HOMEANDDECOR.COM.SG

THE DINING ROOM EDITION
VERTICAL
GARDENS:
WHY THIS MAN
INVENTED THEM
PROPERTY

Should you
buy a HDB or
condo for your
ƈŅʼnőĂĩġäͧ

#Ha'΅Ha
ADVENTURE
EXPERT TIPS TO TURN THE DINING
ROOM INTO THE HUB OF HOME

S$6.00

NOV 2023

WHY MORE OWNERS ARE OPTING
FOR LIVE EDGE TABLES
CHOOSING THE RIGHT CHAIRS
+ HOW TO MIX & MATCH

GET YOUR HOME FEATURED
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in the magazine? Drop us a message on
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CONTENTS

NOVEMBER

S H OP P IN G
30

WHAT’S IN
Take a look at
the latest home
accessories and
appliances on the
market.

30

16

FEATURES
SPECIAL COVERAGE FOR
THIS DESIGN EDITION

08

22

FIT FOR THE FAMILY
Find the perfect
dining table to enrich
your life and home.

A SLAB OF NATURE
Looking to embrace
slow living? Live edge
wood slabs bring
a touch of nature
indoors, presenting as
nature’s masterpiece
in the home.

16

ELEVATED DINING
An extendable dining
table is a gamechanger catering to
the evolving needs
and lifestyles for
modern living, thanks
to its versatility
and multifunctional
features.

2

26

THE NEW HUB
Interior designer
Nikki Hunt explains
why it’s important to
invest in a beautiful
dining room.

31

DESIGN
I D E A S A N D I N S P I R AT I O N F R O M
THOSE IN THE KNOW

37

06

SPOTLIGHT

EDITOR’S NOTE

Stefano Boeri on the
importance of ensuring
there is lush greenery
in high-rise homes.

07

H&D.COM.SG
11 6

42

FINISHING NOTE

PROPERTY

30

HDB or condo? What
should your first home
be? Find out how to
decide and what to
consider here.

37

The Green Man

Vertical is the way for
home gardens to go in
the near future.

3

CONTENTS

NOVEMBER
62

HOMES
THE NEW MODERN

46

82

KEEPING IT REAL
Following an overhaul,
this HDB unit
embraces the beauty
of imperfection
and simplicity with
Japanese design
touches and rustic
finishes.

HAND IN HAND
The interior designer
was very proactive
in engaging the lady
homeowner who
used to be in the
fashion industry
throughout the entire
design process.

50

90

THE ROOF’S
THE LIMIT
An audacious design
move unleashed
the full potential of
this apartment that
is over half a
century old.

AN ELEGANT
ESCAPE
Slim details, curved
lines, and wood
surfaces give this
apartment in Sentosa
Cove a cosy and
modern setting.

62

98

NATURAL HABITAT
IN THE SKY
It is possible to live
with nature even in a
high-rise environment.
Find out how from
this homeowner.

JOYFUL PRESENCE
A couple embraces
maximalism with
bold colours, shapes,
and textures in their
three-room HDB flat.
10 8

74

FULL MOON
COURTYARD HOUSE
The architect drew
inspiration from
a Chinese idiom
when designing this
family home. Lynn
Tan discovers how
this poetic reference
enriches the design
while also fulfilling the
architect’s
design ethos.

4

LIFE AND ART
This three-bedroom
apartment in Madrid
is the perfect home
away from home for
a well-travelled art
lover from Argentina.

50
on the
cover
Plenty of charm & festivity
in this open dining area.
PHOTOGRAPHY
VE RO N ICA TAY
ART DIRECTION
NO NIE CHE N
LOCATION
PRO UD P OTATO PE ELER

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MCI (P) 023/12/2023

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5

E D I TO R ’ S N OT E

FEAST FOR THE SENSES
őĩűĩŖŅƈŅʼnőÚŅĆÙĆĢʼnőäÁà͠
I waited with bated breath
ÁʼnőĂäűŅÁĢőĂäĆŅƈĢúäŅʼn
ĩŪäŅőĂäƈĢĆʼnĂäʼn͡ÁĢàÁʼnėäà
about the type of material
I’d used for my tabletop (it’s
Cosentino by the way).
“Not my style,” my father
declared, much to my chagrin
ÁőƈŅʼnőÙäùĩŅääĢàĆĢúĂĆʼn
statement with a, “But I like it.”
“I like it too,” my mother
beamed approvingly, proud
that her youngest son
managed to put together a
decent home without their
help. “But your dining table
so small, can only seat four,
what if the extended family
comes over?” she inquired.
Not knowing how to tell her
that I don’t envision holding
any big bashes at home, all I
could do was distract her with
the amazing spread instead.
May the ideas in this issue
spark your interest in sprucing
up your dining room too. Enjoy!

YO U N G L I M
E D I TO R - I N - C H I E F

photography ANGELA GUO art direction NONIE CHEN

I love my dining room because
it is the one room (aside from
my bedroom) that I spend
most of my time in these
days. I also realise that it’s the
room that most of my guests
gravitate towards whenever
they are over, which adds to
the amount of interesting
conversations that take place
around the dining table.
Perhaps it is the coming
of age that, as we grow older,
we tend to steer our attention
away from the television in
the living room and channel
our focus on the authentic
interactions that take place
over meals instead.
My most memorable
experience in the dining
ŅĩĩġĂÁʼnőĩÙäőĂäƈŅʼnőőĆġäH
invited my parents over for a
meal, just after the renovation
was completed. It’s quite
surreal, to have the two people
whose roof you have been
living under, become guests

A N IMME RS IVE O N LIN E E X P ER IE NC E!
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TO DIE FOR” BOARD
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F E AT U R E

FIT FOR THE FAMILY
Find the perfect dining table to enrich
your life and home.

8

A

s the beating heart of the home
and the epicentre of family
reunions, the dining table
has long held a place of importance.
Finding the right table for your
space can come with its own share
of considerations, and oftentimes
can quickly become overwhelming.
Of equal importance, form and
function both lend credence to
your selection. Here are 10 things to
consider before making a decision.

ID AKIHAUS DESIGN STUDIO

A candle-lit dinner is romantic,
but it won’t always cut it in the
dining room. While your lighting
choice should be functional, it’s also
a great way to turn your dining table
into the focal point of the space.
Think of your lighting as a halo
that goes over your dining table.
ĂäŅĆúĂőěĆúĂőĆĢúƈŰőŖŅäÚÁĢÁààÁ
ʼnäĢʼnäĩùěŖŰäőĩűĩŖŅäĢőĆŅäʼnäőŖł͡
lending ease and elegance. Consider
pendant lamps, chandeliers, or
ʼnőÁőäġäĢőěĆúĂőƈŰőŖŅäʼn͡ÁěěĩùūĂĆÚĂ
can shroud your space in ambient
light while also allowing your
dinner guests to see what they’re
eating. Warm lights are preferred
for this space, and should not be
overly harsh as this could disturb
the mood.
Questions to ask
1. Is there an electrical point in the
ceiling above where my dining
table should go?
2. How high is my dining table?
Will my ceiling light fixture
impede my dining experience?
3. Will my dining table also serve
as a study table? How will my
choice of lighting temperature
work with my needs?

ID AKIHAUS DESIGN STUDIO

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A
LIGHT SOURCE

INVEST IN LONGEVITY AND SAFETY

No matter how attractive a low
price point can be, it’s always in
your best interests to invest in a
piece that can stand the test of
time. As the heart of the home,
your dining table needs to bear
not just the weight of your food,
but also the brunt of wear and
tear. This is especially important
if you have pets or young children
at home, as the chaos that follows
small, stomping feet often leads
to the destruction of badlyconstructed furnishings with weak
structural integrity. What’s more
- a collapsed dining table could
cause injury on its way down,
threatening the safety of your
loved ones.

Avoid dining tables with sharp
edges if you have little ones at
home. A round or oval table with
softly curved edges can mitigate
the damage from bumps and falls.
Otherwise, it may be wise to look
into corner protectors and edge
guards.

Questions to ask
1. How much use will my dining
table see?
2. Is it necessary for my dining
table to be safe around pets and
children?
3. How often am I going to change
my dining room aesthetic, and
will my table be swapped out to
accommodate the changes?

9

DECORATE FOR
FUNCTIONALITY

ID AKIHAUS DESIGN STUDIO

Decorations are a must for
any home, and most certainly for
the dining table. While common
dining table decorations include
functional essentials like salt
and pepper shakers, as well as
candlesticks for the particularly
fancy, other additions can lend
an air of warmth and welcome particularly important if you’ve got
dinner guests to impress. Flowers
ĆĢÁŪÁʼnä͡ùĩŅäŰÁġłěä͡ÁŅäÁúŅäÁő
way to add visual layers to your
space. Just make sure they aren’t
so tall so as to impede stimulating
conversation, or have too strong of
a fragrance that they could derail
őĂäàäěĆÚĆĩŖʼnÁŅĩġÁĩùőĂäùĩĩàͥ
Alternatively, you could just as

When choosing a dining table,
űĩŖƈŅʼnőĢääàőĩÚĩĢʼnĆàäŅőĂä
ʼnłÁÚäĆĢūĂĆÚĂĆőūĆěěƈő͠ĂĆʼn
is particularly pertinent in our
ūĩŅěà͡ūĂäŅäƉĩĩŅʼnłÁÚäĆʼnÁő
ÁĢÁěěͿőĆġäłŅäġĆŖġͥHĢʼnőäÁàĩù
ÚĂĩĩʼnĆĢúőĂäƈŅʼnőàĆĢĆĢúőÁÙěä
you lay eyes upon, consider the
availability of space within your
home. Do you have enough room
őĩƈőÁàŅÁġÁőĆÚàĆĢĆĢúőÁÙěä
ūĆőĂƉÁĆŅ͡ĩŅÁŅäűĩŖěĩĩėĆĢúùĩŅ
a basic, functional piece? Take
the appropriate measurements
and bring them along when
you’re out shopping. The right
dining table will comfortably seat
everyone it needs, while ensuring
plenty of space for movement
around it.
Equally important in the
list of considerations when
selecting a dining table is its
height. While the kitchen is
ŅĆúĂőùŖěěűƈěěäàūĆőĂĢŖġäŅĩŖʼn
working and storage surfaces,
the dining table and countertop

10

ĩÚÚŖłűàĆƅäŅäĢőŪäŅőĆÚÁěʼnłÁÚäʼn
- and for good reason. Because
countertops are working surfaces
meant for utility whilst standing,
it’s necessary to build them
higher up. On the contrary, the
dining table is meant to serve
as a congregation hub where
families sit to dine together - thus
necessitating a lower height. Ditto
with study desks, which need
to be an appropriate height to
accommodate our laptops and
computer screens at eye level.
#ĆƅäŅäĢőőÁÙěäĂäĆúĂőʼnūĆěěÁěʼnĩ
łŅĩŪĆàäàĆƅäŅäĢőěäŪäěʼnĩùÚĩġùĩŅő
and leg-room - but don’t forget
őĩƈĢàÚĂÁĆŅʼnĩùőĂäÁłłŅĩłŅĆÁőä
ĂäĆúĂőùĩŅÁÚĩġùĩŅőÁÙěäƈőͥ
Questions to ask
1. How much room do I have for
a dining table?
2. How many people does my
dining table need to seat?
3. Is my chosen dining table the
right height?

DESIGN ANTHONY HUANG

TAKE NOTE OF THE DIMENSIONS

ūäěěʼnŖÙʼnőĆőŖőäőĂäƉĩūäŅʼnùĩŅ
a bowl of fruit - beautiful, as
ūäěěÁʼnőÁʼnőűͥ
Don’t forget the other
functional decorations - those
that help to protect your dining
table from spills and water rings.
Think table runners, trivets, and
coasters, carefully selected to
ġÁőÚĂűĩŖŅàĆĢĆĢúŅĩĩġʼnőűěäͥ

ID EHKA STUDIO

Questions to ask
1. Do I need a table runner, and
do I have children or pets who
can accidentally drag it (and
everything on it) off the table?
2. Should I commit to a dining
table centrepiece, and will it get
in the way?

PULL UP A CHAIR

Like the dining table it is
meant to accompany, a dining
ÚĂÁĆŅĢääàʼnőĩƈőūĆőĂĆĢÁĢ
allocated space. Unless they’re
sold in a set with your chosen
dining table, it’s a good idea
to measure your chairs before
making the purchase. This will
ensure you don’t end up with
any nasty surprises - check
that your choice of chairs are
the right height, width, and
provide necessary comfort
ūĂĆěäűĩŖàĆĢä͠HùűĩŖΎŅäěĩūĩĢ
space, opt for chairs that are
sleek and minimalistic. Chairs
with arms tend to occupy more
room than the alternative, so

leave them for the heads of the
table if you absolutely must have
őĂäġ͠#ĩĢΎőÙäÁùŅÁĆàőĩġĆŰÁĢà
match - chairs with benches, and
ʼnĩĩĢ͠#ĩĢΎőŅŖʼnĂűĩŖŅàäÚĆʼnĆĩĢͥ
You’ll save yourself some trouble
carefully considering the dining
set as a whole before committing
to any one piece. Trust us on this.
Questions to ask
1. How much room do I have
for chairs?
2. Will these chairs be used for
more than dining? If so, how
sturdy is it?
3. This chair may look great, but
how comfortable is it, really?

DON’T BE AFRAID TO MIX AND MATCH
- CHAIRS WITH BENCHES, AND SO
ON. DON’T RUSH YOUR DECISION!

11

CONSIDER A LIVE TABLE
HĢÚŅäàĆÙěűÙäÁŖőĆùŖěÁő
every angle, live dining tables
are certain to steal the show
ÁőäŪäŅűàĆĢĢäŅłÁŅőű͠HĢÁ
nutshell, live edge furniture
highlights the natural edges of
the tree, allowing the unique
beauty of the wood grain, as
well as its natural organic
curves to truly shine. Live
tables made from a singular
slab retain the width of the
tree; alternatively, tablemakers
can choose to mould together
several slabs, thus allowing
homeowners to dictate the
ƈĢÁěġäÁʼnŖŅäġäĢőʼnĩùőĂäĆŅ
tabletop. Ultimately, the
ƈĢÁěěĩĩėäÚĂĩäʼnłĩěĆʼnĂÁĢà
sophistication, thus blending
easily and harmoniously into
many styles.
However, it’s important
to note that live-edge tables
can veer towards a higher
price range. Protecting and
maintaining the table becomes
a part of life, as improper
use and handling can result
in cracks or warping. Before
making your decision, be sure
to check with the seller for care
and handling instructions.
Questions to ask
1. Will I have the time to
maintain a live dining table?
2. Do I want a table
made from a single slab, or
multiple slabs?
3. What are some ways
that I can protect my live
dining table?

12

ID DISTINCTIDENTITY SINGAPORE
ID FINBARR FALLON

DON’T FORGET THE DESIGN ELEMENT

One of the best parts about
home ownership is the ability to
decorate it however you wish,
creating the ultimate sanctuary of
your dreams. The same can be said
for the selection of furnishings and in particular the dining table.
With numerous options available
in the market today, it can be
àĆƆÚŖěőÁĢàĩùőäĢÚĩĢùŖʼnĆĢúőĩ
pick one that gels with your home
ÁäʼnőĂäőĆÚ͠HʼnűĩŖŅĂĩġäĂäÁŪűĩĢ
the cool colours, or does it veer
closer to warmer hues?
Metallics, glass, and stone
are all great options for coolertoned spaces - think dark granite,
marble, steel, and slate-tinted

glass. However, materials like
wood or scratch-resistant
laminate are both great for
warmer home aesthetics - think
Japandi or Scandinavian simplicity.
Your choice of materials doesn’t
merely encompass the tabletop
- pay special heed to the legs and
base of your dining table, as these
can also add structural interest
and aesthetic value to your chosen
piece.
HùűĩŖƈĢàűĩŖŅʼnäěùÚĩġłěäőäěű
lacking the space for a full dining
őÁÙěä͡úäőÚŅäÁőĆŪäÁĢàÚŖʼnőĩġĆʼnäͥ
Speak to your contractor about
łĩʼnʼnĆÙěűäŰőäĢàĆĢúűĩŖŅÚĩŖĢőäŅ
island for additional seating.

A cleverly-designed counter
äŰőäĢʼnĆĩĢÚÁĢĢĩőĩĢěűʼnÁŪäűĩŖ
some space, but also provide the
wherewithal for an intimate meal
ūĆőĂőĂĩʼnäűĩŖěĩŪä͠HùőĂÁőΎʼnĢĩő
possible, consider a collapsible
table that can be stored against the
ūÁěěūĂäĢĢĩőĆĢŖʼnäͥ
Questions to ask
1. What aesthetic is my home,
and how will my dining table fit
in?
2. What colours would look best
against the backdrop of my
dining room?
3. What materials are available to
me, in the colour scheme I want?

13

;HH9
,BaH
Hʐ"V,B;x

OPTIONS!

ID THREE-D CONCEPTWERKE

Meeting the demands of our
modern world, eco-friendly
options pervade every aspect
ĩùĩŖŅěĆŪäʼnͥ©ĂäĢÚĂĩĩʼnĆĢú
furniture, this simply means
that you pay attention - to where
the materials for the piece were
sourced, whether said materials
are biodegradable, how long it
will last before needing to be
replaced, and so on. Look for
dining tables made of sustainablysourced wood from a reputable
source; alternatively, you can look
into tables made using recycled
materials. Ultimately, the end goal
is to choose a dining table with
longevity - for your lifestyle, as
well as for mother earth.
Questions to ask
1. What’s the price difference
between an eco-friendly table
and a regular table? Can I afford
the difference?
2. What sustainable dining table
options are available to me?
Will they fit into my dining room
aesthetic?

As any modern homeowner with a small space
will tell you, hidden storage and space-saving
furnishings are absolutely imperative to a functional
Ăĩġä͠HùűĩŖŅúĩÁěĆʼnőĩƈĢàÁàĆĢĆĢúőÁÙěäőĂÁőúĩäʼn
őĂääŰőŅÁġĆěä͡ÚĩĢʼnĆàäŅłĆÚėĆĢúĩĢäūĆőĂĂĆààäĢ
storage or other functionalities. Hurting for space?
ĢäŰőäĢàÁÙěäàĆĢĆĢúőÁÙěäÚÁĢłŅĩŪĆàäÁààĆőĆĩĢÁě
seating and space for special occasions, after which it
can be neatly collapsed until needed again.
Questions to ask
1. How much hidden storage do I need?
2. Will an extendable dining table see much use in
my home?

14

PHOTO SPACEMAN

LOOK FOR CLEVERLY FUNCTIONAL PIECES

SELECT YOUR
MATERIALS WISELY

Take into consideration the
functionality and aesthetics
of your space. Both glass and
sintered stone dining tables are
easy to clean and maintain, which
means they’re great choices if
you’re frequently inundated with
accidents and spills. They’re also
heat, stain, and scratch resistant,
providing considerable use with
fairly little fuss.
HùűĩŖΎŅäłÁŅőĆÚŖěÁŅěűùĩĢà
of the warmth wood provides,
make sure it’s well insulated
against moisture with appropriate
coatings. Otherwise, you run the
risk of warping the wood surface,
or even leaving ring stains and
marks from water rings and
stains. Additionally, you’ll want to
check if your coatings are heatresistant, as all it takes is a single
hot bowl of food to make some
gut-wrenchingly obvious damage.
Love the look of marble? Be
ready to invest some serious time
into maintaining and caring for
Ćőͥ`ÁŅÙěäĆʼnÁłĩŅĩŖʼnġÁőäŅĆÁě͡
and so runs the risk of staining.
Therefore, spills need to be
immediately cleaned up. That
aside, marble is incredibly sturdy
and stunningly beautiful, with
distinct and unique characteristics
that echo the region from which it
is sourced.

ID WARCH

Questions to ask
1. What are the chances of my
dining table being ruined by
carelessness?
2. What kind of aesthetic is my
dining style, and what material
would enhance that?
3. How easy to maintain is
the material of my selected
tabletop?

text JYN TEO

15

F E AT U R E

ELEVATED
DINING
An extendable dining table is a game-changer
catering to the evolving needs and lifestyles
for modern living, thanks to its versatility and
multifunctional features.

