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WHY IT PAYS TO BUY SOUTH AFRICAN ART
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EDI TOR’S NOT E
SKY IS THE LIMIT with. To some, it’s common, plain and almost veering on the side of being boring to look at, but let’s not get too pessimistic. Classic Blue may seem dull, but I like the shade because it reminds me of the sky and ocean. It is a primary colour that ođers so much potential for creating new colours while complementing others. Far from being depressing, blue is comforting and inspiring. So let’s embrace this year, and be open to the new opportunities to come. If you have been putting ođ giving your home a makeover, I say this is the perfect time to get started. Here’s wishing you a very happy new year.
YO U N G L I M E D I TO R - I N - C H I E F
photography ANGELA GUO art direction NONIE CHEN
As we cross the threshold of yet another year, it seems that many people are cautious about what 2020 is going to bring. Economists are predicting a global slowdown in trade, while scientists warn about the looming threat of global warming around the world. These observations seem to paint a rather grim and gloomy outlook for the next 12 months to come. If this news is making you feel a bit blue, you will understand why colour expert Pantone decided to make Classic Blue the reigning hue of the year. As its name suggests, Classic Blue is the shade we are all familiar
CONTENTS
JANUARY
NOW
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Swing Swing
This swing seat promises to transform your child’s room into a forest glade.
DESIGN NEWS, PLACES TO V I S I T, T H I N G S T O B U Y 21 MATERIAL WORLD Hermes collaborated with Milan-based artist and designer Nathalie Du Pasquier to design two throws made with simple embroidery techniques.
S HO P PING 23
GREAT BUYS Our monthly roundup of the hottest new design products for the home.
N EW STO R E
28 SMOKE SIGNATURE This store applies the traditional craft of charring hardwood to furniture.
H OT SP OT 32
IL PALAZZO EXPERIMENTAL A Venetian palace remade as a hip boutique hotel. 34
TRUNK(HOUSE) The traditional facade of this historical building hides a one-of-a-kind interior. 36
LINDSEY ADELMAN’S NEW YORK CITY SHOWROOM The famed industrial designer launches her gallery, where she showcases her sculptural lighting creations in a welcoming, loft-like space. 38
MANDALA. THE BAY. A private villa experience in Bali. 6
25 36
CONTENTS
JANUARY
DESIGN
I D E A S A N D I N S P I R AT I O N F R O M THOSE IN THE KNOW
PEOPLE 41
CREATING IMMERSIVE ENVIRONMENTS
VERSATILE BIKE ATTACHMENT WINS JAMES DYSON AWARD
Acclaimed Argentinean artist Julio Le Parc has spent the past 60 years dreaming up experiences exploring form, colour, light, movement and visual effects that engage all the senses.
Stability is an issue when riding bikes loaded with heavy bags. With Wheelson, carrying heavy loads on your bicycle is not only safer but easier too.
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H & D C URATE S
Joshua Koh, CEO of Commune, talks about the store’s new virtual reality and augmented reality tools for an enhanced furniture shopping experience.
FEAST FOR THE SENSES
SHOP AWAY
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Creating Immersive Environments Argentinean artist Julio Le Parc experiments with geometric designs to create eyecatching artpieces.
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Go bold this season and ditch that white tablecloth for something textured and darker-hued instead.
CONTENTS
JANUARY
HOMES THE NEW MODERN
on the cover
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HOME WITH A PRICE David Price’s family home is a culmination of nearly 30 years of experience in designing dream residences for an international clientele across the south of France. 60
COOL & CATFRIENDLY Designed to meet the owners’ aesthetic preferences and their pets’ needs.
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LIVING HISTORY A chance encounter during one of the homeowner’s regular jaunts to check out conservation shophouses in various parts of Singapore led to the acquisition of this corner unit. 80
LOFTY LUXE Taking full advantage of the vertical expanse of this apartment, the designer managed to create more floor and storage space. 86
PICTURE PERFECT This contemporary home was designed to reflect the homeowner’s city lifestyle. 10
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BACK TO THE FUTURE A dark palette with metallic accents forms the futuristic ambience of this apartment.
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Be inspired by our round-up of different styling ideas to give your home a fresh new look this festive season. PHOTOGRAPHY VEE CH IN STYLING NONIE C HEN
CONTENTS
JANUARY
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Stay Calm and Cool
Embrace shades of green and blue this new year.
F E ATU R E
FEATURES T H E L AT E S T I N D E S I G N AND DECOR TRENDS
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FRESH TAKE ON THE NEW YEAR With Chinese New Year just a few weeks away from Christmas, switching from one seasonal look to another is as easy as making small changes to your existing decor. Interior stylist Mike Tan shares his tips on fuss-free decorating. 98
MADE TO ORDER New HDB apartments may have a standard layout these days, yet our tastes as homeowners are anything but cookie-cutter.
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STAY CALM AND COOL Colour experts recommend these reassuring shades of green and blue to ease us in and set the tone for 2020. 106
FEAST FOR THE SENSES Elevate your reunion dinner gathering with a stylish table spread fit for presenting those sumptuous dishes.
T RAV EL 110
HEAD SOUTH South Africa is leading the discourse on art and design on the African continent. Find out where the hottest galleries are and which are the artists to watch.
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EDITOR’S NOTE 18
H&D.COM.SG 19 DIGITAL EDITION EXCLUSIVES 117 WHERE TO BUY 118
BUYING GUIDE 120
THE HARD TRUTH
the show
. 2 . 1 1 — O 7. — 2 O 2 S K O LO OD GO Content determines form. Lifestyle impacts on design. The international consumer goods sector prepares for the coming year at Ambiente. A stunning selection of products for the interior, furnishing and decoration is presented in style. Information and tickets: ambiente.messefrankfurt.com Tel. +65 6737 1704 info@singapore.messefrankfurt.com
GROUP EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Caroline Ngui (nguislc@sph.com.sg) GROUP EDITOR Joanna Lee-Miller (jolee@sph.com.sg)
EDITORIAL EDITOR Young Lim (younglim@sph.com.sg) SENIOR WRITER Domenica Tan (domtan@sph.com.sg) WRITERS Isabelle Tow (imztow@sph.com.sg) Melody Bay (melodyb@sph.com.sg)
CREATIVE SENIOR ART DIRECTOR Nonie Chen (noniec@sph.com.sg) ART DIRECTOR Kristy Quah (krisquah@sph.com.sg)
DIGITAL TRENDING DESK GROUP EDITOR Dhylan Boey (dhylanb@sph.com.sg)
BRAND LAB & VIDEO LAB DIRECTOR Ong Ting Nee (tingnee@sph.com.sg) EDITOR Grace Chua (cshgrace@sph.com.sg) FASHION DIRECTOR Janice Pidduck (pjan@sph.com.sg) ASSOCIATE EDITOR Shairah Thoufeekh Ahamed (stahamed@sph.com.sg)
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PHOTOGRAPHY
SENIOR MANAGER, ADMINISTRATION & EDITORIAL SUPPORT UNIT Juliana Chong (julianac@sph.com.sg) ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Jashnijothirani Nadarajah (jrani@sph.com.sg)
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HEAD, MARKETING & CIRCULATION Lin Shaomei
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SENIOR MARKETING MANAGER Patricia Ong MARKETING EXECUTIVE Jennith Chen
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DIRECTOR, PRODUCT & INNOVATION Faith Yoong
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Maureen Wee (weekfm@sph.com.sg) CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS HEAD Chin Soo Fang (soofang@sph.com.sg) VICE-PRESIDENT, HUMAN RESOURCES Irene Lee (leebl@sph.com.sg)
Home & Decor is published by SPH Magazines Pte Ltd, 1000 Toa Payoh North, News Centre, Annexe Block Level 8, Singapore 318994, Tel: 6319-6319, Fax: 6319-6345 Distributed by Circulation Department, Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. Printed by timesprinters, Singapore registration no.: 196700328H.
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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the written permission of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed or implied in Home & Decor are those of the authors or contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. For back issues, e-mail: circs@sph.com.sg. Subscribe online: www.homeanddecor.com.sg.
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SIGHTS & INSPIRATION CHECK US OUT AT @HOMEANDDECOR_SG
Bachelor pad with million-dollar view This home’s interiors were designed to complement the view. www.tinyurl.com/bachelormillionview
Apartment with white and light palette A farmhouse-inspired look gives this familyoriented home a cosy vibe. www.tinyurl.com/whiteandlight
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IN THE JANUARY DIGITAL ISSUE‌ A UNIQUE HOTEL STAY Check into this boutique hotel, where ÂœĂšÂœĂžÄ€ ĂžĂ?Ă?Ăˆ ĂŠÂœĂ‚Ă‚Ă˘ † Â˜Â°Ä‘ÂœĂžÂœĂ‰ĂŠ âÊĂ?ÞĀʨ
BONUS GALLERIES & VIDEOS RELIVING A LEGACY Find out how this conservation ÂĂ?ĂˆÂœ ú†â Â§Â°ĂšÂœĂ‰ † Ă‰ÂœĂş Ă‚Ă?Ă?¿ʨ
H;HfVZ H" ɈɆɈɆ Subdued and simple are two words ĂŠÂ†Ê Â˜ÂœĂ˘Â’ĂžÂ°Â‘Âœ ĂŠÂÂœ Â’Ă?Ă‚Ă?ÎÞâ Ă?ÂŚ ĂŠÂÂœ Ä€ÂœÂ†ĂžĘ¨ aÂ†ÂżÂœ † Ă‚Ă?Ă?Âż †Ê ÂĂ?Ăş ĂŠÂœĀ ’†É ‘œ ĂŽĂ˘ÂœÂ˜Ę¨
DWELL INTERIOR DESIGN P. L . INTERIOR DESIGN & CONSULTANCY DESIGN & BUILD | ADDITIONS & ALTERATIONS W W W.DW E LL.COM .SG
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D E S I G N N E W S , P L A C E S T O V I S I T, T H I N G S T O B U Y
M AT E R I A L WO R L D Having dedicated its latest home collection to highlighting the beauty of raw materials and traditional craftsmanship, French luxury label Hermes collaborated with Milan-based artist and designer Nathalie Du Pasquier (founding member of the Memphis Design Group - an iconic studio in the ’80s, which counts Karl Lagerfeld and David Bowie as its fans) to design two throws made with simple embroidery techniques. This Soft Machine throw features handmade Mongoliancashmere patchworks, mini-beads and bold colours. The Soft Machine throw measures 1.4m by 2m and is available by order from Hermes. Visit www.hermes. com/sg for more information.
EXHIBITION OF THE MONTH Suddenly Turning Visible
WHAT Suddenly turning visible: art and architecture in Southeast Asia (1969 – 1989) WHEN Now until March 15 WHERE National Gallery Singapore
TILE OF THE MONTH
CHEVRON CHIC Interested to inject an element of industrial chic into your home’s design, but not ready to go all the way with concrete screed across the floor? Consider the Lamelle collection of glazed porcelain tiles instead, which is designed to resemble the look of parquet used in
vintage industrial lofts. Its edgy look is softened by the muted tones, offering a warm yet rustic-Industrial feel. These tiles are also easy to maintain, making them great for any room.
Against a backdrop of rapid urban development in Southeast Asia during the late 1960s to 1990s, not only did art evolve to adopt experimental forms, but it even formed new alliances with architecture.
The exhibition looks at art’s development in Singapore, Manila and Bangkok under the influence of three prominent art institutions: Alpha Gallery, Cultural Center of the Philippines, Bhirasri Institute of Modern Art.
Lamelle Rovere Chevron retails at Hafary, 105 Eunos Avenue 3. Visit www.hafary.com.sg.
SPRING CLEAN Did you know that you can eliminate 99.99 per cent of all common household bacteria with just water? Cleaning agents and chemicals are rendered superfluous with Karcher’s new SC 3 Upright EasyFix steam mop, which uses steam to deep clean virtually all surfaces including parquet and carpets. Water heats to nearly 100-degrees celsius in under 30 seconds so that you can commence on your cleaning spree in a jiffy. The Karcher SC 3 Upright EasyFix steam mop retails for $398 at all major electronics and electric appliance stores.
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FUN IN THE OUTDOORS Shopping for outdoor furniture to spruce up the look in your garden or patio? W.Atelier introduces Gloster’s collection of teak furniture. Pieces in the collection include the Kay, a seat showcasing a curved and sculptured back panel that gives it its timeless Scandinavian-style look.
