SquareRooms April 2018 [Preview]

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I D E A S

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S O L U T I O N S

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EXPRESS YOURSELF

A guide to finding your perfect decor theme

ALL FOR LAMINATES

Exciting ways to use laminates in the home

DESIGN DESTINATIONS

Picture-perfect hotels for design-savvy travellers

CURRENT

obsessions

TRENDING INTERIOR STYLES TO ADOPT FOR YOUR SPACE APR 2018

ISSUE 156 S$5.50/RM10

SPECIAL REPORT The hottest trends in furniture design

SPECIAL REPORT

TREND SPOTTED

Pendant lamp

by Antonio Facco from Mondo Smoke and metal glass lamp from Hubsch

A roundup of the up-and-coming furniture designs we’ll soon see in stores TEXT & COORDINATION Jolene Limuco

1

HOT FIND This luxurious jeweltoned lounge chair is the perfect foil to a dark colour scheme

Elegant chair from Bloomingville

DARK MATTER Inky hues paired with surprising pops of colour will continue to prevail in the world of interiors to result in highly evocative settings.

Totem teak side table from Ethnicraft

Ned oval dining table from Resource Decor

28 APR

Glass jellyfish paperweight from Hubsch

2

HOT FIND Rounded silhouettes give minimal furnishings an unexpected edge

CLEAN AND LEAN Lounge chair from Hubsch

A fresh spin on minimalist designs is the use of unconventional shapes and asymmetrical proportions.

Brix armchair designed by Kenshiro Oshiro from Viccarbe

Loft chair from Muuto

Airy coffee table from Muuto

Outline three-seater sofa from Muuto Mirro table mirror designed by Federica Biasi from Mingardo

APR 29

SPECIAL REPORT

HOT FIND Streamlined wooden furniture can add warmth and personality to contemporary sanctuaries

3 NATURE GETS LUXE Natural materials continue to be a major trend but with new iterations boasting sleek lines and luxurious embellishments.

Gold and marble side table from Hubsch Oak spindle bed and bedside table from Ethnicraft

Teak bedside table from Ethnicraft

Soho dining chair from Resource Decor Oak daybed from Hubsch

30 APR

Note table lamp from House Doctor

HOT FIND

Green marble pendant lamp from Hubsch

Freshen up a dining space with some healthy pops of colour

4

DELICIOUS HUES

Comma chair from House Doctor

Ripe plums, fresh kale and zesty lemons – design turns to nature for some delectable inspiration.

Trame chair from Petite Friture

Klever lounge chair from House Doctor

Leaf coffee table from Bloomingville

India pillowcase from House Doctor

APR 31

STYLE

NEW LOOKS THE LATEST HOME DECOR TRENDS YOU MUST KNOW ABOUT TEXT Jasmine Goh

SABA GRACE ARMCHAIR from P5

MOVE ASIDE, GEOMETRIC SHAPES Straight lines and sharp angles, which have been trending for some years now, will be soon taken over by free-form shapes inspired by plants, animals and even microbes. Biomorphism, an abstract form of art based on patterns and shapes in nature and living organisms, is quite certainly making a return.

BLUE GARDEN CUSHION from Kuhl Home

QEEBOO KONG LAMP from Journey East

38 APR

ORGANIC FORMS LEAF-ING IT UP The botanicals trend has definitely taken off, especially with the nowpopular Jungalow look, and is set to grow even bigger this year.

In 2017, botanical prints were all the rage. 2018 trends are influenced by such, and lately, it is taken up a notch by appreciating organic shapes surrounding nature.

FINGER PHILODENDRON WALL DECOR from BoConcept

Barbara Fritschy, founder and creative director of Make Room

Furniture pieces reminiscent of Art Moderne architecture should be popular in 2018 – softer structures will replace the more angular silhouettes.

INSPIRED BY NATURE Expect organic shapes, including abstractions of nature, to be blooming all over interior circles in 2018.

The Voronoi light bulbs by Tala are designed based on the voronoi pattern observed in the forest canopy. Inside, the LED filament spirals to mimic the Fibonacci sequence seen in pine cones and ferns.

Terence Choo, Marketing Manager for P5

POSEA BENCH from Kuhl Home

TALA VORONOI II LIGHT BULBS from Journey East

ROUND AND SMOOTH In line with the free-flowing style of organic shapes, more furniture pieces will take on a curvilinear form instead of following rectilinear forms.

APR 39

STYLE

STRONG SHADES

The biggest shift is the change in colour trends, moving towards stronger shades that are more flamboyant. This return to colour goes together with a return to the Eighties and its strong design and colour scheme, and includes colours like navy, violet and burnt orange.