16

F

ood always tastes better
when they are eaten at the
comfort of your own home
and in the company of your
ěĩŪäàĩĢäʼn͠ĂäʼnĆúĢĆƈÚÁĢÚä
of a spacious family dining
table goes beyond just a space
to have everyday meals, as
a dining table serves as an
important anchor in a home
to strengthen bonds, celebrate
life’s milestones, and uphold
cultural traditions during
festive occasions. Having an
äŰőäĢàÁÙěäàĆĢĆĢúőÁÙěäĩƅäŅʼn
űĩŖőĂäƉäŰĆÙĆěĆőűőĩĂĩʼnő
family and friends comfortably,
while giving you the option to
return it back to a practical
size when the party ends.

KAVE HOME
YODALIA EXTENDABLE ROUND TABLE

Nothing speaks elegance and timelessness
more than a round glass table. On top of the
Yodalia extendable table by Kave Home sits
a white tempered glass table top, while the
crossed steel leg base provides more free
movement with greater space and comfort. All
it takes is a simple swivel to extend the table,
while adding to the overall aesthetic appeal.

Retails for $2,343
at Kave Home, www.
sg.kavehome.com

COMMUNE
CRÉME EXTENDABLE DINING
TABLE

Fancy a dining table in a classic
Scandinavian style with influences
from the Nordic region featuring
sleek form and structured edges?
The Créme extendable dining
table from Commune comes
with a refined quartz tabletop,
charmingly contrasted with the
white wash oak veneer butterfly
leaf extension panels in the
middle that tucks away nicely
when not in use.
Retails for $2,269 at Commune,
www.thecommunelife.com

17

ZEST LIVINGS
HUDSTON ROUND EXTENDABLE DINING TABLE

With an endearing mid-century modern style
and rich walnut tones, Hudston extendable
dining table by Zest Livings adds charm
and character. Looks aside, the round dining
table turns into a rounded rectangular shape,
fits up to six without a fuss. The absence of
sharp edges makes this dining table ideal for
families with the young and old.

Retails for
$579 at Zest
Livings, www.
store.zestlivings.
com

IKEA
DANDERYD DROP-LEAF TABLE

Designed with hinged leaves
at both ends of the table, the
DANDERYD drop-leaf table is
a versatile dining table with a
flexible three-way setup. With
both leaves extended, the
drop-leaf table with a durable
hardwood veneer top layer
transforms into a regular dining
table that seats up to four people,
great for families to make space
for different daily activities.
Retails for $329 at IKEA,
www.ikea.com/sg

COMFORT FURNITURE
OLA EXTENDABLE SINTERED
DINING TABLE

Leave the struggles of
maintaining an extendable
dining table behind when you
have an Ola dining table from
Comfort Furniture that comes
with a sintered stone top. More
than just its contemporary
marble designs, the sintered
stone top boasts easy everyday
maintenance, as well as effortless
extension operation with just
a simple swivel in a clockwise
motion to extend the table.
Retails for $898 at Comfort Furniture,
www.comfortfurniture.com.sg

18

FLUTO
CONVERTIBLE
COFFEE TABLE

CASTLERY
DILLON EXTENDABLE DINING TABLE

Going for an extendable dining table with end
extensions like the one in Dillon table from Castlery
means having a seamless surface to dine on for
regular everyday use. When it is time for larger
gatherings, the rods from both ends of the table
can be pulled out from under the table, before
placing the extension panels and securing them
with screws.

Retails for
$1,299 at
Castlery, www.
castlery.com/sg

CELLINI
A simple pull is all it
takes to elevate the
chic Fluto coffee table
with a lovely and hardy
sintered stone table
top into the perfect
height for dining or
working, giving an
added convenience to
small spaces. Thanks to
the lift mechanism, the
multifunctional coffee
table unveils a spacious
storage compartment to
hold snacks and drinks
for entertaining needs.
Retails for $880 at Cellini,
www.cellini.com.sg

19

SPACEMAN
INTERLACE EXTENDABLE CERAMIC DINING TABLE

Elevate your dining experience with the
Interlace extendable dining table, where the
table top and matching extension panels come
in a luxurious marble-grained ceramic finish with
a unique barrel shape style that exudes soft
elegance. The one-of-a-kind intertwined base
structure is truly the star of the show, where it is
customisable in up to four various finishes.
Retails for $8,088 to $8,788 at Spaceman,
www.spaceman.com

HIPVAN
MEERA EXTENDABLE DINING TABLE

Supported by the unique and sturdy
V-shaped solid wooden legs is a
smooth table top in natural wood
finish. Meera dining table by HipVan
comes in dark cocoa and natural taupe
grey tones, where it is able to settle in
a big group of up to 10 people when
extended with the additional panels
located conveniently on the underside.
Retails for $899 at HipVan, www.hipvan.com

20

KAVE HOME
OQUI EXTENDABLE OVAL TABLE

This charming and chic wooden dining table is the
perfect addition to any Scandi or Japandi home
with the lovely elliptical shape. Oqui dining table
by Kave Home comes in a natural oak veneer
top coupled with solid rubberwood legs, it is
extendable to two different sizes to accommodate
just the right number of people for your party.

Retails for
$1,159 at Kave
Home, www.
sg.kavehome.com

IKEA
NORDEN GATELEG TABLE

When working with small spaces,
gateleg tables are an excellent
solution with its space-saving
design, as it is able to collapse
into a slim console table that
frees up space when required.
The NORDEN gateleg table by
IKEA comes with six storage
drawers on both sides to allow
easy access to cutlery, coasters,
and even tech accessories for
WFH needs.
Retails for $319 at IKEA, www.ikea.
com/sg

text JYN TEO photos COURTESY OF THE BRANDS

21

F E AT U R E

W

A SLAB OF NATURE

ith the stressful nature
of modern living, there
is a considerable need
to intentionally slow down and
be present in every moment.
Today, more homeowners are
placing an emphasis in creating a
home for the ultimate relaxation
and to embrace slow living by
introducing natural elements
and indoor plants into the home.
Apart from the aesthetic appeal
from natural materials, the use of
wood invites a sense of warmth
and harmony to the environment.
The tactile grain textures from
a piece of raw wood slab adds to
the rich sensory experience, while
creating a connection to the great
outdoors.

ID WOOD WORKS

Looking to embrace slow living? Live edge wood
slabs bring a touch of nature indoors, presenting
as nature’s masterpiece in the home.

22

What is a live edge wood slab?
Live edge wood slab, as the name
suggests, maintains and preserves
a live, organic edge of the tree
with the bark included in a piece
of wood, to enhance the original
and natural wood look. One look at
the live edge wood slab and wood
experts would be able to know
more about the growth of the tree
through its distinctive features,
such as the contours, knots,
grains, and other unique quirks of
the wood slab.
Typically, solid wood is
processed into various cuts of
lumber with smooth and even
surfaces for constructions and
woodworking uses, including
the making of straight-edged
wooden dining tables. The more
ÁƅĩŅàÁÙěäÁěőäŅĢÁőĆŪäʼnőĩʼnĩěĆà
wood are MDF, also known as
ġäàĆŖġàäĢʼnĆőűƈÙŅäÙĩÁŅà͡
plywood and particleboard,
which are some examples of
engineered and man-made wood.
Unfortunately, the derivative
wood alternatives are nowhere

as hardy and long-lasting when
compared to solid wood slabs.
Why choose live edge wood for
dining tables?
Unlike lumber wood and
engineered wood alternatives,
live edge slabs often come in a
wider width sizes, it can vary in
terms of the type of wood with the
őĂĆÚėĢäʼnʼnàäłäĢàĆĢúĩĢàĆƅäŅäĢő
sections of the tree. The wider live
edge slab is exceptional in creating
larger furniture pieces, including
dining tables, headboards, and
even room dividers too.
©ĂÁőʼnőÁŅőäàĩƅÁʼnÁʼnäÁŅÚĂ
for the ideal piece of solid wood
slab to furnish Darryl Loh’s new
home six years ago turned into
the launch of The Table Guy as a
business providing full-service
solid wood carpentry and bespoke
furniture design at fair value
prices. “Our homes are often very
rectangular or squarish, so the
irregularity of the table shape
adds a more organic vibe to the
space. As a bonus, live edge dining
tables are at their essence, wood
material. So even if let’s say 10
years down the road you want to
úäőÁàĆƅäŅäĢőàĆĢĆĢúőÁÙěä͡őĂäĩěà
one can be repurposed for other
uses with a carpenter, or restored
and sold to another family.” shares
Darryl Loh, founder of The
Table Guy.
In the same vein, Natasha,
Marketing Senior Executive from
Grey & Sanders, a local furniture
company with an array of wood
slabs says: “A live edge dining table
is the perfect statement piece for
your home. As the live edge of our
wood slabs are completely natural,
each piece is unique, making it
extra special for homeowners.
The wood is durable and will
be able to last our customers

“OUR HOMES ARE OFTEN VERY
RECTANGULAR OR SQUARISH, SO THE
IRREGULARITY OF THE TABLE SHAPE ADDS
A MORE ORGANIC VIBE TO THE SPACE. AS A
BONUS, LIVE EDGE DINING TABLES ARE AT
THEIR ESSENCE, WOOD MATERIAL.”
- DARRYL LOH, FOUNDER OF THE TABLE GUY

years, making it the perfect
legacy edition to your family. Our
ʼnäŅŪĆÚäʼnÁěěĩūùĩŅġÁĢűàĆƅäŅäĢő
types of customisation to your
chosen wood slab, which allows
our customers to even fashion it to
ƈőőĂäěĩĩėÁĢàùääěĩŅäŪäĢʼnĆŹäĩù
their homes.”
Are live edge wood slabs
sustainable?
When it comes to the sustainability
of live edge wood slabs, it boils
down to where the wood is from,
how the wood is harvested,
and what are the impact of the
environment. As live edge wood
slabs make full use of the entire
log with the preservation of
natural wood edges, there is less
waste produced as compared to
traditional wood processing with

scraped edges. “As long as it’s
harvested in compliance with the
local laws that protect the use
of forests, and green labels such
as the FSC (Forest Stewardship
Council) also go one step further
in assuring the responsible
ġÁĢÁúäġäĢőĩùùĩŅäʼnőʼn͠ΌÚěÁŅĆƈäʼn
Darryl. “But what makes live edge
wood slabs truly sustainable,
is the longevity of the material.
When used responsibly, we can
reduce the overall consumption
of resources over time.”
How is the maintenance process
like for live edge wooden dining
tables?
Just like how you would do with
any other dining tables, it is
best to do a simple wipe down
of the live edge wood slab after

23

“A LIVE EDGE DINING TABLE IS
THE PERFECT STATEMENT PIECE
FOR YOUR HOME. EACH PIECE
IS UNIQUE, MAKING IT EXTRA
SPECIAL FOR HOMEOWNERS.”
- NATASHA, MARKETING SENIOR EXECUTIVE
OF GREY & SANDERS

24

ID AMP

ID THREE-D CONCEPTWERKE

each use, especially if there was
a spill. To keep the wood surface
in tip-top condition, look into
purchasing coasters and table
placemats for preventive care,
which also doubles as table
decoration. Darryl recommends
to check with your retailer
for product care instructions
ʼnłäÚĆƈÚőĩőĂäőÁÙěäőĂÁőűĩŖÁŅä
purchasing, whether it is for live
edge wood or not. as that would
ġäÁĢàĆƅäŅäĢőʼnőäłʼnùĩŅàÁĆěűÁĢà
long-term maintenance.
“At The Table Guy, we
use a hardwax oil brand that
we’ve personally tested for
daily life, and it’s formulated
for exceptional stain and heat
resistance, so our clients don’t
have to fret about wine spills
and hotpot burns while enjoying
themselves. For long term
care, we recommend applying
a layer of maintenance oil to
keep the protective layer fresh,
and it just takes 15 minutes
with no professional assistance
required.” adds Darryl. “When
processed and maintained
properly, live edge wood slabs
are incredibly durable materials!
That’s why we love it. The way
we see it, life happens. Things
get scratched, burned, stained
and dinged. The great thing
about live edge wood slabs is that
with their structural durability,
they can always be restored
and repaired, giving it an
exceptionally long lifespan.”
Natasha shares, “For live edge
dining tables produced in Grey &
‡ÁĢàäŅʼn͡ūäŖʼnäÁĢĩŅúÁĢĆÚƈĢĆʼnĂ
for the wood, which allows your
wood to be protected from the
elements while still retaining the
wood’s natural look and feel. Due
to this, its maintenance is a little
àĆƅäŅäĢőùŅĩġőĂäŖʼnŖÁěěÁÚńŖäŅäà
or varnished wooden table. Our
customers are encouraged to
wipe down their tables after use
and after any spills. If you feel
that your table has accumulated
too much wear and tear, we can
ŅäƈĢĆʼnĂűĩŖŅőÁÙěäÁúÁĆĢ͠Ό

CUSTOMISING
YOUR LIVE EDGE
WOODEN DINING
TABLE SET
Here is a quick guide to
help you with the process
of customising your perfect
live edge dining tables.

prefer going for a single
piece of wood slab? Or
do you like the look of
panelled wood slabs, such
as bookmatched wood
slabs instead? How about
having your wood slab
filled in with resin?
TYPE OF TABLE BASE

TYPE OF LIVE EDGE WOOD

There are over 10
commonly-found wood
species to choose from
in live edge wood slabs.
As a type of fast-growing
tropical raintree, Suar
wood emerges as a
popular choice among the
Southeast Asian countries
and it is best known
for its durability and
affordability. Other wood
species also include teak,
oak, walnut, ashwood,
cherry, and more.

After selecting the live
edge wood slab for the
table top, it is time to think
about the type of table
base that you would like
to have. Do you want the
table base to be also made
up of live edge wood, or
would you rather have
regular table legs such
as metal hairpin legs to
balance out the look? How
about going for a unique
structural base, or even
clear acrylic legs for a
floating effect?
SEATING OPTIONS

AESTHETIC OF LIVE EDGE
WOOD

When you are choosing
your preferred type of
wood, you should also
consider the look of the
dining table that you are
going for. Think about
the wood tones, the
irregularities of the live
edge, and wood grain
patterns. Would you

text JYN TEO

The final step is to pick
out chairs or benches
to go with the live edge
wood dining table. You
can choose to match it
seamlessly with live edge
wood benches, or browse
from various seating
options like the classic
Eames chair or even rattanstyle chair to bring out the
character of your home.

25

F E AT U R E

DINING
SPLENDOUR
Nikki Hunt shares her most
creative diningscape ideas.

I

n my 20 years as an interior
àäʼnĆúĢäŅ͡HΎŪäūĆőĢäʼnʼnäà
subtle shifts and changes in
ĂĩġäàűĢÁġĆÚʼn͠ŖőłĩʼnőͿĩŪĆà͡
őĂäŅäΎʼnÙääĢÁĢŖĢàäĢĆÁÙěä
metamorphosis—the home is
no longer just a dwelling but a
ʼnÁĢÚőŖÁŅű͡ÁőäġłěäőĩĂĩěĆʼnőĆÚ
well-being. Gone are the days of
homes as mere showpieces; the
contemporary abode is a powerful
balm that soothes and restores us.
Nowhere is this evolution
more evident than in the rebirth
of the dining room. For many
űäÁŅʼn͡HĂÁàūÁőÚĂäàÁʼnàĆĢĆĢú
rooms diminished in importance.
Homeowners were electing to do
without one altogether and for
őĂĩʼnäūĆőĂőĂäěŖŰŖŅűĩùʼnłÁÚä͡őĂä
room was often reserved only for
occasional celebratory feasts.
ŖőőĩàÁű͡őĂäőĆàäĂÁʼnőŖŅĢäà
and the dining room is blossoming
into the vibrant heart of our
homes.
ÚŅĩʼnʼnőĂäúěĩÙä͡ĂĩġäĩūĢäŅʼn
are awakening to the beautiful
simplicity of enjoying meals with
our dear ones. Pulling up a chair
ÁĢààĆĢĆĢúőĩúäőĂäŅĆʼnĢΎőĔŖʼnőÁÙĩŖő
őŅÁàĆőĆĩĢ΂ĆőΎʼnÁÙĩĩʼnőùĩŅĩŖŅūäěěͿ
being. When we gather around
ÁőÁÙěä͡ūäĢÁőŖŅÁěěűʼněĩūàĩūĢ͡
őŅŖěűőÁʼnőäĩŖŅùĩĩà͡ūäÁŅäłŅäʼnäĢő
for each other. Sharing meals
sparks a surge in the “bonding
ĂĩŅġĩĢäΌĩŰűőĩÚĆĢ͡ƈěěĆĢúŖʼnūĆőĂ
warmth and connection. This
mindful eating helps us listen to
ĩŖŅÙĩàűΎʼnÚŖäʼnÁĢààĆúäʼnőùĩĩà
better. The slower pace not only
aids in digestion but has been
linked to healthier eating habits
and even weight loss.
Dining together enriches our
souls just as much as our bodies.

26

The resurgence of the dining room is not
just a design narrative—it’s the universe’s
way of reminding us of our innate need
for authentic connections and shared
moments. Embrace it, and let your home
be a testament to love, joy, and holistic
well-being. Through thoughtful design
choices, we can craft spaces to encourage
ŖʼnőĩʼněĩūàĩūĢ͡έŅäěÁŰÁĢàäĢĔĩűέŅäÁěͿěĆùä
interactions. So let me share my top tips on
crafting the perfect dining room space.

I N T U I T I V E S E AT I N G
ARRANGEMENT

The heart of any dining space is how
people relate to one another. Design
űĩŖŅʼnäÁőĆĢúőĩÙäƉäŰĆÙěä͡ÁěěĩūĆĢúùĩŅ
both intimate tête-à-têtes and larger
úÁőĂäŅĆĢúʼn͠HùʼnłÁÚäłäŅġĆőʼn͡ÚĩĢʼnĆàäŅ
having more than one dining spot. In
this townhouse I created a a cosy bar
as well as bigger dining space for
larger gatherings.

T H I N K E R G O N O M I C A L LY
T U C K I N TO T H E V I E W

A dining nook carved into a
balcony can be a wonderful
place for a breakfast or late
night spot for a couple to enjoy
special time together.

ĂäěĩĢúäŅłäĩłěäÁŅäÚĩġùĩŅőÁÙěä͡őĂäěĩĢúäŅ
őĂäűΎěěʼnőÁűÁĢàÚĂÁő͠głőùĩŅÚŖʼnĂĆĩĢäàÚĂÁĆŅʼnūĆőĂ
supportive backs.
TA S T E F U L S L I D E R S

A cosy bench on one side can add a casual touch
ÁĢàƈőġĩŅäłäĩłěäàŖŅĆĢúěÁŅúäŅúÁőĂäŅĆĢúʼn͠

27

CONSIDERED
TA B L E S C A P E S

AC O U S T I C
C O N S I D E R AT I O N S

‡ĩŖĢàĆĢƉŖäĢÚäʼnĩŖŅäġĩőĆĩĢÁě
and physiological responses.
Soft surfaces like upholstered
ÚĂÁĆŅʼn͡ÚŖŅőÁĆĢʼn͡ūÁěěÚĩŪäŅĆĢúʼn
ÁĢàÚÁŅłäőʼnÚÁĢÁÙʼnĩŅÙʼnĩŖĢà͡
reducing echoes and allowing for
clearer conversation. This creates
an environment where people
can chat without straining to
hear or be heard.

