NATURAL WONDER
An essential guide to marbled surfaces
TUCKED AWAY
Clever storage solutions that maximise space
THE
high life LUXURIATE IN STYLE WITH SOME UNEXPECTED LIVING AND DINING ROOM UPDATES JULY 2018
ISSUE 159 S$5.50/RM10
WIN!
$1,200
worth of furniture more details on pg 115
STYLE
HALF & HALF Select a two-toned backdrop for the main wall shared by the living and dining zones. Have one in a solid tone and the other with decorative motifs like patterns. Establish a visual link by injecting complementary colours and with that, you get a two-for-one feature wall to helm your separate living and dining sets.
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COMMUNAL GAME-CHANGERS REV UP THE GAME OF YOUR LIVING AND DINING LAYOUT WITH THESE BRILLIANT DESIGN SOLUTIONS
IMAGE COURTESY OF FURNITURE VILLAGE
TEXT DISA TAN
IMAGE COURTESY OF HOUSEOLOGY
DAYLIGHT DELIGHT Plan the location of the communal zones in the way that the dining room is right next to the windows. Natural light can bathe the dining set and choosing light-enhancing surfaces like a glass tabletop or a lighter wall colour can accentuate the source of light. This brings the outdoors in with minimal effort.
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DESIGN BY ARTISTROOM
STYLE
BLURRED BOUNDARIES With most living and dining zones merged together these days, it’s a refreshing idea to designate a room to the dining space. Glass sliding doors or bi-fold doors can demarcate the space without blocking any light and there’s the added benefit of turning the dining space into a private study.
DESIGN BY ARTISTROOM
VISUAL INTEREST Nothing beats the rousing brushstrokes of an artwork to catch someone’s eye. This centrepiece works well to anchor the dining area in this whitewashed living space.
34 JUL
DESIGN BY STORY OF US
TAKE IT OUTSIDE If you have the luxury of owning a balcony, merging it with the living space might not be such a bad idea. Allocating the dining set to this semi-outdoor area can offer an al fresco dining experience which would make eating-in more appealing. This also frees up more space for the other communal zones.
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STYLE+
CHANGE IT UP BREATHE FRESH STYLE INTO YOUR LIVING AND DINING AREAS WITH FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES SWAPS TEXT & COORDINATION Rossara Jamil
ROCK OF AGES Embrace the timeless allure of stone textures
GROOVE FLOWER POT $35 at BoConcept
MARBLE COASTERS SET OF 4 $39.95 at Crate & Barrel AMELIA MARBLE COFFEE TABLE $499 at HipVan
COLLAR ESPRESSO MAKER $139 at bibliotek
LIVING DISH $145 at BoConcept
OXIDIZED VASE $195 at BoConcept
40 JUL
HOUSE DOCTOR PIN TABLE LAMP BASE $347 at Journey East
ICING DISH $80 at BoConcept
TUNISIAN ORANGE BOWL $125 at Departures & Arrivals
BEVILJA TRAY $9.90 at IKEA
LOVE OF CULTURES Global influences right at home
GRASS WEAVE DRUM STOOL $129 at Scene Shang
QUALY DESIGN BODHI ACCESSORY TRAY $39.90 at mrphy
MOUNT FUJI TEAPOT IN BLUE $195 at TWG Tea BAO BAMBOO LADDER WITH SHELF $180 at Scene Shang
TOPPIG LANTERN $79 at IKEA
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STYLE+
NAOMI SOFA IN CAROLINE PINK $899 at Castlery
OBJEKTO PAULISTANO CHAIR $1,625 at Stylodeco
COLOUR SATURATION The mysterious allure of deep and rich hues
MARUNI LIGHTWOOD CHAIR IN MAPLE RED $900 at atomi
OSAKA SOFA $4,095 at BoConcept
SIEMON & SALAZAR GREY BLACK SCURO DEEP BOWL POA at Vanilla Home
THEO CERAMIC VASE IN YELLOW $16.90 at HipVan
42 JUL
FRENCH EARL GREY SCENTED CANDLE $90 at TWG Tea
METAL MANIA MARKSLOJD SKY PENDANT LAMP $158 at Stylodeco
One-of-a-kind look matte or polished CHLOE ROUND SIDE TABLE $125 at HipVan
PEDRALI INOX TABLE POA at Made & Make
DROP TEA LIGHT HOLDER $20 at BoConcept KOBO COLLECTION DINING TRAYS From $22 at Supermama
PELEG DESIGN MAGNETIC VASE SET OF 5 $59.90 at mrphy
