SquareRooms August 2018 [Preview]

extraordinary HDB HOMES TAKE A PEEK INSIDE SOME OF SINGAPORE’S MOST STYLISH APARTMENTS

HOME-GROWN HEROES

We speak to designers Olivia Lee and Mike Tay about the burgeoning local design scene

RENO DOS AND DON’TS

How to plan and execute a timely and budgetfriendly makeover for your HDB flat

AUG 2018

ISSUE 160 S$5.50/RM10

HOTNEWS

HEY BABY

Bringing you an adorable array of new products, kikki.K’s You Are So Loved Baby collection will have you running straight to the stores. Adorned with pastel hues, bunnies and bears, your baby’s First Memories Book and First Moments Cards will equip you with all the tools you need to document your precious one’s journey in the world. Should you need some cutlery to make your little one’s meal times more exciting, pick up the Melamine Baby Set as well!.

Available at kikki.K stores and online at www.kikki-k.com

THE DEFINING FACTOR If you’re yearning for a distinctly unique look for your abode, make sure you visit Lifestorey and Marquis Studio’s new showrooms at Dempsey Hill. Located side by side, the sprawling 13,000-square foot furniture store showcases an extensive range of designer brands like Kartell, Bontempi Casa, House Doctor, Gallotti & Radice and Porada all under one roof. Come here and stroll through a galore of European glamour and quality, and treat yourself to a taste of the finer things in life!

8D Dempsey Road, level 2, tel: 6253 3177, www.lifestorey.com, www.marquis.com.sg

SONIC REVOLUTION When it comes to enjoying music or watching TV with the Sonos Beam, one need never compromise on sound quality. A versatile smart speaker that supports over 80 music services, this gem allows you to customise your listening experience with its voice activation feature, existing TV remotes and third party apps like Spotify and Pandora.

Available at TC Acoustics, 1 Coleman Street, #01-17 The Adelphi, tel: 6334 5566 www.tcacoustic.asia

16 AUG

YELLING TIMBER Truly living up to the hype of its Aspen dining table, King Living’s new range of sideboards and coffee tables promises to imbue your home with the same warmth and minimalist elegance. Embracing the rich texture and solid substance of timber, the new collection will transform any area into a woody masterpiece. Should you need a handy organiser, check out the Aspen coffee table’s streamlined design that’s virtually invisible at first glance.

22 Kallang Avenue, #01-00 Hong Aik Building, tel: 6805 4198, www.kingliving.com.sg

SUMMER LOUNGING

GO PRO

Samsung’s new POWERstick PRO vacuum cleaner ensures that you’ll never have to bend over backwards for household chores ever again. Boasting an incredible suction power that cleans out every corner and a patented Flex Handle that folds up and lets you reach lower areas, this innovative household appliance makes it easier to clean your abode more often.

With the balmy weather upon us, it is time to bust out the outdoor furniture, lay back and sip some drinks under the stars. With Fermob’s playful and stylish bistro tables and chairs, you can now glam up your patio or balcony with iconic statement pieces. Reminiscent furniture found at chic openair French cafes, these pieces are coated with 100 per cent polyester powder paint and made with lightweight, environmentally sustainable materials.

They are also extremely durable – even in Singapore’s tropical climate.

Available at Ethnicraft Online, 72 Eunos Avenue 7, #05-01 Singapore Handicrafts Building, tel: 9272 2656, www.ethnicraft-online.com.sg

Available at major home appliance and electronics stores, www.samsung.com

AUG 17

HOTFADS 4 1

get IN LINE 2

Striped furnishings that will smarten up your space TEXT & COORDINATION Jolene Limuco

3

7

5

6

1. Sleep journal, $29.90 at kikki.K 2. Diamond striped cushion, $49.90 at Commune 3. Leger outdoor table, POA at Minotti 4.Striped shirtdress, $99.90 at Zara 5. TUVALIE throw, $29.90 at IKEA 6. Prince outdoor chair, POA at Minotti 7. Glass water bottle with cup, $29.90 at kikki.K

20 AUG

SPECIAL GUIDE

THE DOS AND DON’TS OF

HDB RENOVATIONS Establish a solid groundwork for your HDB home renovation so that it progresses within its planned trajectory TEXT Fidz Azmin

AUG 27

SPECIAL GUIDE

TIMEFRAME Time is of essence in an overhaul no matter if it’s mini or major.

Take charge of it to stay motivated throughout the long haul

In this open concept interior, glass partitions serve to delineate the kitchen from the common zone without trading off the home’s sense of spaciousness.

