SquareRooms December 2020 (Preview)

Y E A R - E N D G I V E AWAY

$10,000 WORTH OF PRIZES TO END THE YEAR WITH A BANG

OPENCONCEPT IDEAS

Practical tips for a dreamy open-space design

‘TIS THE SEASON

Chic decor ideas for a festive and welcoming home

DEC 2020 ISSUE 187 S$5.50/RM10

HEALTHY AT HOME TIPS TO BOOST YOUR HEALTH AND VITALITY IN THE NEW YEAR

Giveaway YEAR-END

SPECIAL

Let’s end the year with a bang, homeowners! We have over $10,000 worth of prizes to be won for your home!*

How to win: STEP 1

Scan the QR code STEP 2

* Terms & Conditions apply.

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SQUAREROOMS

Choose the promo you wish to participate in

STEP 3

Fill up the form accordingly and click “submit”

STEP 4

Follow @squareroomsmag on Instagram to increase your chances of winning

1

Hotel Soloha

WE ARE GIVING AWAY ONE 2D1N LOFT ROOM FOR TWO AT HOTEL SOLOHA, WORTH $228

Located along the lively Keong Saik road, Hotel Soloha is the perfect mix of local heritage and a trendy boutique aesthetic. Eyecatching decor and tropical-themed artworks by local artists greet you around every corner, effectively transporting you into an urban jungle experience like no other. The loft rooms in particular have a spacious layout with high ceilings and a lateral mezzanine, giving the entire space a greater sense of freedom. Plus, the comfy double beds with high-quality linen are just too hard to resist!

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LUMOS

WE ARE GIVING AWAY ONE UNIT OF LUMOS AURO (SMART VERSION) + ONE UNIT OF THE RIZE ADJUSTABLE STAND, WORTH UP TO $1,119 Developed with Singapore’s HDB flats and small home sizes in mind, the homegrown LUMOS AURO projector delivers a 100-inch screen from just three metres away, making it suitable for the living room and bedroom alike. The projector is also packed with smart features, such as a built-in Android system with Netflix and YouTube for easy plug and play and wireless mirror casting for supersized video calls. To take your movie nights up another notch, pair the LUMOS projector with the brand’s RIZE stand, allowing you to adjust the height of your projector to your heart's desire.

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Steigen

WE ARE GIVING AWAY ONE UNIT OF THE STEIGEN SOLAR SYSTEM, WORTH $999 Steigen’s robust yet compact laundry drying system can hold an impressive 45kg of laundry, offering a powerful Solar Drying function which you can operate from both the remote control and smartphone app for extra ease of use. The Steigen Solar is not only beloved for its size but also its capabilities, combining strong air circulators with even heat distribution for a result that does not disappoint.

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ECOVACS

WE ARE GIVING AWAY ONE UNIT OF ECOVACS DEEBOT OZMO T8, WORTH $599 The first vacuum and mopping robot to incorporate TrueDetect 3D technology, the DEEBOT OZMO T8 scans surroundings with extreme precision, detecting even the smallest obstacles on its path and managing to avoid collisions. It’s also equipped with brand-new TrueMapping technology, mapping your entire home with careful accuracy and memorising layouts for a more thorough cleaning process. A deep and efficient clean is ensured with ECOVACS‘ powerful pressure-retention suction system as well as the new and unique vibrating mopping plate, ideal for dealing with stubborn stains.

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Ruhens

WE ARE GIVING AWAY ONE UNIT OF RUHENS V (VANILLA), WORTH $2,406, INCLUSIVE OF INSTALLATION AND ONE SET OF FILTERS The Ruhens V is more than just a water purifier. It not only dispenses water in up to five temperatures, ranging from 4°C to 87°C, but also comes with a built-in Eco Mode and quantity control to measure your water and reduce power consumption by up to 30%. While the water dispenser is fitted out with an innovative UV lamp that takes care of the cleaning for you, the faucet can be easily adjusted and removed for the occasional deep-clean too. And fret not, worried parents—the child-safety lock ensures that your little ones will be safe from scalding temperatures at all times.

