uuygrdgy by Soyaleman

HOMEANDDECOR.COM.SG

THE RESORT-HOME EDITION TABLEWARE IDEAS FOR AN IMPRESSIVE HOME PARTY EXCLUSIVE

Homegrown artist Ho Tzu Nyen’s global success

A PERFECT GETAWAY HOW TO CREATE RESORT-STYLE INTERIORS WITHOUT GOING AWAY

S$6.00

JUN 2022

30 HOME INDULGENCES FOR A SUITE EXPERIENCE TRANSFORM YOUR BALCONY INTO AN EXQUISITE OUTDOOR LIVING SPACE

Montessori Bed

Low Bed with Surround Guards

Poster Bed with Trundle

Floor Bunk Bed

Loft Bed

High Bunk Bed

A Multi-Brand Children Furniture Store.

This is Oslo Beds - ModBed. ModBed is the modular series under Oslo Beds. The modular system allows you to buy parts such as the poster frame, roof, bed guards, trundle, loft legs, ladder (and more), as your child grows up. Made of solid pine wood, the bed can withstand 200 kg, and comes with 3 years warranty. The off-white Scandinavian design is easy on the eye and ﬁts right into any room. Oslo Beds is built upon six values, which explains the hexagonal logo: Craftsmanship, Reliability, Extensive options, Aesthetics, Thoughtfulness and Economics (CREATE). Apart from this modular range, it includes a basic, customizable, and designer range as well. Oslo Beds - We CREATE beds.

www.KidsHaven.sg Virtual Showroom Follow us @sgkidshaven (25 Playfair Road)

CONTENTS

JUNE

COLOUR OF THE MONTH Here comes the sun. Add a splash of yellow to brighten your space.

A RESORTINSPIRED ENSUITE Econﬂo’s picks to make a bathroom worthy of a luxury resort.

THE BODRUM EDITION Set on the Turkish Riviera, the boutique hotel is a luxurious base to explore the region.

SH O P P IN G

NEW STO R E

GREAT BUYS Our monthly roundup of the hottest new design products for the home.

GALERIE 5 BY SOL LUMINAIRE Sol Luminaire’s latest venture is an ultra-chic gallery dedicated to the art of capturing light.

THE BILLIONAIRE RESORT & RETREAT This resort on the Kenyan Coast provides an escape into authentic Kenyan culture infused with reﬁned modernity.

HOT S P OT

POLESTAR SPACE The Swedish premium electric vehicle’s new space in Singapore marries unique and avant-garde design with the brand’s signature minimalist aesthetics.

IN STO R E 48

STAYCATION DESTINATION AT HOME Turn your home into a staycay destination with these products from Metro.

FEATURES SPECIAL COVERAGE FOR THIS DESIGN EDITION

THE GREAT OUTDOORS Remodelling your balcony or patio? Our round-up of 17 outdoor furniture picks has something for every space, regardless of size.

NEVERENDING VACATION Recreate these 20 design elements from some of the most beloved hotels and resorts around the world in your home for that coveted everlasting holiday vibe.

TIME TO CELEBRATE With no more restrictions on gatherings at home, it’s time to turn up the volume and throw that long-awaited bash. Here are all the things you’ll need to get the party started.

LITTLE INDULGENCES Need some time off to unwind without having to get on a plane or break the bank? Pamper yourself and spruce up your space with these 30 items to give you that luxe hotel vibe while at home.

THE XM STORE To bring your favourite comic characters to life, this collectible ﬁgurine retailer goes beyond screens and pages.

DESIGN 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

REWRITING HISTORY

COUNTERING CONSUMERISM

Using video and installation, Singaporean artist Ho Tzu Nyen explores how Asia’s cultural memories and political narratives are constructed.

Hans Tan talks about showcasing repair as a sustainable form of creating something new and what we can do to contribute in our daily lives. 72

PEOPLE 68

CARING FOR COLLECTIBLES Ben Ang, founder of collectible ﬁgurine producer and retailer XM Studio, on the business’s evolution and how to best display your collectibles.

REIMAGINING RETAIL This new virtual reality platform takes shopping in the metaverse to another level. 74

VOICES Celebrated designer Bethan Gray talks about her upcoming collection for Milan Design Week, her inspirations, and what she looks for in collaborators.

Rewriting History

How Singaporean artist Ho Tzu Nyen constructs his complex narrative.

43 8

EDITOR’S NOTE 10

H&D.COM.SG 115

WHERE TO BUY 116

FINISHING NOTE

CONTENTS

JUNE

HOMES THE NEW MODERN

106

UNDERSTATED LUXURY This East Coast condo balances the clean-lined aesthetic favoured by luxury hotels with extensive collection of artworks and heirloom furniture.

THE GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS Designers create interiors that complement and enhance the architecture of a residence such as this one, especially when space is not a constraint.

A LIGHT TOUCH Rather than a tabula rasa approach, this apartment’s sensitive, subtle design focusses on its beautiful, natural surroundings. 94

CARAVAN LIFE This ﬁve-room resale ﬂat in Bukit Merah is a playful yet functional homage to the world of vintage cinema and caravan living. 4

1 12

LIVING LIKE ROYALTY Travel back to the 18th century, where Rococo-style interiors reigned, and indulge in the ﬁner things found in this matrimonial home.

106

on the cover

94 This quirky garageé È Ğ é ¦ éîÞ â a kitchen inside a caravan. PHOTOGRAPHY WONG WEILIAN G

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Decor are those of the authors or

MCI (P) 060/12/2021 Expiry date: 30/11/2022. For back issues, e-mail: circs@sph.com.sg. Subscribe online: www.homeanddecor.com.sg.

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EDITOR’S NOTE

LUST RESORT feel as much like a posh resort as any villa by the beach. Whether you’re stuck here by your own accord (like me) ÐÞ ¼îâé Éʙé ĝÉ é é°È éÐ ¼ é Ðđ °ÉéÐ é âîÉâ éʣ °é is still a good idea to take a look at your home and see how you can turn it into that fabulous retreat you deserve. In this issue, my team and I have scoured the world to ĝÉ é Ðéé âé ÂÐÐ¿â ĀÐî É cop from the latest resorts and hotels. They range from bold ideas like remodelling your bedroom, to simple hacks such as adding sheer curtains to your windows for a refreshing change. Of course, an idyllic getaway just wouldn’t be complete without your friends and family, and now that we’re allowed to organise home parties once again, we’ve also found ways you can put together an unforgettable home gathering. Enjoy your holidays and we’ll see you again soon.

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

With travel restrictions being lifted around the globe, travel patterns are gradually resuming to what they were pre-pandemic. Furthermore, with June coinciding with the mid-year holiday period for schools in Singapore, many families are planning to Ðđ éÐ ÉÐé Þ ÐîÉéÞĀ to enjoy some much-needed time out of the country. But some are preferring to wait out the rush instead, and that isn’t a bad idea too. Growing up overseas, I’ve always missed being in Singapore, and now that I’m back I seldom feel the need to escape from the city. Perhaps it is because I’ve already spent my fair share of time abroad, and don’t feel the compulsion to plan regular jaunts to farÐđ âé°É é°ÐÉâ ¼îâé éÐ § é away from it all. Furthermore, as a homeowner I also believe that with the right design elements, home can look and

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F E AT U R E

THE GREAT OUTDOORS Remodelling your balcony or patio? Our round-up of 17 outdoor furniture picks has something for every space, regardless of size.

T R I B U E L I O H I G H B AC K LO U N G E C H A I R

Settle into a cosy evening with the Elio High Back Lounge Chair. Using weather-resistant Tricord rope, the handwoven seat looks like a cocoon that embraces the body. Legs of natural teak support and frame the chair, and they have É Â § Éé ÛÞÐĝ Â î éÐ é °Þ angled and tapered shapes.

www.xtra.com.sg.

PHOTO TRIBU

Retails at Xtra, price upon enquiry,

DIPHANO LINK OUTDOOR C O F F E E TA B L E

Enjoy afternoon tea by the pool on the sleek, lowÛÞÐĝ Â ;°É¿ Hîé ÐÐÞ Ðđ a Â ú°é îÞ Â é ¿ legs. The table’s classic design makes it easy to pair with most furniture, whether the top is made of aluminium or ceramic. Retails from $2,037 at Danish Design Co,

PHOTOMUJI

PHOTO DIPHANO

www.danishdesignco.com.sg.

M U J I M O LT E N Z I N C GARDENING SHELF

It may look unassuming, but this foldable gardening shelf is just the right size for most balconies. It is perfect for displaying potted plants or hanging air plants, and you won’t have to worry about getting the shelf wet as it is rust- and weather-resistant, thanks to the hot-dip galvanising process. PHOTO PAPPELINA

Retails for $189 at Muji stores, www.muji.com.

good to know PA P P E L I N A M O L LY R U N N E R R U G

Who says you can’t have a rug on the balcony? The Molly Runner Rug by Pappelina is suitable for indoors and outdoors. It’s been tested for colour fastness and has a high UV resistance, so you can expose it to direct sunlight without worrying about the colour fading. It’s durable, easy to maintain, and anti-slip as well, so it’s a winner.

The plants on the balcony should be able to thrive in direct sunlight. Some examples include African violets, sunﬂowers, and geraniums.

Retails for $340 at Journey East, www.journeyeast.com.

M U U TO L I N E A R STEEL SERIES

PDM DIAMOND INDOOR A N D O U T D O O R M AT

Clean lines, folded edges, and halfcircular intersecting legs combine to form a classic and timeless aesthetic. Muuto‘s Linear Steel Series features weather-resistant âé Âʣ éÐÛÛ Ðđ ú°é fqʌ resistant, matte powder coating.

This reversible mat features a °đ Þ Éé ÐÂÐîÞú Ā ÐÉ side, so you can switch up the aesthetic whenever you feel like it. It’s created from UVresistant recycled or recyclable polypropylene, making it easy to clean and eco-friendly.

Retails from $770 at Grafunkt, www. grafunkt.com

Retails from $159 at Hipvan www.hipvan. com, Fred & Bobo www.frednbobo.com and

PHOTO PDM

PHOTO MUUTO

Konopi www.konopi.com.sg.

N I T O R I 3 -T I E R WO O D S H E L F LADDER

If you use your balcony as a miniature garden or children’s play area, this Muji rack will make quick and easy storage possible. Thanks to the casters on the bottom, the individual boxes can be stacked, mixed, and matched in °đ Þ Éé ÐÉĝ §îÞ é°ÐÉâʨ Retails from $29 at Muji stores, www.muji.com.

PHOTO MUJI

M U J I P O LY P R O P Y L E N E STOCKE R WIT H CAST ER

Retails for $64.90 at Nitori, www.nitori.com.sg.

PHOTO NITORI

Plants taking up too much space? Arrange them up on this handy shelving unit. Each tier has a lip on the back to prevent things from falling over, and can take up to 10kg – more than enough for even the most enthusiastic of plant lovers.

PHOTO CANE--LINE

Galvanised steel is your best bet for durability. If you prefer wood, opt for wood with plenty of natural oils, like teak, so it has a protective layer.

IKEA FEJKA ARTIFICIAL PLANT

With its signature Cane-line Weave, this is designed to withstand the elements without fading. Its compact size makes it ideal for most balconies, and the material is easy to clean with a quick wipe.

Þé°ĝ ° Â ú ÂÂʌÈÐîÉé §Þ É ÞĀ on your balcony is a great option if you do not have a green thumb. The leaves are incredibly realistic, and you can mount a piece on its own or stack them for a vertical garden that doesn’t need watering or pruning.

Retails from $2,136 at Danish Design Co, www.danishdesignco.com.sg.

Retails for $3.90 at all Ikea stores, www. ikea.com.

N I TO R I D C N COLLECTION C-27M ARM MBR/DR-DMO

Hđ Þ°É§ É ¼îâé Â ¿Þ âé and removable cushions containing pocket coils, this armchair provides the support and comfort you need to unwind after a long day. Unlike other chairs, it is made of beech wood with its natural grain and colour, so no two are the same.

PHOTO IKEA

good to know

CANE-LINE BREEZE 2 S E AT E R O U T D O O R S O FA

Retails for $360 at Nitori, www.nitori.

PHOTO NITORI

com.sg.

A GREEN WALL MAKES FOR A SEAMLESS TRANSITION BETWEEN THE INDOORS AND OUTDOORS.

TRIBU AMANU LO U N G E C H A I R

With its curved high back and open tail design, the Peacock Hîé ÐÐÞ ;ÐîÉ§ °Þ °Éâé ÉéÂĀ elevates the look of any balcony or pool area. Using Cane-line Soft Rope material, it’s temperatureand UV-resistant, keeping colours as vibrant as the feathers of its namesake bird.

Featuring a hemp-based Canax sling seat, the Amanu Lounge Chair is part-hammock and part-chair, and has a relaxed, casual look. Made of teak sourced from sustainable Indonesian ÛÂ Éé é°ÐÉâʣ é â ÛÛ Þ éÐ Ğ Ð é on a slim frame. Retails at Xtra, price upon enquiry,

Retails from $3,326 at Danish Design Co,

www.xtra.com.sg.

PHOTO CANE-LINE

www.danishdesignco.com.sg.

good to know Consider which balcony area receives the most sunlight when placing your furniture. For durability and comfort, place your seating in a shady area.

PHOTOTRIBU

C A N E - L I N E P E AC O C K O U T D O O R LO U N G E C H A I R

PHOTO IKEA

I K E A R U N N E N F LO O R D E C K I N G

PHOTO HAY

Ð ĀÐî ú Éé éÐ îÛ é ĀÐîÞ Û é°Ð ÐÞ â é°ÐÉ °é Ðđ without undergoing a renovation? Installing Runnen Ðîé ÐÐÞ Ğ ÐÐÞ ¿°É§ °â â°ÈÛÂ ʋ ¼îâé È âîÞ É click together what you need. Within an hour, you’ll have an instant deck. Retails for $36.91 per sqm at all Ikea stores, www.ikea.com.

H AY PA L I S S A D E COLLECTION

DEDON ROII LO U N G E C H A I R

Designed by French brothers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec with a simple, yet visually striking aesthetic for Danish brand Hay, the Palissade series is inspired by symmetrical geometry. Chair and bench options include powder-coated steel or a hot-dip § Âù É°â ĝ É°â â ¦ÐÞ §Þ é Þ durability.

Lightweight and stackable, the Roii ;ÐîÉ§ °Þ ÛÞÐù° â Ğ ÿ° Â seating arrangements wherever you need them. With two weaving styles and a variety of colours and textures, the odds are you will be able to create a unique look from the Dedon range. Retails at Xtra, price upon enquiry, www.xtra.com.sg.

Retails from $330 at Grafunkt,

PHOTO IKEA

www.grafunkt.com

IKEA UTSUND LIGHTING PHOTO DEDON

Instantly create a cosy atmosphere with this string of 12 lights. They’re battery-operated, so you can take them anywhere, whether it’s poolside drinks or a romantic picnic on the terrace. Retails for $29.90 at all Ikea stores, www.ikea.com.

text MELODY BAY

F E AT U R E

TIME TO CELEBRATE

id RUBIKS STUDIO

With no more restrictions on gatherings at home, it’s time to turn up the volume and throw that long-awaited bash. Here are all the things you’ll need to get the party started.

LUXE BRUNCH Elevate a casual brunch with these luxurious, family-friendly picks.

F O R E S T F O L K OW L & HEDGEHOG EGG CUP SET An adorable addition to the breakfast table, these woodland creatures are sure to please. The dolomite cups hold a single boiled egg each. Retails for $23.80 at www.3littlepicks.com.

R H E A W I R E B A S K E T, BLUE Brunch would be incomplete without fruit – and this basket holds them perfectly. Powdercoated iron makes this basket easier to see what’s inside, and the curved lines also allow air to circulate around the fruit. Place it on your breakfast table so guests can help themselves.

Retails for $16.90 from www.hipvan. com.

THIS TAKES THE CAKE a â ÂÐ Â ¿ Þâ ú°ÂÂ ÂÛ ĀÐî ĝ É°â ĀÐîÞ party on a sweet note.

PRETTY OPEN EYES AND GOLDEN B OW T E A P O T The Miss Etoile collection includes this pretty ceramic teapot, whose face brings to mind Mrs Potts from Beauty and the Beast. A golden bow detail runs from the lid to the back of the teapot, and even comes with a teacup with a matching face. Retails for $69.80 at www.3littlepicks.com.

N I T O R I G L A S S 4 P D OT T U M B L E R 220ML Their indented dot design gives these glasses a quirky edge and makes them easier to grip. Their compact size makes them perfect for children’s hands, too.

ZEE & ELLE Zee & Elle’s đ ÐÞéÂ ââÂĀ elegant designs are perfect if you love the organic âé é° ʨ "ÂÐÞ Ââʣ dried fruits, and abstract painterly strokes adorn the designs. It also Ðđ Þâ îÉ Â âʣ so you can also buy a cake and a bouquet together as a gift.

Enquire at www.zeeandelle.com.

Retails for $4.90 each at Nitori, 260 Orchard Rd 04 Courts, Nojima The Heeren.

L A R G E W H I T E C A K E S TA N D Elevate your birthday cake (literally) with this stand, featuring a minimalist but elegant design that won’t detract from the main item. You can also stack doughnuts or cupcakes on top for a delightful treat – it’s not just for conventional cakes.

Enquire at www. olsenbakehouse.com.

OLSEN BAKEHOUSE "ÐÞÈ ÞÂĀ ¿ÉÐúÉ â In the Brickyard, it specialises in local Ğ ùÐîÞâ âî â ondeh-ondeh, pulut hitam, and even a Ya Kun-inspired Ğ ùÐîÞ é é È°ÿ â Ðđ ʣ ¿ Ā É peanut butter. The Ğ ùÐîÞâ Þ Þ ¦îÂÂĀ calibrated so they’re not too sweet – perfect for those who prefer their dessert siew dai.

Retails for $69.80 at www.3littlepicks.com.

TA B L E M AT T E R S C R I S S C R O S S R E D S AU C E R Is it necessary for bowls to be round? Ditch the boring and take things up a notch with é â îé â î Þâ °É Ğ ÐÞ Â â Û âʨ " éîÞ°É§ delicate criss-cross pattern in bright red, they add a touch of vintage to the table setting. Retails from $2.50 at Table Matters.

Enquire at www. bobthebakerboy.com.

BOB THE B A K E R B OY It’s hard to beat Bob the Baker Boy when it comes to creative, lifelike designs. The cakes are detailed and elaborate, some with decorations that defy gravity. The longevity cakes and themed cakes are the most popular.

JBL FLIP 5 With its waterproof design, the JBL "Â°Û Ɂ °â ÐÈÛ é É ÛÐú Þ¦îÂ speaker you can take poolside at any time. A single charge can last up to 12 hours, so you can play non-stop hits all day. Did we mention it’s available in 11 colours? Retails for $179 on the official JBL Shopee and Lazada platforms, and at all authorised JBL retailers.

POOL PARTY Make a splash with these fun accessories in bright, playful colours.

GOOD TO KNOW

TO N D O 5 - PA R T S E R V E R A ¦ÞÐÈ Â °ą° úÐÐ ʣ é°â ĝ ù ʌ part server is perfect for a grazing situation. There are four segments for snacks and candy, with a dip well in the centre for sauces. You can also use it to serve garnishes at a DIY cocktail station.

