SquareRooms Jan 2018 [Preview]

I N T E R I O R S

.

I D E A S

.

S O L U T I O N S

www.squarerooms.com.sg

GET

connected

20

OUTSIDE IN

JAN 2018

ISSUE 153 S$5.50/RM10

How to grow a thriving indoor garden

NEW BEGINNINGS Cheerful decor ideas to start the year afresh

SMART HOME INNOVATIONS

THAT ARE HELPING US LIVE BETTER

STUDY IN STYLE

Interior inspo for a clutter-free home office

HOTNEWS

THE NETHERLANDS

FANCY LENSES United by a common philosophy of creative luxury and high-end experimentation, Moooi, who is better known for its whimsical furniture, has teamed up with cult eyewear brand Gentle Monster to welcome an avant-garde line of sunglasses. The Third Eye Collection consists of four different styles, Trinity, Divinity, Sincerity and Infinity. Expect to see designs inspired by ancient Egypt and the mystical eye of insight. www.moooi.com/gentlemonster

DENMARK

YOUR FOREVER PLACE

MENU has expanded their crisp Scandinavian collection of home lighting and accessories to include the Tribeca Series Hubert Pendant, made from reusable old lamp parts for a retro-chic piece of art and the practical MENU Corner Shelf which was created based on the belief that organisation should be read from left to right. Also in the new collection are the Folded Vase and Norm Wall Clock, which are subtle accessories that will make your home a bit nicer to wake up in. www.menu.as

10 JAN

I TA LY

RADIATING GLOW The Artemide NH1217 lamp by Neri & Hu can be used in multiple ways. Simply by sliding the white blown-glass sphere along the brass ring you can instantly turn the table lamp into a wall light with an attached hook. But regardless of how you display it, this light will shine with luxury and grace within your interiors. www.artemide.com

SUPER SINK

German brand hansgrohe has created a series of built-in sink units with an impressive combination of design and function. The water control unit is strategically positioned on the sink’s rim to enable users to select precise temperatures and water volume – even with your hands full, the ergonomically shaped lever can be adjusted with your elbow. You can even choose to complement your hansgrohe sink with the sBox for an organised finish that keeps your base cabinets tidy.

69 Mohamed Sultan Road, tel: 6884 5060, www.hansgrohe.com.sg

SAFETY FIRST Did you know that by June 2018, all new homes will be required to have smoke detectors? City Gas presents the first of its kind, which is suitable for all local residential homes. The small and compact device has a loud alarm system that will sound off when it detects piped town gas, natural gas and cylinder gas. Install it yourself with three simple steps and enjoy your cooking experience with peace of mind.

Available at all City Gas Galleries and authorised dealers, www.citygas.com.sg

WINE NOT? The new Gaggenau wine climate cabinets are the home that your expanding wine collection deserves! Both the RW282 and RW222 are designed with aesthetics and functionality in mind. The interiors are decked out in dimmable LED lights and the cabinet frames are customisable to blend seamlessly with the rest of your home.

Equipped with smart technology, the wine cabinets are able to provide the optimal temperature complete with filtered air and protection from surrounding vibrations for your prized collection.

Available for pre-orders at www.gaggenau.com, tel: 6356 1080

JAN 11

HOTWHO

for making love, making conversation and listening to music. It’s impossible to read with this lamp.

It’s purely for atmosphere. But it’s a very poetic, emotional and hippie piece. In fact, it was actually very popular to receive this light when you get married in the 80s! And our very first product is still in our catalogue today.

WHAT ARE YOUR CONSIDERATIONS WHEN DECIDING TO PUT A NEW DESIGN IN THE CATALOGUE? The function of a product is

STYLE MAVEN Nina is responsible for curating

Santa & Cole’s lighting and furniture collections.

NINA MASO,

publisher & co-founder at Santa & Cole We sit down with the Spanish interior designer to find out more about her company’s unique editing approach to design INTERVIEW Jolene Limuco PHOTOS Santa & Cole

WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AS PUBLISHER AT SANTA & COLE? I am the person in charge of the

table lamp, and after that I choose the designer.

The most important thing for us is the product.

catalogue. My role also involves overseeing a team that decides which new products go into the Santa & Cole catalogue. We also decide what existing Santa & Cole products can be re-edited with new technology. We have a lot of products from the 60s, timeless products that we think will still be relevant today.