28 AUG

1/ Manage expectations right from the start – well before work commences. Some owners expect the entire process to be completed within two months, or even earlier. While this might be plausible for a small-scale revamp, the timeline will not be the same for a complete overhaul Different of an old resale flat.

DON’T 1/ Don’t rush contractors to hasten their tasks. Rushing them might result in a sloppy outcome. The last thing you want is to experience major regret when hiccups happen and quality is compromised. In addition, the more you rush, the more tensed you’ll be.

projects demand “different time commitment.

2/ Clear communication is crucial in all aspects of the journey. Dedicate ample time to convey your requests and discuss any doubts with your designer in the initial planning stage. As he is the expert here, your interior practitioner will be able to advise you on a realistic timeline.

Renovating a resale flat definitely requires more time as compared to a BTO apartment. Add demolition works and time taken to await approval to the picture, and the timeline will indubitably be extended.

DESIGN BY DB STUDIO

3/ Find out and try to understand the standard processes that take place within a renovation. The work flow usually starts with hacking, tiling and then electrical setup.

This is followed by painting and carpentry, and finally, cleaning and touching up before the flat is handed back over to its rightful owners.

The original sliding doors to the balcony of this maisonette have been replaced with contemporary black-framed ones – breathing spaciousness and adding a modern slant to the interior.

”

Roystern Goh Director at 0932 Design Consultants

2/ Don’t forget to take into account holidays and peak periods when you’re setting the timeline.

The couple of months before Chinese New Year is typically one of the busiest in the year.

Although this cannot be avoided, it can be addressed with earlier planning.

3/ Try not to neglect regular checks. Diligently inspecting your flat’s progress helps you to stay on track – as you will be able to employ damage control in the event of a slip-up. Some interior designers are also conscientious with their efforts to keep you updated.

DESIGN BY 0932 DESIGN CONSULTANTS

DO

AUG 29

With its door and walls knocked down, the cooking area in this BTO apartment now feels less constricted and more connected to the communal zone.

HACKING MATTERS Whether you’re taking down a single partition or removing the floor and wall finishes of a room, demolition work brings major repercussions. Do or don’t; it’s time to weigh your options wisely

DO 1/ Consider removing tiles if they are giving way in old resale flats. Don Lim of DB Studio points out that tiles laid over floors that are in a bad shape will cause problems in the long run. In this context, hacking is essential in building a new and stronger foundation for the house.

2/ Depending on the extent of demolition, remember that hacking generally adds a couple more weeks to the timeline. This shouldn’t be a cause for worry if you’ve got time to spare.

3/ If the walls are cramping your style, no need to hold back. Just make sure you’ve consulted the experts and received the green light from the relevant authorities.

30 AUG

DON’T 1/ Don’t hack any walls if you’re concerned about the valuation of your home. Don Lim from DB Studio points out that the hacking of walls, in either BTO or resale apartments, may compromise its value if the residents decide to sell the house one day.

2/ The average cost of demolition, no matter if it’s the dismantling of walls or the hacking of floor surfaces, vary.

Keep in mind that you are charged per square metre.

Keep walls or finishes in place if budget is of a concern.

3/ Take note of the three-year restriction period for the walls and floors of the bathrooms in new BTO units. To avoid compromising the warranty, get around the issue by overlaying your preferred tiles over the existing floors – instead of hacking them away. What’s great is that this also helps to shorten the renovation timeline.

DESIGN BY DB STUDIO

SPECIAL GUIDE

BUDGET As your home is one of the biggest financial investments you’ll make in life, you need to approach money matters with prudence to avoid anxiety – or worse, debt

DO

DON’T

1/ Clearly jot down a list of your needs and wants.

This will address any expectations that you and your partner have concerning your abode’s facelift – and consequently, help the two of you set a more realistic budget.

2/ The bulk of your financial investment isn’t simply for the renovation aspect which entails construction works and interior design services. You’d also need to prepare additional cash for furniture, sanitary ware, gadgets and home appliances.

1/ Don’t stray away from your main plan. Changing concepts in the midst of renovations will cause problems and add to the expenses. Establish a firm foothold of your objectives and set your mind on the design that you yourself have approved. Always Differentiating your needs keep your perspective in mind when from wants will help with budget you start to feel disheartened.

“

control. For example, an oven serves a relatively similar purpose.

But the price difference between a high-end and a generic brand is a lot. Ask yourself if you really need a fancy appliance, or will a basic piece of equipment suffice.

”

2/ Don’t compromise quality in an attempt to cut cost. Engaging external sources who charge less might seem like a nifty move, but ensure that they are able to assure quality. Shoddy work isn’t only unsightly, the re-do needed to remedy it will just incur more overheads.

