SquareRooms August 2019 [Preview]

LOCAL DELIGHT

Homegrown furniture makers championing their passion for Singapore design

HERITAGE IN VOGUE

Historical spaces redesigned for contemporary times

OLD-SCHOOL COOL Vintage-inspired home decor ideas that celebrate the best of the past

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WONDERS

AUG 2019

ISSUE 172 S$5.50/RM10

BOLD, EDGY AND STUNNING HDB APARTMENTS TO GET INSPIRED BY

HOTFADS

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4 3

2

classic EXAMPLES

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Sophisticated all-white furnishings and accessories that will endure the test of time

13

TEXT & COORDINATION Jolene Limuco

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10 1. Soho wool rug, $1,190 at Living DNA 2. Moon pendant, $995 at BoConcept 3. LIVSVERK small vase, $6.90 at IKEA 4. ÄDELHET lantern for tealight, $9.90 at IKEA 5. RUNDLIG serving bowl, $12.90 at IKEA 6. Clean vase, $15 at BoConcept 7. INGALILL cushion cover, $7.90 at IKEA 8. LIVSVERK large vase, $29.90 at IKEA 9. HAVSTEN easy chair, $310 at IKEA 10. BEKANT storage unit, $279 at IKEA 11. Wire table lamp, $1,495 at BoConcept 12. Ball floor lamp, $20 at BoConcept 13. Luna metal dish, $95 at BoConcept

20 AUG

GET YOUR DIY INSPIRATION HERE WWW.SQUAREROOMS.COM.SG READ MORE

EASY HANDICRAFTS WITH ROPE THAT WILL ADD TONNES OF PERSONALITY TO YOUR HOME

IMPRESS YOUR GUESTS WITH THESE WALLET-FRIENDLY DIY COASTERS

THESE SIMPLE DIY DÉCOR WILL MAKE YOU WANT TO DRESS UP YOUR BARE WALLS

CREATIVE DIY PROJECTS THAT WILL ADD SOME COLOUR AND FUN TO YOUR HOME

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SPECIAL

the

Meet

locals

WE SHINE THE SPOTLIGHT ON HOMEGROWN FURNITURE BRANDS DRIVEN BY CREATIVITY AND PASSION TEXT Rossara Jamil

26 AUG

COMMUNE

Kendra armchair, a contemporary classic.

(Clockwise from left) CMO and COO Gan Shee Wen, CEO Joshua Koh, and Brand and Design Director Julian Koh. The showroom displays a wellcurated selection of furniture and accessories.

A subsidiary of homegrown furniture manufacturer Koda Group of Companies, Commune was launched in 2011 by brothers Julian and Joshua Koh, and their cousin Gan Shee Wen. The trio had a vision and passion for showcasing original designs from Singapore and what Singapore designers could do. The brand aims to push traditional boundaries of furniture design by catering to styles ranging from the rock star bachelor’s pad to the Scandinavian abode. In addition, Commune stresses on sustainability by using eco-conscious timber from sustainable sources and environmentally-friendly products for manufacturing. In addition to its stores in Singapore, it now has over 50 stores in China, and outlets in Malaysia, Hong Kong, the Philippines and Australia.

Volta side chair, perfect for the rock star lifestyle.

Rover dining set, inspired by nostalgic voyages.

“We wish to show that furniture can very much be bold, and reflective of eclectic tastes and personalities. My goal is for Commune to position itself as a visionary brand in Asia, with a passion to deliver the extraordinary, and to remain on a fearless quest for innovation.”

JULIAN KOH Brand and Design Director

AUG 27

IMAGES COURTESY OF TEMASEK SHOPHOUSE

SENSATIONAL

The Temasek Shophouse now houses the philanthropic homes of Temasek Holdings, as well as forward-thinking co-partners in Foreword Coffee and more.

Heritage

R E B O OT

OLD HOMES, BUILDINGS AND SPACES UPGRADED FOR CONTEMPORARY TIMES TEXT Megan Cheah

S

ingapore may not have as prolific a history as countries aged a thousand years or more, but its past is a colourful one, and one that can be chronicled through the various buildings that have remained admidst the passage of time. While they may not be used for their original intentions any longer, these buildings – which have been gazetted conservation building status by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) to prevent their demolishment – have been given a new lease of life by new owners and projects. We shine the spotlight on five such establishments that have been recently updated with fresh purpose.

32 AUG

Green is the colour: Temasek Shophouse Orchard Road may be known for its shopping and touristy vibe, but you would be remiss to dismiss it as such – with roots dating back to 1830s in the days of gambier and pepper plantations, it’s no surprise that its rich heritage remains present in the conserved buildings and shophouses in the area.