Kay retails for $6,500 at W. Atelier, #01-01 and #03-01, 201 Henderson Road. Find out more at www. watelier.com
SWING SWING Playtime just got a lot more fun with the Booboo Suspension Sofa, a swing seat that promises to transform your child’s room into a forest glade – or anything from your child’s imagination, really. The plush velvet upholstery is supported by a strong stainless steel frame with bronze accents.
The Booboo Suspension Sofa retails for €3,800 (S$5,707) and is available at www.circu.net.
NEWS Best of the best The superb quality of Hansgrohe’s Rainfinity shower range is getting the recognition it deserves. Last October, it won “Best of Best” for the Hansgrohe Group in the 2019 Iconic Awards held in Munich. This honour came just months after the shower range was presented the iF Gold Award in March.
Visit www.
hansgrohe.com.sg
Smart storage Asia’s biggest selfstorage operator has opened its first technologically advanced facility in Singapore. The Storefriendly Centre at Paya Lebar makes use of robotic technology, or GObots, to deliver users’ personal storage housed within the no-man zones right to their feet.
Visit www. storefriendly.com.sg
Sustainability champion Not one to rest on its laurels, global sanitaryware brand Grohe is stepping up its sustainability efforts with the goal of achieving carbon-neutral production by this year. Since last July, their five production plants worldwide as well as their logistics centre in Germany have been run on green electricity, as part of this effort.
Visit www.grohe.com
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TRENDING
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SPARE SEATS
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Making sure your guests are comfortable is a concern for every good host. This CNY season, consider some chic poufs and stools instead of the quotidian stackable plastic chairs to keep your home decor in trend and your guests happy.
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1 . Pink shaggy pouf, $159.95, from Crate & Barrel. 2 . Grass weave drum stool, from $89, from Scene Shang. 3 . Nahara 18”x18” natural pouf, $399.95, from Crate & Barrel. 4 . Ekko pouf in dark green, $499, from HipVan.
SHOWER OF BLESSING
SUSTAINABLE FLOORS Everyone’s heard of wood flooring, but have you ever heard of bamboo charcoal flooring? A revolutionary material, Bamco is the world’s first bamboo charcoal
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flooring, which is 100 per cent recyclable, with three layers of fully waterproof composites that are child-safe and non-toxic. It is also fire-, scratch-,
chemical- and slipresistant making it a material safe for use at home! Bamco comes in wood- and stone-look finishes. Find out more at bamcoflor.com
Bathtime just got even better with Kohler’s Air Showerhead, featuring Katalys Air-Induction technology that infuses 2.2 litres of air into 2.5 gallons of water every minute. The mixture of air and water creates larger water droplets that retain their heat longer, enveloping you in comfort and warmth. The Kohler Katalys Air Showerhead retails from $675 at authorised Kohler distributors.
WELL-MADE WASHBASINS Luxury British bath brand Victoria and Albert has launched three new additions to its Kaali collection of undermount basins. Kaali 60 and 65 are oval basins, while Kaali 48 is a round one - its number indicates their diameters. All made using the brand’s proprietary material QuarryCast, a limestone blend mixture that is warm to the touch. Victoria and Albert is available from EquipDesign & Supply, #04-34 Vertex, and Wan Tai & Co Bathroom Gallery, 25 Changi South Avenue 2.
DOWN TO THE DETAILS Design studio Pelle has created a super sleek table made completely out of aluminium. The DVN table is put together using Japanese joinery techniques — the legs are measured with such precision that they fit perfectly with the top, without the need for nails or fasteners. The DVN table retails for US$12,000 ($16,357) at www.pelledesigns.com.
EDITOR’S CHOICE
A PIECE OF HERITAGE Local design and crafts store Supermama’s latest porcelain plate collection is a collaboration with Candlenut — the world’s first Michelinstarred Peranakan restaurant. It pays homage to the Peranakan heritage and has designs inspired by Peranakan tiles and iconic floral motifs.
The pair of Peranakan Mamazara — which means “small plate” in Japanese — remind of Kutaniyaki, a traditional Ishikawa potterymaking style that employs the Each dish retails for $24 and is available at Candlenut at Como Dempsey and all Supermama stores, while stocks last.
I FOR ICONIC Televisions today are no longer designed just as a plain black screen, many come with interesting details that make them stand out from the crowd. Samsung’s The Serif is one such TV, which is designed with the distinct “I” shape iconic to the serif typography, as its name suggests. It’s sleek, modern, unconventional, and features vibrant picture quality thanks to its QLED technology. The Serif is 55 inches in size and retails for $3,399 at Commune and major electrical stores.
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DAYDREAM IN BLUE
ODE TO JOY
Looking for a way to inject Pantone’s colour of the year into your home? The Doze lounge chair and ottoman, by Scandinavian design studio Muuto, feature a sleek and contemporary silhouette upholstered in timeless deep blue.
Ring in the Lunar New Year festivities with these limitededition handmade lacquer boxes by Qua. Painted by local artist Aaron Gan, whose beautiful artwork is renowned for its expression of joy and gratitude, these boxes feature a bird perched among auspicious fruits and flowers. “The bird glancing backwards symbolises gratitude and appreciation,” says Aaron.
The Muuto Doze lounge chair retails for $4,390 at Grafunkt, Funan Mall, #04-01.
The Joy Series Lacquer Collection retails from $68 at Tangs at Tang Plaza, Metro Paragon, and Robinson’s at The Heeren.
CARVED IN STONE Fancy the timeless look of marble in the kitchen? Caesarstone, which specialises in high-quality quartz surfaces, has just launched Empira White, a classic white marble quartz with elegant grey veining that’s inspired by Calacatta marble. Its durability means it’s easy to wipe clean, and can last for years to come.
Add to cart
Empira White retails at Caesarstone Experience Centre @ Suntec, #03-357 Suntec City Mall Tower 3.
Make your CNY decor more personal with Urban Li’l’s custom Chinese family plaques! Instead of tacky accessories, now you can adorn your doors and walls with plaques personalised with your family name made by the Singapore-based design studio. Visit www.urbanlil.com.
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text DOMENICA TAN, MELODY BAY AND ISABELLE TOW
N E W S TO R E
S M O K E S I G N AT U R E This store applies the traditional craft of charring hardwood to furniture.
N
estled in the heart of Esplanade Mall is Smoke Signature, the newlyopened flagship store of the Smoke brand by Shou Sugi Ban Gallery. The space boasts an expansive showfloor of recycled wood furniture, as well as a café furnished with their signature pieces. Here, you’ll find an extensive range of hardwood furniture that has been charred by hand in the ancient Japanese art of shou sugi ban, a wood treatment dating back to the 1900s and traditionally used on home exteriors. This method involves carefully charring and oiling the wood, rendering it both fireproof and waterproof, with the added bonus of preventing termite infestations. The founder, Marcus Wang, does each piece personally. “Shou sugi ban brings out the beautiful details of the wood and makes it very unique. No two pieces are the same,” he says. He has been practicing the art for eight years. The silhouette of the furniture is minimalist and organic, with allusions to local culture. “I was inspired by some aspects of local life, like the aluminium bucket that we used last time to get water in the kampong,” Marcus says. This resulted in creations like the Zen Oly Organic stool, which has a backrest shaped like the bucket handle. For customers who like the charred look but prefer to have it applied sparingly, the
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store has the mid-centurystyled Orter collection, featuring pieces with charred accents that lend texture and character. It’s not all just furniture -- the art of shou sugi ban is also applied to paneling and art pieces, as well as their custommade barn doors. Marcus is confident that the demand for the art is rising as more homeowners appreciate the uniqueness of the hand-charred detailing. “Charred is the new black,” he says. Visit Smoke Signature at www.smoke.sg, or at #02-29, Esplanade Mall. ABOVE
The Zen Marey Organic stool, featuring full charred detailing, is an allusion to the milk buckets used in Singapore’s olden days. LEFT
You can customise just about anything on your barn door – including a silhouette of your pet. FAR LEFT LEFT
You’ll find sculptures and other artwork at the gallery, too – all with detailing brought out by the art of shou sugi ban.
text MELODY BAY
The Algine is part of the AudioPhil collection, a series of cabinets built to house turntables.
2.500 years ago, Alexander the Great begun his great expeditions to the East from the fertile valley of River Haliacmon. His conquests reached far in Asia, where he came to know of the peach, which he brought back to Europe. The first systematic cultivations were realized in the flatlands of Imathia – due to its ideal climate. Hundreds of hectares of fresh and industrial peach are cultivated in these lands until today, while the largest processing units are also located here. Canned peaches do not appear to fall short in terms of nutrients compared to fresh ones. Their content in vitamins, minerals and micronutrients matches that of fresh peaches, since canning peaches causes minimal losses to nutrients, comparable to those caused by cooking. European Legislation is very strict with
respect to the safety and hygiene of farming products, across their entire production chain up to consumption, thus ensuring the production of quality produce with high nutritional value. By means of the requirements posed by good farming practice, European production protocols ensure the safe production of foodstuffs. Diligent and rigorous tests and checks are carried out at every stage of production, standardization and packaging, aimed to make quality, nutritious and healthy food products available to consumers. The process for the production of canned peaches, from cultivation to processing, is implemented pursuant to all necessary European and international certifications (ISO - HACCP - BRC – IFS – GLOBALGAP) which certify and ensure the excellent and undeviating quality of products.
The content of this promotion campaign represents the views of the author only and is his/her sole responsibility.The European Commission and the Consumers, Health, Agriculture and Food Executive Agency (CHAFEA) do not accept any responsibility for any use that may be made of the information it contains.
H D B S P E C IA L
NEW AND IMPROVED New HDB flats come with sleeker, more modern interior fittings. From 2019, new HDB BTO flats will come with sleeker and more modern fittings to keep pace with changing lifestyles and help reduce renovation costs for homebuyers. For example, glazed porcelain tiles in the kitchen and bathrooms, coupled with betterlooking bathroom amenities instantly give these rooms a polished and contemporary look. Simply build in your carpentry and you’re ready to go! Check out the range of new features in HDB flats.
Bathrooms get a facelift with a range of new quality fittings to kit out the whole area. Designer-looking glazed porcelain tiles for the walls and floors, together with modern-looking taps, showerheads, toilet cisterns, concealed floor traps and a sleeker tophung window instead of the previous louvered vent windows cohesively refresh the space and comes close to what you get in private developments. Even better, all the tap and sanitary fittings are water-efficient, helping you to save as you use.
better quality glazed porcelain floor and wall tiles for the kitchen and bathrooms. Not only do these tiles look sleeker and more modern, they are also more resistant to wear and tear and make cleaning a breeze. For a flushed and seamless look, floor tiles for the kitchen and living room will be upsized to 600mm by 600mm and 300mm by 600mm respectively. The use of larger tiles gives the space visual continuity and added elegance as there will be fewer grout lines between tiles, helping to create the illusion of spaciousness.
LARGE, BETTER QUALITY TILES
STREAMLINED DESIGN FOR DOOR
Ceramic tiles have given way to nicer-looking and
AND WINDOW SET IN KITCHEN
UPDATED, BETTER QUALITY BATHROOM FITTINGS
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Enter a more contemporary
looking kitchen and service yard, as the door/window set which divides the space will now feature top-hung windows that replace the previous louveredvent windows. Top-hung windows are easier to clean and more streamlined since they will be flushed to the walls. This also gives you more options in the configuration of your kitchen cabinetry. NEW LOOK INSIDE, AND OUT
There’s more! New flats will also come with a nicer entrance courtesy of a new main door and grille gate. A better quality, scratchresistant laminated timber main door replaces the timber-veneer door, and a modern steel grille gate complete with a thumb-turn
knob on the inside replaces the previous older-looking wrought iron gate. With a new home that comes with these refreshed features, you can now focus on building the cosy nest that you have always dreamed of. Visit MyNiceHome.sg, www. facebook.com/mynicehome, and www.instagram.com/mynicehome for more tips, design ideas and interesting stories from other HDB homeowners.
H OT S P OT
M I L PA L A Z Z O E X P E R I M E N TA L A Venetian palace remade as a hip boutique hotel.
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ost recently the headquarters of a naval transport company before it shut down, the Venetian Palazzo Ca’ Molin has been revived as a boutique hotel, newly named as Il Palazzo Experimental. Developed by the Experimental Group, the palace’s transformation was spearheaded by the group’s talented design partner, French interior designer Dorothee Meilichzon.