28

L AY E R E D L I G H T I N G D E S I G N

Lighting does more than just set the mood—it plays a
crucial role in our biological processes too. Installing
multiple layers of lights with dimmer switches allows
őĂäƉäŰĆÙĆěĆőűőĩúäőőĂäÁġÙĆäĢÚäĔŖʼnőŅĆúĂő͠
ŅĆúĂőěĆúĂőʼnÁŅäúŅäÁőùĩŅàÁűőĆġäġäÁěʼn͡ŅäƉäÚőĆĢú
ĩŖŅĢÁőŖŅÁěÚĆŅÚÁàĆÁĢŅĂűőĂġʼn͠;ĩŅäŪäĢĆĢú͡àĆġġĆĢú
the lights creates a cosier ambiance for intimate
dinners. The soft light helps to reset the bodies
ÚĆŅÚÁàĆÁĢŅĂűőĂġʼn͡ʼnĆúĢÁěěĆĢúĩŖŅÙĩàűőĂÁőĆőΎʼnőĆġä
to wind down. The softer lighting can induce the
ŅäěäÁʼnäĩùĂĩŅġĩĢäʼnőĂÁőłŅĩġĩőäŅäěÁŰÁőĆĩĢőĩĩ͠

Crafting a beautiful tablescape is
an artful gesture that can make
your guests feel truly cherished.
When a host dedicates time and
äƅĩŅőĆĢőĩġäőĆÚŖěĩŖʼněűÁŅŅÁĢúĆĢú
äŪäŅűäěäġäĢőĩĢőĂäőÁÙěä͡
ĆőΎʼnÁʼnĆěäĢőőäʼnőÁġäĢőőĩőĂäĆŅ
appreciation for the company
gathered. From selecting a
theme-appropriate tablecloth to
ÁŅŅÁĢúĆĢúÙěĩĩġʼnĆĢÁÚäĢőŅäłĆäÚä͡
every detail speaks volumes.
'ěäúÁĢőƉÁőūÁŅä͡ÚĩĩŅàĆĢÁőäà
ʼnäŅŪĆäőőäùĩěàʼn͡ÁĢàÚÁŅäùŖěěű
chosen dishware are not just
àäÚĩŅÁőĆŪä͡ÙŖőőĂäűΎŅäĆĢàĆÚÁőĆŪä
of the care the host has poured
into the event. Such a thoughtful
display inherently encourages
guests to immerse themselves in
őĂäġĩġäĢő͡őĩŅäěĆʼnĂőĂäġäÁě͡
and to truly engage with those
around them. It sends a clear
ġäʼnʼnÁúä͢őĂĆʼnġäÁě͡őĂĆʼnäŪäĢĆĢú͡
is a special one.

C O LO R PA L E T T E

ĩěĩŅĆʼnÁĢäŰłäŅĆäĢőĆÁě
tool. Choose shades
that elicit the desired
emotions. While cooler
hues can create a serene
äĢŪĆŅĩĢġäĢő͡ūÁŅġäŅ
tones can stimulate
appetite and conversation.

C O N S I D E R T H E TA B L E S H A P E

Round tables naturally promote conversation as
äŪäŅűĩĢäÚÁĢʼnäääÁÚĂĩőĂäŅ͡ġÁėĆĢúĆőäÁʼnĆäŅőĩ
engage in discussions. There are no “head” or
΋äĢàΌłĩʼnĆőĆĩĢʼn͡ġÁėĆĢúäŪäŅűĩĢäùääěäńŖÁěěű
ĆġłĩŅőÁĢő͠gŅűĩŖÚĩŖěàÚĩĢʼnĆàäŅÁĢĩÚőÁúĩĢÁě
ʼnĂÁłä͠ĂĆʼnĆʼnġűùÁŪĩŖŅĆőäÙäÚÁŖʼnäĆőĆʼnÁŖĢĆńŖä
ÁĢàŖĢäŰłäÚőäàÚĂĩĆÚäūĂĆÚĂʼnłÁŅėʼnĆĢőäŅäʼnő͠Ăä
őÁłäŅäàʼnĂÁłä͡àŅÁūʼnúŖäʼnőʼnäŪäĢÚěĩʼnäŅőĩúäőĂäŅ͠

E N G AG I N G A L L T H E
SENSES

äűĩĢàőĂäŪĆʼnŖÁěäěäġäĢőʼn͡
consider the other senses. Soft
background music will elevate
őĂäÁġÙĆÁĢÚä͡ūĂĆěäÁÙäÁŖőĆùŖě
ÚäĢőŅäłĆäÚäūĆőĂùŅäʼnĂƉĩūäŅʼn
or a scented candle can add a
delightful scent to the room.
ĂäőÁÚőĆěäʼnäĢʼnÁőĆĩĢĩùŖĢĆńŖä
őÁÙěäÚěĩőĂʼnĩŅĢÁłėĆĢʼn͡őĂä
ÚěĆĢėĩùúěÁʼnʼnäʼn͡ÁĢàőĂäĂŖġĩù
conversation—all these sensory
äŰłäŅĆäĢÚäʼnÚĩĢŪäŅúäőĩÚŅäÁőä
a memorable and engaging
äĢŪĆŅĩĢġäĢő͠ĂäŅäΎʼnÁĢ
undeniable magic in these shared
ġäÁěʼn͡ūĂäŅäÚĩĢŪäŅʼnÁőĆĩĢʼnƉĩū
äƅĩŅőěäʼnʼněűÁĢàġäġĩŅĆäʼnÁŅä
crafted. A well-designed dining
space not only adds to this magic
ÙŖőÁġłěĆƈäʼnĆő͠HőÙŅĆĢúʼnùĩŅőĂÁĢ
äĢäŅúűőĂÁőʼnłŖŅʼnÁĢĆġÁőäàÚĂÁőʼn͡
äġÙĩěàäĢʼnŖʼnĆĢĩŖŅÚĩĢŪĆÚőĆĩĢʼn͡
ÁĢà͡ʼnĩġäőĆġäʼn͡äŪäĢʼnłÁŅėʼnÁ
ĂĆĢőĩùŅĩġÁĢÚä͠‡ĩ͡ÁʼnūäőĂĆĢė
ÁÙĩŖőàäʼnĆúĢ͡ěäőΎʼnĢĩőʼnĂűÁūÁű
from being audacious with our
dining rooms.

O P E N L AYO U T W I T H
D E F I N E D S PAC E S

Crafting a cosy area within
an open plan space can be
challenging. Using rugs or
àĆƅäŅäĢőƉĩĩŅĆĢú͡ĩŅàŅĩłłĆĢúőĂä
ÚäĆěĆĢúĩŪäŅőĂäőÁÙěäÚÁĢàäƈĢä
őĂäàĆĢĆĢúʼnłÁÚä͡ġÁėĆĢúĆőùääě
special and purposeful.

photos DESIGN INTERVENTION

29

AN ARTFUL TABLE

The Swarovski x Rosenthal Signum Collection mini vase retails at $160,
and is available on Swarovski.com and in selected stores. Details and
prices for the full collection are available on Swarovski.com.

30

Swarovski’s Signum collection
further grows this year, building
on the tea and espresso sets that
were presented in 2022. Initially
created in partnership with porcelain
artisan Rosenthal, the collection
recalls la joie de vivre, highlighting
time-honoured traditions. The new
additions feature functional pieces
to augment your table - espresso
and tea cups, bread plates, dessert
plates, and most notably, four
mini vases available in Swarovski’s
signature colours of blue, green,
and pink. Standing at 8 centimetres
in height, these little vases are the
perfect addition to any whimsical tea
time set up.

LOVERS AND LORE

Lladró’s Lover’s Eyes
collection is available
from Lladró Boutiques
in Takashimaya and
Paragon.

A flourishing tradition of 19th Century
Great Britain, Lover’s Eyes come to life
in Spanish porcelain master Lladró’s
brand new collection. Recalling the
impossible love of Prince George of
Wales and Maria Anne Fitzherbert,
‘lover’s eyes’ commonly refers to
popular paintings of eyes which are
commissioned as gifts to express
devotion between couples. This
stunning trio of functional objects
evokes the lore of forbidden love; it
features a vase, tray, and jewel box
bearing eyes etched in vivid detail
on white porcelain, decorated with a
combination of intense Saxony blue
and gold lustre.

BIKER CHIC

SOFA SO GOOD
Architect Ramón Esteve of Ramón
Esteve Studio brings his simplicity
and attention to detail with Bolia’s
new release: the Hayden sofa series.
Handcrafted in Europe using FSC
certified oak wood, the elegant sofa
features a wooden frame, generously
upholstered with soft cushions. Sleekly
sumptuous, the sofa series features 2½
and 3 seater configurations, along with
a pouf - all of which can be customised
with a selection of high-quality
upholstery fabrics.

Bolia’s Hayden
sofa series is
available from Bolia’s
flagship store at 215
Henderson Road,
Unit 1.

For cyclist homeowners with limited
space, the very act of storing their bicycles
can bring a myriad of dilemmas and
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Inspired by the spirit of the Gold Coast,
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seamlessly integrates into any home
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The Coastal Bike Glove makes its way into
the market this October via Kickstarter starting
from $68. For more information, visit colligo.cc.

31

STUNNING SURFACES
Caesarstone’s new Porcelain Collection
evokes class and sophistication, a
game-changer in surface design indeed!
Inspired by premium natural marble,
concrete, and industrial metals, the
collection aims to provide homeowners
with versatile, durable, non-porous, and
elegant surfaces for both indoor and
outdoor use. Nine new patterns and
hues - Snowdrift, Sleet, Lumena, Mirable,
Impermia, Smokestone, Libretta, White
Ciment, and Circa - evoke the beauty of
natural materials with nuanced textures
and tones, allowing homeowners to build
their dream spaces with unmatched
quality and durability.
For more information, visit caesarstone.sg

E XPR E SS IVE E S PR E SSO
Italian appliances brand Smeg has unveiled
a brand new espresso machine - the Smeg
EGF03 Espresso Machine, featuring an
integrated coffee grinder. Dual menus
provide two pre-set grind and brewing
options, four pre-infusion profiles, and four
extraction temperature levels, allowing
for effortless customisation. Available in
six colours, the machines come with nonpressurised and pressurised filters, a milk
carafe, stainless steel tamper, and a range
of maintenance accessories to give you the
barista experience at home.

32

The Smeg EGF03
Espresso Machine
retails at $1,298 from
the Smeg showroom,
or from smeg.com/sg

SMARTER SUCTION,
CLEANER FLOORS
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It even comes with a selection of

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access to remote spots and
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The Samsung Bespoke Jet AI
premium Handstick Vacuum 280W
in Satin Greige retails at $1,399, while
the Bespoke Jet AI premium extra
Handstick Vacuum 280W in Satin Black
retails at $1,499. Get yours from the
Samsung Online Store or at selected
consumer electronic stores.

EDITOR’S
CHOICE

A PENGUIN EMBRACE
First released in 1953, the mid-century
masterpiece that is The Penguin Chair is
making a much-anticipated comeback!
Designed by Ib Kofod-Larsen, the iconic
chair has long reigned as one of Denmark’s
most popular designs, and is now offered
by Audo in dining, lounger, and rocker
iterations. Playful wing-like flippers form
arms that mould about the form, much like
the embrace of the flightless avian for which
it is named; with an organic simplicity that
honours sophistication, this chair is comfort
and class in one.
Audo products are available from Made and Make.

33

PAINTERLY
AND PERFECT
Global paint experts Nippon Paint has just
unveiled their latest product: Aqua Bodelac
Matte. This specially-formulated paint provides
superior finishing for wood and metal surfaces,
and dries fast - in as little as 30 minutes.
An environmentally-friendly paint certified
under Singapore’s Green Building Product
Certification Scheme, it also keeps Volatile
Organic Compound (VOC) levels low during
application and drying. With over 2,000
beautiful shades available, homeowners are
spoiled with options for customising their
home furnishings - the Nippon way!
The Aqua Bodelac Matt retails at $31 for 1L
and $115 for 5L from Nippon Paint’s official
website or in-stores.

A HOB FOR ALL DAYS

VISIONARY VACUUM

The Dyson 360 Vis
Nav retails at $1,999
from dyson.com and
all Dyson demo stores.

34

Gone are the days of robot vacuums getting stuck
in corners! Dyson’s brand new 360 Vis Nav comes
equipped with the brand’s unique Simultaneous
Localisation and Mapping (SLAM) technology. 26
sensors power a 360 degree vision system, allowing
the vacuum to accurately pinpoint its position, detect
walls, and avoid obstacles, while a fish-eye lens
provides a panoramic view of the home. And even
more impressively, it boasts six times the suction of
any other Dyson robot vacuum!

Meet Mayer’s MMIHB752CS hybrid
hob, an incredible culinary companion
for all who love to cook. Measuring
75 centimetres across, the sleek hob
features two zones and a slider that
provides precise temperature control
over nine power levels. Blending
the seamless precision of induction
cooking with the ease and adaptability
of a ceramic surface, the hybrid hob
automatically recognises the type of
pan you have, making cooking on the
fly an absolute breeze.
Mayer’s 75cm 2 Zone Hybrid Hob with
Slider (MMIHB752CS) retails at $ 1,299 from
the Mayer e-store at mayer.sg, or from Mayer
showrooms nationwide.

IT
V L
A A
R I
U C
D PE
S

STARCK
SUPERIORITY
A game changer in
sanitaryware, Duravit’s
SensoWash® Starck f
shower toilet combines
form and function for the
ultimate user experience.

In meeting the needs
of contemporary
homeowners, leading
manufacturer and designer
of premium quality
sanitaryware Duravit is on a
mission to revolutionise the
bathroom experience with
innovation. Leveraging the
expertise of top designers
to bridge the gap between
precise engineering and
aesthetics, Duravit has long
stood as trusted partners
in creating an excellent
and luxurious bathroom
experience.
FIRST CLASS EXPERIENCE

Enter the Duravit
SensoWash® Starck f
shower toilet. Available
in Plus and Lite models,
it is a glorious feat of
engineering and design.
The work of celebrated
Industrial Designer and
Architect Philippe Starck,
the SensoWash® Starck
f combines a toilet and
bidet, providing gentler
and superior cleansing that
maintains optimum user
comfort for an excellent
experience. Moulded in
sleek fashion, the shower
toilet features gentle curves
imbued into a compact
minimalist design that
is easily integrated into
the bathroom no matter
the aesthetic. Impressive
though it may be in form,

the SensoWash® Starck f
is similarly extraordinary
in function, incorporating
revolutionary smart
technology.

surface of the toilet with
zero splashes - and allow
for quick and easy access,
significantly reducing
cleaning time and the use
of cleaning agents.

MAXIMUM HYGIENE

Championing cleanliness,
the SensoWash® Starck f
features Duravit’s patented
HygieneGlaze antibacterial
coating. This innovative
coating is baked into the
ceramic during firing,
ensuring longevity and
setting an unprecedented
standard for hygiene by
killing up to 90 per cent of
all bacteria in just six hours
- up to 99.999 per cent after
twenty four hours.
This game-changing
shower toilet features
Rimless flushing technology
that combines geometry
and fluid mechanics for an
efficient open flushing rim
design; it also incorporates
HygieneFlush technology
that creates an impressive,
powerful flushing flow.
Together, these technologies
perfectly clean the inner

LESS PAPER, MORE
COMFORT

Sustainability is another
key factor in the design of
the SensoWash® Starck f.
Cutting down on the use
of toilet paper, the shower
toilet provides gentle,
thorough, and hygienic
cleansing that’s good for
the environment, your skin,
and your wallet - all at a
mere 0.35 to 0.6 litres of
water per minute. Likewise,
an energy-efficient system
provides warm water
and warm air drying as
required.
Altogether, these
incredible innovations
give way to an exceptional
user experience in our
connected modern world.
Comfort reigns supreme,
with functionalities
in abundance to suit

every toilet user’s needs.
These include Rearwash,
Ladywash, seat heating,
an integrated night light,
odour extraction, and
user recognition in the
seat, with the SensoWash®
Starck f Plus model also
featuring an automatic
function for opening and
closing the lid via motion
sensor. Additionally, both
shower wand and head
are automatically cleaned
before and after each use,
ensuring hygiene at the
highest levels. Available
for control and
personalisation through
a remote control or the
SensoWash app, these
features are an ode to a
seamless user experience,
providing quiet luxury and
peerless comfort.

Take a closer look at the
SensoWash® Starck f shower
toilet at Duravit showroom,
located at 63 Tras Street.
For more information, visit
duravit.com.

35

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,    Z 
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 , B Z S , V a , H B 
 " V H A 
 a ) H Z  
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 9 B H r

VERTICAL
GREENING
Milanese architect and urban
planner Stefano Boeri tells
xʐ7B
AfBʐ;Z;; about how
he’s taking on climate change
by encouraging a new approach
to urban design that involves
building forests in the sky.

photo RAW VISION STUDIO portait image GIOVANNI GASTEL.

40

SPOTLIGHT

S

38

1

2

3
photo ©STEFANO BOERI ARCHITETTI CHINA

tefano Boeri has been
obsessed with trees
ever since reading Italo
Calvino’s novel The Baron in
the Trees as a boy, in which
the protagonist lives in oak,
olive, beech and chestnut
trees, contemplating the world
from above through the leaves
and branches. Therefore, it’s
hardly surprising that he’s
considered the father of the
Vertical Forest, a new model of
successfully living with trees
in high-rise buildings. The
idea came to him in early 2007
in Dubai, when as editor-inchief of Domus, he witnessed
the frenzied construction of a
city in the desert comprising
dozens of new skyscrapers
in glass, ceramic and metal
΁ÁěěŅäƉäÚőĆĢúʼnŖĢěĆúĂőÁĢà
generating heat. At the time, he
had just started work on two
towers in central Milan, and
it suddenly occurred to him
to turn them into biological
constructions: two high-rises
covered from head to toe in
trees, shrubs and other plants.
According to Boeri, living
with nature is not simply a
choice, but a global emergency.
Cities play a major role in
shaping our planet’s future,
being responsible for at least 75
to 80 per cent of CO2 emissions,
while trees and forests
absorb almost 40 per cent of
annual fossil fuel emissions.
“As much as we can prevent
or lessen our impact on the
planet, the only technology
that is able to absorb the CO2
already emitted, and thus,
in a sense, make up for what
we have already done, is the
tree,” he explains. “There is

photo ©STEFANO BOERI ARCHITETTI

photo LEVEL CREATIVE STUDIO

4

ĢĩÁŅőĆƈÚĆÁěőäÚĂĢĩěĩúűőĂÁő
can do what nature already
does autonomously through
photosynthesis. Therefore,
cities have the opportunity to
face the environmental crisis
by preserving existing nature
and increasing its presence in
urban contexts.”
HĢ̢̠̞̟͡ĩäŅĆΎʼnƈŅʼnőĩʼnÚĩ
Verticale (Vertical Forest)
went up in Milan, hosting the
equivalent of three hectares
of forest within a small urban
surface in the middle of a highàäĢʼnĆőűÚĆőű͠äĢäƈőʼnĆĢÚěŖàäÁĢ
increase in biodiversity, lower
temperatures, the removal of
CO2 and other pollutants, the
production of oxygen, noise
reduction and the lifting of
people’s spirits. However,
critics have argued that these
advantages are far outweighed
by the carbon output of building
in concrete and steel, and that
maintaining green walls and
roofs is resource intensive.
Therefore, Stefano Boeri
Architetti has been developing

1. Vertical
Forest Nanjing.
2 . Rehabilitation
Centre in
Shenzhen, China.
3. La Forêt
Blanche mixeduse tower in the
suburbs of Paris,
France.
4. Bosconavigli
residential
complex in
Milan, Italy.
Photo Level
Creative Studio.

ITALIAN PAVILION AT FIND DESIGN FAIR
After having designed the
Italian pavilion at FIND Design
Fair Asia in Singapore last
year, Stefano Boeri Interiors
returned in 2023 to conceive
the 700-sqm Italian Design
Futures Capsule housing close
to 50 Italian brands. With
a monumental, landscaped
green portal marking the
main entrance inspired by the
historic gateways of Italian

cities, the exhibition layout
was centred around a “public
square” that acted as a
meeting place for exchanges
and lectures, which lay at
the intersection of two large
orthogonal “boulevards”.
The exhibitors’ booths were
imagined as large districts
crossed by public avenues,
or corridors, through which
visitors strolled.

39

6 . Wind tower
and new station
at Polcevera
Park and Red
Circle in Genoa,
Italy.
7. Trudo Vertical
Forest in
Eindhoven, The
Netherlands.
8. Greater
Geneva concept.

