SquareRooms February 2016 [Preview]

I N T E R I O R S

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www.squarerooms.com.sg

S O L U T I O N S

Green your space

Gardening tips from urban farmers

comfort zone

Dreamy bed and bath inspiration to help you create your very own sanctuary

FEB 2016

ISSUE 130 S$5.50/RM10

Step outside How to choose and maintain outdoor furniture

Contents february 2016 on the cover STYLING Michelle Lim Art Direction Neo Aik Sing PHOTOGRAPHY Justin Loh, Shining Head Media SHOT ON LOCATION CB2

Turn your bedroom into the perfect environment for a weekend lie-in with plenty of soft furnishings and a bed tray.

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Signal floor lamp, $583.95, knitted yellow pouf, $155.95, Dondra king bed, $1,999 and knit pillow cover, $69.95, from CB2. Stripped yellow cushion, $99, and red and white cushion, $49, from Make Room. John Lewis smoke grey wooden tray, $119, from Robinsons The Heeren. Monocle espresso cup, $9.95, blue and yellow stack bowl, $11.95, roundish mini bowl, $4.50, and graphite pitcher, $25.95, from CB2.

Prints from Society6.

Spaces

HOT

SPACES

14 NEWS

76 KEEPING IT SIMPLE

Product and event debuts

24 FADS

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A rosy outlook Holey moley

28 WHO

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HOT FADS

Illustrator Annya Karina Wood crafter Ng Xie Nie

84 TRANQUIL MODERNISM

Lifestyle stores House of Tang and Gallery & Co.

34 BITES

Tradition and modernity come together in an idyllic dwelling in West Coast Grove

90 TIMELESS ELEGANCE

30 BROWSE

A no-frills apartment featuring plenty of functional design ideas accommodates the needs of this large family

Clean silhouettes and sleek finishes invoke a sense of serenity in a luxurious River Valley apartment

98 AT ONE WITH NATURE

PasarBella@Suntec

The Zen-like interiors of this hillside home in New Taipei City is inspired by the stunning views surrounding it

106 New Order

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FEB

A subdued colour scheme and miminalist accents offer this resale flat a fresh interpretation on the industrial look

HOTnews

Finland denmark

balancing act The Muuto Balance vase features a slender classic form with a long neck and a very small base. It sits on a tray made of powder-coated steel. At first glance, the fired clay vase appears at risk of falling over, but it is locked in an upright position thanks to the small but powerful magnet attached to its base. The magnet also allows the vase to be moved around on the tray. Striking a stunning form while igniting the onlooker’s curiosity, the delicate vessel is ideal as an accent or a centrepiece. For more information,

falling into place Elegant enough for a formal dinner party yet simple and durable enough for everyday use, Carat is a collection of barware designed with an equiangular and equilateral polygon form so that it can be held in different positions depending on your preference or type of beverage. Without a stem or sham, it can rest on any of its many sides. When in an inclined position, the glass increases the surface of liquid exposed to air, enhancing aromas and allowing for oxygenation of fine spirits. If you’re a whiskey drinker, the Carat can spin on its central core, ideal for stirring and releasing the flavour of the liquor. Available at www.kayiwa.fi

visit www.muuto.com

United kingdom

clean for spring

It’s the season for spring cleaning, and Red Candy’s new four-piece cleaning set will help to make this less of a chore. The Zone Denmark Bucket Dishwashing Set comes complete with a freestanding scrubbing brush, refillable soap pump, and microfibre dish cloth in a bucket, which are integrated with a T-shaped handle for easy carrying. Available in a variety of hues including the light blue Serenity, the one half of Pantone’s colour of the year. Available at www.redcandy.co.uk

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Your Best Kitchen helper…

Turbo Italia Sporting stylish designs and special features,Turbo Italia range of cooker hoods, hobs and ovens are the best helpers for any modern day kitchen.

