Squarerooms Jul 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

GOOD BEDFELLOWS

Gorgeous bed and bath combinations

STYLE AND SUBSTANCE

An essential guide to bathroom fixtures

HANDY WORK

Effortless yet stylish handcrafted decor

AMAZING BATHROOM

transformations CLEVER TIPS TO TAKE YOUR BATHING SPACE FROM DRAB TO FAB

JULY 2017

ISSUE 147 S$5.50/RM10

Everything you need to know about funding your dream space Visit the SquareRooms website for tips on how to stay on top of your home financing goals

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finance Advice on budgeting for your home

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Renovate Information on remodelling your home

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Find

Tips for buying a new home

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Prepare

What you need to know to get your home ready

Essential reads about financing and budgeting for your new home 4 Things To Consider When Buying A Mortgage Protection Plan

5 Things You Need To Know About Home Loans

5 Important Pointers to Note About Getting A Home Reno Loan In Singapore

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SquareRooms Home Search is back for the third year, and we are once again on the look out for beautiful homes!

FIRST RUNNER-UP

winner home search 2016

second RUNNER-UP

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Aside from an exclusive opportunity to have your home featured within the pages of the magazine, there’re also over $3,000 worth of fabulous prizes to be won!

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Create a home to snuggle up in with these modern-day luxuries

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Text & coordination Jolene Limuco

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1. Oro table lamp, $69 at HipVan 2. Svenska Hem glass water bottle, $39.90 at kikki.k 3. Porada Webby day bed, POA at Marquis QSquare 4. Velvet cushion, $95 at BoConcept 5. Caulfield coffee table, POA at Minotti 6. Mingle decanter, $99.95 at Crate & Barrel 7. Winston table lamp, $119 at Castlery 8. Svenska Hem scented candle, $39.90 at kikki.k 9. Aran rug in Rose, $412 at The Rug Seller 10. Frilled crossbody bag, $79.90 at Zara

22 JUl

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HOTwho

MakeMistake, homeware designers

We speak to Thamaporn Wongaskchutrakul, Sirirad Hutasukapad and Teerawut Palachun about their studio’s quirky home decor label interview Jolene Limuco Photos MakeMistake

CREATIVE TRIO Thamaporn, Sirirad and Teerawut are the masterminds behind quirky Thai home decor label MakeMistake.

What is MakeMistake?

MakeMistake is a brand that designs lifestyle and home decor products with a distinctive identity.

Our products blend art, experiments, creativity and outside the box thinking. We also design pieces from questioning the issues that surrounded us in history, society and culture.

Can you tell us more about the origins behind the name MakeMistake?

The name MakeMistake came from one of our philosophies, which is to experiment. From the trial and error approach, we have found that the mistakes that happened during our experiments created new pieces of work, which are always beautiful and beyond expectations. When we

CONTEMPORARY CLASSIC The Golden Nose sculpture was inspired by various Roman art seen at museums, such as the Musee du Louvre and the Glyptoteket Museum in Copenhagen.

saw those works plus our impression on the beauty that formed from the conflict, they are paradoxically and imperfect yet they are unique.

And for this, we named our brand MakeMistake to communicate our thoughts and our attitudes on the philosophy that inspired us to create.

What gave you the idea to produce such unusual products?

The ideas that inspired us to create our work came from our surroundings. The example that reflects this as such is a piece called Primitive Light. This piece was inspired from the traditional African woodcarving and then mixed with something that’s totally different. The paradox being a clash between the simplistic tribal culture that relies only on the necessities and spiritual belief and a lamp, which is a modern-day innovation.

MADE YOU LOOK MakeMistake’s Optical Skull is meant to make you do a double take with its playful composition of an additional pair of eye sockets.

Who do you see buying and displaying your objects and art?

Our customers are people who enjoy art and design. They like to decorate their homes in a unique way and they are very unique themselves. A lot of interior designers are our regular customers as well.

