SquareRooms April 2020 [PREVIEW]

Decorating with Wood

How to layer wood surfaces for a modern and inviting feel

Staying home?

Online stores for groceries and more

Build a Cost-savvy Kitchen

What to save or splurge on in your cooking space

Top Upgrades FOR YOUR KITCHEN

APR 2020

ISSUE 180 S$5.50/RM10

Make your kitchen sleeker and more efficient than ever

In Focus NEWS

Elevated style

After almost a decade of researching hair straightening, Dyson has come up with the Corrale straightener. Instead of flat heating elements, it uses flexing plates that mould better to hair for greater control and less reliance on heat. This pioneering feature helps reduce hair damage and delivers quicker and sleeker results too. For added convenience, the device is cord-free and uses batteries that fully recharge in 70 minutes. No more getting tangled up in wires! www.dyson.com.sg

Easy change

Joining ACTUALLY’s range of brands is Ever Eco’s array of bento boxes and round containers that make it easier to move away from single-use plastics and live more sustainably. Made from food-grade stainless steel, the containers come in a variety of sizes and can be easily brought along the next time you want to dabao something.

Also in Ever Eco’s range of products are leak-proof containers with polypropylene lids as well as straws in stainless steel, bamboo, and silicone. Their reusable mesh bags are machine-washable and the perfect carry-on for a plastic-free shopping trip. www.actually.sg

Next-level entertainment Combining vibrant colour technology and enveloping sound, Philips has released a new entertainment powerhouse with its OLED+ 984 TV. Equipped with a 3rd-Gen P5 Pro Picture Processing chip, image noise is reduced for enhanced on-screen sharpness, guaranteeing a more realistic viewing experience with authentic colour preservation. The Bowers & Wilkins audio system supports the advanced image technology with defined bass and crisp, optimised dialogue. For ultimate ease of use, the OLED+ 984 TV can be controlled via voice command through the TV remote, smart home assistants or even your phone. www.philips.com.sg

14

APRIL

SQUAREROOMS

In Focus FADS

Mara Large Red Vase, $69.95, Crate and Barrel

Nelson Ball Bubble pendant, $675, Finnish Design Shop

Ferm Living Bau Pot, from $69, Editor’s Market

E WAV K A Ribbed and rippled surfaces add visual and tactile interest to these pieces

ES

M

Clean Vase, $20, BoConcept

text & coordination YUEN YI YING

Cord Sideboard by Bolia, $4,468, Danish Design Co

Ferm Living Ripple Champagne Saucer Set, from $69, Editor’s Market

Debbie Chair, $199 per chair (sold in sets of two), Castlery

Cord Cushion, $95, BoConcept

Vanligen Vase, $14.90, IKEA

Sideboard by Naver Collection, from $7,002, Danish Design Co

22

APRIL

SQUAREROOMS

In Focus DINE

Dining Differently Expanding to include a cafe in their second outlet, Ryan’s Grocery makes organic dining and shopping more accessible than ever Te x t YA I Z A C A N O P O L I P h o t o s R YA N ’ S G R O C E R Y

With the opening of Ryan’s Grocery’s second outlet at Great World City, the premium foods store specialising in organic, gluten-, allergen- and preservative-free foods took the chance to try something new.

Making full use of its generous 372-sq m outlet, the brand has made its first foray into the dining scene with Ryan’s Kitchen, its first cafe.

Now, with the grocery stocked with a wide selection of items, and a wholesome menu offered by the cafe, healthconscious foodies no longer have to go hunting around for what they need.

Ranging from kombucha to coconut kefir and keto-friendly

bread, the items at Ryan’s Grocery have made tasty food that much more accessible for people with food intolerances.

Ryan’s Kitchen, which takes centre-stage in the new cafe, continues on Ryan’s path, catering to a multitude of diets. Premium cuts of organic meat exclusive to the outlet, such as Carrara Beef and Woodward Lamb, can also be purchased from Ryan’s Butchery and be grilled directly at Ryan’s Kitchen.

Surrounded by displays of mouth-watering meats and freshly baked bread, the Kitchen offers signature dishes such as Ryan’s Burger which is served with beetroot relish, mayonnaise, tomato slices, onions and lettuce,

as well as a side of fries which are naturally gluten-free. In true Ryan’s fashion, the patty is seasoned minimally, allowing the natural flavour of the beef to speak for itself. Its classic brioche bun can also be swapped with one of Ryan’s ciabatta, gluten-free, or ketofriendly buns.

Other star dishes include Ryan’s Big Breakfast, a classic comfort meal served until 3pm.