Consisting of 32 rooms, a cocktail bar and a restaurant, Meilichzon curated a design language that respects and reinforces the palace’s Venetian Gothic elements, while mixing in her signature style. Inspired by existing curved windows and carved window heads, the hotel is a layered pastiche of rounded motifs, as expressed in Luciano Vistosi’s mushroom Murano glass table lamps and scalloped edge paintwork found throughout
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Guests can partake in delicious Italian fare prepared with locally sourced, seasonal ingredients at the hotel’s Ristorante Adriatica. TOP, RI GHT
The large gothic windows bring lots of sunlight into the bedrooms.
the establishment. Meilichzon took the opportunity to weave in Venetian craftsmanship, with details like marble terrazzo scarpa flooring, treating the walls with Marmorino and imbuing the place with a sunstrewn palette of terracotta, sky blue and pale green. White banquettes and booths with bordeaux velvet seats, marble dining tables and ceramic mosaic walls handcrafted by Botteganove are artfully assembled in a high-ceilinged dining hall that is now the hotel’s restaurant, Il Ristorante Adriatica. Guests can look forward to the authentic Italian fare, using locally sourced ingredients, that’s prepared by chef Attilio Franzoi of London’s Italian Supper Club fame. Milan-based architectdesigner Cristina Celestino was appointed to design the cocktail bar – and the group’s first Italian outpost of their well-known Experimental Cocktail Club. Its laid-back nature is fleshed out with a lush custom-designed regimental inlaid carpet by Besana Carpet Lab, and paired with brass and antique mirror-topped
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The hotel’s back garden, where breakfast, tea and early evening drinks are served. ABOVE
good to know coffee tables, as well as pink velvet poufs by Attico Design, Celestino’s line of products. Facing the picturesque Giudecca Canal, from which guests arrive, it seems like the third life’s the charm for this remade palazzo.
Touring Venice? The hotel is near cultural attractions like the Galleria dell’Accademia and the Peggy Guggeinheim Collection.
Guests will encounter various renditions of stripes around the hotel, be it painted on, in the fabrics or in the metal marquetry.
Il Palazzo Experimental is located at Fondamenta Zattere, Al Ponte Lungo 1412, 30123 Venice. Visit www.palazzoexperimental. com.
text ISABELLE TOW photos KAREL BALAS
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H O T S P OT
TRUNK(HOUSE) The traditional façade of this historical building hides a one-of-a-kind interior.
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troll past Trunk(House) in the serene neighbourhood of Kagurazaka in Tokyo, and you’ll never guess that this nondescript two-storey building, once a geisha house, is now a stylish abode for travellers – albeit one that houses several works of modern art and the world’s smallest disco. Designed by the team behind Trunk(Hotel), the historical building has been transformed into a onebedroom property that can
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accommodate up to four guests. The design concept is based on the Japanese salons that were dotted throughout Tokyo in the 17th and 18th century, where artists and academics would gather and debate late into the night. As a nod to the role the iconic salon played in shaping the cultural landscape, the house, with 1,647 sq ft of space spread over two floors, is filled with contemporary art ranging from sculptures to paper cut-outs.
The modernity of the art is juxtaposed with the very traditional elements of a Japanese residence: the façade of the house has been preserved in keeping with the stone paths and greenery-filled tranquility of the neighbourhood, while inside, a tea room lined with tatami mats and a cypress bath create a zen atmosphere. The house does have a few surprises up its sleeve, though. Guests are treated to the world’s tiniest private disco, a brightly-coloured room
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Masumi Ishikawa’s ‘Scenic Tour of Japan: Then and Now’ adorns the tiled wall above the bathing area, enlivening the space with a contemporary touch. BELOW L EFT
A tiny garden lets sunlight in while still maintaining privacy. BELOW R IGHT
A tea room allows guests to experience traditional Japanese tea rituals, prepared by the private butlers.
good to know The home is filled with contemporary art by both local and international artists such as Chiaki Hirano and Stephen Kenn.
ABOVE
The unassuming façade of this two-storey house blends in with the rest of the street on the outside, giving no hint of the luxurious interior. RIGH T
Guests can watch their meal being prepared by their personal chef right there in the comfort of the kitchen.
complete with curved drinks bar and glittering disco ball – a reminder of Tokyo’s vibrant playfulness that coexists with the formal and traditional. Guests can also expect top-notch service, including private butlers and a personal chef. For a house that looks so unassuming from the outside, the experience it holds within is definitely designed to be unforgettable. For more information about Trunk(House), visit www.trunk-house.com.
text MELODY BAY photos TOMOOKI KENGAKU
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H O T S P OT
LINDSEY ADELMAN’S N E W YO R K C I T Y S H OW R O O M The famed industrial designer launches her gallery, where she showcases her sculptural lighting creations in a welcoming, loft-like space.
good to know
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othing seemed predestined when Lindsey Adelman became a tastemaker in the design world. After studying English, she started her career as an editorial assistant at the Smithsonian Institution. While working there and touring the fabrication department, however, a chance encounter with a woman carving foam French fries for an exhibit changed the course of Adelman’s professional path and life. Fascinated by the industrial designer’s work, Adelman returned to school to learn more about this discipline. At the Rhode Island School
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of Design, she discovered her passion for light. Ever since, the passion has stayed with her and, in 2006, Adelman launched her eponymous studio in her hometown of New York City. “Our studio’s signature aesthetic was born with the release of our very first product: the Branching Bubble chandelier, which combines the organic nature of blown glass with more rational, machined components,” she says. “Since then, we have explored that visual tension throughout a range of products and disciplines.” Last May, Adelman inaugurated her new showroom.
NoHo is shortform for the name of the district located North of Houston street. It is widely regarded as a creative area once home to Andy Warhol.
A BOVE Lindsey Adelman in her New York showroom. Next top her: Drop System Chandelier.
RIG H T Spread over 930 sqm, Lindsey Adelman Studio’s New York showroom showcases her sculptural lighting collections. BE LOW Lindsey Adelman Studio also comprises a workshop. B E LOW, RIG H T Kingdom chandelier design by Karl Zahn for Lindsey Adelman. BOTTOM The bathroom features the Catch and Cherry Bomb lamps.
It occupies the second floor of the same building as her current studio – which acts as a creative laboratory – in Manhattan’s NoHo neighborhood, doubling her footprint to 930 sq ft. “Now more than ever, having more space, we’re really able to serve our audience at a much higher level,” she explains. “A real motivation was to allow our design and sales teams to work together and meet clients … [who] like to get a sneak peek of the behind-the-scenes process.” Adorned with artworks by Tanya Aguiñiga, Fred Sandback and Robert Rauschenberg, the welcoming showroom – which comprises flexible lounge and seating areas – features Adelman’s handmade lighting pieces. It also hosts furniture by the designer’s past collaborators and other creative minds,
including The Future Perfect, BDDW, Fort Standard, Matthew Hilton, Heartwork, Breuckelen Berber and Boffi. Blurring the lines between sculpture and design, Adelman’s creations – inspired by diverse references, from Mondrian paintings to Albert Camus’s books to Giacometti’s
works and style – embody an understated harmony between spontaneity and rationality, handcrafted elements and machine-made parts, pure beauty and functionality.
Visit www.lindseyadelman.com for more on Lindsey Adelman.
text KARINE MONIE photos STEPHEN KENT JOHNSON
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H O T S P OT
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M A N DA L A . T H E B AY. Private villa experience in Bali
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hen asked to name a beach holiday destination, chances are that Bali comes to mind. Like you, however, plenty more share the same thought, which is why the resorts and beaches of the Indonesian island are always crowded. If you want the same idyllic experience sans the manic crowd, Mandala. The Bay. is a name you should commit to memory. Mandala. The Bay., is the the fourth Mandala residence by
good to know Mandala. The Bay. is the fourth property as part of The Mandala residences. The other three properties are located in Canggu and Uluwatu in Bali.
TOP LEF T Diners get a sweeping view of the sea from the garden pergola. L EF T The sprawling 13,000sq ft house occupies a secluded area on Nusa Lembongan island. A B OV E Balinese elements and modernist touches come seamlessly together in Mandala. The Bay.
TOP R IG HT The banquette seats around the cliff-edge firepit have been carved out from the island rock. BOT TOM He may have co-designed the residence, but James Brown also contributed his own artworks which are on display.
Singapore-based hospitality group M.Developments. The five-bedroom house on Nusa Lembongan island is only a 30-minute speed boat ride from the east coast of Bali, but judging from its many untouched beaches and quiet clear waters, it may as well be a world away. The Mandala residences are united by the group’s design-led commitment, so the interiors of this residence are simply picturesque. Designed by inhouse studio Superlatives, in collaboration with James Brown of Adelaide-based UFO Agencies, the 13,000sq ft house blends traditional Balinese architecture with modernist interiors. A master bedroom housed in a Joglo structure - a traditional Javanese roof carved from teak is one of the standout interior features. Shaded by frangipani
text ISABELLE TOW photos MANDALA. THE BAY.
trees and bougainvillea bushes, guests will invariably gravitate towards alfresco dining throughout their stay in the garden pergola. The villa also boasts an outdoor bar, an ocean-view swimming pool and a cliff-edge firepit surrounded by banquette seats carved from rock. There’s also an extensive list of activities such as private yoga classes, surf lessons and snorkelling that is available to guests. This unique Bali experience will appeal to holiday-makers who really want some quality R&R, and judging by the reviews so far, Mandala.The Bay. has won over some sun-kissed hearts. Mandala Bali is located at Jalan Sandy Bay, Jungutbatu, Nusapenida, Kabupaten Klungkung, Bali 80771, Indonesia.
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B E AU T Y C L UB
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I D E A S A N D I N S P I R AT I O N F R O M T H O S E I N T H E K N O W
C R E AT I N G IMMERSIVE ENVIRONMENTS Acclaimed Argentinean artist Julio Le Parc has spent the past 60 years dreaming up experiences exploring form, colour, light, movement and visual effects that engage all the senses. After arriving in Paris in 1958, the intrepid artist dedicated his time to creating a unique style of visual art based on the concepts of Constructivism and geometry. “On one side was the experience on the surface we were creating. On the other side was the viewer but there’s a third place that was the relationship between the eye and the surface,” he explains of the purpose of his works.
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SPOTLIGHT
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1 1. Entrance to Julio’s solo exhibition in 2019. 2. Artwork from the Light - Mirror exhibition. 3 . Alchimie 385, artwork, acrylic on canvas.
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4 . An illuminated artpiece made from wool and steel.
hrough my works, I have always sought to get spectators to behave differently,” states Julio Le Parc, 91, an emblematic gure in the history of art. “I wanted to nd ways to ght passivity, dependency and ideological conditioning by helping viewers develop their ability to think, compare, analyse, create and act.” His recent limitededition table centrepiece collection for French porcelain manufacturer Bernardaud is a good example. Covered with a band of colour and textured lines that gradually progress in steps, Déplacement sur Plateau (Displacement on a Plateau) recalls his Displacement series sculptures with reective blades that fragment and multiply the image to offer bewildering optic effects as a viewer walks around them.
“WE REALISED THAT THE PUBLIC WAS VERY CAPABLE OF APPRECIATING WHAT WAS CURRENTLY BEING DONE OR REFUSING THE PROPOSAL.”
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Then there’s his signature Continual-Light-Cylinder, of which he has been making variations since 1962. Presented at his debut solo exhibition in Asia at Galerie Perrotin in Hong Kong earlier in the year and affi xed to the ceiling for the rst time, it gave visitors the impression of directly stepping inside the mesmerising and contemplative artwork as they lay on a mattress looking up at the construction of wood, superimposed rotating metal discs, lamps, Plexiglas mirrors and motors, which diffused fractioned light rays in a circle within a pitch-black space. Drawing you in At the heart of Julio’s multisensory works is the viewer experience and allowing the viewer to make sense of the artwork based on what he or she sees.
“We began to do tests to nd out if it was true that the public was unable to understand the art of its time. We started with the experience of the person looking and then from there, participation was solicited little by little with other experiences until active and reexive participation. We realised that the public was very capable of appreciating what was currently being done or refusing the proposal.” Blurring the line With increasing interest in the active involvement of the spectator and a goal of making art more accessible, Julio injects the notion of playfulness and visual instability into his pieces. Take for instance his labyrinth installations featuring black-and-white striped oors, ceilings and walls with mirrored structures
5 . Julio Le Parc. 6. Displacement plate in orange. 7. Julio uses optical effects to dramatise his artwork without the extensive use of colour.
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8 . The patterns on the walls, ceiling and floor in this exhibit are further enhanced with the use of curved mirrors.
