SquareRooms Feb 2017 [Preview]

I N TERIORS

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IDEAS

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SOL U TIO N S

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Wardrobe essential

Organising secrets for a clutter-free sanctuary

Splash out

Amazing surfaces to transform the bathroom

Home

suite home Effortless ways to create a hotel-like bedroom

feb 2017

ISSUE 142 S$5.50/RM10

If you have ever found yourself stuck with the lesser side of the bed, you would understand the importance of smart space planning in a small bedroom.

his side

her side

www.squarerooms.com.sg

SquareRooms online has a list of small bedroom ideas and practical solutions to make your space look bigger.

DIY

ideas

7 Diy Decor Ideas To Spice Up Your Bedroom

ideas

8 Small But Beautiful Bedroom Ideas

6 Wardrobe Organising Solutions You Should Know

Advice

Smart Space-Saving Solutions For Small Bedrooms

For more inspiration & practical solutions, read our other posts on www.squarerooms.com.sg

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HOTBITES

shh… this is

THE LIBRARY

B&E (Bacon & Egg) 2-Minute Noodles

Take a step back in time when you visit The Library for a night of quality booze and quick bites TEXT Gladys Lee PHOTOS The Library

Cocoasimo cocktail

T

he concept of speakeasy bars harken back to the Prohibition era in the United States when the ban on alcohol forced bars to go underground. And though that is what The Library at Keong Saik Road emulates, don’t expect

20 FEB

your merrymaking to be cut short by sudden police raids because this cocktail bar is completely legal.

Nothing is quite as it seems at the front of house. Shrouded in a string of shophouses that line the gentrified street, the incognito watering hole is concealed by ever-

changing faux fronts. Drop by its latest adaptation to encounter its current facade pop-up, a traditional Chinese medical hall. A password is required to enter, so be sure to check The Library’s sister restaurant’s Facebook page (@ thestudy49) for weekly updates.

Whisper the word and prepare to be whisked into a hangout replete with an exclusive underground vibe and whimsical cocktails.

The dimly lit atmosphere accented by the occasional vintage lamp bathes the place in a soft red glow. From the exposed brick wall and gleaming riveted copper bar counter to the quirky decanters that line wooden shelves, the space is a carefully recreated time warp.

As with its concept, expect only cocktails of mammoth personalities here. The Library not only offers an impressive repertoire of drinks with kooky names; these evocative drinks are introduced in the form of flavour profiles, adding to the immersive experience.

Segmenting the concoctions into three different categories – Strong & Dangerous, Sexy & Tropical, and Crazy & Sophisticated – there is a cocktail for every personality, mood and character. Think drinks such as

Pineapple Monk ($24), Cocoasimo ($23) and Duck Bath Forever ($28).

Also with its relaunch comes a new food menu, Supper At The Library, which serves up comfort food with a difference. Playing with the idea of local and regional street food and everyday items, it pays tribute to the familiarity of quick, easy bites with the likes of twominute noodles ($8), beef cheek bao ($8), kimchi hot dog ($9) and kaya toast ice-cream ($6).

Whether you come here looking for a post-dinner nightcap, inventive cocktails or the surreptitious nature of a speakeasy, The Library invites you to take a peek behind its closed doors.

The Library 47-49 Keong Saik Road tel: 6221 8338

dreams

How to create a hotel-like suite at home

Image courtesy of Design Hotels

sui te

22

luxe at home

Sumptuous interiors inspired by hotels

28

dreamy haven

The hottest bedroom decor trends

32

Wardrobe essential

Types of wardrobes to suit your home

36

Design Sanctuaries Gorgeous hotels that inspire

FEB 21

Style+

tip!

