SquareRooms Oct issue [Preview]

IN T ERI O RS

.

IDEAS

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www.squarerooms.com.sg

makeover magic

The experts dish out their advice for a smooth and fuss-free renovation

S O L U T I O NS

Natural selection DIY projects for green thumbs

Soft touch Creative ways to decorate your space with textiles

OCT 2016

ISSUE 138 S$5.50/RM10

www.squarerooms.com.sg

Neighbourhood to watch

Find out why Punggol is becoming Singapore’s hottest neighbourhood Get to know the next-generation town of Punggol, with its vibrant waterways and sustainable developments.

Plus, go on house tours of some stylish Punggol homes.

WaterBay

Swathed in neutral hues, this Punggol residence is the zenith of serenity Punggol Topaz

RiverParc Residence

Visit bit.ly/sr-punggol-homes to find out more!

A cafe-inspired Punggol BTO with loads of personality

Get connected today!

@SquareRoomsMag

A statement black-and-white Punggol EC to get inspired by

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Need interior inspiration for your new home? www.squarerooms.com.sg Your go-to guide for interior ideas, decor inspiration, expert advice and practical solutions.

HOTBITES

triple

threat

Combining food, design and music in one address, Potato Head Hong Kong is the city’s latest hipster playground text Jolene Limuco Photos Potato Head Hong Kong

W

ithin the creative and foodie circles in Asia, hospitality group PTT Family is synonymous with great food, great ambience and great music. So when Potato Head Hong Kong opened earlier this year, the city’s hipsterati were happy to have

their very own stylish playground seen already in Bali and Singapore.

Located in the colourful and increasingly trendy neighbourhood of Sai Ying Pun, Potato Head Hong Kong is a multi-concept space that brings retail and F&B together in an 8,000-square foot space. Fronting the establishment is a coffee counter

and retail space marked by metal frames, boxes and floating planters.

Here, you can browse through a selection of handcrafted fashion, textiles and homeware made by artisans in Indonesia before proceeding through to the tropical-chic cafe and bar.

Furnished with colourful midcentury style furniture, large-format contemporary art, craft-centric soft furnishings and an installation of hanging plants, the casual all-day dining joint is a laid-back spot to enjoy lazy brunches and after-work cocktails.

Sure, the setup here is cosy and convivial, and you’d probably want to linger a little longer to soak up the buzzy atmosphere and rub shoulders with fellow fashionistas. But the stomping ground’s main draw is Kaum, PTT Family’s modern Indonesian restaurant.

Taking on a decidedly more rustic

30 OCT

HOTBITES

Sate Lilit Ikan and Batagor with rice served at Kaum

appearance, Kaum combines project architect Sou Fujimoto’s minimalist tendencies with local architectural elements and traditional Indonesian crafts.

With walls and ceilings clad in 700 hand-painted panels made by families of craftsmen from the Toraja clan in Sulawesi, the space pays homage to time-honoured Indonesian traditions while ensuring that the skills are passed down to younger generations. The timber used for the panels were procured from Toraja villages in Indonesia, while the hues seen in the intricate panels are naturally-derived dyes from stones. Paired tastefully with deep wood panelling and jewel-

tamarind, okra and tiger prawns, and chicken marinated with spices of south Sulawesi with freshly grated coconut and sweet potato leaves.

So far, all these A selection of Indonesian-inspired desserts spaces in the lifestyle toned furnishings, the space makes destination have provided two of for an intimate setting to enjoy Potato Head’s signature offerings. So Indonesian dishes curated from where would you find the third, great ethnic Indonesian groups – hence, music? This is where the Music the name Kaum, which means clan Room comes in. Hidden behind or tribe in Bahasa Indonesia.