WHAT WAS THE FIRST SANTA & COLE PIECE?

important but also its ability to bring about emotions. Emotions, functionality, simplicity, beauty, honesty and understated presence – these kinds of values are important to us.

Another thing that is very important is that all of these products have a story to tell. It’s not only a light or a chair, there’s always some story or inspiration behind it. For instance, the M68 pendant lamp designed by Miguel Mila is inspired by the neck of a woman.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SANTA & COLE PIECE? I have a lot of favourites and I would like

to have them all my home but it’s not possible because I don’t have the space! Of course the La Colilla is very special to me but I also like the TMM because it is functional and simple – it’s the best light for reading. You can move the shade up and down using a very simple system and it emits a very warm light, and it’s so functional. For me, that is the perfect light.

La Colilla is the Spanish word for the cigarette butt, and our first design was inspired by it.

We created it as a reaction to the bright lights that were everywhere in the late 70s and 80s. The light and colour on the lamp resembles a cigarette butt.

This lamp is very special because it is only meant

READ MORE ABOUT NINA MASO ON WWW.SQUAREROOMS.COM.SG

BEAUTY IN THE DETAILS The brand’s M68 lamp is inspired by a woman’s neck and shoulders.

WARM GLOW Created to resemble a cigarette butt, La Colilla is Santa & Cole’s first lighting design.

WHY DO YOU CALL YOURSELF AN EDITING COMPANY? We adapted the approach of

publishing to our work because it a concept that allowed us to be flexible. For instance, in publishing, the publisher behind the book is not important. The important element is the novel and the author. It’s the same with us. We select a product and then put it in the catalogue.

I’m always thinking of what kind of product will belong in the catalogue. For instance, I see that I need a table lamp, and then I decide what kind of

18 JAN

HOTBROWSE

all under

ONE ROOF Step into the revamped COURTS Megastore, a one-stop destination for all your renovation and home furnishing needs TEXT Lynette Goh PHOTOS COURTS

R

unning around multiple places to buy essentials for your new home can be a hassle, but the revemped COURTS Megastore assures that you will only need one visit to tick everything off your checklist.

The one-stop destination is specifically designed to cater to the needs of homeowners while ensuring that they enjoy an immersive shopping experience. Expect to find everything for the home in the 136,000-square foot space.

The first floor houses the Market Hall with its range of domestic and personal appliances. Further in, a Click-and-Collect counter has been set up to allow shoppers to pick up their online purchases. The re-designed website is not only armed with more efficient search engines and quicker check-out sessions, you can now collect your items in store too, ideal if you want to avoid the snaking queues.

On the second floor sits an inspirational space – the Design Studio by COURTS – created for homeowners

to find solutions for every aspect of their dream space under the guidance and expertise of consultants from two accredited interior design firms.

Also on this floor, you can browse an array of impeccably designed furniture and accessories helpfully categorised around four themes – Natural Craft, Modern Luxe, Metropolitan and Industrial Loft.

These themes are grouped together to make it effortless to find complementary furnishings. The arrival of new brands like Joseph Joseph, Brabantia Kitchen range, Lékué and more offers a greater variety to select from too.

On the uppermost floor, you can entrust GURU by COURTS with your home and tech needs – the department offers more than 100 repair and maintenance services for over 20 home product categories such as smart homes link-up, mobile phone and laptop repair, sofa cleaning and washing machine servicing. You will be surprised to know that GURU fixes and repairs products that are not purchased at COURTS too. This level is also where you can find most of your home appliances such as televisions, washing machines and other essential domestic appliances.

Need a break from ticking off those tasks on your checklist? Take a break at MO Cafe and Subway where you can rest your feet, sip on a cuppa and fill your stomach before continuing on your journey. Undeniably at COURTS, you can expect a great blend of convenience and functionality all in one address.

INSIDE STORY The re-designed store features new retail concepts, including Design Studio at COURTS, a comprehensive home solutions zone that offers services such as interior design, smart home connectivity and flexible financing options.

The COURTS Megastore offers the widest range of bedding on the island, with more than 1,000 mattresses across 23 brands.

