Bhhb

30

COLOUR OF THE MONTH

Green is the calming new neutral.

SHOPPING

32

GREAT BUYS

Our monthly roundup of the hottest new design products for the home.

37

ASK THE EXPERT

Our resident expert from Ashley Furniture shares tips on shopping for small spaces.

32

1O

FIND’S BEST FINDS

We look back at some of our favourite finds and emerging trends at FIND –Design Fair Asia 2022, the first new design fair to emerge post-pandemic.

16 THE WHITE FANTASTIC

From warm and welcoming to clean and crisp, here are seven reasons why a white kitchen has timeless appeal.

20

THE LIGHT STUFF

Lighting can tremendously impact your space, especially in a white interior scheme. Here’s how to use it to the best effect.

24

MONOCHROMATIC MAKEOVER

There’s nothing more timeless than a monochromatic living room. Here are 10 ways to change it up without breaking the bank.

39

LIVING

Whether arranged in white space to create a minimalist look or providing a visual relief in a colourful space, white items need not be boring.

NEW STORE 40

CASTLERY LIAT TOWERS

The home-grown furniture brand’s new 24,000 sq ft flagship at Liat Towers brings accessible luxury to Orchard Road.

HOT SPOT

42

COLIWOO HOTEL GAY WORLD

Geylang Road’s historic shophouse hotel gets a new lease of life as one of the co-living brand Coliwoo’s properties.

45 GRACE AND BEAUTY

Celebrated American artist Jim Dine opens his atelier and shares insights into his sixdecade-long career and what keeps him busy.

PEOPLE 50

45 Jim Dine

American artist

a tour of

studio.

52

A BREATH OF COOL AIR

56

PROPERTY

How will the new cooling measures announced in September 2022 affect home buyers and sellers? We check out the pros and cons.

FINDING

BEAUTY IN THE ORDINARY

Architect Lim Shing Hui talks about her firm’s award-winning first commercial project, salvaging waste materials, and her observations of the clients’ shifting taste.

The CEO of homegrown brand Airleo talks about its groundbreaking technology that aims to change the future of cooling. 54 VOICES

Co-founder and COO of Cove Luca Bregoli talks about digitising and streamlining the renting process and putting tenants at the centre of the business.

60

DUAL NATURE

Originally a dualkey unit, this twostorey penthouse in Somerset has been beautifully reimagined into a restful family home and a casual chic place to host family and friends

70

LUXE LIVING

With decor worthy of a boutique hotel, this home shows that it’s possible to combine upscale style with practicality.

HOMES

THE NEW MODERN

78

TRUE TO STYLE

The clients’ request for a mid-century modern home allowed its interior designer to indulge in one of her favourite styles.

84

POCKETS FOR GROWTH

This Bukit Merah home’s design provides privacy and ample room for the future needs of the family while balancing style and budget.

92

AN OASIS OF TRANQUILITY

This apartment is a tribute to its coastal location.

98

WHERE

THE HEART IS

This multigenerational home underwent a major reconfiguration to accommodate the family’s daily activities and the need for natural light.

108

HERITAGE AND MODERNITY

A 19th-century bourgeois townhouse in northern France gets the Maison Sarah Lavoine treatment with welcoming and lively modern interiors.

EDITORIAL

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Young Lim (younglim@sph.com.sg)

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Asih Jenie (asihj@sph.com.sg)

CREATIVE

SENIOR ART DIRECTOR

Nonie Chen (noniec@sph.com.sg)

ART DIRECTOR

Kristy Quah (krisquah@sph.com.sg)

PHOTOGRAPHY

CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER / VIDEOGRAPHER

Veronica Tay (verontay@sph.com.sg)

SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER / VIDEOGRAPHER

Phyllicia Wang (wanglx@sph.com.sg)

PHOTOGRAPHER / VIDEOGRAPHER

Athirah Annissa (athannissaj@sph.com.sg)

Lawrence Teo (lawrenceteo@sph.com.sg)

ADMINISTRATION & EDITORIAL SUPPORT

SENIOR MANAGER

Juliana Chong (julianac@sph.com.sg)

SENIOR EXECUTIVE

Cynthia Lee (hhclee@sph.com.sg)

Wendy Wong (wwong@sph.com.sg)

ADVERTISING SOLUTIONS

HEAD, SALES

Christopher Chan (cwochris@sph.com.sg)

LUXURY & RETAIL (FASHION, WATCHES, JEWELLERY)

Irene Tan (itan@sph.com.sg)

BANKING, TECH & TELCO

Ellen Lee (leekhe@sph.com.sg)

GOVERNMENT & EDUCATION

Yvonne Wong (yvonnew@sph.com.sg)

HOME & ESSENTIALS (PROPERTY, FMCG & RECREATION)

Stella Yeo (steyeo@sph.com.sg)

GROWTH (BEAUTY & NEW PARTNERSHIPS)

Josephine Lee (leebc@sph.com.sg)

Martin Boey (boeyckm@sph.com.sg)

For sales enquiries, please contact Maggie at magadpromo@sph.com.sg

GROUP MARKETING

BRAND & MARKETING LEAD

Lin Shao Mei (smlin@sph.com.sg)

SENIOR MANAGER

Kelly See (skelly@sph.com.sg)

OPERATIONS

MANAGER

Lim Kim Yim (limky@sph.com.sg)

ASSISTANT MANAGER Lin Feng (fenglin@sph.com.sg)

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINMENT MEDIA GROUP

Ignatius Low

HEAD, LIFESTYLE MEDIA & CONTENT MARKETING Phin Wong

PUBLISHING DIRECTOR, LIFESTYLE MEDIA Raymond Goh

COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR, LIFESTYLE MEDIA Eileen Chia

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Teo Lay Lim

CHIEF COMMERCIAL & MARKETING OFFICER Joanna Ho

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Andy Hui

CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER Kaythaya Maw

CHIEF TRANSFORMATION OFFICER David Pang

CHIEF CUSTOMER OFFICER Eugene Wee

CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER Joanna Ho

HEAD, CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS Sabitri Devi

HEAD, HUMAN RESOURCES Maureen Wee

Home & Decor is published by SPH Lifestyle Media, a division of SPH Media Limited, 1000 Toa Payoh N, S318994, Tel: 6319-6319

Distributed by Circulation Department, SPH Media Limited, Singapore registration no.: 202120748H

Printed by Times Printers.

Copyright@2022 SPH Media Limited.

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.

MCI (P) 060/12/2021 Expiry date: 30/11/2022.

For back issues, e-mail: circs@sph.com.sg. Subscribe online: www.homeanddecor.com.sg.

ABSOLUTE WHITE OUT

Does the mention of an all-white room conjure up images of a sterile laboratory space that is cold and unfeeling? Well, it doesn’t have to be. In fact, when used correctly, homes with a white colour scheme can be just as cosy and warm as those designed with earthy or multi-coloured palettes.

In the past, homeowners used to veer away from using pure-white paint on the walls, choosing instead

variants, such as creams or light beiges. However, with the growing popularity of minimalist interiors among modern homeowners, white is becoming the colour of choice, paired with furnishing and accessories in matte or glossy

and continues to be the representation of purity and innocence in many cultures.

While it is true that white walls have always been present in many homes in some form or other, these days interior designers are using the colour more conscientiously as an essential part of their design (instead of being an afterthought). White walls can be made more impactful with stainless steel frames, or softened up with some wooden furnishing. The possibilities are endless if you think about it.

to be a very inspiring colour. Don’t forget that it comprises all the hues of the light spectrum,

The best thing about white is that it makes small spaces feel larger, and ages beautifully over time. In this issue, we take a look at the various ways to achieve a monochromatic look and how to make an all-white space more dramatic. We also look into the reasons why white kitchens will never go out of style, and if you should consider giving your own kitchen a needed makeover.

YOUNG LIM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

photography

ANGELA GUO art direction NONIE CHEN

INCLUSIVE ETHOS

We’re delighted to find products with a more inclusive ethos, whether catering to special-needs users, striving to help a marginalised and underprivileged community, or using local, sustainable materials.

HUGGU YOU

An absolutely delightful find, Huggu is a collaboration between Doob Bean Bags and creative agency Stuck Design. They have transplanted bean bags’ ability to inspire calmness by helping the sensory regulation of their users into a plush armchair that hugs you with its cushions. Huggu aims to benefit neurotypical and neurodivergent users using therapy principles, thus improving their mental health and wellbeing.

www.huggu.me

ARTISANAL OMAKASE

Jaipur Rugs’ Manchaha collection hits two trends in this article: the inclusive ethos and the OOAK art objects by merging design and social impact that yields a collection of one-of-a-kind rugs. The company lets their weavers, most of whom are women working from their homes in rural India, weave spontaneously, creating unique designs that lend personality to our space while enabling their communities.

www.jaipurrugs.com

WATERPROOF WONDER

Showcased at SFIC’s Urban Living installation, furniture brand Mountain Living’s Lotus Paste collection is made with lotus plaster developed in Taiwan. Comprising silt found in reservoirs, the use of this plaster can potentially solve Taiwan’s sludge problem while giving the furniture industry a new alternative for waterproof materials. Combined with wood, the Lotus Paste collection looks truly at home in our urban environments.

www.mountainliving.com.sg

photo DOOOR

photo CLIMASHIELD

photo JAIPUR RUGS

photo HUGGU

photo

FANCY FITNESS

Home fitness was all the rage during the pandemic, which gave rise to designer gym and fitness equipment you’d be proud to display instead of scrambling to hide when guests are coming. Cycling Bears, a new local luxury fitness equipment brand founded just this year, carries an extensive range of functional and display-worthy fitness equipment, including the famous Ciclotte glass exercise bike and Pent’s solid wood collection.

www.cyclingbears.com

HOT MESH

Ziptrak distributor and blinds specialist ClimaShield’s booth showcases how we can turn awkward spaces, like a triangular room, into a stylish entertaining space, simply by installing blinds courtesy of Ziptrak’s Venti Mesh fabric. Combined with the brand’s Black Out fabric and control, no space is too awkward to turn highly functional.

www.climashield.com.sg

THE ELEVATED EVERYDAY

The pandemic drives home the importance of our home and everyday objects. At the fair, we saw utilitarian fixtures reimagined and redesigned into something more.

DIVIDE AND CONQUER

The folding doors made their debut in Italy in the 1950s during the height of modern architecture, and Dooor brand was founded in 1962 to provide stylish renditions of them. Displayed at the Italian Design Showcase, Dooor’s collections will add decorative design value and flexibility to your spaces.

www.dooor.it

PORTABLE GARDEN

A terrarium inside a table is not a super new concept, but Ipse Ipse Ipsum brings a fresh take on it with the MacRitchie side table, which features innovative clay pellets designed to retain water, so you only have to water the garden once a month. You can also customise your garden.

www.ipseipsaipsum.com

SUCH A FAN

In the absence of an aircon, a floor fan is a staple in our hot and humid climate, yet do you buy them because of the design? Filipino designer Joseph Rastrullo saw a gap in the market for designer electric fans and created Poly, a polyhedron electric fan made from GI wire that instantly turns a mundane corner into a stylish setting.

www.rastrullo.com

photo CICLOTTE

photo IPSEIPSAIPSUM

photo RASTRULLO

THESE EMERGING TRENDS

A PIECE OF VENICE

Riva1920 is one of the most famous Italian brands exhibiting at FIND, and though it is not new, its Venice console feels timely with the trend of using waste and salvaged materials. Designed by Claudio Bellini in 2011, the console features a polished steel top supported by a series of solid Briccola wood posts salvaged from the Venice Lagoon. Each post bears the marks of its illustrious life, making each console unique. Venice has switched to using steel posts for its structures, so this console is now a limited edition – get it while it lasts. In Singapore, Riva1920 is carried by Royal Interiors.

www.royalinteriors.com.sg

OOAK & ART OBJECTS

These objects straddle the line between art and design comfortably.