Image courtesy of Dulux

A wall of ombre pink adds a spin to a traditional Scandinavian interior without veering too far off

Dreamy

haven 28 FEB

A master suite that’s fashioned for rest and relaxation yet is fashionably on par with the rest of your dwelling are the stuff dreams are made off. We’ve pulled together our favourite pieces to help you emulate four of the hottest interior trends TEXT & COORDINATION Fidz Azmin

Alveo wall lamp $755 at Kuhl Home

Ferm Living The Round Dorm shelf POA at Lifestorey

NORDIC INFLUENCE Adored by many for its pared-down style and focus on functionality, it’s no wonder the Scandinavian aesthetic continues to hold steady as a crowd favourite. Nail the look by memorising this mantra: go light, bright, and clutter-free.

Linea II bed From $2,599 at Crate & Barrel

tip!

Riva 1920 Ludo POA at Proof Living

Ferm Living Leather ladder POA at Lifestorey

Wood makes the perfect accompaniment to a light-filled space because of its calming quality Chest of drawers from $2,011 at Danish Design

Bison side table $660 at Inhabitant

Kelby Square lidded basket $109.95 at Crate & Barrel

FEB 29

sensationalS

The Sky Pavillion lets Club Room guests lounge in comfort as they drink in the unobstructed city views.

Design

sanctuaries These gorgeous design-driven hotels are sure to rejuvenate the spirits – not to mention spark the imagination TEXT Jolene Limuco

38 FEB

oasia Hotel Downtown, Singapore In a nutshell: An oasis in the heart of the city created by architecture firm WOHA with interiors designed by Patricia Urquiola.

Best for: Anyone looking to escape the frenetic pace of Singapore’s CBD without actually leaving the city. With its recognisable red facade and trellised vertical garden, Oasia Hotel Downtown stands out in a sea of grey skyscrapers. This is a true urban oasis created by Singapore-based architecture practice WOHA and well-known

The cosy guest rooms with their decidedly masculine aesthetics.

CIN CIN Bar is an elegant watering hole in the heart of the CBD.

Spanish interior designer Patricia Urquiola all thanks to wide-open spaces and plush organic-themed furniture.

Both the main lobby and the club floor lobby have been designed to receive panoramic views of downtown Singapore, while picturesque pools on the rooftop and exclusive club floor will invite guests to relax and recharge in a beautifully-landscaped hanging gardenlike space. Complementing these breezy communal zones are two elegantly-designed watering holes on the ground floor. CIN CIN Bar is all gilt-edged furniture and plush seats while The Marmalade Pantry is the downtown outpost of the popular all-day dining chain replete with Patricia Urquiola’s signature furniture in a mid century palette. Couple the carefully-styled interiors with tasteful cocoon-like rooms and you get a reliable city escape worth holing up in over the weekend.

Oasia Hotel Downtown 100 Peck Seah Street, Singapore Tel: 6881 888 www.stayfareast.com/OasiaDowntown

The hotel’s recognisable red facade.

CIN CIN Bar’s gilt-edged fittings and fixtures.

FEB 39

SIMPLE

IN THE FRAME Do away with those sterile bathroom rods and install this striking graphic towel hanger instead. To make, simply cut copper pipes into equal lengths and use twine to connect all four pieces. We added a few wooden beads at each end for a decorative flourish.

Featuring Hoesch Thasos bathtub from Bathroom Gallery by Wan Tai & Co

44 FEB

SPA

at home

Dress up your bathroom with these stylish yet functional DIY accessories TEXT Jolene Limuco CRAFTWORK & ART DIRECTION Geraldine Tan & Linda Setiono PHOTOGRAPHY Wong Weiliang SHOT ON LOCATION Bathroom Gallery by Wan Tai & Co

EASY ACCESS Why buy a fancy bathtub tray when you can easily make one from a photo frame and cabinet handles? We purchased this long glass frame from Spotlight and glued some cabinet handles to the sides for this super easy DIY project.

FEB 45

SIMPLE

FULL CIRCLE Here’s a cool way to hang your hand towels just about anywhere.

Cut a piece of leather into a long strap, bend it in half and attach it to a metal ring. Glue them secure and nail to the wall.