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that disorient viewers and challenge their spatial perception, or his Alchemy paintings, where multicoloured dots of pigment fan out across black or white backgrounds. The man himself is lled with childlike energy and a cheeky sense of humour, creating daily in his light- lled atelier in Cachan, a Parisian suburb. There, a historical room showcasing 1960’s works resembles an arcade, encouraging all to have fun. Noisy machines whir, vibrate and rotate, mixing light and shadow, sound, movement and visual phenomenon, sometimes producing optical illusions. A slatted box hiding a mechanism casts light into horizontal lines on the wall, while projected light bouncing off hanging
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mirrored discs creates countless disco ball reections. From the start Born in 1928 in Mendoza before moving to Buenos Aires at the age of 14, Julio was the son of a steam train driver. Attending the School of Fine Arts, with Lucio Fontana as one of his teachers, he engaged with the avant-garde ideas of NeoConcretism popular in South America, whose practitioners saw geometric abstraction as a political statement in opposition to the harsh reality of the military regimes of the period. Leaving for Paris in 1958 on a French government scholarship because it was “the centre of the contemporary art world”, he met Op artist Victor Vasarely and began intimate painting studies in form, colour and movement with abstract compositions of geometric shapes that seemed to dance across the surface. In 1960, he cofounded the Groupe de Recherche d’Art Visuel (GRAV) with fellow artists like Morellet, Sobrino and Yvaral, and made his rst reliefs and Continual Mobiles, taking his research into three dimensions and introducing movement and light. His light
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9. Rolls of mirrored tiles are lined up to create a glittering effect in this installation. 10. Psychedelic colours evoke a retro feel in Julio’s studio. 11. Julio experiments with geometric designs to create eyecatching artpieces. 12. Julio expresses a futuristic feel in this illuminated piece. 13. Primary hues mix to form a checkerboard pattern for this artwork. 14 . Light filtering through this installation creates a stunning design on the floor below. 15 . Viewers are invited to study Julio’s works from all angles during his shows.
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works – projected, reected or pulsating – developed from his painting practice, as he was looking for new ways to show the constantly shifting character of depth and perception. Of his style Although Julio may be known as a forerunner of Kinetic Art and Op Art, he detests this simple classication. “The problem
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with categorisations like these are that they encompass everything and anything,” he discloses. “Sometimes I am grouped with people who don’t have the same behaviour or attitude of research, someone whose work is similar to what I have done, but is only a careerist, who has developed a style just to sell or gain recognition, too wrapped up in the system. But my approach is an attitude of research that has continued for a long time rather than one of becoming a monothematic artist, who has always done more or less the same thing for 40 or 50 years.” Having been involved in the denunciation of totalitarian governments in Latin America since the 1940s, Julio doesn’t consider himself a political activist either. “No, it’s simply being a citizen; we can help,” he insists. “If there is a contact that is established between my proposals and viewers, and
they leave my exhibition with a certain sense of optimism, that’s enough.” The Goal Less focused on commercial success, all Julio has ever been concerned about is keeping a little freedom for himself to make the art he desires, whether it’s a work on paper, painting on canvas, sculpture or even a virtual reality piece. Working with an artist-as-researcher approach, he’s happy as long as he can continually experiment in the creation of total environments using form, space, light and movement as aesthetic materials. His advice for up-and-coming artists? He replies, “Everyone must nd their own way by reecting on their situation and contemporary artistic creation, and try to nd its contradictions in order to draw out something that is truly unique within themselves.”
text Y-JEAN MUN-DELSALLE photos RINGO CHEUNG, PERROTIN HONG KONG
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people
Shop AwAy Joshua Koh, CEO of Commune, talks about the store’s new virtual reality and augmented reality tools for an enhanced furniture shopping experience.
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urniture shopping experiences are evolving rapidly in this everchanging retail landscape. Traditionally, homeowners could only imagine or envision how a piece of furniture would look in their home. Today, homegrown furniture retailer Commune employs the use of technology to eliminate this long-standing problem. Through virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) tools in its stores, as well as a new mobile app, Commune: In Motion, which uses the phone’s camera to scan a room, and place virtual 3-D models of furniture in it, homeowners can instantly see what they’d look like in a space. We learn more about this groundbreaking experience for shoppers from Joshua Koh, Commune’s CEO. Tell us more abouT This new shopping experience.
Commune’s latest technological innovations make the furniture retail experience more fun, interactive and smart. The novelty of including AR and VR services creates a different shopping experience for customers. By implementing such innovative retail technology, the experience is a critical value-add to the customer starting on a home renovation journey for the
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first time because it helps homeowners better visualise the end product and feel more comfortable with the design before purchasing any furniture. We believe these advancements will help drive customer awareness and interests, too.
We see the app as a tool that will help customers shortlist products before coming down to our stores, and as an aid in the research process of their furniture shopping journey. Of course, we still encourage customers to visit our stores as we always provide them with a unique in-store experience.
What Was the catalyst for
B E LOW & BE LOW, R I G HT Customers can try the AR and VR services at Commune stores, and have a visual image of what a selected piece of furniture would look like in their home.
the introduction of the
is this a move toWards
commune: in motion app?
e-commerce, and aWay
The brand has always been committed to making the customer experience a key priority in our design and innovation. Since 2016, Commune has embarked on a digital transformation journey to map out the pain points of the furniture shopping experience, both online and offline, and how the brand can address them.
from brick and mortar
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retail eventually?
No, the presence of a brick and mortar retail store is still essential to create a rich and elevated customer and retail experience. The introduction of our technological innovations is not to replace the need for a physical retail space, but to be a critical value-add to the shopper’s experience
“Commune’s latest teChnologiCal innovations make the furniture retail experienCe more fun, interaCtive and smart.” 3
from online to offline, and vice-versa. The retail experience is key for us. We place emphasis on inspirational layouts and design our stores to stand out in a crowd. All aesthetic elements are meticulously curated. Our attention to detail extends from designing furniture to a retail experience that puts our customers at ease. Our spaces appeal intuitively and vividly, through sight, sound, smell, speech, touch and emotion. What’s the future of commune in our changing retail landscape?
Commune plans to expand its overseas footprint with the target of opening 100 new franchise stores over the next two years. Most will be located in China. In the next phase of our technological roadmap, we will also be introducing new innovations such as chatbots, artificial intelligence (AI) and facial recognition technology to further enhance the shopper’s Commune experience. We are also looking into ways to scan hard-copy floor plans, so accurate and realistic 3-D representations of a home can be created to better facilitate interior planning and styling. Visit the Commune flagship store at #02-52 Millenia Walk, or www.thecommunelife.com. The Commune: In Motion app is available for free download from mobile app stores.
text Domenica Tan photos commune
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people
Versatile bike attachment wins James Dyson awarD Stability is an issue when riding bikes loaded with heavy bags. With Wheelson, carrying heavy loads on your bicycle is not only safer but easier too.
Lim Wei Sheng, Leong Kei Sheng, Keerthana Janmugan, Ang Wei Jie and Sarah Ong, were named the National Winner of the 2019 James Dyson Award. Awarded $3,400 in prize money in September, Wheelson is now in the running for the title of the International Winner that will be announced later in the year. We speak to Wilson Lim from the sextet about how Wheelson was conceptualised, its design challenges and plans for Wheelson in the future.
good to know
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he idea for Wheelson arose when a group of Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) engineering students living on campus noticed a problem. They saw their peers stuggling to balance and maneuver their bicycles that were loaded with groceries on their way back from the nearby supermarket. Realising that the root cause of the instability was the high centre of gravity of the load, being either on the handlebars or in the front basket, they decided to come up with a solution that ensured the load
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The winning design in 2018 was an urban wind turbine, which generates electricity through wind power. It was conceived by two inventors from Chile and kenya.
was close to the ground. The team thus designed a lidded container with caster wheels, which is spacious enough to carry items, has a low centre of gravity so that the cyclist can ride with stability and maneuver with confidence. On top of that, Wheelson has the cool feature of being detachable, so that it doubles as a shopping cart, and can be snapped easily onto the bike for transport after shopping. The innovative team, comprising Glenn Chia, Wilson
What Was the initial idea and hoW did it evolve to become the final design?
We knew from the start that the solution had to satisfy two main criteria, which were, to provide stability to the cyclist when riding with a load, and the modular nature of the product for ease of installation. The most elegant solution we came up with was to attach a pair of training wheels that could support heavy baskets. Our initial iterations were inadequate and could barely provide any support to the bicycle itself, let alone have the user sit on it. At each checkpoint, we would go back to our fundamental considerations,
re-analyze the bicycle frame, consolidate our user studies and document our learning points. The current iteration of Wheelson that we have today truly provides stability to its users and offers modularity. We achieved this through engineering it with an adjustable height feature, and a clamping system that allows the user to fit Wheelson onto any bike effortlessly. hoW long did the development process of Wheelson take?
The design and development process of Wheelson took over 18 months, comprising problem formation, user studies and two iterations.
form factor and positioning closer to the bicycle frame with a lower centre of gravity. These fundamental principles, which we’ve kept faithful to, are what led to the final design of Wheelson as we see it today. What ar e th e dim e nsio ns o f Wh e e l so n , an d What mate rial s ar e use d to mak e it ?
Wheelson is 61cm wide, and the height of the baskets is 35cm. The main frame is made up of aluminium extrusions. The customised suspension system comprises steel springs and steel plates. The basket itself is made up of polycarbonate and plastic. What do you intend to do
What Was the biggest
With the prize money?
challenge you
We have used part of the $3,400 prize money to modify some of Wheelson’s components. While the funds have been a great help, we equally hope that winning the James Dyson Award will help get more people to notice our invention, and to convince them that Wheelson is a solution worth investing in.
encountered?
One of the biggest challenges was conceiving the solution. Wheelson is the only product of its kind in the world as no one else has done a similar design. Other designs either use a rear or front basket or a trailer. Thus, it was challenging to think of a solution that could perform better than the products that have been out in the market for many years. Eventually, we overcame them by conducting user interviews on the pain points on using these other products. This led us to think of reducing Wheelson’s
into Dyson’s network of qualified engineers to advise us on how to make Wheelson market-ready. We are also thinking of kicking off conversations with manufacturers, just to get a sense of the requirements and the considerations. Ideally, we’d like Singapore to be the testbed for Wheelson. Once we’ve found a way to make it work, we’d love to take it to the wider Southeast Asian region. Visit www.jamesdyson.org for more information.
“Wheelson is the only product of its kind in the World as no one else has done a similar design.”
are there serious plans to take Wheelson to the commercial market
Yes. For now, we are looking to get Wheelson patented and to make some further iterative improvements to the design. Following that, we intend to tap text Isabelle Tow photos Dyson
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H & D c u r at e s
feast for tHe senses
Go bold this season and ditch that white tablecloth for something textured and darker-hued instead. Contrast it with colourful tableware for an unforgettable look.
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2. Blue Fargrik plate, $3.90, from Ikea.
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3. Navy blue Strimmig plate, $3.90, from Ikea. 4. Peranakan soup spoon, $7.80, from LimsLegacy.
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1. Lacquer square box, $36, from Lims Legacy.
5 . Lacquer round plate, $45, from Lims Legacy.
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6. Lacquer bowl, $16.90, from Lims Legacy. 7. Batik napkin, $30.90, from Lims Legacy.
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8 . Blue Strimmig bowl $3.90, from Ikea.
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9. Decor ball, $6.90, from Lims Legacy. 10. Parrot ashtray, $49, from Lims Legacy.
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11. Green Fargrik bowl, $2.90, from Ikea. 12. Embossed art tile, $35, from Lims Legacy.
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13. Wood plate, $11.90, from Lims Legacy. 14. CNY decor, from Egg3.
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photography Veronica Tay styling nonie chen
K A E L T IA K C S E A SP
CREATE INVITING AND SOULFUL SPACES Give your home a uniquely warm and cosy look with the addition of Burmese teak wood walls and ceiling.
ON PATTERNS AND SHADE PALETTES
While most customers generally prefer a straight wood strip or rafters look for their wall and ceilings, patterns like herringbone and mosaic, which are more commonly used for flooring can also be applied to clad walls and ceilings. In terms of the shades available the matte teak look has proved to be a popular choice. Other palette choices like glossy, neutral and medium or light brown teak looks are also available. ON INSTALLATION
Most of us would be familiar with wood flooring, also known as parquet, which is a popular choice of flooring material amongst Singaporeans. But did you know you can clad your walls and ceilings with wood as well? Just as how a beautifully-laid parquet floor brings warmth and
elegance to a space, so can wooden walls and ceilings serve to heighten that effect. There are many wood species in the market to choose from, but we especially like the naturally golden grains of Burmese teak. Ask Teak, a local specialist in Burmese teak flooring shares more.
For wall and ceiling applications, it is ideal that the wood pieces feature a locking joint for seamless installation. For instance, Ask Teak’s wood installation formats are available in modified Tongue & Groove (T&G) cuts specially profiled for easy cladding installation, ensuring the pieces are securely held in place.