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6 mc.2

WE ARE GIVING AWAY FIVE UNITS OF RAINBOW BLINDS FROM MC.2, WORTH $300 EACH Also known as shadow or Korean blinds, rainbow blinds incorporate two layers of fabrics, coupling polyester with a perforated material, both of which can be adjusted using a pulley system to let in your desired amount of heat and natural light. This makes for a completely customisable solution for the entire home, prioritising privacy and UV light control without compromising on aesthetics. In fact, the sheer material of the rainbow blinds additionally radiates subtle elegance that surpasses the look of traditional shades and blinds. No need to worry about maintenance either, as rainbow blinds require minimal upkeep and can be cleaned using just a cloth.

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PRISM+

WE ARE GIVING AWAY ONE UNIT OF PRISM+ ANDROID TV Q55 (55"), WORTH $1,399

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Singapore’s very first homegrown Android TV, the PRISM+ Q55 comes with all of the Android must-haves, including built-in Chromecast, Google Voice Assistant and Puffin TV Browser. You can expect ultra-crisp and sharp visuals down to every single pixel thanks to built-in HDR10, Dolby Vision and MEMC Motion Smoothing. Dolby Audio and TruSurround Sound round off your home entertainment hub with rich sound and powerful bass, recreating a full-blown cinematic experience in your own living room.

Bedding Affairs

WE ARE GIVING AWAY ONE UNIT OF SLEEPTHETIC ADJUSTABLE BED BASE, WORTH $1,299 Fully adjustable using a remote control, the Sleepthetic Adjustable Bed Base can be customised to suit your changing wants and needs across various points of the frame for the ultimate sleep and relaxation. For instance, why not elevate your head and feet to simulate weightlessness for extra back relief while sleeping? Or change the height of the legs across five different levels, ranging from 7” to 11”? With a super silent motor developed in Germany, this versatile bed base comes with a one-year warranty and even free delivery and set-up to make things extra comfortable.

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dormiente

WE ARE GIVING AWAY FIVE UNITS OF FITTED BEDSHEETS IN KING SIZE, WORTH $180 EACH Made from 100% organic cotton fibres and certified by the Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS), dormiente's fitted bedsheets are exceptionally soft, feeling supple and pleasant to the skin. Despite the gentle touch of this jersey fabric, the sheets are hard-wearing and made without elastane, resulting in fuss-free, low-maintenance sheets that are crease-resistant and can be safely tumbledried. dormiente's neutral colour tones further add to the sense of calm in your bedroom, crafting a restful and earthy ambience. With strict testing against harmful chemical residue, the sheets are hypoallergenic as well, lulling the entire family into a deep sleep with extra peace of mind.

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Ariston

WE ARE GIVING AWAY ONE UNIT OF ARISTON ST33 INSTANT WATER HEATER, WORTH $329, AND ONE UNIT OF ARISTON RT33 INSTANT WATER HEATER, WORTH $359 Bored of waiting around for your outdated water heater?

With Ariston's AURES instant water heaters with Constant Temperature technology, showers become a bespoke and luxurious experience, the temperature of your choice immediate and constant. The clever ST33 and RT33 models can memorise up to three temperature settings and recall them at the touch of a button, maintaining a constant temperature throughout the shower and utilising the built-in anti-scalding technology to keep the experience safe and pleasant. This consistency not only makes for a high-end shower experience, it also ends up saving you energy and water in the long run by keeping temperature fluctuations to a minimum. ST33 and RT33 are the first water heaters in Singapore to be officially certified by PSB Singapore to be energy saving, with utility savings of at least 16.4%.

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Omnidesk

WE ARE GIVING AWAY ONE CASH VOUCHER WORTH $1,059 FROM OMNIDESK, APPLICABLE TO THE OMNIDESK PRO 2020 WILDWOOD COLLECTION ONLY Not happy with your current work-from-home set-up? The Omnidesk Wildwood Collection brings together the two must-haves of a perfect home office: a customisable and adjustable desk frame and a sturdy yet stylish tabletop made of solid wood. Meticulously crafted with precision to provide the best fit for the brand’s signature standing desk, the Wildwood collection seeks to bring an air of rustic sophistication into the home, stocking premium woods like hevea, acacia and North American fir. The desk also comes with a handy cable management system, keeping your surroundings neat and tidy.