When people are getting in and out of the pool all the time, opt for casual ﬁnger food over a sit-down meal. Build a DIY meal station with a grazing platter or assorted snacks guests can help themselves to.

Retails for $83.95 at Crate & Barrel.

EAT, DRINK, AND BE MERRY No time to prepare a snack âé é°ÐÉʪ a â é Þ Þâ Ðđ Þ ready-made grazing platters. L U S H P L AT T E R S With Lush Platters’ artisanal grazing platters, the aesthetics are just as important as the taste – each platter is decorated with herbs and bright Ğ Ðú Þâʣ Þ é°É§ S°Éé Þ âéʌúÐÞéĀ centrepiece. The menu includes housemade crackers, dips, and salads, as well as roasted nuts, and light bites.

Enquire at www.lushplatters.com.

Retails for $309.90 at Crate & Barrel.

ABILENE DRINK DISPENSER WITH B R O O K S N AT U R A L WO O D S TA N D Serve your drinks in style with this elegant enamel dispenser perched atop a hand-cut mango wood stand. With its stainless steel spigot, guests can easily serve themselves ʋ É é É¿â éÐ °éâ ɂʨɁʌÂ°éÞ capacity, you won’t have to keep topping it up very often.

Retails for $25.80 at www.3littlepicks.com.

PA S T E L R A I N B OW S I L I C O N E S T R AW SET Never pick up the wrong cup again! These sustainable silicone straws come in an assortment of bright rainbow hues so everyone can easily identify their drink. Comes with two cleaning brushes.

TABLE SETTING TIPS

BREAKABLE GLASSES ARE A NO-NO BY THE POOL. OPT FOR PLASTIC CUPS INSTEAD,

INTEX COOL P I N E A P P L E M AT Amp up the fun with this funky, highly Instagrammable pineapple Ğ Ð éʨ ,é °â Ðîé ȾȽɁ È °É Â É§é ú É °ÉĞ é ʣ âÐ even the tallest of guests can lie comfortably and sun themselves in the pool. Perfect for warm temperatures. Retails for $58.85 at www.hardwarecity.com.sg.

id RUBIKS STUDIO

WHICH ARE MUCH SAFER.

INTEX CANOPY ISLAND Are your guests more comfortable in the shade? To ensure you don’t get sunburned while in the ÛÐÐÂʣ é ,É ÿ ÉÐÛĀ ,âÂ É Ğ Ð é ÐÈ â ú°é detachable fabric sunshade. With two built-in cup ÐÂ Þâʣ ĀÐî É ¿ Û ĀÐîÞ Þ°É¿â Þ°§é É ÿé éÐ you – what more could you ask for at a pool party?

Create visual interest by varying the heights of ﬂorals and candles in your centrepiece. Instead of tealights, consider placing a string of fairylights along the centre of a long table to draw focus to the spread.

Retails for $481.50 at www.hardwarecity.com.sg.

Avoid using heavilyscented ﬂowers or those that tend to drop a lot of pollen.

THE CHEESE LADS a â §îĀâ Ðđ Þ ù Þ° éĀ Ð¦ §Þ ą°É§ platters for cheese lovers. Each features artisanal cheeses, cold cuts, fruit and dips, and they range in size ¦ÞÐÈ ÐÉ éÐ éúÐ Û ÐÛÂ éÐ ĝ ù éÐ eight people. What’s our favourite? The Grand Platter, which also comes with natural honeycomb and pomegranate.

Ensure your guests can still see each other and interact over the centrepiece. Use place cards if you’re having a large gathering and want to assign seats. Place multiple condiments around the table so that your guests won’t have to keep passing them around.

Enquire at www.cheeselads.com.

H I R I N G A P R I VAT E C H E F Private chefs are the way to go if you want to treat yourself for the evening. They’ll prepare a feast for you right at the table and even clean up afterwards so you won’t have to lift a ﬁnger.

CHEF JUSTIN FOO You may have seen him on TV before because he’s a food content producer. When he’s not directing and ﬁlming, chef Justin Foo does private dining events where he creates his special presentation of Asiatique cuisine using fresh ingredients from the region.

DINNER AL FRESCO Impress your guests with a beautifully set dinner table.

Enquire at www.instagram.com/justinfjh.

AELLA COUPE GLASS Anyone up for a cocktail after °ÉÉ Þʪ "ÞÐÈ champagne to cocktails, the Aella coupe glass is elegant and fuss-free. It’s made of mouth-blown glass crafted by Krosno artisans, a European collective that’s been around since 1923.

CHEF NABEEL Chef Nabeel, also known as chef Naughty Rabbit, cooks up a storm right at your table. His specialities include succulent picanha steak, sweet potato mash, and creme brulee torched to a golden brown. Enquire at www.instagram.com/

C E C I L E B OW L S Pink looks pretty on everything, and é â °Â ÐúÂâ Þ ÉÐ ÿ Ûé°ÐÉʨ " éîÞ°É§ É ÐÞ° Éé Âʌ°ÉâÛ°Þ pattern in tones of pink and grey against a backdrop of cream stoneware, they add a rustic touch to any dining table.

chefnaughtyrabbit.

Retails for $23.80 at www.3littlepicks.com

Retails for $35.90 at Crate & Barrel.

FOR DINNERS AT HOME, KEEP THINGS FUSS-FREE WITH JUST TWO GLASSES – A WATER GLASS AND A COCKTAIL OR WINE GLASS.

id PIU DESIGN

R U A R K R 5 M U S I C SYS T E M Z é é ÈÐÐ ¦ÐÞ ĀÐîÞ °ÉÉ Þ Û ÞéĀ ú°é é Vî Þ¿ VɁ Aîâ° ZĀâé Èʣ úÐâ âÂ ¿ ÛÞÐĝ Â É É ʌ Þ ¦é cabinet will impress your guests. It comes with a Â ââ ʌ ÈÛÂ°ĝ Þ É éúÐ Vî Þ¿ î °Ð ¦îÂÂʌÞ É§ drivers, allowing you to produce the stereo sound you’d normally get from a larger speaker system. If you want to listen to classical music, turn it down, then turn it up for party hits afterwards – it can handle them all.

E XQ U I S I T E LY 3 TIER S N AC K S P L AT T E R Serve your hors d’oeuvres in style. Gold rims elevate food presentation on this platter, which can be disassembled for easy washing afterwards. Retails from $32.80 at www. styledegree.sg.

GOOD TO KNOW Dinner table candles should always be unscented. Aromatic candles may interfere with the enjoyment of the food.

Retails for $2,299 at Musica Boutique at Ion Orchard and iStudio.

AIRLI INDIGO DIP DY E R U N N E R This vibrant ocean-blue linen runner will get you in the mood for the beach. The ombre shades transition from a deep navy at one end to lighter shades at the other, ending with natural linen in the centre – mimicking the natural tones of the sea and sand.

KENT WIRE HURRICANE CANDLE HOLDER Make your table look rustic with the Kent Wire Hurricane Candle Holder, which looks like bamboo but is handcrafted from two-toned iron. We love its Â°§é ÛÞÐĝ Â ʣ ú° È Éâ it won’t visually overwhelm the rest of the table.

Retails for $135.95 at Crate & Barrel.

Retails for $165.95 at Crate & Barrel.

TA B L E M AT T E R S PAT C H WO R K S Q UA R E P L AT E Unique designs in circles create works of art on these ceramic plates, which look stunning on a table. Get the complete Patchwork â éʣ ÐÞ È°ÿ É È é é È ú°é other blue-toned dishes for a quirky presentation. Retails at $12.50 at Table Matters.

CRAFT QUIET BLUE COTTON FRINGE N APKINS Cotton napkins are the ultimate in elegance at a dinner setting – and we love this pale blue set. These have a boho appeal and are machine-washable. Retails for $167.60 for a set of eight at Crate & Barrel.

FAMILY BARBECUE Freshly grilled food and precious bonding time with loved ones? Yes, please!

GOOD TO KNOW Use coloured straws or a dry-erase marker to help everyone identify their cups.

S L I D I N G S T E A M B OAT A N D H OT P O T D I N I N G P L AT E S No more running out of space for your steamboat ingredients. These nifty plates stack neatly on top of each other and slide out for easy access, saving precious space on the table.

A N I M A L PA R A D E S E A S O N I N G S H A K E R Make adults and children smile with this adorable shaker set. It is the seasoning in each that forms the “ground” for each animal, so you can have a polar bear standing in a blizzard of salt or a reindeer surrounded Ā °ÂÂ° Ğ ¿ â Þ â È Â°É§ Û°Â â Ð¦ îéîÈÉ Â ù âʨ Retails for $49.90 at www.hipvan.com.

Retails for $18.90 at www. styledegree.sg.

TRAMONTINA ESSENTIAL UTILITY TONGS " éîÞ°É§ âÂ ¿ Â°É â É ÿéÞ ú° éʣ é â Þ Éʙé ĀÐîÞ average tongs. Tramontina Essential Utility Tongs are made entirely of stainless steel, making them both food- and dishwasher-safe. You can even hold on to the ¦ÐÐ ĀÐîʙÞ éîÞÉ°É§ ÐÉ é §Þ°ÂÂ ú°é ĝ ÞÈ §Þ°Û îâ the ends are also wider than conventional tongs.

Retails for $9 at www.hipvan.com.

2 - I N -1 S O U P L A D L E Stylish and practical, these ladles have a strainer on one side, and a notch on the soup side for easy pouring. The functional features and three pretty pastels make them ideal for steamboat parties. Retails for $3.90 each at www. styledegree.sg.

N O R D I C S AU C E R P L AT E S Every barbecue needs a good variety of sauces and condiments. These vibrant saucer plates come with a handle, so you can easily carry and pass them around. Retails for $2.50 each from www. styledegree.sg.

C LO U D PA R T Y P I C K S E T Serve up a storm with these adorable picks shaped like clouds and lightning bolts. They’re perfect for picking up fruits and snacks without getting ĀÐîÞ ĝ É§ Þâ °ÞéĀʨ a ĀʙÞ ÂâÐ more sustainable than conventional toothpicks since they’re reusable.

T O N D O W H I T E WA S H E D LAZY SUSAN Carved from a single piece of ° úÐÐ ʣ é°â Ðđ Þâ §î âéâ âĀ access to dishes and condiments. Z é °é ÐÉ é Ðđ é Â ¦ÐÞ âÉ ¿â ú°é°É âĀ Þ ʣ ÐÞ ĝ ÂÂ °é îÛ ú°é °đ Þ Éé ÐÉ °È Ééâ ¦ÐÞ é dining table. Retails at $135.95 at Crate & Barrel.

Retails for $16.90 for a set at www. hipvan.com.

GETTIN’ GRILLED

W E B E R T R AV E L E R P O R TA B L E G R I L L Like its name suggests, this grill is lightweight and portable. Quick and easy to set up and fold down, with an îéÐÈ é° Â° ÂÐ ¿ʣ °é Ðđ Þâ È ÿ°ÈîÈ convenience. Additionally, it has a Â Þ§ §Þ°ÂÂ ú Þ îÛ éÐ ȽɁ îÞ§ Þâ ÐÞ Ⱦȼ sausages can be cooked simultaneously for larger parties.

Retails for $788 at www.weber. com.

T OYO M I C O M B O C O O K E R H OT P O T & BBQ GRILL BBQ 6319 Why can’t you have grilled food and a steamboat simultaneously? You can enjoy the best of both worlds with the ComboCooker BBQ 6319. It features a marble-coated removable grill pan and pot for even heat distribution, plus individual heating controls for each one. All parts are removable so you can clean up easily afterwards. Retails for $108 at www.toyomi.com.sg.

photo 123RF text MELODY BAY

B O D U M F Y R K AT P I C N I C C H A R C OA L G R I L L No room for a full-sized grill? Then this portable tabletop version is just what you need to deliver that smoky barbecued Ğ ùÐîÞʨ xÐî É ÐÐ¿ îÛ éÐ ¦ÐîÞ îÞ§ Þâ ÐÞ ĝ ÂÂ éâ ÐÉ °éʣ É °éʙâ âÈ ÂÂ ÉÐî§ éÐ ĝ é ÐÉ ÂÐâ ʌ knit balcony without taking up too much space. Also included is a silicone handle for safety and a removable cooking rack for easy maintenance.

Retails for $145.80 at www. bodum. com.

F E AT U R E

NEVERENDING VACATION Recreate these 20 design elements from some of the most beloved hotels and resorts around the world in your home for that coveted everlasting holiday vibe. The best resorts and hotels in the world make you want to go back and stay there again because they have successfully combined the natural and the man-made elements to create an unforgettable experience. We have yet to ﬁnd a technology that can accurately bottle up the vacation experience, but we can recreate some of the design elements from these hospitality establishments in our home for that everlasting holiday vibe.

SPATIAL FLOW

S O F T PA R T I T I O N

Curtains are useful not just for windows but also as a stand-in for wall partitions, as seen in K5 Tokyo Hotel, a member of Design Hotels. Designed by Claesson Koivisto Rune, it occupies a 1920 bank building and beautifully balances its brutalist exterior with soft interior partitioned by semi-sheer white curtains dip-dyed in blue, adding an otherworldly ambience.

photos DESIGN HOTELS

www.k5-tokyo.com.

www.thewarehousehotel.com.

E X P O S E D B AT H T U B

Perhaps one of the most distinctly resort room features is the spatial and visual connection between the bedroom and the bath. Take cue from the Andy Warhol suite at the Naumi Hotel. Designed by White Jacket, it features an oval tub partially screened from the view of the bed, making it a functional work of art that pairs well with the suite’s iconic B&B Italia UP5 Chair. www.naumihotels.com.

photo DESIGN HOTELS

photo WHITE JACKET STUDIO

photo DESIGN HOTELS

O P E N WA R D R O B E

The wardrobe space in hotel rooms seems to be minimum to accommodate temporary stays, which sounds the opposite of the storage provided by walk-in-wardrobes coveted by most Singaporean homeowners. But perhaps, it can inspire a tidier, more minimalist lifestyle? This open wardrobe at The Warehouse Hotel is a chic example.

N O B O U N DA R I E S

Speaking of the connection between bathroom and bedroom, take it up a notch by eliminating all boundaries between the bathtub and the bed, like this room in Hotel Pacai in Vilnius, Lithuania, a member of Design Hotels. The bathtub is simply installed behind the bed, with an exposed brick wall and different tiles demarcating the two areas. www.hotelpacai.com.

FITTINGS & FINISHES

A L L N AT U R A L

photo DESIGN HOTELS

Fan of barefoot luxury? Another member of Design Hotels, the Phum Baitang Resort in Siem Reap, Cambodia, clads its entire villas in a rustic combination of wood and cement, which feels novel especially in this bathroom, which features a pleasing symmetry.

photo ANDAZ SINGAPORE

www.zannierhotels.com

GRAND ENTRANCE

Double doors are not strictly reserved for the main entrance, says resorts. Installing double doors to the bathroom or the walk-in wardrobe does the trick of adding grandeur to the space. Take cue from Andaz Singapore’s Presidential Suite, where Hong Kong designer Andre Fu designed the mango-coloured double doors to go with a rustic ﬁnish that lends a grand, yet fresh and playful element to the otherwise formal spatial ﬂow.

F U L L M I R R O R E D WA L L

We’re not talking about a mere mirror panel, we’re talking a whole ﬂoor to ceiling wall ﬁnished in mirror, like this one at The Slate Hotel, a member of Design Hotels in Phuket, which visually doubles the size of the room. This room also takes it up a notch by angling the wall, creating an interesting spatial feel. www.theslatephuket.com

www.hyatt.com

FA K E

photo DESIGN HOTELS

F I R E P L AC E

A fireplace? In our tropical climate? A real fireplace would be an overkill, of course. But a simulated one could lend warmth to the room. Take cue from the boutique hotel 11 Mirrors in Kiev’s defunct fireplace, which has been filled with candles instead. A wall niche filled with candles of varied heights lends soft glow during the night. www.11mirrorshotel.com.

N O W I N D OW S , N O P R O B L E M

photo DESIGN HOTELS

Great lighting is a staple of great resorts. But there are rare gems that can turn a windowless room into a worthy accommodation, provided you can have a skylight. This room at The Warehouse Hotel, the only member of Design Hotels in Singapore, designed by Zarch Collaboratives (architecture) and Asylum (interior) features a moody yet restful ambience thanks to the skylight and strategic artiﬁcial lighting, a perfectly adequate stand in combo to conventional windows. www.thewarehousehotel.com.

photo MINISTRY OF DESIGN

photo DESIGN HOTELS

TILE ART

Tiles are a great way to make a statement in a room. They don’t even have to be necessarily ‘loud’ in colours and patterns. Ministry of Design’s bathroom at The Macalister Mansion in Penang features grey and white mosaic tiles that form a ﬁligree pattern all over its walls and ﬂoor, and balances the richness with clear glass walls. www.macalistermansion.com.

AMENITIES

A bar is a must in any luxury hotel worthy of repeat patronage. Jaime Hayon makes it fresh at The Standard Hotel, Bangkok Mahanakhon with a wall-niche bar carved into the wall. The curves lend softness while the copper interior ﬁnish adds opulence. www.standardhotels.com

photo THE STANDARD HOTELS

NICHE BAR

THE TRANSIENT NATURE OF HOTEL ROOMS ALLOWS THEIR DESIGN TO BE OUT OF THIS WORLD. WHEN ADOPTING THE DESIGN ELEMENTS FOR YOUR OWN HOME, ALWAYS THINK IF YOU WANT TO SEE THOSE EVERYDAY FOR A LONG TIME.

The Nest Hotel, a member of Design Hotels, in Incheon, South Korea, offers a chic pale wood interior in a snug footprint with double duty custom furniture, like this bedframe-cum-working desk that allows you to enjoy the view as you lie down or work on the desk. www.nesthotel.co.kr.

photo DESIGN HOTELS

DOUBLE DUTY

D E D I C AT E D WO R K S PAC E

Home office is here to stay so take cue from Llyod’s Inn Singapore’s Business Room, which places the bed on a mezzanine while the entrance ﬂoor leads to a compact home office with a stately work chair.

photos LLYOD’S INN

www.lloydsinn.com

The Mainport hotel, a member of Design Hotels, in Rotterdam, Netherlands, features a rotating TV console so guests can watch TV from the bed or the living room next to it while keeping the space open – a great design solution to keep your space feeling airy. www.mainporthotel.com.

photo DESIGN HOTELS

360-DEGREE VIEW

STATEMENT FURNITURE PIECE

S TAT E LY H E A D B OA R D

photo DESIGN HOTELS

Custom-designed headboards can create a striking design statement, like seen in The Soho, a member of Design Hotels in London, designed by Kit Kemp. This guestroom features an upholstered headboard that is a nod to the English cottagecore aesthetics. Thinking of refreshing the room? Simply replace the upholstery with a new one. www.ﬁrmdalehotels.com.

Rattan furniture instantly adds a resort vibe to any space, and it is distinctly South-east Asian too! Cop these Yin & Yang sofas by Philippine designer Kenneth Cobonpue seen at the private villa at The Elysian, a member of Design Hotels, in Seminyak, Bali. It perfectly straddles the lines of modern and classic.

Is it even a legit suite when it doesn’t have a canopied bed? A four-poster bed frame is a staple for classic resort opulence and it’s available in a variety of styles, like the classic solid wood in Raffles Hotel Singapore’s Studio Suite. www.raffles.com.

photo DESIGN HOTELS

www.theelysian.com.

