K E I T
Can’t commit to caring for living plants? Create the illusion of a garden with artificial plants on your air-conditioner ledge and in a few corners. Also try refreshing, green ambient scents and turn a regular wall into a feature wall with leafy or floral wallpaper.
B A LC O N Y I N T O A G A R D E N
All you need are some planters and a lot of patience and love. No balcony space is too small. However, it is important to research the kind of plants suitable for the level of care that you can commit to. Watch our Tiny Garden video series for a deep dive.
ID ICON INTERIOR DESIGN
Incorporating natural materials that gain patina with time is listed as one of the elements of biophilic design in the book The Practice of Biophilic Design by Stephen R. Kellert and Elizabeth F. Calabrese. Think aged wood and verdigris from copper and any materials that fit the wabi-sabi Japanese aesthetic such as Corten Steel.
DESIGN DOMENICA TAN
U S E M AT E R I A L S T H AT AG E G R AC E F U L LY
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DESIGN JASON CHANGS
Arguably the most exotic word in this article – but don’t get spooked! Around for some time, the pandemic has also made it more relevant than ever. Chronotopia is derived from “chronotopic”, which means “of a specific time and place”. Chronotopia at home refers to a space that can cater the function demanded of it in a specific time and place. In short, a flexible, adaptable space that can morph smoothly from one function to another. It’s been used to describe the adaptability of public spaces, say like when a car park becomes a festival venue. “But with the arrival of new technology, digital solutions and connected devices, chronotopia has gradually edged its way into the intimacy of our homes,” says French journalist Marie Montuir, writing for Maison & Objet. With the living space now a workspace, classroom and gym, how can you make chronotopia work and look great?
ID THREE-D CONCEPTWERKE
CHRONOTOPIA
INVEST IN M U LT I F U N C T I O N A L F U R N I T U R E
Convertible furniture – like the Murphy bed, an expandable dining table and a foldable screen or room dividers – offers great flexibility.
F O C U S O N H I G H P O R TA B I L I T Y
ID EHKA
ID FUSE CONCEPT
Take a page from office furniture design and consider getting furniture fitted with castors.
GET RID OF THE CLUTTER
Take special care of cables and electronics, so you can reconfigure your space in a jiffy without tripping over wires.
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DESIGN HERMANN YAP
ZAKKA
Is it even a legit design movement if it doesn’t have a Japanese term? Zakka comes from the Japanese term kakka in de zakka which translates to ‘miscellaneous things’. The term refers to Western household items that were a novelty in 100
Japan during the ’50s to ’70s but have since expanded to the mishmash of belongings that spark joy in one’s home. At best, zakka creates homes with distinct personalities; at worst, it mutates into hoarding. Here’s how to do zakka right:
ZAKKA COMES FROM THE JAPANESE TERM KAKKA IN DE ZAKKA WHICH TRANSLATES TO ‘MISCELLANEOUS THINGS’.
I F YO U GOT THEM, FLAUN T
Got a massive collection of toys, vinyls or novelty spoons? Instead of letting them languish in the storeroom or clutter up the home, make them a part of the decor by presenting them properly.
L E AV E A L I T T L E B R E AT H I N G R O O M
ID THREE-D CONCEPTWERKE
Balance the density of your items with open space so the eyes get a visual break.
D O N ’ T I N D I S C R I M I N AT E , C U R AT E
ID PARENTHESIS
DESIGN HERMANN YAP
THEM
text ASIH JENIE
Form a structure for your mishmash of belongings by organising them according to themes – colours, sizes or shapes – to create visual rhythm and a cohesive look. There are no strict rules; think of this as more of a guideline.
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F E AT U R E
INTO THE OPEN Ten ideas for separating the spaces in your open-concept home for better spatial flow.
A
round for the longest time, openconcept homes have received a new lease on life, thanks to our addresses now being a primary place for gatherings. While they may look effortlessly bright and spacious, it takes lots of spatial planning to avoid having them become just a place with a jumble of furniture and other what-nots. Luckily, there are many ways in which you can demarcate areas while adding style and functionality. Here are our favourites.