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Cosmo

WE'RE GIVING AWAY ONE UNIT OF THE COSMO PRIME AIR PURIFIER, WORTH $538

Fitted out with a three-in-one HEPA filter, Cosmo's Prime Air Purifier effectively removes particles ranging from dust mites to viruses and even pet fur from your living spaces, making them healthier and safer for the whole family. It's an especially handy appliance for those suffering from allergies, its medical-grade H13 HEPA filter designed to filter out 99.97% of air pollutants with a strikingly quiet motor running at just 20dB. Large particles like hair and dust are first intercepted by a pre-filter, while the H13 filter awaits bacteria, pollen and dust mites. An activated carbon filter forms the final defence line, removing unpleasant smells from the air and absorbing harmful substances like formaldehyde. It's even equipped with the brand's very own Pet Guardian, an antimicrobial agent that neutralises pet odours, making your abode a safe and pleasant space for everyone.

TURN TO PAGE 8 TO FIND OUT HOW TO WIN

Giveaway YEAR-END

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SPECIAL

EXPERT OPINION

Ms. CleoCo-founder, Chen Petalsmiths Florist

Flower power Liven up your home and usher in positivity for the coming year with these expert decorating tips from a florist B y YA I Z A C A N O P O L I Photos PETALSMITHS FLORIST

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What’s your number one tip for homeowners who want to start decorating with plants and flowers?

Select plants or flowers that are suitable for your environment. For example, cacti and succulents grow well in sunny, windy areas, whereas plants like asparagus fern need moisture and can grow in the shade. If your home office has air conditioning, you can consider cut floral arrangements that include peonies, ranunculus or tulips. On the other hand, cut flowers like anthuriums, alstroemerias and carnations are hardier and can withstand warmer environments. Also, always remember to add flower food to the water in your vase to help your cut flowers last as long as possible! You can easily purchase flower food from plant nurseries.

If you had to pick three flowers to decorate every home with, which would you choose and why?

Our picks would be Kenyan roses,

carnations and alstroemeria lilies. They look stunning, are very hardy and come in a wide variety of colours to match every occasion and mood. If you need cat-friendly blooms, try an arrangement with Kenyan roses, cymbidium orchids and hypericum berries! They’re equally long-lasting, plus the different textures will add movement and depth to the arrangement.

Can you recommend a few flowers that are particularly long-lasting around the house?

You will get great mileage with a simple baby’s breath arrangement as it dries wonderfully. You can also consider proteas or blushing brides if you prefer modern-looking blooms or billy balls for a cute pop of colour in your home.

Cats have a bad habit of nibbling plants. Could you recommend a few pet-safe flowers for the home?

If you have cats at home, lilies are an absolute no-no. Some pet-safe flowers include roses, sunflowers and orchids.

When in doubt, do a quick check on the internet.

With Christmas just around the corner, are there any flowers you recommend getting hold of for a festive spirit?

A green arrangement of eucalyptus leaves and baby’s breath will go with almost any home decoration and add a festive mood, the baby’s breath giving the illusion of fluffy snow in the house. Deep red roses with hypericum berries and conifers will also bring some Christmas warmth to your home. And of course, add pine cones and fairy lights to everything for those extra festive feels.

Any flowers you’d recommend to evoke some extra positivity and luck in the coming year?

Orchids for abundance and peonies for peace and joy. If you have a tall standing vase, add gladiolus and peach blossoms to your home to usher in strength and purity. @Petalsmiths

In Focus FA D S

Umbra Ribbon Wall Clock, $69, HipVan

Sibilia Cosmos Tabletop Mobile, $234, Anthropologie

SPARKLE AND SHINE Add a touch of luxury and polish to your abode with gleaming metallic accents text & coordination YUEN YI YING

Balloon Giraffe Money Bank, $82, Shopbop Luster Trio Pencil Holder, $36, Anthropologie

Decorative Brass Floor Spotlight, $1,299, Commune

Tillsyn Decorative Hourglass, $12.90, IKEA

Stainless Steel Cake Stand, $79, Commune

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At a glance Space 3 - B E D R O OM P E N T H O U S E A PA R T M E N T Location H A I G R OA D Reno period T W E N T Y W E E KS Home to A FA M I LY OF F O U R

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HIGH-RISE PARADISE The sky’s the limit in this apartment with its indoor climbing wall, colourful zones and double-height space

The Brief

The couple who live in this eye-catching penthouse apartment were already acquainted with designer Chris Huang of Bowerman Interior SpacePlanner from the time he designed the owner’s new coding school interior.