Highly suitable for Asian cooking, the Turbo Incanto hobs are available in a wide variety of sizes to kit out your kitchen to perfection. Be spoilt by our wide range of conventional, canopy and chimney hoods for all your cooking needs. Complete your kitchen with a Turbo Italia hob, featuring as powerful as 5.2kW wok burner and angled at 45° for gas efficiency. √√ Very Good Water consumption: 9.70 litres/kg Cotton 60 Type of product: Clothes Washing Machines Brand: TURBO Model: TW812 Reg no: WM-2011/008431

SOLE AGENT: HAPPINESS PTE LTD 52 LOYANG WAY, S508745 T6542 2822 F6542 2922 SHOWROOM: 55 JALAN BESAR, S208808 T6294 3771 T6294 1938 AVAILABLE AT: COURTS, BEST DENKI, HARVEY NORMAN, AUDIO HOUSE, CITY GAS, GAIN CITY AND ALL GAS, ELECTRICAL & HARDWARE/SANITARY WARE DEALERS www.turbo-italia.com

HOTnews

p o rt u g a l

r oya l b e a u t y There are now special versions of Brabbu’s iconic furniture armchairs.

Classified under the brand’s “Rare Editions” collection, the series features upholstery updates on their Dukono, Sika, Oka, Nº 20 and Dalyan armchairs. We love the mid-century modern Dalyan, whose aesthetic resembles the famous mud baths in Turkey and is inspired

by Cleopatra. The new version comes with a luxurious red velvet fabric, reflecting ever more the beauty and elegance of the Egyptian queen. For more information, visit www.brabbu.com

United kingdom

u n i q u e ly yo u r s United kingdom

free from frills

Revel in an understated spring and summer season with UK homeware brand Also Home’s Spring/ Summer 2016 collection. Comprising muted colours and designs, the collection’s new additions include the silver-grey Lisbon bedding linen, which features a simple button-edge detailing and has been washed for a soft feel and natural look, as well as the Stockholm bedspread and pillows, which have been given a pattern of repeating triangles and are available in white or slate grey. Available at www.alsohome.com

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Self-proclaimed “lighting enthusiasts” Fritz Fryer is offering a bespoke lighting design service for their Hereford globe pendants. From the sizes of the globes and colour of the flex to the length of the drop, the design team can customise a fixture adhering to your space and style. If you’re looking for something fuss-free, invest in their ready-made cluster pendants. Hung together in groups of three and available in either ribbed or clear glass globes, the pendants come in a variety of finishes and colours. Available at www.fritzfryer.co.uk

art attack

Jon Burgerman, a leading figure in the doodle art movement, has launched a new fabric collection for British fabric label Kirby Design. Titled “The World of Jon Burgerman”, the series features a world of creatures, characters and shapes drawn by the artist using paints, crayons, ink, marker pens and paper cut-outs. Using the latest digital printing technology, Kirby Design has captured every mark, smudge and wash of ink, creating a realistic hand-drawn effect. The 12 designs are digitally printed onto 100 per cent cotton ground, making it tough enough for upholstery but also smooth and supple enough for drapes. Available at Tatum Company, 29B, Keong Saik Road, tel: 6221 2524, www.tatumcompany.com

leave it to the pros Bring professional technology to your home kitchen with Gaggenau’s new 200 and 400 series hoods. There’s no need to worry about noise levels, since both ventilation systems feature a quiet and highly-efficient air recirculation solution. They come with a charcoal filter that rarely requires replacement and claims to reduce vapours by 95 per cent. All functions are activated by sensor buttons, and each system comes with a dimmable warm white surface LED light bar that illuminates your cooktop. Available at Gaggenau Experience Centre, 11 Bishan Street 21 Level 4, www.gaggenau.com

fun with furniture Contemporary statement pieces with a whimsical twist? That’s Drugeot Labo for you. The French furniture brand has gained quite a reputation for their quirky bookcases and occasional pieces, which are crafted from solid oak using traditional construction methods. Their pieces are still made in Loire Valley, where the company’s origins began more than 30 years ago. With their lively forms, they bring a sense of exuberance to any living space. Our favourite piece is Slide, which deviates from a regular bookshelf to feature slanting shelves that display your books in a playful manner. Selected Drugeot Labo pieces available at Journey East, 315 Outram Road, #03-02 Tan Boon Liat Building, tel: 6473 1693, www.journeyeast.com

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HOTbrowse

expect the

unexpected Discover a surprise at every turn at House of Tang, which features a curated selection of lifestyle brands and a unique retail concept TEXT Ho Pei Ying PHOTOS House of Tang

Japanese Zabuton cushions by Takaokaya

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or a different shopping experience at Orchard Road, make a visit to House of Tang. Located at the topmost level of the iconic Tang Plaza, it serves as a part of the larger department store. But unlike the other sections, House of Tang features a completely different concept. There is a wide selection of lifestyle brands here, which are specially curated so you can be assured of quality, uniqueness

Sitting by the large windows, the Garden section retails plants and gardening supplies.

and a compelling story behind each label.