Parquet flooring
Ceiling cladding in chevron
Oil-based finishes
ON FINISHING OPTIONS
We recommend oil-based finishes for claddings, as they are able to penetrate wood grains and give your teak walls and ceilings an earthier look. ON MAINTENANCE
Unlike flooring which requires the added protection of spray-based varnish, teak cladding on walls and ceiling can simply be polished with the use of natural oils. The properties of natural oils magnify the natural grains of teak and enhance the beauty of the tropical hardwood. Since wall and ceiling claddings encounter little friction against it, this handsome finish is maintained for a longer period of time than the finishes of indoor flooring. Visit Ask Teak’s showroom at #01-20 Proxima @ Gambas, or contact them at teak.sg@ askteak.com.
Secure installation
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HOME WITH A PRICE David Price’s family home is a culmination of nearly 30 years of experience in designing dream residences for an international clientele across the south of France. LYNN TAN discovers how the owner-founder of DavidˈPriceˈDesign taps on his expertise to transform this dilapidated Provence property into a new home for his family.
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A view from the pool at the southwestern tip of the property. OPPOSITE
The inner courtyard is a great place for entertaining.
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R IG H T
The property is surrounded by olive groves.
FA R RIGH T
David’s favourite reading spot is the terrace that wraps around the southern end of the west wing. B E LOW
A sliding louver system is a buffer against the sun during the hottest times of the year.
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early three decades of creating dream homes for wealthy clients has honed David Price’s ability to spot a great plot, identify the restoration works required and realise his vision with the right materials, tradespeople and suppliers. And what better opportunity for all to come together than for his family�home. David found the perfect property for himself, his wife Anne, and their two daughters in an area of Provence set in the stunning Alpilles region,
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also known as “Little Alps”. The natural site, north-west of Bouches-du-Rhone, is characterised by a chain of small limestone mountains with a panorama that stretches from Mont Ventoux to the Cevennes, and from the Sainte-Victoire Mountain to the Camargue. Originally built in the 1970s by a local farmer to serve as an outbuilding for his herd of goats, subsequent additions resulted in the small residential dwelling that caught David’s eye. “The property was formed in a long U shape with living areas at the
northern end of the U, and open at the southern end,” David explains. “The inner courtyard was anked by stables and other accommodation, including a gite d’etape or lodge for guests arriving on horseback.” The property now also serves as David Price Design’s office for the team based in Provence. David dedicated the east wing for this purpose. New east-facing French windows ensure that the privacy of the residential sections are not compromised, and a dedicated car park with a separate access
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maintains a clear zoning distinction between home and�office. The west wing was converted into the living room, kitchen, back kitchen and formal dining room, and a new covered terrace that runs almost the entire length of the living spaces and wraps around the southern end of the property. The seamless transition between indoor and outdoors makes the covered terrace ideal for enjoying the many months of good weather in the region. It’s complemented by easy access to the new pool, that’s designed according to his daughters’ specications. A vertical louver system
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addresses the west-facing issue of the afternoon sun. “It allows us to create light and shade where we want it, but also to protect ourselves from the sun. When the heat is less intense, it opens up sections of the terrace,” David elaborates. The remaining shorter north face of the property houses a TV room, laundry and storage areas, and four bedrooms and bathrooms. David went about the restoration with an acute sensitivity to context and humble respect for the history of the property. New works used concrete blocks, with a concrete or lime render nish and additional stone cladding as highlights,
BELOW , LEFT The kitchen has a bespoke oak table with vintage chairs and repainted, off-the-shelf pendant lights. BELOW, R IGH T
The pool with green mosaic tiles has a Luberon stone surround.
OPPOSITE
The terrace, with a red cedarwood ceiling, is wonderful for semioutdoor meals when it gets cooler.
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This bedroom features a La Redoute buttoned bedhead and watercolour paintings by a Zimbabwean artist. A Mis en Demeure footstool upholstered in a Colefax and Fowler fabric brings up the rear of the bed. .
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such as for the chimney stacks. The construction methods employed are typical of the locale and helped integrate the new and the old. One of the fundamental requirements for the interior re-design was that it let in as much light as possible and maintained a constant connection with the picturesque surroundings. “The narrow footprint of the house works very well for this, with large-scale and even full-height glazing in many sections,” David points out. Laid-back simplicity was also key. All the walls are white, beams are exposed, and – except for the master bedroom – the ooring is in cooling stone. “These plain surfaces form the perfect backdrop for strong and simple furnishings.” ABOVE
A display of the family’s collection of beaded animals on an armoire in the dining room. FAR RI GHT
The property is set against the Chaine des Alpilles, a small range of low mountains in Provence. RI GHT
The courtyard is even more intimate at night.
photos HERVE HOTE
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Concrete screed walls and floors instantly lend the home an industrial vibe.
COOL & CAT-FRIENDLY Designed to meet the owners’ aesthetic preferences and their pets’ needs, DOMENICA TAN learns more about how this modern industrial apartment was conceptualised.
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THOUGHTFUL C U R AT I O N Customised cat-friendly features, like climbing platforms constructed with materials such as suspended iron cables and pipes, were chosen to ďƒžt the theme of theˈhome.
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he design of this 3Gen flat showcases the perfect balance between an industrial aesthetic and splashes of colours. For Irwan Bin Abu Satamin, the raw, “cold” vibe of an industrial interior was something he’d always wanted in his home. His wife Noraini Binte Misnawi preferred a less sterile look with colours for a calming, cosyˈambience. With these requests in mind, Landren Lim, founder and creative director of Mesh Werk Studio, designed a home with industrial-style elements, as well as light blue and minthued walls, and some woodtone finishes.
VISUAL ILLUSION Lighting strips across the ceiling create a lightsaber effect while visually lengthening the width of the living room, so it appears more spacious.
WHO LIVES HERE
A couple in their 30s, his elderly mum and a family of six cats HOME Three-generation HDB BTO flat in Boon Lay SIZ E 1,300 sq ft
“We wanted our home to feel spacious,” shares the couple. Many walls, including the one separating the kitchen from the dining room, and that between the living room and what is now the cats’ room, were hacked to achieve a bright and airy feel in the home. With six cats, Landren also needed to factor in sufficient space and pet-friendly features such as overhead climbing platforms lined with scratching mats to ensure they had various spots for exploration and rest. To keep within the $50,000 budget, the couple purchased many of their unique furniture and furnishings from Taobao via Ezbuy.
FORM MEETS FUNCTION Covering the backsplash with diamond aluminium sheets killed two birds with one stone. It not only ďƒžts the industrial style, but is also easy to clean and maintain. 64
MANY WALLS, INCLUDING THE ONE SEPARATING THE KITCHEN FROM THE DINING ROOM, WERE HACKED TO ACHIEVE A BRIGHT AND AIRY FEEL IN THE HOME.
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FUN FIXTURES The couple got their digital wall clock, trunk-turnedcoffee table and armchair from Ezbuy. They had the built-in concrete settee customised.
ONE FOR ALL Converting one bedroom into the cat room also meant more space adjacent to the living room for the owners to lounge and entertain.
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RESTFUL ROOM The bedroom is Noraini’s favourite place in the home, thanks to the platform bed she requested, and the refreshing Tiffany blue wall. photography ANGELA GUO art direction KAFFY TAN
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A B OVE
The ďŹ ve-footway offers a clue to the lovingly restored interior.
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OPPOSITE
With the opening up of the old courtyard, the dining and kitchen areas are now lightďŹ lled spaces.
LIVING HISTORY A chance encounter during one of the homeowner’s regular jaunts to check out conservation shophouses in various parts of Singapore led to the acquisition of this corner unit. LYNN TAN ďƒžnds out how he transformed a dilapidated shophouse into a family home.
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eter Ow’s love for conservation shophouses began with a cafĂŠ that he owned some years back. It was operating within a conservation shophouse along Armenian Street and the renovation process provided him with invaluable experience in conserving and transforming such properties, as well as develop a deeper appreciation for them. When he chanced upon the opportunity to own this conservation shophouse located within the Joo Chiat Conservation Area, he seized it. Belonging to the Second Transitional Shophouse style, it was built in the late 1920s and the condition had deteriorated over the years. A provision shop occupied the ďƒžrst storey, while the second storey housed a multi-generation family. The original timber doors and windows had been changed to aluminium, the rear airwell roofed over and the provision shop had roller shutters and retractable metal gates. These were the result of previous renovations that had been carried out insensitively or out of necessity due to its commercial usage. The spiral staircase at the back was also in a state of disrepair. Fortunately, the unit was still structurally sound, so the original structure could be retained. The banker went about a very extensive Additions and Alterations (A&A) to restore the unit and convert it into a two-storey home for him and
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TOP
An open shelf provides spatial separation without the solidity of a wall. MIDDLE
The internal courtyard garden gives the home a meditative and tranquil quality. BOT TOM
The furniture in the living room is a wellbalanced mix of oriental and modern.
Many of the pieces are from Peter’s collection.
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WHO LIVES HERE
A couple in their 50s and their son H OME A conservation shophouse in Koon Seng Road SIZE 2,250 sqf (land area) 5,090 sqf (built-up area)
LFET
There is a spatial order that gives the living room a sense of formality.
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his family. “I set out to restore the shophouse to its former glory, keeping to the original intent as much as possible,” says Peter. To achieve this, he painstakingly studied, researched and documented the relevant information to ensure proper restoration and accurate replication, including details such as the pilasters, plasterwork, fanlights, vent blocks, fascia windows,
mouldings and motifs. As it is a conservation property, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has a set of conservation guidelines that have to be adhered to. The change of use from commercial to residential also involved approvals from the authorities. Externally, the façade was scrupulously restored with the help of skilled craftsmen from China. Peter copied drawings
LEF T
The progression of spaces adds to the complexity of the scheme. RIG HT TOP
The ensuite bathroom in the son’s bedroom. RIG HT BOTTO M
The simply furnished interior lets the space and history do the talking.
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of the original mouldings and had them fabricated in China. The original roof was repaired and reconditioned, and the roof tiles replaced. According to Peter, the fascia boards along the roof eaves are unique to this cluster. “If you focus on the voids in between you will notice that they are actually motifs of bats and crosses,” he points out. As it is a corner unit, it has a chamfered corner with a rare balcony on the second storey that projects beyond the vefoot-way below, overlooking the Koon Seng Road and Everitt Road junctions.
The interior layout is very close to the original, barring a few partition walls that have been taken down to open up the spaces. On the rst storey, antique furniture gives the living room an oriental look. Amidst the vintage Chinese chairs and opium bed is a zebra-print ottoman, which Peter incorporated to inject a touch of modernity. A full-height open shelf showcasing his pottery collection separates the living room from the kitchen and dining areas. Unlike a solid wall, the open shelves maintain a
The master bathroom elevates mundane functions into a celebrated ritual.
WITH THE SUCCESSFUL RESTORATION, “IT HAS BECOME A PIECE OF SINGAPORE HISTORY THAT OUR GENERATION AND FUTURE GENERATIONS CAN APPRECIATE AND TREASURE,” SHARES PETER.
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FAR LEFT
His and hers vanity in the master bathroom.
LEFT
The greenery and light, which the guest bedroom opens up to, make the space welcoming and inviting. BELOW
The second storey layout is well-planned, functional and ows seamlessly.
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porosity that visually connects the two spaces, while allowing light to penetrate. The kitchen and dining spaces have a more minimalist-contemporary style that is pared down to the essentials. Any clutter is kept well out of sight within the built-in cabinets and drawers. Beyond the dining and kitchen is the courtyard, which had been enclosed by the previous owner. Peter opened it up so that it can serve its original purpose — to allow natural light and ventilation into the interior. An existing spiral staircase, which used to connect the airwell to the old kitchen upstairs, was structurally unsafe and demolished. Beyond these practical considerations, he also conceptualised the courtyard as an inward-looking zen garden. The solitary Bonsai tree surrounded by a pool of running water creates a visual and aural sensory experience, giving the courtyard a contemplative quality that permeates throughout the entire home. The moving body of water also contributes to evaporative cooling, especially from the scorching noon sun. Converting the two-storey shophouse into a family home necessitated some form of vertical circulation that would connect the two oors from within. Typical of shophouses, the staircase leading to the second storey was originally accessed from the ve-footway, independent of the provision shop. Peter retained
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the original staircase but internalised it so that access is now from the inside. The family room located on the second storey provides a more informal and private space for the family to hang out. The choice of furniture gives it a more contemporary feel that contrasts with the living room downstairs. However, the presence of a few purposefully-placed Ming cabinets ties the overall scheme back to the oriental theme. Three bedrooms are spread out on the second storey, each with its own unique spatial quality. The sparsely-furnished master bedroom evokes a quiet elegance. It is hard to imagine that the immaculately puttogether ensuite walk-in wardrobe and master bath were once a cluttered kitchen. The guest room next door is the brightest and greenest room among the three, with planter boxes and oor-toceiling windows overlooking the courtyard below. The son’s bedroom faces the opposite side of the shophouse. The limited amount of natural light has the effect of giving the room a cosy ambience. For Peter, this is not just a home, but a dream come true. “I have always admired the beautifully restored houses in Emerald Hill and Blair Road and desired to own a conservation house,” he shares. With the successful restoration, “it has become a piece of Singapore history that future generations can appreciate and treasure.”
