SquareRooms Apr 2016 [Preview]

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www.squarerooms.com.sg

S OLUTION S

Trend Alert The hottest styles from Singapore Design Week

Natural choice

expansion plans

Smart ideas and surprising solutions to make the most of your small space

APR 2016

ISSUE 132 S$5.50/RM10

Easy DIY projects with wood

Get floored Stunning and practical alternatives to hardwood floors

HOTnews

SPA IN

s i m p ly s c a n d i Clean lines, a pure beech wood frame and a powder blue upholstery define the Nordic style Belk dining chair. The seat cushion is attached using an incredibly distinctive arrangement of visible bands, acting as a contrast to the wood and as a decorative motif. Designed by Szpunar Studio for Capdell, it is set to launch at Salone del Mobile this month. Also available as a lounge chair – a wider and more comfortable version.

For more information, visit www.capdell.com

the netherlands

b r e a k o f daw n

israel

design perspectives

Japanese design studio Nendo is set to launch a large-scale retrospective exhibition titled “The Space in Between”, which will feature old and new projects from their lead designer, Oki Sato. Held from 8 June to 30 October, it will span across the grounds of the Design Museum Holon, one of the world’s leading design museums in Israel. The exhibition will investigate the concept of “un-design”, and the in-between spaces for light and air – spaces which the designer cannot intervene. Visitors are invited to draw closer to the essence of contemporary Japanese design, which has the tradition of investigating these in-between spaces.

For more information, visit www.nendo.jp

20 APR

Dawn lights is a series of neon light sculptures playing on the relationship between light, colour, saturation and transparency. Each light is formed from a white neon tube set in tinted cast resin to highlight the manipulation of colour and its intersection with light. Designed by Rotterdambased designer Sabine Marcelis, the series was inspired by “a time in the day where the sun, clouds and sky join together to create a momentary riot of hues.” For more information, visit www.sabinemarcelis.com

live out loud

If you think IKEA is all about clean silhouettes and safe colour palettes, think again. They have launched a new limited edition collection in collaboration with menswear designer Katie Eary that is set to bring out your inner wild child.

The collection is based on the concept of a wacky dinner party, featuring tableware, furniture, decor objects and textiles with over-the-top prints and flashy, flamboyant colours. There are plates that feature fighting fish, bowls that look you in the eye, cups brim-full of cats and furnishings with gruesome prints that seem to come straight out of a horror movie. Available at IKEA

picture perfect

auto moto We love the weekly scheduling function of the Philips SmartPro Active Robot vacuum cleaner FC8820/01 ($899), which lets you set your next cleaning session so you can let the device do all the work for you while you are on vacation or at work. The smart machine also comprises 22 sensors that chooses the best cleaning strategy to clean your home. It avoids obstacles during the cleaning process and once it’s done, finds the docking station on its own. Equipped with up to 120 minutes of battery power, it features a three-step cleaning system that includes dry mopping functions and a movable nozzle that follows the contours of your floor and carpet for a more thorough clean.

Available at major department and electronics stores and authorised dealers

Hanging photographs are a great way to liven up your empty walls and to bring personality into your home. But if nail holes are a concern for you, the 3M Command Picture Hanging Strips ($5.95 per pack) allow you to create beautiful walls without making a single hole on the surface. The strips lock and relock, which means you can adjust your pictures until you like the composition. In case you change your mind, they come off cleanly without damaging your walls. Able to hold up to 7.2kg in weight, they are suitable for a wide range of pictures and paintings.

Available in two colours at all leading supermarkets, home improvement stores and bookstores

APR 21

HOTnews

bead by bead

If you are looking for a unique centrepiece for your home, Atelier Lane now carries a series of clay-beaded chandeliers from klaylife. The light fixtures draw on African heritage and local craftsmanship, and are handmade in South Africa so no two pieces are the same.

Each bead is hand-rolled using raw clay from the region, then they are dried, kiln fired and dip-dyed before strung onto a wrought iron frame.

Available to order from Atelier Lane, www.atelierlane.com

show and tell Italian furniture label Porro’s “Cabinet of Curiosities” exhibition, inaugurated in Milan during Salone del Mobile, is now on display at Dream. From now till 15 April, visitors can view a special selection of storage pieces by the brand. Highlights include Veiled Box, a large piece of wood digitally milled to look like a box under drapery; Magic Box, a cabinet featuring two parts, six sides, 10 wood types, 12 edges, and 13 internal spaces; as well as Footed Dowry Box, a modern interpretation of the traditional Chinese dowry box.