COURTS Megastore 50 Tampines North Drive 2 tel: 1800 222 6868 www.courts.com.sg

JAN 19

SMARTHOME

GET

smart

20

INNOVATIONS THAT ARE HELPING US LIVE BETTER

I

homeowners free up their time to focus on more important and, perhaps, more enjoyable things.

Despite the convenience, however, going smart has its drawbacks. For one, it takes time to fully adapt to a new way of life. Users are required to relearn relatively simple tasks, like how to turn on the lights and unlock the door.

Then there are the larger issues, like flexibility.

Having an automated preset for your evening light staging is nice and all, but what happens when you need functional task lighting on a particular evening? And there’s also the issue of security. If your home network system is compromised, you may lose control of your devices completely.

That said, the smart home will simply be home to most of us in time to come.

IMAGE COURTESY OF PHILIPS

magine waking up in the morning, rolling out of bed and going to the bathroom to go about your morning routine. When you’re done and dressed, you head to the kitchen and tuck into your breakfast. Sounds pretty much like a normal morning, doesn’t it? But what if you can do all these without having to flip a switch? The lights automatically turn on when you step into the bathroom, and while you shower, your toaster and kettle are already busy preparing your breakfast.

Welcome to the smart home.

According to the Oxford Dictionary, a smart home is defined as one that is “equipped with lighting, heating and electronic devices that can be controlled remotely by smartphone or computer”. These appliances were created to offer greater convenience and comfort, while helping

22 JAN

1

AT FIRST BRUSH

If you are looking to take your oral hygiene game up a notch, there is a connected device to help you with that. The Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart toothbrush will help you achieve a healthier mouth all thanks to sensor technology that can assist you in monitoring and improving your brushing methods. Working in tandem with the Sonicare app, the device is able to give real-time feedback and 3D mouth mapping for some seriously thorough oral care. The best part? This connected toothbrush is able to automatically detect plague, debris and stains in the mouth to select the optimal settings, leaving you with healthier gums and cleaner teeth in no time.

Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart Sonic toothbrush with app, $399, available at major electronics and home appliance stores, www.philips.com.sg

2

SQUAREROOMS TRIES: SAMSUNG CONNECT HOME

Editor Jolene Limuco experiences the possibilities of a smart home with Samsung’s latest IoT offering

What do I think of it? Getting used to What is it? An all-in-one solution that switching on the lights and the television provides home Wi-Fi and smart home via the Samsung Connect app takes connectivity. With this integrated network getting used to. It also takes time to figure system, users can create automation presets out how to create customised scenes and control home appliances and fixtures according to presets or “rules”. While it remotely via the Samsung Connect app. took a while to relearn everyday habits

and get used to controlling everything How does it work? This IoT system via the smartphone, I could definitely see comprises two components: the Samsung the convenience of automated settings Connect Home device that offers expandable once I got the hang of it. The biggest mesh Wi-Fi coverage and the SmartThings Hub that allows users to convert unconnected convenience is that I could switch off all connected devices and electrical points devices into smart devices. The former is with a single push of a button without a mesh Wi-Fi system that offers a range of having to worry about leaving something up to 1,500 square feet per router. You can out. And as someone who is forgetful, increase your network coverage to 7,500 square feet with the use of five routers under being able to switch off lights and devices a single Wi-Fi network. The SmartThings Hub remotely is a definite plus. consists of a series of SmartThings devices that include motion sensors, outlet sensors Samsung Connect Home, from $198, and water-leak sensors. These devices and Samsung SmartThings devices, allow homeowners to automate and manage from $38 for the SmartThings Arrival the smart home ecosystem, which are Sensor, available at major consumer controllable via the Samsung Connect app. electronics stores

JAN 23

SMARTHOME

3

4

GIVE IT A GOOD SWIRL

When it comes to household chores, convenience is a priority for many and Samsung’s FlexWash washing machine is the ingenious solution. Birthed from the idea of combining a washer and dryer together, the FlexWash has more features than meets the eye. After every wash cycle, there is no need to haul the laundry in and out of the machine to dry because the incorporated dryer is put to use immediately. Also equipped with the Smart Control, this machine allows users to control the machine and manage every wash cycle through an app on the phone. It lets you start and stop the cycle right in the centre of your palm. Got to settle the laundry after a long day at work? No sweat.