Featuring INAX Granas Vague tiles, Christina King basin mixer and Duravit Durastyle basin, all from Bathroom Gallery by Wan Tai & Co

HOLD A CANDLE Believe it or not, we made this expensive-looking candle holder by combining a jar lid and a drinking glass. We simply sprayed them with gold paint and glued them together using industrialstrength glue.

GOLD STANDARD Update those boring plain glass jars by spray-painting the bottom half and lid in a classy gold shade. This is a two-minute task that will add an ultra luxe touch to your bathroom vanity.

FEB 47

Spaces

classic

Sensibility Rooted in classic European sensibilities, this three-bedroom Executive Condominium features Victorian-style details set against a black-and-white backdrop Text Stanley Lim PHOTOs Mesh Werk Studio

space

3-bedroom condo unit The Topiary l o c a t i o n Fernvale Lane reno period

Approx. 1 month Home to

60 feb

Living Room

Defined by its largely monochromatic colour scheme, the living room impresses with its European-style fittings, such as a rich calf leather sofa and a display cabinet that is reminiscent of a classic armoire wardrobe.

feb 61

Spaces

Living room flooring

White large-format homogeneous tiles Dining Area

The dining area’s twin window mirrors were deliberately installed as a way to visually open up the space, in addition to giving it a vintage-style aesthetic.

62 feb

H

omes featuring European designs tend to bring with them a unique air of elegance and beauty – one that is usually conveyed with the help of an eclectic interior filled with classylooking, vintage-style furnishings. However, things are slightly different at this three-bedroom Executive Condominium located along Fernvale Lane, thanks to a streamlined look that sets it apart from the archetypical image of highlyelaborate Victorian-style interiors.

“As per the request of the owners, we sought to create a home that is both clean yet capable of conveying a distinct sense of elegance with the help of vintage elements,” says Landren Lim, who

is the creative director at interior design firm Mesh Werk Studio.

Clad in monochromatic shades for a consistent appearance, each and every room in the unit features a similar colour palette of ebony black and porcelain white. Likewise, a trio of textures, fixtures and construction materials plays a role in creating visual consistency throughout the entire space.

Drawing upon European sensibilities, the living room shows off a relatively austere, yet trim interior, which impresses with its collection of carefully-chosen accessories and vintage-looking pieces that stand out against one another. For instance, a suspended TV console makes for a

distinctive addition with its smooth, off-white marble top when backed by a feature wall dressed in sable laminates.

In similar fashion, a shoe cabinet shrouded in black stands out against a foreground composed of pearly white homogeneous floor tiles. Reminiscent of a classic armoire wardrobe with its cornice top, the cabinet also serves as a display for various ornaments, including an old-fashioned typewriter as well as a vase of dried flowers – both of which add a pleasant yesteryear charm to the surroundings.

Meanwhile, a combination of eclectic furniture pieces help convey the masculine charisma of the living room with their sophisticated shapes. Hanging from the ceiling, a metallic atom-shaped chandelier adds an industrial touch to the space with its spherical frame. The brown shades of a calf leather Chesterfield sofa creates a sense of warmth, which stands in

contrast to the cold grey surfaces of a modern coffee-table-cum-storage-trunk.

“This sofa is a special piece as it sparked off the initial concept behind the entire home,” says homeowner Cindy who shares the space with her husband, Teng Siang. “We both feel that the sofa blends well with the overall decor as it resembles those you can find in a gentleman’s club.”

The furnishings that accompany the adjacent dining area likewise form a consistent panorama with the living room as well. Here, rows of wainscoting painted in solid black, as well as an identical spherical pendant lamp create visible symmetry between the two zones. Commonalities aside, the dining area also plays host to a pair of gleaming mirrors that were designed to resemble vintage European-style windows as well as various pieces of dining furniture dressed in wooden shades and black leather.

Brighton leather bench from Commune Living Room & Dining Area (above)

Both the living room and the adjacent dining area share a clear visible symmetry, thanks to the use of similar colour schemes and identical fittings, such as a pair of spherical metal chandeliers.

feb 63

SPACES

bare

NECESSITIES This eclectic apartment blends simple fixtures with whitewashed walls to create the perfect dwelling TEXT Stanley Lim PHOTOS David Chan & Dennis Lim for 0932 Design Consultants

68 FEB

Living room flooring

Concrete-lookalike homogeneous tiles LIVING ROOM

Infused with a cosy quality, the living room features a combination of muted tones and clean lines with its choice selection of elegant furnishings.