PORTA ROMANA FIG TABLE POA at Vanilla Home
JUL 43
SOLUTIONS
HIDDEN AWAY CLEVER STORAGE SOLUTIONS THAT HIDE CLUTTER AND MAXIMISE SPACE IN SMALL LIVING ROOMS
MAGE COURTESY OF A BEAUTIFUL MESS
TEXT Jasmine Goh
DOUBLE DUTY FURNITURE A coffee table with hidden storage is the perfect piece of furniture to have in a small living room. It stores your current reads and your kids’ favourite toys while also providing a place for paper clutter and other knick-knacks to be quickly stashed away when guests pop by.
46 JUL
DESIGN BY DAN’S WORKSHOP
A L O N G T H E WAY If you prefer your cabinets to stay out of sight, consider incorporating them as part of the wall away from the TV, which is commonly the focal point in a typical home. A floating TV console helps to maintain the spacious feel of this living room, while cabinets are built along the side of the room and clad with the same laminate panels that make up the TV feature wall. This same laminate is used all the way along the entryway to the main entrance of the home. This not only creates a smooth design flow, but also conceals the cabinets as part of the walkway.
DESIGN BY EIGHTYTWO
DESIGN BY KDOT ASSOCIATES
D I S P L AY & D I S T R AC T Serving more than just a storage and display function, this shoe cabinet with display shelves actually conceals the DB box and a protruding column. The result is a visually pleasing profile that is flush with the wall.
H E I G H T A DVA N TAG E For items that you do not need often, store them above eye level. In this living room, a line of storage compartments stretches across above the TV and extends over the corridor, freeing up room for the family to move about. Since the cabinets are built at that height, their contents are now out of reach of curious children, making this an option to consider for kid-friendly design as well.
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SOLUTIONS
M U LT I P L E FAC A D E S Now that we have mobile screens in our palms and pockets all day, perhaps we should re-think the prominence of the TV in our homes. Design-wise, the TV also doesn’t have to be the focal point in your living room. In this cosy apartment, moveable panels installed along the TV wall allow the homeowners to create different looks and moods according to the occasion. Storage compartments sit quietly behind, allowing the different panels to take centrestage. One of these panels showcases a large graphic print, while two other panels are covered with artificial plants to transform the wall into a vertical garden.
48 JUL
DESIGN BY DAN’S WORKSHOP
DESIGN BY WOLF WOOF
W H E E L P OW E R In a small living room, it can be a struggle to create more space for your kids to play or a place to exercise without having to forgo cabinets or the coffee table. This TV console is cleverly designed with a detachable cabinet-on-wheels that can be pulled out to double up as a coffee table in the living room, if and whenever you need one. Simply push it back into the cabinets and you have the entire room for your kids or to yourself.
Other ways to maximise a bay window include turning it into a study desk or cosy reading nook.
DESIGN BY Z L CONSTRUCTION
B AY WAT C H Transform your bay window seat from an ordinary bench into one with hidden storage compartments using drawers or flip tops. Throw on some cushions and you have a lovely sitting area which functions as hidden storage and as extra seats when guests come over.
DESIGN BY BOWERMAN SPACE PLANNERS
IMAGE COURTESY OF IKEA
BIN IT Baskets and bins are your best friends when it comes to hiding things fast. Everyday clutter like toys and paper can be easily corralled in a basket and tucked away in a corner. Choose a design that complements the look and colour scheme of your room, so that your baskets and bins blend in as part of the overall decor.
