SquareRooms Feb 2018 [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

SLEEP WELL

A guide to finding your perfect mattress

A GOOD SOAK

Accessories to turn your daily bath into an indulgent treat

CONTAINMENT PLANS How to keep it organised in a petite bedroom

REST & RELAX DREAMY BED & BATH INSPIRATIONS FOR YOUR PRIVATE OASIS

FEB 2018

ISSUE 154 S$5.50/RM10

www.squarerooms.com.sg

HOTNEWS

P O RT U G A L

ART BASE Diverse inspirations, traditional skills, new materials and contemporary techniques collide in Rug Society’s Fever collection.

Mira is the colourful representation of Cleopatra in a cubist language, Lola marries style and geometry, West puts architecture at the centre of attention, Redleh is passionately oriental, Xisto take influence from metamorphic rocks, while Spirit shows the parallel between ether and nature. Made mostly from wool, botanical silk and mohair, these rugs will give your interiors an atmosphere of luxury. www.rugsociety.eu

I TA LY

INTIMATE GLOW

SWEDEN

A DIFFERENT BEAT

Comprising task lamps, coffee tables, magazine racks and a sofa, Tom Dixon’s DELAKTIG collection for IKEA is focused on functionality and flexibility.

Taking inspiration from IKEA hacks, the designer’s creations can be transformed according to users’ needs.

One such piece is the durable DELAKTIG sofa bed that can be transformed into a single bed or chaise lounge by adding components. The designer also worked with Bemz to come up with three unique covers, such as shower-proof stripes and a sheepskin mono cover, for his collection with the Swedish furniture maker. www.tomdixon.net

12 FEB

The age-old Sun King Legend has been brought to life with Flos and Baccarat’s timeless know how and technology in the form of the Bon Jour Versailles Lamp. This Philippe Starck-designed luminaire diffuses a warm and homogenous light that exudes a different atmosphere with your choice of interchangeable crowns that comes in various finishes.

The transparent body that replicates finely sculpted crystals is a magical detail that illuminates from within. flos.com

SHIELD AND ARROW

Designed with modern minimalism in mind, each piece in the new Kelvin Giormani collection is named thoughtfully after its design. The Freccia II, for instance, is named after the arrow in Italian and is inspired by the arrowhead-shaped stitching patterns incorporated into the elegant curved profile of the sofa. Also part of the collection is the two-seater sofa, Scudo, which was named after it’s shield-like back frame that was formed with a well-defined upper back.

Available at OM, 16 Tai Seng Street Level 8, tel: 6235 0777, www.om-home.com

YEAR OF THE WOOF Usher in the Year of the Dog with TWG’s limited edition Breakfast Bulldog Tea encased in an electrifying matte pink tin.

Treat your palette to the bright and sunny morning blend with sweet notes of red berries and caramel – a unique spin on your traditional morning cuppa for a positive start to your New Year.

Available at all TWG Tea Salons & Boutiques, tel: 6733 7997, www.TWGtea.com

MIGHTY TINY Weighing only 290g, the Micro is Bose’s tiniest edition to the family.

The palm-sized wireless speaker is built with a durable strap so you can bring a high quality sound wherever the roads take you.

Thanks to the silicone casing and waterproof feature, the device is unfazed by the sea, chlorine, sand, dust and the occasional drops or falls. You can even take or make calls and access Siri or Google Assistant with a simple button or through the phone application!

Available at major electronics and home appliance stores, www.bose.sg

FEB 13

STYLE

24 FEB

PRIVATE OASIS HOW TO CREATE THE PERFECT SANCTUARY FOR TOTAL REST AND RELAXATION

IMAGE COURTESY OF P5

IMAGE COURTESY OF KUHL HOME

TEXT Jasmine Goh

SCREEN IT OUT If there are no partitions in the room to separate the activity area from the sleeping area, you can easily set one up with a room divider. Mobile screen dividers are not only useful as a privacy screen, but also as a decorative element, adding a touch of personality to your space.

FEB 25

DESIGN BY MINIMO & MINIMOLOGY

STYLE

RETREAT INTO TRANQUILITY Think gentle earth tones and soft shades of blues and greens. Muted colours tend to have a relaxing effect. Alternatively, do you remember the last time you felt calm? How did the place look? If you’re inspired by the all-white interiors of Grecian villas, consider layering white on white in your own bedroom.

DESIGN BY MADINTENT

DIVIDE AND CONQUER Arrange the dressing area to be separate from the sleeping area so that partners will not disturb each other if one needs to get up earlier. If the room is sufficiently large, the wardrobe can function as the partition. Combining another room with the master bedroom is also a solution, offering a spacious dressing area while maintaining the restful state of the sleeping quarters.