FOUR-POSTER BED

photo RAFFLES HOTEL SINGAPORE

R OYA L R AT TA N

SLEEPING ARRANGEMENT

photo DESIGN HOTELS

BUNK IN G TOGET HER

A shared room could feel like a vacation with the right bunk placement. This room at The Robey, a Design Hotels member in Chicago, features boxed-in bunks of varied heights with industrial-style black steel and pale wood combo that is simple yet impactful.

THEMED ROOM The transient nature of hotel rooms allows their design to be out of this world, hence we have heavily themed rooms whose designs are not always wholly translatable to everyday home life. But intrepid homeowners might ﬁnd those thrilling. Our pick would be the art deco suites aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, which have been beautifully restored by Wimberly Interiors. Take elements like the corner bar shelves or the compact powder room and its glass washbasin to lend romantic features into the master suite at home. Or go big by recreating the whole extravagant art deco ambience with dark wood, curving ceiling and gold trimmings into every surface.

www.therobey.com.

photo WIMBERLY INTERIORS

A DJ U S TA B L E B E D S

Reclining beds are not exclusive to hospitals. Hotels have also been using them, with a notably more attractive design. The Yotel Washington DC designed by Wimberly Interiors features such beds, allowing the bedroom to be transformed into the sitting room at the push of a button.

www.belmond.com/trains/europe/ venice-simplon-orient-express.

www.yotel.com

F LO O R L I V I N G

room sofas are also placed close to the ﬂoor, making the space feel airy. Pair these elements with a hardwood ﬂoor for barefoot luxury at home.

text ASIH JENIE

photos WIMBERLY INTERIORS

www.trunk-hotel.com.

photos COURTESY OF TRUNK

Fans of Japanese design? The Trunk Hotels Tokyo has a fresh take on the traditional futon for its multi bunk room, which feels like a cross between a boutique hotel and a capsule hotel. The hotel’s common

PHOTO UNCOMMON GOODS

F E AT U R E

Before embarking on your at-home getaway, spruce up your home to make you feel as though you’re chilling in a luxe boutique hotel. Here are 30 little indulgences to create that coveted staycay vibe. 34

LUXE LIVING

ɇ FOLDING PICNIC B A S K E T & TA B L E Have a little picnic at home with this handmade wooden basket that carries your snacks and drinks and turns into a small makeshift table. Just unlatch the sides and extend the legs of this folding table. Spruce things up with a comfy blanket or two to sit on.

K I N D L E PA P E R W H I T E Fancy curling up with a book while on vacation? Thanks to this, you don’t have to carry around piles of books. The Kindle Paperwhite features a 6.8-inch display, 8GB of storage and a front-lighting system so you can read in the dark. It’s also well-connected to the latest book releases, so you can skip the wait and read at your own pace.

Retails for $270 at www.uncommongoods.com.

Retails for $275 at www.amazon.sg.

R A I N B OW S L I C E F LOAT No staycation is complete without some fun and sun in the pool. The Rainbow Slice Float is 1.7m in length, perfect for you to bask in the sun on. It can be inﬂated in less than ﬁve minutes using an electric pump and comes with a clear waterproof bag for storage.

P O L S P OT T E N LO B BY VA S E I N S M O K E G O L D This smoked glass vase golden band accent brings a golden touch into your living space. It looks as good displayed on its own as it does holding your favourite ﬂowers.

PHOTO POLS POTTEN

Retails for $98 at www.amara.com/sg.

PHOTO KATHY’S COVE

PHOTO LET’S FLOAT SG

PHOTO ALL GREEN THINGS

Retails for $75 at www.letsﬂoatsg.com.

O L I V I A R O U N D T R AY Add a touch of tropical island living with this rattan-weaved round tray. The large base lets you dress up your coffee table with a vase of fresh ﬂowers and books, adding elegance to your home. Designed with cutout handles, it is also convenient to carry from room to room.

ALL GREEN THINGS THE M YS T I C A L R E A L M M I C R O LANDSCAPE This indoor micro landscape brings the outdoors in. Listen to the calming ﬂow of water and appreciate nature at its ﬁnest. Get a ready-made landscape or build your own as it has DIY options available. Retails for $288 at www.allgreenthings.

Retails from $75 at www.kathyscove.com.

online.

BEFORE EMBARKING ON YOUR AT-HOME GETAWAY, SPRUCE UP YOUR HOME TO MAKE YOU FEEL AS THOUGH YOU’RE CHILLING IN A LUXE BOUTIQUE HOTEL.

JULIA KNIGHT CASCADE S OA P D I S H - M I S T Add eye-catching detail to your bathroom with this handmade soap dish from Julia Knight. It has a unique texture thanks to the raw beaded stainless steel edges. Retails for $86 at www.amara.com/sg.

PHOTO MOUNTAIN LIVING

PHOTO JULIA KNIGHT PHOTO MOUNTAINLIVING

ɍ P U R E TA B L E WA R E Ex supermodel Pascale Nassens’s ﬁrst line of dinnerware embodies authenticity and warmth with its exquisite ceramic design. Based on organic lines, it is made from natural materials. Retails for $15 each at

Ɏ S C E N E S H A N G W H I T E PAG O DA PA P E R C U T R O O M D I F F U S E R Dip its latticed paper diffuser in the essential oils, and it’ll gradually release a woody blend of fragrance in your room. Retails from $89.90 at shop.sceneshang.com.

PHOTO IKEA

PHOTO SCENE SHANG

www.mountainliving.com

ɇɆ I K E A R E S G O D S B E D T R AY Nothing screams relaxation more than yummy food in bed. This bed tray comes with foldable legs for a variety of needs. Have the table stand up to get a better reach while lying in bed, or keep them folded to save space. Retails from $22.90 at www.ikea.com/sg.

PHOTO SCENE SHANG

PHOTO ARIANA OST

ɇɉ

ARIANA OST SOUND HEALING C R YS TA L K I T Amplify the healing power of crystals with this kit. Designed to allow your body to enter a deep state of relaxation, it includes a tuning fork and crystal grid. Gently tap the tuning fork against the crystals in the grid and close your eyes to meditate to the sound and vibrations. Retails for $243 at www.amara.com/sg.

ɇɇ

Retails from $59 at shop.sceneshang.com.

PHOTO LOUIS VUITTON

PHOTO MOUNTAIN LIVING

S C E N E S H A N G LOV E I S A WA R M B R E W LYO C E L L P I L LOW C A S E PA I R Featuring batik style motifs rooted in Singaporean history and culture, these Tencel lyocell pillowcases quickly absorb moisture and dissipate excessive heat for a long-lasting cooling sensation, making it a perfect fabric for top-notch luxury comfort.

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ɇɊ

N AT U R A L B A M B O O D I S H W I T H F O OT This handmade dish ware is water resistant and heat-safe. Use it to hold hot soup of up to 100 deg C and a variety of other dishes.

LO U I S V U I T T O N H O M E Y F L AT M U L E This lightweight, slip-on mule features tone-ontone satin embroidered with the iconic Monogram pattern. Its coordinating satin insock is padded and quilted for extra comfort. Each pair comes with a matching velvet pouch.

Retails for $19 at www.mountainliving.com

Retails from $815 at ap.louisvuitton.com.

E AT A N D U N W I N D

ɇɋ

PHOTON LEKUE

L E KU E O M E L E T T E MAKER If you don’t feel like cooking dinner during your staycation, this microwavable omelette maker does the trick. Make yummy omelettes with ﬁllings of your choice in just minutes with no mess. It comes with a recipe booklet to make a variety of tasty, healthy omelettes without any butter or oil.

PHOTO FOOD52.

PHOTO HIROMI

Retails from $25 at www.amazon.com.

ɇɌ ICE CREAM CANTEEN I N S U L AT E D C O N TA I N E R Made for pints of ice cream, frozen yoghurt or sorbet, this container keeps the good stuff scoopable for up to four hours (or up to eight when you pop it in a cooler). Once you dig in, the double-wall design will keep your hands at a nice room temperature while you enjoy your cold treat. Retails from US$44.99 ($62) at www.food52.com.

ɇɍ

HIROMI SLEEP & RELAX KO S O 3 0 0 ENZYME DRINK Fall asleep quickly and effortlessly with the aid of this drink. Containing the same potent enzyme base as the Chosyoku Koso, it’s enhanced with over 300 types of herbs, fruits, and vegetables that promote relaxation, gut health, and better sleep. Retails for $168 at www.shopee.sg/biocomm.

LIGHT IT UP

S O OT H I N G S E L F - C A R E

ɈɆ PA R T Y O N B I R T H DAY CAKE & SPRINKLES TRIPLE SCENTED S OY C A N D L E This lets you enjoy your cake without feeling the guilt. Sweet but surprisingly airy, it calls to mind nut-topped meringues you ﬁnd in patisseries.

L I G N E R O S E T G LO B E INDOOR Its oval, sleek design adds a luxe statement to any room. Turn down your usual lights and have the Globe Indoor give your room a dramatic, cosy illumination instead.

Retails from $99 at www.

Price upon request at

PHOTO BAOBAB

www.grafunkt.com.

Ɉɇ

PHOTO LIGNE ROSET

Retails from US$250 (S343) at www.food52.com.

ɇɏ

PHOTO MENU

MENU MODERN BRASS & STEEL RECHARGEABLE OUTDOOR LED LANTERN Carry your glow wherever you go. A tribute t the Danish tradition of hygge, this dimmable LED lantern features a steel or brass frame with a handsome, industrial look. Pick from four brightness settings that last up to ﬁve hours when fully charged.

PHOTO PARTY ON

ɇɎ

B AO B A B C O L L E C T I O N O DYS S E E I T H AQ U E SCENTED CANDLE Bring the fresh scent of a Mediterranean garden to your interior with the Ithaque candle. Its decorative glass vessels create beautiful shadowplay when the candle is lit, lending a romantic touch to your space. Retails for $198 at www.amara.com/sg.

PHOTO NU-FACTOR PHOTO NU-FACTOR

ɈɊ N U - FAC TO R L U M I M A S K This brightening mask contains antioxidants like white tomato and dragon fruit extracts that unlock your skin’s luminosity, keeping it supple and youthful. Infused with coconut water, it also has a high cooling effect. Retails for $42 at shopee.sg/biocomm.

PHOTO THE PURE LOTUS

N U - FAC T O R MOISTURISING SHAMPOO Formulated with newborns in mind, this shampoo soothes skin from irritants and reduces inﬂammation. Made with oatmeal extract, manuka honey and collagen, this gentle cleanser is great for eczema and sensitive skin. Retails for $22 at www.shopee.sg/biocomm.

Ɉɉ T H E P U R E LOT U S 2 S T E P LOT U S L E A F S O OT H I N G & B R I G H T E N I N G M A S K There is nothing like a hot shower followed by a cooling face mask. This two-step mask brightens your skin by removing dead skin cells and other impurities with white lotus extracts from Jeju. Retails from $35 at www.tangs.com.

PHOTO LUSH

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Ɉɋ LUSH ROSE GOLD B AT H B O M B This glittering golden bath bomb will have you relaxing in water that reﬂects a vibrant, shimmering sunset. Imagine orange and pink-hued swirls in your bathtub while a calming ﬂoral scent envelops you and helps you unwind. Retails from $16 at www.lushsg.com.

Retails from $153 at scentjourner.com.

Ɉɏ PHOTO SCENT JOURNER

SCENT JOURNER DA N C I N G B L U E B E E S Inspired by the sweet scent of lavender pollen that attracts honeybees, this fragrance is based on cognitive research and olfactory chemistry to heal, relieve stress and remove fatigue through its aroma. Aromatic, ﬂoral, and with a warm balsamic undertone, it combines notes of lavender, bergamot, ylang-ylang, and black pepper.

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AERIN SINTRA GARDENIA SCENTED CANDLE Inspired by the town of Sintra in Portugal, this features gardenia, cinnamon, and a deep, evergreen scent of cedarwood. The creamcoloured glass vessel has a golden lid that can be used as a base for the candle when lit.

Ɉɍ N U - FAC T O R P M 2 . 5 ESSENTIAL CLEANSER Infused with antioxidants found in the deep sea, this soap-free cleanser protects your skin by forming a biomimetic shield. Retails from $38 at www.shopee.sg/biocomm.

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PHOTO NU-FACTOR

PHOTO BATH BOMB FLINGS

Retails for $190 at www.amara.com/sg.

ɈɎ D R J A R T + C I C A PA I R S K I N C A R E K I T LIMITED EDITION This skincare set calms, soothes and protects sensitive skin while hydrating and refreshing it. The kit includes the popular Re-Cover cream that covers blemishes with its SPF40 formula. Retails from $58 at www.sephora.sg.

text NIKKI ANDREA BOUNAPARTE

ɉɆ B AT H B O M B F L I N G S H I M A L AYA N B LO O M B AT H B O M B Himalayan pink salt promotes antiageing, improves skin hydration, balanced skin moisture levels and purges impurities from the skin. Infused with milk, rose, and acacia essential oils, this bath bomb not only smells sweet but it can also soothe skin conditions like eczema. Retails from $16 at bathbombﬂings.com.

C O LO U R O F T H E M O N T H

HERE COMES THE SUN While it’s summer in many parts of the world, it’s always sunny in Singapore, perhaps too much sometimes as we experience some of the hottest days in a long time. Like these sunny days, the colour yellow injects a dose of sunshine and cheer into any space, a perfect shade to welcome life gradually returning to (new) normal. So, how do we use sunshine yellow in our spaces? Start with small accessories like cushions, vessels and trays. Yellow is also an excellent choice for decorative tableware. Hermes’ new Soleil d’Hermes dinner service comprises 24 pieces of porcelain ware, each featuring a radiant illustration by Arielle de Brichambaut in deep yellow with a black outline that brightens your tablescape. Pair yellow accessories with deeper natural hues like dark wood and terracotta (pictured) to create an eye-popping contrast, or go the opposite with blonde wood and pale grey for a Scandinavian look. Yellow has a brightening effect so if you’re planning to use it for a large surface like wall and ﬂoor, consider the lighting. The dimmer or colder the lighting of your space, the more intense the shade of yellow you can use. Yellow is also a gender neutral colour than can be used in both feminine and masculine material palettes. Remember that yellow is a “loud” colour, so choose a softer complementing palette to harmonise it with. Use more buttery shades for rooms that require a calming effect, like the bedroom and study.

C O LO U R O F THE MONTH PANTONE 7406C

PANTONE 7752C

PANTONE 484C

Yellow goes well with really dark or really pale woods. Refrain from pairing yellow with mid-tone woods.

the expert says

WO NG L IAN GYUAN Colour expert at Haven Lifestyle.

photo HERMES

“Previously regarded as being an old-fashioned hue, we are seeing a return of bright yellows to home interiors. This time, the yellow shade comes in a richer tone, with hints of gold to give it a sumptuous look. Use it as an accent colour to add depth to your styling.”

LOOKING AHEAD We’ve heard of fashion brands branching out of furniture and homeware, but not so much the opposite. Enter Kartell Eyewear, furniture brand Kartell’s – best known as the it brand for high-end plastic designer furniture – foray into the apparel industry. Kartell Eyewear hit the ground running with more than 100 models of specs and sunnies under the Main Collection and the Design Collection. The former features designs with Kartell’s signature visual cues like transparency and details inspired by its furniture portfolio, while the latter features designs by the likes of Piero Lissoni and Fabio Novembre, among others.

Prices upon request. Visit www. kartell.com for more information.

ARTIST OF THE MONTH KOH KAI TING Born in 1996 in Batu Pahat, Malaysia, NAFA-graduate Koh Kai Ting is an award-winning printmaker and painter. Her work focuses on creating visual narratives that explore the conﬂict between individual happiness and society’s expectations. Her work often features various animals softly rendered in watercolour on polyester mesh mounted on frames, lending an ethereal touch to the space. She won the ﬁrst prize in UOB Painting of the Year in 2018 and was a recipient of the Malaysian Emerging Artist

COOL & RENEWABLE Ikea has partnered up with World Surf League to launch a new sustainable collection called Kaseberga. Made of renewable and recycled materials, this limited collection comprises bags, carafe and poncho for everyday life. Whether you ride waves or prefer to enjoy them from afar, this collection has the affordability, cool factor and social and environmental impact. For more information, visit www.ikea.sg/kaseberga.

Awards (MEA) 2019 and Mellow Art Award 2020. In Singapore, Koh Kai Ting is represented by the Gajah Gallery, www.gajahgallery.com.

EXHIBITION OF THE MONTH The State of Print

A RICH TAPESTRY Inspired by cloth dating back to the 17th-century, Kyoto-based textile company Hosoo’s new Heritage Nova collection is woven from silk and hemp. Celebrating Japanese threedimensional weaving techniques, each features intricate details symbolising connection between past and present. Says CEO Masataka Hosoo, “By weaving hemp, which has been with mankind for 10,000 years, into the history of Nishijin, a new heritage is born.”

What: Examining the past and future of print publishing Where: National Design Centre, 111 Middle Road When: Until July 31

For more information, please visit www. hosoo.co.jp/en.

Add to cart

Is print truly dead? The State of Print, designed and produced by creative agency Fable, examines the transformation of print to pixels and its past, present and future via diverse exhibits, ranging from the traditional like postcards and posters to a gamut of technologies like augmented reality,

computer animation and QR codes to present the rich heritage of print culture, and postulates that the key to print’s survival lies in its ability to co-exist with digital media. Admission is free. Opens from 9am to 9pm daily. Visit www. designsingapore.org for more information.

PLAYFULLY CHARMING Young designer Faezah Shaharuddin has a degree in visual communication design but grew up in the furniture industry. Her mother, Sharifah Maznah, has been running the furniture shop Second Charm for decades. Faezah founded her own label, Studio Kallang, late last year, which focuses on furniture, objects and installations with playful, contemporary aesthetics. These are handcrafted in Indonesia using natural materials like solid wood and stone and typically ship out in six to eight weeks. Prices range between $200 to $1,200. Visit www.studiokallang.com for more information.

TRENDING

STACKABLE CHAIRS Less is more for these furniture pieces, each features a thin and slim metal frame that lends a graphic touch to any room. The stackable feature also makes them ideal for small apartment spaces.

1 ., 4 ., 5. & 6 . Miniforms Mariolina (Fabric B), $574, Driade BO, $255, Miniforms Tube Chair, $1,218, SW Utility Stacking Chair U, $882, exclusively available at P5 Studio, www. p5studio.com.sg. 2 . Fermob Luxembourg chairs, $415, from Soul & Tables, www. soulandtables.com.sg. 3. & 7. B&B Italia Erica chairs, and Arﬂex Brianza chairs, price upon request at Space Furniture, www. spacefurniture.com.sg.

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IMMERSIVE SOUND

Designed to seamlessly match LG TVs, the new LG Soundbar line-up creates an exceptional soundstage. With three up-ﬁring channels on the soundbar itself and

two in the wireless rear speakers, the soundbar produces an expansive, dynamic soundscape, which surrounds users and draws them deeper into the onscreen action. For the environmentally

conscious, it is made from reused and easily recyclable materials, consumes a minimal amount of power during operation and is shipped in ecofriendly packaging.

The 2022 LG Soundbar lineup retails for $1,999 at LG official brand stores on Lazada and Shopee and all authorised retailers Audio House, Harvey Norman, and Mega Discount Store.