F E AT U R E WA L L When you need plenty of storage compartments, make your TV feature wall serve double duty as a storage area too. These floor-to-ceiling cabinets house the TV and provide storage space for the homeowners’ household items, appliances, and even shoes! In addition, with a TV niche, there is more walking space compared to a protruding TV console, allowing the living room to feel more spacious.
JUL 49
SURFACE
MARVELLOUS MARBLE HOW TO INJECT NATURE’S FINEST MATERIAL INTO YOUR ABODE TEXT Fidz Azmin
BAREFOOT LUXURY This interior is a study in posh minimalism, proving that luxurious doesn’t need to be ostentatious. A restrained approach in design sees the deliberate use of natural stone take stage in the living area. In a daring shade of noir, the feature wall blends seamlessly with the television and console yet it helps break the monotony of its monochromatic setting. Dramatic streaks across the stone’s shadowy base bring an atmospheric vibe into the space.
50 JUL
DESIGN BY 0932 DESIGN CONSULTANTS
DESIGN BY D’MARVEL SCALE
If your decision to purchase marble is set in stone, consider honed or matte finishes. They camouflage little flaws more effectively than a polished surface, so you won’t fret too much over what you can’t really see.
MOCK ROCKS Unless you pad around in your bedroom slippers or are hardly home, marble floors aren’t able to stand up to the demands of high-traffic areas. Homogeneous tiles that mimic marble’s intricacy are more resilient. Plus, they make a great substitute for dwellers who are either tight on budget or prefer a fuss-free maintenance regime. They’re also versatile enough to be applied on your wall if you’re more of a wipe-and-go kind of person.
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SURFACE
IMAGE COURTESY OF DELIGHTFULL
HINT OF LUXURY If acquiring multiple slabs of marble prove to be too much for your pocket, introduce a hint of luxury through furniture pieces. This console table that’s topped with Carrara Marble not only adds dimension to an entryway or a corner in a communal area, it also offers useable counter space to place light fixtures, decor items or a collection of personal trinkets.
52 JUL
IMAGE COURTESY OF ESSENTIAL HOME
COLOURED GEMS White marble is unquestionably a classic, but this opulent stone does come in other colourway like green, pink, black and even gold. Case in point, this coffee table with its Verde Guatemala marble top carries a strong presence in a living space. Its gold accenting elevates its polished appearance. As this elegant emerald stunner is placed in a largely neutral setting, it is able to command attention without appearing overwhelming even in a tiny home.
DESIGN BY THE MONOCOT STUDIO
AN ELEGANT CENTREPIECE Taking pride of place in this dry kitchen is a bespoke waterfall island counter sculpted from marble. In a cloudytextured smoke grey, it adds to the tactile quality of the area and provides contrast against the handsome dark wood paneling of the pantry cabinet that surrounds it. Good looks aside, this pretty centrepiece is also practical, providing ample counter space for prepping as well as playing role as a secondary zone for mealtimes.
JUL 53
SPACES
raising THE BAR Interesting feature walls, industrial-inspired design elements and contemporary finishes all account for the signature style of this one-bedroom apartment TEXT Germaine Cheah PHOTOS Brim Design
AT A GLANCE
SPACE
1-bedroom condominium unit
LOCATION
Tanjong Rhu
RENO PERIOD
6 weeks HOME TO
2 adults
56 JUL
OVERALL
Hacking away the pre-existing black tiles, the flooring now employs the use of large format cement grey homogeneous tiles, which minimises the number of visible grout lines in the design. The use of mirrored and high-gloss cabinet fronts helps to visually lengthen the narrow space.
JUL 57
SPACES
Copper round pendant light from Tom Dixon LIVING ROOM
To accommodate the homeowners’ household accessories, the design team installed full-length storage units to keep the living area looking neat. An arch-shaped niche was also installed in the lower cabinets. This serves as a litter box for the couple's pet cat.
