S Q U A R E R O O M S . C O M . S G
REF R ESH
We have a brand new look! Flip through to see what’s changed.
2020
C O L O U R T R EN D S Delicious palettes that are set to steal the interior scene
Double tap
NOV 2019
ISSUE 175 S$5.50/RM10
Get your daily dose of #homeinspiration with these inspiring Instagram accounts
interiors
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ideas
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Colour theory
A guide to figuring out the best colour palettes for each room in your abode
inspirations
Design talks
IKEA’s design expert shares tips on how to easily incorporate colour into your home
In Focus NEWS
AUSTRALIA
Life’s a beach Now you can enjoy the beauty of the Italian coastline at home without ever leaving it. Inspired by its namesake, designer Patricia Braune’s new wallpaper and textile collection, Amalfi Lines, brings the natural charm of the Amalfi Coast indoors with patterned cues that are evocative of the flora and ceramics unique to the Sorrento region. www.patriciabraune.com
UNITED KINGDOM
Off the peg
When you live in a concrete jungle, adorning your home with natural stones is one way to alleviate your longing for the wilds. However, if you prefer a more polished touch, these stone coverings from Lithos Design are the perfect options with their varied patterns, from textures that evoke organic shapes to minimal dotted outlines which trace glimpses of light.
With names such as ‘The 100 in Blush’ and ‘The 50 in Coral’, it’s no surprise that Peg & Board’s new range of steel pegboards features a selection of bright hues which will bring joy (and colour) to any home. These cheery fixtures can be configured as you please, and are versatile enough to complement a wide variety of interior styles, from Scandinavian to Industrial.
www.lithosdesign.com
www.pegandboard.com
AUSTRALIA
Rock stars
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SQUAREROOMS
In Focus NEWS
NEW ZEALAND
Steel meets string Wishing to add organic texture to her collection of steel works, New Zealand designer Lisa Turley turned to hemp (a sustainable and renewable material) to create these eco-friendly ornaments, that will certainly lend a stylish touch to all of your outdoor home settings – be they a balcony garden or an alfresco dining area. www.lisasarah.com
I TA LY
Fly me to the moon Inspired by the texture of the moon, Mezza Luna, IN-ES. ARTDESIGN’s latest (and aptlynamed) lamp collection brings a welcome fluidity to home lighting with its selection of playful pendants, which are made from Nebulite – a special mix of resin of fibers designed to be written on and erased. Available in monochrome, transparent as well as matte versions. www.in-es.com
UNITED KINGDOM
Contemporary cool Combining minimal finishes, luxurious fabrics, and sleek legs, these seats from UK furniture retailer Living It Up’s new Coco furniture range are designed to fit all kinds of dwellings, from small apartments to mighty mansions. Meanwhile, stylish fabric colour options, such as Burnt Orange and Midnight Blue, are sure to make your living room pop and your guests go wow. www.livingitup.co.uk
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In Focus FADS
Pivot brass caged pendant light, $799 at Crate & Barrel
SHINE BRIGHT
Decorative gold leaf, $35 at Nook and Cranny
Bring a bit of glamour into your home with
Wall clock, $136 at Masons Home Decor
these pieces that sparkle and shine
VATTENKRASSE watering can, $14.90 at IKEA
Dino foot clip, $99, Dino bird hook, $99 at Living DNA
text & coordination GERMAINE CHEAH
Theorem aged brass floor lamp, $729 at Crate & Barrel
Ines 3 seater sofa, $1,099 at Castlery
SKÄGGÖRT cushion cover, $9.90 at IKEA
Galen brass leather magazine rack, $319.95 at Crate & Barrel
Brass & glass terrarium, $68 at Nook and Cranny
Berlin centrepiece bowl, $399 at Bungalow55
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Homeowners The family of three that stays here enjoys bright and playful interiors that reflect their colourful personalities.