BOTZILLA AT HOME

A busy schedule leaving you with no time to clean your home? Here’s help: LG’s CordZero HOM-BOT Square aims to ease up your cleaning process. Under the HomBot vacuum cleaner series, there is the Single Eye and Dual Eye 2.0. The upgraded Dual Eye 2.0 comes with the ability to calculate the intensity of light in the room and take clear pictures without wandering. Armed with the Ultrasonic Sensor, this technology scans for obstacles and detect any breakables to minimise collision and scratches. It also works on a “bumpto-know” basis for unknown items and will memorise them for future routes.

Floor maintenance instantly becomes as easy as 1-2-3.

Samsung FlexWash washing machine, $3,599, available at major electronics and home appliance stores, www.samsung.com/sg/washing-machines

LG CordZero HOM-BOT Square, $1,259, available at major electronics and home appliance stores, www.lg.com/sg/robot-vacuums

5

WIRE-FREE CHARGING

Gone are the days where you’re required to plug your smart phone into a cable and connect it to a power point. With furniture makers coming up with wireless charging collections that require you only to place your mobile devices on tables or trays, staying connected is easier than ever. Plus, you’ll never have to scramble for loose wires at the very last minute ever again. One such collection is IKEA’s wireless charging collection that includes lamps, side tables and charging pads, the latter of which can be integrated into selected IKEA furniture.

IKEA’s wireless charging furniture and charging pads start at $29.90

24 JAN

6

WISH LIST

5 connected kitchen gadgets we can’t wait to see in Singapore GenieCan If you’re one of those people who hem and haw at the grocery aisle, the GenieCan is a handy device that will change the way you shop. Its barcode scanner keeps track of your groceries by scanning your trash.

It then adds the recently binned item into a list on your smart phone. Even if an item doesn’t have a barcode, the GenieCan will ask you what it can add to your shopping list and the item will be added. At the supermarket, all you have to do is pull out your GenieCan app and look at your list.

Amazon Dash Now that we get to enjoy the quick delivery offered by Amazon Prime in Singapore, we just can’t wait for the next Amazon innovation to reach our shores. The Amazon Dash is a nifty little Wi-Fi connected device that reorders your favourite grocery item with the push of a button. Each button is individually linked to a product of your choice, and when you press the button an order will be placed for it through Amazon Prime. With this neat little device, you may never run out of toilet paper again!

Samsung Family Hub refrigerator Imagine a refrigerator that helps you manage your schedules, stream your favourite TV programmes, created automated shopping lists and order groceries for you. That’s the Samsung Family Hub smart refrigerator.

We imagine that forgetting to add that allimportant ingredient to your shopping list will be a thing of the past with this super smart appliance.

Crock-Pot WeMo smart slow cooker If you often fantasise about coming home after a long day at work to a comforting bowl of chicken stew, this WeMo enabled crock-pot is the cookware for you.

Where its conventional predecessors fail in terms of peace of mind – that is, simply leaving it on for the entire day – this smart slow cooker lets you manage your cook remotely. You can virtually start cooking, adjust the temperature and stop the cook all via the WeMo app.

Quirky Egg Minder How many times have you wasted a carton of eggs just because you left them in the fridge for too long? We are definitely guilty of this and would welcome the help of this smart egg tray. It tells you how many eggs you’ve got at home and how many of them are going bad via an app. It is also fitted with LED lights that indicate which eggs are going bad and sends push notifications when you’re running low on supply.

JAN 25

STYLE

NEW BEGINNINGS SAY HELLO TO THE LATEST IN INTERIOR DECOR STYLES

IMAGE COURTESY OF SWEETPEA & WILLOW

TEXT Fidz Azmin

36 JAN

PASTEL PUNCH

DESIGN BY STUDIO FORTYFOUR

The pretty pastels of spring have inspired many, from haute couture to hot makeup looks. In interiors, these sweet shades aren’t content to stay confined to nurseries or domains that belong to little princesses.

They have snaked their way into grownup territories, whether it’s a light-filled Scandinavian home or a moody interior. Hues like blush, peach and lavender might appear effeminate at first glance, but they’re surprisingly versatile. The trick is to introduce the spring inspired palette into your abode in small doses.