Happy with the results at the school, she decided to engage Chris to renovate her 3-bedroom penthouse apartment, which has been specifically colour-zoned into two distinct areas. Level one is rich with hues and exudes vibrant energy, a space to play with the kids, cook, entertain and enjoy each other’s company. In contrast, level two was specifically drenched in neutrals and white to induce a sense of calm, allowing the blended family to rest and relax.

The overall brief included a liveable, classy space that would maximise the high ceilings of the apartment.

The homeowners are both avid climbers and wanted to incorporate their love for climbing into the home. Since the other must-haves included a cigar room and a study area, Chris decided to combine all of these necessities into one standout space. The result is a seemingly effortless multi-functional zone drenched in a refreshing shade of blue. This room was also dedicated to the owner’s late father, who passed away during the renovation.

The penthouse itself was already blessed with a double-volume ceiling and the juxtaposition of tones, such as the black and white feature wall in the living room, which helps to accentuate this dramatic effect further. Chris also removed the false ceiling in the master bedroom, opening up the space to highlight the luxurious appeal of this home.

One of the other requirements was for a larger bathroom. For this purpose, walls were broken down in the master bathroom to craft an open-concept layout. The extra space allows for a particularly relaxing vibe, but the

T e x t D E BO R A H J A N E G O O N

crème de la crème has to be the secluded bathtub, where

P h o t o s BOW E R M A N

the owner now spends mindful moments sipping red wine

I N T E R I O R S PAC E P L A N N E R

and gazing out into the night.

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Below

Living area The bold use of colour on the first floor is evident in the living room, where one wall was splashed in black. Because of the penthouse's high ceilings, the application of the black wall accentuates the space and creates a more dramatic appeal. Accent colours were then infused into the home through the decor, such as the blue rug, which was purchased overseas at a furniture fair. Low-lying furniture in earthy shades further amplifies the height of the room.

Right

Dining room Pops of colour perk up the dining space with iconic Beetle Chairs in blue, while metallic light fixtures add a chic touch. The furnishings blend in effortlessly with the carpet in the living room, resulting in a cohesive, well-coordinated feel. A large artwork adorns the dining room wall, adding a bold focal point to this open-concept space.

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INSPIRATION KIT

Opening Up GET THE OPEN-CONCEPT LOOK RIGHT WITH OUR TOP LAYOUT TIPS t ex t YA I Z A C A N O P O L I

Faking it Not ready to knock down your walls? Fake the open-concept look with these clever styling hacks instead.

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IMAGE COURTESY OF ARTISTROOM

There’s no denying that the open-concept look has taken Singaporean homes by storm. HDB dwellers in particular love this bright and airy layout style, and we are certainly on board. If you’ve always wanted to open up your home but are feeling a little lost, read on for plenty of inspiration and some handy tips and tricks.

Continuous flooring

The key to a successful open-concept layout lies in the seamlessness of the design. If you want to fake this kind of layout, it’s even more crucial that you make your space appear like one cohesive unit as opposed to a number of disjointed rooms. A great way to achieve this seamless look is to apply the same kind of flooring to various areas of your home, giving the space a sense of continuity.

If you’re craving the spacious look of an open-concept home but don’t want the smoke and cooking smells to escape the kitchen, simply replace your standard swinging doors with a set of sliding ones that can be moved out of the way when needed. Once they’ve been slid aside, the sliding doors will appear to be part of the wall, giving the impression of an open-concept kitchen.