In contrast to the living room downstairs, the family room is more casual and relaxed.
photography PHYLLICIA WANG art direction NONIE CHEN
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Despite the addition of the loft, staircase and elevated platform, the interior still feels spacious and open.
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LOFTY LUXE Taking full advantage of the vertical expanse of this apartment, the designer managed to create more oor and storage space. LYNN TAN nds out how the modern luxe look was achieved without going over-the-top or breaking the bank.
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omeowners Jeremy Tan and Theresa Ng are business professionals who love travelling and they envisioned their new home to be an oasis and a retreat from the hustle and bustle of their busy corporate lives. They wanted a modern luxe concept, but were very adamant that it does not end up being overthe-top. “Luxury design today can be overdone sometimes. We feel that a minimalist style can actually exude a stronger sense of modernity and sophistication,” says Jeremy, an entrepreneur and executive director of a construction equipment company. “What we were after is a classy and timeless luxury,” adds Theresa, a human resource business partner for the APAC region in a leadership solutions consulting firm. This belief is shared by Carmen Tang, design director of Wolf Woof, who was tasked with the interior design for the apartment that the couple shares with their toddler, Imelda, and helper, Glori. She says: “Many people have the
WHO LIVES HERE
A couple and their one-and-a-half-year-old daughter HOME A three-bedroom condominium at Faber Walk SIZ E 1,066 sq ft
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LEFT
The colour palette ups the luxe factor. BOTTOM
The loft offers a vantage overlooking the living area. BOTTOM, LE FT
A metallic epoxy coating achieves the look of marble without the cost and maintenance.
misconception that modern luxe can only be achieved in bigger apartments. Luxe also does not necessarily involve opulent, gaudy and ‘bling’ designs. Luxe can be understated while still oozing elegance and charm.” WELCOME ADDITIONS
Floor and storage spaces are two things that no homeowner will ever have enough of. More is always welcome, especially for families with children. “We told Carmen that we wanted as much storage as possible without compromising the design intent. With a young child, we really need extra space for keeping stuff,” shares Jeremy. The 4.27 metre-high ceiling of this ground oor unit presented the perfect opportunity for Carmen to do just that by adding two lofts — one above the dining area and another in the master bedroom, along with various additional storage and wardrobe provisions. The platform over the dining area feels like a mezzanine and this serves as a very private chillout area overlooking the living room, with storage
cabinets lined up along one wall. Carmen decided to retain the high ceiling in the living room, but came up with the ingenious idea of elevating it on a raised platform that incorporates underoor storage. “You just have to be extra cautious with the supports for the oor panels to ensure that they can take the weight of the furniture and people,” she points out. The loft within the master bedroom accommodates a queen-sized bed, as well as a walk-in wardrobe, leaving ample space below for Imelda’s cot until she is old enough to sleep in her own room. AFFORDABLE LUXE
Carmen is a rm believer that it is possible to get the luxe look without the hefty price tag. To achieve this, she selected an appropriate palette of materials, textures and colours to convey an elegant chic style. These include marble-effect laminates for storage cabinets and the living room oor, gold accents on the dining table and chair legs, pendant lights, coffee table and mirror wall feature, as well
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The area below the master bedroom loft can be easily converted into a walk-in wardrobe in the future. RIG HT
A loft increases the useable floor area in the master bedroom.
TO ACHIEVE THE LUXE LOOK WITHOUT THE HEFTY PRICE TAG, CARMEN SELECTED AN APPROPRIATE PALETTE OF MATERIALS, TEXTURES AND COLOURS TO CONVEY AN ELEGANT CHIC STYLE.
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as rose gold laminates covering the edges of the loft platforms and stair treads. The choice of a velvet material for the curtains also adds to the plush feel. Jeremy and Theresa decided to go for a metallic epoxy coating for the kitchen counters and vanity top, which were originally plain white surfaces. To get this look, a clear epoxy base and a metallic pigment powder were blended and poured over the
original surface. As the metallic pigments move through the epoxy during the curing process, they can be agitated to create swirls, ripples, craters or waves. These effects are permanently locked in place when the epoxy hardens. In this case, they give the kitchen and vanity tops a marble effect. Apart from enhancing appearances, metallic epoxy coatings are also stainproof, seamless, and resistant
to impact, heat, chemicals and scratches. Carmen has a knack for incorporating budget-friendly Taobao nds into her home designs. The green sofa and chevron cowhide rug in the living room look like they came right out of a designer showroom. “Not everything needs to be expensive. It is about how you mix-and-match,” she comments.
photography VERONICA TAY art direction KRISTY QUAH
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PICTURE PERFECT This contemporary home was designed to reect the homeowner’s city lifestyle. ELIZA HAMIZAH nds out more.
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URBAN OA S I S
WHO LIVES HERE
A couple in their 50s, two children, and their pet dog H OM E Three-bedroom condominium apartment in Holland Village SIZ E 2,000 sq ft
The Distinctidentity team opted for a soothing monochromatic colour palette consisting of cool grey ooring, dark wood-look laminates as well as ambient lighting in areas like the dining room. Having plenty of storage also helped imbue a sense of cosiness. “In spacious homes such as this one, having minimal carpentry may risk the home looking empty. Luckily, the homeowners needed large storage spaces for their items,” shares the team.
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A
consistent colour palette is key to achieving a sleek and contemporary home. The interior design company Distinctidentity got it down pat in this restful apartment, thanks to a design exercise they apply to all their projects: conceptualising a logo and assigning suitable key words. “We named this project Urban Oasis, and decided that each element used in the project had to reect three things: modernity, luxury, and simplicity. The home should be a space where the owners can relax and refresh themselves
G AT H E R ROUND “The homeowners like to read in the living room and prefer to have their daily meals at the kitchen island rather than the dining table. Taking these into consideration, we positioned the island in between the dry kitchen (where the fridge is) and the living room,” says the team. He added that the open yet clear demarcation of spaces helps add depth to the spacious home.
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after a busy day,” says the Distinctidentity team. Fred Tand and Janice Nyo, a couple in their 50s, had requested an open space with minimal clutter. Fred enjoys cooking, while Janice has an extensive wardrobe. They wanted a home that was easy to maintain and reective of their city lifestyle. The couple also consulted a feng shui master, who shared the best locations for items like the bed, sink, stove, and more. The homeowners spent approximately $350,000 on both renovation — which included major hacking works — and furnishings.
P E E K-A- B O O As the house is spacious, the homeowners requested a “shortcut� to the wet kitchen; the kitchen is now accessible via a sliding door in the dining room as well as the foyer. This dual entrance also aids in ventilation.
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CLEVER ADD-INS To maximise a small store room, and to avoid any dead space, the design team created a pullout larder with double-sided racks. It can easily t 50 pairs of shoes. “The lady of the house has an extensive collection, and this allows her to see her entire collection at once,” says the team.
C O LO U R IT IN Art by Popkapi, a Thai artist whose real name is Jakkrit Chewapanya, decorates the home. The homeowners chose these pieces as they add vibrancy into their home.
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SUPER S TO R AG E
THE OWNERS WANTED A HOME THAT WAS EASY TO MAINTAIN AND REFLECTIVE OF THEIR CITY LIFESTYLE.
photography ANGELA GUO art direction KRISTY QUAH
The bedroom underwent major renovation to create this comprehensive walk-in wardrobe. It features three stretches of fullheight cabinetry, an island (with additional storage), as well as a corner dresser — positioned to receive the best natural lighting. These were clad in a light brown nish.
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P R O J E C T S H OWC A S E
BACK TO THE FUTURE A dark palette with metallic accents forms the futuristic ambience of this apartment. ISABELLE TOW takes a look.
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I
f you identify as a homeowner with unconventional, even avant-garde tastes, then Kelvin Teo is a handy name to remember for the next time you renovate your home. Known for delivering an edgy, minimalist look that has become his signature style, the founder of Space Sense Studio showcased his design chops once more when he was tasked to create a stylish yet functional abode for this HDB apartment in Redhill. The original layout of the ďƒ&#x;at segmented its capacious
WHO LIVES HERE
A family of three with their helper HOME Five-room resale HDB apartment in Redhill SIZE 1,500 sq ft
TO P
An all-black sink located close to the dining area makes it accessible to both guests and residents at meal-times. LE FT
A glass enclosure keeps cooking fumes from escaping the kitchen, while retaining an open look. B OTTOM RIGH T
The floating custom bed is the highlight of the master bedroom.
1,500sq ft oor area into a number of designated spaces – an entrance foyer, living cum-dining area, kitchen, three bedrooms, a study and balcony. While this proved functional, the prevalence of walls made the entire home feel claustrophobic, so Kelvin took some of them down. Carved from the back of the living room, the study was given a half-wall with glass windows to allow lots of natural light to penetrate. For structural walls such as the column in the living room, Kelvin had them clad in bricks for an industrial-style, loft-inspired touch. With its full-glass enclosure, the kitchen retains a pseudo “open-concept” look that is presently all the rage,
yet prevents the cooking fumes from spewing into the rest of the home. Steel accents and an angular cut-out design for the cabinets are just a few of the details that inject a futuristic vibe to the home. In the master bedroom, Kelvin customised a oating bed design for a minimalist look; it even comes with a bedhead that serves as a hidden compartment for power sockets and cables. The washbasin was placed next to the wardrobe to free up precious space inside the master bathroom, which also allows easier access for washing up. The three-month renovation process which ended last February cost $150,000, excluding furnishings.
OPPOSITE
The living and dining area feels more spacious after the removal of several walls.
photos SPACE SENSE STUDIO
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F E AT U R E
FRESH TAKE ON THE NEW YEAR With Chinese New Year just a few weeks away from Christmas, switching from one seasonal look to another is as easy as making small changes to your existing decor. Interior stylist Mike Tan shares his tips on fuss-free decorating.
LESS IS MORE
Small details can make a big impact when implemented in the right areas. In this corner of Mike’s living room, he added a bouquet of festive ďƒ&#x;owers, along with little trinkets, to liven up the room.
A BOV E
Legend of XII - Rat, $1,188; from Risis.
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L E T YO U R H O M E D O T H E TA L K I N G
Don’t let the festive decorations overtake the look of your domain. Your regular interior decor should remain the focal point regardless of the occasion, so do not let the decorations overpower your space.
A B OV E
Abundant Wishes, $368; Bountiful Treasures $368; all from Risis.
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M A K I N G A S TAT E M E N T
Instead of ďƒžlling up the entire space with CNY touches, concentrate on creating a key decorative element to set the scene. Mike’s red ďƒ&#x;oral centerpiece on his dining table is instantly eyecatching, and gets his home primed for the festivities.
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“ALWAYS ENSURE THAT YOUR FESTIVE DECORATIONS FIT SEAMLESSLY IN WITH THE LOOK OF YOUR HOME. WHEN IN DOUBT, ALWAYS THINK LESS IS MORE.” – MIKE TAN, INTERIOR STYLIST & FOUNDER OF EGG3
A PA R T M E N T C H I C
Instead of festive decorating, consider keeping your home well-maintained as a way to celebrate every day of the year. The little touches in Mike’s bedroom help to anchor the look of the space while making it feel cosier and more inviting as well.
photography VERONICA TAY art direction NONIE CHEN
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F E AT U R E
MADE TO ORDER Customisable furniture offers homeowners the freedom to express themselves regardless of the layout or size of their home.
photo CUSTO
Designing and renovating a new home these days is much more than simply handing the key over to an interior designer. For homeowners who want a hands-on experience in creating their own home, there are plenty of varied and affordable options out there – you can get anything from a modular kitchen to a bespoke liquor cabinet made to suit your individual lifestyle. Here, we’ve narrowed down our top picks for custom fittings and furniture.
