I N T E R I O R S
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I D E A S
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S O L U T I O N S
www.squarerooms.com.sg
STOW AWAY Clever kitchen storage ideas
splurge VS. SAVE
HOW TO SPEND YOUR KITCHEN RENO BUDGET WISELY
ISSUE 163 S$5.50/RM10
Trends for the cooking zone from brass accents to matte surfaces
NOV 2018
HOT SPOTS
STYLE+
SERVING BOARD from $49.90 at Commune
SUPERHOST ESSENTIALS PREP FOR THE UPCOMING HOLIDAY SEASON WITH THESE STYLISH AND PRACTICAL ENTERTAINING MUST-HAVES TEXT & COORDINATION Rossara Jamil
[ NATURAL MATERIALS ] The warmth and beauty of nature at home.
BOSKA BEECH CHEESE BOARD WITH DOME $60.90 at ToTT Store
ACACIA WEDGE SERVER $54.95 at Crate & Barrel WENGE HEXAGONAL CHOPSTICKS $12.90 at Muji
42 NOV
INTRESSANT SPICE MILL $24.90 at IKEA
ROSE DOME TEAPOT $255 at TWG Tea Salons & Boutiques
FRITZ HANSEN LOUISE CANDLEHOLDER POA at W. Atelier KITCHENAID COLD BREW COFFEE MAKER $199 at major department stores
[ METALLIC MAGIC ] Bring on the shine and shimmer at the dining table.
RO BASKET NO. 14 $85 at Space Furniture
WMF PERFECT PREMIUM PRESSURE COOKER from $469 at major department stores
MORGAN & FINCH KAMALI ROUND PLACEMAT $12.95 at Bed Bath N’ Table
GOLD UTENSILS from $3.90 at Commune
NOV 43
SOLUTIONS
HOME ECONOMICS WHEN IT COMES TO KITCHEN RENOVATIONS, IT’S NOT ONE SIZE FITS ALL. MANAGE THE COST OF CRAFTING YOUR DREAM COOKING SPACE BY FIRST UNDERSTANDING WHAT TO INVEST IN AND WHAT YOU CAN SCRIMP ON TEXT Fidz Azmin
46 NOV
SPEND C O U N T E RTO P The workhorses of the kitchen, counters take a beating on a daily basis especially if you’re a home chef. Besides their role as a worktop, they’re also key to broadcasting your space’s aesthetic to onlookers. Splurge on a quality surface – like engineered quartz. Not only is this man-made material hardwearing and scratch -and stain-resistant, it doesn’t demand any special treatment, just a good old fashioned wipe-down with gentle detergent and warm water.
SAVE FLOORING Floors are subject to the stress of everyday shuffling, spills and splashes. Don’t blow your budget on soft stones like marble which is unable to take the high traffic action, or laminates that will warp with water exposure. Durability is a priority, which is why old school tiles are the go-to material for most homeowners. The best part is, tiles come in an array of patterns, shapes and finishes – making it easy to match your floors with the kitchen decor.
IMAGE COURTESY OF CAESARSTONE
IMAGE COURTESY OF SOON BEE HUAT
DESIGN BY FREE SPACE INTENT
B AC K S P L A S H It may take up a minor plot of a kitchen’s real estate, but the backsplash sits at eye level and creates impact visually. As finishes come in a variety, so is the price tag. Ceramic tiles are the most affordable of the lot, but is more porous and less tough than its porcelain counterparts. Consider stones such as marble and granite that exude an upscale vibe, or glass and stainless steel that boast a contemporary edge and are a cinch to clean.
NOV 47
SOLUTIONS SOLUTIONS
48 NOV
SINK Although the sink sees a lot of action, you don’t really have to opt for anything overly fancy because it is fundamentally just a vessel for washing your dirty dishes. No matter if you need a single or double-basin sink type, a simple design in stainless steel should suffice. Stainless steel is a popular material that is hardwearing, effortless to clean, and inexpensive to boot. Plus, we love how it adds an industrious edge to this part of home.