Sitting alongside the wares are noticeboards displaying each brand’s narrative, so this space becomes like a museum of sorts, where you’re encouraged to discover for yourself what’s in store.

The floor is divided into different sections.

There’s Technology, where home entertainment systems as well as the latest gadgets and gizmos like hoverboards are on display; Old Heritage, which features various local brands that carry wares with a tinge of nostalgia; New Heritage which carries labels we’re more familiar with such as Royal Selangor, Risis and Elephant Parade; and Home Furnishings, where home accessories brands such as The GoDown and handmade Japanese zabuton cushions by Takaokaya reside. Local labels Bynd Artisan and Monologue congregate at Stationery, while Garden sells gardening supplies and plants from The Plant Story. If you’re looking for furniture, House of Tang also carries solid wood pieces

The Stationery section features brands like Monologue and Bynd Artisan.

Purchase one-of-a-kind art pieces at The Elephant Parade.

from Arthur Zaaro, convertible furniture from Spaceman as well as in-built Hi-Fi furniture from La Boite. An experiential marketing zone sits at the centre. Here, merchandise is not on permanent display, changing depending on the

Island Cafe Behind hefty white louvred panel doors just behind House of Tang’s experiential marketing zone, lies the tropical-themed Island Cafe.

Once dark and dingy, the bar cum diner is part of the House of Tang’s concept.

It received a revamp earlier last year, reopening its doors in November. Now the space is bright and full of cheer, featuring white marble table tops, light wood surfaces, and

season to allow for a constantly refreshing retail scape.

The choice of a loft concept at House of Tang sees tall ceilings, an expansive open space and full-height glass windows coming together to form a relaxing space to browse. Translucent glass panels near the ceiling give the illusion of skylights, although in truth, they hide lights which can be dimmed or brightened on demand. Aluminium-framed glass panels concealing the escalators are located near the gardening corner where the windows are, so the area appears like a mini greenhouse.

palm leaf prints on the wall.

The aluminium-framed glass partition invites plenty of light, basking the place in a warm and cosy glow.

There are different types of seating available. Booth seats for more privacy, a long communal table for your extended family, an alfresco dining area featuring resortstyle outdoor furniture as well as a standing bar table that overlooks bustling Orchard Road. A new lift takes you to the cafe directly if you’re not coming in through House of

Tang, so it is not dependent on store’s operating hours.

Nosh-wise, the menu leans towards Asian classics and Western comfort food.

We love the Singapore Chilli Crab Meat ($16), where you can dip deep-fried buns into a flavoursome chilli crab sauce. There’s also Duck Buns ($14), where roasted duck slices are stuffed into traditional steamed Chinese buns topped with sesame seeds. For something less local, House Benny ($24) – served only until 3pm

Nanoleaf’s dimmable light bulb

The glass panels make a reappearance again at The Workshop, an enclosed area dedicated to craft workshops and activities that House of Tang hosts on a regular basis.

There’s also The Wrap Booth, where complimentary gift-wrapping services are available for items purchased here.

House of Tang Level 4 of Tangs at Tang Plaza 310 Orchard Road tel: 6737 5500 www.tangs.com

– is the Island’s take on the classic eggs benedict.

The cake display offers a wide array of irresistible

choices. Their signature Red Velvet – a rich, chocolatey, berry-topped wonder – is a must try.

FEB 31

Style+

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B E D R O O M 1 Flos Kelvin T LED Green Mode Lamp from $665 at Space Furniture

GEEK OUT

Create smart sanctuaries in the private spaces of your home with these nifty bedroom and bathroom complements

When this lamp’s daylight sensor is activated by touch, the light automatically regulates its output according to the brightness of the work surface it’s illuminating. A motion sensor also senses movement around the lamp, putting it into sleep mode after five minutes if no movement is detected. It switches off completely after two hours of stillness, so you won’t need to worry about leaving the light on at night.