The Brief The homeowners of this four-room apartment wanted their living space to reflect their casual, playful personalities. To meet this brief, the designers from Studio FortyFour – Wilson Teng and Vandra Png – first incorporated plenty of colourful design elements into the home. But to ensure that they do not visually overpower the family home, a colour palette of sleek neutrals was also introduced in complementary amounts. As the owners are extremely family-oriented and love having friends and family over, the designers wanted to create a space that would make their hosting duties more seamless and encourage familial bonding. To project a wider expression of space, the designers knocked out a quadrant-shaped opening along the entrance
Solid wood feature As having the paint stop midway on the wall would have visually cut the height of the room in half, the designers decided to paint the grey-ish blue shade three-quarters of the way down instead. This creates the illusion of a taller ceiling and in turn, a larger space.
of the playroom, and encased the space with a glass partition. In addition, the designers topped the kitchen’s half wall with a glass partition. These new structural modifications not only draw more light into the home, they also allow the family and their guests to constantly maintain visual connection with one another, no matter where they may be.
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Playroom As the family may utilise this space for other functions in the future, the playroom was kept free from any built-in fixtures, allowing the homeowners to easily move things around and change things up when the need calls for it. Upon closer inspection, a beige colour on the ceiling can be seen, which serves as a grounding element in the room against its all-white walls.
Shoe storage cabinet Clad in laminates in a mustard hue, the shoe storage cabinet adds a pop of colour to the home’s entryway. Concurrently, the curved slot in the middle serves two functions – the first being a way to ventilate the shoes stored within; and the second as a shelving unit for wallets, keys and the like.
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Wardrobe details Fabric-effect laminates on the wardrobe serve to soften up the overall aesthetic of the built-in fixture with its textured finish. Meanwhile, brass door knobs add a spot of sparkle and shine into the space. Storage wall Located near the apartment’s main door, the Muuto The Dots wall hooks offer the homeowners a convenient spot for hanging jackets and tote bags upon returning home. But even when nothing is hung on it, these wall fittings serve to enhance the visual interest of the space with its aesthetically pleasing circular form.
Kitchen details Showcasing their extreme attention to detail, the designers punched out die-cut circular handles on the casement doors of the base cabinets. This offers the homeowners easy access to the items within, where they can simply hook a finger around the handle to open the doors.
Bathroom Pairing stone-textured tiles from Soon Bee Huat on the walls with a solid surface sink top from Evershine, the bathroom is fully capable of keeping up with its daily usage. Additionally, the light-coloured backdrop allows the strong black fiitings to steal one’s attention in the space.
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Dining Although it may seem quite close to the dining table, the MUUTO Under The Bell pendant lamp is actually placed at optimum height, where it casts a cosy glow over the furnishings without obstructing the view of the tallest person at the table.
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INSPIRATION KIT
2020 Colour Trends
A dash of colour can make a staggering impact in your home. We looked to the future and predicted the colour palettes that we’re confident will be seen in homes in 2020 and beyond text ROSSARA JAMIL
Autumn colours Autumn colours are known for the brilliant shades of orange, yellow and red. Not only do they ignite the imagination, but these hues also evoke warmth and comfort.
IMAGE COURTESY OF RICE
Colours of the Earth
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The colours of autumn span many nuances, and they include burnt orange and clay colours that are perfect if you are looking for an earthy feel in the home. Designed by London studio Barber and Osgerby, the Lane tiles from Mutina also come with slightly irregular edges. These give the tiles a down-to-earth and handmade feel. Use the tiles in place of wood flooring, or a feature wall to warm up the living area, kitchen or study.
Fall for fall
IMAGE COURTESY OF WALL CATALOG
Whether it is the bright yellow gingko leaves or brilliant red maple leaves, the changing colours of leaves are the first to come to mind when you think about autumn. So, take inspiration from nature for the new year. Colours like these bring instant cosiness and a sense of romance into the home. Wallpaper is the perfect choice for transforming the room with minimal fuss. The bold patterns of this wallpaper balance warm colours with cool blue and green.
Colours like yellow, orange and red represent vitality. However, they might be too stimulating for some. If you would like to have these colours in the home, consider using them in measured amounts by matching them with neutral colours like grey, white or beige. These Energy tiles from Ariana Ceramica don a matte texture that softens the brightness of the colour.
IMAGE COURTESY OF HAFARY
Soften it up
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INSPIRATION KIT
Pastels IMAGE COURTESY OF DULUX
As white can sometimes appear stark, pastels have since taken its spot among homeowners and designers as a natural transition between spaces in the home. These light colours are also excellent for softening harsh lighting that flows into spaces during the day.