Who or what are some of your artistic influences?

Do you consider what you make art or decorative objects?

There is no one in particular. Usually, the inspiration comes from many things in our environment, in our daily life, in a different design that we see, the artworks we encounter in buildings, architecture, painting, various types of printing and when we travel to different places. All of these inspire and influence our creations.

We think our products from MakeMistake can be considered art as well as home decor. The reason for this is because the whole process from designing and producing are the same process for creating an artwork.

Read more about makemistake at www.squarerooms.com.sg

JUL 23

STYLE

RELAX AND REFRESH UPDATE THE LOOK OF YOUR PRIVATE SPACES WITH THESE CHIC BED AND BATH COMBINATIONS

DARK, COSY AND CLASSY

HIDDEN COMFORT Nothing says luxurious quite like a walk-in wardrobe, but what about a hidden bathroom?

Take a page from this marble-clad en suite, which is cleverly disguised as part of the bedroom’s wardrobe. A pair of midnight black double-panelled doors blends in with the rest of the structure’s facade to make the camouflage possible.

28 JUL

DESIGN BY HOME JOURNAL

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SOBER UP A dark visual profile can make a space feel cosy and restful, making it one of the best options for both the bed and bath. Bring larger blocks of darker shades, such as black or grey, into your home’s private chambers if you wish to create a snug yet sophisticated ambience within.

DESIGN BY HOME JOURNAL

TEXT Stanley Lim

Mirrored surfaces work well in creating drama because of their ability to reflect light and open up spaces visually.

Use them to make a statement DESIGN BY MINALE + MANN

VISUAL DRAMA Time and again, black-and-white interiors have proven to be as interesting as their richly hued counterparts despite their lack of colour. In this lofty monochrome bedroom, several tall fittings, such as a storage nook and its accompanying ladder, emphasise the space’s height to create visual drama.

The same applies for the headboard’s expansive glass mirror, which adds a touch of glamour to the surroundings.

DESIGN BY MINALE + MANN

STARK BOWL PENDANT LAMP $69.90 at HipVan

RETRO REVIVAL Vintage fittings inject retro style as well as a sense of intrigue into this striking high-contrast bathroom. Depth is added to the space by a black clawfoot tub, which stands out against an equally arresting backdrop of white tiles. As demonstrated by this impressive bathroom, install wall tiles in a staggered arrangement to give yours a more interesting character.

SVENSKA HEM TRINKET BOX $29.90 at kikk.K

REFINE WALL CLOCK $79 at BoConcept

SVENSKA HEM VASE $24.90 at kikki.k

ALFRED NIGHTSTAND $329 at Castlery

JUL 29

STYLE

ISAAC PENDANT LIGHT $99 at Castlery

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NEUTRAL ZEN

DESIGN BY WHITE CORPORATE

CHAD RUG $199 at Castlery

CUSHY CUSHIONS Set up a relaxing ambience in the sleeping zone with plenty of layers that are soft to the touch.

If you are looking for a quieter, more sophisticated vibe, no-frills upholstered surfaces are the perfect bedroom accessories for creating a comfortable environment suitable for a pre-bedtime reading session or a good night’s sleep.

AJ TABLE LAMP POA at Louis Poulsen

COMBI TEALIGHT HOLDERS $15 each at BoConcept

POTTED ALOE VERA PLANT $329 at Crate & Barrel

DINAH STOOL $89 at HipVan

DESIGN BY WHITE CORPORATE

EARTHY ACCENTS Just like graphic patterns in subdued colours, earthy accents provide a way to create visual interest within a tranquil bathroom without detracting too much from its minimalist aesthetic. Compatible options, such as light ligneous shades and natural stone textures, go a long way in bringing out a feeling of repose in an otherwise severe-looking space simply by adding just the right touch of cosiness.