EDITOR’S CHOICE

FANTASTICALLY FENDACE This is the age of peak brand collaborations. One of the latest buzzy brand couplings is Fendi and Versace’s Fendace collection, which runs the gamut from fashion staples like clothes, shoes and bags to this travel cup. A brainchild of Fendi’s Kim Jones and Donatella Versace, the stainless steel cup is encrusted with black crystal with the gold Fendace logo and signature motif. Comes with a reusable straw, so you can be both eco-conscious and unapologetically extra with your morning coffee. The Fendace travel cup retails for $1,840 at Fendi and Versace boutiques. Visit www.fendi.com and www. versace.com for more information.

MINIBAR AT HOME Did your parents tell you not to touch the minibar when you stayed at resorts? Many of us had that experience, which made having your own mini bar at home feel like a little luxury. Amp that feeling up with Marano’s new Carva Bar Cabinet. One of the seven pieces in the local furniture brand’s new Evolution of Time collection, Carva features walnut veneer and black and gold details inspired by the contours of the mountain that stands the test of time. Price upon request. Visit www. maranofurniture.com for more information and showroom appointments.

PEEK-A-BOOK Poltrona Frau’s 2021 Take Your Time ÐÂÂ é°ÐÉ â ĝ É ÂÂĀ Þ Z°É§ ÛÐÞ shores! One of our favourites is the handsome Peek-a-Book desk by Roberto Lazzeroni. Inspired by old leather-bound books, it features a generous 183cm x 91.5cm work surface clad with the brand’s signature Pelle Frau leather and folds over like a book cover on a sculptural metal base, lending a stately yet playful touch to ĀÐîÞ ÐÈ ÐĔ ʨ

In Singapore, Poltrona Frau is carried by Proof Living. Price upon request. Visit www.proof. com.sg for more information.

TILE OF THE MONTH

RAD (R)EVOLUTION Z Â éé° â ÿÛ É °éâ â°§É éîÞ high-impact, kitschy aesthetics by collaborating with tile manufacturer Ceramica Bardelli for a capsule collection named Tiles (R)evolution. ,é ÐÉâ°âéâ Ð¦ ĝù âéÞ°¿°É§ é°Â â°§Éâ âî°é Â ¦ÐÞ ú ÂÂ É ĞÐÐÞ ÛÛÂ° é°ÐÉâʨ Distorsion is a homage to Escher’s optical illusion. Diamond evokes cheeky opulence with a high-gloss and È°ÞÞÐÞ ĝÉ°âʨ Â ¿ ˸ r°é Ðđ Þâ °§ʌ ÐÉéÞ âé §Þ Û° â đ é ú°é its mosaics, while Elements 1 – Nuvola and Elements 2 – Acqua feature a °§ʌ ĝÉ°é°ÐÉ ÛÞ°Éé Ð¦ ÂÐî Ā â¿Ā É rippling blue water, respectively, to add a holiday touch to your room. In Singapore, Ceramica Bardelli is available through Hafary. Price upon request. Visit www.hafary.com.sg for more information.

NEWS Sustainability, Embodied Vitra has collaborated with the Embassy of Switzerland, Affordable Abodes, Deloitte Singapore, EHL Campus (Singapore), Haring Timber Technology, Hilti, Nespresso, Studio SKLIM and UBS for +Pavilion, an installation showcasing innovative and sustainable designs, building materials and solutions at Marina Barrage to raise awareness and educates the public on what the future of sustainable construction could look like. Amongst the exhibits are engineered timber Glulam and modiﬁed Vitra staples like the Eames Elephants. Presented in conjunction with the Swiss Weeks 2022, the physical installation at the Marina Barrage opens until August 2022. Free admission. Visit www.sklim.com for more information.

Gaggenau’s Milan Debut Gaggenau, the luxury professional-grade home appliances brand, will debut its Milan Design Week 2022 participation at Fuorisalone. Taking over the glass pavilion at Villa Necchi Campiglio, it will showcase A Statement of Form, an installation spanning 360 sq feet that brings together the key elements of Gaggenau’s specialist areas, including the home as the entertaining space of the future.

For more information, visit www. gaggenau.com/milan2022.

Virtual Showrooms Tours Builtshops is Singapore’s ﬁrst virtual mapping platform and one-stop shopping map that locates and brings together many home renovation services, from furniture showrooms and appliances stores to utility shops. Explore them through recorded simulations and videos from the comfort of your own home, making your renovation experience more efficient and fuss-free. Read our interview with the founder on our People page.

For more information, visit builtshops.com.

text ASIH JENIE, MELODY BAY, NIKKI ANDREA BOUNAPARTE & KRISTY QUAH

I N S TO R E

STAYCATION DESTINATION AT HOME Have you ever dreaded the end of a staycation because you didn’t want to leave your hotel room? Here’s how you can imbue your bedroom with a feel-good, hotel-like atmosphere with these choice selections from Metro.

WO K E U P L I K E T H I S

Let’s face it: the best part of any staycation is the bed, for there’s nothing quite like sinking into the plush bedding night after night. Recreate the same experience with this Orville charcoal ﬁtted sheet from M.maison’s Hotel Collection. Made from 100 per cent cotton sateen and with a luxurious thread count of 1,000, you’ll never want to get out of bed! M.maison Hotel Collection Orville King Fitted Sheet retails for $179 at www.metro.com.sg.

T H E S M E L L O F H O L I DAY

It’s been said that smells can trigger vivid memories. Get ready to reminisce about summer staycations abroad with this reed diffuser from fragrance brand To Be Calm, whose vibrant, aptlynamed Holiday aroma of coconut and lime will trigger memories of holidays spent relaxing under the sun. To Be Calm Holiday Coconut & Lime Reed Diffuser retails for $79 at www.metro.com.sg.

A L L E Y E S O N YO U

Sleek and monochromatic in design, this fulllength mirror from Iloom will make checking your reﬂection a breeze, so you can always make sure you’re primed and ready to take on the world before you swan out of your master suite. Iloom Glen Studio Full-length Mirror retails for $429 at www.metro.com.sg.

text GERMAINE CHEAH

I N S TO R E

A RESORTS-INSPIRED EN SUITE Smart toilets, high-end shower systems, interactive mirrors and luxurious accessories; what’s not to love about hotel bathrooms? These additions from Econﬂo will transform your en suite into a personal spa so that you can continue your staycation experience at home.

B AC K TO B A S I C S

One of the great things about hotel bathrooms is that they are so well organised, they transform into a selfservicing space. For your own en suite, take inspiration from Geesa’s Leev bathroom ﬁtting collection, which features minimalist forms. These bathroom accessories prove that luxurious minimalism and playfulness are not mutually exclusive. Geesa Leev collection retails from $112 at www.econﬂo.com.

A M A S T E R F U L LO O

It has become commonplace to see hotel toilets with bidet attachments, and many have also become increasingly accustomed to using bidets for clean up instead of toilet paper. Get your own with the Duravit SensoWash Starck f. Available in two versions - Lite and Plus - highlights include Ladywash and Rearwash functions, a self-cleansing spray wand and nozzle, energy-saving features and a Bluetooth connection that allows you to control functions via a remote control or the SensoWash app. Duravit Starck F Lite and F Plus retails for $9,060 and $11,286, respectively, at www. econﬂo.com.

SMOOTH FIN ISH

Say goodbye to boring toilet flushes with Geberit’s range of sleek flush plates. The Sigma50 are available in multiple colour options and materials. There is even an option to personalise the flush plate according to your desire! Meanwhile, the Sigma80 is only available in a sleek black or mirrored glass finish, but the dual-flush LED bars have five user-selectable hues so that you can easily match your decor or your mood. Geberit Sigma50 and Sigma80 (pictured) retails from $569 and $2,059, respectively, at www.econflo.com.

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H O T S P OT

GALERIE 5 BY SOL LUMIN AI RE Sol Luminaire’s latest venture is an ultra chic gallery dedicated to the art of capturing light.

eading boutique lighting company Sol Luminaire celebrated its fifth anniversary this year by opening Galerie 5 in April. Occupying a three-storey shophouse on Craig Road, Galerie 5 is a multisensory showroom-cumart gallery dedicated to the art of capturing light through artisanal products sourced from around the world. As its name suggests, the gallery debuted with five new artisanal brands, each producing small-batch handmade objects, making them unique. Like in an art gallery, once a displayed item from the artisanal brands at Galerie 5 is sold, it will not be restocked. Even the same model would not be 100 per cent identical because of the handmade process. The five new brands are lighting brands llll (pronounced “four L”) and Makhno Studio, furniture label Frederic Saulou, and accessories and collectible brands The Soucy Soup and Sticky Glass. The gallery’s first floor features Makhno Studio’s sculptural pendant lights and collectible souvenirs inspired by studio founder Sergey Makhno’s

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Curving walls create niches that display each lighting object like an artwork.

The handmade llll02 lights by Sarah Dehandschutter installed low on the ceiling so visitors can inspect and touch them.

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The second ﬂoor cacti garden by This Humid House showcases AEON by Sol Luminaire collection.

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The three-storey gallery’s front in the evening.

good to know Next in line to join Galerie 5’s offering will be one-of-a-kind sculptural furniture pieces by designerartist Isac Elam Kaid.

Ukrainian culture, alongside coiling vessels by Pittsburghbased artist Philip M Soucy of the Soucy Shop and colourful glassware by New York-based artist Grace Whiteside of Sticky Glass. One-of-a-kind furniture pieces made from slate and limestone by French designer Frederic Saulou and floral scape by This Humid House complete the ensemble. This Humid House also designed the cacti garden on the second floor, which serves as the foreground to Sol Luminaire’s in-house architectural lighting label AEON’s latest outdoor products. Placed under the shophouse’s skylight, this garden lends a biophilic touch to the space. A corridor installed with lighting sculpture by llll’s founder, Belgian lighting designer Sarah Dehandschutter takes one on a breathtaking journey. Made with polyester tricot wrapped on brass frames, llll’s products are part artwork and part functional lighting. Our favourite is the petallike mobile lighting sculpture llll.02.6. A few of those were installed low in the ceiling so visitors can interact with them in the sitting room facing the street on the second floor. The space could be a popular photo spot soon with such an eyecatching set-up. At the time of the opening, the third floor features more of AEON’s collection, but it is reserved for future brands. In fact, the displays on all three floors are poised to change at any given moment to replenish their offerings. We can’t wait to see more!

text ASIH JENIE photos GALERIE 5 BY SOL LUMINAIRE

Galerie 5 is at 50 Craig Road. Visit www. solluminaire.com. sg/galerie5 for more information.

H O T S P OT

THE XM STORE To bring your favourite comic characters to life, this collectible ﬁgurine retailer goes beyond screens and pages.

iss your favourite characters on the big screen? Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Singapore luxury collectibles brand The XM Store unveils its flagship at Kitchener Complex. Covering 19,000 sq ft and taking up the building’s entire third floor, it carries over 300 in-house designed collectible figurines of beloved characters of Disney, Warner Bros, DC, Godzilla, Ultraman, Sanrio, and more under one roof. “Through our passion, hard work and perseverance, XM has grown into a worldclass brand as a pioneer and key player in the collectibles industry,” said Ben Ang, CEO of XM at the store’s opening in late March. Dedicated themed pods in glossy primary colours feature designs inspired by well-loved universes. Marvel Comics fans will rejoice as the Marvel pods include X-Men such as Professor X, Magneto, Wolverine and Dark Phoenix, while the Marvel Cinematic Universe pod features the likes of Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and more. It also displays XM’s largest 1:4 scale statue ever produced, a 130kgs War Machine figure. DC Comics fans are in for a thrill, too, with the complete line of XM’s exclusive Batman

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The futuristic neon-framed storefront. FAR L EFT

The Marvel pod features characters from the X-Men universe. BE LOW

The 99 cafe serves specialty coffee and tea and artisanal gelato with original ﬂavour pairings. BE LOW, LE FT

Close up details of the Batman and his anatomically correct batcycle. OPPOSITE

The Transformer pod displaying detailed busts of the robots.

Samurai collection. The creative collaboration puts a cool Japanese spin on the Dark Knight characters. The Transformers pod features XM’s latest Optimus Prime and a Megatron bust that stands almost a metre tall. Other never-before-seen collectibles are also on display and available for purchase, such as Spider-Man from the Absolute Carnage comic book, the highly anticipated Avengers’ Maestro (exclusive) and DC’s Death Metal – Batman Who Laughs. The XM Store, which even has a podcast studio, aims to be “a platform to share our knowledge on the trade, the art and the skills in the

collectibles industry, as well as a hub to inspire and nurture the next generation of creative talents in Singapore,” said Ben. Unic, a boutique carrying curated items from around the world, houses limited edition and vintage designer items. Between browsing, enjoy artisanal gelato and specialty coffee at in-house cafe 99. Its original flavours include Creme Fraiche & Yuzu Jelly and Dulcey Chocolate & Seasalt; the latter comes with a drizzle of whiskey. The XM Store is located at Level 3 Kitchener Complex, 809 French Road. Visit www.xm-studios.com for more information.

text NIKKI ANDREA BOUNAPARTE photos XM STUDIOS

H O T S P OT

THE BODRUM EDITION Set on the Turkish Riviera, the boutique hotel is a luxurious base to explore the region.

ook no further than the Bodrum EDITION, a luxury boutique hotel by Marriott International, if you are looking for a bluesky summer holiday. On the western tip of the Bodrum Peninsula in Tilkicik Bay, it offers spectacular views of the Aegean Sea. In keeping with the nature of Marriott International’s EDITION Hotels, where each is designed according to the

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The Kitchen at the Bodrum EDITION features a versatile, creative menu showcasing the region’s freshest ingredients. RIGH T

Just next to the Aegean Sea, Morena transforms into a chic, lively lounge in the evening.

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Each beautifullyappointed room or suite in the hotel is done in tasteful neutrals to frame the stunning sea view. LEF T

Guests who are staying in the bungalows have their own private plunge pools.

good to know The Bodrum EDITION was named the fourth best resort in Europe by Conde Nast Traveller in the 2021 Readers Choice Awards.

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Brava offers a vibrant bar scene for those looking to party.

Fresh honeycomb is served as part of the Turkish Breakfast at Kitchen.

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Every corner of the EDITION has been designed for rest and rejuvenation in a luxury setting.

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Pale oak and white timber ﬁnishes lend a soothing atmosphere to the spa, which has 14 treatment rooms.

culture and social milieu of its respective setting, the Bodrum offers a one-of-a-kind retreat featuring the best of the Turkish Riviera. There are 108 guest rooms, suites, and villas, some with private pools and gardens. Guests can indulge in the Turkish hammam or the stateof-the-art spa for a spot of relaxation before heading out for the evening. There is also an exclusive beach club with a jetty and private cabanas where you can chill out to the sound of the waves lapping at your feet. The EDITION ethos is to redefine traditional luxury, and it embodies that in the Bodrum with its choice of design materials. Featuring warm wood finishes, customdesigned furnishings and airy fabrics, each guest room feels

like a private beach house. Stone floors, marble baths, and generous windows also provide the ultimate spa setting for a relaxing bath. Throughout the property, you’ll find plenty of relaxing areas shaded by olive trees, tropical plants and bright bougainvillaea, and walls made of local weathered stone. Hungry guests will be spoiled for choice – the Bodrum Edition has no shortage of gastronomic options. For a taste of local cuisine, there’s contemporary Aegean and Anatolian cuisine at Kitchen by local celebrity chef Osman Sezener, featuring the freshest local produce sourced from the region and the hotel’s own gardens. At the alfresco Brava restaurant, you can enjoy crudo and saltado, among other dishes, prepared by internationally acclaimed Peruvian chef Diego Munoz. There is also the Japaneseinspired dinner menu at Morena by Inari Omakase, which combines Asian flavours with fresh Turkish ingredients. It’s not just about sheer indulgence at the Bodrum either – with things kicking into gear for the summer holidays, the hotel has lined up a roster of art events and workshops for 2022, as well as live music events and wellness programmes to enjoy. Guests can also rent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards for an adventurous afternoon, so there’s plenty to look forward to all summer long. For more information, please visit www.editionhotels.com/

THE EDITION ETHOS IS TO REDEFINE TRADITIONAL LUXURY, AND IT EMBODIES THAT IN THE BODRUM WITH ITS CHOICE OF DESIGN MATERIALS.

bodrum.

text MELODY BAY photos BODRUM EDITION

H O T S P OT

The stunning evening shot of the pool lounge.

THE BILLIONAIRE R E S O R T & R E T R E AT This resort on the Kenyan Coast provides an escape into authentic Kenyan culture infused with reﬁned modernity.

he newly opened Billionaire Resort and Retreat is poised to be the crown jewel of the northern Kenyan coastline. With its pristine white beaches and azure waters of the Indian Ocean, this dreamlike, vibrant resort provides an escape into Kenyan culture infused with refined modernity. The Billionaire Resort & Retreat is part of

Majestas, a hospitality company specialising in luxury dining and entertainment founded in 1998 in Porto Cervo, Italy. The group owns and manages destinations in Europe, the UK, the Middle East, and Africa. The resort has 40 accommodations, comprising 16 tastefully designed, spacious suites in the main building called the Billionaire Retreat -

Lion in the Sun and 24 seafront apartments with various amenities. The suites share four saltwater swimming pools between them, while each of the apartments has its own private terrace with a breathtaking view. Other amenities include an infinity pool nestled amidst private gardens and beach cabanas with ocean vistas. Those who wish to embark on a journey of transformation and bliss would be delighted with the spa, which combines elegant design, the highest standards of service, and the tranquil essence of the East African coast. The resort borders the Malindi Marine National Park. Travellers can grab their masks and fins to snorkel and view the prolific marine life of the park. Catch coral gardens in the lagoons, seagrass beds,

turtles and more from the safety of handmade hardwood boats crafted by locals. Reach secluded coves in style, cruising and swimming in the crystal clear sea. The Billionaire Grill & Bar offers Italian and fusion cuisine on the beach in a sensual ambience with a carefully selected musical repertoire. A short flight from Nairobi, Malindi has all the offerings of an established tourist destination while keeping its appeal as an authentic East African fishing village. The beauty of the coast lined with palm trees, the tropical climate and the magic of the Indian Ocean make it the perfect place for a dream vacation. For more information, visit www.

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ABOVE

An aerial view of the saltwater inﬁnity pool.

Savour the Grill’s tuna ceviche with a live-band in the background.

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Poolside cabanas offer a relaxing retreat while enjoying the resort’s facilities. BOTTOM

The room interior is imbued by safari-inspired details.

billionaireresort.com.

text NIKKI ANDREA BOUNAPARTE photos THE BILLIONAIRE RESORT & RETREAT

good to know The resort’s amenities include a tennis court, a beach volleyball court and boat excursions.