A spot of serenity
IMAGE COURTESY OF IKEA
IMAGE COURTESY OF HAFARY
Dulux has named Tranquil Dawn as the Colour of the Year 2020. This hue rings in the new decade in line with its theme: the human touch. It is a pale green that, according to Dulux, appeals to what makes us human: the desire to care, the wish to be playful, the need for meaning and the yearning for creativity. The delicate, minty hue is a mix of green, blue and grey that offers versatility. It can be paired with soothing neutrals, vibrant colours and rich, warm colours depending on your inclinations.
Gentle grey
While the long-running fever for greige has abated, grey’s appeal continues to linger in new ways as homeowners and designers turn away from white interiors. Very light shades of grey serve as a comfortable gateway for those who are looking to have a bit of colour in the home. These Crafted subway tiles from Tendencias Ceramicas also mimic handcrafted clay with its uneven surface and smooth texture. Use them to jazz up any space in the home with grouting in white or even black to contrast against the tiles.
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SQUAREROOMS
Pink of health
Pink remains a hot favourite for its cotton candy, youthful vibe. That said, it is a bold colour that can leave some unsure of how to make it work. “Fluorescent, vivid, colours like fuchsia and electric blue inspired by the 80s can be used together with pastel colours as an accent colour to create an interesting contrast. They also help to accentuate a strong personality,” advises April Kwan, Activity Leader of Communication & Interior Design at IKEA Southeast Asia.
Deep hues
Join the navy
DESIGN BY MAKE ROOM
The preference for the deep, dark and dramatic continues, with dark shades of cool colours like navy, moss and olive set to take over any space in the home.
“Some cooler hues are going to be making a big statement in 2020. Think stronger, darker navy blues, as well as pale and dusty grey-greens, muted turquoise and dirty sky blue,” says Barbara Fritschy, founder of Make Room. Like grey, navy is a versatile colour that works in any space. Use it in the living area for a dramatic feature. Or have it in the bedroom to create an environment that envelops you in darkness when you turn off the lights at night.
Design trends continue to embrace the use of colour in the kitchen. Homeowners and interior designers are welcoming dark, dramatic hues into a space where white has been loved for the past decade. Dark shades of green are increasingly popular to complement colours like black and dark grey. These Artisan Moss Green tiles from Equipe Ceramicas sport a glossy sheen that adds dimension to the uneven coloured tiles. The result is a mysterious and luscious look much like looking into a hidden lagoon in the jungle.
IMAGE COURTESY OF HAFARY
Beyond green
Get the look
Inspired by the hues set to steal the interior scene come 2020? Try these colour palettes when putting together the design of your home! AUTUMN COLOURS
PA S T E L S
PURPLES
DEEP HUES
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INSPIRATION KIT
Fresh tones Get ready for the new year with these nifty finds in on-trend colours text & coordination ROSSARA JAMIL
HEXAGON JARS from $35 at Living DNA
WARM INVITATION
CHELSEA SOFA IN MUSTARD $9,445 at BoConcept
TERRA FRAMED CANVAS $69 at Castlery
Nestle into the gorgeous hues of autumn
MILÀ CHAIR $410 at XTRA
MUSCARI STORAGE BASKET POA at Vanilla Home
PAPPELINA SIRI RUG $258 at Journey East TRELLIS MUSTARD CUSHION $148 at Finn Avenue
NIKKEBY CHEST OF DRAWERS $129 at IKEA
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PETALS WOOL CUSHION $148 at Finn Avenue
HOOP SERVING BOWL $55 at mrphy
HUB CULTERY HOLDER $25 at mrphy BERGPALM QUILT COVER AND PILLOWCASES $39.90 at IKEA
TEA PETS YELLOW SNAIL $14.90 at Scene Shang STELTON EM77 VACUUM JUG CLOUD $119 at bibliotek
LIGHT MAGIC A little pastel goes a long way
BILD POSTER $12.90 for a set of 3 at IKEA
GLUCKSTENHOME CORA BLUE CUSHION $138 at Finn Avenue
ASHLYNN 3-SEATER FABRIC SOFA PINK $699 at Courts
LAHOLM SATURN AQUAMARINE POUF $299 at HipVan CANDICE OLSON COLLECTION MODERN CLASSIC RUG from $1,990 at Finn Avenue
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ways to display plants Bring the great outdoors into your home with these gorgeous plant display ideas
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RECYCLE IT
beginning anew Don’t be so quick to put your items in the trash – with combined recycle bins readily available, here’s a list of what you should separate out for the good of the environment text MEGAN CHEAH illustration MABEL LIANG
Whether plastic or cardboard, egg trays can be sent to recycling plants. Those with green fingers can also opt to upcycle their cardboard egg trays into seedling planters – they’re just the right size to hold young plants, and will give them a second lease of life before being sent to the recycling facilities.