“Cabinet of Curiosities” is on display at Dream, 456 River Valley Road, tel: 6235 0220, www.dream.com.sg

22 APR

appliances get smart Imagine being able to convert your freezer into a refrigerator whenever you need to. Or switch off a section of your refrigerator completely when you are on vacation. You can do all that and more with Samsung’s newest range of top-mounted freezer-refrigerators, the RT6000 (from $1,399), which features the Korean brand’s unique Twin Cooling Plus technology. Equipped with two independent evaporators that produce two separate airflows in the fridge and freezer, the two compartments can switch between five modes to suit your needs. The Twin Cooling Plus system also helps keep food fresh for longer as it ensures that a humidity level of up to 70 per cent is maintained. Samsung also unveiled the front-loading Samsung AddWash Washing Machine (from $1,399) that features an innovative access door that lets users add any piece of clothing without having to open the main washer door midcycle. Available at all major home appliances and electronics stores

friend indeed The Companion stool by Phillip Grass is just like its namesake – affable looking and useful to have around.

Designed to look like an anthropomorphic character, it has a solid wood seat that is painted white on one side with a round block inserted on it to look like an eye. With legs made of powder-coated steel, it is a versatile piece that can be used as an extra chair, a small table or a piece of art.

pure and simple Having safe, clean and quality drinking water is easy thanks to the Novita NP330 water purifier. Water purified through the NP330 is mildly alkaline to promote a pH balance in the body. It also features hydrating properties that deliver nutrients, oxygen and antioxidant properties that help to slow down our body’s oxidation levels. The water also passes through infrared rays, turning them into an “energy water” that promotes metabolism and blood circulation. The NP330 is designed with a slim silhouette that minimises the space taken up on the kitchen counter. Incredibly simple to operate, it requires no electricity to run and comes with a smart filter replacement timer that tells you when you need to change the filters. Even the filter replacement process is fuss-free: simply twist, remove, insert a new one and you are ready to use it again.

For more information, visit www.novita.com.sg

Available at Journey East, 315 Outram Road, #03-02 Tan Boon Liat building, tel: 6473 1693, www.journeyeast.com

HOTBITES

flavours

of Asia

Sample reinterpretations of oriental classics amidst industrial-Asian aesthetics at The East Bureau text Ho Pei Ying PHOTOS The East Bureau

34 APR

M

arrying good food and a great ambiance is often an elusive goal for many restaurants.

So it was a delight to find both at Pan-Asian restaurant The East Bureau. A new addition at the Rooftop Garden at Marina Square, this eating place offers diners al fresco seating with a resplendent view of the Esplanade. The main indoor area flaunts an industrial aesthetic with an oriental twist to give off plenty of

character. Cone-shaped pendant lights hang from the exposed ceiling amidst surfaces of raw wood, cement screed and distressed corrugated metal sheets, while galvanised metal chairs are mixed in with vintage Chinese armchairs and benches. Also on display are antique storage cabinets, which were sourced from Chef-Owner Samdy Kan’s travels around the world. The interior does not feel too dark inside, thanks to the fullheight windows which flood the inside with plenty of daylight.

The restaurant dishes up food infused with an array of Asian flavours. We like the refreshing House Seafood Salad ($16), which features seafood and sashimi with greens and confit vine tomatoes tossed in a sesame oil-based zesty vinaigrette and topped with abalone. For a good hearty option, try their Tom Yum Fried Rice (from $15), which incorporates all the spices you can find in a bowl of tom yum soup into the rice.

If there’s one dish that can best describe what The East Bureau is about, it’s The Bureau Signature (from $18). This dish harmonises the flavours and ingredients from countries in the region, and is made with the restaurant’s secret blend of spices. There are two pasta options available: orecchiette and linguine; you also get to choose

between having the chicken, pork and prawns.

Don’t leave without trying the desserts. Start with the delicate and oh-so-pretty Dynasty ($18).

The trio of desserts on the plate represent the three great dynasties of China – Han, Tang and Qing – bridged by a bed of

chocolate soil and roselle gel.