C A B I N E T H A R D WA R E Details matter. When it comes to knobs, pulls and handles, anything that’s outdated or flimsy may affect the overall appearance of your cabinets. Procure quality fittings that complement the design of your space, or go for hidden pulls to create an illusion of seamlessness.
LIGHTING Visibility should never be obscured or compromised in the cooking space for the sake for safety. As function is priority, focus on equipping the kitchen with task lighting first. These types of light fixtures are generally less costly as opposed to their decorative counterparts – so pull back on expenses here. You can always adorn this room with fancy lighting when you have a more comfortable budget to work with.
IMAGES COURTESY OF HAFELE
C A B I N E T O R G A N I S I N G S YS T E M What lurks behind the cabinet door is just as or perhaps more important than the facade. Interior fittings vary from owner to owner depending on your needs and creature habits. A cabinet organising system built to suit your personal style doesn’t only keep items in check and within reach, it transforms the kitchen into a functional space that allows you to perform and complete tasks efficiently and safely.
FAU C E T One of the most frequently used tools in the kitchen, the faucet is an equipment worth spending on particularly for serious cooks. There are numerous features to consider before making your purchase. Take into account details like the spout height and reach – which is basically how curved the spout is – and the material finish where chrome is most durable and your best bet if you’re a heavy user. A pull-down or pull-out hand spray is handy too to keep your faucet flexible.
DESIGN BY UPSTAIRS_
SAVE
IMAGES COURTESY OF IKEA
SPEND
NOV 49
SAVVY SAVVY
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ISLAND LIFE
Don’t let the space below your island counter go to waste! Make sure to get your interior designer to install a version with drawers or cabinets to tuck all those kitchen essentials neatly away.
KEEP IT
CONTAINED 10 storage solutions to help you maintain an orderly kitchen
DESIGN BY THE SCIENTIST
TEXT Jolene Limuco
56 NOV
3
WHAT A RACK
IMAGE COURTESY OF GARDEN TRADING
There can never be too many racks to keep cutlery and pantry items off the countertops. One with hooks for hanging up dishtowels and cookware make for convenient access during a busy cooking session.
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A PEG UP You can make use of the space between the kitchen countertop and wallhung cabinets by installing a pegboard in between. This will keep oftenused items at hand while keeping the cooking zone organised.
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CHIC HIDEAWAY Introduce some elegance to your utilitarian zone all while adding some storage solutions with a stylish sideboard that will keep all those cookware hidden when not in use.
Porada Atlante four-door sideboard, POA at Marquis QSquare
NOV 57
SHOP
COME DINE WITH ME GET READY TO WELCOME GUESTS TO THE TABLE WITH THESE BEAUTIFUL SERVING AND DINING WARE ART DIRECTION Pow Sin Ye STYLING Karin Tan PHOTOGRAPHY Wong Weiliang
60 NOV
DOWN TO EARTH Create a cosy space to gather with a selection of rustic wood and stone-derived tableware and accessories.
(Clockwise from top left) Wooden round tray, $45.90, from Harvey Norman. Porcelain bowl, $35.90, from ToTT Store. Glass and wood deco, POA, from Strange & Deranged. Porcelain expresso cup, $6.90 and porcelain saucer, $3.90, both from ToTT Store. Gunmetal stainless steel cutlery set, $89 (for a set of eight), from IKEA. Wooden candle holder, $55, from BoConcept. Porcelain cactus deco set, $24.90 (for a set of three), from IKEA. Boska cheese tower, $100.90, from ToTT Store. Linen blanket (used as table cloth), $445, from BoConcept.
NOV 61
SHOP
MONOCHROME MAGIC Hassle-free table setting starts with a solid foundation of black and white classics.
62 NOV
MODERN ROMANCE Brighten up your meals with a selection of pastel hued tableware.