IMAGE COURTESY OF DULUX

INDULGE IN DEEPER HUES To create a bedroom with a more sensual atmosphere, go with darker colours like navy, olive and violet. Richer colours and textures in the bedroom can also help to evoke a luxurious feel.

26 FEB

IMAGE COURTESY OF VICTORIA + ALBERT

SOAK IT OFF In recent years, the line between bedroom and bathroom has been blurred so much that the two rooms are sometimes separated by just a glass wall. Having a bathtub in the bedroom is a great way to relax before you roll into bed, but high-rise apartment living commonly restricts the tub within the bathroom. With a semi open-concept bathroom or using sliding doors that help to combine the two areas, you can now have a better view while soaking in the tub.

BLUE GARDEN CUSHION from Kuhl Home

JYSK HOME CUSHION from COURTS

IMAGE COURTESY OF RUBY SLIPPER

FRINGES CUSHION from BoConcept

SOFT SPOT Make your room perfect for lounging and snuggling with the addition of some cushions, throws and a rug.

Rugs bring a sense of warmth and help to nurture a cosy and comfortable space. Avoid open shelving so that most items will be kept out of sight, minimising mess and clutter.

With some soft furnishings and tidying up, your bedroom can have the space to be your personal getaway.

FEB 27

IMAGE COURTESY OF HANSGROHE

STYLE+

RETREAT & REJUVENATE

Spa savvy Escape to your very own sanctuary of calm

THE TWO ESSENTIAL PLACES FOR GETTING YOUR R&R SHOULD ALSO BE FITTED OUT IN STYLE

INGABRITTA THROW $69 at IKEA

TEXT & COORDINATION Fidz Azmin

LINIE DESIGN ALMERIA RUG POA at Inhabitant

NORDIC MATTE VASE $28 at HipVan SABA GEO VELVET POUF $812 at Go Modern Furniture

30 FEB

LADUREE PARIS CANDLE IN AMANDINE $89 at Jade+Amber

HELGA LENTEN HANGING MIRROR $149 from HipVan

ORIGAMI INSPIRED VASES $47.60 at Crowdyhouse

MIRROR $417 at KSL LIVING

IMAGE COURTESY OF EIGHTYTWO

AYTM ANGUI STOOL POA at Inhabitant

Bare necessities A pared down space focuses only on what’s important

VENERE DRESSING TABLE POA at Chaplins Furniture

MJÖSA PEDAL BIN $29.90 from IKEA

PAPPELINA PLASTIC RUG POA at Journey East

AYTM LDA 3 PRINT POA at Inhabitant

FEB 31

SURFACE

FRESH INTERPRETATIONS HERE ARE 10 EXCITING FLOORING AND WALL IDEAS TO REFRESH YOUR BEDROOM AND BATHROOM

IMAGE COURTESY OF THE FRENCH BEDROOM CO

TEXT Disa Tan

1

WALLS OF TEXTURE

With the limitless options of stunning digital imagery and patterns, you can always count on wallpaper to transform the room completely. Distressed textures will make a mark this year and wallpaper can achieve the realism of these strong patterns without you breaking a sweat over the maintenance.

42 FEB

3

WATERPROOF WALLPAPER

IMAGE COURTESY OF DELIGHTFULL

Wallpapering your bathroom becomes a reality now with these water-resistant wall coverings. Free of grout lines, this presents a seamless and spacious visage of space. The decorative botanical motifs also add a touch of tranquillity to the bathroom.

2

DESIGN BY D’INITIAL

LESS GROUT LINES Going luxe with faux marble surfaces in the bathroom has been a common phenomenon in 2017 and this trend is transitioning into using larger slabs of such surfaces. For one, the bigger 800 by 800mm tiles triumphs over the regular 600 by 600mm sizes with a brighter and more sophisticated presence. Grout lines are also less visible. Bookmatching the tiles is also recommended as the flow of the veins becomes more natural.

4

IMAGES COURTESY OF DULUX

DIY HEADBOARDS With a combination of tape and clever coats of paint, these original, one-of-a-kind walls are set to take off in 2018. It’s not that difficult to execute, but it’s important to do proper planning at the start. Assess the scale of your wall and plan out different geometric layouts and colour combos for your wall. Instead of using regular masking tape to mark out the outlines, use painter’s tape which is less likely to fall.