But our recommendation is the Ménage À Trios ($18), which is essentially a mini tower of bite-sized “bo luo” crusted cream puffs filled with salted egg yolk creme patisserie, whipped yam paste or black sesame soy milk Bavarian cream.

Tom yum fried rice

House seafood salad

The East Bureau 6 Raffles Boulevard #03-03 Marina Square Rooftop Garden tel: 6837 0148 www.theeastbureau.com.sg

APR 35

Style+

RUBI ADJUSTABLE TABLE $1,995 at BoConcept

Double up When space is an issue, look to multipurpose finds to save the day TEXT & COORDINATION Rossara Jamil

42 APR

BOXSTER DESK, COFFEE AND DINING TABLE $1,900 at Spaceman Furniture

TUCKER SIDE TRUNK $679 at Crate & Barrel

PONG TABLE $2,800 at Journey East

D i n i n g r o o m Furniture that’ll come in handy whenever it’s time to entertain

BLOCK SIDE TABLE AND TROLLEY $411.90 at Tinge

HEMNES DAY BED FRAME WITH THREE DRAWERS $799 at IKEA

APR 43

Style+

BARCA ROTATING SOFA BED $1,199 at Courts

L i v i n g r o o m

HIRATA PISOLINO STOOL WITH TRAY $159 at Ewins

STUDIO248 INF STORAGE STAND $319 at HipVan

From storage to multiple purposes, these pieces earn their spot in the living room

HARRISON COFFEE TABLE AND DESK $448.33 at Comfort Furniture

CHERTSEY SOFA WITH STORAGE $699 at More Than Just A Sofa

STOCKSUND BENCH $445 at IKEA

44 APR

B e d r o o m The bedroom can be a place for restful sleep and nowyou-see-it storage solutions

FLIP MIRROR $177.90 at Tinge

PINORAMA CUSTOMISABLE SHELF from $510 at Dream

XTRA FOOTSTOOL $795 at BoConcept

BORN IN COLOUR TETRIS STOOL $135 at HipVan

TOM CAT BLOCK SET $120 at Cluster Cluster

APR 45

SIMPLE

Hang out Here’s an interesting way to display your photos. Paint a round wooden dowel with grey acrylic paint. Once dry, tie each end of a piece of yarn to the dowel, applying super glue to each double knot to secure.

At the end of each yarn, using super glue again, stick a wooden ball to the end.

Featuring Brick cushion, $139, and Swell sofa, $3,595 from Kuhl Home

48 APR

Craftwork: Arrissa Ha & Johanna Teo

Get organised Love to keep an organised desk? Then this DIY project is for you. Draw out all pocket and shelf placements on the baseboard and mark out your sawing measurements on the material board or dowel. The sides of each pocket should have a concealed fit, so factor in some allowance. Using a mini handsaw, carefully cut out each piece. Once done, sand away raw edges until smooth. Then glue your pieces in place.

Featuring Stefy large vase, $42, Taste cups, $25 for a pair, and Stylo desk, $1,890 from Kuhl Home

APR 49

Shop

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Colour pop Brighten up your tabletop with cheerful cups and jugs that will put a smile on your face no matter the time of day.

drink up From boldly-hued jugs to quirky mugs, these drinkware are sure to make you look forward to meal and snack times Styling Neo Aik Sing & Linda Setiono ART DIRECTION Neo Aik Sing Photography Wong Weiliang

52 APR

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1 Rika cup, $8.95 at Crate & Barrel 2 Yellow and grey espresso mugs, $17.50 each and saucer, $11.90 at Naiise 3 Thermal coffee carafe, $59.50 at Crate & Barrel 4 Kamasutra yoga shot glasses, $32.90 for a set of four at Naiise 5 Grey and blue milk jug, $36.50 at Naiise 6 JAMNT mug, $2.90 at IKEA 7 Peranakan tiles mug,

$18.60 at Naiise 8 SOMMAR mug, $2.90 at IKEA 9 HAY tea towels, POA at Foundry 10 Mosaic tile rubber coaster, $11.75 for two at Naiise 11 Pop blue acrylic glass, $8.95 at Crate & Barrel 12 Baozi tumbler glass, $26 at Naiise 13 Olson orange glass, $17.95 at Crate & Barrel 14 15.0% ice cream spoon by Lemnos, POA at Foundry

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Surface

E

Wood underfoot Bring the look of wood into your home effortlessly with these non-traditional wooden floors Text Disa Tan

56 APR

Image courtesy of Hafary

veryone covets the warm, rich and sophisticated finish emitted by natural hardwood floors, but not everyone can afford it. In addition to putting a sizeable dent into your renovation budget, its long-term maintenance can be rather complicated as well. Fret not as there are wallet-friendly alternatives that can mimic its appearance well enough that you can’t tell the difference. From installation to durability, here’s what to expect from these options.