Barbara Fritschy, founder and creative director of Make Room

KK BENCH from KlipKlap

40 APR

BOLD IS BACK Ultra Violet, Pantone’s Colour of the Year for 2018, is a delicious purple hue. Select a shade you like and layer it with other dark colours for a unique, on-trend take of the dark palette.

DESIGN BY THE SCIENTIST

IMAGE COURTESY OF DULUX

COLOUR ADVENTURES Deep, dramatic colours like violet, navy, and teal are appearing not just in bedrooms, but also in kitchens and living rooms. We’re seeing an increasing number of home kitchens decked out in dark shades.

A DARK MYSTERY Instead of splashing out the entire home with light neutral colours like in the years before, designers and homeowners are now more daring with their colour choices. Even minimalist, Scandinavian-inspired interiors are embracing rich colours like burgundy red, rusty orange, and royal blue on the walls.

OSAKA SOFA from BoConcept

METALLIC PAIRING Look out for blacks, blues, and other dark colours on furniture, kitchen cabinets, and bathroom finishes. These dark palettes are often highlighted with a hint of metallic finishing.

The combination of blue and brass is definitely one of 2018’s interior trends. Let light flirt with brushed brass, glass and the nap of rich blue velvet.

Rou Ying, interior stylist at BoConcept

APR 41

SHOP SHOP

NOT YOUR AVERAGE GEO THESE CHIC GEOMETRIC-THEMED FURNISHINGS WILL ADD A SENSE OF EDGINESS TO YOUR ABODE ART DIRECTION Aris Lai & Pow Sin Ye STYLING Karin Tan assisted by Shiyun Teo PHOTOGRAPHY Wong Weiliang

48 APR

T E X T U R E P L AY Add some drama to your home with these eye-catching pieces that feature elaborate textures and detailing.

(Clockwise from left) Geometric soap dispenser, $19.95, and prism soap dispenser, $19.95, from Bed Bath N’ Table. Orchid in grey pot, $65, from Bungalow55.

Striped pot, $23, from Elements Concept. Mindfulness Journal: Inspiration, $44.90, Enjoy Book: Inspiration, $49.90, Do Book: Inspiration, $49.90, Share Book: Inspiration, $49.90, and scented candle, $49.90, all from kikki.K. Chalky large drop vase, $24.95, Chalky small drop vase, $6.95, Geo succulent double cement pots, $16.95 each, single cement pot, $16.95, and prism tealight holder, $12.95, all from Bed Bath N’ Table. Kaleidoscope structure, $65, from BoConcept. Scented candle, $39.90, from kikki.K. Prism soap dish, $12.95, from Bed Bath N’ Table.

Featuring 8830HN Elemental Concrete laminates from Formica.

APR 49

SHOP

CRYSTAL CLEAR These sophisticated pieces will add a touch of class to your personal sanctuary.

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GO FOR GOLD Feel like a champion with these gold-dipped accessories that ramp up the style factor at home.

(Clockwise from left) Shimmer bowl, $400, from BoConcept. Hanging terrarium, $6.95, glass geometric terrarium, $49.95, both from Bed Bath N’ Table. Karlsson desk clock, $49.90, from kikki.K. Glass prism triangle terrarium, $24.95, from Bed Bath N’ Table.

Featuring 6417HN Elemental Oxide laminates from Formica.

(Opposite page, clockwise from left) Diamond footed tealight holder, $9.95, and seaglass diamond vase, $14.95, both from Bed Bath N’ Table.

Diamond candleholder, $45, Diamond paperweight, $95, and Facet jar, $20, all from BoConcept.

Featuring 3421G Bianca Luna laminates from Formica.

APR 51

SOLUTIONS

DREAM THEME FIND THE MATCH MADE FOR YOUR HAVEN TEXT Fidz Azmin

DESIGN BY FREE SPACE INTENT

PERSONAL PREFERENCES A home should represent the character or lifestyle of its owners. If you have no strong preference for a particular design, it’s perfectly fine to decide on one that works for you and complements your lifestyle needs. You can rope in the expertise and help of a design expert to incorporate or refine details during the design development phase.

54 APR

Much like your sartorial preferences, the style of your personal living space reveals a lot about you.

However, trying to pin down an interior look that you love and can continue to do so even after decades down the road can be daunting – especially when new trends and evolving themes beckon at every corner. Help is here; home in on that one style that speaks to you with these starting points.

DESIGN BY FREE SPACE INTENT

TRANSCEND TRENDS If you are unsure about which style suits you best, the key is to choose timeless over trending. You may trawl the latest trends for the looks that you love; but you should plan your space with a purpose and design it with functionality and practicality in mind to achieve a design that transcends the test of time.