CARPETS If you like changing things up now and then, carpets or rugs are an excellent way to define a space while keeping things flexible. According to Shermaine Ong of MOW Interior, living rooms are the best place for a large carpet as it grounds the sofa and pulls an overall invitingly comfortable look together. TIP: Carpet runners are excellent for sprucing up empty corridors.
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ID ENOCH
DESIGN TYCO TAT
ID WOODWORKS
DESIGN PETER OW
T WO -WAY S H E LV E S What have you done with all of the beautiful small pieces you’ve picked up over the years? Flexible and practical, two-way shelves, which can be custombuilt or purchased individually, create display space while helping to divide a room, let light through and offer a peek into the space beyond. TIP: Mix and match bigger and smaller or taller and shorter pieces to create a layered look.
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PLANTS Probably the most flexible option, plants are aestheticallypleasing space dividers that even clean the air around you. Hang a row of trailing ferns from the ceiling or have potted plants on stands of varying heights. If you’re going for living ones, do consider their maintenance. TIP: Ferns, succulents, bamboo palm trees, ficus and Swiss Cheese Plants, as well as some herbs, are surprisingly hardy in our weather.
H A L F WA L L S These act as an architectural interest as they separate a space without closing it off from the light and views of the rest of the home. They also provide a degree of privacy and can incorporate inset shelves or niches for books and other items without overwhelming the space. TIP: Keep a half wall as is or fill the top half with folding soundproof glass panels if you intend to use the space as a study area where you can also hold Zoom meetings.
“LIGHTING DESIGN ALLOWS SPECIFIC SPACES TO COME INTO FOCUS WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ON. AMBIENT LIGHTING, FOR EXAMPLE, IMPROVES THE SENSE OF WARMTH AND DEPTH OF A SPACE DURING GET-TOGETHERS.” – JOSEPH HO, SOL LUMINAIRE
LIGHTING This can anchor the look of a home and help separate spaces. Large, visually commanding pendant lamps can serve as a focal point for a dining area while other areas can be distinguished with track lighting. The degree of lighting can also separate spaces. For instance, you can have warmer, dimmer lighting for watching Netflix in the lounge and brighter lighting in the kitchen. TIP: Sol Luminaire’s AEON Globula and Voli have dim to warm qualities.
AEON Voli
ID BOWERMAN
AEON Globula
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ID EIGHTYTWO
OPEN-CONCEPT HOMES ENCOURAGE YOU TO CREATE UNIQUE AREAS, SECTION OFF COSY CORNERS AND EVEN COMBINE WHAT WOULD NORMALLY BE DIFFERENT ROOMS.
C O LO U R B LO C K I N G This adds personality and lets you segment areas without having to spend too much. Simply choose different tiles, textures, furniture or wall colours. These can either be contrasting or subtle, allowing spaces to flow into each other. However, it’s best to stick to a maximum of two or three colours or patterns to keep the overall look cohesive. TIP: Juxtaposing contrasting colours in different blocks and shapes can give a room a brighter, more energetic appeal for gatherings.
ID WOLFWOOF
P L AT F O R M S Installing a platform distinguishes different areas without calling too much attention to itself. It also adds a sense of scale to the design and a decorative touch that even makes a small room feel abundant or cosy and decadent. TIP: If you have space, try raising the floor level in an awkward nook and add storage beneath it to stash decor and party supplies.
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ID MOW
ID SPONGE
K I TC H E N C O U N T E R S Island and peninsula counters are a popular way to divide areas, especially between a kitchen and the rest of the home. The first is a stand-alone and the latter is connected to a wall or something else on one side. Besides providing extra storage and space for dining or working, they help to draw lines without visually commanding the area. TIP: Their surface needs to be kept clean and tidy. Any clutter will make them stand out – and not in a nice way.