Now, one of its most well-known shophouses have been transformed into a “cradle for social impact”, where sustainability and business come together for initiatives spearheaded by Temasek Holdings.

IMAGE COURTESY OF TEMASEK SHOPHOUSE

Temasek Shophouse’s co-working partner Miniwiz aims to inspire other businesses to create environmentally sustainable solutions.

Pockets of greens and natural light also make an appearance within the Temasek Shophouse, seeking to bring visitors “close to nature”. Keeping with its sustainable theme, the furnishings are made from recycled waste materials. Hints of Art Deco are spread throughout the interior, most notably in the atrium’s suspended light centrepiece, as well as in the curated art pieces featured in selected spaces.

Along with the philanthropic arms of Temasek Holdings – Temasek Trust, Temasek Foundation and the Stewardship Asia Centre – the Temasek Shophouse has also offered part of the space to partners that each champion their own cause. For example, staff members with disabilities undergo skills training and are then employed at level one cafe Foreword Coffee. A quirky pop-up championing eco-friendly items you would generally find in a convenience store also serves as the Temasek Shophouse’s first exhibition on sustainability – the [Not-So] Convenience Store, which features biodegradable utensils, reusable bags and more that are now plastic-free.

Plants both inside and outside the building highlight the shophouse’s biophilic design vision.

IMAGE COURTESY OF TEMASEK SHOPHOUSE

The building housing the newly opened Temasek Shophouse was built just after the First World War, and is one of the most iconic properties in the Orchard area.

Situated down the road from Dhoby Ghaut MRT station, it shares its locale with the well-known McDonald House and The Cathay, both part of the Museum Planning Area in the heart of the Downtown Core.

The monochromatic facade of the triple-storey building was preserved in its entirety, but its interior received an overhaul during its refurbishment, led by architectural firm Surbana Jurong and designed by interior design firm Asylum.

Building on its vision of biophilic design, where natural elements is weaved into the space, a rainforest-style habitat was created through consultation with specialists from Greenology. Along with the use of sustainable materials and furnishings, this space houses more than 100 local plant species, as well as a green wall in the atrium to keep the air fresh – bagging the Temasek Shophouse the Building and Construction Authority Green Mark Gold Plus Award.

IMAGE COURTESY OF TEMASEK SHOPHOUSE

Dust in the air is constantly removed by a green wall in the open atrium of the shophouse, stretching from level one to two.

AUG 33

SHOP

An ode to

Singapore WE HUNT DOWN THE HIDDEN GEMS THAT ARE MAKING US PROUD OF OUR LITTLE RED DOT ART DIRECTION & COORDINATION Leyna Poh TEXT Jolene Limuco

SHOP

Ohleaf 臺ຎ艐瑊

Food

Find lovingly handmade ceramics made by product designers and independent artists at this east-side workshop.

Breakfast

Soft boiled eggs, thick coffee and kaya toast – the breakfast of every Singaporean champion.

PLACES

Bugis

Named after the Bugis merchants who settled in the area in the 19th century, this neighbourhood has transitioned from a colourful nightlife spot to a cool hangout for local youngsters.

38 AUG

location SHOP

Singapore Trading Post A treasure trove of colonial-inspired home decor and paraphernalia sourced direct from makers and artisans.

PLACES

Tiong Bahru Developed in the 1920s as the first public housing estate in Singapore, Tiong Bahru contains some of the island’s best-preserved Art Deco buildings, which now house some of the hippest boutiques and cafes in town.

home SHOP

Sunday Bedding A socially responsible bedding brand that owns 100 per cent of its factories, this homegrown label aims to help homeowners choose bedding for their best sleep ever.

AUG 39

STYLE

PAST PERFECT MODERN NUANCES MEET BYGONE TIMES FOR A CURRENT RENDITION OF HISTORY. WITH THESE NOSTALGIC INTERIOR IDEAS, YOU’LL HAVE NO REASON TO STOP ROMANTICISING THE PAST

DESIGN BY FUSE CONCEPT

TEXT Fidz Azmin

42 AUG

BUILDING BLOCKS Ventilation blocks have come a long way. Once an architectural feature devised to provide homeowners cooling respite when air-conditioning was unheard of, these building modules are now elevated as design elements for recreating the vintage look. Since they can be easily stacked, these concrete components can also play a role as a room divider or a partition in the living room. Another bonus: chambers within each block allow air and light to flow through for a semi-open look and feel.