2 OSIM uChill Dual-3D Office Massage Chair $1,699 at OSIM outlets

A perfect piece for the bedroom study, this office chair comes with a massage feature that relieves aches and fatigue on your neck, shoulders and lumbar regions after those long hours at the workstation so you can feel completely relaxed for a better good night’s rest.

TEXT & COORDINATION Ho Pei Ying

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3 Marie Fragrance Diffuser by Elica $121.30 (€79) at Elica Online Store

We love how this wireless fragrance diffuser is so easy to use; simply touch the logo or use the remote control to activate the scent. It uses a cold technology that prevents the device from overheating so it’s safe for use all through the night.

4 Philips LivingColours Bloom Table Lamp

$175 at major department stores

Create the perfect ambiance in your bedroom with this table lamp. Connect it to your smartphone and control it via the Philips hue app where you can choose from 16 million variations of hues. With just a simple swipe, you can wash your walls with a calming green or conjure up a romantic mood with a sensual pink. It also features alarms and alerts, making it the perfect bedside accessory.

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5 BeoPlay A6 Speaker

$1,599 at Bang and Olufsen Grant Hyatt Singapore

You will no longer need to fumble around in the dark working the controls and interface with this speaker.

BeoPlay A6 features an intuitive touch-sensitive interface at the top, so you simply have to slide your fingers across the sleek curvature to change tracks, and increase or decrease the volume.

6 Flou PiazzaDuomo Sofa Bed $11,663 at XTRA

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A great versatile piece for those short on space, this unconventional sofa-bed can be easily transformed into either a single or double-sized bed. The single bed is revealed by pulling the handle at the centre of the base. Pull the handle outwards and a backrest drops down thanks to a mechanical device, revealing a comfortable double-sized bed.

7 Copenhagen Wall Lamp with USB Charger $695 at BoConcept

No room for a bedside table? Get this minimalistlooking wall lamp that comes with a ledge for all your knick-knacks. There’s no need to fear missing your alarm in the morning from your phone running out of juice since it’s also attached with a USB charger.

8 La Boite Cube Thruster $899 at House of Tang

Audiophiles, you’re in for a treat. This stylish bedside table doubles as a powerful speaker that easily plays music from your smart devices using the Wide Stereo 2.0 Sound system, creating a stereo effect for a wider, clear surrounding sound no matter where you’re located in the room.

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Shop

E v e ry d ay e ss e n t i a ls Plate your breakfast staples on these pretty pastel and neutral-hued tableware to start the day right.

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On a sweet note Some mornings call for something really special.

So why not serve delicate treats on equally dainty porcelain tableware?

From top: Yellow ceramic stand, $39.90, teapot with eyes, $89.90, pink pedestal, $45, teacups and saucer, $29.90 for a set, and small plate with gold trim, $21.90, all from Robinsons The Heeren.

(Opposite page) From top: Square basket, $59.95, blush mug, $8.95, Chemex 8-cup coffee maker, $79.95, creamer, $24.95, green dinner plate, $10.95, blush bowl, $8.95, green mug, $8.95, teaspoon, $7.95, round platter, $26.95, blush dinner plate, $10.95, marine blue mug, $14.95, white pinch pot, $7.95, butter knife, $8.95, and linen runner, $74.95, all from Crate & Barrel. Black clay mug, $9.95, from CB2.

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SIMPLE

ROCK ON

Pebbles make great home decor, as these DIY crafts can attest

Craftwork & Art direction Neo Aik Sing & Linda Setiono Photography Justin Loh, Shining Head Media Shot on location Haus of Egg3

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weighing the options Hold your photos, memos and letters in place with these pebble paperweights.

Select pieces with a smooth and clean surface. Then using a white marker, doodle whatever you wish to make them uniquely yours!

Featuring rattan tea light holder, $9.90, rabbit candle, $29.90 and long wallet, $95Â from Egg3.