IMAGE COURTESY OF PARA.GRAPH

IMAGE COURTESY OF JU DESIGN STUDIO

Sliding doors

Strategic design

While the most straightforward way of faking an open-concept layout is all about doors and dividers, there are other methods to fool the eye too. If you’re wanting to give the illusion of an airy and spacious room, apply white paint across the top half of your wall and minimise furniture and clutter to make the space appear larger than it really is.

IMAGES COURTESY OF STUDIO FORTYFOUR

Clear glass

One of our favourite hacks for faking the openconcept look has got to be the simplicity of clear glass. Be it a set of glass doors, a clear window, a full-height partition or even a half-length divider, these see-through fittings can go a long way to brighten your space, giving the impression of an open-space layout without much fuss.

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INSPIRATION KIT

Charming kitchen Five open-concept layouts to give your kitchen the wow factor.

Edgy bar

IMAGE COURTESY OF ETHEREALL

Ideal for those who like to host and play bartender for friends and family, this layout turns your kitchen into a cosy nook with an inviting bar counter at the front.

It’s also a handy design choice if you tend to be a little messy or want to hide your service yard, as the full-height wall next to the bar counter effectively hides whatever lies behind it.

Savvy L

IMAGE COURTESY OF MINIMO STUDIO

Perfect for those homeowners who like the idea of an openconcept kitchen but want to retain a sense of privacy while prepping meals, this layout has a narrower walkway than most open kitchens, supplemented by an extra glass window for a brighter workspace and a nifty view of the dining area.

Want to welcome your guests directly into the kitchen and allow them to see the whole cooking process? This dare-to-bare kitchen layout is entirely open, with only a functional island sectioning it off from the rest of the home. Its biggest pro is that it offers plenty of space to move around, which is especially useful if you share the kitchen with the whole household.

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IMAGE COURTESY OF ZLC

Round-about island

IMAGE COURTESY OF MR SHOPPER STUDIO

Cosy curves (above)

IMAGE COURTESY OF MESH WERK STUDIO

The typical open kitchen layout is not for everyone. If you’re looking for something a little more intimate yet still open and airy, a curved entrance may be the right pick for you, the arched doorway evoking a romantic ambience with its softer shape.

Heart of the home (left)

If your kitchen feels like the most important area of your home, arranging it at the centre of the house is the way to go. Consider sectioning it off with glass partitions, half walls or even just kitchen islands to minimise any awkwardness in the design.

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DECK IT

t ex t YA I Z A C A N O P O L I

‘TIS THE SEASON

CHIC DECOR IDEAS FOR A FESTIVE AND WELCOMING HOME

IMAGE COURTESY OF LIGHTS4FUN

Not everyone’s a fan of Christmas decor. After all, festive lights and knick-knacks can easily disrupt your carefully curated home aesthetic. If you want to give your abode that Christmas touch while keeping things chic and sophisticated, give these stylish decor ideas a try.

Minimalist greenery

IMAGE COURTESY OF HAYNEEDLE

While large Christmas trees can be quite the stunners, they can also be a little too much for some homeowners. They’re time-consuming to assemble and decorate and take up a whole lot of space. Storing them can be a pain too, especially if your small HDB flat isn’t exactly bursting with extra storage nooks. Instead of bothering with all of that, why not try something simpler, like a series of wreaths or even a small Christmas tree you can show off on your coffee table? Make sure to keep the ornaments and string lights on the minimalist side to avoid overwhelming the greenery with too much action.

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Subtle touches

For the truly minimalist homeowners out there, Christmas is a particularly frustrating time. Festive decor just tends to be too eyecatching and bold for a toned-down home design. But don’t worry, we’ve got your back. Instead of opting for Christmas decor, look out for everyday items that evoke the same kind of spirit, such as red and green cushions, metallic curtains and gold knobs and handles.

Themed ornaments

IMAGE COURTESY OF ANNIE SPRATT

One clever way of decorating without stepping out of your favourite aesthetic? Simply get hold of ornaments, lights and other bells and whistles that match your home’s colour palette and design scheme.

Wooden ornaments will go well with a Scandinavian aesthetic, dark, metallic decor will match the popular industrial look and sleek, silver pieces will complement a pared-down, modern theme.