DESIGN BY THREE-D CONCEPTWERKE

MOOD SWINGS One of the elements that set old-school domiciles apart from presenttime pads is its atmospheric quality. Nary is a dwelling of yore seen swathed in bright and bold tones. The palette of choice is more inclined to duskier and more natural shades like rust, caramel and teak brown and the occasional splash of olive green. This also serves to give dwellers insight into how these humble homes tend to refer to the great outdoors for inspiration.

CLASSIC EXAMPLES 1950s style kitchen appliances such as the Smeg oven mimic retro sensibilities while keeping up with times. We also love how its pastel hue offers the perfect pop of zest in a cooking zone that’s predominantly clad in neutral tones.

DESIGN BY THREE-D CONCEPTWERKE

IMAGE COURTESY OF SMEG

SHAPE UP Hexagon mosaic tiles may be a nod to the past, but these with the black-and-white facade make a graphic impact and help elevate the hip quotient of this apartment’s entryway.

AUG 43

STYLE+

NOSTALGIC NOTIONS VINTAGE AND VINTAGE-INSPIRED PICKS THAT BRING THE WARMTH OF THE PAST TEXT & COORDINATION Rossara Jamil

LILY DINING TABLE $799 at Castlery

PERANAKAN PORCELAIN TILE $48 at Supermama

[ FOND DINING ] Dine in comfort with pieces inspired by the past.

JAVA RUG from $490 at Living DNA

HIGH-BACK DINING CHAIR $450 at Journey East

UMAGE SHADE PENDANT LAMP from $153 at Danish Design Co

THE ORCHID TRAY $72 at Supermama ZIG ZAG SHELL AND BONE TRAY $230 at Singapore Trading Post

VALLMOFRON PLANT POT $24.90 at IKEA

48 AUG

[ BEDROOM GEMS ] Patterns, patinas and unique forms for that lived-in feel.

WHITE BOOKSHELF $1,400 at Singapore Trading Post

SONGE MIRROR $199 at IKEA

HEXAGON TRAY $55 at Living DNA

TURQUOISE ELMWOOD STOOL $340 at Singapore Trading Post ART DECO WARDROBE $2,900 at Journey East

ANGLAND TABLE LAMP $19.90 at IKEA

IKAT CUSHION $120 at Living DNA SAGSTUA BED FRAME IN BLACK from $169 at IKEA

ETHNICRAFT ORIGAMI DESK from $1,550 at Soul & Tables PAGODE OAK LANTERN from $632.50 at Living DNA

ANGLO-INDIAN TEAKWOOD REVOLVING DESK CHAIR $1,800 at The Past Perfect Collections

AUG 49

SPACES

ACCESSORIES

Black and white form a versatile base for boldly hued accents.

That said, the designer kept to grounding colours like green, clay and blue for his accessories.

58 AUG

masculine

MONOCHROME An interior designer infuses his home with a palette of dark hues for a timeless look TEXT Rossara Jamil PHOTOS Dan’s Workshop

AT A GLANCE

SPACE

4-room HDB flat

LOCATION

Hougang

RENO PERIOD

9 weeks

HOME TO

1 adult

AUG 59

SPACES

LIVING ROOM

With an intention to infuse the living space with an overarching sense of lightness, polycarbonate sheets were used for the partition wall as its translucent characteristics allowed light to filter through the home easily.

66 AUG

creative

THINKING

Thanks to a considered pairing of crisp whites with bold, refined colours, this family home boasts a minimalist aesthetic that is enhanced with a sense of playfulness TEXT Germaine Cheah PHOTOS The Merry Men Interiors

AT A GLANCE

SPACE

5-room resale HDB unit

LOCATION

Boon Tiong Road

RENO PERIOD

12 weeks

HOME TO

2 adults, 1 child

AUG 67

SPACES

LIVING ROOM

Light grey accents from the matte-finish homogeneous floor tiles, clean white walls and warm wood finishes imbue the living area with a sense of cosiness that makes it a perfect spot for familial bonding.

74 AUG

a class

ABOVE

Boasting good design sensibilities and carefully curated fittings, this family home proves that comfort and class can coexist in one wellplanned space TEXT Germaine Cheah PHOTOS Icon Interior

AT A GLANCE

SPACE

HDB executive maisonette

LOCATION

Tampines Street 12

RENO PERIOD

4 months

HOME TO

2 adults, 2 children

AUG 75

SHORTCUT

DRESS IT UP Transform a typically forgotten corner of your home into a standout feature IMAGE COURTESY OF Nordal

Here’s how you can add interest to a small corner of your home, such as an entryway or along a corridor – paint the entire wall in a shade that’s contrasting to its surroundings, and complement it with simple shelves to display your collection of plants, periodicals and other personal trinkets.

104 AUG