Savvy

de-stress at home Make your home a sanctuary in the true sense of the word by outfitting it with these gadgets to help you relax after a busy day Text Jolene Limuco

Image courtesy of House Doctor

breathe easy

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OSIM uMist Dream Your environment plays an important role in helping you relax and recharge. While decorating your space in soothing hues is one way to turn your personal space into a chill-out zone, using the OSIM uMist Dream helps too.

Featuring ultrasonic technology, this stylishly designed gadget creates the ideal humidity level in the air for a good night’s sleep. Ultrasonic sound wave energy breaks down water into extremely fine mist, which allows healthier air to flow through the atmosphere to protect your skin, eyes, throat and nasal passages. Place it at your bedside table to allow the machine to provide better air quality for soundless and undisturbed sleep, allowing you to wake up feeling more refreshed and alert.

Price: $99.90

available at OSIM outlets

aural pleasure

Plantronics BackBeat SENSE If your idea of unwinding after a particularly taxing day is to surround yourself with beautiful sounds, then a set of high tech headphones is a must. The better to immerse into a soothing soundscape to lift your cares away, we think. Enter the Plantronics BackBeat SENSE headphones that have been designed with built-in smart sensors that gently fade in sound and pause audio automatically when you slip them off. Engineered with the Plantronics audio and dynamic drivers known to create optimal balance of rich bass, crisp highs and natural mid tones, you can expect to hear minute details of your favourite score. The Bluetooth enabled device is also ultra light and portable, making it a joy to use as you lie back in your favourite armchair to listen to some music via any other device with Bluetooth capabilities in your home.

Price: $279

available at selected distributors. For more information, visit www. plantronics.com/asia/where-to-buy

cafe at home

Nescafe Gold Blend Barista Machine It is often believed that drinking coffee jumpstarts the day. But for some of us, sipping a cuppa is a ritual that deeply relaxes us. That’s why we love the Nescafe Gold Blend Barista Machine. Delivering cafe-style coffee with just a push of a button, the machine offers five different styles of coffee and has the ability to create foamed milk without the need for a separate frother. For milk coffee, simply pour fresh milk into a cup and a hot water jet swiftly froths the milk before coffee is added.

Whatever your preference, you can brew a fragrant cup of espresso, lungo, Americano, latte macchiato or cappuccino easily at any time of the day to enjoy in the comfort of your home.

Price: $99

available at major supermarkets and hypermarkets

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SENSATIONALS

Romantic escapes

Whether to celebrate Valentine’s Day or to simply get away for the long weekend, why not book into these charming accommodations for some well-deserved R&R? text Jolene Limuco

colonial love nest The Sanchaya 12 Jalan Gurindam, Plot 5 Lagoi Bay, Bintan, Indonesia www.thesanchaya.com

Located just 45 minutes by boat from Singapore, The Sanchaya in Bintan feels miles away from the urban jungle. Think powder-soft sands, swaying palm trees and a lush garden arranged with stunning villas and suites. With its brand of ultra-luxurious amenities coupled with stellar service, a holiday at this Indonesian resort is the ultimate escape.

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Melding regal colonial architecture with refined modern aesthetics, the luxury resort contains 21 villas and nine suites to offer ultimate seclusion and pampering. Taking centrestage in the sprawling estate is The Great House. The beautiful two-storey colonial manor housing the nine suites is an architectural wonder with wraparound balconies, gleaming hardwood, and black-and-

white panels. Surrounding the grand structure are the villas that boast private verandas, balconies and gardens. The accommodations are decked out in a refreshing blend of neutral and crisp tones juxtaposed with polished parquet floors and antique Chinese cabinets. While there are windows and doors positioned to frame the stunning views of the Indonesian island’s Lagoi Bay, the spaces also feature rare pieces of art and furnishings chosen to provide a glimpse into the history and culture of Southeast Asia. No expense has been spared to make guests feel completely relaxed and spoilt. Bathrooms are

expansive spaces for pure indulgence thanks to generous floor-to-ceiling windows, European tiles and claw foot tubs.

It seems that this stunning property is purpose built for romance. This Valentine’s Day, why not pull out all the stops and book the Experience Romance package, priced from US$1,015 (approx. $1,427.60) for one night?

Inclusive of a couple’s spa treatment, threecourse dinner with champagne and transfers from Bintan Resorts Ferry Terminal to the Estate, a stay at this ultra luxe resort is the ultimate romantic treat.