Kaum, this cosy space is designed To come up with its as a hub for serious audiophiles to comprehensive menu that covers the congregate and geek out. Accessed tastes and cooking methods of 600 through a hidden corridor from the ethnic Indonesian tribes, the Kaum entrance, through Kaum or through a team embarked on a journey through secret entrance on High Street, this the Southeast Asian archipelago to “underground” lounge is filled with find inspiration. As a result, diners walls of records and mammoth JBL get to experience and taste the true 4350 speakers amidst masculine flavours of Indonesia in dishes such mid-century style furniture and warm as Balinese-style fried half crispy wood panels. duck served with fermented durian chilli sauce and fresh vegetables, rich Aceh-style curry with coconut,

With its tripartite of offerings, it’s understandable that Potato Head Hong Kong has quickly become the favoured haunt of the city’s young and hip. The next time you are in Hong Kong, you know where to go.

Potato Head Hong Kong 100 Third Street, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong www.ptthead.com

OCT 31

Shop

Print edition

Add some character to your space with these attention-grabbing printed home furnishings Styling Yong Woei Na ART DIRECTION Neo Aik Sing Photography Wong Weiliang Shot on location at HipVan Pop-Up Store

Bold moves Give your living zone an edge with on-trend geometric prints paired with vibrant bursts of colour.

34 OCT

On the dotted line Keep track of your schedule with these striking home office stationery and accessories.

(Opposite page) From left Studio248 INF yellow storage, $269, Escape To Paradise triangular navy cushion, $32, Natural by Home Fabrics knitted pouf, $39.90, Escape To Paradise wire chevron cushions, $42.80 each, Hippy geo-shaped pink cushion, $12.90, MWH Aventino outdoor mat, $29, Hippy Monotone modern triangle cushions, $19.90 each, and MWH Louise hanging swing, $343, all from HipVan. Miles yellow throw, $74.50 from Crate & Barrel.

(This page) From left AJ modern classic floor lamp, $109 from HipVan. 2017 weekly diary, $29.90, acrylic printed clipboard, $24.90, scented candle $44.90, Travel Notes, $44.90, A6 leather notebook, $22.90, and leather pencil case, $39.90, all from kikki.K. Glass takeaway mug, $17.99, from Typo.

OCT 35

Style

expert

advice What should you consider when renovating your home? Interior design professionals share their top renovation tips

Photo: Warren Heath/ bureaux.co.za

TEXT Rossara Jamil

38 OCT

W

here do you start when renovating the home?

Some homeowners prefer to have an interior designer handle the entire design and renovation process. Others may choose to engage a carpenter. Whichever path you take, knowing what you want is half the battle won.

Dale Le, co-founder of JS Carpentry & Contracts, advises, “A homeowner can get inspiration and visual references for carpentry works from many sources, such as a friend’s home, a magazine feature, a scene from a movie and, of course, the World Wide Web. Minimally, a homeowner

should be able to provide sketches for their desired carpentry works, but it has proven especially helpful to provide photos as visual references.”

Renovating the house can be daunting.

However, there are steps to ensure a smooth process. Says Eric Tan, CEO of interior design firm Space Factor, “It’s really about the 3Cs: communication, chemistry and consistency.”

Top on the list is to have a clear brief about what you need and determine a realistic budget for your requirements. Before meeting the interior designer or carpenter, reaching an understanding with your partner on your preferences will also help move the design process efficiently and effectively.

Design: Designworx

LIVING & DINING tips

1

“In an open-concept home, the challenge is how to create subtle yet distinct differences between the living, dining and kitchen. There are a few ways to achieve this, for example, false ceiling designs, sliding glass doors or screens, using rugs to pull the furniture together or painting accent colours in each area are great ways to demarcate the different spaces.” Terri Tan, principal designer, Designworx

OCT 39

Style+

Essential Ensemble We round up some classic yet chic staples for your crib

Caravaggio floor lamp $1,505 at Naiise

TEXT & COORDINATION Ho Li Yen

varsi (with octo) lamp $1,924 at Foundry

norm tumbler alarm clock $180 at Grafunkt

Votive tealight holder $24.95 at HomesToLife

Tom Tailor satin bed linen POA at Tom Tailor

Courtyard cabinet POA at AKAR de NISSIM

B E D R O O M

Just like how every closet is home to basic threads, these pieces are a must-have for all bedrooms Busunge chest of drawers $159 at IKEA