FEB 43

SURFACE

5

BLURRED BOUNDARIES

IMAGE COURTESY OF HAFARY

The common open plan layout has integrated the bedroom and bathroom as one but what pushes it up a notch is the use of the same flooring tiles for both zones. This free-flowing order of tiles not only culminates in a harmonious bedroombathroom merger; it shows off a larger expanse of space. The boundaries are definitely blurred but if you are not fond of waking up to cold, hard tiles in your bedroom, switch to vinyl flooring for a similar look.

6

FABRIC TILES

IMAGE COURTESY OF HANSGROHE

While the bedroom takes on a rugged style take with cement, the bathroom becomes softer with fabricpatterned tiles. These tartan-printed floor tiles project a welcoming and cosy ambience – it's a neat visual trick that makes cold and sterile-looking bathrooms a thing of the past. Walking on it almost feels like plush carpet underfoot, except it’s waterproof and resilient to most bathroom elements like humidity and mildew.

GREEN INTERIORS Faux wood tile flooring or rather tiles with woodgrained patterns was a big thing in 2017. Nothing beats the real deal however but authentic wood flooring or even engineered wood flooring are not recommended in these wet zones. A vertical garden will be a good answer in bringing that authentic feeling of being outside. This works well for our space-starved apartments and will impart a spa-inspired ambience.

44 FEB

IMAGE COURTESY OF CERAMICA SANT'AGOSTINO

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8

WALLHOUSE WALLS

IMAGE COURTESY OF CERAMICA SANT'AGOSTINO

The industrial style has been going strong since last year and this look has staying power due to its cool and edgy appeal. Cement screed has been a big part of it but the reality of it is it is too gritty and might leave too much powdery residue on the floor. By using a sealant to achieve a glossy texture, the cement is less likely to flake. Paint also works as an adequate bonding agent and to introduce a vibrant dash of colour.

TILE MISMATCH We’ve seen bold patterned tiles like Peranakan-inspired accents hog the limelight in 2017 but in 2018, being subtle is the way to go. Try a mix of regular-sized tiles paired with smaller tiles with bevelled edges of the same or similar patterns. It will set off an interesting but understated visual impact.

10 SPECIAL EFFECTS MAGIC

IMAGE COURTESY OF WHARFSIDE

DESIGN BY VERSAFORM

9

Special effects paint like Nippon’s Momento and Dulux’s Ambiance are picking up the momentum and these hand-painted designs are getting bolder. The wear-and-tear cement effect can be replicated instantly with special effects paint without undergoing the wrath of time. Even the chips, scratches and hairline cracks can be captured with the masterful strokes of a paintbrush.

FEB 45

SHOP

SOAK IT UP

TURN YOUR BATH TIME INTO A SPA-LIKE EXPERIENCE WITH THESE EXQUISITE ACCESSORIES ART DIRECTION Aris Lai, Linda Setiono & Pow Sin Ye STYLING Biona Boon PHOTOGRAPHY Wong Weiliang SHOT ON LOCATION KOHLER Experience Centre

(Clockwise from top left) DRAGAN box, $24.90 for a set of three, from IKEA. S&P Portland tissue holder, $61.90, from Harvey Norman Millenia Walk. Koo bamboo lotion dispenser, $29.99, from Spotlight. ÅFJÄRDEN washcloth, $3.90, from IKEA. Koo bamboo ceramic set, $49.99, from Spotlight. Royalton candlestick, $37.90, and S&P Portland tray, $42.90, both from Harvey Normal Millenia Walk.

Antalya hand towel, $12.95, and Antalya bath towel, $34.95, both from Bed Bath N’ Table. Twisted weave basket, $39.99, from Spotlight.

Featuring ironwork historic freestanding bath, Kelston freestanding bath and shower faucet and Rain Duet multifunctional performance handshower, all from KOHLER

46 FEB

WOOD VIBES Add some warmth to a monochrome bathroom with Zen-like accoutrements.

FEB 47

SHOP

INTO T H EÂ B L U E Feel calm instantly with these sea-blue bathroom essentials.

48 FEB

COOL AS STONE Add some natural stone elements for a utility zone reminiscent of five-star luxury retreats.