3D-PRINTED CLASSICS

Ovo is an Italian artisanal ceramics brand that produces vessels and decorative sculptures that bridge classic and contemporary sensibilities. At FIND, the brand showcases its latest 3D-printed vases. Their organic quality reminds one of the coral reefs in bright colours that spice up any contemporary or neoclassic interiors.

www.ovodem.com

SMALL LUXURIES

A bonafide and certified high-end Italian sustainable brand, Aina Kari produces scented candles in artisanal vessels that includes Murano glass, marbles and other eco-sustainable materials. Our favourite finds include the Stravedamento, a Mouthblown Murano glass with individually crafted water droplets –named after the rare weather occurrences in Venice where the sky is so clear you can see the mountains beyond the sea – supported by a Palissandro Marble decorative centrepiece.

www.aina-kari.com

photo AINA KARI

photo FINDDESIGN FAIR ASIA

REFLECT THE SHIFTS IN HOW WE ENGAGE WITH OUR SPACES IN THE POST-PANDEMIC WORLD.

photo RIVA1920

MADE OF WASTE

Some of the intriguing items by South-east Asian designers made of waste at Emerge @FIND showcase.

FURMIDABLE

A dog grooming service in Singapore shaves one kilogramme of dog hair daily, which ends up in a landfill.

NUS graduate Cynthia Chan’s Furmidable project explores chiengora (dog) fibres for rugs and upholsteries. Alas, the actual prototypes were in Paris during FIND, but the photos look cool.

www.behance.net/cynthiachanlx

WHAT A BULL

Perhaps the most talked about product on the exhibition floor, Dung is a collection of accessories, lighting objects and radios made of – you guessed it – cow dung. Designed by Bandung-based Indonesian industrial designer Adhi Nugraha, the collection has a texture akin to papier mache derived from the cellulose fibre yielded by the washed and cleaned dung. And to answer your question, no, they don’t smell and are safe to have in your home; they look cute too.

www.adhinugrahadesign.com

SCRAP METAL

The family of Thai designer Saruta Kiatparkpoom – who goes by the nickname Pin – owns a factory that produces small industrial metal parts. Witnessing how much post-industrial waste produced by the factory every day, Pin was inspired to use the perforated metal sheets from the productions to make homewares like lamps and mirrors. Thus her design label, PiN Metal Art, was born.

www.pinmetalart.com

INVASIVE SPECIES

The spider lily plant, known in the Philippines as bakong, is an invasive species regularly culled and thrown away. Filipino designer Stanley Ruiz incorporates the plant into his lighting collection Contrapunto. The bakong waste is turned into pellets that are melted and injected into metal moulds to create biocomposite plastic bins, which form the base of Contrapunto.

www.instagram.com/stanleyruiz

COFFEE GROUNDS

Coffee grounds have emerged as one of the most exciting postconsumer waste materials in recent years, with independent designers and corporations like Starbucks looking to incorporate it into their businesses. Vietnamese designer Phuong Dao’s Ca Rang collection sees paper waste and coffee grounds mixed with adhesive to create a rustic furniture collection with a monolithic structure guaranteed to start conversations.

www.daongocphuongdnp. wixsite.com/phuongdao

photo

photo STANLEY RUIZ

photo PIN METAL ART

photo

ADHI NUGRAHA DESIGN

photo CYNTHIA CHAN

THE WHITE FANTASTIC

From warm and welcoming to clean and crisp, here are seven reasons why a white kitchen has timeless appeal.

The white kitchen is a classic; just do a cursory search on kitchens, and it’s easily the most popular coloured kitchen that pops up. Indeed whether your preference is for the warmth of a traditional style or the sleek, modern feel, white is readily applicable to either aesthetic. One could say that having a white kitchen is counter-intutive, especially as the kitchen is a space that sees heavy-duty usage, and white shows dirt more readily than other colours. Yet it’s the colour most recommended by out why.

MATCH POINT

From a design standpoint, a white kitchen is the ultimate blank canvas. White is the most versatile neutral; it goes with almost anything and coordinates seamlessly with various kitchen accents. “Once you set the foundation, you are free to customise the look to fit your style,” opines Rix Wong of 10 10 Design. “Whether it’s appliances, flooring, artwork, rugs, decorative items or loose furniture like bar stools, dishes, and barstools, you can style a white kitchen into something that will work for you.”

MARKET APPEAL

All-white kitchens first became popular during the Victorian period when families began to spend more time in the room. However, it seems that the appeal of white kitchens has not waned, and in fact, they also make your home very marketable. “White is a universal colour that appeals to most buyers. So when you want to sell your home, more likely than not, your potential buyers will find a white kitchen a plus point or won’t have any strong feelings against it,” says Dali.

LIVING LARGE

It’s a well-known optical illusion that dark colours close in spaces, making them appear smaller, while light colours do the opposite. “For smaller kitchens, I always recommend white cabinets and even a white countertop because it gives the illusion of more square footage. It can transform a kitchen which doesn’t have too much space to look much bigger,” states Nadirah Dali, head designer of Design Stream.

photo DEKTON MORPHEUS

photo JMS, VIA WEI YI INTERNATIONAL DESIGN ASSOCIATES

photo DEKTON ARGENTIUM

BOX FRESH

Nothing looks quite as crisp and clean as a white kitchen. While it may become messy during cooking, all you need is a good wipe-down, and your cooking space will look pristine and brand new. These days even messes in white kitchens have become things of the past, according to Francis Loang of QLT Design: “Keeping your white kitchen clean is a lot easier nowadays; it’s all a matter of using the suitable material.

ALL CHANGE

Like fashion, the colours of kitchens are influenced by trends and while navy is nice and green is great, if you want to create a space with longevity, you can’t go wrong with white. But even if you want to change up your kitchen, it’s much easier to modify. “If sometimes down the line, you decide that the white kitchen is no longer your taste, a fresh coat of paint can completely transform your cabinetry,” enthuses Jason Sim, founder of Groundworks Design. “Simply put, white is easy to cover, and darker tones are not.”

THE LIGHT FANTASTIC

For a kitchen which doesn’t have big windows or a lot of natural light, a white kitchen is a good option as the colour creates natural light reflection. Indeed even if all you have is a small kitchen window, installing a white kitchen can have an illuminating effect. “Apart from creating a bright atmosphere from very little natural light, white kitchens can mitigate the harsh effect of spotlights as they diffuse the harsh downward shadows they create,” explains Sim.

COST CONSCIOUS

White can be costeffective for achieving a chic kitchen if you’re on a budget. From cabinet doors to countertops, splashbacks to sinks, you’ll have plenty more options in white than any other colour. “The beauty of all-white kitchens is it looks like a million bucks, but in truth, with careful matching and smart choices, it can be done within a reasonable price point. So it’s really value for money,” concludes Loang.

photo SILESTONE ETHEREAL HAZE

photo SILESTONE ETHEREAL GLOW

THE LIGHT STUFF

Lighting can tremendously impact your space, especially in a white interior scheme.

Lighting is a vital determinant of a room’s ambience and overall mood. Yet it is an interior design element often overlooked or not valued enough. Well-placed lighting adds another dimension to a space, bringing a room to life or enhancing its functionality.

LIGHT TEMPERATURE

So what is warm and cool light or colour temperature? According to Simon Davey, Dyson’s design engineer, colour temperature

Cool light has a higher and is measured at around 6,500 produce more orange or red outlook, harsh and uninviting while warm lighting will create a

Indeed colour temperature is key to lighting a space that works with you rather than against continues Davey. in daily activities, sleep and

light transmits and provides a times when a high concentration level is not required.

In contrast, cold light is the work and when we need more

TYPES OF LIGHTING

Consider how an area is used to determine what works best for types of light - especially if it’s a multipurpose space - to work

There are four main types of light: ambient, task, accent,

AMBIENT LIGHT

Ambient light creates a general and uniform lighting level used for overall illumination. As such, it’s usually the first layer of lighting and sets the tone of a space. Typically soft or diffused, it’s also often dimmable to accommodate day and nighttime settings.

It’s essential to install ambient lighting in hallways and stairs for optimal orientation and visibility. Kitchens or home offices benefit from it, too, as fixtures with wide light beams provide a consistent level of lighting.

Types of ambient lighting include ceiling-mounted or recessed fixtures that direct light downwards, wall sconces and floor lamps, which wash the walls and/or ceiling with light or cove lighting, and floor lamps and pendants that

bounce light off ceilings and walls. While ambient lighting provides general illumination, it’s not ideal for task work or showcasing specific elements in a space.

For ambient lighting that provides flexibility and suits specific needs, Singaporean lighting company Sol Luminaire provides excellent solutions like the in-house brand AEON, which considers the homeowner’s well-being and lifestyle. Ho further explains: “Opt for lights with dim-to-warm technology, such as our Isa V3 and Voli series. With a dimmer in place, homeowners can dim down to a warm sunset glow for a mood change once they’ve completed their tasks.”

ACCENT LIGHTING

For when you want to highlight a specific object or area, accent lights are required; for this reason, they’re typically three times as bright as ambient lights. Correctly placed, accent lighting draws attention to artwork, furnishings or architectural details, and adjustable fittings are preferred as they allow precision focusing on small areas or objects.

Common accent lights include wall lights, recessed spotlighting, track lighting and wall-mounted picture lights. Accent lighting is especially appropriate to living and garden areas, entrances, and

anywhere the goal is to display unique features. Recessed ceiling lights, track lights or wall-mounted luminaires are particularly effective in living or common areas as they can be angled and directed to create a highlight.

As Ho explains, “At Sol Luminaire, most of our AEON products have tilt and rotational functions, allowing flexibility in lighting multifunctional rooms.” Dyson’s innovative Solarcycle Morph also has an accent lighting function with its intelligent rotating optical head and 3-Point Revolve motion for precise positioning.

TASK LIGHTING

As its name states, task lighting is direct; intense illumination is ideal for detailed tasks like reading and writing at a desk, grooming, and preparing food. Its brightness is usually focused on the particular area where the task is performed and is much brighter than ambient lighting. In addition, effective task lighting should be glare-free and strong enough to prevent eyestrain.

Task lighting is essential in the kitchen, where under-cabinet lighting or pendants increase visibility on countertops and food preparation areas. In addition, table and floor lamps provide useful task lighting in living areas, studies and bedrooms. At the same time, sconces, vanity bars and pendants can be deployed in bathrooms to improve visibility, especially close to the mirrors.

Dyson’s Solarcycle Morph is an excellent example of

a task light engineered for versatility and inspired by natural light. Equipped with unique local daylight tracking, it delivers light throughout a room not just as task liking but as an indirect task, feature or ambient light. As a task light, it provides focused, powerful light for work, hobbies, makeup applications and intricate jobs and is engineered to help reduce eye strain and improve visual performance. The intelligent optical head smoothly rotates 360° to bounce light off walls, floors and ceilings in its indirect light mode. As a feature light, it creates dramatic effects, highlighting art, colours, and decorative features with a 3-Point Revolve motion enabling precise positioning. Finally, the stem lights up to create a comforting, orange ambient light which can be reduced to blue light for evening relaxation.

photo SOL LUMINAIRE

photos DYSON SOLARCYCLE MORPH

GETTING THE GREEN LIGHT

Yet Smart Lighting is a crucial component of a complete smart home, especially ensuring that electricity usage is efficiently managed. Smart living provider VIO has launched Singapore’s first smart lighting subscription plan to overcome this.