44 OCT

Washing instructions laundry bag $35 at Naiise

Metro hall stand $445 at BoConcept

House doctor kant sofa $2,500 at Journey East

L I V I N G R O O M Keep your living room neat with stylish storage solutions and sink into plush chairs for a well-deserved breather

Ditto magazine holder $95 at BoConcept

Ottawa sideboard $3,295 at BoConcept

carl hansen & Son CH468 Oculusarmchair $8,700 at Space Furniture

Linear glow rug $495 at Amara

OCT 45

SIMPLE

1

Upcycle it 1 Love the copper pipe trend?

Why not use it to house some of your air plants? Purchase PVC pipe joints from the hardware store, coat them in your desired shade and attach ropes to them.

2 Another way to present your plants in a neat way is to place them in cute canvas bags. We bought these from Daiso and dip-dyed them in fabric paint.

2

(From left) Artificial plants, from $6, from Robinsons. Print with frame, $17.99, from Typo. Universo Positivo Disc stool, $195, from Ethnicraft.

Featuring Nicolo Rialto Pine WYA 5277E laminates from Lamitak.

50 OCT

L e a f y o ur s p i r i t s Get in on the botanical craze with this eye-catching yet rather effortless project. You’ll need a white tray, a couple of artificial monstera palm leaves and crafting epoxy. Cut your leaves to fit nicely into the tray and lay them on the tray. You can dab some craft glue onto the undersides of the leaves to keep them in place. Mix the epoxy according to package directions and then pour it into the tray. Place tray on a flat surface and leave to dry for 24 hours.

(From left) Moss balls, $10.90 for a set of three, artificial plants, from $6, and gold pyramid glass terrarium, $63, all from Robinsons. Palm trinket tray, $17.99, from Typo. Other accessories, stylist’s own.

Featuring Ryo Shizuoka Oak WY 4252X laminates from Lamitak.

OCT 51

Savvy

stay

cool

Before purchasing a cooling system for your home, read our guide to figure out which model might better suit your needs

AIR-CONDITIONING Unless you own a home as big as a commercial building, you will not need to use cassette-type air-conditioners (a discreet panel that is mounted onto the ceiling). Rather, you should be looking for something more energy-efficient and suited for smaller rooms. Generally for small homes, the best air-conditioners to use are high-efficiency multisplit inverters with compact wall-mounted units. Confused?

We break down the jargon for you.

Text Amanda Jayne Lee

Samsung Multi Split Indoor Unit

Multi-split inverter systems Commonly used in residential areas, multisplit inverter systems, like the Samsung Multi Split Indoor Unit, are used as it is more energy-efficient. Wall-mounted units indoors are connected to a compressor that is installed outside on a ledge of your apartment. The outdoor compressor regulates the temperature of the units.

AÂ multi-split inverter system means you have multiple indoor units connected to a single outdoor compressor. Prices start from about $2,000 upwards.

Multi-split inverter air-conditioners work best for homes as each wall-mounted unit can be operated separately while working on just a single compressor.

Other models Another air-conditioning model homeowners can consider is the floor standing type, like the Samsung AF9000. A tall, sleek tower that boasts three fans that can be used together or separately depending on the mode you put the machine on. In the past, homes used window units (those attached to the bottom of the walls of rooms) and split inverter systems, simply one wall-mounted indoor unit to an outdoor compressor. These are no longer beneficial to homeowners as they were useful for cooling just a single room, homeowners now require multiple rooms to be cooled at different times.