58 JUL
STAIRCASE WALL
Raw plaster wall painted in brown S TA I R C A S E
The wall that flanks the loft staircase saw the Brim Design designers removing the pre-existing plaster to achieve an exposed effect. It was then painted over in a dark brown hue. Meanwhile, the solid wall that surrounded the bottom three steps of the staircase was removed to open up the space.
W
hen you first step into this one-bedroom apartment located in Tanjong Rhu, it’s hard not to be taken by the towering almost 6m ceiling height and the generous full-height windows that open up to an unobstructed view of East Coast Park. Home to a young couple and their two pets, the modern industrial-style home was a conjoined effort between the
homeowners and local interior design firm, Brim Design. Due to the unit having a relatively small square footage, the homeowners didn’t want the end result of the home to be too complicated, and thus requested that the overall look should be neat and streamlined. As such, a consistent linear design concept was applied to all furnishings and fittings as a way to trick the eye and visually lengthen the apartment.
JUL 59
SPACES
layers of LUXURY A multi-faceted material palette of natural stone textures and wood accents presents a well-appointed HDB flat unit brimming with hotel grandeur TEXT Disa Tan PHOTOS Joey Khu Interior Design
AT A GLANCE
SPACE
4-room BTO unit
LOCATION
McNair Road
RENO PERIOD
10 weeks HOME TO
2 adults
72 JUL
LIVING ROOM
A mix of high and low budget furniture pieces and accessories puts together a living space that is cosy and characterful.
JUL 73
SPACES
F E AT U R E WA L L
Open niches within the custom-designed TV console create a lightweight presence out of the boxy fixture.
74 JUL
G
iving tastefully-done private homes a run for their money is this wellcurated HDB flat unit situated in central Singapore. Walls of finesse reign here and this is drawn out by the exquisite pairing of colours and textures. The man behind this picture of perfection is designer Joey Khu who envisioned a modern luxe theme for this project. “The main inspiration was derived from designer hotels,� says the veteran designer who clearly has a strong eye for detail and colour.
Aware that a good source of daylight makes all the difference, Joey had a good grasp on the light path of the home as well as how to capitalise it. He hacked away the boundary wall enclosing the kitchen and put up a decorative screen comprising tinted mirrors. It is then integrated with a half-height counter which now fills the rest of the communal areas with more natural light. The absence of walls along the kitchen perimeter also shows off the beauty of its Italian tile backsplash. Like a work of art, the creamy
LOUNGE ROOM (left)
To play up the cosy yet contemplative mood of this space, warm lighting radiating from the cabinetry and diffused daylight bathe the framed artworks and Cassina armchair in good light. SINK COUNTER (below)
A divider screen between the front entrance and kitchen sets the design language of modern luxe. These tinted mirror strips on the divider also amplify the presence of natural light into the darker corners of the home.
veining cuts through the darker muted tone like masterful strokes and this contrast creates a beguiling backdrop for the kitchen. Fronting the kitchen is a divider which sports tinted mirror strips. It creates a streamlined appeal with the alignment of the custom-designed dining table. Decked in a quartz tabletop with T-shaped metal legs, the dining table is the epitome of simple elegance. The clean touch of white on the tabletop is a great complement to the tubular lighting that protrudes through the false ceiling. This creates a dynamic effect that brings an element of surprise to the sea of flat, regular surfaces. “We were definitely going for something different there,� Joey explains.
JUL 75
PROADS
HERITAGE CHARM Underscored by an industrial design theme and a hint of nostalgic charm, this five-room apartment employs pops of colours and interesting textures to give it its signature look
F A C T F I L E SPACE 5-room HDB unit SIZE Approx. 1,200 square feet
LOCATION Joo Seng Road HOME TO 2 adults, 2 children DESIGNER Hilda Virgiani from Weiken@IMM RENO PERIOD 6 weeks
108 JUL
For over 22 years, Weiken.com has satisfied its customers with an effective combination of attentive service and innovative design ideas. Offering a “one-stop service” for renovation projects, the Weiken.com team is meticulous in matching interior solutions to project requirements. This quality of work is ensured by effective work processes that provide clients with peace of mind at every stage of a renovation project.