Avoid an overly saccharine interior by painting only one wall in a room pastel. You could also incorporate the spring inspired palette into your space through mismatched dining chairs. Balance with neutrals – in this case, greys and creams – to avoid a cloying effect.

IMAGE COURTESY OF LIFESTOREY

IMAGE COURTESY OF TATUM

The soft hues of the chair and console contrast brilliantly against the dark blue walls – proving that pastels can be stunning and not just sweet.

If replacing your bed frame proves to be too much of an investment, update with new sheets and throws.

JAN 37

SHOP

(From left) AK2770 bookcase, from $3,685, AK1330 desk, $5,991, both from Danish Design Co. Ring binder, $16.90 each, and mini cloche and candle set, $39.90, both from kikki.K. Photo frames, $2 each, from Daiso. Reading chair, $1,581, Grasshopper table lamp, $846, and Cestino basket, $134, all from Danish Design Co.

46 JAN

DESK GOALS STAY INSPIRED AS YOU WORK BY EQUIPPING YOUR HOME OFFICE WITH THESE PRACTICAL AND CHIC FURNISHINGS STYLING Biona Boon ART DIRECTION Aris Lai & Linda Setiono PHOTOGRAPHY Wong Weiliang SHOT ON LOCATION Danish Design Co & Kuhl Home

WOOD INTENTIONS Streamlined solid wood study furniture make great alternatives to the classic secretary.

JAN 47

SHOP

STRINGS ATTACHED Short on space?

This modular etagere is perfect for squeezing in a workspace in just about any corner of the home.

WALL ABOARD Make use of vertical space by storing and displaying your notes and books on a wall-mounted shelf-anddesk combination unit.

(From top) Strap modular shelving system, POA, from Kuhl Home. Light box, $59.99, from Typo. Blue magazine holder, $19.90, white A4 storage box, $19.90, and 2018 A5 leather dairy, $54.90, all from kikki.K. Letter tray, $12.90, from Prints. Scented candles, from $24.90 each, from kikki.K. Paper trays, from $12.90, from Prints. Shining box, $47, from Kuhl Home. Sleek chair, $928, and Block table, $557, both from Kuhl Home. Porcelain teapot, $39.90, and porcelain cup and saucer set, $22.90, both from kikki.K. (Opposite page, from top) Blue magazine holder, $19.90, from kikki.K. String system, from $923, from Danish Design Co. Plant pot, $282, Alphabet cups, $39 each, and Shorebirds decorative object, $369 for a set of three, all from Kuhl Home. Wooden clock, $49.90, and CD storage boxes, $19.90 each, all from kikki.K. Mini alpaca, $48, from Little Odd Forest. Dream book, $49.90, and phone box, $49.90, both from kikki.K. Trinidad chair, $798, and ABC lamp, $450, both from Danish Design Co.

JAN 49

SOLUTIONS

TAKE IT INSIDE BRING THE OUTDOORS INTO YOUR HOME AND REAP THE BENEFITS OF A GREEN SPACE

IMAGE COURTESY OF IKEA

TEXT Isabel Pang

Picking a houseplant that suits your lifestyle and commitment levels is half the battle won, but even the most rigorous plants will look ordinary in a brown clay pot. Venture beyond your idea of a typical garden and experiment with new ways to bring some lush greenery into your interiors.

52 JAN

W H AT T O G R O W : H E R B S

IMAGE COURTESY OF AUDENZA

SCALE NEW HEIGHTS Plant stands bring potted plants closer to eye level, making it a more attention grabbing feature in your home. The variety of designs that these stands come in is also an added bonus, but beyond the visual interest, keeping your pots off the ground is a space-saving technique that brings your light lovers out of the shadows cast by surrounding furniture.

IMAGE COURTESY OF A BEAUTIFUL MESS

Chives, kaffir lime and lemongrass are some of the easier herbs to grow in a tropical climate – just note that they require plenty of water and direct sunlight. As short shrubby plants, plant stands will help these herbs to reach out of the dark while easing the process of harvesting their produce.

Plant stands can also help ease the strain on your knees and back when it’s time to harvest or trim your plants.

Choose terrarium jars with bigger openings for plants that prefer dry air.