(Clockwise from top left) Porcelain soup plate, $14.90, from ToTT Store. Porcelain trinket tray, $14.90, from Bed Bath N’ Table. Porcelain coffee cup, $6.90, and saucer, $4.90, both from ToTT Store. Porcelain soup plate, $14.90, from ToTT Store. Salt & Pepper porcelain mug, $14.90, from Harvey Norman. Assorted porcelain coasters, $19.95 (for a set of four), from Bed Bath N’ Table. Salt & Pepper assorted graphic porcelain plates, $19.90 each, and porcelain tea cup set, $25.90, all from Harvey Norman. Acetate box, POA, from Strange & Deranged. (Opposite page, clockwise from top) Jamie Oliver wooden bottle carrier, $85.90, from ToTT Store. Wooden salt & pepper shaker, $24.95, from Bed Bath N’ Table. Porcelain sake bottle, $24.90, from ToTT Store. Brass and glass display dome, $12.90, from IKEA. Bamboo coasters, $24.95 (for a set of six), from Bed Bath N’ Table. Wooden plate, $6.90, from IKEA. Brass measuring spoons, $19.95, from kikki.K. Knitted table mat, $9.95, from Bed Bath N’ Table. Cheese knife, $24.90 each, from Harvey Norman. Porcelain decor, $12.90 (for a set of two), from IKEA. Two-tone porcelain jug, $35.95, painted bamboo salad bowl, $29.95, and linen table cloth, $49.95, all from Bed Bath N’ Table.
NOV 63
SPACES
LIVING ROOM
Constructed out of both wood-lookalike laminates and tinted mirrored panels, the television feature wall imbues the living room with a homely ambience.
66 NOV
dressed to
IMPRESS Clever design sensibilities and effective space planning transform an ordinary three-bedroom apartment into a family home that shines with bespoke touches and luxurious finishes TEXT Germaine Cheah PHOTOS Richfield Integrated
AT A GLANCE
SPACE
3-bedroom condominium unit
LOCATION
Mei Hwan Drive
RENO PERIOD
8 weeks
HOME TO
2 adults, 2 children
NOV 67
SPACES
E N T R Y W AY (left)
As a demarcation between the exterior and interior of the home, marble-effect hexagonal-shaped tiles were used on the outside, which provide a stunning contrast to the homogeneous tiles on the inside. WOODEN STRUCTURE (below)
Constructed out of large panels of wood laminates, the towering structure that lies by the home’s entryway comes complete with embedded storage units, an area for putting on shoes, and even a dedicated space for keeping the DB box out of sight.
T
here’s a certain amount of freedom that comes with having your own place, with the tip of the iceberg being the ability to design and curate it to exactly how you want it to look and feel. Things were no different for this family of four. After scoring themselves a fourbedroom unit in the Goldenhill Park development, they roped in Risan Sun from local interior design firm Richfield Integrated to transform their dream home into a reality. The design brief was fairly simple, albeit with a slight twist: a modern-Scandinavian concept. This gave rise to a striking combination of bold black-and-white tones and soothing wood shades that would culminate in a sleek yet cosy home.
68 NOV
Hatton pendant lights from Original BTC DINING
Serving as the focal point of the eating area, the mirrored panels were arranged in a freehand pattern, which makes the overall design more visually interesting.
NOV 69
SPACES
LIVING ROOM
Spare yet engaging, the living area evokes a welcoming and cosy ambience. The couple’s existing furniture pieces, which include the Eames lounge chair, are mixed with new additions like the String shelving and tubular Wassily chair.
90 NOV
dual-toned
BEAUTY
An overhaul of the interior spaces results in a spacious, light-filled and well-organised home for a couple TEXT Rossara Jamil PHOTOS Studio Wills + Architects
AT A GLANCE
SPACE
4-bedroom condominium unit
LOCATION
Robertson Quay
RENO PERIOD
4 months
HOME TO
2 adults
NOV 91
SPACES
LIVING ROOM FLOOR
White oak timber from Perswood LOUNGE
With the former master bedroom opened up, there’s room for a lounge area and a study corner. A contrast to the living area, this area is decked out in dark hues that complement the white oak timber floor sourced from Perswood.
