Squarerooms Mar 2017 [Preview]

I N T E R I O R S

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I D E A S

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S O L U T I O N S

www.squarerooms.com.sg

By the palette

Colour rules for compact interiors

Tech it out

Smart home solutions for every kind of homeowner

Get organised

Easy DIY ideas for a clutter-free abode

Maximum

impact

Expand your small space with clever reno hacks and design tricks

MAR 2017

ISSUE 143 S$5.50/RM10

Wish you knew how you could make your

small living room feel more spacious and comfortable?

read more

www.squarerooms.com.sg

SquareRooms online

Maximise every square inch of your compact living space with these clever ideas.

Ideas

Solutions

7 creative ways to turn your living room into a space of many possibilities

Advice

How to arrange furniture in a small living room

DIY

5 ways to lay out a small living room

8 smart living room storage ideas

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

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HOTbrowse

warehouse gem Part-cafe, part-garden and part-showroom, Knots Living is definitely no run-of-the-mill furniture store TEXT Stanley Lim Photos Knots Living

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hanks to a wide variety of local furniture stores that cater to different tastes and preferences, searching for the right home collection is byand-large a straightforward affair in Singapore.

However, when it comes to finding a onestop shop, you will be hard-pressed to find another that matches the uniqueness of Knots Living.

Located within a quiet industrial estate in Paya Lebar, Knots Living is a three-in-one furniture store that also houses a cafe and flower shop in its 2,600-square foot space. The business is helmed by Knots Living founder Soh Yee How, who is the owner of flower delivery service XpressFlower.

Drawing inspiration from a small florist-cum-coffee shop that he encountered while holidaying in Hong Kong, Yee How was motivated to establish a similar business in Singapore.

“Bringing together a furniture store and a florist shop is not an easy task, much less integrating a cafe into the

18 MAR

same space,” shares Yee How. “You are toeing a thin line between the different zones that each business occupies, simply because it is quite difficult to have furniture, pots and customers next to each other.”

Despite the inherent challenge, Knots Living does an excellent job in marrying the different segments of its business with the help of a well-thought-out interior. Although the store’s decor is largely dominated by grey cement screed walls and a matching linoleum floor, the hardness of these elements are offset by vibrant displays comprising colourful stoneware ornaments and pots of blooming flowers that are found throughout the entire space.

Customers can sit back and enjoy a nice hot cuppa in the cafe area, which emulates the feel of an outdoor garden. Likewise, a collection of handcrafted furniture – including a mahogany-topped dining table and Gmelina wood bar stools with galvanised iron legs – serves to enhance the cosy atmosphere of the space.

Most notably, almost every piece of furniture in the cafe is available for purchase, including the very dining chairs and tables that customers use.

The furniture gallery is visually similar to its cafe counterpart, being replete with various hardwood pieces from the Philippines. Iconic pieces displayed here, include an intricate tripod floor lamp with a foldable natural walnut-slatted shade, as well as a generous buffet table that comes equipped with extendable shelves. In addition, a collection of home accessories, such as dried flowers in bell-jars and frame-mounted deconstructed cameras, ties in well with the different aspects that make up Knots Living’s varied yet harmonious identity.

Vera floor lamp III

INSIDE STORY Knots Living’s multiconcept business was inspired by the owner’s travel experiences in Hong Kong.

Almost every single piece of furniture in the store can be bought, including the tables and chairs in the cafe.

Knots Living 160 Paya Lebar Road #01-07 Orion @ Paya Lebar tel: 6817 0383 www.knotsliving.com

Deconstructed camera frame

HOTfads

got the

blues

6

Create a classy and restful vibe at home with this ultra-versatile hue Text & coordination Jolene Limuco

7

1

2 5

3 4 1. PS 2017 rug, $399 at IKEA 2. PS 2017 cushion, $9.90 at IKEA 3. JASSA side plate $4.90 at IKEA 4. Effect vase, $45 at Stylodeco 5. House Doctor table lamp, $388 at Stylodeco 6. Joe Cariati decanter, POA at Vanilla Home 7. Blue bag, $79.90 at Zara 8. Imola chair, $5,645 at BoConcept

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MAR 19

solutions

Colour rules for

small homes Create the illusion of a larger space with these four colour schemes

34 MAR

Image courtesy of Amara

TEXT Disa Tan

Image courtesy of sofa.com

1

M o n o chro m e This two-tone scheme can seem restricting and probably flat to those who love colour but with the right application, it can be bold and impactful. Designer Joey Khu from Joey Khu Interior Design thinks that while using white tones alone is a safe and classic option for small spaces, it can be too clean and clinical. “Most people shun dark colours in fear that it can diminish their small rooms,” he says. “To not let the colour close the room in, assess the natural light source of your space and use white for that area to amplify the natural lighting.