DECORATIVE LIGHTING

More than just being functional, decorative lights are works of art in themselves and look equally attractive switched on or off. In various materials and styles, decorative light can be a focal point in a room. In foyers, living and dining rooms, particularly decorative lighting like a chandelier, can amp up the space’s style and underline the overall aesthetic.

Serip creates stunning decorative lighting inspired by organic forms. The sculptural forms of nature

are immortalised through handicrafts with exclusive handcrafted techniques and a mixture of excellent materials such as glass and bronze. The manifestations of nature through Serip’s artistic pieces allow for a relaxing and inspiring journey through the room, providing a unique and distinct atmosphere, impossible to reproduce,” says Pinto. With more homeowners yearning to create spaces that are unique, many are considering the use of such decorative lights for their interiors.

As home automation continues to soar in popularity, so does the use of smart home devices like Amazon’s Echo and Google’s Alexa. However, while video entertainment, home monitoring, and speakers take the lead in worldwide shipment, smart lights are noticeably absent on the list. This could be attributed to several factors: the total cost of implementing an intelligent lighting or home automation system can be a pricey affair for many households, and the installation process may be tricky for first-time owners who lack prior experience with smart lighting systems.

Users can dim the lights for stay-home movie nights, from downlights to RGB LED strips, to cooler blue and white lights for work-from-home productivity through VIO’s smartphone app. Each smart light comes with the latest Bluetooth-WiFi technology for a swifter set-up process and does not require a bridge or neutral wiring, reducing the need to hack down walls.

“THE SMART LIGHTING WE’VE DEVELOPED ALLOWS CONSUMERS TO SWAP OUT AND UPGRADE THEIR LIGHTS WHENEVER THEY WANT TO, AT A LOW INVESTMENT.”

– KEAN CHIOW, CO-FOUNDER VIO

photo SERIP ORGANIC LIGHTING

MONOCHROMATIC MAKEOVER

There’s nothing more timeless than a monochromatic living room, and whether your interpretation is of one which is all black, all white or black and white, here are 10 ways to change it up without breaking the bank.

One of the easiest ways to refresh a living room is with a fresh coat of paint or wallpaper. White is easier to live with in the long run, but black could be dramatic. Nonetheless, if you go for wallpaper, especially in white, consider a textured surface for some added interest or even a textured wall treatment like stucco for more dimension.

photo PEXELS/MONSTERA

WONDER WALLS

to refresh a living room,

table or chair. Materials like marble or granite can be found in monochromatic shades, making for visually exciting tabletops or choosing pieces with beautiful sculptural lines.

Do not underestimate the power of a good cushion or grouping of cushions. If it’s a solo cushion, there’s a lot of appeal in cushions with repetitive motifs or stylised prints. However, if you want of cushions will do the trick. Again, vary colours but keep it in a harmonious palette and go with an odd number.

PILLOW TALK

MAKE A STATEMENT

photo UNSPLASH/TOA HEFTIBA

SLIGHT DIFFERENCES IN TONES ARE IMMEDIATELY APPARENT IN A MONOCHROMATIC SCHEME. AVOID ENDING UP WITH A MISMATCHED LOOK BY STICKING TO ONLY WARM OR COOL TONES FOR THE WALLS AND ACCESSORIES.

photo UNSPLASH/KAM IDRIS

and a personal touch to a living room; nothing is more personal than hanging up a piece of your artwork. But if painting sends a chill down your spine, consider keeping it abstract or minimalist. Start with a plain white canvas, then express your inner artist with bold brush strokes. It’ll be one of a kind, that’s for sure.

Lighting matters in space. How dim or bright it is can

monochromatic interior where the colour contrast is sharper. Consider changing a lamp shade

ART ATTACK

THROWING SHADE

an excellent way to create a decorative corner and get some extra storage into the bargain. They are space-saving, and their clean, minimal look is ideal for monochromatic living rooms. You can also install them in various space you have dictates.

photo UNSPLASH/DERICK MCKINNEY

id WEE STUDIO photo UNSPLASH/BECCA TAPERT

ON THE SHELF

The feeling of softness underfoot is one of the many reasons a good rug will change up a living room, not only visually but sensorially. A right-sized rug will also focus the furniture arrangement and make it appear more of a cohesive weave, choose one that creates the vibe you want to evoke.

WHEN CHOOSING AN AREA RUG, MAKE SURE IT IS LARGE ENOUGH TO PARTIALLY EXTEND UNDER KEY PIECES OF FURNITURE.

photo UNSPLASH/NATHAN VAN EGMOND

CUTTING A RUG

For a monochromatic living room, black-and-white photography or artwork is a maximum impact for minimum spend, a good idea is to frame a group of black-and-white postcards or source a print of black -and-white artwork from artbooks or magazines.

Is anything cosier than having a throw draped around the sofa or armchair? It’s an easy way to freshen up a seat or hide a stain you haven’t been able to tackle. Moreover, they come in so many materials that adding textural contrast is easily achievable. Not just that, the next time you’re feeling chilly, it’s readily available.

A monochromatic living room is chic and sleek, but a plant or way of adding life to it. The trick is to choose the right plant or those with sculptural shapes like lilies. Also, remember to place them in the appropriately hued vessel to complete the picture.

THROWAWAY CHARM

photo UNSPLASH/JASON WANG

GREEN FINGERS

photo UNSPLASH/HUTOMO ABRIANTO

photo UNSPLASH/JULIE KWAK T

SHADES OF GREYSCALE

GREEN IS THE NEW NEUTRAL

When we think about neutral shades, the colours that come to mind are invariably various permutations of beige, off-white, taupe, ecru, and greige. But we’re entering a post-pandemic era, and our spaces could use something more daring and hopeful, so here we suggest sage green as the new neutral.

How can this be allowed – you ask? Just look outside – green is a natural colour; greenery goes with and complements any natural elements and man-made structures regardless of their colour palette, so yes, we stand by our recommendation. This semi-chalky sage green, seen in a nook that was formerly a balcony styled by the Portuguese furniture brand Mezzo collection, lends freshness to the nostalgic autumnal colour palette.

This nook is part of a walk-in wardrobe sporting the same colour scheme. A combination of solid sage green, the natural wood finish of the carpentry and the retro-inspired upholstery pattern and shapes of the furniture takes us back to the glory days of mid-century modern without feeling dated.

Pair chalky sage green solid walls with warm-toned wood and velvety materials in orange-tinted brown for that fuzzy sweater weather vibe. Or go the other way around and inject freshness to an otherwise conventionally neutral beige room with sage green accessories like cushions, throws and patterned wallpaper.

the expert says

Chalky green works colour too. Here it goes well with Mezzo Collection’s Roger chair and Cobb side table.

WONG LIANGYUAN Colour expert at Haven Lifestyle

“Pastels have made a huge comeback in recent years, and we see this trend continuing with the growing popularity of tints like sage green. It’s unique, di erent and really makes a space stand out.”

BREATHE IN

Local furniture and lifestyle brand Scene Shang has launched five new scents that evoke timeless peace and invite you to pause, inhale deeply, and truly relax. Each of the five scents –

Pagoda, Lake, Courtyard, Cave and Island – is available as a triple-scented soy wax candle, hand & body wash, and di user oil. Our favourite is the Cave scent, which features an earthy blend of vetiver, blackcurrant, cardamon, tobacco and cedarwood that speaks of a mystery to discover, explore, and find rest.

Scene Shang Cave collection starts from $39 (for diffuser oil) from www.sceneshang.com and Scene Shang showroom.

SMOOTH OPERATOR

Go with the flow with Castlery’s curvilicious Marlow Boucle L-Shape Sectional Sofa. Its unique shape is generously padded, balancing artful sophistication and sublime comfort. Upholstered in a luxurious, spill-resistant, textured boucle fabric, one need not worry about spillage when hosting guests or having kids and pets around!

The Marlow Boucle L-shaped sofa retails at $2,599 at Castlery stores and www.castlery.com.

EDITOR’S CHOICE

PASTEL MOOD

Thanks to its sleek silhouette and intuitive control, Korean brand Wells’ The One water purifier has grown in popularity in Singapore. Responding to the market, Wells has now expanded the original three colourways – White, Dark Brown and Red – with two delicious pastel hues – Pink and Mint – and the ultimate neutral, classic Black, which doubles the possibility of matching it with your space.

Wells The One water purifier retails at www.wellssingapore.com and authorised retailers.

THE MISSING LINKS

Turn your bed into a stylish centrepiece with the latest seasonal iteration of Frette’s Links embroidery collection. The now iconic motif in elegant Midnight Blue and Storm Grey is a masterful demonstration of the brand’s know-how and expertise, with the interlocking motif of dual-tone hues adding a decorative and textural element of refined sophistication to soft and silky cotton sateen.

Frette’s new Links collection is available at its boutique at Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, www.frette.com.

HANDY DANDY

Bosch Unlimited 7 is a cordless handstick vacuum cleaner that features lightweight, ergonomic body integrated with Bosch’s Power for All interchangeable battery that allows unlimited power supply through a simple battery exchange. Numerous

The Unlimited 7 retails from $1,099 online at Lazada, Shopee, Amazon and Bosch’s e-store and all major electronic stores, www.boschhome.com.sg.

illuminated nozzle with foot release, and a set of accessories to clean tight spaces and delicate surfaces.

ARTIST OF THE MONTH

XIE AI GE

Chinese artist Xie Ai Ge is known in the international art world for whimsical sculptures made with bronze and synthetic materials. Rendered in a single colour with occasional metallic or an accent colour, the sculptures fit well with contemporary tastes. Most recently, 100 of her tabletop sculptures were sold to raise funds to acquire 50 motorised wheelchairs for Ode to Art’s annual charity project in collaboration with the Enabling Village.

In Singapore, Xie Ai Ge is represented by Ode to Art, www.odetoart.com.

DRAMATIC EFFECT

Inspired by Beijing Opera, homegrown Marano Furniture’s latest collection, Colours of

design pieces that balance solemnity, elegance, and noble luxury. Drawing their design inspiration from two of the four characters, Jing, a prominent male character with striking looks and high social position, and Dan, an elegant female character with soft lines, in the Beijing Opera, the 12 pieces explore the intimate play between theatrical costumes, social customs and aesthetics of this revered art form.

The Opera collection is available at the Marano showroom at Atrix Building and at www. maranofurniture.com.

Add to cart

SWEDISH HOUSE STYLE

Ikea and electronic music artists Swedish House Mafia has teamed up to launch an affordable limited edition collection comprising more than 20 items for producing, performing, and enjoying music in the home setup. Named after the Swedish word for limitless, the Obegransad collection includes an LED work, wall and floor lamps, a clock; laptop, tablet, speaker and record stands; a desk, two shelving units, an armchair, four bags, two rugs and sleepers, a throw and a cushion cover, in a cool, all-black aesthetic.

Ikea Obegransad collection is available in Ikea Singapore stores from Oct 27. Visit www.ikea.com for more information.

TRENDING

LET THERE BE WHITE

Light shapes the space and lighting glittering jewellery that gives your don’t need to always be ostentatious. can make an equally powerful statement in a room while providing your eyes somewhere to rest from all the colours and textures.

1, & 3. Foscarini Tonda, and ClassiCon Roatino, prices upon request, both available from Space Furniture, www. spacefurniture. com.sg.

2.& 4. Arkiturbine Pendant Lamp, from $604; Unika Pendant Lamp (10.5x13.5cm), starts from $456, both from Danish Design Co, www. danishdesignco. com.

NEWS

Fit for a King King Living bagged three Good Design Awards at the Australian Good Design Awards 2022. All three were in the Product Design category, one for the Kato Sofa, designed in partnership with David King and senior designer and continual improvement manager Tanya Rechberger, while the other two were for the Cove Sun Lounge and Quay Dining Table, both designed by senior designer Alinta Lim.