CEILING DESIGN Varying the ceiling design can change the visual impression of a space. For example, having the living room ceiling, sometimes called the fifth wall, clad in panels helps to draw the eye upwards and immediately elevates it. You can also opt for cove lighting, which subtly outlines the ceiling at night. TIP: Painting the ceiling in a mood-enhancing hue also draws the eye upwards and makes a room feel and appear larger.
“THE NOISE LEVEL TENDS TO BE HIGHER IN AN OPEN-CONCEPT HOME BECAUSE THERE IS HARDLY ANY SOUNDPROOFING. THERE IS STILL A NEED FOR PARTIALLY-DIVIDED AREAS.”
R O O M S E PA R AT O R S OR SCREENS Also known as feature panels, and usually in sets of four to eight, screens offer partial privacy and some soundproofing. Just as importantly, they section off rooms in style. TIP: When shopping for screens, check the materials. Some are made from wood while others have paper-based panels that are translucent and easily prone to damage.
text MELODY BAY
DESIGN MARCUS ONG
– SHERMAINE ONG, MOW INTERIOR
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F E AT U R E
THE ART OF LETTING GO
ID SPACE SENSE
The Singaporean Dream of home upgrading comes with a great responsibility of disposing of your items correctly, sustainably, and preferably profitably. Here are ways to do it.
T
here are only so many items one can comfortably fit inside one’s home. And if you subscribe to the core tenet of Singaporean Dream of home upgrading, which is owning progressively larger (or more prestigious) properties during one’s lifetime, you will need to master the art of letting go of your items to make space for better things. And did you know that according to the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR), at the rate that we are going, our one and only landfill will run out of space by 2035? You can do better than just merely dumping your unwanted items at the foot of your block. Here are ways to dispose of your items correctly, sustainably, and possibly profitably.
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CALL FOR HELP
Who are you going to call depends on your type of housing and your preference. ARE YOU AN HDB RESIDENT?
Congratulations, you are entitled to a free bulky item removal service – T&Cs apply. Google “bulky item removal service Singapore Town Council” and you’ll find Town Council websites detailing how to request the removal for free. Find the one catering to your estate and submit your request. Each Town Council may have different T&Cs, but generally, it requires at least three working days to process your request and a specific time during working days to remove the items. Applications must also be made by the resident of the unit.
Make sure to read the fine print on the list of acceptable items because most estates impose a maximum number of items (usually up to three) and size of items per removal (must be able to be removed by one person). This service does not include dismantling and removal of built-in fixtures. ARE YOU LIVING IN A PRIVATE HOUSING ESTATE?
Call your building management to find out if they offer bulky item removal service. You can also call the Public Waste Collector (PWC) serving your estate. Take note that the removal of bulky items is not included in the standard service provided by PWCs, charges will incur, which can be negotiated before the removal.
DO YOU PREFER TO ENGAGE
BE YOUR OWN SHOP
A PRIVATE LICENSED WASTE
Harness the power of the internet and list your items online. Platforms like Carousell and Gumtree are great to market to local buyers. Make sure you have great pictures and sufficient T&Cs and prepare to take on the customer service role. If you don’t require anonymity, simply post to your Facebook and Instagram to list your items and set the privacy to according to your comfort level.
bulk. So give them a call if you’re moving places or upgrading and have plenty of items in good condition to let go. Cash Converters buys electronic products and gives you instant cash. You can bring your items to any of the six Cash Converters stores or, if you have bulky or plenty of items, you can request a housecall via its web form. Items with its original packaging and warranty cards may fetch a higher price.
SELLING TO REPUTABLE SHOPS
GOING ONCE, GOING TWICE
Singapore has no shortage of excellent vintage furniture shops, and some of them are actively looking to buy. Second Charm takes items with vintage value like retro solid wood and mid-century pieces, and pays according to their value appraisal. Hock Siong specialises in restoring old furniture and homeware, and prefers to buy in
To some degree, auctioning your items is a gamble. It could be a great way to get more cash for your items, but if you’re not careful, you may end up paying to get rid of your items, so make sure to read the fine prints. eBay is an open market, low-risk platform where you can start small and limit the buyers by country or locations. If you prefer a more curated and contained auction house, try offering your items to Hotlotz, which offer professional written valuations and sale by auction.