You can then consider using black for the other walls.”

Our colour s uggestion s :

Image courtesy of FineArtScene

Dulux White On White 30GY 88/014

Image courtesy of Colours at B&Q

COLOUR TIP: Don’t just use paint to create a monochromatic style, accent pieces like artwork and decorative touches work just as well.

Dulux Black Mica 30BB 05/022

Dulux Natural White 50YY 83/029

COLOUR TIP: Get creative with an abstract or asymmetrical paint treatment of black and white hues.

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solutions

2 PAST E LS

These dreamy, ice-cream tones are perfect for those who love something energetic and playful. And yet, with the right colour and application, it can conjure something soothing and charming. “Pastel colours are a great hit with young couples,” says Design Director Kate Ng from Design Neu. However, the biggest problem pastel colour schemes have is that they are mostly associated with a children’s or nursery rooms. To ward off all these childish vibes, Kate suggests using only three pastel tones at any time and with complementary colours like white or very light grey.

Image courtesy of dulux

“White, light grey and woodgrained textures make great complementary accents to pastel tones.”

Kate Ng, Design Neu

36 MAR

Image courtesy of dulux

Image courtesy of Wild & Wolf

COLOUR TIP: Use alternate shades of pastel yellow for a fresh and modern update.

Dulux Green Satin 30GY 83/107

Dulux Winter Mauve Dulux Jasperware 70RR 57/070 10BG 38/119

Design by Make Room

O u r c olou r su g g e stio n s :

COLOUR TIP: Painting all the walls pastel would not bode very well for a light and spacious setting. The colour ratio for pastels and clean neutrals should be 40:60.

MAR 37

Shop L ay e r e d effect A cosy bedroom calls for a soothing palette and plenty of soft layers. And there’s no better way to add warmth than by introducing a few woodgrained elements.

the luxe edit Create a restful sanctuary with choice selections of elegant furnishings Styling Yong Woei Na ART DIRECTION Neo Aik Sing & Geraldine Tan Photography Wong Weiliang

From left: Glide oak chair, $1,375, Moheim swing bin, $129, Gubi Bestlite brass hanging lamp, $917 and Culti fragrance diffuser, $200, all from Foundry. Ethnic tapestry, $75, acacia wood letter sculpture, $20 each and bronze leather cushion, $195, all from BoConcept. Marset FollowMe table lamp, $313, from Foundry. NYPONROS quilt cover and pillowcase set, $59, AXAG pillows (firmer), $12.90 each and GRUSBLAD quilt (warmer), $39.90, all from IKEA. Featuring Lina Florentina Marble DXP 4318G laminates, Pewter SCA 1136D laminates and Urban Slate DXN 5308X laminates all from Lamitak.

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Shop

A study in elegance Create an inspiring home office by outfitting it in tasteful monochrome accessories juxtaposed with hints of gleaming metal.

From left: Morita Shikki Usubiki Cyoku lamp, $548, from Foundry. White stoneware icing vase, $45, black hook, $35, gold cut tealight holder, $25 and concrete jar with lid, $32, all from BoConcept. Hay black scissors, $23 and Y-Studio brass mechanical pencil, $124, brass rollerball pen, $124, brass ballpoint pen, $99 and Comme Home black marble tray, $109, all from Foundry.

Featuring (on wall) Nero Limestone DXN 5329D laminates, Rito Marmo Flavio DXP 1335K laminates, Nappa Noir DXO 1108B laminates, Mood SCA 1103D laminates and (on table) Frost SCX 1155D laminates all from Lamitak.

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Pause for thought Simple doesn’t have to be boring in the case of quality well-designed tableware.

Details like organic shapes and interesting textures bring out the character of handcrafted pieces.

From top: FEJKA artificial potted plant, $7.90, RISATORP basket with handle, $12.90 and VARDAGEN glass with black lid, $3.90, all from IKEA. 3D structure white tealight holders, $10 each, from BoConcept. Ceramic Japan Infinity small black dish, $15, Supermama Aspects glass cup, $48, Infinity small black bowl, $32 and Hay gym wall hooks, $76 each, all from Foundry. Other accessories, stylist’s own.

Featuring (on wall) Sierra Oak Granada WYA 5263E laminates, Bianco Marble Uassiq DXO 4316G laminates and (on table) Designer White SCA 5101D laminates all from Lamitak.