TABLES & CHAIRS
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ROGER & SONS
E T C H & B O LT S
A family of dedicated craftsmen, Roger & Sons preserves the heritage of the woodworking trade passed down by their father some 30 years ago. They make everything from tables and chairs to even custom liquor cabinets. In their work, they salvage abandoned logs from already-felled trees that have been cut down for urban development, ensuring little to no impact on the environment.
Homeowners looking for a custom dining table need look no further than Etch&Bolts -- all you have to do is pick a table design from their collection, then customise it by picking from a range of over 100 materials including natural marble, quartz, granite, liveedge wood slabs, and more. The production process takes between 3 – 5 weeks.
Find out more about Roger & Sons at www. rogerandsons.sg.
Find out more about Etch&Bolts at www. etchandbolts.com.
INTERIOR DESIGN C O L L A B O R AT E S G
For homeowners who want a stylish apartment without the hassle or hefty price tag, CollaborateSG offers six “plug-and-play” designs, created in partnership with award-winning interior firms like Architology. You can mix and match different modules to create your own, with the assurance that the design and spatial experience has been well planned for your comfort. Find out more about CollaborateSG at www. collaboratesg.com.
SP HOMES
This company is offering local homeowners a new way to approach furniture shopping, with their in-house software and dedicated design services. Modelled after three- and four-room apartments, SP Homes’ showroom showcases everything a modern homeowner needs, from customisable storage to space-saving solutions. Simply select the furniture you want, and SP Homes’ staff will assist with getting the measurements custom-fitted to your actual spaces. Find out more about SP Homes at www.sphomes.com.
STORAGE AND SHELVING
PENG HANDCRAFTED
If you’re looking for industrialstyle shelves, look no further than Peng Handcrafted. This local designer crafts his shelves out of galvanised steel sprinkler pipes and two types of timber, namely American white oak and reclamed wood from old lorries. The shelves are joined meticulously without using any welding, screws or nails – what Peng calles a “marriage of hardware”. Find out more about Peng Handcrafted at www.peng.com.sg.
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BEDS, SOFAS & FURNITURE DESIGN INTERVENTION
The award-winning team at Design Intervention not only offers interior design services, they create bespoke furniture, too. Creating fun, happy pieces is their specialty, paying attention to detail in order to achieve the optimum shape and proportion for the space. You’ll be able to customise every detail of your piece, even the stitching and type of filling. Find out more about Design Intervention at www. designintervention.com.sg.
BLAFINK
The team at Blafink will guide homeowners through their customisation service for handcrafted upholstery, ranging from beds to sofas to even items as small as cushions. You’ll be spoiled for choice – they have 12,000 swatches of fabric, faux and genuine leather. To cater to individual comfort, they can also adjust seat depths, back heights, and storage requirements. Find out more about Blafink at www.blafink.com.
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TRIPLE EYELID
CUSTO
Triple Eyelid was created in 2014 when its founder, Jackie Tan, realised that there was potential in upcycling the large amount of industrial materials that otherwise go to waste every year. Using materials such as reclaimed wood pallets, the team creates custom loose shelving for every need – ranging from plant displays to pet accessory storage. Each unique piece is designed and crafted by hand.
With years of carpentry experience, the team at Custo works closely with homeowners to create custom storage solutions. You can begin with one of their four templates or start by measuring the dimensions of your space, specify how many rows and columns you need, and choose from an array of finishes and doors. All their wood is sustainably-sourced European birch, known for its durability and strength.
Find out more about Triple Eyelid at www.tripleeyelid.com.
Find out more about Custo at www.custo.co.
THINGS TO NOTE WHEN SHOPPING FOR CUSTOM FURNITURE 1 Take careful, accurate
MEISTER BY HAFELE
Meister by Hafele offers a modular-concept custom kitchen that can be disassembled and reassembled in the home, saving time and money. The flexibility of the design means that your kitchen can evolve with your needs, and can even move with you should you choose to move homes in future. Their work is made to last, with five-layer plywood that’s much more durable than the industry standard of three layers.
measurements of the space. 2 Bring along pictures of the room (as many angles as possible) as well as the floor plan. 3 Think about the function of your custom piece – things like how many you want to seat at a dining table, or the kind of items you want a shelf to hold, should be communicated to your designer. 4 Consider the colours and design of furniture surrounding the custom piece – they should work well together.
Find out more about Hafele at www.hafele.com.sg. KITCHENS MUDIAN
Since its founding in 1997, this home-grown brand has expanded to become a boutique furniture company specialising in wardrobes and kitchens. They work closely with homeowners to design the best kitchen for their needs, taking into account their workflow, how often they cook and entertain, and the types of appliances needed. With their years of craftsmanship and industry expertise, they are able to customise your kitchen down to the last detail, hinges and all. Find out more about Mudian at www.mudian. com.sg.
text MELODY BAY
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F E AT U R E
T STAY CALM AND COOL Colour experts recommend these reassuring shades of green and blue to ease us in and set the tone for 2020.
he Colour of the Year is a selected hue forecasted by established colour experts, and slated to become a key inuence in home interiors and furniture design in 2020. Professional colour standard provider Pantone, along with paint brands like Dulux and Nippon, are a few prominent names to release their own respective Colours of the Year, based on extensive research into modern lifestyles of consumers around the world.
There is a prevalence of cool colours, mostly greens, in the forecasted hues for the next 12 months. Associated with feelings of calm and tranquility, the cool colours are deliberately chosen to instill people with a quiet condence as we venture forward into the new decade. The following are this year’s colours by Pantone, Dulux, Nippon and Gush, along with practical suggestions by some local interior designers on how to incorporate them into your home.
T W I L I G H T L AG O O N Gush, a local sustainable paint manufacturer, has named Twilight Lagoon as its colour for 2020. Yet another shade of green, Twilight Lagoon differentiates itself from the others with its duskier tone, the result from a blend of emerald and cobalt.
“TWILIGHT LAGOON EVOKES THE SERENITY OF A STILL WATERBODY. THIS COLOUR CREATES A CALMING EFFECT, ESPECIALLY WHEN USED IN BEDROOMS. BRASS ACCENTS WILL
photo GUSH
QUCK ZHONG YI, PARTNER AT ASOLIDPLAN
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“IT IS IDEAL FOR THE LIVING- AND BEDROOMS BECAUSE OF ITS ELEGANT PRESENTATION. THIS DARKER SHADE OF BLUE IS A STRONG COLOUR, SO TO MAKE IT FEEL LESS INTIMIDATING PAIR IT WITH OTHER NEUTRAL TONES.”
PA N TO N E 1 9 - 4 0 5 2 Known for setting the global standards of colour, Pantone’s colour for 2020 is Classic Blue, or Pantone 19-4052. Described as a “reflective blue tone, imbued with deep resonance,” the colour is said to aid in concentration. The familiar hue is meant to help create calming interiors and slow down the hectic pace of urban life.
photo PANTONE
photo IKEA
photo IKEA
DESS CHEW, PRINCIPAL DESIGNER AT THREE-D CONCEPTWERKE
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“HOMEOWNERS STRIVING FOR A MINIMALIST AESTHETIC CAN CONSIDER USING THIS MUTED SHADE. CONTRAST IT WITH FURNISHINGS OF BOLDER TONES, SUCH AS TAN LEATHER AND BLACK ASH TIMBER.” JOY LOO, CREATIVE DIRECTOR AT WAFF
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photo DULUX
photo DULUX
T R A N Q U I L DAW N Dulux’s Colour of the Year was inspired by the colours of the dawn horizon, a green-bluegrey mix aptly named Tranquil Dawn. The versatile shade was conceived to offer homeowners with a subtle shade of green that can be easily worked into any home interior.
“THIS IS SUITED FOR AN ENERGETIC SPACE LIKE A HOME
TIPS
YOGA SPACE OR READING ROOM FOR THE CHILDREN. FOR A CLEAN, FUSS-FREE LOOK, PAIR JASPER GREEN WITH ALL THINGS WHITE AND LOTS OF NATURAL TEXTURES.” LAM JUN NAN, CO-FOUNDER AT OPEN STUDIO photo DULUX
Not one to shy away from using bright colours, Nikki Hunt, co-founder of ID firm Design Intervention offers tips on using these colours for a bold and striking effect.
JASPER GREEN Nippon Paint wants to invoke the freshness of nature at home with their colour, Jasper Green. Reflecting urban society’s increasing turn towards the natural world, the paint brand looks to soften concrete built environments with this soothing shade.
text ISABELLE TOW
photo NIPPON
photo NIPPON
People are often intimidated by bolder colours. How would you recommend using them at home? People worry that strong colours will be too stimulatory, but deep moody shades actually evoke serenity. They also help to accentuate the details of the interiors, so use them to create a backdrop to showcase statement pieces like a large sofa or armchair. For those who are more adventurous, how can they take these colour trends up a notch in their home? Combining colours and patterns is the way to go to add depth and dimension to your design scheme. I love being adventurous with ceilings. A lovely soft blue, is much more interesting than a plain white one. I will often use a dark hue on a low ceiling, to give it height. This might sound contrary, but dark colours recede, so if you paint a ceiling alcove a darker shade it actually creates the illusion of greater height.
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F E AT U R E
FEAST FOR THE SENSES Elevate your reunion dinner gathering with a stylish table spread t for presenting those sumptuous dishes.
ELEVATE THE LOOK
1
STYLE
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F E S T I V E F LO R A L S Dreaming up a romantic candlelight dinner with your loved ones? Get the look with a colourful set-up accompanied by beautiful blooms and tableware in botanical or oral themes.
A FEMININE TOUCH Designed by Italian fashion design Luisa Beccaria, the Artemest collection reminds us of a fairytale-like whimsical garden, thanks to its floral patterns and pastel hues that’ll easily add a touch of femininity into any dining space. A set of two dessert plates starts from US$250 ($342), and is exclusively available at www.artemest.com.
For an oriental-style garden-inspired look, Shanghai Tang’s Forbidden Garden collection will get you the look. With pieces made of Fine Bone China, expect nothing less than a grand dining setting complete with latticed patterns and botanical prints like bamboo. The Forbidden Garden collection includes teacups, plates, a bowl and spoon set and more. They retail from $150 to $280.
TEXTURAL APPEAL
STYLE
2
Styling on a budget? Ikea’s Strimmig collection offers a range of plates, bowls and mugs in dark blue, grey and pastel pink. Prices start from $3.90 for a bowl or side plate.
DA P P E R C L A S S I C S
STYLE
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FANCY HIGH TEA With designs that embody elements from the Victorian style, Luzerne’s Lancaster collection is adorned with muted blue, grey and pink floral motifs. It offers a range of pieces including serving plates and a teapot; prices range from $6 to $100.
A FORMAL SETTING Royal Selangor’s Liberty collection is complete with pewter-finished metalware designed with intricately-sculpted curvilinear rims and polished surfaces. The Burke tray and Wallingon coffee pot are priced at $310 and $630 respectively.
S TA N D O U T MONOCHROMES Experiment with black and white hues for a dining setting devoid of colours for a cool, edgy feel. Alternatively, layer several shades of the same hue to get a monochromatic look that is muted but elegant.
UNDERSTATED ELEGANCE
SET THE SCENE
Like a chrysanthemum in bloom, the details on this handcrafted white plate is set to add a textural effect to any dining setting. Complete the look with other pieces in the collection like a ceramic platter. The Amari ceramic plate retails for $19.95 at Crate and Barrel.
Plain white or black plates may be easy to find but if you are searching for plates and cups in polka dots or stripes, head to Danovel or Egg3. collection has pieces ranging from $6 to $75.
SUBTLE LUXURY Serve up cups of coffee and tea in this goldspeckled black mug from homegrown ceramic specialist Ohleaf. Embrace the wabi sabi nature of this set, which retails for $34.
photography ANGELA GUO
The Classical interior design style is easily identied by its iconic combination of architectural details and delicate moulding. When styling a Classicalinspired table setting, select tableware with details such as ridges and trimming around the edges. This way, when you layer the plates and teacups, it creates a visually stunning look that showcases both dimension and texture.
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STYLE
4
ENERGETIC & CONTEMPORARY Go bold this season and embrace splashes of colours that’ll accentuate the modern contemporary look in your home. Mix and match stylish tableware in vibrant hues and patterns while impressing guests and whetting their appetites.
SPLASHES OF COLOUR It’s all about the details with Luzerne’s Organic collection. The colourful tableware has subtle snail-like swirl designs on the base to add a textural look. Pieces in this collection are priced between $8 to $23.
OMBRE HUES If you’re big on cooking, Le Creuset’s range of castiron cookware can double up perfectly as colourful serving ware on your dining table. The signature buffet casserole (from $569) is available at major department stores.