COLLECTOR?
Don’t have time to comply with the various T&Cs for free removal services? Consider hiring a private licensed waste collector. Junk to Clear has the best online review for residential waste management service thanks to its sameday service. Alternatively, the National Environment Agency (NEA) has a comprehensive list of licensed waste collectors. Google ‘list of licensed general waste collectors in Singapore’; the NEA list is the first non-ad result. WH ERE TO S ELL
The most obvious choice to both clear some space and make money. Depending on how much time and patience you have in offloading your items for cash, here are some alternatives.
W H E R E TO D O N AT E
PLATFORMS LIKE CAROUSELL AND GUMTREE ARE GREAT TO MARKET TO LOCAL BUYERS. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE GREAT PICTURES AND SUFFICIENT T&CS AND PREPARE TO TAKE ON THE CUSTOMER SERVICE ROLE.
Sometimes you just want your items to find a new home and be of use to more people. But remember, your donation should not burden the people you gave your items to, so do your research. Pass It On is an online platform Started by the Central Singapore Community Development Council and managed by welfare organisation The Helping Hand that matches items that people want to donate to the wish lists of people who need them. Simply make a donation post with images and descriptions of the items you’d like to donate
text ASIH JENIE images 123RF.COM
and wait for a match. Social workers from 285 voluntary welfare organisations also post requests for items that families under their charge need. Run by volunteers at the Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations (SCWO), New2U Thrift Shop accepts clothes, books, toys, bags and even kitchen crockery and utensils to sell in the shop. The proceeds go to Star Shelter, a temporary refuge for women and children who are victims of violence, as well as to other SCWO initiatives. Donations can be dropped off any day (including weekends and public holidays) from 9am to 8pm. The Salvation Army is arguably the most familiar name in the donation initiative. But did you know that it has a free collection service for bulky items like furniture and large appliances? To request for collection, email donor@SMM. salvationarmy.org with a brief description of the items you wish to donate, your collection address and contact number. Although the service is free, it appeals for an optional donation of $60 for each collection. For those who are not bothered by the lack of anonymity, Sgfreecycle is a Facebook group where you can post what you want to give away for people to respond to. No items are too small, and you set all the T&Cs. Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics (HOME) is a charity dedicated to empowering and supporting abused migrant workers. It accepts donations of women’s clothing, unopened food or toiletries and craft items such as sewing machines, paints and drawing materials.
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F E AT U R E
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SMART MOVES Optimise your study with these productivity tips and expert feng shui advice.
1. M A K E S U R E YO U H AV E P L E N T Y O F L I G H T.
2. K E E P YO U R
ROOM COOL.
Studies have shown that temperature can have a significant impact on your concentration and memory. The optimal temperature for focused work is 23 to 25 deg C. While this varies between individuals, it’s generally agreed that a working space that is too warm can be most detrimental, causing alertness and energy levels to plummet. Keep your study cool with air-conditioning or a standing fan next to your desk.
ID DISTINCTIDENTITY
Lighting is essential when it comes to preventing eye strain and headaches. Natural light is best, so ensure your window treatments allow sufficient daylight through. In the evenings, you’ll need both general and task lighting. Opt for warm white, which best mimics natural daylight.
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ID PSI
3. A I M F O R A
C L U T T E R - F R E E S T U DY.
A clean study helps the mind to focus. Keep essentials organised on your desk. The rest of the clutter should be stored out of sight. It’s also a good habit to set aside time for tidying your study after you complete your work. This simple routine ensures that you start each day on a fresh, distraction-free note.
5. FAC E YO U R
D E S K AWAY F R O M D I S T R AC T I O N S .
Feeling sleepy? That could be due to poor ventilation. Maintain constant air circulation in your study with a fan and open window. Alternatively, invest in an air purifier that helps to filter out allergy-causing particles and microbes. The best ones have a HEPA filter, which can trap harmful particles such as pollutants, pollen, pet dander, dust mites and tobacco smoke.