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Spaces

4ROOM

HDB Flat

1,070 Home to

sqf

budget

$70K

(excluding furnishings)

7 weeks reno period

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LIVING ROOM

The homeowners weren’t particularly fond of having too many furnishings or built-in pieces crowd their living space. To render a clear and open visage of space, the designers worked in floating cabinets, a neutral colour scheme and a minimalistic furniture arrangement.

CORRIDOR

While corridors may just be walking room, the homeowner plans to use this space efficiently by turning it into a display area for her race medals and surfboards.

new

order

A subdued colour scheme and miminalist accents offer this resale flat a fresh interpretation on the industrial look Text Disa Tan Photos Versaform

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he industrial style has made a resilient mark in the homes of Singapore; so much so that several interpretations have emerged based on just one style. While the original look is individualistic enough to say to the least, more casual mashups with the cafe, Scandi or vintage themes showcase how versatile the style really is. A discerning eye in pairing the varying elements matters and the design team from Versaform is definitely wellversed in this area.

Carving out a name in the interior industry for their edgy industrial styles, Versaform was once again tasked to create a striking look for this resale HDB flat. The occupants, a mother and her working adult daughter, prefer clean lines and a dark colour palette. They weren’t too keen on clutter either so anything that added visual bulk to the space such as customised cabinetry and cumbersome furnishings were kept to a minimum.

For the living area, homogeneous tiles in a dark grey hue were paired with the walls in

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Spaces

MASTER BEDROOM

grey paint and cement screeding. This neutral colour scheme offers a quiet disposition for the living space. On top, exposed black wire trunking outlines the white ceiling and brings along an understated visual flair. This sea of calm is rocked by the mint green sofa and three hanging cabinets which provide an appropriate dose of colour and texture to the space.

Dealing with a darker colour scheme can be tricky business and too much can cause an uninviting or space-diminishing vibe. To prevent this from happening, the designers merged two rooms into one to create a spacious bedroom for the daughter. Louvered window panes were also chosen to enclose the room. While this is an unusual choice, the windows are perfect in letting in an abundance of natural light. With

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With sufficient light reaching into the confines of the daughter’s bedroom, the gloomy colour scheme doesn’t quite cramp the space as expected. In fact, with these windows, the ventilation is improved as well.

Rattan Lounger, from Lo & Behold Store

KITCHEN

Enclosed by sliding doors with wooden frames and wired glass, this zone will only experience light cooking so it does not require full-fledged backsplashes.

A cement screed treatment is sufficient to protect the walls.

When the homeowners saw our first proposal, they instantly knew this was the right look for them and engaged us on the spot.

Versaform designers

more space and more light on its side, the teal hue and dark woodgrain finish within the room look less daunting and more welcoming.

Besides the reshuffle of space in the rooms, the kitchen was also reconfigured. Since both mother and daughter aren’t big on cooking, they decided to shrink down the cooking area.

That extra room is then worked into the other communal areas and for a more spacious passageway next to the kitchen. This particular passageway hosts a display niche for race medals at the end of the corridor. The daughter herself is active in sports and will be turning this space

into a cosy showcase for her surfboards in time to come.

While there aren’t plenty of design elements within this home, it suits its occupants just fine.

In fact, they were sold on the first proposal by the designers and signed the contract right away. As the industrial look goes, there can be many variations but not all can look well put-together as this resale unit. Even with overwhelming elements such as sombre colour tones or strong, minimalistic lines, the designers managed to strike a perfect balance and bring the homeowners’ definite ideas to life.

M AT E R I A L S L I V I N G R O O M F L O O R I N G Homogeneous tiles

K I T C H E N S L I D I N G D O O R Wooden frame with wired glass

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Shortcut

Think outside the box Old wooden crates make the perfect display shelves TEXT Ho Pei Ying IMAGE COURTESY OF Nordal

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Channel a rustic-industrial flair by recycling old wooden crates into shelves for your books, home accessories and plants.

Depending on the items you’re displaying, vary how the boxes are arranged and held up. Heavier and taller items would require an open top, while lightweight and smaller elements can fit into a crate flipped to its side. A varied composition makes for a more interesting visual too.