30 JUL

DESIGN BY THE SCIENTIST

INNER PEACE Peaceful and calming, an all-white swatch promises tranquillity with natural light bouncing off surrounding surfaces for a timelessly crisp appearance. In conjunction with a raised platform, an abundance of light-coloured surfaces can also contribute to the illusion of a taller, larger space, as seen by this restful chamber with its image of calm and repose.

Be sure to select the right combination of graphic tiles – an overly-loud or varied pattern can result in visual overload

DESIGN BY THE SCIENTIST

GRAPHIC CONTENT Keeping to a subdued palette of white and black can be useful for creating a tranquil bathroom ambience but it never hurts to add some character.

Striking monochrome graphic tiles offer a way to accomplish this without breaking up the simple and clean aesthetic of a private Zen-like space.

JUL 31

Style

Private sanctuaries Get ready for your next bathroom renovation with these refreshing examples

Image courtesy of akiHAUS

Text Stanley Lim

The choice of monochrome graphic floor tiles adds character and interest to the entire space.

Case Study 1: Subtle and spacious

D e s i g n e r : L aw r e n c e P ua h f r o m a k i HAUS s PACE : 4 - B E D ROOM CON D OMINIUM UNI T L o c at i o n : Upp e r E a s t C oa s t R oa d

Original look: “Prior to the renovation, the bathroom that you see now consisted of two distinct spaces: a balcony and the master bath, which we combined together by knocking down a windowed partition wall. The result is a less claustrophobic bathroom with fixtures that were chosen and laid out based on space considerations.”

- Lawrence Puah, akiHAUS

34 JUL

New look: Taking the place of the original partition wall, and demarcating the bathroom’s wet and dry zones, is a transparent glass sliding door and an inconspicuous step-down platform. Meanwhile, brand-new fittings, such as a generous sink and a wall-hung WC unit, now occupy the position of the original bathtub.

On the other hand, the vanity was revamped with a near seamless stretch of mirrored cabinets, which come equipped with hydraulic flip-open mechanisms and a pair of lamps. To prevent the vanity from appearing too bulky, only the sink

section was projected forward so as to reduce the overall size of the structure’s body.

A freestanding bathtub located in the vicinity of the bathroom window promises a relaxing bathing experience as well as a peek into the outdoor space through several privacy blinds.

Along the length of an adjoining wall clad in grey stone tiles from Rice Fields, a horizontal niche was created to store bathing supplies. This design feature was made possible by the choice of a ceiling-mounted rain showerhead rather than a hand shower, which in turn eliminated the need for a vertical mounting rod.

Case Study 2: retro fun

D e s i g n e r : R ay m o n d S e ow f r o m F r e e S pac e I n t e n t S pac e : 5 - b e d r o o m s e m i - d e tac h e d h o u s e L o c at i o n : A r o o z o o Av e n u e

Original look: “The homeowner was not a fan of bathroom’s previous design, which felt dated with its traditional pink and white wall tiles. The bathroom also originally came with a built-in tub on the side that the owners deemed unnecessary. Additionally, we shifted the toilet bowl’s position, which was previously located at the far end of the bathroom.”

New look: Following the removal of its original wall and floor tiles, the bathroom was equipped with an array of tightly-packed hexagonal tiles from An Huat, for a more updated appearance. As the bathroom belongs to the homeowners’ children who are fans of the movie Frozen, Raymond also outfitted the WC’s rear wall with bright blue mosaic tiles that resemble ice shards.

Significant changes were made to the bathroom’s layout including a relocation of the WC unit from the bathroom’s rear to the same stretch of wall that the vanity currently occupies.

A see-through shower enclosure was also chosen for the bathroom to give it an open concept.

Meanwhile, a slight retro touch can be found in the trio of decorative glass panels installed into the entrance’s classic wooden door.

Image courtesy of Free Space Intent

- Raymond Seow, Free Space Intent

A seemingly random tiling sequence helps to create movement and excitement within the bathroom.