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ID EGG3
4. O P T I M I S E T H E A I R Q UA L I T Y.
One of the best places to position your desk is next to a window. It ensures sufficient natural light and air circulation. However, veteran feng shui practitioner Liu Tian Huang cautions against placing young children directly in front of the window as it can result in distractions. Similarly, avoid placing your desk too close to hightraffic places like a doorway.
“[MOUNTAINS AND LAKES] ARE A REPRESENTATION OF KNOWLEDGE, WISDOM AND PROBLEM-SOLVING.”
ID PARENTHESIS
– LIU TIAN HUANG, FENG SHUI PRACTITIONER AND AUTHOR
6. S P R U C E U P YO U R
WA L L S W I T H A R T WO R K .
In feng shui, paintings depicting mountain and lake sceneries are good in a study as they symbolise academic excellence. “They are a representation of knowledge, wisdom and problem solving,” says Tian Huang, who is also the author of a bestselling Mandarin book, whose title translates to Mastering Eight Characters: Practical Case Studies.
7. S C E N T YO U R S PAC E . Fragrances like peppermint and citrus can improve concentration and lift the spirits, making it easier to focus on your tasks. Add scent to your study in the form of a low-maintenance reed or electric diffuser. We like the V-Stop Airshield range of sanitising concentrates for their fragrance as well as antibacterial and antiviral properties.
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“AVOID PLANTS THAT HAVE AN OVERLY STRONG SCENT OR ARE SHARP AND POINTY, LIKE CACTI. THEY CREATE NEGATIVE ENERGY (SHA QI).”
ID MONOCOT STUDIO
– LIU TIAN HUANG
8. A D D P L A N T S . Adding greenery instantly enlivens your study or home office. Shop for lowmaintenance plants that don’t require frequent watering. For the feng shui-conscious, Tian Huang suggests the plum blossom, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum or chamomile. In Chinese culture, these are associated with qualities of uprightness and perseverance. Artwork depicting these plants work just as well.
9. PA I N T YO U R S T U DY
IN A CALMING SHADE.
Colours set the tone and mood of a space. In a study, where calmness for a focused state of mind is needed, it’s recommended that you use tranquil, earthy tones such as pale green and eggshell blue. Stimulating colours, like red, are great for promoting creativity, but should be used sparingly and mindfully. Lynn Lee, senior product specialist from Nippon Paint, advises balancing strong colours with a neutral palette of whites and greys. Not sure how the finish will look? The Nippon Colour Visualiser app can help you envision the outcome. Simply take a snapshot of your space and the app will “paint” your walls for you.
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10. I N V E S T I N P R O P E R
E R G O N O M I C S U P P O R T.