5

photo ALICE CLANCY. COURTESY OF CKY

5. Hanji House
Pavilion at
the “Times
Reimagined”
exhibition in
Venice, Italy, in
2022.

6

7

“THE NEW VERTICAL FORESTS THAT HAVE
BEEN BUILT OR ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
REPRESENT FOR US STEPS FORWARD,
IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS, TOWARDS
PERFECTING AND ADAPTING THE TYPOLOGY”

photo PAOLO ROSSELLI

– STEFANO BOERI

40

various solutions, from stateof-the-art prefabrication
systems and the selection of
low-maintenance and lowwater consuming plants to
timber-based architectural
structures in Milan and
€ÁŅĆʼn͠έ`ĩŅäĩŪäŅ͡ÁʼnʼnŖʼnőÁĆĢÁÙěä
schemes can be applied to
existing constructions, Boeri is
ūĩŅėĆĢúĩĢŅäőŅĩƈőőĆĢúäàĆƈÚäʼn
in Prato, Monza and Brussels
with self-standing structural
systems designed to host trees
and plants.
Bosco Verticale has also
served as a prototype to
research new solutions that
Boeri subsequently adopted in
other developments varying
in scale, function and context.
Currently involved in 77
projects (architecture, Vertical
Forests, urban planning) in
over 20 countries, Stefano
Boeri Architetti has already
completed four green buildings
in Huanggang, Antwerp,
Eindhoven and Treviso, with
others under construction
in places like Utrecht and
ÁĆŅĩ͠έ'ŅäÚőäàĆĢ̠̞̠̟͡ŅŖàĩ
Vertical Forest in Eindhoven
ġÁŅėäàÁġĆěäʼnőĩĢäÁʼnőĂäƈŅʼnő
Vertical Forest concept applied
őĩʼnĩÚĆÁěĂĩŖʼnĆĢú͡äƅäÚőĆŪäěű
mixing the environmental
issue with the housing shortage
crisis in contemporary cities.
Boeri states, “The new Vertical
Forests that have been built
or are under construction
represent for us steps forward,
ĆĢàĆƅäŅäĢőàĆŅäÚőĆĩĢʼn͡őĩūÁŅàʼn
perfecting and adapting the
typology: cutting costs with
sustainable and innovative
technological solutions,
creating an accessible and
inclusive building, radically
changing the urban landscape
and the expectations of
the population for a future

façades, and courtyards and
empty spaces into green oases.”
Working from building
scale to urban scale, Boeri has
never believed that architecture
should operate in a vacuum,
but must include sustainable
urban development models
incorporating renewable energy,
the redesign of urban mobility
and forestry strategies. He
concludes, “Integrating living
nature into the architectural
design is not the only solution
against climate change, but it
can be a starting point that,
combined with sensible policies
and sustainable technological
systems, could play a key role in
reversing the climate crisis and
improving quality of life – for
humans, plants and animals.”
Now he aims to turn cities in
drylands that are among the
most vulnerable to climate
crises into Green Urban Oases.
A programme launched with
the UN Food and Agriculture
Organization, it hopes to achieve
food, health, environmental
and economic resilience
through the implementation
of urban forestry and urban
greening strategies – all part of
Boeri’s grand plan to build the
ʼnŖʼnőÁĆĢÁÙěäÚĆőűĩùőĂäùŖőŖŅä͠έ

8

KEY DESIGNS

1

1. SCENOGRAPHY FOR
THE GREEK THEATRE IN
SYRACUSE
In 2019, Boeri completed
The Dead Forest, the
stage design for Euripides’
tragedy The Trojan
Women, which takes the
idea of universal antimilitarism to a higher level,
rising above the conflicts
between people to target
the complex relationship
between humans and
their natural environment
today.
2. GREATER GENEVA
(CONCEPT)

Stefano Boeri proposes
a large-scale vision
imagining an “archipelago
metropolis” centred
around the Salève
Mountain, which serves as
the principal element of
the urban system.
3. POLYCLINIC
HOSPITAL IN MILAN
Currently under
construction, it will be
the world’s first hospital
to house a 6,000-sqm
therapeutic garden on
its roof, with important
environmental and health
benefits for patients and
the city.

4

photo PAOLO ROSSELLI

sustainable city in a place
where pollution is a very serious
problem, or adapting
őĩÁàĆƅäŅäĢőÚěĆġÁőäÚĩĢőäŰő͡
even more arid ones, as in
Egypt or Dubai.”
While Bosco Verticale was
őĂäƈŅʼnőäŰÁġłěäĩùĆĢőäúŅÁőĆĩĢ
between living nature and
architecture, Boeri’s goal from
the start was to set a precedent
őĂÁőÚĩŖěàĆĢƉŖäĢÚäÁŅÚĂĆőäÚőʼn
and urban planners worldwide
working towards a common goal
of multiplying green solutions
in cities. “We are proud to see
that more and more architects
are inspired by our project,”
he notes. “We did not impose a
copyright on the design of Bosco
Verticale in Milan precisely
so that more and more green
buildings will become part of
the urban landscape and so that
cities will transform surfaces
from mineral to green ones,
both horizontally and vertically.
In our Green Obsession
approach to architecture and
urban planning [that took home
the United Nations Sustainable
#äŪäěĩłġäĢő<ĩÁěʼnƈŅʼnőłŅĆŹä͸͡
new parks and gardens could
be created, city roofs could
be transformed into lawns
or boundary walls into plant

4. VILLA MEDITÉRRANÉE
in Marseille – Built in 2013
along the waterfront, the
museum embraces the
sea rather than towering
over it, opening up to
the Mediterranean and
becoming a hub of
exchange and interaction
among peoples.
5

5. INTERNATIONAL
FOREST STADIUM SAN
SIRO IN MILAN (CONCEPT)
With trees surrounding the
football pitch and stands,
living nature becomes the
main protagonist of the
sporting experience and
a new urban landscape for
all citizens.

3

41

PROPE R T Y

BECOMING A PROPERTY OWNER:

IS YOUR FIRST HOME BEST
AS AN HDB OR CONDO?

A

ŅäűĩŖÚĩĢʼnĆàäŅĆĢúłŖŅÚĂÁʼnĆĢúűĩŖŅƈŅʼnő
ĂĩġäͧĂäàäÚĆʼnĆĩĢÙäőūääĢÁDĩŖʼnĆĢú
#äŪäěĩłġäĢőĩÁŅàͳD#ʹƉÁőÁĢàÁ
ÚĩĢàĩġĆĢĆŖġŖĢĆőÚÁĢÙäńŖĆőäÁÚĩĢŖĢàŅŖġ͡
äʼnłäÚĆÁěěűúĆŪäĢőĂäġŖěőĆőŖàäĩùàĆƅäŅĆĢú
ĩłĆĢĆĩĢʼnĩĢūĂĆÚĂĂĩŖʼnĆĢúĩłőĆĩĢłŅäʼnäĢőʼnőĂä
ʼnŖłäŅĆĩŅÚĂĩĆÚä͡ÁěĩĢúʼnĆàäŪÁŅĆĩŖʼnÁàŪÁĢőÁúäʼn
ÁĢààĆʼnÁàŪÁĢőÁúäʼnőĩÚĩĢőäġłěÁőä͠©ĂÁőÁŅä
ʼnĩġäłŅäŪÁěäĢőÁʼnʼnŖġłőĆĩĢʼnūĂäĢÚĩġłÁŅĆĢú
D#ʼnőĩÚĩĢàĩġĆĢĆŖġʼn͡ÁĢàʼnĂĩŖěàűĩŖÁěěĩū
őĂäʼnäùÁÚőĩŅʼnőĩĆġłÁÚőűĩŖŅÚĂĩĆÚäͧZäőΎʼnàäěŪä
àääłäŅőĩƈĢàĩŖő͠
¯ĩŖġĆúĂőÁěŅäÁàűÙäÁūÁŅäĩùőĂäŅäÚäĢő
ĢäūʼnùäÁőŖŅĆĢúÁ̡̠ͿűäÁŅͿĩěàūĂĩʼnŖÚÚäʼnʼnùŖěěű

42

ÁÚńŖĆŅäàĂäŅƈŅʼnőÚĩĢàĩġĆĢĆŖġĔŖʼnőÁùäū
ġĩĢőĂʼnÁúĩ͠ÚĂĆäŪĆĢúőĂäġĆěäʼnőĩĢäĩù
łŖŅÚĂÁʼnĆĢúűĩŖŅĆĢĆőĆÁěłŅĩłäŅőűĆʼnŖĢàĩŖÙőäàěű
ÁùĩŅġĆàÁÙěäÁÚÚĩġłěĆʼnĂġäĢő͡äʼnłäÚĆÁěěűūĂäĢĆő
ĆĢŪĩěŪäʼnÁÚĩĢàĩġĆĢĆŖġÁőʼnŖÚĂÁűĩŖĢúÁúä͠
DĩūàĆàʼnĂäġÁĢÁúäőĩÁÚÚĩġłěĆʼnĂőĂĆʼnùäÁőͧ
©äěě͡ĆőłŅĆġÁŅĆěűÚÁġäàĩūĢőĩĂäŅŖĢūÁŪäŅĆĢú
ÚĩġġĆőġäĢőÁĢàĂÁŅàūĩŅė͠`ĆĢĂäĢ͡őĂä
àäőäŅġĆĢäàĆĢàĆŪĆàŖÁěĆĢńŖäʼnőĆĩĢ͡ĆʼnūäěěͿ
ÁÚńŖÁĆĢőäàūĆőĂőĂäĂŖʼnőěäĩùÙÁěÁĢÚĆĢúūĩŅė
ÁĢàäàŖÚÁőĆĩĢ͠
‡ĂäőĩĩėĩĢġŖěőĆłěäłÁŅőͿőĆġäĔĩÙʼnÁĢà
ŅÁĢÁĂĩġäͿÙÁʼnäàÙÁėäŅűÙŖʼnĆĢäʼnʼn͡àĆěĆúäĢőěű
ʼnÁŪĆĢúÙäőūääĢα̠̣̞̞̞̞͡őĩα̡̞̞̞̞̞͡ĩŪäŅ

ÁłłŅĩŰĆġÁőäěűőĂŅääűäÁŅʼn͠;ĆĢÁěěű͡ʼnĂä
ġÁàäőĂäġĩġäĢőĩŖʼnàäÚĆʼnĆĩĢőĩĆĢŪäʼnőĆĢÁ
ÚĩĢàĩġĆĢĆŖġ͡ĩƆÚĆÁěěűÙäÚĩġĆĢúÁłŅĩŖà
łŅĩłäŅőűĩūĢäŅ͠
ěőĂĩŖúĂÁÚĂĆäŪĆĢúʼnŖÚĂÁġĆěäʼnőĩĢä
ĆʼnūĆőĂĆĢőĂäŅäÁěġĩùłĩʼnʼnĆÙĆěĆőű͡ĆőĆʼnÁĢ
ŖĢÚĩĢŪäĢőĆĩĢÁěłÁőĂőĂÁőġÁűĢĩőÙäùäÁʼnĆÙěä
ùĩŅäŪäŅűĆĢàĆŪĆàŖÁěÁĆġĆĢúőĩłŖŅÚĂÁʼnäőĂäĆŅ
ƈŅʼnőłŅĩłäŅőű͠©ĂĆěäÚäŅőÁĆĢĆĢàĆŪĆàŖÁěʼnġÁű
äŰłäŅĆäĢÚäùäūäŅĩÙʼnőÁÚěäʼnĩĢőĂäĆŅĔĩŖŅĢäű
őĩłŅĩłäŅőűĩūĢäŅʼnĂĆł͡őĂäʼnĆőŖÁőĆĩĢÚÁĢÙä
ġÁŅėäàěűàĆƅäŅäĢőùĩŅĩőĂäŅʼn͠ĂĆʼnÙŅĆĢúʼnŖʼnőĩ
őĂäłŅĆġÁŅűÁĢàÚŅŖÚĆÁěùÁÚőĩŅőĩÚĩĢőäġłěÁőä͢
őĂäÚĩʼnő͠
T H E E X P E N S E A S S O C I AT E D W I T H
ACQ U I R I N G A N H D B V E R S U S A
CONDOMINIUM

őƈŅʼnőúěÁĢÚä͡őĂäłŅĆġÁŅűÚĩĢʼnĆàäŅÁőĆĩĢ
ŅäúÁŅàĆĢúÚĩʼnőŖĢàĩŖÙőäàěűěäÁĢʼnőĩūÁŅàʼnőĂä
ùÁÚőőĂÁőD#ʼnÁŅäúäĢäŅÁěěűġĩŅäÁƅĩŅàÁÙěäőĩ
ĩūĢĆĢÚĩġłÁŅĆʼnĩĢőĩÚĩĢàĩġĆĢĆŖġʼn͠DĩūäŪäŅ͡
ŖłĩĢÚěĩʼnäŅäŰÁġĆĢÁőĆĩĢ͡ĢŖġäŅĩŖʼnùÁÚőĩŅʼn
ġĆúĂőúĆŪäűĩŖłÁŖʼnäùĩŅőĂĩŖúĂő͠
©ĂĆěäD#ʼnÁŅäÚĩʼnőͿäƅäÚőĆŪäÁĢàĩƅäŅ
úĩŪäŅĢġäĢőúŅÁĢőʼn͡ĆőΎʼnÚŅŖÚĆÁěőĩÁÚėĢĩūěäàúä
őĂääŰőäĢʼnĆŪäŅäúŖěÁőĆĩĢʼnʼnŖŅŅĩŖĢàĆĢúőĂäġ͠
ĂäʼnäĆĢÚěŖàäőĂäʼnőĆłŖěÁőĆĩĢĩùÁġĆĢĆġŖġ
Áúäĩụ̡̀ùĩŅʼnĆĢúěäʼnÙäùĩŅäőĂäűÚÁĢÁÚńŖĆŅäÁ
ƉÁő͡ŅäʼnőŅĆÚőĆĩĢʼnùĩŅ‡ĆĢúÁłĩŅäÁĢʼnūĆőĂùĩŅäĆúĢ
ʼnłĩŖʼnäʼnūĂĩĩūĢĩŪäŅʼnäÁʼnłŅĩłäŅőĆäʼn͡ÁĢàÁ
ĂĩʼnőĩùÁààĆőĆĩĢÁěäěĆúĆÙĆěĆőűŅäńŖĆŅäġäĢőʼnőĩ
ńŖÁěĆùűùĩŅúĩŪäŅĢġäĢőúŅÁĢőʼn͠
ěőĂĩŖúĂÚĩĢàĩġĆĢĆŖġʼnőűłĆÚÁěěűÚĩġäūĆőĂ
ÁĂĆúĂäŅłŅĆÚäőÁú͡őĂäűĩƅäŅúŅäÁőäŅƉäŰĆÙĆěĆőű
ĆĢőäŅġʼnĩùƈĢÁĢÚĆĢú͠ĂäúĩŪäŅĢġäĢőĆġłĩʼnäʼn
ĂĩġäěĩÁĢěĆġĆőʼnőĂŅĩŖúĂőĂä`ĩĢőĂěű‡äŅŪĆÚĆĢú
ƒÁőĆĩͳ`‡ƒʹùĩŅD#ʼn͡ūĂĆÚĂĆʼnÚÁłłäàÁő̡̞ό
ĩùűĩŖŅúŅĩʼnʼnġĩĢőĂěűĆĢÚĩġä͠HĢÚĩĢőŅÁʼnő͡
ńŖÁěĆƈäàÙŖűäŅʼnĂÁŪäőĂäĩłłĩŅőŖĢĆőűőĩʼnäÚŖŅä
ÁěÁŅúäŅěĩÁĢūĆőĂőĂäĩőÁě#äÙő‡äŅŪĆÚĆĢúƒÁőĆĩ
ͳ#‡ƒʹùĩŅłŅĆŪÁőäłŅĩłäŅőĆäʼn͡ÁěěĩūĆĢúùĩŅŖł
őị̣̃όĩùúŅĩʼnʼnġĩĢőĂěűĆĢÚĩġäͳÁʼnʼnŖġĆĢúőĂä

ÁÙʼnäĢÚäĩùĩőĂäŅłäŅʼnĩĢÁěěĩÁĢʼnʹ͡łĩőäĢőĆÁěěű
äĢĂÁĢÚĆĢúÁƅĩŅàÁÙĆěĆőű͠
gùÚĩŖŅʼnä͡äĢĂÁĢÚäàÁƅĩŅàÁÙĆěĆőűàĩäʼnĢΎő
ÁěūÁűʼnőŅÁĢʼněÁőäĆĢőĩÁłĩʼnĆőĆŪäĩŖőÚĩġä͡ÁʼnÁ
ěÁŅúäŅěĩÁĢÁěʼnĩäĢőÁĆěʼnúŅäÁőäŅłŅäʼnʼnŖŅäūĂäĢĆő
ÚĩġäʼnőĩʼnäŅŪĆÚĆĢúőĂäġĩŅőúÁúä͠ěěĆĢÁěě͡őĂä
ĩŪäŅÁěěÚĩʼnőĆʼnʼnĆúĢĆƈÚÁĢőěűĆĢƉŖäĢÚäàÙűőĂä
ʼnłäÚĆƈÚőűłäʼnĩùĂĩŖʼnĆĢúűĩŖÁŅäÚĩĢʼnĆàäŅĆĢú͠
ĂĆʼněäÁàʼnŖʼnőĩőĂäĢäŰőùÁÚőĩŅ͢ūĂÁőÁŅäőĂä
ŪÁŅĆĩŖʼnĂĩŖʼnĆĢúőűłäʼnÁŪÁĆěÁÙěäūĆőĂĆĢD#ÁĢà
ÚĩĢàĩġĆĢĆŖġʼnőĂÁőűĩŖÚÁĢÚĩĢőäġłěÁőäͧ
HOUSING T YPES TO CONSIDER

D#ƉÁőʼnÁŅäÚÁőäúĩŅĆʼnäàĆĢőĩőĂŅääàĆʼnőĆĢÚő
őűłäʼn͢gʼnͳŖĆěàͿĩͿgŅàäŅʹ͡‡;ͳ‡Áěäĩù
ÁěÁĢÚä;ěÁőʼnʹ͡ÁĢàŅäʼnÁěäƉÁőʼn͠ĂäùĩěěĩūĆĢú
őÁÙěäłŅĩŪĆàäʼnÁÚĩĢÚĆʼnäÚĩġłÁŅĆʼnĩĢĩùőĂäʼnä
ÚÁőäúĩŅĆäʼnÁĢàĩőĂäŅäʼnʼnäĢőĆÁěùÁÚőĩŅʼnùĩŅűĩŖŅ
ÚĩĢʼnĆàäŅÁőĆĩĢ͢

BTO

SBF

RESALE

 Lowest cost
amongst all 3

 Brand new with
99-year lease

 Move-in ready
most of the time

 Various subsidy
available

 Minimal wait

 Unit sizes may be
larger

 Brand new with
99-year lease
 Minimal renovation
required

 Long waiting
period
 High opportunity
cost due to min.
5 year MOP
 Smaller than older
resale flats

 Cheaper than
resale
 More options
for locations

 Higher cost
than BTO

 More options to
choose from

 Reduced
probability of
capital
appreciation

 Limited choices
for units

 Lease decay

 Limited supply

 May require more
renovation due to
dated design

 Requires luck to
ballot

43

ĩĢʼnĆàäŅĆĢúűĩŖŅŅäńŖĆŅäġäĢőʼn͡äŪÁěŖÁőĆĢú
őĂäÁàŪÁĢőÁúäʼnÁĢààĆʼnÁàŪÁĢőÁúäʼnĩùőĂäőĂŅää
ÁŪÁĆěÁÙěäƉÁőőűłäʼnÚÁĢÁʼnʼnĆʼnőűĩŖĆĢġÁėĆĢúÁ
ġĩŅäĆĢùĩŅġäààäÚĆʼnĆĩĢÁÙĩŖőūĂĆÚĂĩĢäÁěĆúĢʼn
ÙäʼnőūĆőĂűĩŖŅĢääàʼn͠
aäŰő͡ěäőΎʼnäŰłěĩŅäőĂäŪÁŅĆĩŖʼnÚÁőäúĩŅĆäʼnĩù
ÚĩĢàĩġĆĢĆŖġʼnűĩŖÚÁĢÚĩĢʼnĆàäŅ͢

NEW EC
 Condo amenities
without private condo
price tag

RESALE EC

HDBS ARE COST-EFFECTIVE AND OFFER
GOVERNMENT GRANTS, IT’S CRUCIAL
TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE EXTENSIVE
REGULATIONS SURROUNDING THEM.