H O T S P OT

E P O L E S TA R S PAC E The Swedish premium electric vehicle’s new space in Singapore marries unique and avant-garde design with the brand’s signature minimalist aesthetics.

lectric vehicles (EVs) brand Polestar has launched in Singapore. The Swedish premium electric performance brand, founded by Volvo Cars and Geely Holding, debuted with a retail location along the Leng Kee automotive belt. With its 2,260 sq ft art gallery-meets-design studio concept, Polestar Space offers a fresh take on car retail spaces that’s unlike anything else out there. A team of architects based at the headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden, is responsible for designing the Polestar headquarters, offices, factories and retail locations worldwide. Ultimately, their job is to ensure the brand’s philosophy is reflected in every interface, be it a building, a space, or even an exhibition

stand. Rong Guan, one of the in-house Polestar architects who worked on the project, says, “The inspiration comes from within. Pure, progressive performance covers everything Polestar, not just the cars.” Polestar Space stands out from the rest of the showrooms because of its monochromatic facade and corner location. Its white symbol contrasts with white Alucobond panels similar to the vehicles, which have body-coloured emblems. A spacious, light-filled interior welcomes visitors. In keeping with the minimalist approach, the materials are kept simple – glass, stone, concrete, and aluminium. A neutral colour palette lets the cars shine. Art light boxes and digital screens form the gallery-

good to know Polestar plans to double its sales footprint to 150 dealerships worldwide by the end of 2022.

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Polestar’s whiteon-white facade stands out along the Leng Kee automotive belt.

The handover box is designed to elevate the car delivery experience into an unboxing ritual.

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A myriad of drawers, cabinets and display niches showcase material samples, components and colour options.

OPPOSITE

A display wall ﬁnished in anodised aluminium and an atelier table reinforce the showroom’s design studio concept.

style backdrop for the main car display area. These light boxes contain backlit frames displaying static product images printed on fabric. Digital screens with similar sizes and formats display moving content synced with the Polestar headquarters. A display wall runs the length of one side of the showroom. Each drawer, cabinet, and display niche is covered with anodised aluminium, conveying a clean, laboratory aesthetic, and displays material samples, colours, and components from the Polestar 1 and Polestar 2 models. The atelier table in front of the display wall makes the space feel like a design studio. The rubber surface with the printed grid reminds one of the cutting boards designers use when making models. Featuring a touchscreen car configurator, the atelier table allows customers to browse material and colour options. Towards the back, a semi-private lounge area and

text LYNN TAN photos POLESTAR

consultation room feature similar design elements. A handover box is intended to enhance the experience of collecting the car by associating it with the ritual of unboxing. The design drawings are done in-house to ensure a consistent design approach across all projects. Polestar’s architects also work very closely with local architects, designers and contractors from conception to completion, supported by the retail investors. Nevertheless, as each market and site has its unique requirements, the team tweaks and adapts the designs accordingly. Polestar Space Singapore, for instance, offers more seating so customers and Polestar specialists can converse more freely. Polestar Space, Singapore is located at 45 Leng Kee Road. Call/Whatsapp 8266-1809 or visit www.polestar.com/sg for more information.

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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

REWRITING HISTORY Singaporean artist Ho Tzu Nyen’s videos and installations weave together fact and myth, investigating how Asia’s cultural memories and political narratives are constructed. He explains to Y-JEAN MUN-DELSALLE his research-driven process in the creation of new alternate histories.

photo MATTHEW TEO FOR ARTREVIEW ASIA SPRING 2017

SPOTLIGHT

photo TAKESHI HIRABAYASHI

1. Hotel Aporia, a site speciﬁc displayed during the Aichi Triennale 2019.

photo COURTESY OF SHARJAH ART FOUNDATION

2. Ongoing project The Critical Dictionary of Southeast Asia (2012–present) at the Sharjah Art Foundation ponders about the South-east Asian identity. 3. A festival goer appreciating Tzu Nyen’s augmented art outside of the National Gallery. 4. Augmented reality art at National Gallery Singapore for Light to Night Festival.

he earliest documented sighting of a tiger in Singapore was in 1831. It reported that a Chinese national had been killed by one. The island’s lush virgin jungles were home to prey like pigs and deer, thus making them ideal hunting grounds for tigers. Known to be excellent swimmers, they had swum across the Strait of Johor into Singapore. When vast forests were cleared to make way for roads and plantations, tiger attacks became so common that they were rumoured to claim one life per day by the mid19th century. The government âî â Ýî ÉéÂĀ Ðđ Þ ĝÉ É ° Â rewards for every tiger killed, eventually driving them to extinction. The last wild tiger, spotted in Choa Chu Kang, was shot and killed in 1930. As Singaporean artist Ho Tzu Nyen is intrigued by the city-state’s origin story and °Éé Þéú°É â ¦ é É ĝ é°ÐÉ to meticulously construct alternative pasts that at once create and dispel myths, it was only natural for the tiger to become a recurring theme in his oeuvre. ) ĝÞâé âÐú â é feline in his 2003 video Utama – Every Name in History is I on the mythic founding of Singapore in which Sang Nila Utama, a Srivijayan prince from Palembang, landed on its shores in 1299 and named it “Singapura” (meaning “Lion City”), after an animal he spotted while hunting, most probably mistaking a tiger for a lion. Tzu Nyen’s 2017 installation One or Several Tigers, inspired by Heinrich

“IT BEGAN WITH A RATHER SIMPLE QUESTION: WHAT CONSTITUTES THE UNITY OF SOUTH-EAST ASIA, A REGION THAT HAS NEVER BEEN UNIFIED BY LANGUAGE, RELIGION OR

AND NATIONAL GALLERY SINGAPORE

POLITICAL POWER?”

photo COURTESY OF HO TZU NYEN

his dictionary forms part of a database of texts, music and online images, where an algorithm picks and merges various sounds and visuals on an alphabetised list of ÐÉ Ûéâʣ ĝÞâé ù ÂÐÛ ú°Â in residency at Hong Kong’s Asia Art Archive a decade ago. “It began with a rather simple question: what constitutes the unity of Southeast Asia, a region that has É ù Þ É îÉ°ĝ Ā Â É§î § ʣ religion or political power?” he points out. “For me, responding to this question requires an act of composition… an artistic activity. I think my interest in history emerged solely from my attempt to understand my present. And when I start researching the past, what interests me for my work is É °é Þ ¦ é ÉÐÞ ĝ é°ÐÉʣ îé

photo COURTESY OF HO TZU NYEN AND NATIONAL GALLERY SINGAPORE

Leutemann’s print of Irish architect George Coleman, who was attacked by a tiger while conducting a road survey, also features images of weretigers and Indian convicts, sometimes victims of tigers, forced to construct colonial buildings. Among a horde of supernatural, shapeshifting yokai demons from Japanese folklore in Night March of )îÉ Þ AÐÉâé Þâʣ ú ĝÉ 7 Û É â °âéÐÞ° Â ĝ§îÞ â who participated in the WWII occupation of the Malayan Peninsula: General Tomoyuki Yamashita, and the bandit and secret agent Yutaka Tani. Both nicknamed “Tiger of Malaya”, they have been incarnated as weretigers in Tzu Nyen’s procession into Japan’s past. “For me, tigers are, in fact, one of the few threads that weave through South-east Asia,” he explains. “They dispersed across South-east Asia more than a million years ago when it was still a single landmass known as the Sunda Shelf. Perhaps this is why many early animistic cosmologies in South-east Asia associate the tiger with the ancestral. But I might say that rather than me choosing the tiger, perhaps it is the tiger that has chosen me.” Delving into the hidden layers of South-east Asian history, Tzu Nyen’s main obsession has been the region’s myriad cultural identities and ĝÉ°é°ÐÉâʣ ú° Þ °éâ apex with his ongoing meta project, Ƌä ŅĆőĆÚÁě #ĆÚőĆĩĢÁŅű of South-east Asia. Presented as a multisensory experience,

“MY WORKS HAVE GROWN IN COMPLEXITY, IN TERMS

BECOME WORSE THAN EVER IN DELIVERING ELEVATOR PITCHES ABOUT THEM.”

5 . Tzu Nyen at the Mori Art Museum. 6 . The 49th Hexagram 2020, an installation at the 13th Gwangju Biennale, 2021. 7. Another view of Hotel Aporia, site speciﬁc video installation at the Kiraku-Tei, Toyota City, in 2019. 8 . EARTH, a 2011, 42-minutelong single channel HD video.

very much this line between them.” Rather than searching for historical truth, his interests lie in how these constructed histories impact our presentday thinking and way of life. Tackling wide-ranging subjects and incorporating historical, literary, artistic and musical references, Tzu Nyen’s practice is so complex that he âÐÈ é°È â ĝÉ â °é °Ĕ îÂé to describe it himself. Piecing together diverse archival materials accumulated over years of research like a historian, he injects fantastical elements to craft new historical narratives, which he has shown at the

photo KENJI MORITA

OF THEIR PROCESSES AND TECHNIQUE... I HAVE

Venice, Cannes, Sundance É ÞÂ°É ĝÂÈ ¦ âé°ù Ââʣ a Guggenheim in New York, Mori Art Museum in Tokyo and the Shanghai Biennale. “I suppose my works have grown in complexity, in terms of their processes and technique,” he discloses. “I seem less and less able to sum up what my works are about. I have become worse than ever in delivering elevator pitches about them. But this indescribability is something é é , ĝÉ Ýî°é °Éé Þ âé°É§ enough to keep me going!” Born in Singapore in 1976, he earned a bachelor’s degree in creative arts from

the University of Melbourne, followed by a master’s in South-east Asian studies from the National University of Singapore. Raised by two civil servants, his father worked for the Housing Development Board and his mother for the military. “I still have very strong memories of the construction and reclamation sites where my dad used to work,” he recalls. “Back in those days, he loved ú é °É§ ĝÂÈâ É ÞÐî§é ÈĀ older brother and me to see everything. My brother, now an architect, exposed me to interesting music and books when I was quite young. But I ÉÐ ÿÛÐâîÞ éÐ é ĝÉ Þéâ until one day when I read a book on Marcel Duchamp by chance. He was very much é ĝÞâé Þé°âé é é È É impression on me.” rÐÞ¿°É§ ú°éÐîé ĝÿ creative or production process É ú°é °đ Þ Éé é Èâ depending on the project, Tzu Nyen starts afresh practically every time, with some pieces beginning as questions and others from an encounter with another artwork, a piece of music or a book. For example, the point of departure of Ƌä ěĩŖà ĩù ĢėĢĩūĆĢú, an epic creation he presented at the 54th Venice Biennale in 2011, was the book ƋäĩŅű ĩù ͭ ěĩŖà ͭ͢ ĩūÁŅà Á DĆŉőĩŅű ĩù ÁĆĢőĆĢú by French philosopher and art historian Hubert Damisch, which traces the history of cloud paintings in Western art history. “Somehow, I became obsessed about transmuting my experience of reading that book into a kind of drama within a low-income estate in Singapore,” he notes. “This mixing of incongruous elements

photo TAKESHI HIRABAYASHI

photo COURTESY OF EDOUARD MALINGUE GALLERY AND THE ARTIST

Currently working on a VR piece about humidity and infrastructural systems and preparing a future project related to time and synchronisation, Tzu Nyen explains what he hopes to achieve through his art at the end of the day: “I think that artists exist to channel other realities into this one. Artists are like mediums for other worlds. But I don’t think they necessarily need to have messages.” Next for him is the group show ZĩĢäěű ¨äÚőĩŅŉ about the lines, infrastructures and networks crisscrossing the globe é é Þ Ğ é îÉ ù É °âéÞ° îé°ÐÉʣ which opens on 27 May at Singapore Art Museum, and ĩ ©ĂäŅä őĂä ;ěĩūäŅŉ ÁŅä ěĩĩġĆĢú, a special exhibition during the 2022 Venice Biennale.

photo COURTESY OF EDOUARD MALINGUE GALLERY AND THE ARTIST

might be a recurrent strategy in ÈĀ °đ Þ Éé úÐÞ¿âʨʗ Similarly, Language proposed a selection of texts by three Japanese wartime philosophers of the so-called Kyoto School set to disparate visual conditions, including nothingness, a decomposing political prisoner and a disintegrating mecha (an anime robot). Specially commissioned by Acute Art for an interactive outdoor augmented reality exhibition in front of the National Gallery that was part of Singapore’s Light to Night Festival earlier this year, it È Þ¿ é ĝÞâé é°È é é é V art production studio featured the work of a Singaporean artist on its international roster, alongside the likes of Cao Fei, Olafur Eliasson, Alicja Kwade and KAWS.

PEOPLE

ingapore-founded XM Studios is known worldwide for its collectible ĝ§îÞ°É âʣ ú° ù °ÉâÛ°Þ exclusive collaborations with titan IP holders like DC Comics and Warner Bros. In March, é ÐÈÛ ÉĀ ÐÛ É Ğ §â°Û store at the Kitchener Complex (read about it in our Hot Spot â é°ÐÉʃʣ ú° â ĝ§îÞ°É store, a podcast studio, a cafe, and a boutique. We chatted with CEO Ben Ang about the company’s journey and how to °âÛÂ Ā ĝ§îÞ°É â °É ĀÐîÞ ÐÈ ʨ WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO SWITCH FROM A HOBBY

CARING FOR COLLECTIBLES É É§ʣ ¦ÐîÉ Þ Ð¦ ÐÂÂ é° Â ĝ§îÞ°É producer and retailer XM Studio, on the business’s evolution and how to best display your collectibles.

STORE TO XM STUDIO IN 2012, AND WHY?

Our company took over the hobby store in 1997, and in the following decade, we began selling and hand-painting models, and providing airbrushing classes as well as painting services to collectors. We also made large-scale models and worked as landscape artists. As we grew older, working on large-scale models became physically demanding. As a result of the encouragement and support of our customers, we decided to produce our own licensed products. In 2012, XM Studios

was incorporated. We are now a global award-winning design studio and producer of handcrafted, individually handpainted statue collectibles. WHAT IS THE FIGURINE COLLECTING SCENE LIKE IN SINGAPORE?

In the early days, acquiring the licences was a challenge, but it has improved because of our strong track record with global entertainment brands, and the trust built within the industry. In the beginning, getting artists on board was also challenging because the designing and sculpting skills Þ Ýî°Þ ¦ÐÞ é°â ĝ Â Ð¦ úÐÞ¿ are highly specialised. We currently work with over 80 international artists around the globe on a project basis, including comic book artists David Finch and Adi Granov, and 3D sculptors such as Tanaka Kenichi.

favourite because each product is unique and represents the team’s hard work; careful consideration has been given to portray the characters accurately.

HOW DID YOU ACQUIRE THE

WHAT COLLECTIBLES DO YOU

RIGHTS TO CREATE LIMITED-

DISPLAY IN YOUR HOME?

EDITION SERIES?

Thanks to the trust and support from licensors, we have the privilege to explore creative collaboration with big players such as Warner Bros. Consumer Products on the Batman Samurai series. A top priority for us is to create high-quality premium statue collectibles that best portray the characters. We hope collectors enjoy their favourite characters in the best form. WHICH XM STUDIO SERIES IS YOUR FAVOURITE?

We’ve worked on so many projects that it’s hard to pick a

“THE DESIGNING AND SCULPTING SKILLS REQUIRED FOR THIS FIELD OF WORK ARE HIGHLY SPECIALISED.”

The XM Store gallery is my home since I spend so much time there! Since its inception, we have displayed over 300 premium statue collectibles. As our premium statue collectibles are made of polystone and individually hand-painted, it is best to lightly dust them regularly. We also have statue collectibles care packs in the store. These consist of three °đ Þ Éé â°ą Þîâ â éÐ reach the nooks and crannies, a dust blower for hard to reach crevices. There are also other accessories to maintain and care for them.

SHAR E SO M E TIPS FO R DISPL AYING FIG U RIN E S .

First, ensure the shelves are sturdy and secure enough to withstand heavy loads. Second, avoid sunlight. Finally, keep them away from children and pets. The collectibles are heavy, and children may hurt themselves if they knock them over. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MUST-HAVES YOU NEED TO PRESENT YOUR COLLECTIONS?

Secure shelving to accommodate the weight is a must; a 1:4 scale can weigh between 20kg and 40kg. How should they be displayed? We can’t answer that. Our main concern is that collectors enjoy their statues in their homes and are happy with them. Visit www.xm-studios.com for more information.

text ASIH JENIE & NIKKI ANDREA BOUNAPARTE photos XM STUDIO

PEOPLE

COUNTERING CONSUMERISM Hans Tan talks about showcasing repair as a sustainable form of creating something new and what we can do to contribute in our daily lives.

hen was the last time you repaired a beloved object instead of replacing it with something new? Are you a sentimental type who keeps these broken objects around cluttering your living space? Last year, award-winning industrial designer, curator and educator Hans Tan, supported by DesignSingapore Council, held R for Repair at the National Design Centre. The exhibition showcased formerly broken, or faulty objects submitted via open call creatively restored and reimagined by 10 Singaporean designers and nine repair kits by NUS design students. The exhibition aimed to present a counterpoint to the modern consumerist culture, reimagining the act of repair as an inspiring activity that produces aspiring outcomes. Hans is currently working on the second edition of the exhibition, which will involve a creative

exchange between designers in Singapore and the UK. We asked him to share more. WHAT WAS THE IMPETUS FOR R FOR REPAIR?

Most of the time, you only repair things when you cannot đÐÞ éÐ Þ ÛÂ é Èʨ ,é °â ÉÐé uncommon for people to see repair as “lesser” than buying a new product. When you have a hole in your clothing, you do not normally mend it, but we used to not too long ago. Repair is also typically perceived as demeaning by profession. Most of the time, designers also âÛ°Þ éÐ â°§É É ú ÛÞÐ î éâʨ , thought it would be interesting to bring an alternative perspective to repair and “repair” our relationship with it. My aim was not to position repair as an act of subsistence, È É°É§ , Ð °é îâ , ù to, but how we can look at repair °đ Þ ÉéÂĀʨ , ÐÛ éÐ ÛÐâ°é°ÐÉ repair as an aspirational activity that could produce inspiring outcomes. When you repair an object, it could become more meaningful, beautiful, and ° Éé°ĝ Â ʨ TELL US MORE ABOUT THE SECOND EDITION OF THE SHOWCASE.

,ʙÈ Þ ÂÂĀ ÿ °é éÐ úÐÞ¿ ÐÉ the second edition this year. The interest from the partners that are putting this together perhaps shows that the aims of this project are purposeful and resounding. This time, R for Repair will be a cross-city project, with designers from Singapore repairing objects volunteered in London and vice versa. The outcomes will be presented through an exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum °É ;ÐÉ ÐÉʨ ,ʙÈ ÉÐé âîÞ °¦ é°â will be an annual event, it will

certainly be interesting to work ú°é °đ Þ Éé °éĀ ¦ÐÞ °é°ÐÉʣ îé ,ʙÈ é ¿°É§ °é ÐÉ step at a time. WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE WITH THE CROSSCITY EXCHANGE?

,É é°â ÛÞÐ¼ éʣ â°§É Þ °â invited to interpret “repair” for themselves and apply it through repairing the object. When one goes beyond mere restoration, it is often inevitable to invoke the values and meaning of é Ð ¼ éâʨ , ÐÛ é é é°â exchange between Singapore and the UK will spark a creative and cultural exchange of ideas through design.

IS REPAIRING A SUSTAINABLE FORM OF CREATING ANEW?