SPACE

3-bedroom apartment LOCATION

Serangoon North RENO PERIOD

Approx. 2 months HOME TO

FEB 69

Spaces

space

3-bedroom condominium unit location

Woodlands reno period

Approx. 2 months Home to

76 FEB

Living Room & Dining Area

Glass panels embedded in black aluminium frames were employed as transparent barriers to create an open-concept look within the central living space.

smooth

minimal A three-bedroom condominium unit characterised by a clean and airy atmosphere makes for a tranquil and comforting love nest Text Stanley Lim PHOTOs Eightytwo

S

candinavian-style homes and Zeninspired interiors are both popular choices among modern-day homeowners as they are strongly associated with desirable qualities such as harmony, balance and simplicity. Home to a loving couple, this uncluttered and airy apartment draws inspiration from both design themes as a way of bringing out a calm and soothing ambience.

By the request of the homeowners, Keave Lim from local design firm Eightytwo managed to bring out the characteristic image of this apartment through emphasising clean lines and by creating a chromatic harmony between various spaces. “Both elements are important in realising the owners’ requests for an elegant home,” Keave explains, “Clean lines create an uncomplicated visual profile, while a consistent colour scheme helps ensure a sense of consistency from room to room.”

FEB 77

Spaces

Living room half wall

Light wood laminates Living Room (above)

By making use of clean lines and a palette of neutral colours, this living room manages to exude a tranquil, comfy atmosphere.

Living Room H al f W all (right)

Fronting the kitchen, the original design of the living room’s half wall was enhanced with wooden laminates that match those of the TV console’s and floor.

78 FEB

Entrance hallway walls and floors

Concrete screed E n t r y wa y

Concrete was used for the entrance hallway’s wall and floor as a way of creating consistency while visually segregating the zone from adjacent living areas.

For instance, a clear visual uniformity is conveyed in the living room through the vinyl wood finish of the floor as well as the laminated plywood panels of the TV console’s unornamented frame. A mixture of low-key fittings, such as a custom-made three-seater sofa and a row of track lights, help to complete the look with their neutral black frames that complement a serene background of white walls and organic textures.

Taking into account the minimalist design principle of “less is more”, the adjacent dining area is likewise a simple affair with its uncomplicated layout and modest furniture. Here, the combination of the table’s marble accent top, wooden chair frames and a simple concrete grey wall creates a

cosy space that is well-suited for sharing a hot meal after a long day’s work. Meanwhile, a trio of pendant lights in grey, white and yellow serve to accent the space by giving it a pop of colour.

On the other hand, the entryway’s solemnlooking concrete surfaces help to distinguish it from the adjacent living space without detracting from the overall cohesiveness of the apartment’s look.

“Concrete screed was used to create the entrance’s floor and walls for three reasons: the first is to demarcate it from the living room, whereas the second is to create a visual transition from cool to warm across both spaces. Finally, the third is to give the apartment a consistent, steady aesthetic” says Keave.

FEB 79

PROMOTION

PROMOTION

W W W . S Q U A R E R O O M S . C O M . S G

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HOW TO WIN

STEP 1 Go to www.squarerooms.com.sg and register as an online member

STEP 2

STEP 3

STEP 4

Click on “Promo” in the menu bar

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TERMS & CONDITIONS: Promotion ends 22 February 2017 • This promotion is open to all Singapore Residents only • Only winners will be notified via email • Prizes are limited to one per household • SquareRooms’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entertained • Prizes are not exchangeable for cash • SquareRooms and sponsors reserve the right to replace prizes with other gifts of similar value • Key Editions Pte Ltd reserves the right to publish and/or use the details of the entries for future marketing and promotional purposes

98 FEB

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