NEW CONDO

 Faster move-in period
compared to new EC

 Higher capital
appreciation potential

 No MOP

 No MOP

 High capital
appreciation potential

 More choices available

 Most choices available

 Full lease tenure

 More affordable due
to TDSR

 Better finishings and
amenities

 May require more
renovation

 Highest in cost

 Minimal renovation

 Long waiting
period + MOP
 Smalller than HDBs
and older ECs
 Less affordable than
resale ECs due to MSR

 Only bank loans
applicable
 Lower tenure
 Less profitable
compared to new EC

HĢőĂäŅäÁěġĩùÚĩĢàĩġĆĢĆŖġʼn͡őĂäŅäΎʼn
ÁūäÁěőĂĩùùÁÚőĩŅʼnőĩÚĩĢʼnĆàäŅ͡ĆĢÚěŖàĆĢú
ÁƅĩŅàÁÙĆěĆőű͡ěĩÚÁőĆĩĢ͡ÁĢàĆùőĂäŅäΎʼnĢĩ
ĆġġäàĆÁőäĢääàùĩŅĩÚÚŖłÁĢÚű͡űĩŖŅŅÁĢúäĩù
ĩłőĆĩĢʼnäŰłÁĢàʼnʼnĆúĢĆƈÚÁĢőěű͠
W H AT A D D I T I O N A L R E Q U I R E M E N T S
O R P R E F E R E N C E S D O YO U H AV E ?

;ĩŅÚäŅőÁĆĢĂĩġäÙŖűäŅʼn͡ƈĢÁĢÚĆÁěÚĩĢʼnĆàäŅÁőĆĩĢʼn
ġÁűĢĩőÙäÁőőĂäùĩŅäùŅĩĢő͡ÁʼnőĂäűłŅĆĩŅĆőĆʼnä
ĩőĂäŅʼnĆúĢĆƈÚÁĢőùÁÚőĩŅʼn͠
;ĩŅĆĢʼnőÁĢÚä͡ʼnĩġäĆĢàĆŪĆàŖÁěʼnġÁűłŅĆĩŅĆőĆʼnä
łŖŅÚĂÁʼnĆĢúÁÚĩĢàĩġĆĢĆŖġŖĢĆőūĆőĂĆĢőĂäʼnÁġä
ĢäĆúĂÙĩŅĂĩĩàÁʼnőĂäĆŅłÁŅäĢőʼn͡ùÁÚĆěĆőÁőĆĢúäÁʼnű
ŪĆʼnĆőʼnÁĢàńŖÁěĆőűőĆġäūĆőĂőĂäĆŅúŅÁĢàÚĂĆěàŅäĢ͠
gĢőĂäĩőĂäŅĂÁĢà͡ÁŅäʼnÁěäŖĢĆőěĩÚÁőäàĢäÁŅ
őĂäĆŅūĩŅėłěÁÚäġĆúĂőÙäőĂäłŅäùäŅŅäàÚĂĩĆÚä͠
;ĩŅőĂĩʼnäūĆőĂĩŖőÚĂĆěàŅäĢ͡ÁÚĩʼnĆäŅěĆŪĆĢúʼnłÁÚä
ġÁűÙäġĩŅäÁłłäÁěĆĢú͡ūĂäŅäÁʼnĆĢàĆŪĆàŖÁěʼn
ūĆőĂłěÁĢʼnùĩŅÁùÁġĆěűġĆúĂőʼnääėĂĩŖʼnĆĢúĆĢ
ÚěĩʼnäłŅĩŰĆġĆőűőĩʼnÚĂĩĩěʼn͠

44

 Usually smaller in size
than older condos
 Long construction
period

RESALE CONDO
 No MOP
 More locations
available
 More affordable due
to TDSR
 Usually larger than
new condos

 Less choices in units
 May require minimal
renovation
 Dated amenities
with higher cost
of maintenance
and repair

'ŪÁěŖÁőĆĢúÁĢàŅÁĢėĆĢúőĂäʼnäùÁÚőĩŅʼn
äġłĩūäŅʼnűĩŖőĩÁŅŅĆŪäÁőÁūäěěͿÚĩĢʼnĆàäŅäà
àäÚĆʼnĆĩĢ͠ĢĩőĆÚäÁÙěäÚĩĢőŅÁʼnőĆĢőĂĆʼnÁʼnłäÚő͡
ĩùőäĢěäÁàĆĢúőĩÁłŅäùäŅäĢÚäùĩŅÚĩĢàĩġĆĢĆŖġʼn͡
ĆʼnőĂäúŅäÁőäŅĢŖġÙäŅĩùÁġäĢĆőĆäʼnÁĢàäĢĂÁĢÚäà
ʼnäÚŖŅĆőűġäÁʼnŖŅäʼnőĂÁőÁÚÚĩġłÁĢűőĂäŅäěÁőĆŪäěű
ĂĆúĂäŅłŅĩłäŅőűÚĩʼnő͠
ĩĢàĩġĆĢĆŖġʼnúäĢäŅÁěěűłŅĩŪĆàäÁÙŅĩÁàäŅ
ŅÁĢúäĩùùÁÚĆěĆőĆäʼnÁĢàÁġäĢĆőĆäʼnÚĩġłÁŅäàőĩ
D#ƉÁőʼn͡ĆĢÚěŖàĆĢúùäÁőŖŅäʼněĆėäʼnūĆġġĆĢú
łĩĩěʼn͡úűġʼn͡ÁĢàʼnäÚŖŅĆőűʼnäŅŪĆÚäʼn͠DĩūäŪäŅ͡
ĆőΎʼnĆġłĩŅőÁĢőőĩĢĩőäőĂÁőőĂäʼnäÁġäĢĆőĆäʼnÁŅä
ÁʼnʼnĩÚĆÁőäàūĆőĂÁààĆőĆĩĢÁěäŰłäĢʼnäʼn͡ěäÁàĆĢúőĩ
ĂĆúĂäŅġÁĆĢőäĢÁĢÚäùääʼn͠
”ěőĆġÁőäěű͡őĂäÚĂĩĆÚäĆʼnűĩŖŅʼnőĩàäőäŅġĆĢä
ūĂäőĂäŅőĂääŰőŅÁäŰłäĢàĆőŖŅäĔŖʼnőĆƈäʼnőĂä
ġĩĢőĂěűłÁűġäĢő͡ÁʼnʼnĩġäĆĢàĆŪĆàŖÁěʼnġÁűĢĩő
ùŖěěűŖőĆěĆŹäőĂäłŅĩŪĆàäàÁġäĢĆőĆäʼnÁĢàłäŅÚäĆŪä
ĆőÁʼnÁʼnĩġäūĂÁőĆĢäƆÚĆäĢőÁěěĩÚÁőĆĩĢĩùùŖĢàʼn͠
ĂäʼnäÚŖŅĆőűġäÁʼnŖŅäʼnĆĢÚĩĢàĩġĆĢĆŖġʼn
ÁŅäúäĢäŅÁěěűġĩŅäŅĩÙŖʼnőūĂäĢÚĩġłÁŅäàőĩ

D#ƉÁőʼn͠ĩĢàĩġĆĢĆŖġʼnőűłĆÚÁěěűùäÁőŖŅä̢̠̥ͭ
ʼnäÚŖŅĆőűúŖÁŅàʼnŖŅŪäĆěěÁĢÚä͡ùĩŅőĆƈäàłäŅĆġäőäŅʼn
ūĆőĂūÁěěʼnÁĢàùäĢÚäʼnőĩàäőäŅŖĢÁŖőĂĩŅĆŹäà
ÁÚÚäʼnʼn͡ÁĢàÚĩĢőĆĢŖĩŖʼnġĩĢĆőĩŅĆĢúőĂŅĩŖúĂ
ʼnŖŅŪäĆěěÁĢÚäÚÁġäŅÁʼn͠©ĂĆěäD#ĢäĆúĂÙĩŅĂĩĩàʼn
ÁěʼnĩĆĢÚĩŅłĩŅÁőäʼnĩġäʼnäÚŖŅĆőűäěäġäĢőʼn
ʼnŖÚĂÁʼn¨ÚÁġäŅÁʼnÁőěĆùőěĩÙÙĆäʼnÁĢà
ʼnőÁĆŅÚÁʼnäʼn͡ĩÚÚÁʼnĆĩĢÁěłĩěĆÚäłÁőŅĩěʼn͡ĆőĆʼnĢĩőÁʼn
ÚĩġłŅäĂäĢʼnĆŪäĆĢʼnäÚŖŅĆőűÁʼnĩÙʼnäŅŪäàĆĢłŅĆŪÁőä
àäŪäěĩłġäĢőʼn͠
W H AT D O YO U E N V I S I O N F O R
YO U R F U T U R E ?

ĩĢőäġłěÁőĆĢúőĂäùŖőŖŅäġÁűÁłłäÁŅ
ĩŪäŅūĂäěġĆĢúÁʼnűĩŖäġÙÁŅėĩĢőĂäĆĢĆőĆÁě
ʼnőÁúäʼnĩùłŅĩłäŅőűłŖŅÚĂÁʼnä͠DĩūäŪäŅ͡ùĩŅūÁŅàͿ
őĂĆĢėĆĢúÚÁĢĩùőäĢěäÁàőĩūĆʼnäŅàäÚĆʼnĆĩĢʼn͡
ŖěőĆġÁőäěűŅäʼnŖěőĆĢúĆĢÁʼnġĩĩőĂäŅĔĩŖŅĢäű
ÁĂäÁà͠
HùűĩŖłěÁĢőĩġÁėäűĩŖŅłŖŅÚĂÁʼnäàłŅĩłäŅőű
űĩŖŅěĆùäěĩĢúŅäʼnĆàäĢÚä͡űĩŖġÁűĢĩőĢääàőĩ
äŰőäĢʼnĆŪäěűÚĩĢőäġłěÁőäūĂäőĂäŅĆőʼnŪÁěŖäūĆěě
ĆĢÚŅäÁʼnäĩŅàäÚŅäÁʼnäĩŪäŅőĆġä͠HĢʼnőäÁà͡űĩŖŅ
łŅĆġÁŅűùĩÚŖʼnġÁűʼnĂĆùőőĩĩőĂäŅĆġġäàĆÁőäěĆùä
łŅĆĩŅĆőĆäʼn͡ʼnŖÚĂÁʼnőĂäłŅĩłäŅőűΎʼněĩÚÁőĆĩĢ͠
HùűĩŖÁŅäĩłäĢőĩÁĢàÚĩĢʼnĆàäŅĆĢúÁĢ
ŖłúŅÁàäĆĢőĂäùŖőŖŅäūĂäĢűĩŖŅƈĢÁĢÚäʼn
łäŅġĆő͡őĂĆʼnĆʼnūĂäĢűĩŖʼnĂĩŖěàłÁűÚěĩʼnäŅ
ÁőőäĢőĆĩĢőĩőĂäőűłäĩùĂĩŖʼnĆĢúűĩŖÁŅäĆĢŪäʼnőĆĢú
ĆĢ͠D#ʼnÁĢàÚĩĢàĩġĆĢĆŖġʼnäŰĂĆÙĆőʼnŖÙʼnőÁĢőĆÁě
àĆʼnłÁŅĆőĆäʼnĆĢÚÁłĆőÁěÁłłŅäÚĆÁőĆĩĢ͠
űłĆÚÁěěű͡D#ʼnőäĢàőĩäŰłäŅĆäĢÚäʼněĩūäŅ
ÚÁłĆőÁěÁłłŅäÚĆÁőĆĩĢ͡ūĂĆěäőĂäÙŅĩÁàäŅÙŖűäŅ
ÙÁʼnäùĩŅÚĩĢàĩʼnĩƅäŅʼnúŅäÁőäŅłĩőäĢőĆÁěùĩŅ
ÚÁłĆőÁěúŅĩūőĂ͠ààĆőĆĩĢÁěěű͡ÚĩĢàĩġĆĢĆŖġʼn
ĩùőäĢÚĩġäūĆőĂäŰőäĢàäàěäÁʼnäĩłőĆĩĢʼnʼnŖÚĂ
ÁʼnùŅääĂĩěàÁĢà̧̧̧ͿűäÁŅěäÁʼnäʼn͡ÁěěäŪĆÁőĆĢú
ÚĩĢÚäŅĢʼnÁÙĩŖőěäÁʼnäàäÚÁű͠'ŪäĢùĩŅ̧̧ͿűäÁŅ
ěäÁʼnäĂĩěàÚĩĢàĩġĆĢĆŖġʼn͡őĂäłĩʼnʼnĆÙĆěĆőűĩùäĢ
ÙěĩÚʼnÁěäʼnÚÁĢĂäěłġÁĆĢőÁĆĢőĂäłŅĩłäŅőűΎʼn
ÚĩġłäőĆőĆŪäłŅĆÚĆĢú͠

ĆʼnÁÚÚĩġłěĆʼnĂäà͡ÁʼnʼnäʼnʼnūĂäőĂäŅűĩŖŅƈĢÁĢÚĆÁě
ŅäʼnĩŖŅÚäʼnäĢÁÙěäűĩŖőĩÚĩġùĩŅőÁÙěűġÁĢÁúäőĂä
ěĩÁĢĩÙěĆúÁőĆĩĢʼnĆĢőĂäěĩĢúŅŖĢ͠
¨ÁŅĆĩŖʼnĂĩŖʼnĆĢúĩłőĆĩĢʼnÁěʼnĩłŅäʼnäĢőàĆʼnőĆĢÚő
łĩőäĢőĆÁěŅäőŖŅĢʼnĩĢĆĢŪäʼnőġäĢő͠<ĆŪäĢőĂÁő
ġÁĢűĆĢàĆŪĆàŖÁěʼnàĩĢĩőŅäʼnĆàäĆĢőĂäʼnÁġä
łŅĩłäŅőűĆĢàäƈĢĆőäěű͡őĂäÁłłŅäÚĆÁőĆĩĢĆĢ
łŅĩłäŅőűŪÁěŖäĆʼnÁěūÁűʼnłŅäùäŅŅäà͡äʼnłäÚĆÁěěűĆù
űĩŖĆĢőäĢàőĩʼnäěěĆőěÁőäŅĩĢ͠
ĂäĢŖġäŅĩŖʼnùÁÚőĩŅʼnőĩūäĆúĂÚÁĢġÁėä
łŅĩłäŅőűÁÚńŖĆʼnĆőĆĩĢÁłÁŅőĆÚŖěÁŅěűÚĩġłěäŰ
äĢàäÁŪĩŅ͠HőΎʼnäʼnʼnäĢőĆÁěőĩŅäġäġÙäŅőĩʼnääė
úŖĆàÁĢÚäùŅĩġőŅŖʼnőäàùÁġĆěűÁĢàùŅĆäĢàʼnĩŅ
ÚĩĢʼnŖěőūĆőĂłŅĩłäŅőűÁàŪĆʼnĩŅʼnőĩĢÁŪĆúÁőäőĂĆʼn
ĔĩŖŅĢäűäƅäÚőĆŪäěű͠

SU M MARY

HĢÚĩĢÚěŖʼnĆĩĢ͡őĂäŅäÁŅäÁłěäőĂĩŅÁĩùùÁÚőĩŅʼn
őĩÚĩĢʼnĆàäŅūĂäĢÚĩĢőäġłěÁőĆĢúőĂäÚĂĩĆÚä
ÙäőūääĢÁĢD#ƉÁőÁĢàÁłŅĆŪÁőäÚĩĢàĩŖĢĆő͡
ÁĢàőĂäŅäĆʼnĢĩàäƈĢĆőĆŪäĩŅʼnőŅÁĆúĂőùĩŅūÁŅà
ÁĢʼnūäŅĆĢġÁėĆĢúőĂĆʼnàäÚĆʼnĆĩĢ͠HőÚĩŖěàÙä
ÙäĢäƈÚĆÁěőĩĩŖőěĆĢäűĩŖŅłŅäùäŅäĢÚäʼnÁĢàőĂä
ÚĩġłŅĩġĆʼnäʼnűĩŖΎŅäūĆěěĆĢúőĩġÁėä͠gĢÚäőĂĆʼn

text WENDY KER

45

KEEPING IT REAL
Following an overhaul, this HDB unit embraces the beauty
of imperfection and simplicity with Japanese design touches
ÁĢàŅŖʼnőĆÚƈĢĆʼnĂäʼn͠ROSSARA JAMILőÁėäʼnÁěĩĩė͠

46

R

WHO LIVES HERE

HOME

A couple in their 20s
A five-room HDB flat in Buangkok
SIZ E 1,200 sq ft
ID Mu Design Studio
www.mu interio r.com .sg

BEFORE

The kitchen
7†â
ޜÈÐùœ˜
†ÂÂ
魜
˜†éœ˜
ĝɰ⭜â

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ޜ¦Þœâ­œ˜
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ú°é­
ɜú

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é°Âœâ
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ù°ÉĀÂ
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魜

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’Ðп°É§ʨ

a­œ
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âœÈ°ʌÐۜÉ

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úœ


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ú°É˜Ðúâʣ

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ÈÐޜ

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7ʨ
â†Āâʨ

a­œ
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‘îé
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éÐɜ
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îÉ°¦ÐÞÈ
ÂÐпʨ

eluctant to wait for a BTO
ƉÁő͡ĂĩġäĩūĢäŅʼnU͠ÁĢà‚͠
went for the resale market
and found their ideal home in
őĂĆʼn̠̞ͿűäÁŅͿĩěàƉÁő͠Γ©äěĆėä
that the unit was not too old,
and it was spacious compared
őĩĢäūgŖĢĆőʼn͡ΓU͠ʼnÁűʼn͠Ăä
ÚĩŖłěä͡ÁƈĢÁĢÚĆÁěÚĩĢʼnŖěőÁĢő
and a social worker, also saw the
łĩőäĢőĆÁěĆĢőĂäěÁűĩŖő͠gĢäĩù
the bedrooms faced the living
area, meaning they could take it
down completely to expand the
ěĆŪĆĢúÁŅäÁ͠
They had the Japanese
concept with tatami-style
platforms in mind for their
ƈŪäͿŅĩĩġD#ĂĩġäÙŖő
resonated with the idea of
ūÁÙĆͿʼnÁÙĆ͠ÏĩūÁŅàʼnőĂääĢà͡
they discovered that they
preferred the wabi-sabi style, so
we changed the design concept
ÁĢàłĆÚėäàġÁőäŅĆÁěʼnőĂÁőƈő
őĂäőĂäġä͡ΓʼnäĢĆĩŅÚŅäÁőĆŪä
ÚĩĢʼnŖěőÁĢőUÁʼnZ͠ùŅĩġ`Ŗ#äʼnĆúĢ
‡őŖàĆĩʼnÁűʼn͠
Γ©ĂÁőūäūÁĢőäàūÁʼnÁĂĩġä
with a Japanese vibe, but not
őĩĩÚěäÁĢÁĢàūĂĆőäěĆėä`ŖĔĆ͡Γ
ʼnÁűʼnU͠͡ŅäùäŅŅĆĢúőĩőĂäłĩłŖěÁŅ
UÁłÁĢäʼnäěĆùäʼnőűěäÙŅÁĢà͠Γ©ä
ūÁĢőäàʼnĩġäőĂĆĢúġĩŅäŅÁū͠Ό
Japanese aesthetics are not
only made up of how something
looks, but they also consist of
principles that underpin its
culture and what is considered
ÙäÁŖőĆùŖě͠ĂäʼnäĆàäÁěʼnÚĩŖěà
be regarded as part of daily
life that guide one's approach
őĩěĆùä͠©ÁÙĆͿʼnÁÙĆ͡ùĩŅĩĢä͡ĆʼnÁ

47

The living area
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48

worldview that honours the
acceptance of imperfection,
ʼnĆġłěĆÚĆőű͡ÁĢàĆġłäŅġÁĢäĢÚä͠
The matte and textured
ƈĢĆʼnĂäʼnūäŅäÚĂĩʼnäĢőĩÚĩĢŪäű
őĂäʼnäĆàäÁěʼn͠ĩĢÚŅäőääƅäÚő
paint and tatami-textured
wallpaper add to the wabiʼnÁÙĆÚĩĢÚäłő͠HĢʼnłĆŅäàÙűőĂä
Japanese entryway, they opted
ùĩŅŅŖʼnőĆÚƉĩĩŅőĆěäʼnĆĢŪÁŅűĆĢú
shades of grey for that lived-in
ùääě͠ÙĆėäŅÁÚėùĩŅőĂäÚĩŖłěä
– they are avid cyclists – and
storage solutions that hide
away the household shelter
äĢőŅÁĢÚäƈěěőĂĆʼnʼnłÁÚä͠
ĂäġÁőőäÁĢàŅŖʼnőĆÚƈĢĆʼnĂäʼn
set the tone for the rest of
őĂäĂĩġä͠
ÏĂäūĂĩěäƉĩĩŅÁŅäÁūÁʼn
divided into many rooms,
ġÁėĆĢúĆőÁěĆőőěäÚŅĩūàäà͠Ăä
common area, especially the

dining area, was quite dark
ÁĢàùäěőàŖěě͡ΓUÁʼnʼnÁűʼn͠
Intending to bring more
natural light, Jas removed the
bedroom wall closest to the
ěĆŪĆĢúÁŅäÁ͠ĂäÚĩŖłěäūÁĢőäà
the room to be converted into
ÁʼnőŖàű͠ʼnĆàäùŅĩġäŰőäĢàĆĢú
the kitchen, the design team
left the rest of the layout
ĆĢőÁÚő͠ĂäŅäĢĩŪÁőĆĩĢʼnőĩĩė
three months, and the
couple moved into their
ĂĩġäĆĢłŅĆě̠̞̠̠͠

JAPANESE AESTHETICS ARE
NOT ONLY MADE UP OF HOW
SOMETHING LOOKS, BUT THEY
ALSO CONSIST OF PRINCIPLES
THAT UNDERPIN ITS CULTURE AND
WHAT IS CONSIDERED BEAUTIFUL.