Certainly so, if one considers repair as a creative intervention. ,é Þ é â âÐÈ é°É§ É úʣ ÉÐé from scratch or raw materials, but from the creative reuse of ÿ°âé°É§ é°É§âʨ , Â° ù é°â is the way forward for repair. Restoration-based repair is important. For example, if your mobile phone broke down, a good business system would enable you to have it repaired easily. On the other hand, for repair to go to the next level, it must add value. A good example would be kintsugi, the Asian technique of repairing broken ceramic wares with gold lacquer – the repaired outcome is more beautiful and valuable than its original state before it was broken.

behavioural, and it begins with a shift in the way one perceives. , §î ââ ÂÐé Ð¦ ú é , Ð ÐîÂ be considered “repairs” to some extent, and it certainly °ÉĞî É Ðú , â°§É é brief for this project. Being a designer-maker in Singapore, where natural resources are scarce and craft fabrications and practices hard to come by, the use of waste and found objects has been a common thread in my own works. HOW ARE THE SUBMISSIONS THIS YEAR?

WHAT HAS ORGANISING R FOR REPAIR THESE TWO YEARS TAUGHT YOU ABOUT OUR CULTURE AND HABITS?

,é â Þ ù Â é â°§É°ĝ É of creativity and design in bringing about change. And the starting point of change is not

We have received many quality submissions, more so than Â âé Ā Þʨ , éÐ ÐÂ ¿ é Þâ ú É , Þ ÐÉ Ð¦ é submissions this year. This being the second run of the ÛÞÐ¼ éʣ , §î ââ Û ÐÛÂ ú Þ motivated to respond with

either an interesting object or something that has a really meaningful backstory.

1. The ﬁrst edition of R for Repair was held in January 2021. at the NDC.

HOW CAN WE CONTRIBUTE

2. A broken Singer sewing machine, repaired by Studio Juju, who replaced the faulty parts and swapped the wood veneer with laminates.

TO A MORE SUSTAINABLE REPAIR CULTURE IN OUR EVERYDAY LIVES?

Repair is a risk worth taking. When repairing É Ð ¼ éʣ ÐÉʙé âÛ°Þ éÐ restore it. Think about what else you can do with it. Could it do something else? Become more meaningful, îé°¦îÂ É ° Éé°ĝ Â ʪ You establish an emotional connection as you put the đÐÞé °ÉéÐ é Þ Û °Þʨ a é °â more valuable than that which can be bought.

3. A toy bus with shattered windows and missing tyres reimagined into a visual journal that brings back its owner’s fond memories.

Visit www.designsingapore. org and www.hanstan.net for more information.

text ASIH JENIE photography HANS TAN STUDIO

PEOPLE

T REIMAGINING RETAIL This new virtual reality platform takes shopping in the metaverse to another level.

Û É È° â éÞ Éâ¦ÐÞÈ é ú Ā ú buy things, accelerating é °§°é Â âÐÛÛ°É§ ÿÛ Þ° É °É ÿ °é°É§ É ú ú Āâ é é úÐîÂ have otherwise taken years to ù ÂÐÛʨ HÉ Ð¦ é â °â é explosion of virtual reality ʂqVʃ ÛÂ é¦ÐÞÈâʣ ú° Â é îâ ÿÛ Þ° É é ÛĀâ° Â úÐÞÂ by interacting with it on our screens. One person who saw é ÛÐé Éé° Â Ð¦ qV °É é home shopping experience °â r SÐʣ é ¦ÐîÉ Þ Ð¦ the BuiltShops platform. A virtual shopping mall of sorts,

BuiltShops transports shoppers into any showrooms on its map, where they can browse their Ðđ Þ°É§âʨ r°é é°âʣ ĀÐî É visit several showrooms in one afternoon without even leaving your sofa. r â Þ â é é ¦ plenty of resistance from âéÐÞ ÐúÉ Þâ ú É ĝÞâé ÛÛÞÐ é Èʨ ʖaÐ Ûîé î°ÂéZÐÛâ éÐ§ é Þʣ ú É store owners to give permission for us to perform a 3D scan of their retail spaces. [Even] when ú ÿÛÂ °É é é °é °â ¦Þ â Þù° ʣ ú âé°ÂÂ É ÐîÉé Þ some resistance… It is a timeconsuming process,” he says. However, the platform has Ðù Þ ÐÈ é °É°é° Â îÞ Â âʨ ,é ÉÐú Ð âéâ ÞÐîÉ Ⱦȼȼ âéÐÞ â ÐÉ °éâ ÛÂ é¦ÐÞÈʣ °É Âî °É§ Þé galleries, smart home solution ÛÞÐù° Þâʣ É ú ÂÂʌ¿ÉÐúÉ É È â Â°¿ âéÂ ÞĀ É #Þ Ā ˸ Z É Þâʨ r âÛ ¿ éÐ r to learn more about his journey É ú é é°É¿â Ð¦ qV shopping. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START BUILTSHOPS?

, ú â Þ°ù É éÐ âÐÂù é Û °É ÛÐ°Ééâ , Ð â Þù ÐÈ ÐúÉ Þâ go through when renovating their homes in my 15 years °É é ÐÉâéÞî é°ÐÉ °É îâéÞĀʨ There are many furniture shops °É Z°É§ ÛÐÞ ʣ É â °éâ ÐúÉ ú° Þ É§ Ð¦ ¦îÞÉ°éîÞ ʨ On top of that, there are shops like utility shops, plumbing â Þù° â É ÈÐÞ é é Û ÐÛÂ may not be familiar with. It can be overwhelming for the average homeowner to go through this ¦ÐÞ é ĝÞâé é°È ʨ I saw this as a problem

É úÐÞ¿ éÐú Þ ĝ É °É§ solution for them, streamlining the entire shopping experience. That’s when we came up with BuiltShops – we present a map, É ÂÈÐâé °Éâé Éé É ÐîâÂĀʣ homeowners can access the retail spaces virtually, from the comfort of their home. WHAT ARE SOME RENOVATION PROBLEMS THAT BUILTSHOPS CAN SOLVE?

V ÉéÂĀʣ âÐÈ Û ÐÛÂ ù been sharing renovation scam experiences. Some Ð¦ é â °É ° Ééâ °ÉùÐÂù ĝ Þâéʌé°È ÐÈ ÐúÉ Þâ renovating their homes who Â ¿ é ¿ÉÐúÂ § É experience navigating the market. BuiltShops solves this Ā îÞ é°É§ Þ Ûîé Â É trustworthy businesses on our platform. r ÂâÐ Þ ââ é Ðé Þ problem of bringing smaller îé°Â°éĀ âÐÛâ É Ðé Þ Â ââʌ known renovation services É Ââ °ÉéÐ é âÛÐéÂ°§éʣ connecting them with homeowners. CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR COLLABORATION WITH SINGAPORE FURNITURE INDUSTRIES COUNCIL? ANY

°ÉéÞÐ î °É§ ÐîÞ â Þù° â °É é S°Â°ÛÛ°É âʨ

DO YOU PLAN TO ADD ANY OTHER FUNCTIONS IN THE FUTURE FOR THE BUILTSHOPS

WHAT ROLE DO YOU THINK VR

PLATFORM?

WILL PLAY IN FUTURE BIG-

x âʣ ú ÛÂ É éÐ ÈÐÞ ¦îÉ é°ÐÉâ éÐ ÂÂÐú É ʌîâ Þâ éÐ ĝ Âé Þ É É ÞÞÐú ÐúÉ é °Þ options even further, making the shopping experience even more convenient.

TICKET HOME PURCHASES?

qVʙâ ÞÐÂ °É °§ʌé° ¿ é ÐÈ purchases is to streamline processes for customers. It saves éÞ ù Â é°È É É â°ÂĀ °É ÐÞÛÐÞ é °ÉéÐ ÐîÞ âÐÛÛ°É§ ÿÛ Þ° É ʣ âÛ ° ÂÂĀ °É éÐ Āʙâ °§°é Âʌĝ Þâé úÐÞÂ ʨ

For more information, please visit www.builtshops.com.

“VR’S ROLE IN BIG-TICKET HOME PURCHASES IS TO STREAMLINE PROCESSES FOR CUSTOMERS. IT SAVES TRAVEL TIME.”

EXCITING NEW PLANS THAT YOU CAN SHARE?

r Þ úÐÞ¿°É§ ú°é Z", éÐ Û ÞéÉ Þ ú°é ÈÐÞ ù É ÐÞâ úÐ é É ÐÈ ÐÉ Ð Þ é platform. BuiltShops plans éÐ ÿÛ É É Þ §°ÐÉ Â°â °éâ â Þù° â ĀÐÉ Z°É§ ÛÐÞ éÐ È Ā 9î Â ;îÈÛîÞ É ,É ° ʣ ú Þ ÈÐÞ ,aʌâ ùùĀ î ° É is present. On our website, ĀÐîʙÂÂ ÂâÐ â é é ú ʙù âé Þé

text MELODY BAY photos BUILTSHOPS

VO I C E S

M 1

PERPETUAL EXPLORATION London-based celebrated designer Bethan Gray talks about her upcoming collection for Milan Design Week, her inspirations, and what she looks for in collaborators.

y lifelong passion for travel has fuelled my deep fascination with §ÂÐ Â Þé É îÂéîÞ ʨ , ĝÉ exploring places and artistic éÞ °é°ÐÉâ ĝÞ â ÈĀ Þ é°ù°éĀʣ and that I often gain inspiration for my collections while travelling. Through my collaborations and my own rich cultural Þ°é § ʣ , ù Âú Āâ blended modern creativity with traditional craftsmanship. I come from an ancient Rajasthani clan that migrated across Arabia and Persia ÉéîÞ° â §Ðʨ r°é ÈĀ â°§Éâʣ I strive to bring together é éÞ â Ð¦ é úÐÞÂ ʣ craftspeople and my heritage. While I strive to push ÐîÉ Þ° âʣ , Âú Āâ ¦ÐÂÂÐú my ethos of using highquality materials and expert Þ ¦éâÈ Éâ°Û éÐ Þ é Â § Ééʣ É îÞ°É§ʣ É ¦îÉ é°ÐÉ Â designs. Design has allowed me to meet people from all over the úÐÞÂ ʣ É °é °â é°â ¿°Éâ°Û É Þ âÛ é ¦ÐÞ °đ Þ Éé îÂéîÞ â and crafts that drive and inspire me the most. îÞ°É§ A°Â É â°§É r ¿ é°â 7îÉ ʣ , ú°ÂÂ âÐú â°É§ ÈĀ É ú ÐÂÂ é°ÐÉʣ ,É¿Ā Ðúʣ at Rosanna Orlandi’s Gallery. It ú°ÂÂ ÐÉâ°âé Ð¦ ¦îÞÉ°éîÞ ʣ é ÿé°Â âʣ Þî§âʣ É ʌ ÂÐúÉ §Â ââ É ceramics; statement pieces created through collaborations ú°é Â°¿ ʌÈ°É Þ ¦éâÛ ÐÛÂ and creatives from across the world. The designs are an evolution of my Dhow pattern é é , ĝÞâé Þ ú °ÉâÛ°Þ é°ÐÉ ¦ÞÐÈ six years ago during my trip to Oman. I was mesmerised by the movement of the billowing sails

of the dhowsʣ é éÞ °é°ÐÉ Â HÈ É° â °Â°É§ â°Ûâʣ É é ú Ā é âîÉÂ°§é Þ é îé°¦îÂʣ dappled patterns when the sails rippled in the breeze. AÐ È V ą Z Èâ° Éʣ °§ÂĀ Þ § Þ ,Þ É° É Þé°âéʣ contacted me on this trip after â °É§ ÈĀ úÐÞ¿ É Þ Ð§É°â°É§ my empathy and appreciation for Middle Eastern techniques and designs. I collaborated with him and his team of 70 °§ÂĀʌâ¿°ÂÂ Þ ¦éâÈ É â °É Aîâ éʣ úÐ éÞ ÉâÂ é ÈĀ original dhow drawing into an intricate marquetry pattern for ÈĀ °É éâʣ ÐÈ °É°É§ Ƚɂéʌ century marquetry techniques with cutting-edge technology. , ÐÛ éÐ éÞ ù Â ¿ éÐ HÈ É to continue our collaboration by translating his signature marquetry technique into a new dining collection. Design can have an impact that goes beyond words. Choosing a pattern and the ÐÂÐîÞ É đ é é éÐÉ É Þ é°ÐÉ Û° ùÐ¿ âʨ Variations and experimentation can either create balance and harmony or contrast and °Éé Þ âéʣ Ðé Ð¦ ú° Þ captivating and unique. After projecting my Dhow pattern across a stairwell for Christie’s in London and seeing the ÛÐé Éé° Â Ð¦ °éâ â Â ʣ , ú Éé éÐ ¦îÞé Þ ÿÛÂÐÞ °éʨ a ÂÐ ¿ ÐúÉ gave me time to experiment ú°é ÂÂ°§Þ ÛĀ Þîâ âʣ Û Éâʣ Û É °Ââʣ É Ð Âéʌî °É¿ that led to the conception of ,É¿Ā Ðúʨ London-based leather expert °ÂÂ È Þ§ ú â ÂÐÐ¿°É§ éÐ úÐÞ¿ with creatives he admired to create his third collection of

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digitally printed leather hides when he saw the potential in ÈĀ Ðú Û éé ÞÉʣ É Þ out to me to collaborate on it. I felt very honoured. He °â ÂâÐ ÐÈÈ°éé éÐ Ýî Â°éĀʣ craftsmanship and creating products that last. The chance to experiment on new material drew me to this collaboration. By recreating ÈĀ ȿ Û °Éé°É§â é ȽʢȽ â Â ʣ I was able to photograph and â É ÈĀ ÐÞ°§°É Â ÞéúÐÞ¿ ¦ÐÞ high resolution print that could be applied to upholstery and °Éé Þ°ÐÞʨ ¦é Þ é °É¿ âÐ ¿ °ÉéÐ é Â é Þʣ °é É§ ÐÂÐîÞʣ Þ âîÂé°É§ °É é é°Â É ĀÉ È° ĝÉ°â é é Â Þ é â the natural characteristics of this beautiful material. AĀ Ðú ÞéúÐÞ¿ î§é é éé Éé°ÐÉ Ð¦ È°ÂĀ 7ÐÉâÐÉʣ ¦ÐîÉ Þ Ð¦ ZéÐ¿ ʌÐÉʌaÞ Éé Þ È° â Þ É ȽɄɄȾ ;é ʨ Z invited me to reproduce the pattern onto hand-thrown earthenware vases for Selfridge’s Planet Earth shopping initiative. Combined with our shared values of nurturing industrial Þ ¦é É úÐÞ¿°É§ ÂÐâ ÂĀ ú°é Þé°â Éâʣ é°â Þ âîÂé °É ÐîÞ ÐÂÂ é°ÐÉʣ Z ù É Z°âé Þâʣ ú° I hand-painted using a bright blue cobalt glaze to accentuate the natural imperfections of é ,É¿Ā Ðú Û éé ÞÉʣ Þ é°É§ âÛÐ¿ ʣ îé°¦îÂ ù â âʨ

The Dhow pattern’s ability éÐ éÞ ÉâÂ é ÞÐââ °đ Þ Éé È é Þ° Ââ É Ð ¼ éâʣ ú°é °éâ É éîÞ Â É °ÞÞ §îÂ Þ Â°É âʣ also made it an ideal for a rug. This led to my collaboration ú°é ʌé Û°âʣ é A°Â É â contemporary handmade rug ÐÈÛ ÉĀʣ éÐ Þ é É ʌ ¿ÉÐéé Þî§ Ā a° é É Þé°â Éâʨ 9ÉÐé Ā ¿ÉÐéʣ é Ā éÞ ÉâÂ é my delicate and organic ÞîââéÞÐ¿ â °ÉéÐ )°È Â Ā É úÐÐÂ É ÛîÞ â°Â¿ʨ , ÛÂĀ Þ âÛ é é°â É ° Éé Þ ¦éʣ ú° °â ĝÉ É ÐÈÛÂ ÿ ÛÞÐ î é°ÐÉ technique; my rugs can have up éÐ ȽȾɁʣȼȼȼ °É °ù° î Â ¿ÉÐéâ Û Þ square metre. The experimental â°§Éʣ ÐÂÂ ÐÞ é°ÐÉ ú°é âî global artisans and the ecofriendly manufacturing of ccé Û°â ÂâÐ Þ Ğ éâ ÈĀ éÐâ É approach to design.

The collection retails from £231 (for a vessel) to, £16,200 (3 Door Cabinet).

1. Designer Bethan Gray with the Inky Dhow collection. 2 . Inky Dhow Ripple Armchair.

,É¿Ā Ðú °â É ÿ ÈÛÂ of why I love and prioritise collaborations. Sharing ideas and mindsets can lead to new Û ÞâÛ é°ù âʣ Þ âîÂé°É§ °É unique designs. The pieces °É ÈĀ ,É¿Ā Ðú ÐÂÂ é°ÐÉ úÐÞ¿ °É Û É ÉéÂĀ â ú ÂÂ â éÐ§ é Þʣ Â Þ é°É§ °ÉéÞ° é ʣ é°È ʌÐÉ é É°Ýî â °ÉĞî É Ā contemporary design. My curiosity in stimulating é đ é Ð¦ é Ðú Û éé ÞÉ ÞÐââ é é âé °Þ â ʣ â Â me to produce a diverse range Ð¦ úÐÞ¿ʨ , ÂÐÐ¿ ¦ÐÞú Þ éÐ continuing my design evolution and storytelling.

3. The Seven Sisters collection, a collaboration with 1882 Ltd. 4. Close-up detail of the Inky Dhow 3 Door Cabinet.

London-based Bethan Gray founded her eponymous studio in 2008. Visit www. bethangray. com for more information.

photos JULIAN ABRAMS

The art-ﬁlled view of the corridor. Each artwork has a story precious to the family. OPPOSITE, TOP

The living room features a variety of lounge chairs and deliberately hides the electronic entertainment behind the feature wall so conversations can happen without distractions. OPPOSITE, BOT TOM

Juthika (left), Kirti and the youngest member of the family, the fouryear old dog Max.

UNDERSTATED LUXURY This East Coast condominium apartment balances the clean-lined luxury hotel elegance with its owners’ artwork and heirloom furniture collection into a stately yet intimate home. ASIH JENIE takes a tour.

usband and wife Kirti Hariharan and Juthika Choksi Hariharan moved to Singapore from Hong Kong with their son, daughter and a helper in 2011. The family had been living in a rented condominium apartment in the East Coast area for nine years when a unit in the same building, which is owned by the OCBC Bank, was put up for sale in 2020. They immediately made É Ðđ Þʨ “We always knew we wanted a four-bedroom unit because our kids are growing up, and we have our relatives visiting all the time,” shares Juthika. “Plus, each bedroom has its own bathroom,” adds Kirti.

a îÉ°é ú â ÐĔ ° ÂÂĀ é °Þâ °É November 2020, and they moved into the new home in April 2021 after a $195,000 renovation held through the height of the pandemic. “It was a pretty Ĕ ° Éé ÛÞÐ ââʣ ÐÉâ° Þ°É§ all the restrictions and delays,” says Kirti. The couple attributed this to the enjoyable and collaborative working relationship with interior design ĝÞÈ S Þ Éé â°â Zéî °Ðʣ ú° they found by shortlisting a ¦ ú ĝÞÈâ Ûî Â°â °É Home & Decor’s Top of the Class issue. ¦ ú âÛ °ĝ â ÐÉ é design brief include a place for an altar and a place for Kirti’s wine collection. There were also existing artworks and

WHO LIVES HERE

A couple in their 40s, two children, a helper and their dog H OME A four-bedroom condominium apartment in East Coast S IZE 2,412 sq ft

furniture to consider. Both lawyers by training, Kirti and 7îé°¿ Þ Þé ĝ °ÐÉ Ðâʨ “It’s collected, not curated. “It’s purely for personal pleasure, not for investments,” says Kirti of their art collection. That said, each item in the house has a story and is thus precious to the family. Other than these, the couple gave the Parenthesis team, comprising design principal Sujono Lim and designer Xinfang Koh, a free creative reign. Stepping inside the home feels like entering a luxurious hotel suite – there is an artĝÂÂ ¦ÐĀ Þʣ ú° ÐÞÞ° ÐÞʣ liberal use of marble surfaces, and everything is so neat and clean-lined. These are also part of the brief, which requested an understated luxury and light-coloured material palette. “People have come to associate luxury with dark materials, but we wanted light colours and plenty of light,” says Kirti. Sujono made a major architectural alteration to the 80

ABOVE

A short-throw projector was chosen instead of a TV set. It can project up to a 100-inch screen. This was was formerly the entrance to the son’s room. OPPOSITE

The feature wall comprises two sliding panels ﬁnished with large format, marble-look tiles from Florim ﬂanked by display shelves for various items and souvenirs from their travels. The colours of the furniture were not matched but kept to the warm-toned neutrals.