JUL 35

SAVVY

Bathroom know-how Your most common questions about bathroom fixtures answered

Image courtesy of Louis Poulsen

Text Rossara Jamil

40 JUL

Faucet

As a general guideline, it is not recommended to have shower products with large shower faces or shower products with multiple functions for site situations with weaker water pressure.

What do I need to look out for when purchasing faucets?

When buying your faucet, enquire about the type of faucet – is it ball, ceramic disc or cartridge – and whether replacement parts are available in the event of leaks or damage. Next, does the handle design matter?

Yes, long handles are ideal if you have children or elderly staying with you. Also, ensure that it comes with an aerator. Otherwise, you can buy and install your own aerator, which costs as little as $5, at hardware stores.

Isabelle Oh, Hansgrohe

Image courtesy of Grohe

Image courtesy of Hansgrohe

Look for the Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme (WELS) rating, initiated in 2009, for water-efficient bathroom fixtures

You can tell when a faucet is of good quality when it is extremely resistant, while being able to maintain its shine throughout.

Zen Law, LIXIL Water Technology Asia for Grohe

Shower What are some features to look out for when it comes to showerheads?

The water pressure determines the quality of your shower experience. That said, it can differ, depending on the age and type of residence, the number of bathrooms at home and the type of heater used.

For a typical household with adults and children, a sliding bar ensures that everyone enjoys their shower experience. A removable handheld shower is a versatile choice, ideal for bathing and washing sports gear and pets. A fixed showerhead that flows water directly from above is suitable for family members of different heights as well. However, you might also need to invest in a handheld shower for other cleaning tasks.

JUL 41

SHOP

TIME TO REFLECT TURN UP THE LUXE FACTOR AT HOME WITH THESE CLASSY BLACK-AND-GOLD PAIRINGS

LOUNGE MODE Transform your neutraltoned living space into an elegant hotel-inspired lounging zone with some gilt-trimmed furnishings.

52 JUL

STYLING Leyna Poh ART DIRECTION Ken Koh & Linda Setiono PHOTOGRAPHY Wong Weiliang SHOT ON LOCATION Commune

COPPER TONE Your everyday meals will be special occasions with these metallic-accented dinnerware.

(Clockwise from top) Cricket coffee table, $1,199, from Commune. Round concrete tray, $49, from Maissone. Palace plate, $49, copper ice cream spoon, $69 (for a set of two), brass apple weight, $178, brass onion chopsticks rest, $118, Graf chopsticks, $20, copper tumbler mug, $49, ice coffee cup, $93, brass lotus root bottle opener, $118, and copper tumbler, $63, from atomi.

(Opposite page, clockwise from left) Wilbur end table, $399, from Commune. Gold tealight holder, $35, and tealight holders, from $35 each, from The Salad Shop. Desert Atlantis clock, $65, from Arete Culture. Art picture in black, $1,399, and Christina sofa, from $1,299, from Commune. Herringbone cushion in gold, $118, Kalm cushion with velvet flange in black and white, $109, rectangle cushion in slate and natural, $99, and cushion in silver, $98, all from Maissone. Cricket coffee table, $1,199, from Commune. Marble candleholder, $285, small iron glass candleholder, $65, and iron glass inlay candleholder, $385, from Arete Culture.

JUL 53

SIMPLE

handmade

HEROES

Looking for quirky, one-of-a-kind home accents?

These pieces created at workshops will add a truly unique touch to your space TEXT Jolene Limuco CRAFTWORK Desinere, Longue Vue Design & Make Your Own ART DIRECTION Ken Koh & Linda Setiono PHOTOGRAPHY Wong Weiliang SHOT ON LOCATION The Beuro

Featuring Thomas Bina Jordan console table, Thomas Bina Sofia chair, Pinetti letter tray, Pinetti business card holder and Pinetti pencil cup, all from The Beuro

GLOW WITH IT These on-trend industrial lamps will suffuse a warm glow to your home office, bedroom or living space.