For more information, visit www.kingliving.com.

BRAND NEO

If you think premium design and affordability are mutually exclusive, industrial designer Bertrand Lejoly’s D-Neo collection for Duravit will change your mind. The collection comprises a complete range of products for the bathroom designed with

refined simplicity and Duravit’s legendary quality, belying its attractive price range. Furthermore, each component may be mixed and matched for further customisation, allowing for user flexibility.

D-Neo is available at the Duravit showroom at 63 Tras Street, www.duravit.com.

Seeing Red

Recognising the best in design concepts, the prestigious Red Dot Award: Design Concept was held in Singapore on Sept 27. The winner of this year’s highest accodaled, the Red Dot: Luminary award, was the Trailer Drone, a unique and innovative future mobility solution that combines fuel cells, trucks, trailers and robots on a single platform by Hyundai Motors.

See all the winning design concepts at www.red-dot.org.

Lightyears

For 40 years, W. Atelier has been bringing luxury home items to Singapore, ranging from TOTO’s state-of-the-art Japanese bathroom technology to global design brands like Fritz Hansen and Vitra. To celebrate this landmark anniversary, W. Atelier introduced another iconic brand, Stilnovo, one of the pioneers in design and lighting in Italy that offers an amazingly diverse offering in many styles, to its impressive lineup.

For more information, visit www.watelier.com.

TILE OF THE MONTH

LOCKED AND STOCKED

Enjoy going keyless without fuss with igloohome’s Retrofit Lock, which simply turns your lock into a smart one by attaching it to the lock inside your door. While the device is mobile app-enabled, it also works o ine for enhanced reliability, security and deployability. Pair the Retrofit Lock with a suite of accessories for greater convenience and features like the Keypad for timesensitive PIN code access.

For retailers, look up www.igloohome.co/where-to-buy.

EXHIBITION OF THE MONTH

NATASHA

What: Singapore Biennale 2022 (SB2022)

When: until Mar 19, 2023

Where: Various locations

With Natasha as its official name, SB2022 is less of a megathematic exhibition and more a collective engagement with the ways that art, and that which is considered other to art, relate to life. It comprises a myriad of exhibitions, but we’re most curious about the six artworks on Sentosa Cove, Lazarus Island and St. John Island, which will make a great day trip.

Most Natasha exhibitions are free admission, except those at Tanjong Pagar Distripark. For detailed information, visit www. singaporebiennale. org.

LUSH GARDEN

Fans of lush floral wallpapers rejoice! Italian brand Wide&Style, styling itself as a maker of ceramic wallpaper, offers a wide range of patterned tiles that gives you the romantic feel of wallpaper with the durability of ceramic suitable even for wet areas. Our favourite is this Berries R tile from Wide&Style’s Mini collection, which lends a delicious autumnal touch to any warm colour palette.

Wide&Style Mini Berries R tiles retail at $17.30 psf from Hafary, www.hafary.com.sg.

HOT TO TROT

Highly functional and sleek, the Lono Hot Pot & Steam by WMF features a two-compartment non-stick bowl boasting a generous 3.6L capacity. Two premium Cromargan baskets also allow you to prepare individual ingredients and different soups simultaneously. The detachable oval-shaped steaming top can be used for steaming ingredients of various sizes, while the transparent glass lid means easy monitoring. Clean-up is also a breeze with dishwasher-safe parts.

WMF Lono Hot Pot & Steam retails for $399.00 at Tangs and Shopee.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SINGAPORE ART MUSEUM

SAVVY SMALL WONDERS

These days, many homes in Singapore are getting smaller, but that doesn’t mean they should cramp your style and interiors. While these pieces will help maximise space in your petite apartment, they are also perfect to accentuate your cosy abode. You can also use smart concealed storage designs or with these stylish products.

Q: What are some things to consider when buying furniture

Before shopping for furniture, measure your space carefully and precisely to ensure that every piece is functional and serves more than one purpose. It’s best not to overcrowd the items. And most importantly, pay extra attention to the size

and proportion of the furniture. Adopting an understated neutral colour scheme in your home creates an illusion of a larger area and reduces visual clutter.

Q: What type of sofa is suitable for a small and You can get a cosy twoseater loveseat sofa, such as with stylish, snug curves. These can be placed near the entrance to provide additional seating in the living area. For something elegantly timeless, opt for the Ashley Furniture Altari more classic look, try the King Koil Power Recliner

very versatile and not too bulky, making it good for the bedroom as well.

A low-to-ground sofa can create a more open and lofty feeling in your space. For instance, the Ashley Furniture Traemore sofa and Ashley Furniture Altari sofa. You can also place the sofa against the wall or a corner to maximise space. We recommend the Ashley Furniture Jarreau Sofa Chaise Sleeper or Ashley Furniture Savesto sectional sofa.

Q: Are there dining tables suitable for a one- or twospace. A recommended one

036-3 round dining table, a contemporary dining area.

height dining table. For instance, the sleek Ashley Furniture Torjin Counter Height Dining Table or cleverly designed Ashley Furniture Caitbrook Counter Height Dining Table and Bar Stools which comes in a set of three and has a beautiful side storage/

View these products on our special showcase on www. homeanddecor.com.sg

The following space saving furniture ideas will help maximise your space at home.

“Instead of taking up

- Jenny Koh Executive Director of Homes & Decor Superstore Pte Ltd, wholly owned by Matsushita Greatwall Corporation (MCG).

COOL WHITE

1

Whether arranged in white space to create a minimalist look or providing a visual relief in a colourful space, white items need not be boring. Here are some of our favourites. 3

2 4 7 1. & 4. Gervasoni Inout Side Table 47 & 48, $9,800 & $1,308, and Saba Italia Leyva Small Tables, $1,225 & $1,325, all from The Beuro, www. thebeuro.com.

8 6 5

2. & 8. Canape Kate sofa & SC Edition

Mini Cambium table, prices upon request, from Stephanie Coutas, www. stephaniecoutas. com.

3. Growing 2 painting by Dedy Sufriadi, $15,500, from Ode To Art, www.odetoart. com.

5. Mono Editions Papierre Armchair 12.8, from $10,867, from www. meillart.com.

CASTLERY

LIAT TOWERS

The pandemic brought a sharp decline for many retailers but not for home-grown furniture brand Castlery, which saw a whopping 600 per cent revenue growth. Founded in 2013 by four guys – Declan Ee, Travers Tan, Fred Ji and Zhou Zhiwei – in a basement office in the Ubi area, Castlery is now the first local furniture brand to set up shop in the illustrious Liat Towers. And it’s not just another shop; it has taken over a whopping 24,000 sq ft, two-storey anchor retail space, with the brand’s logo emblazoned on the building’s facade.

“This milestone represents the trust our customers have

accorded us the past eight years, and it is also a physical representation of our growth ambitions,” says Declan. Now neighbours of luxury brands like Hermes and Audemars Piguet, the flagship aims to make luxury living affordable to millennial urbanites.

Conceptualised by Castlery’s in-house design team, the flagship showcases more than 500 furniture pieces arranged in 36 inspirational room sets with all price tags on display. The sets are designed with three customer archetypes in mind: the Independent, who are those who just moved into their own places; the Romantic, who

BOTTOM A seamless living-dining room set softened by arches.

OPPOSITE, TOP LEFT Custom grille and Barrisol ceiling adds light and visual interest.

OPPOSITE, TOP RIGHT Rendering of the Orchard-roadfacing shopfront.

OPPOSITE, BOTTOM A softly lit cosy living room corner at the store.

The home-grown furniture brand’s new 24,000 sq ft flagship at Liat Towers brings accessible luxury to Orchard Road.

are those who are expanding their family; and the Comfort Creature, who are those who seek comfort and practicality above all as they age.

Adding to the shopping experience is a wealth of textures and curves in the interior. Softly lit archways with rounded edges mark the transitions between rooms, more than 150 plants lend a

biophilic touch to the space, while 52 speakers and eight subwoofers create relaxing soundscapes. Castlery might have an affordable price range, but it doesn’t mean that its products can’t exist comfortably with luxury materials – the store seems to say.

The store’s curvy central POS counter is made with walnut timber with a travertine top. The ceiling above the escalator features a Barrisol with a custom Castlery ironwork grille that shines a light on a zen garden below it. Even the restroom area has been thoughtfully designed to match the shopping area, complete with a nursing room furnished with comfortable furniture and a state-of-the-art water purifier. The brand is also planning for a future scheme that will allow customers to come and work in the store.

The digital stations on

the second floor enable customers to cross-check, compare and make decisions independently – a boon for introverted shoppers. One side of this level, the Partnership Area, is dedicated to seasonal items and collaborations. The flagship’s first partner will be reBynd, an eco-conscious lifestyle brand by Bynd Artisan that offers an experiential gifting concept with customised and personalised leather and paper gifts.

“As we continue to plant more Castlery flags on the globe, the flagship store serves to anchor our presence in Singapore and reflects our unwavering commitment to staying true to our roots,” adds Declan.

The Castlery flagship is located at #02/03-02 Liat Towers, 541 Orchard Road. Find out more at www.castlery.com.

good to know

Castlery is the fastest growing digital furniture brand in the US in 2021.

COLIWOO HOTEL

GAY WORLD

Geylang Road’s historic shophouse hotel gets a new lease of life as one of the co-living brand Coliwoo’s properties.

Located on Geylang Road, a short walk from the Kallang MRT station, the Gay World Hotel is a memento of the bustling Gay World Amusement Park, one of Singapore’s trio of famed “World” amusement parks that occupied the area until its demolishment in the year 2000. Today, the three-storey shophouse hotel is operated by co-living brand Coliwoo as one of the properties under its co-living hotel concept, which has seen all of its 27 rooms refurbished by Coliwoo’s inhouse design team.

Supplementary to Coliwoo’s co-living residences, the co-living hotel concept focuses on premium flexible stays that allow guests to stay for just a minimum of one night. Targeting individuals, modern local families and expatriates, these hotel units aim to elevate the typical coliving experience by choosing heritage properties equipped with modern amenities.

Rooms at Coliwoo Hotel Gay World have been designed to be self-contained studios. Each is equipped with a kitchenette that allows guests to whip up a quick meal – an atypical feature in regular hotels. The rooms’ overall aesthetic is modern and contemporary, featuring practical built-in carpentry awashed in pale wood finish and pastel colours. There are five types of rooms available, ranging from spacious 220 sq ft units fit for a family to a quaint single-bed studio suitable for singletons on a sojourn.

Coliwoo Gay World Hotel is at 115 Geylang Road. Visit www.coliwoo.com for more information.

Coliwoo’s co-living hotel properties include Coliwoo Hotel Amber in Katong, with two more hotels planned in Orchard and River Valley areas.

ABOVE

OPPOSITE, TOP

The Manhattan Queen Studio’s kitchenette and study.

TOP The Duplex Queen Studio features a loft bed.

LEFT Compact, built-in carpentry in light colour scheme makes the room feel airy.

OPPOSITE, BOTTOM

The refurbished facade of the Coliwoo Hotel Gay World.

good to know

The spacious bathroom of the Manhattan Queen Studio.

IDEAS AND INSPIRATION FROM THOSE IN THE KNOW

GRACE AND BEAUTY

On the occasion of his solo exhibition at Galerie Templon in Paris, celebrated American artist Jim Dine opens his atelier to DELSALLE and shares insights into his six-decade-long career and why he’s busier than ever.

photo COURTESY TEMPLON, PARIS – BRUSSELS – NEW YORK

1

Feeling the urgency to create, Jim Dine doesn’t take holidays as there is just too little time, preferring instead to put his hands to work each day to paint, sculpt, draw, make prints or write poems, always with the sole aim of “trying to make art. If it’s my sculpture, I feel I have the obligation to make it, not to allow someone else to realise it.”