M I N I AT U R E G R E E N H O U S E Both elegant and practical, terrariums are made with glass jars or plastic containers that reduce the upkeep usually needed of plants – at night, the leaves produce water vapor that will condense and keep the soil moist so you won’t have to water them as often.

Spruce up your dining table with a terrarium – you can create a minimalist centrepiece with just one plant or arrange a cluster of greens together for a dramatic touch of verdure. Just remember to choose greens that require the same amount of water and sunlight.

The succulent family comes in all shapes, sizes and colours but they’re all equally low maintenance, making them the ideal type to cluster together for a picturesque terrarium.

We recommend Buro’s Tail for their trailing pulpy leaves and the Zebra Plant for their contrasting white details.

IMAGE COURTESY OF FLOWER SYNERGY

IMAGE COURTESY OF COLASANTI’S TROPICAL GARDEN

W H AT T O G R O W : SUCCULENTS

JAN 53

SPACES

higher

GROUND A penthouse built brighter and breezier, and better equipped to suit its owner’s creature habits and storage needs TEXT Fidz Azmin

PHOTOS EightyTwo

AT A GLANCE

SPACE

4-bedroom condominium penthouse unit LOCATION

King Albert Park RENO PERIOD

9 weeks HOME TO

1 adult

60 JAN

F E AT U R E WA L L

Although unconventional, bookcases make compelling feature walls. And this piece is no exception with its clean lines and natural hues. What’s more, the sculptural patterns of the raw wood that’s used to craft this handsome piece are exposed in all its glory.

JAN 61

SPACES

BOOKSHELF

Every inch of vertical space is put to good use – even the odd corners at the upper recesses of this wall.

Kitchen island

KompacPlus countertop KITCHEN ISLAND (above)

Notice how the edges of the island’s KompacPlus surface are in black? This attention to detail is a deliberate move to complement the overall mood and aesthetic of the space.

62 JAN

I

n this penthouse nestled in the heart of King Albert Park, one would automatically assume that it covers more than its approximately 1,378 squarefoot size. This illusion of supersized spaciousness is attributed to the finesse of the design team at EightyTwo, an interior design firm that the lady of the house engaged not long after she gained ownership of her apartment. Her brief was simple: she wanted a bright and breezy abode that further accentuates the penthouse’s two-storey stature. What’s more, the pad was minimally equipped although it’s brand new.

All the more to rope in the help of the experts to turn the house into her very own sanctuary.

As the homeowner prefers a clean aesthetic that goes hand in hand with her request for a light-filled and airy interior, the designers chose to keep the home’s foundation a pristine white. Wood surfaces were chosen as accompaniment, as the natural patterns give character and imbue cosiness into the space. Black – a colour that the homeowner has a penchant for – makes its appearance as an accent all around the abode. It contrasts brilliantly with white and dresses the wood tones up with a modern flair.

This design scheme is applied to the entire interior, from foyer to sleeping chamber, for consistency and to ensure a seamless transition from one area to the next.

The residence opens to a sprawling communal area where the demarcation between the different zones are somewhat blurred. A kitchen island – or some might perceive as a dining table – takes pride of place in the middle of the room.

Wall feature

Micro Cemento in steel grey LIVING ROOM

The muted tones and simple forms within the living area lend an uncluttered atmosphere to the space, and let one appreciate the magnitude of its two-storeyhigh ceiling.

It’s a stunning piece that’s crafted to precision.

It is massive enough to fit up to six sitting adults, including a sink and a petite burner by the counter’s margin. Yet, the designers ensured there is ample walking space all around this centrepiece.

Brightening this area is a pair of copper pendant lights that provide a touch of sheen to the room’s aesthetics. Instead of conventional dining chairs, stools are the chosen mode of seating as the low backrest allows the homeowner to simply slide them

underneath the island whenever she needs the countertop for preparing food.

As the homeowner rarely cooks, a full-fledged working kitchen wasn’t a necessity. Hers is the perfect size for hosting and entertaining guests who come by occasionally. Clad in white, the cabinetry seems to blend seamlessly into the walls.