Create your own with copper pipes, plumbing hardware and a solid wood plank at the Industrial Copper Lamp with Pipe Bending workshop with Make Your Own.

JUL 57

SIMPLE

STYLE CORNER A surefire way to transform a forgotten corner at home into an Instagram-worthy spot is to style it with one-of-a-kind accessories like these paper vases. Learn how to expertly transform paper into one of these gorgeous receptacles at the Paper Pleating workshop held by Desinere.

Featuring Thomas Bina Ginger console table from The Beuro

58 JUL

LOVE THOSE CURVES Made from white cement, these softly curved stationery and accessories trays

by Desinere will keep your desk looking neat and stylishly minimalist.

Featuring Thomas Bina Bonham dining table from The Beuro

SOLID FOUNDATION Can’t get enough of concrete? Then you will love these striking phone stand, planter and container, which are all cast from concrete. Bring out your inner artist at the Concrete Casting workshop conducted by Desinere where you can learn how to mould casts using plastic sheets and mix cement to create some trendy home decor objects.

Featuring Domitalia Euclide extendable table from The Beuro

JUL 59

Spaces

blanc

and noir Equal parts cosy and contemporary, this four-room HDB unit attests to the timeless charm and flexibility of a monochromatic decor scheme Text Stanley Lim photos Dan’s Workshop

AT a glancE

space

4-room HDB unit

location

Eunos Road

reno period

Approx. 2 months

Home to

1 adult

62 jul

overall

Following a makeover that lasted approximately eight weeks, this Eunos Road apartment was given a brand-new monochromatic appearance. To offset the monotony of a purely black-and-white interior, designer Dan made sure to include plenty of natural textures and soft furnishings that would give the entire space a warm and welcoming feel.

jul 63

Spaces

Living room floor

Large format homogeneous tiles F e at u r e wa l l

Serving more than a decorative function, the living room’s feature wall is highlighted by a useful array of chic storage options, including wood pegs as well as open wall-mounted shelves.

Joining them is a customised TV console that mirrors the rest of the fittings with its geometric design and clean outline.

64 jul

Won wire basket side table from Mountain Teak Living room

Visually divided in two by glossy monochrome homogeneous tiles, the living room comprises of a front TV section and a comfy rear seating area. The latter is anchored by a Fossil carpet from Mountain Teak that creates immense visual interest within the space with its complementary shade of blue and intriguing swirls.

T

here are bold decor styles, and then there are nuanced approaches to home design that form lasting impressions through subtlety and attention to detail. Taking the middle ground, black-and-white chic has proven time and again to be a flexible design medium, capable of giving rise to daring interiors and tranquil domiciles alike.

Dan Wu, founder and namesake of Singapore-based interior design firm, Dan’s Workshop, is the man in charge of giving this four-room resale HDB apartment its stunning monochromatic makeover. A veteran designer who has over a decade of experience in bringing his clients’ vision to life, Dan’s philosophy of creating simple, high-quality living spaces was a perfect fit for the homeowner.

“It all started when one of my previous monochrome-themed projects caught the homeowner’s eye, after which she contacted me to create a similar look for her apartment,” explains Dan. Appreciating the owner’s preference for a black-and-white aesthetic, the designer set about creating a high-contrast living space accompanied by plenty of strong, clean lines for an ultra-sleek appearance. Featuring an open floor plan, the living room also comes with striking homogeneous tiles in black and white that visually bisect the space in two.

Adding storage functionality to the front section are several platform shelves – arranged to form a house-shaped display that is at once playful

jul 65

Spaces

TV feature wall

Silver Fox white marble overall

Highly spacious, this four-bedroom apartment in Tainan demonstrates how it is possible to achieve a classy interior without the need for overly elaborate details. In the living room, long panels of Silver Fox marble make for an elegant half-height TV accent wall with their wispy grey veins that stand out against a strong white background.