Avoid aches and strains by ensuring your furniture gives you adequate support. This means adjusting your desk height or adding a laptop stand so that your screen is at eye level for comfortable viewing, as well as investing in a chair with good lumbar support. We like the Secretlab SoftWeave Black3 chair. It’s made with a cool, breathable fabric and customisable ergonomics that can be adjusted to your height. text MELODY BAY
WHERE TO BUY
BANG & OLUFSEN
HUMANITARIAN
NEW2U THRIFT SHOP
THE BEURO
#01-05 Grand Hyatt 10-12 Scotts Road Tel: 6737-7500 www.bang-olufsen. com
ORGANISATION
96 Waterloo Street Tel: 6837-0611 www.scwo.org.sg www.new2u9. wixsite.com/ new2uonlineshop
#03-10 Tan Boon Liat Building Tel: 6222-4500 www.thebeuro.com
FOR MIGRATION ECONOMICS (HOME)
www.home.org.sg JOURNEY EAST
CAROUSELL
www.carousell.sg CASH CONVERTERS
www.cashconverters. sg
#03-02 Tan Boon Liat Building 315 Outram Road Tel: 6473-1693 www.journeyeast.com
THE SALVATION ARMY PASS IT ON
SINGAPORE
819 Upper Serangoon Road Tel: 8511-9160 www.passiton.org.sg
www.salvationarmy. org/singapore
JUNK TO CLEAR EBAY
www.ebay.com.sg GRAFUNKT
#04-01 to 06 Funan Mall 107 North Bridge Road Tel: 6336-6046 www.grafunkt.com
#01-14 8 Kaki Bukit Road 2 Tel: 6749-2306 www.junktoclear. com.sg LOUIS VUITTON ISLAND MAISON
SOUL AND TABLES
315 Outram Road, #02-03, Tan Boon Liat Building, Singapore 169074 Tel: 9272-1545 www.soulandtables. com.sg
www.gumtree.sg
#B2-36 Bayfront Avenue, Marina Bay Sands Tel: 6788-3888 ap.louisvuitton.com
HOCK SIONG
MADE & MAKE
#01-03 Junjie Industrial Building 153 Kampong Ampat Tel: 6281-8338 www.hocksiong.com. sg
#04-00 Jubilee Industrial Building 6 Genting Road Tel: 6908-5908 www.madeandmake. sg
HOTLOTZ
MOUNTAIN LIVING
SPACE FURNITURE
#01-15 Cendex Center 120 Lower Delta Road Tel: 6254-7616 www.hotlotz.com
#07-02 Tan Boon Liat Building 315 Outram Road www.mountainliving. com
77 Bencoolen Street Tel: 6415-0000 www.spacefurniture. com.sg
GUMTREE
INTERIOR DESIGNERS
IMAGINE SK66
#01-22 UB One 81 Ubi Ave 4 Tel: 6604-8330 https://imaginesk66. com
SECOND CHARM
#05-165 Mapletree Industrial Building Blk 21 Kallang Avenue Tel: 6294-2919 www. secondcharmhome. com SGFREECYCLES
www.facebook.com/ groups/sgfreecycle
SAOTA ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN
www.saota.com THREE-D CONCEPTWERKE
24 Eng Hoon Street Tel: 6293-8001 www.three-dconceptwerke.com
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BUYING GUIDE
YOUR ONE-STOP RESOURCE FOR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS
FURNITURE, APPLIANCES & FURNISHINGS
ACORN
#02-09 512 Chai Chee Lane Tel: 6445-6144 www.acorn ceilingfan.com
SPACE FURNITURE
MOW INTERIOR DESIGN
77 Bencoolen Street www.spacefurniture. com.sg
#08-02 Tai Seng Point 11 Irving Place Tel: 6246-6614 www.mowinterior.com
HARVEY NORMAN
#01-59 to 63 Millenia Walk Tel: 6311-9988 www.harveynorman. com.sg
STAR LIVING
1 Pasir Panjang Road Tel: 6273-2522 www.starliving. com.sg
BRANDT ASIA
#02-51/52 Oxley Bizhub 65 Ubi Road One Tel: 6508-4639 www.brandt.sg
XZQT
FURNITURE & FURNISHINGS
#01-05 8 Pandan Crescent Tel: 6774-8031 www.xzqt.com.sg
HOME 2 U GALLERY EFENZ CEILING FAN
#06-01 1 Kallang Way 2A Tel: 6747-2742 www.efenz.com.sg ELECTROLUX S.E.A.