Cost

Starts from $11.50 per square foot Installation

Not as straightforward as other flooring applications, it can take at least five days to a week to prepare the sub-flooring and then lay the floor tiles over it.

As real wood is not water-resistant, tile is the alternative for wet areas.

Simon Cheong, Business Development Director, Hafary

Maintenance

Most tile types are resistant to stains, odours and dirt so cleaning is easy with a damp mop, sponge and other common household cleaners. The hard part is getting to the grout lines so choose a darker tone for that to minimise cleaning.

Durability

Image courtesy of Hafary

While the tile itself is toughwearing, it is still prone to cracks.

Therefore, it is wise to get additional tiles to replace the broken pieces.

Cost 1-lowest to 5-highest

Maintenance 1-easiest to 5-most difficult

Installation 1-easiest to 5-most difficult

Durability 1-least durable to 5-most durable

(rough estimation/inclusive of installation)

Image courtesy of RICE

Tiles White, nondescript-looking floor tiles might come to mind but the design selection of tiles have actually become more exciting now with digital and high-tech manufacturing processes. It can replicate the organic flow of woodgrains to a tee and the same grain and knots are never repeated on each tile.

APR 57

special report

Asia rising

Modern Primitive cabinets

One of the thrills of shows like Maison & Objet is in discovering new talents. We profile some of the show’s Rising Asian Talents, who we think are on their way to becoming the region’s next big furniture and product designers Text Jolene Limuco

Stanley Ruiz

Principal and creative director of Estudio Ruiz Design Consultancy, Stanley Ruiz is a Filipino industrial designer whose creations combine utility and poetry. Creating pieces that range from chairs and cabinets to everyday objects like clocks and drinkware, Stanley is a multifaceted designer who likes to work with materials such as wood, metal, rattan and leather, producing pieces that express his varied influences from traditional Asian arts and crafts to modern shapes.

LAB DE STU A collective of three designers from Melbourne, LAB DE STU’s series of minimalist furniture takes inspiration from functional Scandinavian aesthetics and meshes them with playful elements. Take the TBC1 chair, for instance. Inspired

by Marcel Breuer’s Wassily Chair, the piece combines a simple tube frame with handcrafted leather back and seat.

The three members, Adam Lynch, Dale Hardiman and Andre Hnatojko, each run their own individual practices that include art curation to lighting design. Although working on various projects, the three designers’ works are represented as one through LAB DE STU, a collective that lets them reach a wider audience with their ideas and collaborations.

68 APR

TBC1 chair Labyrinth lamps

Gerbelight pendant lamp

C hihiro Tanaka Calling himself a “light couturier”, Chihiro’s lamps transcend functionality to be actual works of art. The sculptural quality of his works is thanks to the Kanagawa-born designer’s training in fashion. As such, his ethereal lamps often feature folding and drapery that are not commonly seen in lighting design.

ease Taking a traditional craft and spinning it into new forms is what Bangkokbased design studio ease all about.

Started in 2014, the studio builds on a family embroidery business to create unexpected works of textile and designs. With pieces that include embroidered fabric art and wall hangings, ease aims to combine industrial embroidery, art and craftsmanship to create new forms through experimental design.

The New Old vase Cotton partition

The New Old light

KIMU

Shading embroidery art pieces and mats

Based in Finland and Taiwan, friends and founders of design studio KIMU, Kelly, Ketty and Alex, bring their exposure to the East and West to their creative designs. Their collection of furniture and home decor are all about bridging conflicting elements so that the pieces leave plenty of room for the user’s imagination and intepretation. This is evident in their geometric lamps that combine paper lampshades with linear forms.