ÐÞÞ° ÐÞʣ é ¿°É§ ȿȼ È Ðđ Ð¦ °é ¦ÐÞ âéÐÞ § ú ÂÂ é é É ĝé é family’s sports equipment. The storage and the respective doors to the bathroom and the son’s bedroom along this corridor are È Ğîâ éÐ Þ é â ÈÂ ââ look. The son’s bedroom door originally opened to the living room; its shift to the corridor R IG HT

The captivating blue diptych painting opens up to reveal a bar. The warrior statue was from a trip to Xi’an. OPPOSITE, TOP

The family didn’t intentionally match the furniture to the artworks but pops of terracotta emerge here and tie the rooms nicely. OPPOSITE, B OTTOM L E F T

The window ledge can be propped up to create a bar counter with a spectacular view, or shelves for Juthika’s edible plants, depending on time of the day. OPPOSITE B OTTOM R IGH T

The storage at the foyer features a handsome display. The tanjore painting was a gift from Kirti’s parents.

created a space for a feature wall that opens up to reveal a blank wall reserved for the shortthrow projector that the family has instead of a TV set. Sujono was strategic with the material allocations. The original ĞÐÐÞ°É§â ú Þ Þ é °É éÐ ¿ Û the budget healthy, and surfaces with high-impact visuals were

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The son’s bathroom has two entrances, from his room and from the corridor. B OTTOM

The guest bedroom has an antique desk from Hong Kong that serves as Kirti’s work desk at home. OPPOSITE

The dining room has low-back chairs to open up the view. The rose gold glass door slides open to reveal Kirti’s wine fridge, which ﬁts 150 bottles, a fraction of his extensive collection housed elsewhere.

paired with plain ones to make them pop. Each bathroom features the same white tiles but ú°é °đ Þ Éé âéÐÉ Ééʨ Hđ îéâ ¦ÞÐÈ é Â Þ§ ʌ¦ÐÞÈ é marble-look Florim tiles for the sliding feature wall were used for the interior of the bar concealed behind a double door embedded with a striking diptych artwork Kirti won at an auction in Mumbai. The couple engaged a vastu (traditional Indian architectural practice) consultant to determine the location of the altar and the stove in the kitchen. The altar now occupies former storage near the bedroom, with the home’s IT hub occupying its lower shelves. The furniture collection is a mix of old and new. The dining chairs are custom-made by a

local designer in Bedok; the lowback design makes the room feel airier. The 90s high-back woven antique chairs in the living room are reserved for elderly Ðîâ §î âéâ úÐ È°§é ĝÉ °é challenging to get up from the low-slung plush sofas preferred by the younger generation. Each bedroom has a corner workspace, with Juthika occupying the master and Kirti taking the guest bedroom. Everyone has a space to retreat and a space to come together as a family. And what’s more, the design of the home also cleverly hides all clutters. “The house needs to look clean and presentable as if guests would come in any time,” says Kirti. “Because wouldn’t you want to come home to a neat and tidy home, too?”

“PEOPLE HAVE COME TO ASSOCIATE LUXURY WITH DARK MATERIALS, BUT WE WANTED LIGHT COLOURS AND PLENTY OF LIGHT.” - KIRTI HARIHARAN, HOMEOWNER

The artwork above the bed was salvaged from the daughter’s classroom when she was in kindergarten. It was made by her and her 19 classmates. OPPOSITE, TOP

Juthika’s workstation occupies a corner of the master bedroom. The antique rocking chair belonged to her great grandmother. OPPOSITE, B OTTOM L E F T

The spacious master bathroom features white tiles with brown marble accent. OPPOSITE, B OTTOM R IGH T

The kitchen was rearranged to accommodate the shifted gas stove, a new electric stove and a new bar counter. The yard area has a larger sink to wash up the tableware and utensils.

photography VERONICA TAY & LAWRENCE TEO art direction NONIE CHEN

Spaciousness is preserved by not overcrowding the interior with large furniture and a good balance in terms of solid and lightness, as demonstrated by the open-back dining chairs and simple sofa. OPPOSITE

Timber portals around the home frame the green surroundings.

A LIGHT TOUCH Rather than a tabula rasa approach, this apartment’s sensitive, subtle design focusses on its beautiful, natural surroundings. LYNN TAN catches the spirit of the place.

T WHO LIVES HERE

A couple, their two children and two dogs H OME A three-bedroom condominium apartment at Arcadia Road SI ZE 3,735 sq ft

°â §ÞÐîÉ ĞÐÐÞ Û ÞéÈ Éé unit is tucked away in a very private corner of the development, surrounded by lush greenery. Despite being almost 40 years old and in its original state, the discerning owners recognised that it has “really good bones” and knew they could not do too much to it for the sake of having something new. The expat couple in their 50s, úÐ úÐÞ¿ °É ĝÉ É É technology, decided to engage an architect for their renovation project instead of an interior designer on the advice of a friend. They ultimately decided on L Architects, who designed é °Þ ÐÂÂ §î ʙâ §ÞÐîÉ ʌĞÐÐÞ apartment at River Valley, which Home & Decor featured in the January 2022 issue. The team at L Architects, comprising registered architect Lim Shing Hui and architectural

assistant Tse Lee Shing, were on the same page as the homeowners when it came to not obsessing over what walls éÐ ¿ʣ ĝÉ°â â éÐ Þ ÛÂ É ¦îÞÉ°éîÞ éÐ ĝé °Éʨ ʖr È ÐÉâ °Ðîâ đÐÞé éÐ â°§É é°â home with the spirit of the place in mind. I’m not just referring to the interior of the house and its immediate surroundings, but also to the picturesque, tree-lined street that leads to the condominium,” says Shing Hui. Integrated seamlessly into its surroundings, the interior must look natural within the site. “It is more about the beautiful surroundings than the interior itself,” she emphasises. a ¦ È°ÂĀ ¦ÐîÉ °é °Ĕ îÂé éÐ bond in its previous residence, a landed home, because it was split Ðù Þ éÞ ĞÐÐÞâʨ a°â Û ÞéÈ Éé °â Û Þ¦ éʣ ú°é âÛ °Ðîâ ĞÐÐÞ area that feels like a landed home,

L EF T

The moveable full-height glass sliding doors park nicely behind walls when opened to keep the space airy. OPPOSITE

A restrained material palette is applied consistently throughout the home, including the kitchen, which takes its cue from the materials in the living and family rooms.

“I WITNESSED THEIR LIVES UNFOLDING WITHIN THE HOME I ENVISIONED FOR THEM, AND IT FELT LIKE AN INTIMATE EXCHANGE BETWEEN ARCHITECT AND CLIENT.” – LIM SHING HUI, L ARCHITECTS

The master bedroom is an oasis of calm and serenity. A white-on-white timber lattice panel behind the headboard creates a striking, yet subtle texture.

but with everything on one level. Since the layout works for the family of four, they made only minimal changes. The dining area was merged with the living area to create a family room. To match the size of the master bedroom, the master bathroom was enlarged. The ageing piping, electrical wiring, air-conditioning and ĝéé°É§â ú Þ ÂÂ Þ ÛÂ ʣ îé the duo chose to maintain many of the existing materials, such as the travertine and dark grey âÂ é ĞÐÐÞâ é é ú Þ îé°¦îÂ and which they recommended the clients keep. The original travertine âéÐÉ ĞÐÐÞ°É§ °É é Â°ù°É§ Þ complements the apartment’s natural surroundings with its weathered, rustic look. This living area is spacious, bright, and airy thanks to a light colour palette. ù É é Ðđʌú°é Â°É É curtains were not an accident. ʖr Ðâ Â°É É îâ ú wanted to use as many natural materials as possible,” Shing Hui explains. “The draperies, unlike blinds, sway with the light breezes sweeping through the apartment. It is soothing to see these movements, especially compared to all the other static elements in the home. The rustling sounds of leaves and movement of foliage are like manifestations of nature.” The homeowners have been cooking more since the circuit breaker, so functionality has been a top priority in the kitchen. Because the existing kitchen was dark and enclosed by structural walls, they could not open it up to allow more natural light in. To get around this, Shing Hui incorporated downlights, cove lights, and lights in the backsplash that

allow the homeowners to modify the lighting according to their needs. A timber frame around the solitary window in the master bedroom draws the eye out to the communal garden beyond, heightening the connection between the room and the outdoors. As the original Û ÞÝî é ĞÐÐÞ°É§ É ÐÞ É§ undertone, it had a busy look, so it was stained a darker brown to convey a quiet feeling. The master bathroom possesses a restful and uplifting

TOP

The vanity area’s dark green tiles have slight colour and texture variations that evoke a handmade quality. AB OV E

Large format grey engineered stone tiles are an interesting contrast to the vanity’s green tiles.

photography FINBARR FALLON

quality that transforms a daily routine into a rejuvenating ritual. By replacing the original pedestal water closet with a wall-hung one and installing new cabinets raised Ðđ é ĞÐÐÞʣ é âÛ â Þé °É lightness and is easy to clean. Cool grey large-format tiles complete the look. At the end of 2020, the family moved into their new home after éÞ ʌÈÐÉé Þ ÉÐù é°ÐÉʨ r é Shing Hui appreciates the most are the dialogues between her and the clients. “Months after the completion, they sent me a photograph taken from their balcony to show how beautiful the interior spaces looked against the setting sun. “I witnessed their lives unfolding within the home I envisioned for them, and it felt like an intimate exchange between architect and client,” she says. By adopting a light touch, L Architects preserved the genius loci. Utilising the unique qualities of the surrounding context and the apartment itself, it helped them live harmoniously in their new home and recognise their connection to the place. 93

The caravan kitchen opens up to the living room as a breakfast counter that seats two.

CARAVAN LIFE a°â ĝù ʌÞÐÐÈ Þ â Â Ğ é °É î¿°é A Þ °â ÛÂ Ā¦îÂ Ā é ¦îÉ é°ÐÉ Â ÐÈ § éÐ é úÐÞÂ Ð¦ ù°Éé § °É È É Þ ù É Â°ù°É§ʨ ASIH JENIE é ¿ â éÐîÞʨ

ÐÞ é É §Ðʣ îâ É É ú°¦ rÐÉ§ "ÐÐÉ§ )ú É ZÐ 9Ð¿ ; ÐÉ§ °Þ °Éé Þ°ÐÞ â°§É Þ 9 Âù°É a Ðʣ ¦ÐîÉ Þ Ð¦ ZÛ Z Éâ Zéî °Ðʣ éÐ â°§É é °Þ ) È °âÐÉ éé ʨ rÐÞ¿°É§ °É é Þ é°ù °É îâéÞĀ â °Þ éÐÞ É È Þ È Éʣ Þ âÛ é°ù ÂĀʣ "ÐÐÉ§ )ú É 9Ð¿ ; ÐÉ§ ú Éé é °Þ ÐÈ éÐ ÐÂ É îÉ°Ýî ʨ a °Þ ÐÂÂ ÐÞ é°ÐÉ ú°é 9 Âù°É ú â Þ é°ù éÞ°îÈÛʨ ,ÉâÛ°Þ Ā ÐÞ°§ È°ʣ é °Þ ÐÈ Â É é Ðù Þ âéÐÞĀ Ð¦ Home & Decor °É A Ā ȾȼȽȽʣ ¦°ÂÂ°É§ Û § â ¦é Þ Û § â ú°é ÿ °é°É§ °Éé Þ°ÐÞ âÐéâ Ð¦ â°§É ¦ éîÞ â Â°¿ â îÂÛéîÞ Â âé °Þ â ʣ Â Þ é é â Þù â â É Þé °Éâé ÂÂ é°ÐÉ É Â §Ð ÐÐ¿ â ʨ ,é â Āâ âÐÈ é°É§ Ðîé ĀÐîÞ â°§É ÛÞ é° ú É ĀÐîÞ Â° Ééâ Þ éîÞÉ éÐ ĀÐî éÐ â°§É é °Þ É ÿé ÐÈ ʨ ,É ÛÞ°Â Â âé Ā Þʣ "ÐÐÉ§ )ú É 9Ð¿ ; ÐÉ§ ÈÐù °ÉéÐ é °Þ É ú ÐÈ ʣ Ƚʣɀȼȼ âÝ ¦é Þ â Â ) ¦Â é °É é î¿°é A Þ Þ ʣ ú° 9 Âù°É â°§É ú°é é â È ÛÂ Ā¦îÂ É Þ§Āʨ ʖ,é §°Éâ ú°é "ÐÐÉ§ )ú ʙâ ÂÐù ¦ÐÞ Þ ù Éʣʗ â Þ â 9 Âù°É Ð¦ é âé Þé°É§ 95

BOTTOM

The entrance foyer is placed at an angle and demarcated by all black ﬁnishes. OPPOSITE

The owners are big on cooking so the dining and kitchen areas become the centrepiece of the house. Concrete look curved ceiling lends a garage feel. The Eames rocking chair was illustrated by a Thai artist and brought over from the previous home.

ÛÐ°Éé Ð¦ é â°§Éʨ ʖa É ú ° éÐ Þ é § Þ § °ÉâÛ°Þ °Éé Þ°ÐÞʨʗ a ¦°É°â ÐÈ ʣ ú° Ðâé ˏȽɁȼʣȼȼȼ éÐ Þ ÉÐù é Â É â é ÐúÉ Þâʙ ÿ°âé°É§ ¦îÞÉ°éîÞ É ââÐÞ° â ÐÂÂ é°ÐÉ ú°é É ú É îâéÐÈ °É îâéÞ° Âʣ ù°Éé § ʣ É îéÐÈÐé°ù ʌ°ÉâÛ°Þ ¦ éîÞ â °ÉéÐ ¦îÉ é°ÐÉ Â Ā é Â°§é¦îÂÂĀ ÐÐÂ ÐÈ ʨ a ÐÈ ʙâ Þ é Þ â°É â éÞÐî§ ¦ÞÐÈ é ÈÐÈ Éé ÐÉ ÞÐââ â é éÞ âÐÂ °Éâ° ʨ a ¦ÞÐÉé ÐÐÞ °â È Ð¦ âé Â É ¦°É°â °É È éé Â ¿ Û °Ééʨ 9 ù°É È Þ é é ¦ÐĀ Þ É Â°ù°É§ âÛ îâ°É§ ÐÂÐîÞâʨ a ¦ÐĀ Þ Þ ¦ éîÞ â é â È â Ð¦ Û Â ¿ʣ ¦ éîÞ°É§ Þ¿ é°È ÞʌÂÐÐ¿ é°Â âʣ Â ¿ °Â°É§ É Â ¿ ú ÂÂâʨ Â ¿ âéÐÞ § É ÿé éÐ é ÐÐÞ Þ é â É É§Â ú°Â ú°é ʌÛ °Éé âÐ Þ ¿ âé É â Ðîé ÐÉ é Ðé Þ â° ʨ a ¼Ð°É°É§ Â°ù°É§ ÞÐÐÈ °â âÛ °Ðîâʮ °éâ âîÞ¦ â Þ ÛÞ ÐÈ°É ÉéÂĀ ¦°É°â °É §Þ Āʨ

WHO LIVES HERE

HOM E

A couple in their 50s A ﬁve-room resale HDB ﬂat in Bukit Merah SIZ E 1,400 sq ft

The retroinspired orange stove adds a pop of colour in the kitchen. OPPOSITE, TO P

Functional designer chairs in diverse silhouette exist harmoniously with purely decorative items like the salon ﬂoor hair bonet and retro TV. OPPOSITE, BOT TOM

Contrasting surface treatments serve as room partition.