DESIGN BY DB STUDIO

DESIGN BY DB STUDIO

DESIGN WITH PURPOSE The best interiors work because they’re as practical as they are visually pleasing. According to Koh Kay Wee, Director of DB Studio, stylish interiors may be nice to look at in photos but they’re not the easiest to maintain. “We’d usually recommend homeowners to go for designs that are easier to maintain but won’t look dated fast,” he advises. “For example, instead of going for wallpaper, a swipe of paint can add character to a room without much upkeep.”

COLOUR CODES Certain colourways are commonly – but not necessarily – associated to a specific theme.

A palette comprising milky whites, misty blues and soft greys brings to mind a Scandinavian interior, whilst duskier shades of greys and even blacks may suggest an Industrial setting.

Ultimately, the palette that you cherry-pick for your home depends on your preference, as well as the effect, impact or atmosphere you wish to create in your personal living space.

APR 55

SPACES

sea of CALM Boasting good design sensibilities, this three-bedroom condominium unit proves that form and function can co-exist in one well-planned space TEXT Germaine Cheah PHOTOS The Monocot Studio

AT A GLANCE

SPACE

3-bedroom condominium unit

LOCATION

River Valley Road

RENO PERIOD

12 weeks HOME TO

2 adults, 1 child

62 APR

BEDROOM Splashed in a predominantly baby blue colour scheme accompanied by light wood tones, the bedroom is a calm and conducive space for its occupants. The space also features plenty of storage units, in the form of a towering wardrobe and under-bed drawers, for toys, clothes and other physiotherapy equipment.

APR 63

SPACES

W

e all say that our homes should be designed in a way that caters to our daily needs, and there is no better example of that than this threebedroom condominium unit located in River Valley Road. Home to a family of three, the apartment’s renovation had to take into account specific design considerations and modifications that would make every day living easier for the couple’s physically-challenged son. But as they had inherited

64 APR

the apartment from their parents, the 20-year-old unit originally featured an outdated layout, one that was definitely not suitable for the new family’s needs.

That was where The Monocot Studio came into the picture, after the local interior design firm was referred to the client by a friend.

The design team hacked away the pre-existing tiles in the living room, and laid them over with marble tiles.

When asked about the material choice, designer Mikael Teh explained, “The original home was very dark with

FLÅDIS basket from IKEA

BEDROOM ENTRANCE For added convenience, the original swing door to the bedroom was swapped out for an automatic sliding door, making it easier for the occupants to enter and leave the room.

almost no natural light flowing through, and as the homeowners requested for a bright space, we chose white marble tiles as light has the ability to bounce off the smooth surface of the material, in turn making to space appear bigger and brighter.”

Similarly, the kitchen also saw the tearing down of its exterior walls to create an open concept floor plan between the communal zones. A space where the female homeowner spends a lot of time whenever she cooks, the kitchen’s countertops and backsplash were constructed using solid surface, resulting in a sturdy and durable surface that’s able to keep up with its regular usage. Meanwhile, the upper and

lower cabinetry was clad in off-white and baby blue laminates respectively, with the mixture of colours preventing the space from feeling too overwhelming. To better serve its purpose, a bar counter was also installed within the cooking zone.

Not only does it allow the family to have quick and casual meals, the counter also encompasses double-sided storage drawers for their snacks and other food items.

Moving on to the private chambers, the en-suite bathroom saw the need for major renovation works to make it user-friendly for the occupants. Originally outfitted with a bathtub that served no purpose for

APR 65

SPACES

Living room flooring

Wood effect tiles LIVING ROOM

In order to achieve the bright and airy atmosphere, the living room now features a predominantly white colour scheme accompanied by wood-effect floor tiles that prevent the space from feeling too clinical.

Additionally, the living room only features day curtains, allowing natural light to stream through without compromising on privacy.

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a classic EXAMPLE

An array of pristine white tones and sleek gold finishes account for this home’s signature style TEXT Germaine Cheah

PHOTOS Minimo & Minimology

AT A GLANCE

SPACE

3-bedroom condominium unit

LOCATION

Hillview Avenue

RENO PERIOD

8 weeks

HOME TO

2 adults

APR 77

SPACES

DRY KITCHEN

Encompassing storage units for cutlery and a wine cooler, a kitchen island unit made with marble quartz countertops was installed, doubling up as a dining area for the homeowners whenever necessary.

78 APR

F

or anyone who travels often, it is necessary for their home to have a soothing and cosy ambience that would serve as a natural relief to the stresses of a hectic schedule. But for this couple, the original layout and colour scheme of this three-bedroom condominium was not providing them any of those things. As such, a renovation was in order. As the female homeowner works in

the design industry, the couple had a very good sense of how they wanted their dream home to look. Having created a mood board with images sourced from Pinterest, the couple engaged interior design firm Minimo & Minimology for their home’s overhaul.