Samsung AF9000 Inverter Floor Standing airconditioner

52 OCT

FANS Fans are a whole different ball game from airconditioners. Not only do they operate differently, they affect rooms differently and bring a different type of airflow to your space. Common fan models include ceiling fans, pedestal fans, tower fans, desk fans, wallmounted fans and then you have a whole new type of fans: bladeless fans. Unlike air-conditioners, there is no clear distinction as to which works better than the other as they all fulfill different needs, but there are some that are better for home use.

Relite Column Light Walnut ceiling fan

Ceiling fans These create a wide span of airflow in a single room. They are more energy-efficient and help move stale air. There are two common types: the hugger and the downrod: the hugger is flush against the ceiling, while the downrod hangs the fan from a slim, strong rod (it can sometimes look precarious because of how slim it is). The main difference between both is just to determine the height of which you will get the best use of your fan. The best way to install your fan would be to ensure it is 2.3m to 3m from the floor, blade tips 0.6m away from the walls or tall furniture to ensure that your air moves about efficiently.

A good blade should be wide enough and tilted to a steep enough angle to create more resistance in the air, giving you a stronger breeze.

But, the more resistance created, the more energy is required to spin the blades.

Bladeless fans

Pedestal fans

Unlike air-conditioners, bladeless fans are much more energy-efficient, while the bladeless characteristic of these fans mean little fingers and pets are kept from getting caught in spinning blades. This also makes cleaning a lot easier. As new technology, there are constant improvements to the tech and new additions to its benefits. For example, Dyson has just released their Pure Cool Link series, bladeless fans equipped with glass HEPA filters to help purify the air in you home.

Smaller and more compact, these can be brought around the homes and are best for personal use.

They are also cheaper as they can be bought off a shelf and are more cost-efficient when it comes to use of electricity. But the cost benefits come with disadvantages: unlike ceiling fans, their span of airflow is much smaller, hence most of them oscillate and rotate on the spot to direct airflow to different parts of the room. These are better suited for small rooms with few people.

Dyson Pure Cool Link

KDK M40KS Champagne pedestal fan

OCT 53

Spaces

urban

Cottage A combination of rustic cottagelike elements and Scandinavian design aesthetics makes for a refreshing abode Text Rossara Jamil PHOTOs Dan’s Workshop

66 OCT

LIVING ROOM

Laid with vinyl tile flooring and furnished simply with a mix of loose furniture and custom built-ins, the living room’s design serves to draw the eye towards the living area by the window, enhancing the sense of visual space.

space

size

budget

reno period

5-room HDB uni t

1,21 6 sqf

$70K

7 weeks

Punggol Drive

Spaces

D E TA I L S (right)

A half wall was constructed with hollow blocks and glass windows to create a study area.

The rough textured bricks add to the cosy atmosphere, complementing the wood and Scandinavian-style furnishings perfectly.

D I S P L AY N I C H E S (below)

These window-like design features, which are key to the cottage design concept, are more than aesthetic additions. They are also display niches that allow the homeowners to show off their keepsakes and memorabilia.

A

side from its greenery, Punggol is perhaps best known for its housing boom. Often, homeowners might ask how they could make a home their own in this densely populated area.

For the owners of this apartment, they knew they wanted a Scandinavian concept. Understated and spacious, it is a concept that’s easily adapted into the typical HDB apartment.

Not wanting to produce a wholly Scandinavian interior, Dan Wu, principal designer and founder of Dan’s Workshop, says, “With this home, we wanted to set a trend. So what we proposed was

68 OCT

S T U DY

The newly constructed glass walls minimise noise and distractions that get into the study while keeping the space open and airy.

OCT 69

Spaces

out of

the bag This home brings a love for animals to a whole new level Text Marianne Lim PHOTOs Free Space Intent

space

4-room HDB uni t size

1,001 sqf budget

$80K

88 OCT

Dining area (above)

Contrasting colours were employed to give the home its quirky vibe, evident by the bright orange acrylic table from IKEA and the yellow hues of the planks in the living room.

Multicoloured pendant lamps brighten up the room and give it its characteristic charm.