On the other side of room and sited along the wall behind the island is a full-length bookcase with a sliding ladder – a feature no one can miss in this

JAN 63

SPACES

fun meets

FUNCTION In this toy collectors’ home, precious toy sets and figurines show off a playful side of the industrial style TEXT Disa Tan

PHOTOS Versaform

AT A GLANCE

SPACE

5-room BTO unit LOCATION

Toa Payoh Lorong 1 RENO PERIOD

7 weeks HOME TO

2 adults, 2 children

74 JAN

Edmund Chesterfield sofa from Castlery LIVING ROOM

Mismatched pieces such as the Chesterfield sofa from Castlery and coffee table from EDD Plus bring an eclectic character to the industrial-style backdrop. Adding to the characterful aesthetics is the riot of colours from the soft furnishings.

JAN 75

SPACES

COMMUNAL AREA

With the boundary walls hacked away in the communal spaces, the visual focus falls onto the toy display showcase and this was the desired effect the designers wanted.

76 JAN

K

ids and toy collectibles: a combo that spells trouble especially when this expensive hobby is in close proximity of curious little hands. The married couple living here however, has no such worries with their young children and their toys, all thanks to good design. Having commissioned the Versaform design team to conceptualise an industrial-themed design for their brand new HDB unit, they made it clear that

they wanted their toy collection prominently displayed in their family home.

To ensure the collection sits in the best spot of the home, the designers went on site to determine an ideal placement. They decided that the area between the kitchen and front entrance holds the most potential as there is sufficient wall space to host a full display showcase. All they needed to do was knock down some of the walls to open up the space.

With a few boundary walls hacked away in the living area and kitchen, the home immediately presents a good flow of space and air.

Most importantly, the homeowners can admire their display showcase with minimal visual disruptions.

“The toys are secured behind glass doors with locks at the top,” reveals the design team. “It keeps the dust out and with the locks out of reach; it’s safe behind these doors.”

OSBs (oriented strand boards) are used as the wall backing of the custom-built toy showcase and this material also makes up a good part of

the home’s industrial theme. Appearing on the shoe cabinet and even as a headboard, it draws out a strong industrial aesthetic with its wood flakes.

The cross-oriented layers of thin wood make for a fitting backdrop for the homeowners’ multicoloured toy collection to truly stand out in the communal zones.

Decked in homogeneous floor tiles that resemble cement screed, the communal zones are paired with touches of black paint complemented by a dominant white colour scheme for the walls.

Cement screed is applied to one of the walls to define

Overall flooring

Homogeneous tiles from Hafary FRONT ENTRANCE

There is sufficient depth at the side of the cabinet for additional shelves and this niche has been turned into a handy space for display and storage.

JAN 77

SPACES

Kitchen countertop

KompacPlus panels KITCHEN

Sleek KompacPlus countertops, a restrained colour palette and an open-concept layout all attribute to the spacious appearance of the cooking space.

COMMON B AT H R O O M (opposite page)

The designers wanted to keep the style here clean-cut and they achieved the look with an overlay of flooring tiles and white painted walls. With this neutral backdrop, the clovershaped mirror and pedestal sink become the focal point.

78 JAN

the living area within the open-concept communal zone. Preventing the space from looking stark and cold are soft furnishings in cheery, bright tones.

The woodgrained textures from the coffee table and TV console, and the Chesterfield sofa’s old warm charm add a sense of warmth as well. Although the designers did not intentionally set out to create a child-friendly home, they have definitely put together a welcoming space for family bonding.

Over at the kitchen, the open-concept space features a restrained colour palette of woodgrained accents and monochromes. This curated colour scheme equates to less visual clutter and places a strong emphasis on industrial-inspired fixtures like the steel bar rack and the mosaic-tiled backsplash.

The slim profiles of the KompacPlus countertops and matching black overhead cabinets are also noteworthy in this kitchen setup. Of the darker

JAN 79

SHORTCUT

SPRING FORWARD Inject new life into your favourite space with a dash of terracotta and pops of greenery IMAGE COURTESY OF Bloomingville

Terracotta is considered one of the hottest hues in both the fashion and home decor worlds at the moment. And we can’t think of a better way to use it than by applying it onto the walls.

This vibrant colour goes best with other earthy shades like brown and beige. But make it stand out by complementing it with lively green or muted grey. This tasteful combination is sure to breathe new life into your well-used space.

112 JAN