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YOUNG AT HEART Like colourful pieces of artwork, the Beatriz salad plates are printed with unique motifs in teal, persimmon, blush, black, and golden yellow to add a playful touch to your dining setting. The set of four glazed stoneware plates is available at Crate and Barrel for $64.95.
FUNCTIONAL PICKS Despite the simple forms in the Besegra collection, they impress with their sky blue and mint hues that will easily add a cheerful and vibrant look at the dining table. Bowls and plates in this collection come in a variety of sizes, and retail for $7.90 for a set of four at Ikea.
STYLE
5
ORGANIC NORDIC Clean lines, uid forms and natural materials — these are elements that come to mind when you think of Nordicinspired interiors. So when planning a dining setting to match your Scandinavian-style home, bear in mind these features that will help you get the look.
BACK TO BASICS
SLEEK FORMS The Stelton Theo collection of tea ware, from teapots to milk jugs to coasters, is both rustic yet chic. This stoneware range has a cast-iron finish, coupled with complementary lids or handles made with Asian bamboo to add a touch of warmth. The Stelton Theo collection ranges from $42 for a cup with coaster to $170 for a teapot, from Bibliotek.
Made with just earth and glaze, Muji’s Banko collection is understated, sleek and unassumingly stylish. Add a unique look by mixing and matching the different-coloured pieces including cups, mugs or plates within the range, priced from $9.90 to $39.
RUSTIC CHIC Embrace the glaze with Luzerne’s Rustic collection. With the use of reactive glaze, the result is deep, vivid colours that accentuate the details from the natural process of glazing. With a wide variety of ware like plates, saucers and bowls in various sizes and shapes, prices range from $4 to $88.
PERFECT IMPERFECTIONS Ohleaf’s Flambe Glaze series combines the minimalist design style with natural materials to create a unique range of tableware that embraces imperfections resulting from the glazing process. Prices start from $20 for a Flambe Glaze teacup. text DOMENICA TAN
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T R AV E L
RI GHT
Architect Thomas Heatherwick cut into the volumes of Cape Town’s grain silo to create the main atrium of MOCAA. FAR RI GHT
Thomas’ design added a quirky dimension to the architecture.
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HEAD SOUTH South Africa is leading the discourse on art and design on the African continent. Find out where the hottest galleries are and which are the artists to watch.
W
LEF T
MOCAA has become an icon in the city, complemented by a fellow icon, the famous Table Mountain, in the distance.
ith a world-class museum (the biggest public art space to open on the continent), annual art fairs in Johannesburg and Cape Town, and vibrant gallery scenes that have been steadily growing over the last decade, South Africa has become the continent’s art and design hub. Compared to art capitals like Dakar (in Senegal) or Lagos (in Nigeria), where West African artists have had a far greater presence thanks to proximity to Europe, and as a result of the global boycott of South Africa’s economy and culture due to apartheid that ended in 1994, the nation has had to play catch up. Since then, its market has become more professional, with rising numbers of commercial galleries that are more visible at international art and design fairs, and museums and collectors locally and worldwide increasingly acquiring South African art and design. The opening in 2017 of the 9,500 sq m, nine-storey Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA) in Cape Town drew international attention and further cemented the country’s status as a focal point for artists. Commissioned through a public/private partnership between the V&A Waterfront development and
German entrepreneur and art collector Jochen Zeitz, the world’s largest museum of contemporary African art was designed by celebrated British architect Thomas Heatherwick, who carved out galleries and a central atrium from the monumental structure of Cape Town’s historic grain silo. Its recent exhibition Five Bhobh – Painting At The End Of An Eraˈexplores contemporary paintings from Zimbabwe, featuring artists like Richard Mudariki, Charles Bhebe, Gareth Nyandoro, Portia Zvavahera and Duncan Wylie. The museum also has access to Jochen’s extensive personal art collection. Playing a key role in allowing Africans to tell their stories, the museum aims to propel the African perspective to the forefront within the global art community. Supporting the art landscape in Africa is the FNB Joburg Art Fair in Johannesburg, considered the most important exhibition of contemporary African art on the continent. For its 11th edition last year, over 60 galleries from 14 countries participated. The increasing number of artists and the diverse audiences reflect the robust state of the art scene in Africa, and the fair has been instrumental in changing the perception that galleries are
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RI GHT
The Five Bhobh exhibition at the MOCAA, which focuses on contemporary art from Zimbabwe. BELOW
Richard Mudariki, one of the artists featured in Five Bhobh, and his colourful creation, The New Farmer And His Wife.
white, elitist and discriminatory. Today, affluent blacks figure among the patron class, composed mainly of bankers, mining tycoons, winery owners and corporate executives. “The South Africa art scene is flourishing and growing,” notes fair director Mandla Sibeko. “The South African collector base is becoming more astute, and each year we see new collectors emerging. The secondary market is very healthy and we have seen multiple artists achieving sales records. South African fine art galleries are also growing from strength to strength, and as global museum acquisitions are made from their stables, new local collectors are emboldened to start more considered collections.”
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THE WOODSTOCK ART DISTRICT
In Cape Town, the Woodstock Design District in particular, a suburb located between Table Mountain and the harbour, has become a key cultural hub. Once a farming hamlet that developed into a lively multicultural suburb in the 1800s, before turning into an industrial area in the early 1900s that led to a mix of Victorian row houses, semidetached townhouses, factories and warehouses, Woodstock is a hotspot with the highest concentration of design stores and art galleries in the country. Over the past decade, the cheap rentals for unusual spaces, proximity to the city and high crime rate in
RIGHT
Southern Guild, which has been instrumental in giving South African design a voice, is located in Woodstock Design District.
PLACES TO VISIT
Ellerman House
Stay in Cape Town’s most exclusive boutique hotel situated on the cliffside overlooking the ocean, with terraced gardens, a large pool and one of the most important repositories of South African art that rivals that of the country’s best art museums. It features works by artists such as Irma Stern, Thomas Bowler and William Kentridge, and can be explored with art guide Talita Swarts.
BELOW
Justine Mahoney, one of the artists featured by Southern Guild, and pieces from her collections (clockwise from top) Pow Pow Collage, Series 2, and Mighty Ndebele.
Joni Brenner, Angus Taylor, Brett Murray and Yinka Shonibare.
Johannesburg have enticed creatives to move to Woodstock, and today it is filled with shops, showrooms, eateries, design studios and high-end contemporary art galleries. Southern Guild, the continent’s most celebrated collectible design gallery founded in 2008 by Trevyn and Julian McGowan with its first permanent home in Woodstock, has been critical in supporting world-class, locally-made limited-edition design and giving South African design a voice. It champions creatives such as Gregor Jenkin, who works in flat, mild-rolled steel that he laser cuts and welds beautifully – the first designer it took to Design Miami – and Justine Mahoney, who mixes native and pop culture iconography with issues like circumcision and child warriors, and whose bronze sculptures
Neighbourgoods Market Norval Foundation
Boasting one of the largest private collections of South African art, the Cape Town institution founded by property investor Louis Norval is dedicated to the research and exhibition of 20th- and 21stcentury visual art from South Africa and beyond. Set against a mountain and vineyard landscape, it comprises a sculpture garden, outdoor amphitheatre, gallery spaces and library, showcasing pieces by the likes of
The catalyst for the wave of creative development that transformed Woodstock, it is the spot to get a taste of the Cape, uniting local farmers, artisanal producers, fine food purveyors, local designers and crafters.
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“THE SOUTH AFRICAN COLLECTOR BASE IS BECOMING MORE ASTUTE, AND EACH YEAR WE SEE NEW COLLECTORS EMERGING.” - FNB JOBURG ART FAIR DIRECTOR MANDLA SIBEKO
SOUTH AFRICAN ARTISTS TO COLLECT
the Pretoria-born artist’s work is sometimes delicate and sensitive, sometimes raw and mutilated, as he explores materials, forms and lines through varied mediums including treated wood, books, oil paint, steel, Indian ink, bronze, paper, marble, polystyrene and acrylic enamel paint.
Haroon Gunn-Salie Sue Williamson
Working in print, installation, photography and video, she is part of the pioneering generation of South African artists addressing social change during apartheid. She is recognised for her series of portraits of women involved in the country’s political struggle, and her socially based work reveals hidden histories and engages with themes of memory and identity formation.
Wim Botha
Drawing its roots from the mastery of traditional techniques of sculpture, drawing and painting,
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The FNB Art Prize 2018 winner from Cape Town has formed a collaborative art practice that transforms community oral histories into artistic interventions and experiential installations, tackling issues such as neo-colonialism, radicalism and violence in wide-ranging media.
are acquired by some of the world’s top collectors. Having represented South Africa with Southern Guild at the inaugural 2016 London Design Biennale is Porky Hefer, who embraces and preserves traditional indigenous techniques and crafts that focus on handmade rather than mass production. Johannesburgbased Dokter and Misses examines a contemporary, urban street culture and comments on what it means to be a young South African. In terms of art galleries, there is Stevenson with spaces in Cape Town and Johannesburg, which represents some of the most avant-garde contemporary artists on the African continent, including international names Zanele Muholi and Nandipha Mntambo. Blank Projects works with young artists from the region, while SMAC represents emerging and mid-career South African artists and established global artists, with large-scale historical exhibitions and projects that re-evaluate South African art history. Goodman Gallery, arguably South Africa’s most successful private art space, plays a vital role in backing global collaborations in the country and presenting art that enriches dialogue around colonial legacies and contemporary geopolitics, with artists like Kendell Geers and David Goldblatt.
ABOVE
Award-winning South African designer Porky Hefer. BELOW
The SMAC gallery is a great place to discover young talents in the country.
TOP DESIGN SPOTS
Casamento
The place for original upholstered furniture that has been handcrafted with traditional needlework and embellishments. Each piece has a story to tell as designer Starry Eve Collett sources rare textiles and uses sustainable ďŹ bres as much as possible.
RI GHT
Private art space Goodman Gallery. BELOW, RI GHT
Artist Zanele Muholi. BELOW
Wolf and Maiden Creative Studio
Works by Nandipha Mntambo.
Manufacturer of exquisite, high-end leather goods. Its luggage, bags, wallets and belts blend the elegance of timeless leather craft with contemporary design.
Vogel
The showroom of designer John Vogel, who makes distinctly South African furniture. His collectible work is available through Southern Guild, but he also has a production line of seating and tables that mixes pareddown, nature-inspired forms with woven African textures.
text Y-JEAN MUN-DELSALLE
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HARD TRUTH
W
WHAT’S TRENDING & WHAT WE THINK
SPARKING JOY NO MORE
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e need to talk about Marie Kondo. I don’t know about you, but I was one of those people who lapped up her guide to home organisation, The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up. I folded my clothes into small rectangles. I discarded piles of what she calls komono, random bits and bobs that every individual seems to accumulate at some point in their life. I held items in my hands and attempted to commune with them. It wasn’t a perfect process, but at the end of it I had a cleaner house to show for it. More importantly, I had – along with millions of fans all over the world – fully embraced Marie’s philosophy: keep only the items that spark joy. So imagine my surprise when I heard that the KonMari brand had a store. One that doesn’t sell containers or organisation tools, but little bits and bobs -- the very komono she advises us to throw out. They cost a pretty penny, too. I mean, $75 for a rose quartz crystal and tuning fork? It was like the end of a love affair, when you discover your partner isn’t really who you thought they were. And it came complete with all ve stages of grief. After realising that it wasn’t in fact an elaborate joke, I was angry. The eyebrowraising prices, not to mention
the superuous nature of the products (a $42 “ower bouquet tote”, anyone?) felt not only hypocritical, but also like the brand was trying to make a quick buck off its faithful followers. And then came the bargaining: maybe this isn’t Marie’s idea, maybe she’s been kidnapped by a bunch of capitalists who forced her to use her brand to sell stuff. Maybe she has to do this for money. Or maybe, just maybe, the KonMari way of life we all love has gone the way of so many other followings, and succumbed to the appeal of monetisation. Right now? I’m just disappointed, as are legions of followers. It seems that everything that Marie had promised and stood for – a clean, zen existence free of material wants – has been shattered by this new development. It’s a sobering reminder to all of us that when a brand’s popularity overrides principle and common sense, it’s time to step back and reassess our relationship with that brand. Regardless, we can still hold on to the ethos that Marie has taught us. I will, for one, continue to embrace the philosophy of minimalism, even if I don’t quite agree with the direction that the Konmari brand is headed in now. If nothing else, we still have our neatly-folded rectangles as a reminder of the life-changing magic that once was.