DESIGN BY 0932 DESIGN CONSULTANTS

3/ Do your legwork to get a sense Roystern Goh of how much things cost. This Director with 0932 Design Consultants allows you to prep and cater 3/ Big-ticket items cost a lot, so you sufficient budget for the revamp don’t have to acquire all at a go. Items as well as the furniture and fittings needed to outfit such as the sofa or the dining table can take a backseat first. your place. Go the extra mile by doing comparisons; Once you move in, you’ll gain a better awareness of your you’d find out that different finishes or alternative space. This will hint at the type, style or size of furniture brands can reap more savings. This way, you’d also get a pieces that will fit the family. You’ll also earn time to save a gist of what to splurge and what to save on. bit more for the subsequent purchase.

AUG 31

SHOP

(From left) Wooden wall clock, $9.90, from Akemi Uchi. Sofa, POA, from HipVan. Table runner, $16.90, from Akemi Uchi.

Logan metal vase and stand, $49.90, and cushion, $14.90, both from HipVan. Vega vase, $45, from BoConcept. Hendrix wooden coffee table, $479, from HipVan. Porcelain coasters, $6.50 each, from Bed Bath & Table. French Bull porcelain mug, $15.90, and French Bull porcelain bottle, $19.90, both from Akemi Uchi.

Velvet cushions, $19.90 each, from HipVan. Cushion, $79, from Commune.

38 AUG

COLOUR THEORY

BOLD PALETTES AND FRESH SHADES THAT WILL INSTANTLY INJECT SOME LIFE INTO YOUR SPACE ART DIRECTION Pow Sin Ye & Linda Setiono STYLING Karin Tan PHOTOGRAPHY Wong Weiliang SHOT ON LOCATION HipVan

BIG IMPACT Pairing monochromatic shades with brightlycoloured hues easily creates a strikingly impressive interior.

AUG 39

SHOP

LIGHT DELIGHT Adorn your tablescape with pinks and blues to create a fun-filled dining experience.

40 AUG

GLASSY EFFECT Do away with boring storage by using stylish containers and holders that come in a stunning tinted shade.

(Clockwise from top left) Ombre squat vase, $49.50, from Bed Bath & Table. Glass vase, $95, from BoConcept. Atelier Swarovski Home paperweight, $319, from Swarovski Marina Bay Sands. Hourglass, $18.95, Glass tealight holder, $6.50, both from Bed Bath & Table. Atelier Swarovski Home round crystal candleholder, $1,150, from Swarovski Marina Bay Sands. Glass candleholder, $95, from BoConcept. Atelier Swarovski Home small candleholder, $259, Atelier Swarovski Home medium candleholder, $319, both from Swarovski Marina Bay Sands.

Glass vase, $39, from Commune. Atelier Swarovski Home small plinths, $649 each, and Atelier Swarovski Home large plinth, $829, both from Swarovski Marina Bay Sands. Glass vase, $29, from Commune.

(Opposite page, from top) Porcelain bowl, $10.60, from Commune. Wall clock, $9.90, from Akemi Uchi. Table mat, $8.95, and round table mats, $9.70 each, all from Bed Bath & Table. Porcelain plate, $12.35, from Commune. Porcelain coasters, $18.70 for a set of four, from Bed Bath & Table. Porcelain plate, $12.35, from Commune. North bowl, $15, from BoConcept. Porcelain mug, $9.95, from Bed Bath & Table.

Wooden candleholder, $3.90, from Akemi Uchi. Steel diamond trays, $11.90 each, from Commune. Soap dispenser, $29.90 for a set of three, from Akemi Uchi. Groove bowl, $85, from BoConcept. Porcelain vase, $39.90, from Commune. Otto wooden table, $799, and Bouvier wooden chairs, $159 each, all from HipVan.

AUG 41

SPACES

exposed BEAUTY The best of industrial and eclectic design concepts come together at singer-songwriter Annette Lee’s unique matrimonial home TEXT Germaine Cheah PHOTOS Wong Weiliang

AT A GLANCE

SPACE

4-room HDB unit

LOCATION

Lorong 1 Toa Payoh

RENO PERIOD

8 months HOME TO

2 adults

50 AUG

LIVING ROOM

Creating a communal space where conversations can flow freely, the living room is characterised by two large comfy sofa sets.

On the surrounding walls, a combination of mirrored and high-gloss surfaces help to visually expand the space.

AUG 51

SPACES

SAVVY ARTISTE

Multitalented singer-songwriter and SGAG personality Annette Lee’s first home with hubby Raphael Foo is a culmination of the couple’s tastes that are pulled cohesively together to result in an unconventional yet chic abode.