Even the hardiest of hangers need to be replaced sometimes. Send the old or broken ones to the combined recycling bin, along with paper, metal, plastic and glass recyclables.
To make sorting easier, make sure to flatten out cardboard cartons when sending them to the bins. Your milk, juice and drink packets should also be rinsed and dried to remove any remnants in the empty cartons.
Along with plastic and glass drink bottles, these belong in recycling factories once they are thoroughly cleaned out.
While its best for old books to be donated if they are still in good condition, there’s a limit to how torn up or crushed the pages can be to pass off as hand-me-downs. As they are generally made of paper, they can join your stacks of unwanted flyers and paid bills in the combined bins.
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The blue recycling bins found in most estates collect plastics, which includes empty soda bottles and toiletries. Make sure to rinse and dry them as they have to be cleaned before joining the pile at the combined bins. However, do note that plastic products marked with “7” and “Other” cannot be recycled – which you can check by flipping your bottle over to read the base.
Glassware is another of the four recyclable materials that make their way to the combined blue recycling bins. Similar to plastic containers, make sure to rinse and dry out the glass jars, bottles or vases. There are some glass items that cannot be recycled, however – this includes glass bakeware, mirrors and windows.
It’s easy to simply throw away these cardboard tubes once its paper exterior has run out, but take a step back and add them to your recyclable pile. Crafty creatives can even turn them into organisers or wrapping paper storage – their shape and size is perfect for holding things together. On the other hand, do note that the actual toilet paper and paper towels should not be recycled.
Your mailbox is sure to be clogged full of advertising flyers, bills and the occasional card, so it’s unsurprising that it belongs on the recyclable list. Due to the National Recycling Programme’s usage of combined blue recycling bins, you can also include the plastic wrappers into your recyclable stack.
HOME INSPO
Bright and Cheery Space 5-room HDB flat Location Bukit Batok West Ave 8
Striking colours, eclectic materials and a well planned layout transform an ordinary HDB flat into a home that perfectly caters to its occupants’ tastes and lifestyles
Reno Period 8 weeks Home To 2 adults
As you walk through the interior of this five-room apartment located in the west of Singapore, it’s hard not to be taken by the bright colours and interesting textures that adorn the space. “The clients wanted a cosy and cheerful place to call their own, where different design elements would complement one other throughout their home rather than following a specific design theme,” says Jax Ren, the interior designer from local firm Cozyspace Interior who was engaged to oversee the home renovation. First request on the homeowners’ list? Bold colour choices. Fans of strong hues like red and blue, they wanted a burgundy shade to fill up the most predominant surfaces of their living room, which matches the wooden carpentry and flooring extremely well. Next, they wanted an open space that would make entertaining large groups easy. To achieve this, low-slung furniture dots the living space, creating the illusion of space and height. Then, what would have been an unused bay window was then fitted with custom carpentry, serving both additional seating and storage purposes. Along the main living room wall, several things come into view. Serving as a mounting spot for the sleek television set, the feature wall boasts a wood-laminated finish arranged in a chevron pattern. “Because so much laminate finishing was used here, I wanted to highlight the contrast by laying it out in a chevron pattern here, which would showcase the same material components, but in a different, more playful manner,” Jax added. Next to it, a full-height storage wall with an in-built recessed niche offers the occupants a landing spot for bulky household
Te x t G E R M A I N E C H E A H
P h o t o s C O Z Y S PA C E I N T E R I O R
items as well as smaller personal trinkets. During the process of securing the new BTO flat, the owners opted out of the choice to have the kitchen wall included with the unit, so there was no need for any major structural modifications to achieve the open-concept kitchen layout the owners so desired. From then on, it was all about kitting the space with the right materials and fixtures to make it a fully functioning utilitarian zone. Alongside their busy work schedule, the owners cook about two to three times a week. To keep up with its regular usage, Jax installed quartz countertops and Morrocan-inspired tile backsplashes into the kitchen – both of which are high performing in terms of its stain- and scratchresistant properties – and paired them with dark woodgrain-laminated cabinetry that offers ample storage for cooking essentials. On the floor, vinyl strips similar to those used in the outer communal zones were used, but they sport a lighter-toned finish. Jax explains, “We implemented the different coloured wood-effect flooring here to not only add a different layer into the home, but to also demarcate the kitchen from the dining area and the rest of the home.” Upon closer inspection, it is also noticeable that the custom-built cabinetry has no protruding handles on its doors. “The owners have had bad experiences previously with having their clothing caught on such handles and knobs. And although these fittings are more design-focused, for a couple who is expanding their family, having these protruding elements can be safety hazards. So we decided to do away with them altogether,” elaborates the designer.