M
aking the decision to purchase a home after renting is a big step. For these owners – an expatriate and his Singaporean wife – their hearts were set on this resale four-bedroom condominium apartment. Not only is it located in the convenient location in Robertson Quay, but it also provides the space they need for their lifestyle. Life for the couple involves frequent travels, plenty of entertaining at home and collecting treasured objects of art and antiques that they love to mix up with contemporary pieces. “The new apartment must provide a setting for the existing furniture. They consist of pieces
from different eras and genre of styles – antique, midcentury, such as Eames and String, and contemporary ones such as IKEA and HAY,” shares Wiliam Ng, the principal architect of Studio Wills + Architects.
92 NOV
Given that it’s a home for two, William and fellow architect Kho Keguang looked into transforming the interior layout to provide more living room space. One of the things they did was to open up the original master bedroom, located next to the
living area. Following that, two common bedrooms away from the living area, one with an attached bathroom, were combined to become the master bedroom with a walk-in wardrobe. This reconfiguration has made it possible to
NOV 93
SPACES
DINING ROOM
In line with the Zen-influenced interior design, this space is kept clean and uncluttered.
98 NOV
factor
ZEN
A sense of peace and tranquility permeates this resale flat thanks to a highly curated minimalist palette TEXT Redzman Rahmat PHOTOS Minimo & Minimology
AT A GLANCE
SPACE
4-room HDB unit
LOCATION
Yishun Ring Road
RENO PERIOD
2.5 months
HOME TO
2 adults
NOV 99
SPACES
LIVING ROOM CABINETS
Wood veneer LIVING ROOM
Designed as a selfcontained space, wood veneer panels conceal the storage cabinets, TV console and even the entrance into the bedrooms.
100 NOV
H
ome is where we relax and unwind; a sanctuary where we can escape to from the bustle of urban life. And one way to achieve this sense of peace and tranquillity is by eschewing loud colours and garish elements in the interior design, and keeping to a minimalist yet impactful palette. In this 4-room resale flat, design firm Minimo & Minimology wanted to create a home that is beautiful to live in, easy to maintain and yet tasteful in its use of colours and materials. They catered the flat’s design to its owners’ refined
taste – two sisters staying together – and took inspiration from the minimalist movement and Japanese Zen philosophy. As such, everything in this newly renovated resale flat is well proportioned and streamlined, with no overbearing design element in sight. As in any Japanese-inspired modern home, its materiality comes to the forefront of the interior design. In this particular home, wood veneer and natural marble are the two mainstays, and are used liberally throughout the 1,130-square foot home. These organic materials, especially when coupled with the home’s use of neutral colours,
E N T R Y W AY
The tasteful pairing of wood surfaces and white tones seen in the entryway can be found throughout the entire home.
result in truly relaxing interiors that evoke a sense of peace and tranquillity. One of the main challenges in this home was to come up with a way to incorporate storage without weighing down the space. Since this is an old HDB flat, the designers were not allowed to hack down any walls to make more room. Instead, the design team incorporated storage into the interior design through carefully considered carpentry. This is best seen in the living room. The designers clad the entire stretch of wall with panels of wood veneer to form a clean and
D I S P L AY A R E A
Little flourishes of colour are sparingly, yet effectively, used to reflect the personalities of the homeowners.
NOV 101
SHORTCUT
TIME TO SHINE Get in the mood for merrymaking with the help of some fairy lights IMAGE COURTESY OF Garden Trading
As the festive season approaches, why not get in the mood by stringing up some fairy lights around the home? This simple update will add a glow to your favourite spaces as you prepare for the year-end festivities.
128 NOV