BEFORE

The master bathroom

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photos MU DESIGN STUDIO

49

THE ROOF’S
THE LIMIT
An audacious design move unleashed the full
potential of this apartment that is over half a century
old. LYNN TAN uncovers how it all came together.

50

This is one of the
homeowners’
favourite spots
in the living
room with a
view of the roof
and brick wall
where they can
“interact” with
the space.

P

assers-by may not give
this nondescript fourstorey walk-up apartment
block that is over half a century
ĩěàÁʼnäÚĩĢàěĩĩė͡ÙŖőūĂäĢ
the new owners of this unit
ġäőūĆőĂZÁūŅäĢÚä€ŖÁĂ͡
design director of Akihaus
Design Studio to discuss the
ŅäĢĩŪÁőĆĩĢłŅĩĔäÚő͡ĂäÚĩŖěà
scarcely contain his excitement.
΋©ĂäĢHƈŅʼnőʼnÁūőĂäłěÁĢʼnÁĢà
łĂĩőĩúŅÁłĂʼn͡HÚĩŖěàÁěŅäÁàű
ŪĆʼnŖÁěĆʼnäőĂäłĩʼnʼnĆÙĆěĆőĆäʼn͡Ό
ĂäŅäÚÁěěʼn͠DĆʼnäĢőĂŖʼnĆÁʼnġ͡

The design
for the coffee
tables echo that
of the dining
table, which
helps to tie the
two spaces
together. The
homeowners
opted for a
three-seater
King Living
sofa with a
recliner over
an L-shaped
one for greater
flexibility.

52

the profusion of ideas and
professionalism were what
sealed the deal.
As the apartment block
has a pitched roof and the
unit is located on the top
ƉĩĩŅ͡ZÁūŅäĢÚäĆĢʼnőĆĢÚőĆŪäěű
recognised the potential of
opening up the ceiling to make
the apartment feel loftier and
somewhat like a landed home.
DĩūäŪäŅ͡ĆőĆʼnÁàŅÁʼnőĆÚġĩŪä
which the clients may not
ŅäÁàĆěűÁÚÚäłő͡ʼnĩĂäÁÚőŖÁěěű
came up with two other

alternative proposals that are
slightly more conservative
for their consideration. They
were convinced eventually
and decided to proceed with
removing the ceiling.
Lawrence embarked on a
thorough study of the as-built
drawings and worked closely
with a structural engineer to
ensure that the existing roof was
structurally sound. It was no
mean feat- some of the rafters
had to be made good and new
ūÁőäŅłŅĩĩƈĢú͡ĆĢʼnŖěÁőĆĩĢÁĢà

LEF T

There is plenty of
built-in storage
all around the
home, such as
in the openconcept study,
kitchen and under
the solarium
banquette.

WHO LIVES HERE

A couple in their 30s
H OM E A four-turned-two-bedroom walk-up
apartment in East Coast
SI ZE 1,604 sq ft
A R C HIT ECT Akihaus Design Studio
www.akih aus .co m

BOTTOM

The custom-made
dining table
has a terrazzo
top and base
supports that
were thoughtfully
designed so as
not to get in the
way of the legs of
people seated at
the table.

53

Non-full
height kitchen
cabinets were
a deliberate
move by
Lawrence
to create a
more relatable
human scale.

plasterboard had to be added as
a result of doing away with the
ÚäĆěĆĢú͠ĩĂäĆúĂőäĢőĂääƅäÚő͡Áěě
the roof elements were painted
white while the light wood builtin carpentry and wall cladding
stopped short just below the
ŅĩĩƉĆĢäőĩÙäőőäŅŅäěÁőäőĩőĂä
human scale.
‡łÁőĆÁěěű͡őĂäàĆĢĆĢúÁĢà
living areas almost feel like
one seamless entity. A curved
beam connecting two columns
àäƈĢäʼnőĂäőĂŅäʼnĂĩěàÙäőūääĢ
őĂäőūĩ͠ĢĩłäĢ͡ěÁőőĆÚä
screen in-between the pair of
columns provides some degree
of physical separation without
ÚŖőőĆĢúĩƅőĂäőūĩʼnłÁÚäʼn͠Ăä
side of the screen facing the
living room also doubles up as a
television console and movable
łÁĢäěʼnÁőäĆőĂäŅäĢàĩƅäŅőĂä
54

ƉäŰĆÙĆěĆőűĩùÚŅäÁőĆĢúġĩŅä
privacy when desired.
Running alongside the
dining and living areas is a
ʼnĩěÁŅĆŖġőĂÁőĆʼněĆúĂőͿƈěěäà
and welcoming. This used to
be an outdoor balcony that the
previous owner had enclosed. “I
had initially wanted to reinstate
the balcony so that the couple
could enjoy some outdoor
ŅäłŅĆäŪä͡ÙŖőÁùőäŅàĆʼnÚŖʼnʼnĆĢú
ūĆőĂőĂäÚěĆäĢőʼn͡ūäÁěěÁúŅääà
that the extra indoor space
ūĩŖěàÙäőőäŅʼnäŅŪäőĂäĆŅĢääàʼn͡
especially since they love having
ùŅĆäĢàʼnĩŪäŅ͡ΌʼnÁűʼnZÁūŅäĢÚä͠
Using the pitched roof
ŅÁùőäŅʼnÁʼnŅäùäŅäĢÚäłĩĆĢőʼn͡
Lawrence introduced
aluminium frames on the
solarium roof eave that mimic
ŅĩĩùŅÁùőäŅʼn͠ĂäʼnäÁŅäĆĢƈěěäà

RIG HT

The existing
columns were
disproportionately
slender. Lawrence
had them boxed
up or clad over
to bulk them up
so as to be more
proportionate
relative to the
whole space.
OPPOSITE ABOVE

The view up there
is no less aweinspiring as the
one below.
OPPOSITE
BOTTOM

The solarium is
such a bright
and welcoming
space which feels
like part of the
outdoors that
even the birds
come to visit
when the windows
are opened.

55

56

ūĆőĂġĆŅŅĩŅäàłÁĢäěʼnőĂÁőŅäƉäÚőőĂä
external greenery surrounding the
ÁłÁŅőġäĢő͡ūĂĆÚĂÚŅäÁőäőĂäĆěěŖʼnĆĩĢ
of a glass enclosure of an actual
solarium.
The apartment originally had
ùĩŖŅÙäàŅĩĩġʼn͡ÙŖőőĂäłŅäŪĆĩŖʼn
owner combined two bedrooms
into one larger master bedroom.
©ĂäĢőĂäĢäūĩūĢäŅʼnőĩĩėĩŪäŅ͡
they had Lawrence hack the walls of
one bedroom and convert it into an
ĩłäĢͿÚĩĢÚäłőʼnőŖàűÁĢàÙÁŅ͡ěäÁŪĆĢú
just one master bedroom and an
additional spare bedroom.
äʼnĆàäʼnÙäĆĢúŖʼnäàÁʼnÁʼnőŖàű͡
őĂäĩłäĢͿÚĩĢÚäłőʼnłÁÚäĆʼnƉäŰĆÙěä
enough to serve multiple purposes.
The bar at one end makes it wellappointed as an entertainment space
őĩĩ͠;ÁÚĆĢúőĂäėĆőÚĂäĢ͡őĂäÙÁŅÁĢà
the peninsula kitchen island opposite
establish a programmatic synergy.
Compared to the rest of the
ĆĢőäŅĆĩŅ͡őĂäġÁʼnőäŅÙäàŅĩĩġĆʼn
decked out in slightly darker wood
tones to achieve a cosier ambience.
The entrance to the attached master
bathroom is concealed within the
ūÁěėͿĆĢūÁŅàŅĩÙä͠ZÁŅúäùĩŅġÁő͡
wood-like wall tiles continue a
similar theme from the rest of
the home whilst being bathroomfriendly.
The couple moved into their
ĢäūĂĩġäĆĢ̠̞̠̟ÁùőäŅÁƈŪäͿőĩͿ
six-month renovation that saw the
unit entirely gutted. The apartment
ĂÁʼnūĆőĢäʼnʼnäàġÁĢűʼnĆúĢĆƈÚÁĢő
milestones in the homeowners’
journey as a couple. This was
where their marriage proposal and
solemnisation ceremony took place.
ĢàőĂäűÚÁĢàäƈĢĆőäěűěĩĩėùĩŅūÁŅà
to making more memories in this
bright and cosy home that has been
totally transformed to realise its full
potential.

LEF T TO P

Curved beams
and rounded
wall and column
junctions help to
soften the hard
lines of the roof
structure.
LEF T BOT TOM

The common
bathroom enters
through the
shower due
to the newlyreconfigured
floor plan, but
practicality
is not unduly
compromised.
OPPOSITE

The bar is ideally
located between
the open study
and kitchen to
bridge the two
spaces across
the corridor.

57

The lighting
was carefully
planned out
in order to
accentuate the
spatial volumes
and structural
elements.
OPPOSITE

At night, the
solarium glows
like a beacon
when viewed
from the main
road.

THE APARTMENT HAS WITNESSED MANY
SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES IN THE
HOMEOWNERS’ JOURNEY AS A COUPLE.
THIS WAS WHERE THEIR MARRIAGE
PROPOSAL AND SOLEMNISATION
CEREMONY TOOK PLACE.

58

59

The home
has been
transformed
into a light-filled
space with
plenty of
natural light.
OPPOSITE
TOP LE FT

The wall tiles
in the master
bathroom stop
short of going
full-height,
similar to other
elements in
the house such
as the built-in
wardrobes and
laminate panels
around walls.
OPPOSITE
TOP RIG HT

Doors concealed
into the walls
complement
the clean design
language.
OPPOSITE
B OTTOM

The combination
of pitched and
flat profiles
for the master
bedroom ceiling
provides the
opportunity for
an interesting
play of light and
shadow.

photography AKIHAUS DESIGN STUDIO & VERONICA TAY art direction NONIE CHEN

61

NATURAL
HABITAT
IN THE SKY
It is possible to live with nature even in a high-rise
environment. LYNN TANƈĢàʼnĩŖőĂĩū͠

WHO LIVES HERE

A couple in their early 30s and their pet pug
H OM E A three-bedroom condominium
at Marine Vista
SI ZE 1,636 sq ft
I D Ovon Design Pte Ltd
www.ovo n- d.com

62

AB OVE

Using the
same wooden
laminate for
the dining
table and dry
pantry creates
a coherent
relationship.
OPPOSITE

The home
interior was
designed to
achieve a warm,
minimalist and
cosy setting.
63

TO P

The balcony
continues the
same colour
palette as the
rest of the
interior, so that
it feels like an
extension of the
indoor spaces.
BE LOW

The dry pantry’s
opening is
framed with a
wooden texture
that helps to
establish a
focus amidst
the limewash
textures.
OPPOSITE

The couple’s reef
tank takes pride
of place by the
entrance foyer
and beside the
dining room.

A

s nature lovers, it comes
as no surprise that Joel
ÁĢàDÁŹäě͡ūĂĩūĩŅė
ĆĢőĂäàĆúĆőÁěġÁŅėäőĆĢúÁĢà
ÙŖʼnĆĢäʼnʼnʼnäŅŪĆÚĆĢúĆĢàŖʼnőŅű
ŅäʼnłäÚőĆŪäěűūäŅäàŅÁūĢőĩőĂĆʼn
apartment with views of East
ĩÁʼnő€ÁŅėÁĢàőĂäʼnäÁ͠őĩőÁě
ŅäŪÁġłūÁʼnĆĢĩŅàäŅÁʼnőĂäŖĢĆő
ĆʼnÁÙĩŖőĂÁěùÁÚäĢőŖŅűĩěàÁĢà
ĂÁʼnĂÁàġĆĢĆġÁěŅäĢĩŪÁőĆĩĢ
àĩĢäĩŪäŅőĂäűäÁŅʼn͠
ĂäÚĩŖłěääĢőŅŖʼnőäàőĂäĆŅ
home renovation to Ovon
Design, where their close
ùŅĆäĢà͡`ÁŰ͡ĆʼnÁĢĆĢőäŅĆĩŅ
àäʼnĆúĢäŅ͠ĂäàäʼnĆúĢőäÁġ
łŅĩłĩʼnäàĂÁÚėĆĢúÁĢŖġÙäŅ
ĩùäŰĆʼnőĆĢúūÁěěʼnőĩĩłäĢŖł
őĂäʼnłÁÚäʼnÁĢàłŅĩġĩőäÙäőőäŅ
cross-ventilation, as well as to
ĩłőĆġĆʼnäőĂäěÁűĩŖőĆĢĩŅàäŅőĩ
ʼnŖĆőőĂäĢäūĩūĢäŅʼnΎěĆùäʼnőűěä
ÁĢàʼnőĩŅÁúäĢääàʼn͠gőĂäŅ
ūĩŅėʼnĆĢÚěŖàäŅäūĆŅĆĢúőĂä
apartment, replacing water

65

A Hamilton
Round Chaise
sectional sofa
from Castlery
fits the circular
theme.

66

LEFT

BOTTOM

The television
console in the
living room
makes for an
interesting
composition
by combining
concrete and
wood.

As most of
the flooring
comprises matte,
medium-grey
tiles, the rest of
the elements
such as lighting
and furniture
were selected
to balance and
soften the cold
and harsh effect.
theme.

łĆłäʼn͡ÁĆŅͿÚĩĢàĆőĆĩĢĆĢúÁěě
őĂäŅĩĩġʼnÁĢàĆĢʼnőÁěěĆĢúĢäū
ěĆúĂőʼn͡ÁěĩĢúūĆőĂĢäūƉĩĩŅĆĢú
ÁĢàÚŖʼnőĩġͿġÁàäÚÁŅłäĢőŅű
ÁĢàùŖŅĢĆőŖŅä͠
ŖŅŪäàäěäġäĢőʼnÁÙĩŖĢàͿ
ùŅĩġőĂäƉĩĩŅÁĢàūÁěěʼnőĩőĂä
ùÁěʼnäÚäĆěĆĢú͡ÚÁŅłäĢőŅűÁĢà
ÙäʼnłĩėäùŖŅĢĆőŖŅä͡ŅäƉäÚőĆĢú
the couple’s preference for
circular forms. Their precious
ŅääùőÁĢėùäÁőŖŅäʼnłŅĩġĆĢäĢőěű
ÁőőĂääĢőŅÁĢÚäùĩűäŅ͡ÁěĩĢúʼnĆàä
ÁÚĆŅÚŖěÁŅ͡ĩÚäÁĢͿÚĩěĩŖŅäà
őĆěä͠ĂäŅĆłłěĆĢúäƅäÚőĩùőĂä
light creates quite the welcome
úäʼnőŖŅä͡äʼnłäÚĆÁěěűÁőĢĆúĂő͡
ùĩŅÙĩőĂĂĩġäĩūĢäŅʼnÁĢà
úŖäʼnőʼnÁěĆėä͠
΋WääłĆőʼnĆġłěäÁĢà
timeless” is a mantra that the
àäʼnĆúĢőäÁġÁàĩłőäà͠Ăä
ÚĩěĩŖŅłÁěäőőäūÁʼnėäłőőĩĔŖʼnő
two main laminate choicesone to match the limewash
łÁĆĢőùĩŅőĂäūÁěěʼnÁĢàÚäĆěĆĢú
ÁĢàÁĢĩőĂäŅĩĢäĆĢàÁŅėÙŅĩūĢ
ūĩĩàőĩĆġÙĆÙäÁĢÁőŖŅÁěùääě
ÁĢàőĩÚĩġłěäġäĢőőĂäłĩłʼnĩù
ÚĩěĩŖŅʼnÁŅĩŖĢàőĂäĂĩŖʼnä͠
This less is more approach
ÁěʼnĩäŰőäĢàʼnőĩőĂäàäőÁĆěĆĢú͠
ʼněääė͡ŅäÚäʼnʼnäàʼnĂÁàĩūúÁł
replaces the conventional,
ÙŖěėűÁŅÚĂĆőŅÁŪäőĩÚĩĢÚäÁěőĂä
ĔĩĆĢőÙäőūääĢőĂäàĩĩŅùŅÁġä

67

ÁĢàūÁěě͠ĂĆʼnàäőÁĆěĆĢúĆʼn
ŅäłäÁőäàĆĢőĂäÙäʼnłĩėäàĆĢĆĢú
őÁÙěäÁĢàőĂäőäěäŪĆʼnĆĩĢÚĩĢʼnĩěä͠
ĂäŖĢàäŅʼnőÁőäààäʼnĆúĢ
ġäőĂĩàĩěĩúűÁěěĩūʼnőĂä
ŪÁŅĆäàőäŰőŖŅäʼnĩùàĆƅäŅäĢő
materials to come through.
gĢääŰÁġłěäĆʼnĆĢőĂäěĆŪĆĢú
room, where the television set
is hung against a limewash wall
ÙÁÚėàŅĩłĆĢʼnőäÁàĩùÁĢĩŪäŅěű
ÚĩġłěĆÚÁőäàùäÁőŖŅäūÁěě͠ĂĆʼn
ĢĩőĩĢěűäĢĂÁĢÚäʼnőĂäʼnłÁőĆÁě
äŰłäŅĆäĢÚä͡ÙŖőÁěʼnĩŅäġÁĆĢʼn
őŅŖäőĩőĂäàäʼnĆúĢÚĩĢÚäłőÁĢà
the clients’ brief.
ʼnUĩäěÁĢàDÁŹäěĩùőäĢ
host gatherings in their home,
őĂäàäʼnĆúĢőäÁġÚÁőäŅäàùĩŅ
Á̠̤͠ͿġäőŅäěĩĢúàĆĢĆĢúőÁÙěä
őĂÁőÚÁĢÁÚÚĩġġĩàÁőäěÁŅúäŅ
úŅĩŖłʼn͠ĂäÚŖʼnőĩġàäʼnĆúĢ
ĆĢÚĩŅłĩŅÁőäʼnÚŖŅŪäàäàúäʼnÁĢà
ŅĩŖĢàäàěäúʼnőĂÁőĂäěłőĩʼnĩùőäĢ
the space.

68

RIG HT

A curved shower
niche houses the
concealed piping
and separates
the WC from
the shower
compartment
in the common
bathroom.
BELOW

Lighting from
Sol Luminaire
complements
the interior
design and
enhances the
ambience.
OPPOSITE

Moving the wash
basin into the
corridor outside
the common
bathroom allows
guests access
to the wash
basin even when
the common
bathroom is
occupied.

MORE CURVED ELEMENTS CAN
BE FOUND IN THE KITCHEN,
BUT NOT JUST PURELY FOR
AESTHETIC REASONS. THE ROUNDED
ENDS OF THE BUILT-IN CABINETS
ALSO SERVE AS STORAGE.