9 Âù°É ° ÉÐé ¿ é ÐÞ°§°É Â ¦ÂÐÐÞ°É§ʣ ÐÛé°É§ ¦ÐÞ Â ââ °âÞîÛé°ù È éÐ Ð¦ Þ ¦Þ â°É§ é ¦ÂÐÐÞ°É§ Ā Â Ā Þ°É§ °é ú°é ÐÉ Þ é ʌÂÐÐ¿ ù°ÉĀÂʨ ) Þ î é ÉîÈ Þ Ð¦ ÞÐÐÈâ éÐ ¼îâé éúÐʨ HÉ ¦ÐÞÈ Þ ÞÐÐÈ ú â ¿ éÐ Þ é ÞĀ ¿°é É É °É°É§ Þ é é ¦ÂÐúâ â ÈÂ ââÂĀ °ÉéÐ é Â°ù°É§ ÞÐÐÈʨ a ÐúÉ Þâ Þ °§ ÐÉ ÐÐ¿°É§ʮ É é ú é ¿°é É È È ¼ÐÞ ¦Ð Â ÛÐ°Éé °É é â°§Éʨ ,é °â ÐÉé °É °Éâ° Þ ù É ¦ÐÐ éÞî ¿ ʖÛ Þ¿ ʗ É ÿé éÐ é °É°É§ Þ ʣ §°ù°É§ é °ÈÛÞ ââ°ÐÉ é é é úÐÂ âÛ °â ÐÐÂ § Þ § ú Þ Ýî ÂÂĀ ÐÐÂ Û ÐÛÂ É§ Ðîéʨ Â °É ÂîÈ°É°îÈ Û É Ââ ú°é Þ°ù éâ ÛÂ ÂÐÉ§ Û É Âʙâ â Èâʣ é Þ ù É ú â È Éé éÐ é ÉéÞ Û° Ð¦ é ÞÐÐÈʨ ʖa °È Éâ°ÐÉâ ú Þ ÛÞÐÛ ÞÂĀ Â îÂ é éÐ È ¿ âîÞ °é ¦°éâ °ÉéÐ é Ðîâ ʣʗ â Āâ 9 Âù°Éʣ â Þ°É§ é é "ÐÐÉ§ )ú ù É ú Éé éÐ îĀ É éî Â Þ ú Â éÐ È ¿ °é ÂÐÐ¿ ÈÐÞ Þ Â°âé° ʨ a Þ ù É ÐÛ Éâ îÛ éÐ ¦ÐÞÈ Þ ¿¦ âé ÐîÉé Þ é é â Þù â éúÐʨ ,Éâ° ʣ é ú é ¿°é É âÛÐÞéâ ú°é °É éÞĀ É ú ÂÂ é°Â âʨ

R IG HT

Orange is the official accent colour of the home that injects freshness in the otherwise monochromatic colour palette.

a ÞĀ ¿°é É ÂâÐ âÛÐÞéâ é â È ú°é °É éâʨ âÝî Þ °âÂ É ú°é ÐÉ Þ é ʌ ÂÐÐ¿ ÐîÉé ÞéÐÛ È ° é â é ÞĀ ¿°é É É °É°É§ Þ ʨ ,é ¦ éîÞ â Þ ú Þâ É âéÐÞ § é °éâ â ʨ a °É°É§ é Â ʙâ éÐÛ È é â é °âÂ É ʣ ú°Â é °É°É§ °Þâ Þ Â°§é¦îÂÂĀ È°âÈ é ʨ a â é °É Âî â Þ Ð§É°â Â â°§Éâ Â°¿ È â r°Þ â° °Þâ É Âî Ðé V Â #ÐÐ °Þ °É Û ÐÞ É§ ʣ ú° ú Þ é â È °Þâ é ÐîÛÂ îâ °É é °Þ ÐÂ ʣ ÐÞ°§ È°ʌ°ÉâÛ°Þ ÐÈ ʨ a Â°ù°É§ ÞÐÐÈ ÂâÐ ¦ éîÞ â ÐÂÂ é°ÐÉ Ð¦ È°âÈ é É § Éî°É ÂĀ Þ éÞÐ ¦îÞÉ°éîÞ ʣ °É Âî °É§ é îâéÐÈ Þ úÉ ) ÞÈ É A°ÂÂ Þ È â AÐîÂ Z ÂÂ VÐ ¿°É§ °Þ É 9ÉÐÂÂ Þ ÂÐÉ °Þʨ a § Þ § é È É ÛÛ Þ Þ É ÐÂ ʨ 9 ù°É Â ù ÞÂĀ é ÈÛ Þ é°â ú°é Éé ÐÂÐîÞâ É îÞù âʨ aÞÐî§Ðîé é°â ÈÐÉÐ ÞÐÈ é° ÐÈ ʣ ÛÐÛâ Ð¦ Þ°§é ÐÞ É§ Â É ¦Þ âÉ ââ éÐ é ÐÂÐîÞ Û Â éé ʨ ,é °â "ÐÐÉ§ )ú ʙâ ¦ ùÐîÞ°é ÐÂÐîÞʨ ,É ¦ éʣ é ù°Éé § ʌ°ÉâÛ°Þ ÐÞ É§ âéÐù °É é ¿°é É °â é ¦°Þâé É ú °é È â Ýî°Þ ¦ÐÞ é ÐÈ ʣ ÞÐîÉ ú° é â°§É Ð¦ é ¿°é É ú â ÉéÞ ʨ ,é °ÉâÛ°Þ âÂ ú Ð¦ é °Ââ Â°¿ é Éé ÐÞ É§ âéÞ°Û â Ð¦ é Þ ù Éʣ é âîÉâ éʌ ÐÂÐîÞ ; Þ îâ é ÞÐ ¿ ÞĀʣ

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THE GARAGE THEME CAN APPEAR HARD AND COLD. KEVIN CLEVERLY TEMPERED THIS WITH ACCENT COLOURS AND CURVES. THROUGHOUT THIS MONOCHROMATIC HOME, POPS OF BRIGHT ORANGE LEND FRESHNESS TO THE COLOUR PALETTE.

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Here and there are knick knacks that pay homage to the ﬁlm industry the owners are part of.

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L EFT

Various shades of greys create a rich visual. The 2.6m tall ceiling is kept mostly bare. BOTTOM , LEFT

A wall lamp with adjustable arm installed on the curved wall allows the homewoners to shine a spotlight where needed. BOTTOM

photography TAN WEI TE art direction KRISTY QUAH

Simple white tiles and white painted cabinetry create a subtle graphic that goes well with the pops of orange.

é îâéÐÈ ÐÞ É§ éÞ°È Ð¦ é ÐÐ ʣ É È ÉĀ ÈÐÞ ʨ a ÐÐÞ Ð¦ é È âé Þ ÞÐÐÈ °â îâéÐÈ ÂîÈ°É°îÈ ¦Â°§é ú°É§ ú°é Þ°ù é âéî âʣ ÞÐîÉ ÐÞÉ Þâ É âéÞ°Û â Ð¦ ÐÂÐîÞ é é È°§é ¦ÐÐÂ ÐÉÂÐÐ¿ Þâ °ÉéÐ é°É¿°É§ é é °éʙâ é ¿ É ¦ÞÐÈ Þ Â ÛÂ É ʨ ,Éâ° °â éÞ ÉÝî°Â ù É ¦ÐÞ Þ âéʨ 9 Âù°É ¿ Ûé é ÐÞ°§°É Â ¦Â éʙâ Û ÞÝî é ¦ÂÐÐÞ°É§ É °Éâé ÂÂ îâéÐÈ ú°é îÞù Ð Þ É Éé°Â ù Þ â é é ÂÂÐúâ ÞÐ Ðé ù îîÈ Â É Þ îÉ Þ °éʨ a ÉéÞ Û° Ð¦

103

L EFT

The bedroom features cantilevered bed and nightstands. The centrepiece of the room is the curving acrylic bathroom door. B OTTOM

The "airplane wing" sliding door. OPPOSITE

photography TAN WEI TE art direction KRISTY QUAH

The bathroom was enlarged to accommodate a bathtub.

é ÞÐÐÈ °â é îâéÐÈ îÞù°É§ ÐÐÞ éÐ é éÞÐÐÈʨ 9 Âù°É â Āâ °é °â ÉÐé ¦Þ°éé §Â ââʣ ú° úÐîÂ ù É ùĀ É É ÿé éÐ °ÈÛÐââ° Â éÐ îÞù ʣ îé °é °â É ÞĀÂ° â é Éé éÐ îé°¦îÂ îÞù Ā ÂÐ Â ¦ Þ° éÐÞ °É É§ AÐ 9°Ðʨ S °Þ ú°é îÞù°É§ âé Â ¦Þ È ʣ °é ùÐ¿ â ° Þ éÞÐ

104

ù° ʨ °É °é °â âÛ °Ðîâ éÞÐÐÈʣ ú° â É ÉÂ Þ§ éÐ ÐÈÈÐ é ééî ʨ ;°¿ é ÐúÉ Þâʙ ÛÞ ù°Ðîâ ÐÈ ʣ é°â § Þ § ʌ°ÉâÛ°Þ ÐÈ ÛÞÐù° â îÉ°Ýî ÿÛ Þ° É ¦ÐÞ éÐâ úÐ ù°â°é É Û Þ¦ é ÐÈ ¦ÐÞ éÐâ úÐ Â°ù °É °éʨ

photography SPACE SENSE STUDIO

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THE GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS Designers create interiors that complement and enhance the architecture of a residence such as this one, especially when space is not a constraint. LYNN TAN examines how it was done.

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The focal point in the informal dining room is a customised UFO dining table from Emmemobili with fabric upholstered chairs from Gallotti & Radice. A Carousel XL pendant light from Lee Broom anchors the composition.

107

family of four live in this newly-built good class bungalow (GCB). Unlike small houses where the challenge is to make more space, the challenge, in this case, was to enhance the spatial quality of the interior. The clients engaged Index Design when most of the structural works were near completion on the recommendation of architect Liu & Wo Architects. The home§ÞÐúÉ ĝÞÈ ú â Þ âÛÐÉâ° Â for the interior concept design and development, spatial planning, material selection É é °Â°É§ʣ °Éé Þ°ÐÞ ĝéé°É§â (including furniture selection), ĝÿéîÞ â É Ýî°ÛÈ Ééʣ ÛÞÐ¼ é management, and completion. The family moved in at the end of 2021 after a three-

TOP

A Marygold accent table by Formitalia above a custom Omar Khan rug adds the ﬁnishing touches to the grand entrance foyer. R IGH T

The formal dining room exudes an understated elegance with a warm, natural material palette. OPPOSITE

The solid oak timber ﬂooring and ceiling in the entertainment room is complemented by furniture from Paola Lenti, Poltrona Frau, Minotti and Poliform, along with an Omar Khan rug. 108

year process. In keeping with the home’s modern tropical architectural style, the interior design features travertine walls and expansive full-height fenestrations set amidst a lush landscape. “We adapted the architect’s modern tropical sensibilities with warm, sensual materials. As part of the interior design, we also focussed on getting the right proportions and repeating the architect’s intent,” says the design team. “It is a play on textures, layering warm and neutral palettes with clean lines and curated pieces to create É °Éé Þ°ÐÞ é é Ðđ Þâ comfortable, inviting retreat.” One of the design highlights of the home, which was also part of the owners’ brief, is the walk-in wine cellar that

WHO LIVES HERE

A couple and their two daughters HOME A good class bungalow at Chatsworth Road SIZE 15,699 sq ft

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LEF T

The wine tasting room has a cosy lounge setting, furnished with a sofa, armchairs and coffee table from Minotti, as well as a side table from Poliform. BOTTOM

The wine cellar’s island counter provides additional storage. The clear glass top facilitates wine presentation and tasting. OPPOSITE, TOP

The travertineclad powder room is a play on lines and textures. OPPOSITE, BOTTOM

The scale and ﬁnishes of the master bathroom are ﬁt for royalty.

houses a collection of over 2,000 bottles. Index Design decked it out with oak elements inspired by the wooden wine Þ é âʨ ZÐÂ° Ð ¿ ĞÐÐÞâ É oak veneered ceiling grids in contrasting golden tones create an engaging dialogue. Dark wood shelves with integrated LED lights provide the ideal framework for rows upon rows of wine cases and bottles between these two horizontal planes. a ¼ Éé ú°É ʌé âé°É§ room is an intimate space with a cosy lounge setting conducive éÐ É¼ÐĀ°É§ É ÛÛÞ ° é°É§ wines. The main attraction °â é a°đ ÉĀ Uî Þéą È Þ Â backdrop with its turquoise hue and dramatic veins. The dark ù É Þ ĝÉ°â ÐÉ é î°Âéʌ°É shelves and cabinets is carried over from the wine cellar, reinforcing the connection between the two spaces. An imposing staircase ascending alongside a bookmatched Colorado Gold marble feature wall makes for a grand welcome gesture at the entrance foyer. Mirrored panels add another dimension to the space, while also visually moderating the monolithic design of the staircase. Taking the grandeur to new heights, a bespoke Lee Broom Fulcrum chandelier accentuates the high ceiling. The living room is designed as a retreat, which is demonstrated by its neutral ÐÂÐîÞ Û Â éé ʣ ĝÉ°â â É ÞÛ ÉéÞĀʨ a âÐ¦ ʣ Ðđ tables, side tables and armchairs from Minotti are arranged on an oversized, bespoke rug from Omar Khan that serves like a canvas that ties them together. The two dining rooms are separated by slim-frame

photography AARON POON

Rimadesio sliding doors with bronze mesh glass caters to accommodate a variety of settings and occasions. On either side of the formal dining room, there is a view of the wine cellar and swimming pool. The regal ambience is enhanced by a custom 14-seater Kandinsky dining table crafted in Calacatta Ora marble from Casamilano and measuring 4m x1.2m. It is complemented by Creed dining chairs from Minotti over another Omar Khan rug with a Henge pendant light above. The informal dining and dry kitchen are one large space with ĞÐÐÞʌéÐʌ °Â°É§ ú°É Ðúâ é é ĝÂÂ é ÞÐÐÈ ú°é É éîÞ Â Â°§éʨ Apart from the circular dining table that can accommodate 12, four additional Verpan bar stools provide a more casual dining option at the island counter. This is part of a kitchen system in solid dark stained hemlock wood from Minimal Cucine. The master suite consists of a sleeping area, a walk-in wardrobe, a spacious sitting area and a palatial bathroom featuring a book-matched, ÞÐââʌ îé ÞÞ Þ È Þ Â ĞÐÐÞ and wall. The daughters’ bedrooms are relaxing havens that evoke serenity and calm. Privacy comes from a lattice screen separating the walk-in wardrobe and vanity from the sleeping area while maintaining visual porosity. Index Design is known for its design philosophy that looks at interior spaces for their architectural potential rather é É ¼îâé ÐÞ é°ù âîÞ¦ âʨ ,é tailors spaces to clients’ needs by working closely with them. As a result, each space has its own narrative and story. 111

P R OJ E C T S H OWC A S E

LIVING LIKE ROYALTY Travel back to the 18th century, where Rococo-style interiors Þ °§É ʣ É °É îÂ§ °É é ĝÉ Þ é°É§â °É Â°¦ ú°é é âéîÉÉ°É§ âîÞ¦ âʣ ÐÛîÂ Éé ¦îÞÉ°â°É§â É §ÐÂ éÞ°ÈÈ°É§â ¦ÐîÉ °É é°â È éÞ°ÈÐÉ° Â ÐÈ ʨ GERMAINE CHEAH ĝÉ â Ðîé ÈÐÞ ʨ

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L EF T

The dining chairs add a muchneeded pop of colour without detracting from the elegance of the space. BE LOW

Thanks to the restrained colour palette, the living room feels restful despite its rich textures.

ÐÉé ÈÛÐÞ ÞĀ °Éé Þ°ÐÞ âÛ â ù É ÐÈ°É é Ā È° ʌ ÉéîÞĀ ÈÐ ÞÉ É È°É°È Â°âé âéĀÂ â Â é ÂĀ é é ÐÉ °ÈÈ ° é ÂĀ â°éâ îÛ É é ¿ â ÉÐé° Ð¦ é°â éÞ ʌ ÞÐÐÈ unit at Paterson Suites, located ú°é°É é HÞ Þ °âéÞ° éʨ â ÐÈÈîÉ° é éÐ â°§É ĝÞÈ â°§É ɀ ZÛ ʣ é â°Þ °Éé Þ°ÐÞ ÐÉ Ûé ú â é é Ð¦ luxurious, Rococo-style design ¦ÞÐÈ ȽɄéʌ ÉéîÞĀ "Þ É ʨ â È Þ Â ú â ÛÐÛîÂ Þ îÞ°É§ é é Û Þ°Ð ʣ È ÉĀ Ð¦ é ÐÈ ʙâ âîÞ¦ â ú Þ °Éâé ÂÂ ú°é °é ʌ âÐÈ Þ É éîÞ Â âÂ â ú°Â others are tiles engineered to ÂÐÐ¿ É ¦ Â Â°¿ ÐÉ ʨ a â É ¦ÐîÉ ÐÉ é ¦ éîÞ ú ÂÂʣ é Â°ù°É§ ÞÐÐÈ ĞÐÐÞʣ É é éÞÐÐÈâʨ A Éú°Â ʣ §ÐÂ éÞ°ÈÈ°É§â Ðéé éÞÐî§Ðîé ÈÛ îÛ é §Â ÈÐîÞ É Â § É Ð¦ é ÐÈ ʨ a Ðîé Þ ÐÈÈîÉ Â ąÐÉ â Þ â Û Þ é °ÉéÐ ¦ÐîÞ distinct zones: the living ÞÐÐÈʣ é °É°É§ ÞÐÐÈʣ é Èîâ° ÞÐÐÈʣ É é Â ÐÉĀʨ r°Â âÛ É ¦îÉ é°ÐÉ °É Û É ÉéÂĀʣ é ÞÐÐÈâ ĞÐú °ÉéÐ Ðé Þ â ÈÂ ââÂĀ é É¿â éÐ é âÂ° °É§ §Â ââ ÐÐÞâʨ â° â é Ð â°ÐÉ Â ÛÐÛ Ð¦ ÐÂÐîÞʣ é ÐÈ âÛÐÞéâ Þ âéÞ °É ÐÂÐîÞ Û Â éé ʨ aÐÉ ÐÉ éÐÉ âÐ¦é ¦îÞÉ°â°É§â Þ é É °ÈÛÞ ââ°ÐÉ Ð¦ îÉ°éĀʨ With its enviable location, breathtaking view and °ÈÛÞ ââ°ù ¦ °Â°é° âʣ é Paterson Suites were all about ÂîÿîÞĀ °É é Þé Ð¦ HÞ Þ ʨ r°é °éâ VÐ Ð Ðʌ°ÉâÛ°Þ °Éé Þ°ÐÞʣ é ÐÈ â Â°é Þ Â °ÉÉ Þ îéĀ éÐ È é é ÛÞ âé°§ Ð¦ °éâ ÂÐ é°ÐÉʨ

LEF T

The home features hallmarks of Rococo-style interior designs, including decorative panels and dripping crystal chandeliers. BELOW

The tufted headboard adds a touch of oldworld glamour into the sleeping zone. BOTTOM

Bookmatched marble tiles and metallic details make for a sumptuous bathroom.

WHO LIVES HERE

HO M E

Two adults Three-bedroom condo SIZ E 1,679 sq ft

photos DESIGN 4 SPACE

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DANISH DESIGN CO 100e Pasir Panjang Road B&D Building #06-03 Tel: 6270-8483 www.danishdesignco. com.sg GRAFUNKT 107 North Bridge Road The Funan Mall #04-01 to 06 Tel: 6336-6046 www.grafunkt.com JOURNEY EAST 315 Outram Rd Tan Boon Liat Building #03-02 Tel: 6473-1693 www.journeyeast.com NITORI 260 Orchard Rd COURTS, Nojima The Heeren #04 Tel: 6916-3861 www.nitori.com.sg

P5 STUDIO 213 Henderson Road #01-08 Henderson Industrial Park S159553 Tel: 6771-9500 p5studio.com.sg SOUL & TABLES 315 Outram Road #02-03 & #02-09 Tan Boon Liat Building www.soulandtables. com.sg TABLE MATTERS www.tablematters.sg XTRA 6 Raffles Boulevard Marina Square #02-48 Tel: 6336-0688 www.xtra.com.sg

INTERIOR DESIGNERS DESIGN 4 SPACE #01-05, #01-19 140 Paya Lebar Road Tel: 6455-9919, 6702-3713 www.design4space. com.sg INDEX DESIGN 62 Syed Alwi Road Tel: 6220-1002 www.index.com.sg L ARCHITECTS 15 Kian Teck Crescent Tel: 6586-0571, 9878-6660 www.larchitects.com.sg LIU & WO ARCHITECTS 35 Duxton Hill Tel: 6226-2766 www.liuwo.com.sg PARENTHESIS STUDIO #06-15 Apex@ Henderson 201 Henderson Road Tel: 6803-8753 www.parenthesis.studio SPACE SENSE STUDIO 11 Jalan Wangi Tel: 8200-8777, 6241-8991 www.spacesensestudio. com.sg

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F I N I S H I N G N OT E

EVERLASTING GRANDEUR Treat yourself to a luxurious, leisurely bath in the freestanding Soka Grand Bath by Apaiser. Crafted from apaiserMARBLE – a blend of reclaimed marble and minerals from the Australian Barossa Region – the bath’s surface is resistant to stains, mould, and bacteria thanks to the non-porosity of the composite material. Its clean lines are lovingly sculpted by hand. It features a shallow tray with separate storage compartments and a ﬁne, etched rim. Choose from 12 different colour ﬁnishes, which will not fade or yellow over time. The Soka Grand Bath retails from $9,995 at the Apaiser showroom, 40 Eng Hoon Street. Visit www.apaiser.com for more information.

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