MAr 49

SAVVY

hack your home Just like humans, smart home appliances and services come in a variety of shapes and sizes. How do you know what’s right for you? We recommend a couple of clever devices that might satisfy your high-tech demands Text Stanley Lim

54 MAR

W

hen it comes to creating a smart home, customisability is key.

From smart locks that keep your home interconnected to remotelyoperated washing machines, there is seemingly no end to the number of technologies that can grant us greater convenience as we go about our day-to-day lives. Consequently, seeking out the right equipment is the first step to creating a high-tech living space that is truly your own.

We simplify things by sharing a couple of devices that each addresses the specific needs of seven distinct personalities – which one of them are you?

Convenient and secure, smart locks are essential for any connected home. However, be sure to take into account your door's dimensions before installing one.

The Cautious Homeowner

Yale Z Wave Deadbolt Lock; Price: From $649 at selected authorised dealers

If given the opportunity to install a particular smart home appliance, a Cautious Homeowner is most likely to opt for a digital lock as their fixture of choice.

Capable of providing both security and convenient access, these devices are said to be the next generation of residential locks for smart homes that make use of Z-wave networks.

An example is Yale’s YRD220 Z Wave lock that secures a home’s entrance through three different methods.

Homeowners can choose to remotely control the lock by either using a mobile application or by keying in a personal PIN code through an interactive touchscreen.

Of course, there is also the traditional key, which grants fuss-free access in the event of a flat battery or electronics malfunction.

The Savvy Customer

Singtel SmartHome Starter Kit; Price: From $25/$75 per month for 24 months (with Singtel Fibre) at Singtel shops or Singtel retailers

As a Savvy Customer, sniffing out a good deal comes naturally to you. Whether it is that affordable HD TV that you picked up at the IT sale this week or the comfy leather sofa that you got for a steal at last month’s furniture show, nothing escapes your sights when it comes to maximising every dollar that you spend.

And much like making your next shrewd purchase, creating a smart home is a process that involves searching out a fair deal.

If you are a Singtel Fibre user, we recommend the Singtel SmartHome starter kit.

Apart from supplying subscribers with a hub device, the starter kit also lets them choose between two packages that either offer a contact sensor ($25/mth) or a smart door lock ($75/mth) as accompanying devices. For those who wish to further customise their home’s automation processes, other compatible Wi-Fi add-ons, such as smart plugs and motion sensors, are also available for purchase with the packages.

MAR 55

Spaces

space

4-room BTO unit location

Choa Chu Kang reno period

Approx. 7 weeks Home to

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Living room

Filled from top to toe with neutral shades, the living room possesses a calm atmosphere that is further enhanced by the presence of natural greenery in the form of various potted ferns.

homestyle Scandi

Featuring a cottage-like interior, this homely apartment presents touches of greenery amidst a sea of calm neutrals Text Stanley Lim PHOTOs Dan's Workshop

K

nown for the peaceful atmosphere that it possesses, the Scandinavian look enjoys much popularity among local homeowners, due to its highly-prized qualities of tranquillity and simplicity.

In this 4-room BTO flat that serves as a humble abode for two, interior designer Dan Wu of Dan’s Workshop presents his own take on the muchloved concept with the help of a predominantly neutral colour scheme, which lends the space an air of serenity.

“Initially, the owners were unsure about the type of decor style for their home, so I proposed adopting a Scandi-cottage design as it would give the space a cosy, rustic feel that closely matches their preferences,” says Dan. This decision to go with a Scandi-cottage look eventually culminated in a home that is modern and clean. Sporting a tidy-looking interior, the living room is replete with neutral shades that lend it a relaxed feel. Here, rough grey Formica laminates used for the TV console’s feature wall and a cabinet display go well with

MAR 67

Spaces

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Storage area (left)

Showing off a blackon-grey colour scheme, the apartment’s shoe cabinet also doubles up as a display with a pair of recessed shelves.

F e a t u r e w a ll (opposite page)

The TV console feature wall shows off a house-shaped design that echoes the homely feel of the apartment’s Scandi-cottage interior.

the ceiling’s white scheme, which also work as a way to complement the light grey tone of a two-seater sofa.

The central living space is also home to a variety of organic elements that help to bring the outdoors in.

Clad in vinyl tiles with a woodgrained finish, the floor imbues the living space with a natural warmth that is further enhanced by potted ferns and a ceiling fan with mahogany blades. As a space-saving measure, a drawer on wheels that doubles as a mobile coffee table, can be stored within a small recess underneath the TV console.