For Jim, the creative process

is just as important as the finished piece, so he likes to get his hands dirty, working instinctively. Battling with the medium and painting by the accumulation of material, his canvases undergo months of transformation that give them extreme depth – he makes a mark, reacts, corrects and starts again – only stopping “when I get tired of them” or when they must leave for an exhibition. “If they stayed, I might keep working on some of them,” he admits.

We’re standing in the middle of Jim’s disorderly studio in Montrouge in the Parisian suburbs – the largest atelier he’s ever had – littered with screwdrivers, nails, saws, drills, buckets, rags, paintbrushes and Golden acrylic paint bottles, and the floors stained with a patina retaining the memory of the enormous time and effort he spends on each artwork. It feels as if we’re on a construction site, and Jim is the worker accompanied by his tools.

No daylight is visible since, unlike other artists, he prefers the neon lighting and silence of this windowless former taxi garage, hiding away in his cavernous space free of distraction. Poems in handwritten black capital letters adorn the walls, as poetry has emerged as one of his practice’s central disciplines, and you’ll often find him giving readings.

Amidst this clutter and chaos appears the monumental 5.91-metre-long abstract triptych, Grace and Beauty, in a riotous, multi-layered arrangement of colours like

photo COURTESY TEMPLON, PARIS –BRUSSELS –NEW YORK

photo COURTESY TEMPLON, PARIS –BRUSSELS –NEW YORK

1. Jim Dine at work.

2. Tomatoes Under The Water, 1990-1993, oil on canvas painting.

3. Pinocchio Needs Attention, a 2006 sculpture, enamel on wood.

4. Jim’s Crowded Table(Friends), a 2022 sculpture displayed at the Beauty And Grace exhibition.

5. Jim putting finishing touch to one of his sculptures, The Blue Flame, finished this year.

an oversized palette, tinged with charcoal and sand, which has been painted, sanded, repainted, embedded with wood blocks and united with an array of distorted brass pipes exploding from the middle of each panel. Painting and sculpture have become one in this expressionist work overflowing with uncommon energy and emotion.

The Fusion of Artwork and Tools

Jim’s obsession with tools started at 12 when he lived with his maternal grandparents, who owned a hardware store after his mother’s death. Never having viewed tools as work instruments but rather as sculptures, he states, “Using tools is what I do. I feel that hand tools are very beautiful,

and sometimes I like to celebrate them.”

Jim’s current exhibition owes its name to this masterpiece. Held until Nov 5 at Galerie Templon in Paris, he presents over 20 neverbefore-seen, large-scale relief paintings on wood panels and sculptures created especially for the show over the past two and a half years, which are priced from up to US$500,000. They are living proof of his flair for opening up new horizons in technical experimentation.

Big Lady on the Beaver’s Stump in patinated bronze places a headless woman’s torso on an imitation tree stump, veins and all, while the vivid blues, yellows, reds, greens and purples of his hand-painted bronze and stainless steel sculptures compete with

“BECAUSE [PINOCCHIO] IS A METAPHOR FOR CREATION, I FELT IT WAS A PROFOUND STORY, AND I CONTINUED IT AND THEN GOT VERY INVOLVED WITH IT SCULPTURALLY AND WITH MY PRINTS AND DRAWINGS.”

3

photo COURTESY TEMPLON, PARIS –BRUSSELS –NEW YORK

photo

photo ©COURTESY TEMPLON, PARIS –BRUSSELS –NEW YORK

those of his paintings. Hammers, wrenches, axes and scissors form a giant vase in Flowers. Building the positives from plaster and wood, he then passes them on to the artisans to mould and cast in bronze.

When starting a new artwork, Jim is unclear about how it will look at the outset, saying, “I don’t have any artistic philosophy, rules or regime. When you’re as old as I am, you have confidence in your hand and your ideas. Of course, there are failures, but there’s less chance of that in the sense that I know enough how to act upon the works to, hopefully, make them

succeed. If you want to work, you have an idea, and your libido is in your art, then there are no challenges – you just go forward. There’s no message in my work. The message is I try to make something beautiful or that I’m proud of, that’s it.”

A Born Artist

For Jim, born in 1935 in Cincinnati, Ohio, art has been his whole life and is all he has ever wanted to do. “I was a gifted child who was always going to be an artist, and nobody else in the family ever was, so it was unusual,” he shares. “I was born an artist, and that’s all I can do, and that’s all I’ve ever done.”

After graduating in fine art from Ohio University, he began his career in 1958 in New York as a pioneer of “happenings” – performances that attracted attention in their ambition to invent another kind of art – collaborating with Claes Oldenburg, before exhibiting his assemblages and first paintings in the 1960s alongside Jasper Johns, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Ed Ruscha and Robert Rauschenberg. But while this new generation of pop artists spoke of the external world, he looked introspectively, calling himself a “romantic expressionist”. He recalls, “The art scene at the time was small, before commerce, not corrupted, with wonderful artists. It was very exciting, and I met people you could look up to and who gave you encouragement.”

There’s no denying the autobiographical nature of Jim’s work seen through numerous recurring motifs, including his own bald head with conspicuous ears, hearts, bathrobes, tools, the Venus de Milo and Pinocchio, in which he searches for himself and his identity – an inexhaustible

6

6. The Castle Farm mixed media painting, 2022, displayed at Jim Dine: Beauty And Grace exhibition.

7. Jim’sHeadMy Puzzled Mind, a bronze sculpture completed in 2018.

8. ProphetIn The Storm, 2020, oil, acrylic and wood on panel.

9. BeautyAnd Grace, one of Jim’s latest mixed-media artworks completed this year.

“THERE’S NO MESSAGE IN MY WORK. THE MESSAGE IS I TRY TO MAKE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL OR THAT I’M PROUD OF, THAT’S IT.”

photo COURTESY TEMPLON, PARIS –BRUSSELS –NEW YORK

photo LAURENT EDELINE

source of inspiration. These emblematic themes can all be considered self-portraits and are a way to speak about his life and his past. For example, Castle Farms depicts his mother’s rhythm when nightclub dancing, while Hub Pieters’ Teeth depicts the teeth of the renowned hematologist who collected his work. “They come from my head, my imagination, what I think I can work with, what’s relevant at the time that I’m doing it,” he notes. “They’re all part of me. The leitmotif that goes through my work is the autobiography. I’m always interested when I have an insight into my unconscious.”

As a child, Jim watched Walt Disney’s Pinocchio and developed a fascination with the characters from Carlo Collodi’s novel, sometimes identifying with the puppet and sometimes with the woodcarver Geppetto. Sculpting logs directly with a hand-held chainsaw, he explored the artist’s ultimate fantasy: creating offspring through art. A talking wooden stick that becomes a boy, Pinocchio symbolises the perpetual struggle to make art. It is a story of alchemy, like converting lead into gold, and Jim loves that moment when the artwork emerges. “My mother took me to see the film, and it stayed with me,” he recalls. “Because it is a metaphor for creation, I felt it was a profound story, and I continued it and then got very involved with it sculpturally and with my prints and drawings.”

Busier Than Ever Living and working nomadically, Jim has spent

7

9

over 60 years crisscrossing the globe, splitting his time between various foundries, studios and print workshops, from Walla Walla in Washington state, Oregon and New York (that he has since given up) to Göttingen in Germany, Vienna in Austria and St Gallen in Switzerland, while being an intermittent Parisian for the last two decades, having initially headed there to work with Aldo Crommelynck, Picasso’s famous engraver.

Selecting the master craftsmen with whom he works closely for their technical expertise, he encourages them to push his experimentations

further. “I enjoy changing studios. Each one makes the work a little differently, depending on the light, where it is, what nature is like there, whether the people are sympathetic,” he comments. “It’s a luxury of being able to travel and go where I want to go. If I could, I’d have more studios.”

This November, Jim also opens A History of Gardening at Cristea Roberts Gallery in London, which will run until January. Next spring will see Storm of Memory, an exhibition of new sculpture, works on paper, prints and books at Kunsthaus Gottingen. He will

have his first solo show in May at Galerie Templon’s New York space. For as long as his body will allow, he plans to continue producing actively, to do what he was born to do.

“I feel more passion for creating today than when I first started because now it’s the only thing I care about. I get my energy genetically from luck –I’m lucky I can work right now. I get my energy also because I love to work; I’m challenged by these projects, making a better painting, making a better sculpture, and going further with it. At some point, I’m not going to have it, so I’m trying to take advantage of it.”

8 photo COURTESY TEMPLON, PARIS –BRUSSELS –NEW YORK

photo COURTESY TEMPLON, PARIS –BRUSSELS –NEW YORK

photo COURTESY OF TEMPLON, PARIS –BRUSSELS

FArchitects

FINDING BEAUTY IN THE ORDINARY

that took home the Design of

HOW DID THE IDEA OF USING COMMON MATERIALS FOR A BRICK & MORTAR SHOP COME ABOUT? often translates into noticing ordinary objects – things we bricks are one of the most of these “waste” materials and get them at a fraction of the

HOW DID YOU CONVINCE THE CLIENT TO BUY INTO THE DESIGN CONCEPT? new kind of freshness.

TELL US MORE ABOUT THIS SHOP

Limited and located at 15

It also carries international

is renowned

photo FINBARR FALLON

photo JOVIAN LIM

1. The store’s live open kitchen.

2. Wood and bricks add tactility to this seating area.

3. Simple shelves mounted to the wall make a good visual interest.

4. Cement bricks cut to reveal its hollow section, the stone offcuts fkooring and textured curvy furniture create a rich, layered look.

photo FINBARR FALLON

photo JOVIAN LIM

BREATH OF COOL AIR

The CEO of home-grown brand Airleo talks about its groundbreaking technology that aims to change the future of cooling.

Sbeen dubbed the airconditioned nation, and indeed, aircon has become a thing that came out of this is that there is no shortage of R&D to create better, more environmentally friendly the latest ones is Airleo by end of August, it markets itself system that generates cool air air while running on oneeighth the electricity needed by conventional aircon. We Chairman Joel Ho.

WHAT WAS THE IMPETUS FOR AIRLEO?

Conventional air-conditioners require extensive installation

use an exhaust hose or vents that emit hot air, contributing to surrounding heat. Our goal was to remove the constraints consumers with a hassle-free cold air without the need for an exhaust hose. The crux of journey was to bring down

Evolutionary Ozone technology. In the course of our to address the high energy usage of air-conditioners as that contributes to almost half of consumers’ electricity bills

of air-conditioners that lead to global warming.

TELL US MORE ABOUT THE COMPANY. We are a team of almost manufacturing, engineering that meets the highest quality The Airleo took us almost 10 years of research, trials and re-modelling until it was launched in the market. We are concerned about the environment. We try to and a new cooling lifestyle to consumers.

HOW

DOES AIRLEO’S ENERGY CONSUMPTION TRANSLATE

INTO OUR ELECTRICITY BILL? their cooling bill, subject environment, as illustrated by

HOW IS AIRLEO BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT?

Every refrigerant has a GWP (Global Warming Potential) number to it. This is the on our ozone layer, leading to global warming. The lower the number, the better it is for the environment. Most of the air conditioners in the market have a refrigerant with a GWP of about 2,000, while the newer refrigerant used these days has a GWP of over 600. Airleo uses with a GWP of four, which making it an environmentally

IS AIRLEO A CROSS BETWEEN AN AIRCON AND AN AIR PURIFIER? with an added value of an UVC module. Airleo is a dedicated

cooling system that gives out cold air, creating a dedicated cooling zone. Its objective is to cool users without the need to cool down the whole room, which translates to greater aircon, the generated cold air in your room to cool down outdoors, the cooling is still

WHAT’S NEXT IN THE PIPELINE?

feedback and suggestions from our consumers for the

mission of innovating energyrevolutionising the lifestyle of consumers.