78 jul

sophisticated charm

There is no lack of elegance in this urban family home that features a diverse collection of panelled details and rich textures Text Stanley Lim photos T.M Design Studio

AT a glancE

space

4-bedroom apartment

location

Taichung, Taiwan

reno period

Approx. 6 months

Home to

2 adults, 2 children

jul 79

Spaces

P E n t r y w ay (right)

The apartment’s entryway comes equipped with a generous wall-hung mirror that helps to bounce natural light off the surrounding surfaces for a more open look. The space is also the female’s owner’s favourite part of the apartment thanks to the generous panelled pastel green wardrobes situated on both sides of the walkway.

80 jul

art traditional, part modern and all-around stylish – American-style decor is as much a melting pot of design characteristics as its country of origin. Accordingly, it was due to this intrinsic flexibility as well as their time over in America that led the homeowners of this four-bedroom apartment to contact T.M Design Studio design director, Sam Huang, to re-create this very look for their new abode in Tainan, Taiwan.

Over a period of nine months – three for planning and six for renovation works – Sam redesigned the entire apartment’s interior to create an elegant family home that presents a unique take on the classic American-inspired design style.

“The final appearance of the apartment very much retains the look and feel of the owners’ previous home in the U.S., but it also possesses a certain flexibility that allows for different expressions of styles as well as the ability to seamlessly accommodate any furniture pieces that the owners might wish to add in the future,” Sam says. “In particular, a washed-out palette as well as simple but elegant fittings are the key elements that help to bring out the apartment’s overall cosy and classy look.”

Muuto Ambit pendant lamp from brinklight Dining area

As frequent hosts, the owners requested for a dining area that is large enough to fit eight people. Pine wood panels that line the base of an adjoining preparation island were chosen as a complementary contrast that would bring out a cosy ambience within the dining area. An Atomium hanging lamp is a welcome addition to the space, with its sleek, linear arms that give it a modern touch.

jul 81

SPACES

chill out ZONE

Natural surfaces and homely furnishings define this charming family abode TEXT Stanley Lim PHOTOS ArtMuse Interior

AT A GLANCE

SPACE

4-room BTO unit

LOCATION

Punggol Way

RENO PERIOD

6 weeks

HOME TO

3 adults, 1 child

86 JUL

JUL 87

SPACES

E N T R Y W AY

As part of the apartment’s makeover, a full height cabinet with tinted mirrors was constructed along the entryway’s length to add storage functionality and open up the area.

Located along the same stretch of space, the bomb shelter’s entrance was also covered up with an exterior facade accented with dark brown laminates and wooden frames.

88 JUL

Living room feature wall

Wood-effect laminates from Formica LIVING ROOM

The homeowners and their interior designer created an accent wall in the living room to bring out the desired modern resort look. Offsetting the stark appearance of the wall’s granite stone layers is a simple IKEA planter shelf.

D

istinguished by rustic textures and a laidback atmosphere, tropicalinspired decor is one of the best styles for imbuing a holiday vibe to the home. Accordingly, it was due to this inherent quality that interior designers, Andy Chew and Leslie Ong, chose to makeover their four-bedroom BTO apartment in this easygoing style.

“Although I am a fan of minimalist interiors, and my wife is a lover of classic decor, we ultimately came to a consensus to create a tropical-inspired interior after some discussion,” says Andy.

Upon finding common ground, the pair immediately set about bringing their ideal

residence to life and enlisted the help of ArtMuse Interior creative director Yong Ting Voon to co-manage the renovation, which took a total of six weeks to complete.

Taking charge of the living room’s makeover was Andy who worked on creating its craggy granite stone accent wall, accompanied by an indoor vertical garden and a generous TV console topped with glossy black granite.

Implementing the structure’s full design, however, proved to be a challenge though, as the homeowners and Yong ran into challenges mounting the vertical garden’s frame against an uneven surface.

Subsequently, side grooves that would

JUL 89

Your essential interior decor guide stunning Ideas and inspiration for a stylish home

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interior trends you need to know now

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