F

or all married couples, getting a matrimonial home is an important step in the relationship, and things were no different for multitalented singersongwriter and SGAG personality Annette Lee, and hubby Raphael Foo. But the work did not stop after they purchased a four-room HDB unit in Toa Payoh, for they still needed extensive renovation works to transform the ordinary home into one that was perfectly tailored to their individual needs and cohesive lifestyle.

Luckily, finding an interior designer who would be up to the task wasn’t difficult, and they quickly decided on Glynis Ng from zync [studio + workshop]. As Glynis had previously

DINING ROOM

Complementing the concrete screed flooring is the use of lookalike laminates on the television feature wall in the dining zone that further enhances the industrial look of the home. The space feels cosy and intimate thanks to the use of bright red throws and warm cove lighting.

52 AUG

GUEST BEDROOM (left)

Right at the entrance of the kitchen is a bar counter which not only provides additional storage, but also extends the countertop space for both food serving and food preparation purposes. Next to it is the guest bedroom, furnished simply with mattresses and bed frames from Muji.

KITCHEN BACKSPLASH

Decorative tiles from Hafary KITCHEN (below)

Drawing on the couple’s background, the kitchen boasts a heavy Peranakan influence, as seen by the dual-toned decorative mosaic tiles used on the backsplash.

worked on their parent’s home, the couple had a first-hand experience seeing the way she practiced her profession. Quickly becoming attuned to the designer and her design sensibilities, it was only natural that they chose her for their own home renovation. Next, it was time to decide on a design theme. Marrying both the designer’s and the homeowner’s tastes, the result is an industrial-meets-vintage concept that boasts subtle hints of Danish design.

Annette and Raphael realised that in order to fully maximise the 1,130-square foot space, extensive hacking works needed to be done. The purposes of some of the

AUG 53

SPACES

S T U DY

A space where Annette spends a bulk of her time, the study is furnished with a collection of her favourite things. From souvenirs collected during the couple’s travels to locally sourced treasures, these items are proudly displayed on a customisable storage system, where the height of the shelves can be easily modified on the sliding track system according to their preferences.

54 AUG

rooms were also re-allocated. For example, the first three rooms on the right side of the home’s main door originally compromised two bedrooms and a storeroom. During the renovation, however, the partition walls between these rooms were demolished. The square footage was re-distributed into a study, an expanded master bedroom and an impressive walk-in wardrobe. Leaving the communal living spaces as is, the original master bedroom was then converted into a guest bedroom.

Placing emphasis on the industrial theme, the home features a predominant selection of

varying shades of grey, keeping the home visually consistent yet interesting. On the floor, the original tiles were hacked away and relaid with concrete screed that has a layer of epoxy sealant over it, resulting in a hard, long-wearing, abrasion-resistant finish. Meanwhile, one of the many unique features of this home is the use of mirrored panels on the full stretch of wall that separates the outer living spaces from the master bedroom and study. With its reflective qualities, the living and dining areas are doubled in depth, allowing the space to look and feel more spacious.

MASTER BEDROOM

Comprising a platform bed and a floor-toceiling headboard that’s customised from earthytoned laminates, the master boudoir exudes a cosy vibe.

To break up the monotony, the headboard was split into two parts, with the niche encompassing cove lighting for ambience purposes.

Another important design requirement for Annette and Raphael was that the home should encompass plenty of storage units to ensure that the overall look of the home would be clean and tidy. “I used to grow up with a lot of stuff lying around my house, so I’ve come to appreciate the clean look, and how having a tidy home does a lot of good for your general wellbeing,” Annette elaborates.

Because the couple plays host to friends and family quite often, they were adamant against implementing a traditional living room layout where the sofa would be facing a television set. Instead of

having a television set as the main highlight, two sets of sofas from local furniture store Fortytwo were set up in the middle of the space.

With the seating facing each other, the couple and their guests are able to constantly maintain visual and verbal connection with one another without getting disrupted by the entertainment system.

To further aid in their hosting responsibilities, the dining area located right behind the sofas saw the installation of two sets of dining tables from another local furniture store, Castlery.

At a length of 1.65m each, the handsome grey-

AUG 55

SPACES

thinking outside

THE BOX

This captivating five-room HDB home pairs monochromatic furnishings and industrial materials to result in a space that is a touch above the ordinary TEXT Germaine Cheah PHOTOS UPSTAIRS_

AT A GLANCE

SPACE

5-room HDB unit

LOCATION

Bukit Purmei Road

RENO PERIOD

6 months

HOME TO

2 adults, 1 child

74 AUG

LIVING ROOM

As the main “face” of the living room, the apartment’s crate design element had to be an eye-catching one. However, due to budget constraints, all the designers had at their disposal was carpentry. Not one to be deterred, they decided to create an aesthetic out of bare plywood instead, and gave the feature some material depth with the use of old metal doors.