69

70

`ĩŅäÚŖŅŪäàäěäġäĢőʼnÚÁĢ
ÙäùĩŖĢàĆĢőĂäėĆőÚĂäĢ͡ÙŖőĢĩő
ĔŖʼnőłŖŅäěűùĩŅÁäʼnőĂäőĆÚŅäÁʼnĩĢʼn͠
ĂäŅĩŖĢàäàäĢàʼnĩùőĂäÙŖĆěőͿĆĢ
cabinets also serve as storage.
€ŅÁÚőĆÚÁěÚĩĢʼnĆàäŅÁőĆĩĢʼnùĩŅġőĂä
ÙÁʼnĆʼnĩùőĂäėĆőÚĂäĢěÁűĩŖőőĂÁő
ĆʼnłěÁĢĢäàÁŅĩŖĢàőĂääƆÚĆäĢő
ūĩŅėőŅĆÁĢúěäÚĩĢÚäłőÙäőūääĢőĂä
ÚĩĩėäŅĂĩÙ͡ʼnĆĢėÁĢàŅäùŅĆúäŅÁőĩŅ͠
ĂäĂĩġäĩūĢäŅʼnŅäńŖäʼnőäà
ùĩŅŅÁūÚäġäĢőͿʼnÚŅääàƉĩĩŅĆĢú
ĆĢőĂäġÁʼnőäŅÙäàŅĩĩġ͠ĩőĩĢä
àĩūĢőĂäÚĩěàÁĢàʼnőÁŅėäƅäÚőőĂÁő
őĂĆʼnġÁűĂÁŪä͡őĂäàäʼnĆúĢőäÁġ
ĆĢőŅĩàŖÚäàÁūĩĩàäĢěÁġĆĢÁőä
ùĩŅőĂäūÁŅàŅĩÙäőĩÁààÁőĩŖÚĂĩù

ABOVE

The backsplash
tiles in the
kitchen reflect
the different
hues of the sea.
OPPOSITE

The kitchen
layout was
configured
to conceal
the structural
column that sits
in the middle of
the space.

71

ABOVE

B ELOW

ABOVE R IGHT

RIG HT

A minimalist
Dawson
bedframe from
Castlery gives
the master
bedroom a
calm and restful
quality.

Timber light
fixtures inject a
sense of warmth
and cosiness
into the master
bedroom.

The plant lovers
incorporated
greenery into
their home,
which helps
to liven up the
spaces.

Cove lighting
above the
bathtub in the
master bathroom
avoids having
direct light
shining onto the
homeowners
when they are
taking a bath.

warmth that is appropriate
ĆĢÁłŅĆŪÁőäÁĢàŅäʼnőùŖěʼnłÁÚä
ʼnŖÚĂÁʼnőĂäÙäàŅĩĩġ͠Ăä
monochromatic master
ÙÁőĂŅĩĩġÚĩġłŅĆʼnäʼnàŖĢä
ʼnĂÁàäʼnĩùġĆÚŅĩÚäġäĢőùĩŅ
őĂäūÁěěÁĢàÚäĆěĆĢú͡ÁĢà
ġÁőÚĂĆĢṳ̞̞́Ű̡̞̞ġġ
ƉĩĩŅőĆěäʼn͠'ŪäĢőĂäÙŖĆěőͿ
ĆĢÙÁőĂőŖÙĆʼnƈĢĆʼnĂäàĆĢ
microcement.
UĩäěÁĢàDÁŹäěġĩŪäà
into their new home in
`ÁŅÚĂ̡̠̞̠ÁùőäŅ̢̟ūääėʼn
ĩùŅäĢĩŪÁőĆĩĢ͠ĂäűʼnłäĢő
ÁÙĩŖőα̠̠̞̞̞̞͡͡ĆĢÚěŖàĆĢú
äěäÚőŅĆÚÁěÁłłěĆÁĢÚäʼnÁĢàʼnĩùő
furnishings. With elements
őĂÁőĆĢŪĩėäĢÁőŖŅäÁĢàŪĆäūʼn
ĩùőĂäʼnŖŅŅĩŖĢàĆĢúʼnäÁÁĢà
úŅääĢäŅű͡őĂĆʼnġÁėäʼnőĂä
perfect home for a natureloving couple.

72

Adopting a
similar approach
as the common
bathroom, the
wash basin
was moved out
of the master
bathroom to free
up space, as well
as to facilitate the
independent use
of both the wash
basin and master
bathroom.

photography STUDIO L'ARC

73

The sculptural
and floating
form of the
metal staircase
with curved
glass is designed
to wrap around
the circular void.
OPPOSITE TOP

The spaces on
the first storey
of the home flow
straight through,
promoting
cross-ventilation.
A wall ledge
was introduced
between two
existing columns
for keys, plants
and paintings.

FULL MOON
COURTYARD
HOUSE
The architect drew inspiration from a Chinese idiom
when designing this family home. LYNN TAN discovers
how this poetic reference enriches the design while
ÁěʼnĩùŖěƈěěĆĢúőĂäÁŅÚĂĆőäÚőΎʼnàäʼnĆúĢäőĂĩʼn͠

75

OPPOSITE TO P

An island
provides more
space within the
kitchen.
OPPOSITE
BE LOW LE FT

Echoing
the circular
courtyard is a
round mirror
in the powder
room.
OPPOSITE
BE LOW R IG HT

The timber-look
aluminium strips
on the attic can
also be found on
the main gate
and side gate for
a more cohesive
external
composition.
BE LOW

A light colour
palette makes
the interior feel
bright and airy.

M

athematician,
physicist, inventor
and designer, Aza
Raskin once said, “Design is the
beauty of turning constraints
into advantages.” And this
was exactly what registered
architect Lim Ai Tiong
from Lim Ai Tiong (LATO)
Architects/Design did with this
new erection of a two-storey
intermediate terraced home
with an attic.
Typical of intermediate
terraced houses, getting
daylight into the long and
narrow plot between two party
walls was the biggest challenge.
łĩłŖěÁŅÁĢàäƅäÚőĆŪäʼnĩěŖőĆĩĢ
is to introduce a courtyard and
skylight in the middle. While
most courtyards tend to be
ĩùÁʼnńŖÁŅäÚĩĢƈúŖŅÁőĆĩĢ͡ĆĢ
this case, Ai Tiong decided to

give it a circular twist. He was
inspired by a Chinese idiom
that loosely translates into how
a circular, full moon courtyard
symbolises a family reunion,
ūĂĆÚĂĂäÚĩĢʼnĆàäŅʼnŪäŅűƈőőĆĢú
in the context of a family home.
A triple volume, circular
courtyard with a skylight is the
central space within the home,
aptly occupied by the dining
room. “Reunion usually takes
place around the dining table,
especially in Asian culture,
so locating the dining area
within the circular, full moon
courtyard void space fully
encompasses this saying,” Ai
Tiong points out.
It also acts as a datum that
organises the rectangular
ƉĩĩŅłěÁĢĆĢőĩÁùŅĩĢőÁĢàÁ
rear wing, with the various
spaces and rooms branching

WHO LIVES HERE

A three-generation family of six
HOM E An intermediate terraced
home at Jalan Lanjut
SIZ E 2,000 sq ft (Approx. land area);
4,700 sq ft (Approx. built-up area)
AR CHITEC T Lim Ai Tiong (Lato)
Architects/Design
www.latod esign .com

77

àĆŅäÚőěűĩƅőĂĆʼnÚäĢőŅÁěÚĆŅÚŖěÁŅ
void. The odd-shaped spaces
between the straight party
walls and curved courtyard
ūÁěěʼnÁŅäĢĩő΍àäÁàΎʼnłÁÚäʼn͡
but have been put to good use
as store rooms and as part of
the bathrooms. In this way,
the circular element does
not compromise on practical
aspects.
Apart from allowing natural
light into the centre of the
home, the circular courtyard
void also serves a passive
design purpose. By facilitating
the rising of warm air to the
top and channelling in fresh air
from the lower levels, it creates
ÁʼnőÁÚėäƅäÚőőĂÁőłŅĩġĩőäʼn
natural ventilation.
A circular staircase wraps
around the courtyard and
forms a sculptural element that
spirals skyward, drawing the
eye up the triple volume void.
Ai Tiong chose galvanised mild
steel for the stringer beam to
ėääłőĂäłŅĩƈěäʼněĆġġäŅÁĢà
visually lighter. Galvanised
mild steel plates were then
welded to the stringer beam
to form the stair treads. These
metal treads are concealed by
cladding the top and bottom
with solid timber planks.
Curved, laminated tempered
glass balustrades add to the
ʼnőÁĆŅÚÁʼnäΎʼnäěäúÁĢÚä͡ěĆúĂőĢäʼnʼn
and transparency.
Although the curved
members took some time to
fabricate and the curved glass
had to be specially-made
in China, Ai Tiong reckons
that these, along with the
circular courtyard did not

78

ĂÁŪäÁĢűʼnĆúĢĆƈÚÁĢőĆġłÁÚő
on the construction cost of
approximately $1.5 million. “I do
not have an exact comparison,
but my guess is that it is not more
than 20 per cent costlier than
a typical square one. The cost
of the whole curved staircase
including the curved glass is
about $100,000, which is only
about six per cent of the overall
construction cost of the house, so
I think it is quite negligible and
worth doing,” Ai Tiong analyses.
Ai Tiong was originally
commissioned by the couple who
purchased the property for their
extended family of three children
and their parents. Nearing the
completion of the project, they
sold the house to Mr and Mrs Low,
who are in their 40s. The change
in ownership did not have much
implications as the programmatic
functions were still well-suited to
the new owners and their multiúäĢäŅÁőĆĩĢùÁġĆěű͠ĂäZĩūΎʼn
even have futureproof plans in
place. The grandparents currently
occupy a bedroom on the second
storey, but should the need arises
in the future, they can move into
ūĂÁőūÁʼnĩŅĆúĆĢÁěěűőĂäĂäěłäŅΎʼn
ŅĩĩġĩĢőĂäƈŅʼnőʼnőĩŅäűūĆőĂÁĢ
ÁőőÁÚĂäàÙÁőĂŅĩĩġ͠ĂäÚĩŖłěäΎʼn
two young sons prefer to share
a bedroom on the second storey
next to their grandparents for
now, but when they grow older,
one brother can move upstairs to
the additional bedroom in
the attic.
On the façade, aluminium
strips on the attic level have
been powder-coated to resemble
timber to achieve the desired
look without the maintenance.

The family
cherishes the
experience of
looking up at
the sky while
having their
meals.

WHILE MOST COURTYARDS
TEND TO BE OF A SQUARE
CONFIGURATION, IN THIS CASE,
AI TIONG DECIDED TO GIVE IT A
CIRCULAR TWIST.

79

“THE DESIGN CONCEPT THAT WAS INSPIRED
BY THE CHINESE SAYING IS AN ACT OF
BRINGING THE WHOLE FAMILY TOGETHER.”
- LIM AI TIONG, LATO ARCHITECTS/DESIGN

ABOVE

OPPOSITE TO P

The master
bedroom opens
out to a roof
terrace above
the car porch.

Large format white,
marble-look tiles
are used for the
walls and floor
of the master
bathroom to create
a luxurious, clean
and modern look.
OPPOSITE
BOTTOM

The attic serves
as a family room,
as well as the
homeowners’
work-from-home
space.

80

Aesthetics aside, these strips
also form a screen against
the sun.
As the house was still
occupied when the previous
owners purchased it and
they were not in a rush, it
gave Ai Tiong ample time to
design something that is both
“functional and beautiful”.
He says: “I always tell my
clients that they are spending
millions to build a house from
scratch, so it had better be
unique and have a story to tell.
It does not justify spending
so much money for the same
generic design.” The design
process, which includes site
investigation works, authority
submissions and tender took

photos LIM AI TIONG (LATO) ARCHITECTS/DESIGN

about 12 months. Construction
itself took another 17 months
and the clients moved into
their new home in December
2022.
As an architect, Ai Tiong
has always pursued design
solutions that amalgamate
disparate spaces. For this
project in particular, his
strategy was to use voids to
spatially and visually connect
őĂäàĆƅäŅäĢőÁŅäÁʼnūĆőĂĆĢőĂä
home. “The design concept that
was inspired by the Chinese
saying is an act of bringing
the whole family together,
which also metaphorically
ùŖěƈěʼnġűěĆùäěĩĢúłŖŅʼnŖĆő
of amalgamating spaces in
ÁŅÚĂĆőäÚőŖŅä͡ΌĂäŅäƉäÚőʼn͠

81

HAND IN HAND
The interior designer was very proactive in engaging the lady
homeowner who used to be in the fashion industry throughout
the entire design process. LYNN TAN savours the fruits of this
successful client-designer partnership.

LEF T

A pair of
pendant lights
from Sol
Luminaire strike
a dialogue with
the Castlery
dining set.
OPPOSITE

WHO LIVES HERE

The integration
of curves and
rounded details
took cues from
the existing
shape of the
floor plan. The
result is a soft
and ethereal
ambience,
especially when
the lights are on.

An expatriate couple and their daughter
HOME A three-turned-two bedroom
condominium at River Valley Road
S IZE 1,313 sq ft
ID KNQ ASSOCIATES
knqassociates.co m

83

84

T

RI GHT

The interior
of the home
reflects the
lady owner’s
preference for a
more clean-cut
approach to
design and an
appreciation for
intricate details.
OPPOSITE

A sofa from
Kelvin Giormani
complements
the interior
design and
space perfectly.

he homeowners are a
couple from Hong Kong
who purchased the
apartment some years back.
They have been renting it out
and only moved in in January
2023 after a three-month
renovation. As the property is
almost two decades old, some
of the fittings and built-ins
were showing signs of wear.
They engaged KNQ Associates
to spruce up the interior so
that it looks more pleasant
and conducive and would
serve the needs of the couple,
as well as their toddler. The
$150,000 remodelling project
(excluding furniture, fittings
and furnishings) included a
revamp of the kitchen and
both bathrooms, overlaying
the existing flooring with
timber-look vinyl, installing
false ceiling and replacing all
the internal doors.
Originally a three-bedroom
apartment, the previous
owner had the walls of one of
the bedrooms demolished to
expand the living and dining
areas. As the husband, who is in
őĂäƈĢÁĢÚäĆĢàŖʼnőŅű͡ŅäńŖĆŅäʼn
a work-from-home space,
there were several rounds
of discussion with design
consultant, Stanley Tham, to
explore whether they should
reinstate the bedroom walls,
partition up the room using
collapsible glass panels or
other alternatives. Eventually,
they decided to retain the
existing open plan layout as

85

Comprising wet
and dry zones,
the kitchen can
be partitioned
off or combined
into one large
cooking area via
sliding pocket
glass doors,
depending on
the homeowners’
needs.
OPPOSITE

A wall lamp from
Finnish Design
Shop creates a
focal point on the
grey wall behind
the dry kitchen,
while two Starck
stools from
Kartell in front
of the kitchen
island counter
harmonise with
the grey colour
palette.

86

it makes the living and dining
areas feel more spacious, but
carve out a space beside the
àĆĢĆĢúŅĩĩġùĩŅőĂäĂĩġäĩƆÚä͠
“We introduced sliding doors to
ÚĩĢÚäÁěőĂäĂĩġäĩƆÚäūĂäĢ
it is not in use and integrated
hidden storage on the sides as
łÁŅőĩùőĂäÚěĆäĢőʼnΎŅäńŖĆŅäġäĢő͡Ό
Stanley points out.
The kitchen underwent
a major transformation. The
separate wet and dry kitchens
were laid out according to the
homeowners’ usage patterns
and every pocket of space
was maximised for storage.
Stanley meticulously planned
and dimensioned both kitchen
spaces and built-in carpentry
őĩÁÚÚĩġġĩàÁőäʼnłäÚĆƈÚ
appliances, cooking implements
and other household essentials
such as mops and brooms.
“Despite maximising the
usage of the entire space and
addressing various functional
ŅäńŖĆŅäġäĢőʼn͡ūäʼnőĆěě
managed to retain a sense of
ʼnłÁÚĆĩŖʼnĢäʼnʼn͡ΌĂäʼnÁűʼn͠
The irregularly-shaped
plan of the apartment posed
certain challenges in terms
of layout and design, but also
inspired its organic look. Stanley
ùĩŖĢàőĂä΋ùĩŅġěäʼnʼnͿĢäʼnʼnΌÙĩőĂ
challenging and interesting. Soft
curves and rounded details were
incorporated into the design,
complemented by a palette of
ěĆġäūÁʼnĂƈĢĆʼnĂäʼn͠
Achieving order and
symmetry in the layout of
ùŖŅĢĆőŖŅäÁĢàƈŰőŖŅäʼnłŅĩŪäà
exceptionally tricky as a result
ĩùőĂäĢĩĢͿŅäÚőĆěĆĢäÁŅƉĩĩŅłěÁĢ͠
The curved wall imposed certain

87

restrictions on the location of
the television console, which
in turn had implications on the
position of the sofa. In order for
the two to be centralised with
one another, the sofa would
have to be shifted nearer the
kitchen counter, resulting in
a narrower circulation which
was not ideal. The placement of
ÚäĆěĆĢúěĆúĂőƈőőĆĢúʼnÁĢàùÁĢÁěʼnĩ
ŅäńŖĆŅäàÚÁŅäùŖěàäěĆÙäŅÁőĆĩĢ
in order to achieve both visual
and functional outcomes.
Stanley’s solution was to look
into the exact sizes of each
individual component and make
adjustments accordingly to
achieve a balance in both form
and function.
The homemaker wife was
formerly from the fashion
industry and was very handson in the design and planning
of her home, which took about
one to two months prior to the
commencement of works on-site.
“We encouraged her to bring her
ideas to the table for discussion
throughout the remodelling and
we provided feedback in terms of
visual and functional solutions or
ÁěőäŅĢÁőĆŪäʼn͡Ό‡őÁĢěäűʼnĂÁŅäʼn͠
While he did not set out
to create any particular style,
he took cues from the wife’s
individual fashion sense and
personal preference for a neutral
colour palette, natural materials
and light timber tones.
“The owner’s love for
simple patterns and Shakerstyle detailing motivated me
to integrate some of these
elements into the mix and this
added another dimension to an
ĩőĂäŅūĆʼnä΍őäġłěÁőäΎěĩĩė͡ΌĂä
explains.

88

TO P

The common
bathroom has
a slight vintage
vibe.
RIG HT

The Bo
Concept master
bed is simple
yet elegant.
OPPOSITE,

The master
bathroom has a
totally distinct
look from
the common
bathroom,
one which
emphasises
a contrast of
materials and
colours.

photos KNQ ASSOCIATES

89

AN ELEGANT
ESCAPE
Slim details, curved lines, and wood surfaces give this
apartment in Sentosa Cove a cosy and modern setting.
AIRIS ABDULLAH checks it out.

WHO LIVES HERE

A couple in their 40s and 50s
HOM E A three-bedroom condominium
apartment in Sentosa Cove
S IZ E 1,711 sq ft
I D Earth Interior Design
www.e arth id. sg

90

ABOVE

OPPOSITE

Light floods the
home during the
late afternoon,
highlighting
the lines and
textures.

The design team
introduced dark
accents to the
living area to
balance and
ground the look.

91

TOP

The curved
lines of the bar
counter, rich
wood hue, fluted
panels and plush
bar stools with
metallic details
give the space
an Art Deco
touch.
OPPOSITE

The wine
fridge and
glass cabinet
are integrated
beautifully with
woodgrains
and dark-tinted
glass.

92

L

ocated in the premium
location of Sentosa Cove,
this three-bedroom unit
provides an idyllic setting with
the sight of yachts parked at
the berth. Homeowner Eric
Benghozi came across this unit
in his search for a bigger home,
and liked it for its location, feel
and price. For the couple who
enjoys entertaining friends at
home, a bigger space would
mean that more ideas could be
implemented.
That said, the unit was not
in the best shape. “The unit was
rented out for many years, and a
lot of things were not functional
anymore and were rusted or
damaged,” Eric, a CEO in the
healthcare industry, says.
He browsed online for an
interior designer and discovered
Earth Interior Design. Edwin
Fong, the chief designer and
executive director of the interior
design company, was in charge
of the project. Eric shared his
vision for the home with Edwin:
a warm and modern or coastal
feel with luxury touches. He also
wanted a sense of cosiness.
Interior designers often look
at the unit's surroundings and
other factors when designing
a home. A standout feature
of this home is its setting,
where light bathes the interior
as the sun goes down. “It
enhances the natural lighting
atmosphere of the entire living
and dining areas during the late
afternoon,” Edwin shares. “We
took advantage of the natural

93

light and designed the unit
accordingly.”
A key element of the brief
was the dining space and bar
area, where he wanted to
spend time with his friends
comfortably. Aside from that,
the Frenchman pictured a
large wine fridge and a display
area in this space. As a regular
ÚĩƅääàŅĆĢėäŅ͡ĂäÁěʼnĩĢääàäà
ample countertop space for
ĂĆʼnÚĩƅääġÁÚĂĆĢä͠
In addition, the design
team also had to consider the
existing furniture, namely, a
sofa in white fabric, a wooden
television cabinet and, in the
master bedroom, a bed frame
with a padded headboard. The
challenge was in tying the
existing and the new together

94

cohesively. “The main
design was to blend the
existing furniture with a
coastal yet modern concept,”
Edwin explains.
To achieve this, the team
ūĩŅėäàūĆőĂÁłÁěäőőäĩùĩƅͿ
white and wood to anchor the
concept. In the predominantly
white living area, a pendant
lamp in white complements
the television cabinet and sofa.
In the dining area,
however, they expanded the
use of wood. Framing the
space is the full-height display
unit in a rich wood hue. The
ŪäŅőĆÚÁěěĆĢäʼnĩùőĂäƉŖőäà
panels and lighting bring
depth to the statement piece.
The team paid close
attention to the various

TOP

Furnishings
with slim lines
and curved
shapes bring
visual interest
to the master
bedroom.
OPPOSITE

The emphasis
on symmetry
and vertical lines
give the master
bedroom a
sense of luxury
and airiness.