IMAGE COURTESY OF PAVEL DANILYUK

Decorative snacks

Luxurious tableware

IMAGE COURTESY OF LUXXU

IMAGE COURTESY OF THE CULTURE OF ART

Ultimately, your family and friends are visiting you for one particular reason this time of year: a delicious Christmas meal. That’s why your table spread will arguably leave more of an impression than the rest of your home decor. Thankfully, tables are fairly easy to decorate. Get hold of some fancy tableware, such as golden spoons and bowls, and sprinkle the rest of the table with decorative pine cones and festive sprigs.

It’s as simple as that!

If you want to save yourself the trouble of decorating altogether, turn your food into the centrepiece instead. Prep the house with bowls of Christmas biscuits, themed snacks and perhaps even drinks in festive colours. If the set-up feels a little too spartan, simply sprinkle the bowls and cups with red confetti or fake snow.

Festive lighting

Nothing turns a space into a festive environment as effectively as the right kind of lighting. Either opt for a dramatic chandelier that transforms your dining area into a striking wonderland or get your hands on smaller ambient lights that you can place in strategic nooks and crannies around the house. The most important part? Make sure that your lighting falls on the warmer side of the spectrum to avoid an unwelcoming, fluorescent glare.

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HOME INSPO

Colour charisma Space 5-room HDB BTO flat Location Tampines Reno Period Seven weeks

By breaking out of safe colour palettes, Versaform engaged unique hue pairings to create the illusion of space and dimension in this truly charming HDB flat

Home To Married couple with two dogs

Text D I S A TA N

Colour formed a tremendous criterion in the design brief of this HDB unit. “The homeowners are big on colours,” says the Versaform design team who helmed the overhaul, “and they were receptive to something bold and daring for their first home together.” To project a home that mirrored their design personalities, the team pulled no stops in incorporating colour into their custom designs.

The pièce de résistance is the island counter in the eat-in kitchen. With burgundy tones fused with light wood-effect textures, the laminate finishes of the cabinetry emit the feel-good vibes of a 50s diner.

The team then matched these nostalgic hues with a gorgeous terrazzo countertop and Spanish-inspired flooring tiles to good effect. Complementing the eclectic-style setup are mild steel frames fashioned in fish scale patterns. With these brilliant industrial accents and outstanding colours, the team successfully mixed textures, tones and different time periods in this kitchen.

Over to the combined living and dining zones, cement-effect flooring tiles set a clean-lined base for a curated colour palette to take precedence. The team balanced dusky hues in yellow, green and blue with grainy tones for the backings of the wall-hung cabinet. It sits well with the blue-painted feature wall.

Rather than having the perpendicular wall coated in a uniformed tone, the designers clad it with chalkboard paint, giving it a diagonal treatment. This geometric visual effect is subtle but effective in pushing the room back further to conjure a spacious appearance.

Two of the bedrooms have been reshuffled and merged to form an enlarged boudoir complete with wardrobe and study amenities. For added privacy, the newly-designated bedroom is encased in glass within a mild steel structure. A host of facilities, such as an integrated study, a dresser and a walk-in wardrobe, has been installed outside of the sleeping quarters and is at the homeowners’ disposal. For a quirky yet practical touch, the custom-designed desk

Photos VERSAFORM

hides an adorably-shaped nook, which houses the fur kids in the family.

Accessed via a beautiful emerald green door with an opaque glass opening, the master bathroom is awash in a familiar sense of whimsy. The door is complemented by a patchwork design of tiles, which define the shower stall. The design team adds: “These glazed porcelain tiles in honeycomb shapes were specially selected to match the green door.” The terrazzo sink counter further brings a touch of vibrancy with its organic details.

Versaform’s dedication to the finer details pays off throughout the home, and yet the team humbly credits the homeowners for the success of the design: “We can only credit that to the homeowners’ confidence and open-minded attitude towards our work." From the communal zones to often overlooked areas such as the bathroom or shoe cabinet, every bit of their design and space planning counts towards making this regular HDB flat shine.