C at c o r n e r (opposite page)

The layout and design of this cat corner were largely inspired by Peter Cohen, an American contractor who spent 20 years building elaborate catwalks, tunnels and stairs for his cats. The slopes in this apartment were designed with grooves so that the animals of the house have a better grip when climbing up the planks.

W

ith splashes of bright colours, playful catwalks and quirky personal touches, this cat cafe-inspired home is paradise for any cat lover. But how did this whimsical home come to be? Raymond Seow, design director of Free Space Intent (FSI), explains that the owners just wanted a “practical and fun space for their pets”. However, as time progressed, Raymond got to know the homeowners and understood their personalities better. “I realised they are attracted to vibrant colours and dramatic textures, so our design got more interesting,” he adds.

The first thing one would notice about the home would definitely be the network of elevated planks installed near the entrance of the home set against a lavender wall. Short planks overlaid in laminates lead up to the catwalk above the dining room, which create the illusion of a larger and wider space, overcoming the space constraints of the flat.

While the purple backdrop was the owners’ idea, Raymond accommodated to their request by selecting and mixing contrasting colours for an eclectic look. Despite achieving what they had set out for, Raymond wasn’t satisfied with the finished product and decided to add wall

OCT 89

Spaces

90 OCT

RYDEBACK table from IKEA overall (left)

The eclectic nature of this home is enhanced by the selection of vibrant hues used on the walls and furniture.

Plus, the ceiling installations work as a way to visually elongate the living and dining zones. c at wa l k (below)

This elevated series of interconnected planks are constructed out of metal brackets and laminated wooden planks.

OCT 91

h me search 2016 my

reno

.

my

style

.

my

home

For the second year running, we set out to find our favourite homes in Singapore. Here are our top three picks.

About our judges: Jolene Limuco Editor, SquareRooms

Jolene is part of the team at SquareRooms, a monthly interior magazine that compiles a visual feast of gorgeous living spaces and concepts to help inspire readers to build a better home.

Lim Ai Tiong Principal Architect and Interior Designer, Lim Ai Tiong Design

Lim Ai Tiong Design is an award winning boutique-size architecture and interior design

Organiser

firm providing a complete scope of professional design services and project management for both residential and commercial projects.

Neo Aik Sing Associate Art Director, SquareRooms

Aik Sing takes charge of the look and feel of SquareRooms.

He is also responsible for the art direction and styling of the beautiful homes you see throughout the magazine.

Sponsors

winner Raja Mohammad Fairuz Bin Mohamad Yusoff

The winner receives over $6,500 worth of prizes from Castlery, Corningware, Laurastar and Novita

“Nice triangular herringbone design throughout.

Very classy, pleasant and consistent scheme.

Timber wall feature, metal grilles screen, carpets, kitchen wall tiles, cupboard doors, even bed sheets and loose pillows reflect the triangular design well!” - Lim Ai Tiong

OCT 115

h me search 2016 First runner up Yeo Leck Hwee

The first runner up receives over $2,500 worth of prizes from Castlery, Corningware, Hotel Indigo Katong Singapore and Laurastar

“We love how a subtle nautical theme was weaved into this BTO unit. From the “deck” in living room to a series of barn doors, the homeowners chose their furnishings carefully to create a cosy home.” - Jolene Limuco

The second runner up receives over $2,000 worth of prizes from Castlery, Corningware and Laurastar

116 OCT

Second runner up Sheela Devi

“Sheela’s home is very original.

A lot of effort has gone into selecting the materials, fittings and appliances to create a cosy and sophisticated home.

No detail has been spared in this tasteful home and the effort paid off.” - Neo Aik Sing

Shortcut

Plum position Transform a forgotten corner in the home into a standout feature IMAGE COURTESY OF Nordal

Here’s how you can add interest to a small corner of your home, such as an entryway or along a corridor: paint the entire wall a deep jewel tone and complement it with simple shelves or benches to display your collection of plants, toys or travel souvenirs.

120 OCT