For increased functionality in the utilitarian zone, an island counter was installed parallel to the kitchen. Besides just functioning as a breakfast table and a worktop for food preparation, the fixture was also fitted with storage cabinets on one end to offer the users additional storage solutions for all their cooking and kitchen utensils and equipment. Moving on to their private living chambers, the master bedroom departs from the warm colour palette of the outer living spaces and embraces a cooler aesthetic, where a deep teal shade adorns the feature wall of the room. “The owners requested for this particular colour in their bedroom as they wanted to have a strong contrasting colour with the adjoining wardrobe wall and their wedding photo,” says Jax. To cater to the homeowners’ storage needs in the bedroom, a portion of the room’s floor plate was sectioned out and converted into a walk-in wardrobe. Separated from the sleeping zone by a full-height laminated shelving structure, the entrance to the wardrobe was partially frosted to ensure privacy while not deterring daylight from entering the space. This effectively adhered to the owners’ request for a walk-in closet that enjoys plenty of natural light. When asked to sum up his thoughts on the project, Jax said: “I am glad that I was able to incorporate the vibrant colours they requested for into their home. And we did it in a manner that they like and enjoy.” And thanks to his clever design sensibilities and eye for detail, Jax truly managed to design a home that is truly reflective of the homeowners’ distinctive tastes and personalities.
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Above
Living Although most of the surfaces in the home are in a clean white, it's the burgundy feature walls that capture one’s attention as they are making their way through the home. Coupled with the wooden accents on the built-in cabinets as well as flooring, this stunning shade also helps further enhance the cosiness of the living room with its warm undertones.
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Built-in fixtures With the storage cabinet situated next to the television wall, and because they were both clad in wooden laminates, the designer decided to include black trimmings along the builtin fixture to create a stronger contrast the two design features. This also matches the black tones used on the black quartz kitchen countertops.
Flooring
Vinyl strips
Wa l l
Wood-effect laminates
Left
Corridor Throughout the apartment, vinyl strips were used for the flooring due to its high scratch-resistance properties. In addition, its wooden appearance enhances the cosy atmosphere of the home, while its long woodgrain patterns help visually expand the space. Below
Bay window To fully maximise available space, the bay window in the living room was fitted with custom carpentry in a combination of black and wood laminates. Serving two functions, the extended settee offers the homeowners extra seating options for guests, and the flip-up doors open up to reveal additional slots for storage.
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SQUAREROOMS
HOME INSPO
Kitchen backsplash
Morrocan-inspired tiles
Kitchen countertop
Quartz
Above
Kitchen Although considered unconventional, a section of the kitchen floor was overlaid with patterned tiles in a similar design as the backsplash to maintain design consistency when one transitions between viewing the space from underfoot to eye level. Left
Kitchen details Accent lighting was installed below the cabinets to highlight the built-in fixtures as well as to create a cosier ambience in the open-plan kitchen. Concurrently, a builtin dish rack was included above the sink to reduce tabletop usage when drying dishes.
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