Once the couple agreed on a minimalistmeets-classical design concept, it was then decided that the newly renovated home would

boast a predominantly white colour scheme that would be accompanied by gold accents to keep the space bright and airy.

Meanwhile, flanking the television set, a series of floor-to-ceiling cabinets serve as storage units for the homeowners’ household appliances.

One of the more difficult parts of the overhaul, the design team had to construct huge pieces

of cabinet doors as they wanted to prevent any grout lines from cutting up the design. For added interest, classic Victorian trims were embedded into the walls and the cabinet doors – an effect that can be seen throughout the home.

As the couple seldom cooks or have meals at home, accompanied by the fact that they don’t usually have many friends or family over,

APR 79

SPACES

LIVING Adhering to a light and airy design adage, the living room is outfitted with furnishings and flooring in light woodgrained tones.

These loose pieces and floating shelves in white maintain a sense of spaciousness by letting light and air permeate the space.

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lightness OF BEING To attain this home's spacious and airy look, the designers from KDOT Associates captured the serenity of the Scandinavian style with a sleek minimalist touch TEXT Disa Tan PHOTOS KDOT Associates

AT A GLANCE

SPACE

4-room BTO unit

LOCATION

Choa Chu Kang Ave 7

RENO PERIOD

8 weeks HOME TO

2 adults

APR 85

SPACES

Front entrance flooring

Hexagonal tiles from hafary FRONT ENTRANCE The kitchen entrance was narrowed down by adding a false wall. This allows the mild steel sliding door to sit flush in place without protruding out of the wall.

O

ne of the first things you’d notice about this brand new flat is the limited colour palette. White takes precedence on most of the walls, with touches of pastels and grey taking secondary positions.

The anti-colour does not project a cold image but instead, welcomes its owners, a newly-married couple, with a warm and cosy ambience. Trusting their first home together would be in the good hands of

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Project Designer Daniel Ong from KDOT Associates, the couple left the major design decisions to him.

He recalls the design conceptualisation process: “The homeowners asked for something light and airy and we came up with a Scandi-minimalist aesthetic.”

Whitewashed walls are therefore teamed with light wood touches. This entire look comes together in the communal zones where the floors are laid with homogeneous tiles bearing the appearance of

timber strips. With a neutral backdrop to work with, the homeowners and Daniel worked hand-in-hand in conceiving an inviting living area by furnishing the space with fitting wood furniture. “They shopped a lot at Ethnicraft Online and the homeowners were also savvy enough to source for pieces online,” says Daniel.

Most of the floors are clad with homogeneous tiles with the exception of a different tile treatment at the front entrance. “We laid this part with hexagonalshaped tiles to mark a transition into the living zones,” reveals Daniel. It also highlights the new kitchen entrance and its special feature door which has been meticulously put together. “A mild steel sliding door

COMMUNAL ZONE Instead of a regular coffee table, the homeowners decided to have an ottoman.

This soft furnishing breaks the rigidity of a hardwood piece with its cushy curves.

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SPACES

KITCHEN

(above)

Simple but still aesthetically-pleasing, the kitchen features a similar design highlight of a tiled backsplash with hexagonal patterns. The striking geometric shapes provide the visual impact this Scandi-minimalist kitchen requires.

BACKSPLASH

(right)

The other side of the kitchen is laid with white subway tiles. This minimalist style treatment prevents the space from looking too cluttered.

frame was proposed for this area because we wanted something different, something to stand out," he adds.

This distinctive door was created by narrowing down the kitchen entrance, instead of widening it which is the common practice. “We went

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Study wall

Misty Rain paint from Nippon S T U DY A two-tone paint treatment for the walls fills the room with a stunning but soothing aesthetic. Best of all, it makes a versatile canvas to showcase all the loose furnishings.

the opposite direction just so the door frame (which slides to the right) can sit neatly within the wall space without protruding out,” says Daniel.

In the kitchen, the Scandi-minimalist style shines with light wood colours and a striking tiled backsplash. The counters are

lined with KompacPlus worktops and the slim profile conveys the minimalist aesthetic well. For both sides of the walls, Daniel chose different treatments with one side filled with overhead counters and the other left bare.

“The homeowners don’t cook every day so

APR 89

SHORTCUT SHORTCUT

THE LUXE FACTOR Turn your cooking zone into a space worth showing off with some luxurious details IMAGE COURTESY OF Silestone

The kitchen may be a functional space but that doesn’t mean that it can’t be beautiful as well.

Dial up the luxe factor in the cooking zone with gorgeous marble-inspired countertops and statement wallpaper – now, here’s a space worthy of showing off those culinary skills!

112 APR