Other smart built-ins designed by Dan include a shoe-cum-display cabinet that occupies the space to the right of the living room’s sofa. Despite making up a small fraction of the total area, the designer was careful in maintaining visual consistency when coming up with the cabinet’s design. For instance, the grey shades of the TV console’s feature wall make a reappearance here in the form of the cabinet’s doors. Another notable detail is the house-shaped recess in one of the cabinet’s doors that serves as a practical, yet appealing storage nook.

MAR 69

Spaces

70 MAR

Kitchen backsplash

Patterned stone tiles from Hafary Kitchen & dining area (left)

Featuring an open-concept design, the kitchen-cum-dining area is the perfect zone for a relaxed meal with its convenient side table and cosy ambience.

B AC K S P L A S H (below)

To create interest and a focal point in the predominantly neutral kitchen, Dan created an eye-catching backsplash out of patterned tiles, albeit in a monochromatic scheme to keep things visually cohesive.

MAR 71

Spaces

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Master bedroom

The master bedroom’s lamp-shaped cut out, framed leaves and offwhite laminates reflect the playful, natural aesthetic that the homeowners wanted.

As for the apartment’s kitchen, a similar focus on organic elements helps to create a cosy environment that is reminiscent of a cafe. Separated into two distinct sections, the kitchen comprises a baking area as well as a combined food preparation and washing zone. However, commonalities can be spotted between both sections; these include a backsplash constructed using patterned tiles as well as ceiling cabinets clad in charcoal-grey and light walnut laminates.

“As per the owners’ request for an open concept, two of the walls encapsulating the kitchen were demolished to make way for the current sink and the joint dining table,” shared Dan when asked about

the modifications made to the kitchen area. “And to prevent water from spilling out into the hallway, we made sure to install a sink barrier made out of black, tinted glass for a classier look.”

Not unlike the rest of the apartment, the master bedroom similarly possesses a cosy atmosphere with its collection of comforting textures. A variety of grey and white shades was used throughout the space and can be found in the choice of bedding as well as the surfaces of the surrounding storage units.

Lastly, a lamp-shaped cut out in the rear panel – which contains a single bulb – serves as a creative replacement for conventional bedside lighting.

MAR 73

Spaces

space

4-room BTO unit location

Dawson Road reno period

6 weeks Home to

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big on style

Industrial touches and quirky furnishings reign in this petite but stylish BTO unit Text Jolene Limuco PHOTOs Fuse Concept

Overall

Industrial elements and masculine tones come together in this 914-square foot BTO unit by way of a red brick wall, cement screed surfaces and wood-textured furniture.

Contrary to being cold, the living room exudes a cosy vibe thanks to the inclusion of quirky knickknacks and furnishings that imbue a sense of personality and playfulness into the space.

Loose furniture, like the solid wood TV console, leather sofa and bar cart, were chosen for their modular nature so that the homeowners can move things around as and when they please.

MAR 83

Spaces

Shelf

Instead of built-ins, the couple opted for standalone furniture to keep their space visually light. This bar cart-cumshelf is a great way to display their favourite art prints and posters all while being a functional storage unit.

84 MAR

L i v i n g r oo m

Although the homeowners have chosen cement screed for their floor and wall in the living room, the vibe is far from utilitarian thanks to the collection of vibrantly-hued furnishings.

The space has also been minimally furnished with just the essentials to keep the petite space from feeling too cramped.

W

hen it comes to first homes, most young homeowners would be particular about style and practicality in equal measures.

After all, a home is where busy working professionals can truly relax and get away from it all. At the same time, functionality is key in compact homes to maximise every square inch of available space.

This four-room BTO unit, home to young working couple Marcus and Gayle, best exemplifies the chic yet practical home that is so in demand in urban Singapore. Having wanted a unique abode that reflects their trendy tastes and

preference for vibrant colours all while being easy to clean and maintain, they sought the help of Eddie Tay of interior design firm Fuse Concept to realise their ideal space.

The result is a cosy haven replete with warm, masculine tones and industrial touches jazzed up with the couple’s collection of pop culture memorabilia.

This unique style can be first discerned from the living space with its wood-textured furniture, classic red brick feature wall and cement screed flooring. While these elements are synonymous with the industrial interior style, the atmosphere isn’t cold at all thanks to the quirky display of

MAR 85

Shortcut

Unexpected touch

Here’s an easy way to add some attitude to your wall IMAGE COURTESY OF Ferm Living

An elaborate feature wall or fancy wallpaper may be great for large homes but they might not work just as well in compact spaces. If you have a small area you wish to jazz up, the key is to choose simple wallpaper designs while keeping the colour palette of the space muted. We love the speckled appearance of this terrazzo-lookalike wallpaper paired with royal blue panelled wainscoting – it’s classic with a subtle edge.

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