(Clockwise from left) Rope basket, $39.99, from Spotlight. Conran bale set, $54.95, and Montauk Geo bathmat, $36.95, both from Bed Bath N’ Table. SV International soap dish, $79, SV International tumbler, $129, SV International box with cover, $209, and SV International vanity tray, $299, all from Robinsons The Heeren. PS 2017 side table, $59, INFÅNGA candle dish, $6.90, and LUGGA scented block candle, $9.90 for a set of three, all from IKEA. Featuring Laura Kirar freestanding bathub, Pina Paletta by Laura Kirar floor-mounted bath filter and handshower from KOHLER (Opposite page, clockwise from top left) BOLMÅN bath towel, $15.90, from IKEA. Drift scallop shells, $63.90, from Harvey Norman Millenia Walk. EKOLN toothbrush holder, $4.90, and EKOLN soap dispenser, $6.90, both from IKEA. S&P Montmarte soap dispenser, $30.90, S&P Montmarte tumbler, $18.90, and S&P Montmarte canister, $30.90, all from Harvey Norman Millenia Walk.

NORDRANA basket, $14.90 for a set of two, and VÅGSJÖN hand towel, $2.90, both from IKEA. John Lewis Scandi Isak bath towel, $59, from Robinsons The Heeren.

FEB 49

SPACES

all

ABOUT US Furnished with jaw-dropping feature walls and elegant furnishings, this four-bedroom family home perfectly embodies all of the homeowners’ favourite things TEXT Germaine Cheah

PHOTOS Wong Weiliang

AT A GLANCE

SPACE

4-bedroom condominium unit LOCATION

Faber Walk RENO PERIOD

6 weeks HOME TO

2 adults, 2 children

52 FEB

OVERALL Wanting to create a bigger space that could accommodate more friends and family whenever necessary, the original dining and living spaces were swapped. While the addition of 1m-high purple wainscoting that lines the space evokes a English Victorian feel to the space, the use of contemporary elements like a dining table from Danish Design Co and dining chairs from BoConcept help to transform it into a modern space.

N

ot many people would want to take on the daunting task of coordinating their home’s renovation without the help of an interior designer, but for mummy blogger Liang May and her husband Meyer Yang, it was a natural – and simple – decision. Realising that they already had such a strong sense of how they wanted their home to look like, the couple decided to cut out the middleman and take matters into their own hands. They then scoured sites like Instagram, Pinterest and other design websites to put together a mood board that would help to clearly relay their intended design concept to their contractor.

Retaining the kitchen and the common and master bathrooms as how the developer designed it, the homeowners concentrated on imparting each inhabitant’s personalities into the communal spaces and bedrooms. For starters, the living and dining room’s

T H E YA N G F A M I LY Homeowners Meyer Yang and Liang May (together with their children Yang Jing Faye and Yang Ewan) took it upon themselves to conceptualise and coordinate the renovation of their home with the help of artisans and contractors.

FEB 53

SPACES

Brass pendant lamp from Meraki Decoration

LIVING ROOM Livening up the space is the addition of black wall shelves that serves as a platform to display flowers and ferns. In addition to Patricia Braune’s Island Frond Moonlit wallpaper design next to the corridor, three paintings by local botanical artist Sarah Lim of Poppy Flora Studio beneath the shelve further accentuates the nature theme and is complemented well by the gold-trimmed wall mirror that hangs just beside.

54 FEB

placements were swapped, offering the family of four a bigger space to accommodate visitors whenever necessary. And to highlight the unit’s high ceilings, 1m-high wainscoting was added along the walls to.

Believing that a living room – or in this case, a diningcum-living-room – should cultivate meaningful conversations and genuine interactions instead of being a space where everyone just sits around with their eyes glued to the television, the omission of a television set serves a practical purpose for the homeowners and their hosting duties.

Largely inspired by art murals, the dining zone’s botanical-inspired wallpaper was just the start of the family home’s many eye-catching feature walls.

With the help of local custom wallpaper specialist LayerPlay Design, they installed Patricia Braune’s

Island Frond Moonlit wallpaper design that was provided by bespoke wallpaper company Robin Sprong, chosen for the blue-base and gold accents that would complement the space’s design theme. Meanwhile on the opposite wall, two customised wall shelves allow for the display of family trinkets and ornamental decor.

Unable to find ready-made shelves tall enough to complement the high ceilings, Liang May had the shelves customised, which the carpenter made from plywood and finished with dark woodgrained laminates, complete with a white backing to create a seamless continuity with the rest of the wall.

A giraffe canvas painting by animal artist Thierry Bisch ties the two wall features together.

When it came to her son Ewan’s room, Liang May’s heart was set on a monochromatic

Dining room feature wall

Wallpaper from LayerPlay Design DINING ROOM In the dining room, two customised display shelves, made from wood and lined with dark woodgrained laminates, house the family’s trinkets and other ornamental decor.

For visual consistency, the backing of the shelves was swathed in white paint to match the surroundings.