Find out more at www.airleo.co.

“WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT AND TRYING TO BRING EFFICIENCY AND A NEWCOOLING LIFESTYLE TO CONSUMERS.”

REIMAGINING URBAN RENTAL

In a property market as hot as Singapore, who thinks of the renting tenants?

Co-founder and COO of home rental platform Cove Luca Bregoli talks about digitising and streamlining the renting process and putting tenants at the centre of the business.

Cove was born out of a vision my co-founders, Sophie Jokelson and Guillaume Castagne, and I had for making the rental and accessible. This stemmed from having rented multiple properties worldwide, allowing us to be familiar with the struggles faced by tenants and identify gaps within the market. Additionally, we realised the great potential the rental industry possessed for growth in the market were inadequate and not evolving with consumer needs and behaviour.

Consumer behaviours have changed over the years, with a greater emphasis on digitalisation, making the traditional rental processes outdated and clunky. Cove uses technology to simplify the rental process and allows the parties involved, tenants and landlords, to do away with the multiple appointments and tedious paperwork. In addition, our user-friendly website, virtual reality tours and an all-in-one dashboard for landlords to access all the necessary information speed up the move-in process, which otherwise can be slow and daunting.

Cove caters to individuals of varying ages and needs. We and allow everyone to have their own space. However, with especially in the resale market, coupled with the supply being unable to keep up with demand due to delays in the construction of BTO (Build-to-

becoming a more attractive option for young Singaporeans. Moreover, there is also the conventionally long four to

good to know

Cove is currently working with more than 200 landlords in Singapore and Indonesia.

BTOs to be ready, even without construction delays.

Furthermore, the conventional and restrictive structure of the real estate market no longer attracts younger Singaporeans and South-east Asians. An increasing number of younger generations are choosing to marry later, creating a demand to move out and rent before buying their own property.

by the pandemic, where many Singaporeans were shown the importance of having a safe space to call their own.

as short as one to three months and monthly rolling contracts, which are essentially impossible to get in the current real estate market. This is especially suitable for Singaporeans who do not wish to wait until age 35 to get their own home, or even those who don’t want to get married earlier, all for the sake of living independently.

Currently, Cove’s main consumer base is young professionals and students in

Singapore and Indonesia.

We also have a fairly

studios and one- and twobedroom units that cater to people with higher budgets or families. We plan to

model across South-east to thousands more of the region’s young urbanites.

For over four years, Cove has removed deterrents to renting by simplifying the tedious process and considering the costs incurred. With that in mind, Cove has used technology approach to transform and No agent fees are also payable to Cove, reducing

growing more than 15 times the roughly 200 rooms it had in 2019.

Cove aims to reimagine urban rental with tenants at pricing, online booking and comfortable spaces with every detail taken care of. Starting from $800 per month, Cove has three property tiers: Basics, Classics and of furnishing and services provided. This allows us to optimise each pricing tier for what the tenant needs and wants and proportionate it to the price point. Tenants can also choose rooms or entire units accordingly.

Ultimately, Cove has poised itself as an all-in-one platform for tenants and landlords with a vision of solving the industry’s pain points, thus creating a smooth and

Luca Bregoli is the cofounder and COO of Cove, a one-stop rental platform founded in 2018 that aims to streamline and revolutionise the rental process to empower young urbanites in South-east Asia. Find out more at https://cove.sg. 2

3

apartment. Additionally, by putting tenants at the centre of the rental process, Cove across Singapore, with more than 150 properties and a total of 3,000 rooms in both Singapore and Jakarta,

“COVE OFFERS CONTRACTS AS SHORT AS ONE TO THREE MONTHS AND MONTHLY ROLLING CONTRACTS, WHICH ARE ESSENTIALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO GET IN THE CURRENT REAL ESTATE MARKET.”

NEW COOLING MEASURES: THE GOOD & THE BAD

How will the new cooling measures announced in September 2022 a ect home buyers and sellers? We check out the pros and cons.

Iguess we all saw it coming. The increasing interest rates: at press

now at least 2.7 per cent cent, ballooning by over 1 per cent from a year ago. The overheated HDB resale market: despite a round of measures announced in December 2021, the HDB Resale Price Index still increased by more than 5 per cent at the end of Q2 2022, which showed the healthy demand for public housing. Most eye-catchingly, the increasingly common news reports of million-dollar 2022, HDB had already recorded 277 million-dollar breaking the record of 259 units sold in 2021.

Sure enough, the latest round of cooling measures

jointly announced by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Ministry of National Development (MND) and the Housing Development Board (HDB) hit us like a ton of bricks on 29 September 2022. Aimed at promoting more sustainable conditions in the property market, the two new measures are:

1. TO ENSURE PRUDENT BORROWING: a) Assuming higher interest rates when assessing borrowers’ repayment ability:

For those taking a private bank loan, MAS will increase the Mortgage Servicing Ratio (MSR) and the Total Debt Servicing Ratio (TDSR) for residential purchases cent, respectively. This means that loan applicants

loan even if the interest rate increases to 4 per cent. The actual interest rate will still be determined by the individual banks.

For housing loans granted by HDB, HDB will introduce an interest

computing the eligible loan amount. The HDB concessionary interest rate will remain at 2.6 per cent per annum.

b) Lowering the Loan-to-Value (LTV) limit for HDB housing loans from 85 per cent to 80 per cent.

2. TO MODERATE THE DEMAND IN THE HDB RESALE MARKET: Private and ex-private property owners now have to wait 15 months to buy a non-subsidised HDB resale

homes. This temporary measure will be reviewed in the future depending on market conditions and housing demand.

HDB to assess their situation on a case-bycase basis.

The wait-out period for private property owners wish to apply for the CPF Housing Grant and Enhanced CPF Housing purchase remains

This wait-out period will not apply to seniors aged 55 and above who are moving from their private property to a 4-room or measures, HDB received about 450 appeals about the 15-month wait-out. As with all cooling measures, they are met with cheers and boos. Here is a look at their pros versus cons.

THE GOOD

Makes it easier and (hopefully) more a ordable for first-time HDB resale flat buyers

We have heard so many horror stories from young friends and relatives – all well-educated university graduates with decent-paying jobs, mind you – who found themselves priced out of the market while

They were vying with buyers their own homes.

Property analysts like vice-president of research and analytics Christine Sun told that a “stronger market reaction” is expected as the new curbs

cooling measures imposed on the public housing market in recent times.

Thus, this new rule should dampen the market a little and get their toe into the property market.

Stricter MSV (Mortgage Servicing Ratio), LTV (Loan-ToValue), and TDSR (Total Debt Servicing Ratio) rules translate to more prudent purchase and investment

During the good old days, many ambitious buyers took advantage of the low property loan interest rate – about 1.4 per cent – by maxing out their loan quantum and loan term. This allowed them to purchase a more expensive property. All is well and good until interest rates keep increasing. A couple,

for their $1.05million loan, now complains about paying almost

MOST EYE-CATCHINGLY, THE INCREASINGLY COMMON NEWS REPORTS OF MILLIONDOLLAR HDB FLATS. BY EARLY OCTOBER 2022, HDB HAD ALREADY RECORDED 277 MILLION-DOLLAR HDB RESALE FLAT TRANSACTIONS, BREAKING THE RECORD OF 259 UNITS SOLD IN 2021.

$4,900 due to the interest rate hike. “We didn’t even get a $1,000 increase in our monthly salaries, so this is eating into our savings,” sighs the husband, who asked to remain anonymous.

Stricter MSV and LTV rules will hopefully make investors work out their sums more carefully before committing to that property

but not in the future.

THE BAD 15-month wait-out punishes private property owners genuinely in need to downgrade or right-size their next home While most assume that private property homeowners will sit on a big pot of cash when they

this isn’t always true. Some may be downgrading because they bought their property at a higher price or had their jobs or businesses impacted and are

their private properties. They may be selling to stem their loss.

We also know of a couple seeking a divorce who is stunned by this twist. Both parties intended to sell their condo apartment and buy

they have to wait 15 months renting two separate homes at

a conservative $2,000 monthly each, which will set them back a total of $60,000, calculated the missus. “This money could have gone into renovating our future homes or our child’s university fund. It is enough to make me rethink my divorce,” she adds wryly.

Similarly, some families outgrew their condo apartments and want to downgrade to

They may now have to buy a property to avoid the wait-

and shell out rental for the next 15 months. “We wanted to downgrade to a bigger resale

for our growing family and our retirement needs,” says an exasperated Kenny Tan, whose third child will be due next year. “Now, my wife and I feel like we are being punished for trying to be prudent.”

Some homeowners/buyers may find their applications for HDB loans or for private refinancing rejected

Some higher-income buyers (there is a cap of $7,000 for singles, $14,000 for families, and $21,000 for extended families) are unable to apply

for an HDB loan. They will now be sore at missing out on that wonderfully low 2.6 per cent rate. Buyers currently using a private bank loan are probably seeking cheaper cent, coupled with the TDSR having been reduced from 60 to 55 per cent since December 2021 (this means you can only use up to 55 per cent of your monthly salary), are a painful double whammy.

Thus, though one may qualify for a bank loan previously, if your salary has remained stagnant or dipped, may be stuck paying the outof-control interest rates based on the old terms.

We all know the Singapore property market has always stayed strong over the years. However, property interest rates are spiralling northwards, and the world is not yet out of the woods with the pandemic. It may suck to face these cooling measures now, but it pays to be prudent in these volatile times. After all, purchasing any property is a long-term investment, so do shop within your means.

DUAL NATURE

Originally a dual-key unit, this two-storey condominium apartment in Somerset has been beautifully reimagined into a restful family home and a casual chic place to host family and friends.

ASIH JENIE takes a tour

Three kinds of marble patterns lend a certain dynamisn to the space. The home's double volume spaces have been turned into art galleries.

LEFT

The outdoor dining room is a lush sky oasis that greets visitors coming out of the elevator.

OPPOSITE

Dubbed the "anti-void", the double-storey dining room is a striking space dressed with marble and artworks.

Multiple friends referred luxury interior design studio Architology to the married couple who owns this breezy two-storey condominium apartment in Somerset. The husband and wife, who are in their 40s and 30s, respectively, work in the

a home with a dual nature: a restful sanctuary and a casual chic place to host family and friends.

“The design brief was sharp and clear,” comments Architology design director Shukun Bu, who helmed the project. The original unit was a dual-key apartment comprising a small, single-storey unit and a larger two-storey one that interlocked it. “We merged the two units into a sprawling sky villa with a huge hosting level

bedrooms on the upper level,” he shares.

The couple’s wishlist for to entertain, a fully maximised terrace area, and a gentleman’s parlour-like TV area. The Architology team turned the unit’s original tiled patio and its side planters into a spacious al fresco dining deck with a

WHO LIVES HERE

A family of three and a helper HOME A two-storey condominium apartment in Somerset SIZE 3,347 sq ft

ID Architology www.architology.com.sg

– SHUKUN BU, ARCHITOLOGY

side lounge for whiskey and cigar nights. Decked with a pale timber dining table and chairs and surrounded by thriving plants, this area is a lush oasis that sets a memorable welcome to visitors coming up from the elevator.