OVERALL The owners of this five-room HDB flat requested Hilda to create an interior that looked bright and airy, but with punches of vintageand industrial-inspired elements in its design. To open up the space, the designer knocked out a row of cabinets that originally separated the living and dining zones. Wood-toned loose furniture pieces paired with vinyl flooring then gives the space a cosy vibe.
MASTER BEDROOM For their private living chamber, the homeowners requested for a sleeping zone, a study area as well as a walk-in wardrobe to be included within the space. As such, the designer installed a series of full-length wardrobes that takes up threequarters of the length of the room and used the feature to separate the different functions of the room. COMMON BATHROOM Thoughtful design fixtures can be found all over the common bathroom, from the water-resistant quartz shelf in the shower zone to the custom-made storage-cum-display cabinet above the WC. For the flooring, homogeneous tiles that look like planks of wood were used, and when paired with the monochrome patterned tiles on the feature wall, give the space a distinct industrial-vintage vibe.
LIVING To create additional storage for the homeowners’ impressive book collection as well as other household accessories, designer Hilda customised a storage feature wall that surrounds a sleek television set. Clad with dark grey laminates, the closed storage unit presents a clean and uncluttered appearance.
WEIKEN.COM GROUP OF COMPAINES
#TONE IT DOWN
Colour blocking is a simple way to imbue visual interest into a space, but make a note to pair strong shades with neutral counterparts to avoid overwhelming the space.
KITCHEN A departure from the wood tones in the outer communal spaces, the kitchen features navy blue cabinets and a multicoloured decorative tiled backsplash. However, cement screed and concrete-lookalike tiles on the wall and floor maintains the overall industrial design concept between the various spaces.
18 Boon Lay Way, #01-133 Tradehub 21, Singapore 609966 (Weiken@Tradehub 21) 62 Ubi Road 1, #01-04 Oxley Bizhub 2, Singapore 408734 (Weiken@Oxley Bizhub 2) 24 Sin Ming Lane, #01-103 Midview City, Singapore 573970 (Weiken@Midview City) 2 Jurong East Street 21, #03-28F IMM Building, Singapore 609601 (Weiken@IMM) Tel: 6465 6656 Email: facebook@weiken.com.sg/ weiken@singnet.com.sg Web: www.weiken.com Weiken.com Delightful Interiors
JUL 109
PROMOTION
PROMOTION
W W W . S Q U A R E R O O M S . C O M . S G
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Worth $1,200
A MARTLEWOOD DINING SET COMPRISING A CONCRETE TABLE, ANSEI BENCH AND 2 MAUI CHAIRS
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HEAD OVER TO WWW.SQUAREROOMS.COM.SG/PROMO TO FIND OUT HOW TO WIN!
TERMS & CONDITIONS: Promotion ends 27 July 2018 • This promotion is open to all Singapore Residents only • Only winners will be notified via email • Prizes are limited to one per household • SquareRooms’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entertained • Prizes are not exchangeable for cash • SquareRooms and sponsors reserve the right to replace prizes with other gifts of similar value • Media Group Pte Ltd reserves the right to publish and/or use the details of the entries for future marketing and promotional purposes
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SHORTCUT SHORTCUT
STACK UP Here’s an easy solution to add visual interest to your entryway while keeping it tidy IMAGE COURTESY OF Muuto
Don’t let that empty wall at the entryway go to waste. Stacking up a series of small shelves here will make it easy for you to reach essential items. Whether it is your mail, keys or keepsakes, this off-the-floor solution is a neat way to add some functional style to an oft-forgotten spot in the home.
120 JUL