FEB 55

SPACES

SON'S BEDROOM Going with a monochromatic colour theme, the son’s bedroom was clad in black paint and fitted out with black-and-white wall decor to further accentuate the design concept. The wall paint was purposely left unfinished three-quarters upwards to prevent the space from feeling too dark.

For safety reasons, the once laminated staircase was overlaid with black carpet to prevent the slippery surface from tripping up the young occupant when going up and down the stairs.

colour scheme. However, not wanting to create a space that would seem too “adult” for the young boy, she decided on a Batman theme that the 5-yearold would not only love, but one that would also fit into her design plans as well. With the help of Nippon Paint’s professional painters, the adjoining wall next to the loft staircase was painted in black from the floor to roughly three-quarters of the way up, with the unfinished look creating the illusion of the various buildings and skyscrapers found in Gotham City. Further accentuating the superhero theme was the use of multiple Batman wall decals and a three-dimensional wall hook from local children’s lifestyle store Owl Bliss. As the loft structure was from the developer, the original staircase finish was made from laminates and had many sharp edges.

56 FEB

DAUGHTER'S BEDROOM Featuring various shades of a dusty pink, this bedroom is home to a customised house-framed bed. While now flushed against the wall, the frame can be elevated depending on preference.

Sitting directly across the customised bed is a clothes rack, made out of wood and painted white on the ends, that displays some of the little girl’s clothes.

DAUGHTER'S B E D R O O M L O F T Made from timber, the loft structure was specially installed to encompass the young occupant’s playroom and library, complete with wall shelves that serve as a landing spot for storybooks. Meanwhile, the space is highlighted by a hand-painted watercolour mural that evokes a sense of dream and fantasy in the space.

Foreseeing that the kids may tumble and fall if not careful, the couple made another thoughtful modification in the room by lining the staircase in black carpet to make the space kid-friendly.

Moving on to daughter Faye’s bedroom, the space features various shades of dusty pink that is befitting the young occupant. Steering clear from a typical children’s bed, Liang May worked with custom interior decor shop Urban Li’l to create a bespoke house-framed bed, including a chimney.

The bed frame was also designed for long-term usage in mind, offering the option of being converted into a playpen should Faye outgrow the bed. For the wallpaper, Liang May chose Daleen Roodt’s Satyrium Occellatum wallpaper design as the timeless design meant that there wouldn’t be a need to change the

FEB 57

SPACES

MASTER BEDROOM Besides opening up the confines of the bedroom with a glass divider, a low-rise platform bed accentuates the spacious and welcoming ambience. This custom-built frame is integrated with an elongated floating bedside table and recessed lighting at the base as well.

60 FEB

graceful

ANATOMY This tiny apartment dared to be bold and different with open spaces and old world drama TEXT Disa Tan

PHOTOS Fuse Concept

AT A GLANCE

SPACE

2-bedroom condominium unit LOCATION

Flora Drive RENO PERIOD

5 weeks HOME TO

2 adults

FEB 61

SPACES

A

world of grandeur can come in small packages as attested by this cosy 580-square foot apartment located in the east. Making this haven of old world glamour come to life is Jade Kwok, an interior designer from Fuse Concept. She says, “The homeowners envisioned their home to be reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour, much like the Great Gatsby.” However, before moving forward with these exciting aesthetics, the original layout of the brand new unit had to be reworked quite extensively.

“The existing layout was less than ideal for what the owners had in mind,” says Jade. Like any other regular apartment, the two-bedder home has a series of rooms which is separated from the communal zones by walls. Its small stature posed a problem though; the boundary walls diminished the floorplate and made everything felt restrictive and unappealing.

“Hence, we had the proposal to replace the walls separating the bedroom and living area with a framed

62 FEB

Gibson console table from Castlery

OVERALL Other than dining in convenience at the Gibson console table from Castlery behind the sofa, the homeowners can also choose to dine al fresco at the balcony. The private enclosed space or balcony has a generous square footage so it would be a waste not to utilise it as an extension of the living zone.

F OY E R

(opposite page)

Loose pieces work better than bulky built-ins for this petite home. The birdcage mirror from Taylor B has interesting details and conjures a bigger impression of space.

FEB 63

SHORTCUT SHORTCUT

MAKE AN ENTRANCE An easy but chic way to dress up your home’s entryway IMAGE COURTESY OF BoConcept

Even though it takes up just a small part of your home, your entryway should not be neglected. This is the first space that greets you after you return home after a long day out, after all. Here’s a simple way to dress up this petite corner: hang up some evocative art prints and position a rug and ottoman. And to add some visual interest, prop up some cushions.

This solution is sure to make you feel welcomed immediately.

104 FEB