WITH THE COMBINATION OF THE
PADDED HEADBOARD AND WOOD
PANELLING ON THE WALL TO EVOKE
A SENSE OF SYMMETRY, THE MASTER
BEDROOM EXUDES A MODERN FEEL
AND A TOUCH OF LUXURY.

95

LEFT

The team
planned
a lighting
strategy aimed
at comfort,
ensuring the
aesthetics stay
consistent.
BELOW

The metal inlay
add texture and
character to the
vanity table.
OPPOSITE

The study
is furnished
sparingly
to ensure a
spacious feel.

96

elements, ensuring the design
details and new furniture
pieces worked with the existing
furnishings. For example,
they also imported the timber
wood worktop for the bar and
recessed gold handles. “He
was also very involved with the
colour of the timber worktop
of the bar counter and was
persistent about the timber
colour. I had to bring a second
ÚĩěĩŖŅÚĩÁőőĩúäőőĂäƈĢÁě
colour he eventually liked,”
Edwin says.
That said, Eric mostly left
the renovations to the team.
Among the major works, they
redesigned the master bedroom.
The intention was to create
a hotel-like ambience with
ÚÁŅłäőäàƉĩĩŅÁĢàÁŪÁĢĆőűÁŅäÁ͠
Taking the cue from the
vertical lines of the headboard,
Edwin introduced other vertical
elements that would accentuate
the volume of the space. With
the combination of the padded
headboard and wood panelling
on the wall to evoke a sense of
symmetry, the master bedroom
exudes a modern feel and a
touch of luxury.
On the other hand, the study
is furnished simply with loose
furniture. Although it bears a
ěĆúĂőäŅłÁěäőőä͡őĂäƉŖĆàěĆĢäʼnĩù
the furnishings ensure that the
study stays consistent with the
coastal and modern feel.
In all, the process took
three months to complete,
and they moved into the home
in July 2022. When asked how
őĂäàäʼnĆúĢƈőʼnĂĆʼněĆùäʼnőűěä͡
Eric says, “It’s an awesome
achievement. Edwin made every
room cosy and functional with
a great sense of aesthetic and
design style.”

photos EARTH INTERIOR DESIGN

97

RIGHT

Designer
furnishings
such as
the String
Furniture
shelves,
HAY Slit
coffee table,
&Tradition
Utzon JU1
Brass lamp
and Kartell
accessories
add to the
creative vibe.
OPPOSITE

Aside from
mixing
colours, the
homeowners
love to play
with shapes,
creating a
dynamic
space. A rich,
velvet red
Païpaï sofa
from Ligne
Roset anchors
the living area.

98

JOYFUL
PRESENCE
A couple embraces maximalism with bold colours,
shapes, and textures in their three-room HDB
ƉÁő͠AIRIS ABDULLAHäŰłěĩŅäʼnőĂäàäőÁĆěʼn͠

99

Colours
abound in the
foyer, from
the brightly
coloured
doors to the
blue sideboard
and striped
rug.
OPPOSITE

This fun spin
on interior
design
blossomed
from the
couple’s love
for vibrant
colours,
designer
furniture and
quirky objects.

B

right, bold and cosy,
this flat in Queenstown
epitomises YanKai and
Rachael, who love art and
ÚĩěĩŖŅʼn͠HĢőäŅäʼnőĆĢúěű͡őĂä
couple, both civil servants,
had almost gone down the
minimalist road with another
àäʼnĆúĢäŅ͠aĩőěĩĢúÁùőäŅ͡őĂäű
realised that, although the
style was appealing, they could
no longer picture themselves
living in a minimalist or
UÁłÁĢàĆĂĩġä͠
For one, they were
uncertain if they could
ġÁĆĢőÁĆĢÁĢäÁőĂĩġä͠
The couple also noticed
they gravitated towards
ġÁŰĆġÁěĆʼnġ͠΋©äūÁĢőäàőĩ
feature all sorts of odd shapes,
bright colours and contrasting
textures, which wouldn’t work
with the Japandi vision the
initial designer planned for us,”
ʼnÁűʼnƒÁÚĂÁäě͠
¯ÁĢWÁĆÁààʼn͡΋‡ĩūäūäŅä
looking for a designer that
could help us make sense of
our maximalist madness and to
ūĩŅėūĆőĂőĂäƈŰäàäěäġäĢőʼn
and design themes we had in
ġĆĢà͠ΌĂäĆŅʼnäÁŅÚĂùĩŅÁĢäū
àäʼnĆúĢäŅěäàőĩHĢʼnĆúĂő͠gŖő͠
That said, the couple did
ĢĩőĔŖġłŅĆúĂőĆĢ͠'ŰłěÁĆĢĆĢú
that the couple initially wanted
a mid-century modern home
with minimalist lines, interior
àäʼnĆúĢäŅ`ÁĢàűZĩūʼnÁűʼn͡΋Ăä
initial brief when we met was
ÁÚĩġłěäőäěűàĆƅäŅäĢőÚĩĢÚäłő
ùŅĩġūĂÁőūääĢàäàŖłūĆőĂ͠
In the beginning, an earthy

WHO LIVES HERE

A couple in their 20s and 30s, and their cat
HO ME 3-room HDB flat in Queenstown
SIZE 893 sq ft
ID Insight.Out Studio
in sigh tout- st ud i o.com

101

palette as the base canvas with
splashes of rich colours found in
the mid-century for a timeless
űäőƈěěäàūĆőĂÚĂÁŅÁÚőäŅĂĩġä
ūÁʼnőĂäĆàäÁ͠Ό
As they moved along the
design stage, Mandy realised
that the wood-dominated
łÁěäőőäàĆàĢĩőƈőőĂäÚĩŖłěä͠
The couple’s vision for their
home was becoming clearer, but
having a spectrum of colours
and contrasting shapes can
ĩŪäŅūĂäěġÁʼnłÁÚä͠`ÁĢàűÁĢà
her team integrated the colour
combinations and design ideas
ūĆőĂÚĩġùĩŅőĆĢġĆĢà͠Ăä
couple opted to overhaul the
äĢőĆŅäƉÁőÁʼnőĂĆʼnĆʼnÁŅäʼnÁěäŖĢĆő͠
ĂäƉÁőūÁʼnőĂäƈŅʼnő
and only unit the couple
ŪĆäūäà͡ÁʼnäŅäĢàĆłĆőĩŖʼnƈĢà

102

that they loved for the quiet
neighbourhood, lush greenery
ÁĢàÚĆőűʼnėűěĆĢä͠gĢäĩùőĂä
ƉÁőΎʼnʼnőŅäĢúőĂʼnĆʼnőĂäùŖěěͿĂäĆúĂő
windows that bring in plenty
ĩùĢÁőŖŅÁěěĆúĂő͠HőʼnġĆĢĆġÁě
ʼnőŅŖÚőŖŅÁěūÁěěʼnÁěʼnĩĩƅäŅ
ƉäŰĆÙĆěĆőűùĩŅŅäÚĩĢƈúŖŅÁőĆĩĢ͠
őƈŅʼnőőĂĩŖúĂő͡őĂäʼnäłěŖʼnäʼn
might make up for its weakness:
őĂäÚĩġłÁÚőƉĩĩŅÁŅäÁĩù̧̡̦
ʼnńùő͠ĂäłěÁĢūÁʼnÁěʼnĩőĩėĢĩÚė
down one bedroom, creating
a more spacious dining area
where they could host their
ùŅĆäĢàʼnÁĢàùÁġĆěű͠
This move also created more
room for the couple’s collection
of arts, plants, books and vinyl
records, primarily housed on
the String shelves in the living
ÁŅäÁ͠ĂäÚĩěěäÚőĆĩĢĩùőĂĆĢúʼn

ABOVE L EFT

ABOVE

The Invisible
table from
Kartell
complements
the Vitra pink
Panton chairs
and creates a
sense of space in
the dining area.

The couple’s
growing
collection of
memorabilia,
books, vinyl,
art and décor
pieces, and plants
give the home
a vibrant and
dynamic feel.

LE FT

Describing their
cat as “the most
well-behaved
cat”, the couple
felt confident to
buy what they
love without
worrying about
them getting
damaged.

OPPOSITE

The orange
handles, sourced
from the kids’
section in Ikea,
add a surprising
and playful touch
to the kitchen.

103

“WE MADE THE DIFFICULT CHOICE TO CONVERT
ONE BATHROOM INTO A POWDER ROOM, AND THE
OTHER INTO A SHOWER-ONLY BATHROOM SO THAT
WE COULD HAVE A MORE SPACIOUS SHOWER, AND
THE DOUBLE VANITY WE HAD ENVISIONED FOR
THE POWDER ROOM.”
– RACHAEL AND YANKAI , HOMEOWNERS

104

FAR TOP

TOP

The powder
room features
pigeon
knobs, brown
terracottalike floor tiles,
a terrazzo
countertop and
a double vanity.
Notable here
is the mirror,
modified with a
hanging rod so
that it can be
placed in front
of the windows.

Even with the
spectrum of
colours, the
living area feels
spacious.
OPPOSITE

A mural
wallpaper,
“Kingfisher” by
Flor Chedufau,
pulls the
tropical concept
together.

contributes to the riot of colours
in the living area that awaits
ŖłĩĢʼnőäłłĆĢúĆĢőĩőĂäĂĩġä͠
The foyer, with the viridian
green main door and orange
household shelter door, gives a
őÁʼnőäĩùūĂÁőĆʼnőĩÚĩġä͠<ĆŪäĢ
the bold use of colours, the
couple opted for cement screed
ƉĩĩŅĆĢúőĂÁőʼnäŅŪäʼnÁʼnÁĢäŖőŅÁě
űäőŪĆʼnŖÁěěűőäŰőŖŅäàÙÁʼnä͠
After exploring a few colour
schemes for the kitchen, the
design team selected light blue
ěÁġĆĢÁőäʼn͠ĂäűūäŅäőĂäĢ
matched with bright orange
semicircle handles sourced
ùŅĩġHėäÁ͠<ěĩʼnʼnűÙěÁÚėúŅÁĢĆőä
countertops add a bold touch to
őĂäÚŖʼnőĩġĆʼnäàėĆőÚĂäĢ͠
Rachael and YanKai were
ŖʼnäàőĩěĆŪĆĢúĆĢěÁŅúäŅƉÁőʼn
and found the lack of space
ÚĂÁěěäĢúĆĢú͠¯ÁĢWÁĆʼnĂÁŅäʼn͡
΋©äġÁàäőĂäàĆƆÚŖěőÚĂĩĆÚä
to convert one bathroom into
a powder room, and the other
into a shower-only bathroom
so that we could have a more
spacious shower, and the double
vanity we had envisioned for the
łĩūàäŅŅĩĩġ͠Ό
Like the shared spaces, the
bathrooms and bedroom were
ʼnłěÁʼnĂäàĆĢÚĩěĩŖŅ͠ĂäłĩūàäŅ
ŅĩĩġĆʼnÁūÁʼnĂĆĢÁʼnŖĢĢűűäěěĩū͠
Red is the main colour for the
ġÁʼnőäŅÙäàŅĩĩġ͠ĂäÚĩŖłěä
wanted to recreate a pool for the
ġÁʼnőäŅÙÁőĂŅĩĩġ͠ĂäűÚĂĩʼnä
white tiles for the walls to avoid
ĩŪäŅūĂäěġĆĢúőĂäʼnłÁÚä͠
As for space planning,

105

Mandy segregated the master
bedroom into two with the
ūÁŅàŅĩÙäłěÁÚäġäĢő͠`ÁĢàű
ʼnĂÁŅäʼn͡΋ĂäőĂĩŖúĂőÙäĂĆĢàĆő
was to minimise disturbance
when one is in bed and the
other is needed to work late or
úäőŅäÁàűäÁŅěĆäŅőĂÁĢőĂäĩőĂäŅ͠
Z'#ěĆúĂőūÁʼnäŪäĢÁààäàőĩőĂä
wardrobe internal compartment
to avoid having the downlight
őŖŅĢäàĩĢ͠Ό
After a four-month
renovation period, the couple
moved into their home in June
̠̞̠̠͠ƒÁÚĂÁäěʼnÁűʼn͡΋ĂäʼnłÁÚä
also really helps to take away the
stress of a workday, with how
ÚĂääŅűÁĢàÚĩʼnűĆőĆʼn͠ĂäùÁÚő
that the house has almost every
colour of the palette allows us to
ÚĂÁĢúäŖłőĂäƈőőĆĢúʼnÁĢààäÚĩŅ
ńŖĆőääÁʼnĆěűőĩėääłőĂĆĢúʼnùŅäʼnĂ͠
'ŪäŅűőĂĆĢúġÁőÚĂäʼnͥΌ

TOP

FAR LEF T

With the selection
of electric hues,
the internal doors
are painted in
analogous colours
to create a
harmonious look.

The showeronly bathroom
in the master
bedroom takes
on the colours
of a pool. Niches
were built into
the space for
a clean and
streamlined
design.

LEFT

The couple used
the door to the
household shelter,
near the main
entrance, as a
place to hang
their often-used
bags, making
them a part of the
decor.

106

OPPOSITE

Like the other
spaces, a striped
rug was also
chosen for the
master bedroom.

photos INSIGHT.OUT STUDIO

107

The black and
white rug from
IKEA offers a
surprising and
playful addition
that works with
the designer
furnishings in
the living area.

108

LIFE AND ART
This three-bedroom apartment in Madrid is the perfect
home away from home for a well-travelled art lover
from Argentina. Interior designer Matty Costa Paz
shares with AIRIS ABDULLAH how she transformed this
apartment for her long-time client.

109

M

adrid is renowned for
its vibrant arts scene,
from its treasured
museums like the Museo
Nacional del Prado and the
Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza to
its underground arts scene. For
an Argentinian art lover in her
seventies, crossing the ocean to
Europe to bask in the region’s
art scene is a frequent affair.
With two adult children
living in Madrid, the owner
of this home had all the more
reasons to spend time in the city.
An apartment for herself would
provide a comfortable base for
enjoying the city for three or
four months at a time.

110

LEF T

Aluminium and
glass dividers
demarcate the
media room
while keeping
it connected
to the other
spaces.
OPPOSITE, TO P

The wall
mouldings
work with the
apartment’s
architectural
features, like the
column next to
the dining area.
OPPOSITE,
BOTTOM

Patterns from
the rug and
table and the
curved lines
found in chairs
and lighting
add softness
and warmth to
the stark white
walls.

111

She found a home in the
Salamanca district. The area
is known for its fine dining
restaurants, designer boutiques
and air of glamour. Instead of
working with an interior designer
in Madrid, the homeowner chose to
work with Matty Costa Paz, who had
designed two projects for her and
her family in Buenos Aires.
Matty has developed a strong
professional bond with the client
and her family and understands
her client’s needs well. “It’s the
third project that I have designed
for her at different times. This
project is smaller in comparison,
and it has been designed to be
practical and warm at the same
time,” says the designer, whose
portfolio includes projects in Paris
and Jose Ignacio in Uruguay.
White walls were a key part of
the homeowner’s brief. “For her, it
was really important to have white
walls to rest her sight after a day of
galleries and museums,” Matty says.
The homeowner also wished to
have guests over at the apartment
while staying in the Spanish capital.
Therefore, the 3,929 sqft apartment
must have ample space for hosting.
Matty aimed to introduce
warmth into the space as well.
They opted to keep the wooden

112

The media
room features
curvaceous
furnishings
that juxtapose
against the
straight lines
and give
this space a
contemporary
and edgy feel.

113

“FOR HER, IT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT
TO HAVE WHITE WALLS TO REST
HER SIGHT AFTER A DAY OF GALLERIES
AND MUSEUMS.”
- MATTY COSTA PAZ, INTERIOR DESIGNER

Functional
yet luxurious
with marble
patterns on the
walls and floor,
the kitchen’s
elegant design
invigorates the
senses.

patterns of the
rug from IKEA.
It is furnished
simply with
the table light,
desk, and
drawers from
Kartell and a
cabinet from
Habitat.

TO P RIG HT

RI G HT

The home office
is livened up
with the bold

Luxurious stone
finishes elevate
the bathroom

ABOVE

114

design. The
crisp lines and
cool finishes
are warmed up
with wooden
touches.
OPPOSITE

Although
the master
bedroom is
spacious, the
bed area is
tucked away
for comfort.

floors, windows, and doors.
While the kitchen was in good
condition, it could have been
more practical for the client. So,
Matty redesigned and rebuilt
the kitchen while retaining the
aesthetic and countertops. The
predominantly white kitchen
is punctuated with touches of
black. There is plenty of storage
space with top and bottom
cabinets and a full-height
cabinet to one side. The mood is
casual and light.
Overall, the apartment has
good bones, with high ceilings
and beautiful windows. The
aim was to maintain its airiness
while connecting the spaces.
Matty explains, “Instead of
building walls, I decided to
install aluminium and glass
dividers to create different
spaces that are interconnected
and, at the same time, allows
natural light to be the most
important element.” Aluminium
and glass dividers from ADL
enclose the media room, giving
the space a sleek, refined air
with the bold and slim lines
that contrast against the white
surfaces of the bookshelves and
doors from Boffi and ADL.
White walls can appear stark.
So, they added handmade cast
mouldings to imbue interest
to the white walls. The lines
accentuate the volume of the
spaces, enhanced further by
the new lighting design and
ceiling features. Matty picked
out furnishings from brands
like Kartell, Habitat, De Padova,
and Vispring beds, while lights

photos POMPI GUTNISKY

are from Foscarini, Flos, and
Años Luz Iluminación. She kept
the living room furnishings
minimal and comfortable,
with the armchairs, sofa, and a
low marble coffee table to pull
everything together.
“I fell in love with three
inexpensive rugs from IKEA.
Their repetitive patterns create
a sense of continuity for the
home,” Matty shares. “When
the client saw the invoice, she
was worried that these carpets
would be inadequate for the
quality of the project.”
While the prices were
significantly lower than the
Italian carpets that were
already picked out, Matty
encouraged the homeowner to
try it. She offered to buy them
from the homeowner if she
did not like them. “Thank God
she loved them. Otherwise, I
would need a full-flight ticket
for them to bring them back
home,” she says.
Matty made multiple
journeys across the Atlantic
Ocean from Buenos Aires
to Madrid to complete this
project. To ensure a smooth
process, she focused on
building a solid team. All of it
was made possible due to the
trust between the client and
the designer. Matty says, “The
client loves to be surprised. She
desired to be surprised when
she arrived at her new home.
This was possible because it is
the third project together and
the great relationship, almost a
friendship.”

115

F I N I S H I N G N OT E

GO WITH THE FLOW
This ultra-modern faucet
design by Samuel Ross is made
of Kohler’s Neolast material
and features a custom water
channel allowing for water
delivery through the faucet’s
sharp angles. The industrial
Haptic Orange hue evokes the
1967 debut of “Tiger Lily” in
Kohler’s bathroom line and
blends Ross’s signature color
with Kohler’s legacy of color
leadership in bath fixtures.
The Formation 01 will be available
to purchase on sra.kohler.com in
December. Price on enquiry.

116

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