Just as the cafe offers an assortment of healthy foods, the decor plays up the cosy vibe with dark wood accents that are contrasted against white textured walls. The industrial-style furniture adds to the rustic vibe that plays well

with the wholesome cuisine. To tickle the imagination of diners and shoppers, there’s an eyecatching display showcasing, promotional goods and seasonal produce. Wander around the store to check out the freshest cuts at the butchery or marvel at the meats in the dryageing chamber. At the back of the grocery, you’ll also find a cold room with the freshest fruits and vegetables sourced regionally and from other parts of the world.

RYAN’S GROCERY AND RYAN’S KITCHEN

#B1-144/146 Great World Ryan’s Grocery tel.: 6767 3393 Ryan’s Kitchen tel.: 6767 0118 www.ryansgrocery.com

25

A t a g l a nc e Space 3- BE DRO O M CO NDO UNIT Location F L O RA D RI V E Home to A B A C H EL O R Reno period 1 0 W EEK S

Dark &

Handsome Te x t D I S A TA N

26

APRIL

SQUAREROOMS

Photos JOEY KHU INTERIOR DESIGN

EASY, BREEZY

COOKING SMART APPLIANCES AND KITCHEN-PLANNING

IDEAS TO MAKE COOKING FUN AND STRESS-FREE text YUEN YI YING

36

APRIL

SQUAREROOMS

SHOP

Casual Elegance art direction & styling LEYNA POH photography WONG WEILIANG text YUEN YI YING

Love wood surfaces? Create a modern and inviting abode with contrasting tones to avoid a log cabin feel 46

APRIL

SQUAREROOMS

INSPIRATION

TO AVE

From big-ticket appliances to tiny tools, each item is integral to whipping up a functional kitchen but the cost quickly adds up. Refrain from biting too much into your budget pie with our guide to being money wise

D

H

A COST-SAVVY KITCHEN

G OO

KIT

Pizza oven Who wouldn’t want to have a pizza oven at home? This comes with all the conventional oven functions but also has a pizza stone directly on top of heating elements to ensure crispy, evenly cooked delights in 3–5 minutes.

This feature also eliminates the need for blind baking when making pies and quiches. A vapour-clean function helps soften residue to make cleaning easier than ever.

Smeg SF6102PZS oven, $3,080

text FIDZ AZMIN

SAVE

EST

I

NV

1

Refrigerator

Fittings Industrious appliances such as the refrigerator and stovetop are a kitchen’s heartbeat. These are bigticket items that may take a toll on your expenses and while some come with interesting functions, those may be superfluous, causing you to pay more than you intended.

50

APRIL

SQUAREROOMS

We believe the humble fridge deserves a splurge because it is indispensable. These days, fridges do a lot more than cool and freeze as they now boast features that enhance user experience, aid with storage, control energy consumption and more. But what may be good for some may not necessarily serve you well. It all boils down to what you need and can afford.

We love how this fridge is equipped with an ecomonitoring sensor that detects if a person is nearby and subsequently switches on or off its energy-saving mode.

Great for frequent travellers!

Hitachi 3-door Side-by-Side Fridge, $3,899 from COURTS

Oven Ovens help expand our cuisine style and thus, the menu at home. The best part is you don’t need one with a full range of functions if you’re not a serious chef or baker. Opt for a unit that offers sufficient internal capacity, consumes less energy, and entails minimal maintenance.

This oven is roomy enough to fit multiple dishes at a go and boasts an UltraFan Plus feature that evenly distributes heat, making it unquestionably value for money.

Electrolux Built-in Oven, $699 from COURTS

FAST

AND

Avoid the crowds and get your groceries anywhere, anytime with the convenience of online supermarkets

FRESH t e x t YA I Z A C A N O P O L I

Straight from the farm

All diets covered

Open Taste Collecting fresh produce directly from over 200 farms in six countries, the people at Open Taste provide fresh vegetables, fruits, and even seafood and meats through their online site. Your order is then delivered to you in less than 36 hours for a small fee, allowing you to support regional farmers without compromising on efficiency. www.opentaste.sg

Ryan’s Grocery

Quick and convenient Redmart Especially accessible for fans of online shopping who already have a Lazada account, Redmart is one of the quickest ways to order groceries online. The choice of products is wide and varied, and the option of getting them delivered to your home in a two-hour time window of your choice significantly bumps up the convenience factor. redmart.lazada.sg

60

APRIL

SQUAREROOMS

Specialising in foods for people with intolerances and allergies, Ryan’s Grocery stocks both fresh and packaged products, with a focus on organic and healthy foods. They also have a wide selection of high-quality meat cuts, such as grass-fed Carrara Beef, distinguished by its signature white Wagyu marbling, which makes their slightly steeper prices worth the investment. www.ryansgrocery.com