AUG 75

SPACES

FURNISHINGS

Furniture and accessories are what make a home, and luckily, the homeowners’ strict policy of only purchasing furniture pieces that were primarily black allowed their pre-existing items to fit into the overall design scheme very well.

76 AUG

T

hese days, it is not uncommon to see HDB apartments exude luxurious and creative interiors. Contemporary homeowners are not only increasingly well-travelled, they are also more design-savvy. However, once in a while, we come across HDB dwellings that are truly exceptional, and this five-room flat is one of those rarities. Located at Bukit Purmei within a housing estate built in the ‘80s, this home belongs to a young couple and their five-yearold son.

As family friends of Dennis Cheok, the founder and Creative Director of UPSTAIRS_, the couple decided to continue the harmonious partnership with the local interior design firm for their third home’s renovation – having worked with the designer on their previous two home overhauls. Well-prepared to take on a project on a larger and more radical in scale, they then went to pitch their desired concept to Dennis with a single image in their minds. The image was that of a red shipping container seemingly placed in the middle of a home.

“We quickly looked into that particular project and realised that the image was a clever illusion.

DINING AREA

As the family entertains quite a bit, they required an open yet intimate space for the hosting of guests.

Knocking out the partition walls between the original dining area and kitchen, a sizeable cement screed dining table was installed, with the crate lending spatial definition between the new living and dining zones.

The ‘container’ was built from corrugated metal cladding for the walls of a bathroom, and made to look like a separate structure from the room through the use of mirrors. Our immediate response was: how about building a real box out of timber, right in the centre of the home?” Dennis explains.

A dramatic departure from cookie-cutter apartment designs, the renovation was massive from the get-go. While the original configuration of the home was sizeable, it was confined into nooks and rooms. For example, the living and dining rooms were separated into two and was connected by a

DINING TABLE SURFACE

Cement screed

AUG 77

SPACES

KITCHEN

To create a seamless visual element between the flooring and the upper surfaces of the home, the kitchen walls were clad over in tinted cement screed that was coated with a layer of polyurethane paint.

RAISED BAR COUNTER

Carrara marble RAISED COUNTER

To accommodate the homeowner’s family tradition of hosting home-cooked popiah parties, the design team deliberately created a raised counter at the end of the dining table, complete with a traditional wooden popiah board housed within a Carrara marble counter.

78 AUG

linear corridor. However, it was something the homeowners didn’t want.

Instead, they requested for all the nonstructural walls in the apartment to be removed and for the layout to be reconfigured around the “crate” that would be inserted right in the centre of the apartment. This came with its own set of challenges, for the need to maintain the crate’s integrity as a separate detached structure from the walls and ceiling was technically challenging, requiring complex manoeuvres of electrical and ACMV services around the beams, floors and columns.

Given the amount of intense work put into installing the crate, it was only natural that the

homeowners and designers alike wanted it to be the main focal point within the home. As such, the rest of the apartment was kept a pristine shade of white and adorned with monochromatic furnishings and fittings. Termed “the white spaces”, this configuration was applied to every single room within the apartment, and the result was a playful and engaging interaction between the crate and each pocket of white space.

Although there were already plenty of oneof-a-kind design elements in the home, it was down to the personalised touches that truly made the abode unique to the family of three. The rare

“popiah board” in the kitchen is one notable example of that. As a nod to the homeowner’s long-standing family tradition of throwing popiah parties, the team designed a raised counter as part of the dining table, and inserted the authentic wooden board within its Carrara marble worktop.

Not only that, a chance encounter led the UPSTAIRS_ design team to be in possession of a pair of old film room doors from the original Capitol Theatre, bearing the words “Films. No smoking and naked flames” which was handpainted on its peeling metal patina.

“Given that both the homeowners work in the

CRATE

Timber T H E C R AT E

While primarily used to define spatial zones within the home, the crate also allows for all of the storage functions, room dividers and doors to be neatly consolidated into one inhabitable but operable monolithic box.

AUG 79

SHORTCUT

ARTISTIC INCLINATIONS

Instead of a feature wall, how about hanging up a piece of your favourite artwork?

IMAGE COURTESY OF House Doctor

A large format painting or photograph can be a great alternative to a feature wall. It doesn’t matter if you put it up in the living room or bedroom, having an evocative piece of art in a space can make it feel more personal and inviting.

What’s even better is that this interior design trick is super easy to install!

112 AUG