Curated by the lady of the house, the plant varieties include bird of paradise, monstera, calathea, philodendron and frangipani trees, creating a tropical sky garden. A cluster of oversized woven cane pendant lights completes the look. “This area has proven to be the most constant breeze. It’s so breezy here that the pendant lights had to be weighted down to prevent them from swinging around during dinners,” shares Kun.

The Architology team has not only maximised the indooroutdoor connection, but also exploited the unit’s double volume spaces, ensuring all spaces in the home enjoy the breezy and the view, as well as creating two vertical galleries to display the husband’s extensive art collection. A big fan of Singaporean and Singaporebased artists, he has been a collector for many years. “I am particularly fond of Tay Bak Chiang and have many of his pieces,” he says.

The outdoor dining area segues seamlessly via sliding glass doors into a doublevolume indoor dining-andliving area. “We intentionally kept most of the materials in muted and natural shades. Colours were introduced via the furniture and art pieces,” explains Kun.

LEFT The TV lounge is a dark, handsome space decked with leather furniture and artworks.

One’s eyes are immediately drawn to the void, or as Shukun calls it: an "anti-void", since the vertical space hosts so many eye-catching features. These include the Orobico marble feature wall that serves as a backdrop to the dining room, warm-toned stairs with glass railings, and many large-format framed artworks.

The former dual unit’s smaller apartment also had a double-volume living room, which has been converted into a stylish entertainment lounge. Sporting a state-ofthe-art home theatre set, Arketipo leather furniture, a Vibia chandelier and midnight blue walls dotted with more artworks, it is a handsome homage to bygone era’s gentlemen’s club.

RIGHT

The second floor's bedroom corridor has also been turned into an artspace.

BOTTOM Mirror finish on the structural beam doubles the spatial perception of the vertical gallery above the TV lounge.

OPPOSITE

The living space maximises the natural light and sweeping view, giving the home a sky villa feel.

The master bedroom is contained within a white box

wood-and-marble-clad kitchen. It enjoys a view of the interior and has its own outdoor seating area surrounded by planters. The biophilic touch continues in the 15-month-old son’s nursery, which features a darling Hello Circus junglethemed wallpaper. This room is designed to create a safe space and freedom to explore. For instance, the custom baby crib

level to allow the baby to explore his room safely.

Taking three months to construct, this sky villa was completed in late 2019. It has dual nature as a sanctuary and a

ABOVE

The nursery features a whimsical wallpaper and a custom floor baby crib that encourages safe exploration.

LEFT

The master bedroom enjoys a view to the interior and the exterior.

LUXE LIVING

With decor worthy of a boutique hotel, this home shows that it’s possible to combine upscale style with practicality. MELODY BAY

Who says feng shui can’t look ultra modern?

In this house, gold and green manifested in a slew of luxe metallic and beautiful textures.

AS THE UNIT HAS ITS OWN PRIVATE LIFT LOBBY, IT WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DESIGN A GREAT FIRST IMPRESSION FOR GUESTS.

Incorporating a luxe takes an artful eye and attention to detail, since it must be carefully blended with the homeowners’ personalities and lifestyle preferences. When the owners of this new four-bedroom condominium apartment in Serangoon saw the work of Molina Hun, design director of Parenthesis Studio, they knew they had to engage her for their own design and renovation journey.

Since the apartment was a new build, there was no need

homeowners wanted something upscale yet practical since they would move into the home with their two young children and a helper. Ample space and functionality became focus for

the design. In addition, feng

deciding the colour palette and placement of the furniture.

The living room, for instance, features walls in deep green. Molina designed the rest of the colour scheme around these foundational shades, including Dektonclad columns, a countertop for the dry kitchen area, and

and a mirror backing. These bounce light and make the space appear larger.

For the luxe factor, Molina also incorporated fabric wallpaper into the living and dining room ceiling, with black metal strips to accentuate the spotlights. A similar technique was used

WHO LIVES HERE

A family with two young children and a helper

HOME A four-bedroom condominium apartment in Serangoon

SIZE 1,195 sq ft

ID Parenthesis Studio www.parenthesis.studio

ABOVE The suspended light above the dining table’s golden glow adds to the luxe vibe of the house.

LEFT Adding more luxe touch is the fabric wallpaper installed above the living and dining area, enriching the overall textures of the space.

OPPOSITE

Decorative geometric tiles and a miniature Vespa lends playfulness to the entrance, which has a glass door since the home has its own private elevator.

in the master bedroom, with wallpaper from Xessex covering the walls and ceiling and creating a cocoon of respite from the rest of the world. Molina used black large-format tiles from KStone to create a feature wall behind the headboard, with mood lighting strategically placed to create a cosy look.

The homeowners wanted the children’s bedrooms to be fun yet timeless, with a look that would last even as the children grow older. Since space was at a premium, Molina ensured plenty of builtin storage with easy access for both kids, including niche storage near the headboard. The desk and headboard in the daughter’s room are made of terrazzo slabs from KStone, with the former doubling as a nightstand. Its corners were rounded to be more childfriendly. For a pop of colour, she added peachy pink accents and a geometric wallpaper from Tat Ming.

The son’s room is similarly practical, with a built-in platform bed and drawer storage below. The wallpaper is a metallic, silver-on-grey cityscape print, lending a subtle textural interest to the room. “When we designed the kids’ rooms, we didn’t want them to just last for a few years. We wanted to choose something that would be more mature,” says Molina.

The piece de resistance is the study, which doubles as the homeowner’s Lego collection display room. As the husband works from home, he needed a dedicated workspace. Molina

BELOW

This wall lamp turns on via pulling the chain.

BOTTOM

This mirrored surface doubles the visual perception and the luxe factor of the master bedroom.

OPPOSITE

The master bedroom is cocooned in dark colours courtesy of the wallpaper and the headboard created with large-format tiles.

LEFT

This terrazzotopped ledge desk at the foot of the daughter’s room is a space-saving hack.

“IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT THE DESIGN ELEMENTS. THE HOLISTIC EXPERIENCE IS VERY IMPORTANT AS WELL.”

- MOLINA HUN, PARENTHESIS STUDIO

LEFT

Serving as a desk, this “floating” glass ledge is supported by metal structures hidden in the flanking carpentry.

OPPOSITE Pleasure meets business in this study that doubles as the homeowner’s Lego collection display room.

patterned tiles, supported on both sides of the carpentry by a hidden metal structure. To house his extensive Lego collection, she removed the existing wardrobe that came with the apartment and replaced it with backlit shelves.

As the unit has its own private lift lobby, it was an opportunity to design a great Geometric tiles and a

polished metal ceiling, lit by cove lighting, make a style statement that sets the tone for the rest of the home.

To tie the overall look together, Molina replaced the solid front door with a glass one, allowing guests to glimpse the interior even before entering. “It’s not just about the design elements,” says Molina.

“The holistic experience is very important as well.”

This bedroom’s confetti-like pattern is an example to a fun design element that will age well as its occupant grows up.

photography VERONICA TAY art direction NONIE CHEN

TRUE TO STYLE

The clients’ request for a mid-century modern home allowed its interior designer to indulge in one of her favourite styles. LYNN TAN

LEFT A chimney and fireplace are elements synonymous with the mid-century modern style. The television console is designed as a faux fireplace feature for our tropical climate.

OPPOSITE Wood-panelled walls can feel heavy, but here, Carmen has expertly balanced that with clear glass surfaces to keep the rooms feel airy and open.

When her clients asked for an authentically mid-century modern style home, Wolf Woof design director Carmen Tang admits that she was already “dreaming up ideas and visualising how it would all come together” even before the three-and-a-halfmonth project started, because it is one of her favourites styles.

Whilst giving full rein to her wildest Mad Men fantasies, there were a few important criteria that Carmen would not compromise on. Firstly:

WHO LIVES HERE

A retiree couple in their 50s HOME A three-turned-two bedroom condominium in Upper Thomson SIZE 721 sq ft ID wolf woof www.wolfwoof.com.sg

that perfect walnut wood tone was also very particular about materials, to achieve a cohesive look for this project, which costs $110,000 with furniture and furnishings. “Every element must work seamlessly together to create that perfect mid-century modern theme,” she stresses.

Carmen capitalises on the apartment’s high ceiling. The living room is conceived as a nook, clad entirely in wood

ABOVE

The walls of the dining room feature white craft stones that simulate a brick texture.

RIGHT The walnut-clad wall, blinds and wall-mounted lamp in this corner evoke the distinct Mad Men-era vibe.

The corridor is a light-filled space thanks to glass walls on either side that let in light from the bedroom and study room windows.

Carmen also installed blinds for when privacy is needed. The display cabinet as an LED-lit niches as the focal point.

“EVERY ELEMENT MUST WORK SEAMLESSLY TOGETHER TO CREATE THAT PERFECT MID-CENTURY MODERN THEME.”

- CARMEN TANG, WOLF WOOF

ABOVE

A combination of open display niches and closed cabinets in the study room maximises the lofty ceiling height. A metal ladder provides access to the cabinets at the top.

TOP Vent blocks behind the bed add visual interest without encroaching the space.

OPPOSITE

Two bedrooms have been combined into one large master suite with a walk-in wardrobe.

panelling to create a focal

colour options to achieve the perfect walnut tone that is not too light or dark. The rest of the materials - wall and ceiling wood panels, vinyl

and door frames, were all carefully selected to match that particular wood tone.

Apart from drawing the gaze up towards the lofty ceiling, the all-around wood panelling in the living room also frames the adjacent balcony, from which the homeowners can enjoy an unblocked view of the adjacent

in in October 2022, sightings of monkeys and wild boars have been a regular occurrence.

The dining room is a simple yet elegant. The walls are clad in white craft stone to simulate exposed brick walls characteristic of the era. A retro-style Tulip dining table and chairs further accentuate the theme.

The corridor walls sports the same wood panelling as the living area, establishing a connection between the two. To create some distinction for the circulation, the corridor

vinyl in a herringbone pattern. Due to the apartment’s modest size, storage is an important consideration. Carmen introduced hidden storage ingeniously concealed behind display niches at the end of the corridor.

By hacking the walls between two existing

bedrooms, the homeowners now enjoy one large master suite with a walk-in wardrobe and attached master bathroom. The bedroom walls along the corridor have also been replaced with a full-height glass wall and glass door.

The use of glass allows natural light from the bedroom

corridor. It also opens up the master bedroom to make it feel even more spacious and to foster a seamless relationship with the rest of the interior.

apartment all to themselves, privacy is not an issue. However, Carmen has provided blinds for when privacy is desired.

The feature wall behind the bed comprises a series of panels with vent block-style cut-outs. “Actual vent blocks are too thick and would encroach into the

Besides, the clients requested a king-sized bed, so I had to improvise to make room,” she explains.

A third bedroom has been designed as a study. Like the master bedroom, a glass door lets light from the study room window into the corridor. To fully use the high ceiling and maximise the storage area, Carmen designed built-in cabinets that extend to the ceiling.

This is one of Carmen’s favourite projects to date because of the style. “I put a lot of thought into the design, and I am looking forward to working on more such projects,” she says.

POCKETS FOR GROWTH

ASIH JENIE

Pops of colour and curves add personality to an otherwise minimalist space. The pink base of the wall brings out the blush undertone of the original marble flooring, while the simple artworks made of coloured paper make for a cheerful placeholder for the childern’s future artworks.

The freestanding structure near the entrance serves as a storage, privacy screen, and a display cabinet.

The top part is fitted with lighting that contributes to the ambience.

OPPOSITE Homeowners Julian and Jessie Tan with one of their children.

ABOVE

The oversized kitchen island’s curved edges and the arched doors lend softness to the look.

RIGHT

These shelves were originally designed as planters but serve so well to display books and artworks.

OPPOSITE

“I think TV is a conversation killer,” says Ashley. The living room is made TV-free to encourage conversation and maximise the view.