APR 69

special report

Design for the senses

This year’s SingaPlural was a sensory spectacle in the very best sense.

Here’s what we took away from this weeklong celebration of all things design Text Ho Pei Ying

ENGULF

by XTRA and C eline Ng If you have ever wondered about how a breaking wave looks and feels like from underwater, Celine Ng shows us in her installation. She uses the scale tiles from the Flow collection of BOLON, which is carried by furniture retailer XTRA, to create an almost hypnotic experience made all the more otherworldly with sounds and lights that mimic those of underwater.

72 APR

If there’s one thing we’ve learnt from

SingaPlural – the design festival organised

by Singapore Furniture Industries (SFIC) and also the anchor event of Singapore Design Week – it’s that Singapore has talent.

During this local-centric event, we interacted with a spectrum of performances and works of art, unleashed our creativity with craft workshops, went behind the scenes of local brands through walking tours, as well as picked the brains of personalities from the creative industry through sharing sessions.

It was a true feast for all the senses – which was totally apt since the theme for this year’s SingaPlural was “Senses: the art and science of experiences”. There was so much to see and do at the weeklong celebration that we struggled to pick our favourites, but here are five installations that have stood out the most for us.

A BREATHE RESPI TE

by Panelogue and Poiesis Architects One of the key ingredients used in this installation was Organoid, a new, all-natural surface material made from things sourced from nature like rose petals, lavender and coffee beans. The great thing about it is that it retains the scent of these ingredients. By placing the surface material throughout the installation, the space was infused with a smell that conjured up images of a luxuriant garden. Panelogue has revealed that they will be bringing Organoid to Singapore really soon – we can’t wait to use them in our own homes!

TILE I T UP

by Hafar y and W Y-TO The next time you are tiling up your home, don’t settle for conventional tiling patterns. Rather, take a leaf from this installation by design studio WYTO. They created unique surfaces by combining different Hafary tiles to make up patterns and shapes that you can’t find anywhere else!

XOXO

by Meng Our first thought when we entered this installation was, “Are these edible meringues hanging from the ceiling?” Truth is, they were made of clay. You have to understand our confusion – the space was engulfed in a saccharine sweet smell and those things looked pretty enough to eat.

26 STROKES IN CAVA

by Yunrubin While not the most visually grand installation, this new typeface

by Singaporean-Danish artist duo certainly impressed us.

Each symbol was adapted from the Latin alphabet and then reinvented to create a new letter.

It led us to think deeply about our ability to give meanings to shapes.

APR 73

Spaces

labour

of love

For a home that reflects who they are, this couple took up the task of designing up their own flat.

The result is a classic beauty that is personal and ready for hosting Text Ho Pei Ying PHOTOS Amoz Boon

92 APR

OVERALL

To create a sense of spatial continuity and connectivity, an open-plan concept was adopted by hacking away the kitchen walls. Amoz and Eleanor opted for more standalone furniture rather than built-ins as they wanted a home that could change around whenever needed. The pieces, selected for the sculptural forms, stand out amidst a neutral and minimalist colour palette of whites, blacks and wood tones.

APR 93

Spaces

5ROOM 1,184

Home to

sqf

BTO FLAT budget

$70K

(Including furnishings)

Choa Chu Kang

94 APR

D

oing up your own home can be a highly rewarding affair. But not everyone should attempt to do so, according to homeowner Amoz Boon. “Designing a home is really not as easy as it seems. There is actually a lot of design aspects that go into the carpentry and the renovation,” says the trained architect. He and his wife, Eleanor Ee, recently completed the renovations to their 5-room BTO apartment without engaging an interior designer.

Relying only on a contractor to help with their home project, the couple designed, budgeted and shopped for everything themselves. He says of their decision to go the DIY route, “It would mean that the home would better reflect who we are.

Being a designer myself, it has also always been a wish of mine to do up my own apartment. We felt confident to try this out since Eleanor and I worked well together as a team. We complement each other – she was more logical while I tend to be more creative, so we are assured of the fact

Hay J110 chair

DINING

What generates immediate visual interest in this eating space are the dining chairs surrounding the table.

Unified only by the same hue – black – the seats come in different forms and styles, as a result of the couple’s intention to reflect the individuality of the human beings that sit on them.