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Living room storage

Laminate finishes in various colourways

Living area Running across the serene, blue feature wall is a cement slab, which serves as a lowrise TV console. With its substantial weight and unique finish, this unconventional material gives the room its understated industrial charm.

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HOME INSPO

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HOME INSPO

Mix and match Space 5-room HDB flat Location Compassvale Drive Reno Period 12 weeks

Can’t decide on one interior style for your home?

Decked in three distinct styles, this apartment shows that you don’t have to

Home To A family of three

Text I S A B E L L E TOW

Homeowners typically have a favoured interior style that they wish to emulate in their home. Most of the time it is a singular aesthetic—popular picks include Scandinavian or industrial or Muji-inspired—but there is the occasional owner who wants a mix of styles for their home. The Teos were one such family, who approached designer Michael Lau of Juz Interior with a request to deck the various spaces of their 1,115sq ft 5-room BTO apartment in an eclectic mix of Scandinavian, industrial and modern styles.

The edgy, industrial side of the overall design can be found in the communal areas like the kitchen, dining, living, and study. Unifying these spaces is a colour scheme of dark, cool tones like black, silver and brown. To create the illusion of greater space, Michael replaced the walls separating the kitchen from the dining area with a glass-panelled door and partitions. Bearing a subtle wire mesh design alluding to their industrial inspiration, the glass partitions provide the see-through effect that the owners desired whilst functionally enclosing the kitchen so that cooking fumes don’t escape.

Built-in cabinetry maximises storage in the long

kitchen, which even sports a feature wall. A full height checkered steel plate is applied to the sides of a black chalkboard, which cleverly camouflages the door to the bomb shelter. When viewed from the dining area, the stucco-finished wall delineates the external face of the bomb shelter from the kitchen.

Chic yet functional, the crystalline dining set reduces visual clutter thanks to a custom table with “invisible” legs and clear armchairs. A lush green wall anchors one end of the dining space, adding a vibrant splash of colour to the otherwise fairly muted interior setting.

The centrepiece of the living room is undeniably the sprawling TV wall, a piece that Michael fashioned with numerous wooden panels to create an uneven, staggered surface. Although the TV wall is the most prominent feature, the other furnishings in this space are also strong contenders for attention.

The luxurious chesterfield sofa and futuristic leather armchair certainly steal the show.

Subtly separated and segregated by mesh curtains is the cosy study, situated right behind the living area. More raw and metallic elements recur

Photos JUZ INTERIOR

in this space, drawing the eye to the chairs, outsized storage chest and stucco-finished wall reminiscent of stacked concrete blocks.

The bedrooms diverge from the industrial theme as softer aesthetics were intuitively preferred. To create a soothing setting optimal for sleep, stark lighting was eliminated from the master bedroom and replaced with softer, diffused illumination coming from the base of the headboard. Michael honoured the owners’ request for a walk-in wardrobe by carving out space from the adjacent bedroom, which is occupied by the couple’s child. Although space was taken from this bedroom, it avoids looking cramped with its made-tomeasure carpentry for everything from the wardrobe to the desk and bed frame. Light, pale oak and white, Scandinavian-style tones also keep the interiors looking fresh and conducive for study.

The Teos moved in at the beginning of 2017 after a three-month-long renovation. Putting together a patchwork of different interior styles is often a challenging ask. A clumsy delivery can result in a schizophrenic look, but Michael pulled it off with a skilful hand.

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HOME INSPO

Stucco wall in dining

To create a "concrete block," Michael applied a stucco finish to a piece of plywood, which was then mounted onto the wall. Holes drilled into the sides give the impression of great depth.

Dining area A barn-style door cleverly conceals the DB box in the apartment.

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DESIGN BY D’MARVEL SCALE

EPILOGUE

ST R E N G T H I N N U M B E R S For a more modern take on chandeliers, consider getting multiple light fixtures, or perhaps multi-light pendants. They offer the same level of illumination you’re looking for, yet offer more customisability and character.

Hang some bulbs high to act as general overhead lighting, and have some lower down for task lighting or to create a more intimate mood. You could even mix and match bulb types, hues, and lampshades to create something that’s completely your own.

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