LEFT

The common bathroom features cheerful pink terrazzo tiles from Hafary with a pop of green courtesy of a retroinspired mirror from Studio Kallang.

OPPOSITE, LEFT

The tiled wall is kept to a certain height in the master bathroom, while the rest is finished in white to make the space feels loftier.

OPPOSITE, RIGHT

The dry kitchen has ample storage as well as a writeable glass surface above the sink that functions as the family notice board.

AN OASIS OF TRANQUILITY

This serene apartment in the middle of the British capital by Tom Lawrence-Levy combines Japandi style with feng shui principles.

KARINE MONIE

The intimate corner dining space features storage benches.

OPPOSITE Interdisciplinary designer Tom LawrenceLevy, founder of design and lifestyle company Natural Asthetik.

For Josephine Chen and Anthony Ma, finding their new home was first a matter of compromise. “I prefer to live in quiet areas, while Anthony wanted convenience and urban vibrancy,” says Josephine.

Before taking the plunge, the couple defined their budget and created a list of priorities, including the need for at least two bedrooms. “This apartment ticked all the boxes. I really love the living room, which is relatively square and faces a community garden. It makes me feel relaxed,” she adds.

Located in London’s young and fun Bermondsey neighbourhood, near the Tower Bridge and surrounded by many restaurants, bars and art galleries, the 1,001 sq ft open plan apartment with three bedrooms – one is used as an office – is an oasis of calm in the middle of the vibrant city.

Josephine and Anthony trusted Tom Lawrence-Levy, founder of Natural Asthetik, to bring their ideas to life. “We love his style and obsession with detail, and he cares about what mattered to us and never gave up,” the couple says.

ABOVE

The minimalist kitchen features open shelves.

ABOVE, LEFT

Artworks with curves and textures add visual interest to the entryway and the corridor.

TOP The daybed features ample storage in its base.

OPPOSITE The overall palette of the home is neutral, with occassional pops of colours from the artworks and accessories.

One of the key parts of the brief was feng shui. This cultural practice was particularly important to the couple; Anthony is of Hong Kong descent, and Josephine was born and raised in Shanghai.

Throughout the process, they taught Tom several principles, such as the importance of avoiding the number four. “We made sure that all the art, pillows, lighting, and others were set up or styled in two, three or five numbers,” the designer says.

Anthony, the global net-zero lead at Accenture, who led the implementation of naturebased carbon removal solutions, naturally wanted a home free of carcinogens and toxins. This requirement, however, proved to be challenging.

When Tom realised he couldn’t find sustainable furniture that was assembled and created using 100 per cent non-toxic adhesives, he decided to create the pieces himself. These included the 750kg coffee table in the living room that took six people to install.

For the overall look, the couple chose the Japandi style – characterised by a mix of influences from Japan and Scandinavia. “We wanted to create as serene an environment as possible while keeping it functional,” says Tom. “We achieved this by having most of

the furniture pieces function as storage. This way, we could shape a space that is easy to keep clear of clutter and maintain the calmness of the space.”

Eco-friendly materials, including wood, stone and fabrics with natural fibres, were used, while organicshaped pieces with curves were incorporated in all the rooms where the importance of flow and energy prevails.

The colour palette was also chosen to provide calmness. “We went with nudes, whites, and natural wood tone, to transport Josephine and Anthony to a different location when they are home while also utilising colours not so different from some of the architecture found throughout the neighbourhood,” says Tom.

Artworks by Lorenzo Brinati, Richard Zinon, and Tycjan Knut, among others, and a specially commissioned piece by Lana Matsuyama – crafted using original calligraphy by Josephine’s father, artist Zhihao Chen – adorn the apartment.

“We were part of every decision made,” shares the couple. “We could spend two hours with Tom over the phone just choosing indoor plants!”

The highly personal result reflects the homeowners’ values. For them, keeping the environment in mind was at the heart of every step of the project.

ABOVE This textural artwork by Lana Matsuyama incorporates calligraphy by artist Zhihao Chen, Josephine’s father.

LEFT This storage wall is a visual nod to traditional Japanese shoji.

FAR LEFT

The bed’s simple yet oversized headboard create visual interest in the bedroom.

RIGHT

A tranquil corner decked with curvy furniture aim to enhance the flow of the room.

OPPOSITE TOP

One of the bedrooms has been converted into a home office and study.

photography VIGO JANSONS styling LIBBY BENGGIO

The visual simplicity of the layout makes for a spacious feel throughout the home.

WHERE THE HEART IS

This multi-generational home underwent a major MELODY BAY

interior was dark due to a lack

unchanged as much as possible while the design team

ABOVE The seamless dining and living room dressed in soft neutral colours.

ABOVE, LEFT Pegboard wall and full-height shoe racks accomodate the large family’s needs at the entrance.

TOP Everything has a proper storage, even the robot vacuum cleaner, which is housed under the step.

WHO LIVES HERE

A newly added skylight above the kitchen lets light into the central part of the house.

The skylight to the dining room has another skylight above it, creating a lightwell that ensures the interior has ample daylight.

LEFT

Low-slung furniture and tiered living room make for an open, yet cosy communal area.

The communal spaces were natural indoor garden where

incorporated sliding doors

The team chose a simple

BELOW A view to the dining and kitchen area, bathed by the lightwell. each space and can be opened

“WE WANTED TO LET THE NATURAL SHAPES AND TEXTURES COME THROUGH.”

- SIRUI INTERIOR DESIGN TEAM

Dressed in neutral hues. the bathroom and vanity area have different entrace to accommodate multiple users.

OPPOSITE, TOP A multifunctional play area in front of the children’s room.

OPPOSITE, BOTTOM LEFT xxe steel windows complete the elegant look of this vanity area.

OPPOSITE, BOTTOM RIGHT The wet areas are divided into functions to allow the large family to use them at the same time.

HERITAGE AND MODERNITY

A 19th-century bourgeois townhouse in northern France gets the Maison Sarah Lavoine treatment with welcoming and lively modern interiors. takes a tour.

The wood-clad dining room flows seamlessly to the breakfast counter, and has a visual connection to the salon via the arching glass partition.

Acontemporary reinterpretation of a historical private mansion on one of the main boulevards in the heart of Lille, Le Berre Vevaud represents the conviviality, colour and French spirit. A total rehabilitation project from top to bottom, which included wall painting, electrical system, the two-year revamp completed in 2018 was masterminded by French designer Sarah Poniatowski, founder of Maison Sarah Lavoine, whose recent projects include Cafe de Paris in Biarritz, Roch Hotel & Spa in Paris, part books on the art of living. industrialists from the region, came to me for this project,” Sarah says. “I spent a lot of time trying to get to know them.

be a very intimate process since you are allowed into people’s lives. As an architect, you have to be a good listener.”

Given that the family of six shared Sarah’s aesthetic approach and the budget wasn’t a constraint, she could express the materials was paramount, with the use of marble, walnut, oak, iroko wood, bronze, brass, Corian and cane. “Le Berre Vevaud is a charming building of historic interest,” she states. “I thus wanted to create a modern and pleasant place to live while preserving the essence of the house. It’s a constant dialogue between the history of the building and a modern

ABOVE

Patterned rug and coffee table create a nice contrast with the minimalist sofas.

RIGHT Sarah Poniatowski.

FAR RIGHT Orange wardrobe with moven cane door lends personallity to one of the children’s bedrooms.

OPPOSITE

The elegant dining room features grey and Maison Sarah Lavoine’s signature teal colour called Bleu Sarah (Sarah Blue).

feel, traditional materials and contemporary colours.”

Many of the furniture collections came from Maison Sarah Lavoine’s original collections, including the Box sofa, Margot armchair, Leo ottoman, Organic, Ovo and Bubble mirrors, and Sicilia lamps, tableware and cushions.

“My father ran Vogue magazine for a long time, and my elegant mother and grandmother gave me a taste for beautiful things.

I understood very early on the importance of having a home cocoon, an anchor in which we feel good and the need to have a universe that resembles ourselves,” she shares. Other furniture pieces were sourced

photo FRANCOIS DARMIGNY

ABOVE

Classic features like fireplace and panelled walls meet contemporary furniture in the stylish salon.

RIGHT

The pink bathroom of the teenage daughter is teenage Sarah’s own dream bathroom.

OPPOSITE

The master bedroom highlights its exposed beam.

Marechal, Riviera, Meubles et Lumieres, Compasso and Maison Bananas, and included brands like Cassina, Molteni, Apparatus, Porta Romana, Vaughan and Serie Rare.

Sarah even found vintage pieces on 1stdibs.

Superleggera chairs by Gio Ponti, a dining table by Charlotte

Gray, chairs by Pierre Paulin, a

four-storey house.

expressions of colour, Sarah meticulously chose diverse hues to create contrast and balance:

trademark green-blue shade “inspired by the blue of the skies and the oceans”, may be found throughout the residence, while the kitchen is covered in almond green and a bathroom blanketed in soft pink, from the walls to

A graphic, patterned rug, while the second showcases warm wood-panelled walls complemented by rounded powder pink armchairs and comfy cream-coloured sofas. “I love warm and lively interiors. I introduced colours early in my career, and people have

trait of my work. Light is also a huge part of my architectural vocabulary. Colours and light are fantastic ways to sculpt a space and emphasise or conceal and the brush of an architect,” she shares.

Separated by a glass partition wall, the salon faces one of the dining rooms in which a long, sturdy wooden table dominates and is connected to an adjoining minimalist Bulthaup kitchen. Imagined as quiet refuges, the

occupants’ needs.

exposed beams and a soothing forest green feature wall, while

ABOVE

One of the children’s bedrooms has an explorer theme complete with exotic fauna decorations.

RIGHT & FAR RIGHT

The playfulness extends to their bathrooms, which features animal-shaped mirrors, coloured grouting and floor tiles.

OPPOSITE

The children’s furniture delights kids of various ages, younger ones might enjoy the platform beds while their older siblings swing next to them.

the four children’s bedrooms of each through original wallpaper of foxes, cockatoos or abundant foliage and fun furniture that adapts as they grow up.

Here, raised beds with builtin storage sit next to a desk for the older kids or a game table for the younger ones, who may even play on a swing suspended mirrors shaped like the contours of a bull’s head grab one’s attention in the black-and-white children’s bathroom with blue

Further renovations will see a spa, swimming pool, and guesthouse added next year, where the stables for horse and

pool will be decorated with beige and green mosaic tiles and large steel window frames, which will be echoed in the guesthouse above, featuring touches of green, while the arched doorways will be enhanced in black to underline the volumes.

As for her favourite room in the house, Sarah replies, the teenage daughter. I wanted something playful and bright yet cosy. It’s a real living space.

with her friends. I would have loved a similar bathroom when I was younger.”

SLEEK SHAKER

Danish hi-tech textile company Kvadrat and Belgian fashion designer Raf Simon’s long-time collaboration has expanded to the realm of home accessories with the Shaker system. Inspired by the multipurpose railings with pegs commonly found in traditional Shaker homes, the system comprises a wall-mounted horizontal bar (in 120cm or 180cm size) made of powder-coated aluminium upholstered in Kvadrat Vidar 4 fabric from which a complementary range of accessories can be artistically hung. These include throws, a cap, keychain straps, tote bags, magazine straps, and multipurpose straps with accessory boxes and sleeves in various sizes – all sold separately. We daresay that this is the most fashionable spin on the Shaker style to date!

The Shaker collection retails from $311 to $2,554 and is available in black, o -white, pink and dark green – the first two colourways are sold at the Dover Street Market at Dempsey and online at shop-sg. doverstreetmarket. com while the latter two are available by special order.