LIVING

(opposite page)

A gypsum wall was built in the middle of the windows for the TV. This helped to shift the focal point of the home to the living room. The different types of seating here reflect the personalities of the homeowners. Amoz’s preference for the beanbag echoes his more laidback disposition while Eleanor’s organised nature inclines her towards the structured seats. A collage of frames, with the photos taken by the couple during their travels, provides a personalised feature wall for this communal space.

that we would each look out for things the other person wouldn’t.”

And worked together they did. The couple would sit down to discuss and decide everything together, right down to the nitty-gritty details.

For the uninitiated, Amoz advises coming up with a detailed list of what needs to be designed and built as well as the budget allocation for each segment of the house. This would provide a clearer picture for all the parties involved and

would make the task of coordinating a lot less stressful. Nevertheless, it was still a major endeavour. “We just didn’t realise how much there was to coordinate and manage,” says Amoz. “But thankfully, we succeeded in pulling through thanks to Eleanor’s skills of budgeting and my interest in design.”

Amoz and Eleanor wanted the home to feel spacious, yet also cosy. When it came to style, they favoured a sophisticated and timeless look.

APR 95

Spaces

KITCHEN

For the couple who loves to cook Asian-style meals, a glass sliding door separating the wet kitchen from the dry kitchen was necessary to keep the cooking fumes away from the rest of the communal areas. In keeping with the monochromatic palette, both spaces are awash in white. Subway tiles cover the walls in the dry area, while smaller mosaic tiles line the walls and floors of the wet zone.

The couple who frequently hosts also needed their space to be conducive for having family and friends over. As a result, they planned for an open-plan scheme in the communal zones by first knocking down the walls of the kitchen.

To create a larger sense of space, the dining area was lined with a wall of mirrors. One of the walls to the study – facing the living area – was also hacked away and replaced with black-framed glass panels. This allowed the living room to appear less constricted. In the event privacy is required, sheer curtains provide the necessary concealment without being too visually bulky.

Black, white and wood tones gave them the timeless, classic look they were going for. And it provided the perfect setting for their furniture, which were chosen for their sculptural forms. Opting for more standalone pieces rather than built-ins gave the couple room to move them around whenever necessary – an important factor when it came to hosting larger groups. When it came to choosing furniture, Amoz and Eleanor took care to only pick pieces they both liked. “If I like something but she didn’t or vice versa, we wouldn’t get it until we found one that

96 APR

S T U DY

Functioning as a workspace, library and a music room, this 3-in-1 area was fitted with a full-height bookshelf that comprises open and closed compartments. Sliding panels conceal extra storage spaces, while the open shelves display the homeowners’ magazine and book collections.

APR 97

Spaces

MASTER BEDROOM

(above)

Mirror panels located just behind a long dresser help to create a sense of space and light in this petite master bedroom.

Furnishings here are kept to a minimum, as Amoz and Eleanor wanted to emphasise on functionality in their sleeping quarters because of the small square footage.

MASTER EN-SUITE

(right)

Matte-black fittings, sourced from Australia and local surface retailer Hafary, stand out amidst the white palette in this bathroom.

Small white tiles – identical to the ones used in the wet kitchen – covering the surfaces give off a vintage vibe in the master en-suite.

98 APR

w ardrobe

Stretching across the length of the bedroom, the fuss-free, full-height wardrobe provides all the storage space the couple needs for their clothes and fashion accessories.

was right for both of us,” says Amoz. “We wanted a home that was not 'his' or 'hers' but 'ours' in all aspects.” Where there are built-ins, they were designed more to blend in or disappear within the setting. Case in point: the mirrored walls in the dining area conceal storage spaces behind.

Another thing they planned for was a separate dry kitchen, as Eleanor wanted an area to bake.

The counter there also doubles as a buffet table whenever they organise dinner parties. A sliding glass door keeps the wet and dry zones divided, although the two areas are unified by the same clean and white colour scheme.

Looking back, there isn’t anything the couple would change, although Amoz wishes they had more budget. “If we had a higher budget, we would actually opt for mild steel rather than aluminium for our metal frames since they will be thinner and will look sleeker.”

M AT E R I A L S F L O O R I N G Natural Prestige Stradford Oak laminates from The Oriqin Company

B AT H R O O M S U R FA C E S 45mmx45mm matte-white tiles from Hup Kiong

APR 99