#07-10 Galaxis 1 Fusionopolis Place Tel: 6727-3699 www.electrolux.com. sg FISHER & PAYKEL
#03-01A Ubi Biz Hub 150 Ubi Avenue 4 Tel: 6547-0100 www.fisherpaykel. com/sg
#02-719/720 Suntec City Tower 4 Tel: 6737-7838
INTERIOR DESIGNERS
MUJI
#02-198 Vivocity Tel: 6376-8023 www.muji.com/sg ROCHE BOBOIS
#01-02 Boon Siew Building 75 Bukit Timah Tel: 6513-1918 www.roche-bobois. com
DESIGN INTERVENTION
75E Loewen Road Tel: 6506-0920 www.design intervention.com.sg DWELL INTERIOR DESIGN
11 Kim Yam Road Tel: 6883-1005 www.dwell.com.sg
SCANTEAK
HAIRE LIVING
60 Sungei Kadut Drive www.scanteak.com.sg
Level 4 29 Mayo Street Tel: 6441-3345 www.haireliving.com IMAGINE BY SK66
#01-22 UB One 81 Ubi Avenue 4 Tel: 6604-8330 www.imaginebysk66. com
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NEU KONCEPTZ
#03-11 Bizhub 28 28 Senang Crescent Tel: 6746-3723 www.neukonceptz. com.sg THREE-D CONCEPTWERKE
24 Eng Hoon Street Tel: 6293-8001 www.three-dconceptwerke.com
LIGHTING LIGHTCRAFT
131 Jalan Sultan Tel: 6297-6658 www.lightcraft.com.sg SOL LUMINAIRE
395 Guillemard Rd Tel: 6612-1221 www.solluminaire. com.sg
RENOVATION MATERIALS CAESARSTONE S.E.A.
#08-06 The Spire 10 Bukit Batok Crescent Tel: 6316-1938 www.caesarstone.sg COSENTINO
34/35 Duxton Road Tel: 6713-9543 www.cosentino.com DURAVIT ASIA
(Singapore Branch) 63 Tras Street Tel: 6221-9315 www.duravit.com HAFARY
105 Eunos Avenue 3 Tel: 6250-1368 www.hafary.com.sg NATURAL FOREST
#10-01B Keck Seng Tower 133 Cecil Street Tel: 6238-5920 NOVITA
#04-00 Techniques Building 8 Tagore Drive www.novita.com.sg TIMPLEX
#01-13 18 Sin Ming Lane Tel: 6898-1120 www.timplex.sg
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HARD TRUTH
WHAT’S TRENDING & WHAT WE THINK
GOING WITH THE FLOW
EMBRACE THE MESS
Even for the most fastidious, a spotless home isn’t always possible, especially if you have more people spending time in it. Everywhere you look, there’ll be something to clear up – unfolded laundry, toys on the floor, mugs on your desk, ... Here’s my advice: don’t beat yourself up for not having a perfectly tidy, Konmari’d home.
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Put things away when you can but don’t feel like you have to devote many weekend hours to tidying up, especially when that time can be better spent relaxing or being with family. ACCEPT THAT NOT ALL WILL GET DONE ON TIME
It’s easy to assume that just because we have more time at home, chores should get done but what we often forget is that it’s not just about the time, but managing one’s energy as well. Things like working from home, taking care of the kids and planning meals are major energy-draining tasks, so it’s forgivable if you’ve not done any cleaning despite being home all day. Show yourself some kindness, look at your to-do list as a guideline rather than a mandate and accept that not everything will be done by the end of the day. ACCEPT THAT YOUR HOME IS GROWING AND CHANGING WITH YOU
Nobody’s home looks like the ones on Pinterest. Those pictures are usually taken right after redecorating. It’s far more likely that your home has accumulated bits and bobs such as travel souvenirs, your partner’s cherished items and ornaments friends and family have given you. These may not all fit the original aesthetic you had in mind when you first designed your home but that’s okay. Ultimately, it is always growing with you and a well lived-in home is an expression of a welllived life. It doesn’t have to be Pinterest-worthy.
photo 123RF
I
f you’ve been feeling less than great about the state of your home over the last year, you’re not alone. The year 202o had us scrambling to adjust to the new normal and to establish new boundaries in such a short time. It’s little wonder that housework even made it to the top of our priorities list. This is why we’re entering 2021 with a new attitude that embraces the mishmash of things that makes up our lives instead of constantly trying to edit it. This means allowing messes now and then and forgiving ourselves for not getting all the chores done or having a perfectly curated, Pinterest home. This concept is not new. The Japanese call it zakka. Loosely defined as “miscellany that improves our lives”, it is a more relaxed attitude towards one’s home and life. One might even call it the next step in the evolution of Konmari because it’s still about having things that spark joy while acknowledging that we need not control everything. The following mindset tips should help you embrace this new attitude.
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