Home living issue 17

SINGAPORE'S LEADING DESIGN & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

www.homeplusliving.com

HOP INTO BED TONIGHT Buy a mattress

BURN BABY BURN Divine scents & sensibilities

IT’S COLD IN HERE

Hottest refrigerators in town

CHERYL WEE “Love is like a pillow!”

ISSUE 17

CONTENTS NEW & NOW 10 Urban Legend

Acclaimed architect Zaha Hadid defends her latest creation

11 Trends

How does one work floral, equestrian or purple?

Tip: not all at the same time!

14 Show Stopper

Who we ran into at Chanel’s Little Black Jacket exhibition

SPACE 18 Homegrown Honey

Cheryl Wee spills all on love and life

26 Sugar Rush

Beauty Candy Apothecary whisks us away to New York instantly

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32 Va Va Voom

A stylish staycation awaits at Naumi Hotel

38 In The Moment

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Time stands still at Malmaison

44 Dream On

Make your nights even better with a good mattress and bed

48 Estate Management

Size does not matter when it comes to organising your closet

52 It’s A Jungle Out There

Why wood is still good

ON THE COVER Face: Cheryl Wee Photography: Alwin Oh Styling: Toety Liang Makeup: Ros Chan Using Sisley Hair: Jeremy Yap Using L’oreal Professionnel Outfit: Mulberry 2 www.homeplusliving.com

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CONTENTS 56 54 Begone, Stain

Make your leather furniture last longer with these stain removal tips

56 Burn Baby Burn

Keep your home smelling fragrant with one of these candles

58 Turn On Your Charms

These mementoes are too pretty to resist

60 Love At First Sight

Fake it till you make it – a radiant complexion, that is

62 All Fired Up

Everyone loves a great BBQ

DIRECTIONS 72 French Kiss

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Find your love match in Paris

76 Sherry Sherry Lady

Yenn Wong expounds on the drink du jour

78 Sweet Talkin’

Dig in to these delicious desserts now

80 Honest To Goodness

Healthy can be yummy, according to these chef-approved recipes

84 Cool Hunting

Invest in a good refrigerator this month

86 So App

Help on the go is always appreciated

98 6 Last Minute Home Fixes

Because weekends are too precious to waste on cleaning

96 Reach For The Stars

Who’s plugging what these days

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SINGAPORE'S LEADING DESIGN & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

www.homeplusliving.com

PUBLISHER Jasmine J. Goh | jasmine@redtreegroup.org

EDITORIAL EDITOR Mary Lim | mary@redtreegroup.org ASSOCIATE EDITOR Jasmine Tham | jasminetham@redtreegroup.org WRITER Yip Jieying | jieying@redtreegroup.org

HOME+ LIVING is published

by RedTree Group Pte Ltd 30 Kallang Place #07-22, Singapore 339159.

MICA (P) 038/05/2012. ISSN: 2010-474-0.

CopyrightŠ is held by the publisher. All rights reserved. Reproduced in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. While every reasonable care will be taken to ensure that the facts and articles are accurate, the publisher does not bear responsibility should any claim or fact prove inaccurate. Please note that solicited materials may not be returned, opinions expressed in this magazine are those of writers and are not necessarily endorsed by the Editors and the company. Originality of contributions is the responsibility of respective contributors.

Distributed by MediaCorp Pte Ltd. Printed by Sunrise Printing & Supplies Pte Ltd.

SALES BUSINESS DIRECTOR Joey Tan | joey@redtreegroup.org SENIOR MEDIA MANAGER Michelle M. W. | michellemw@redtreegroup.org SENIOR SALES EXECUTIVE Tasha N. Sim | tasha@redtreegroup.org

DESIGN ART DIRECTOR Han Yew Hock | han@redtreegroup.org

FOR ENQUIRIES, E-MAIL US: Editorial: info@redtreegroup.org Advertising Sales: jasmine@redtreegroup.org (HP: 9435 5602) Subscription: info@redtreegroup.org or call 6295 0810

30 Kallang Place #07-22, Singapore 339159 Tel: 6295 0810 Fax: 6295 0709 www.homeplusliving.com

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Scan The QR Code to link to our home+living facebook page

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Check out the fun our publisher had at the Royal Caribbean, Mariner of the Seas, visit PWTV at www.parentsworld.com.sg

EAT. PLAY. LOVE T

hese three words – feel free to re-arrange the order of appearance – just about sum up why many look forward to February.

With the Lunar New Year festivities spilling over into this month, the HOME+LIVING team is still in the mood for merrymaking. Valentine’s Day takes on double meaning as it coincides with its Chinese equivalent (15th day of the Lunar New Year), so take time out to celebrate with that special someone.

Romance, however, is far from the mind of our cover personality Cheryl Wee (Homegrown Honey, page 18). We dropped in on Singapore’s fastest-rising star and discovered a congenial girl-next-door with a charming never-say-die attitude. Career comes first, she shares, so love will have to take a backseat for now.

To get you well prepped for this day of passion and pleasure, we have lined up all things and spaces essential. Hotel Naumi scores with its

fashionable interiors (Va Va Room, page 32) but if you’re planning an escapade-for-two, Paris promises to thrill and tantalise (French Kiss, page 72). Immortalise every moment together with an exquisite charm (Turn On The Charms, page 58). And even if all you want to do is fake it, well, know that you can, thanks to an arsenal of glow-getting skincare (Love At First Sight, page 60).

As the gift-giving continues, what happens beyond that moment of “Oh, you shouldn’t have!”? Read on for tips on organising your closet (Estate Management, page 48). Load up on shortcuts to getting your abode in order (6 Last Minute Home Fixes, page 88) and apps for home improvement (So App, page 86).

Love is a many-splendoured thing, so dive in and revel!

Home+Living team

Event

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Scrapbook | HOME & NOW

NEW & NOW | Personality

Urban

Legend

Text by MARY LIM Portrait by STEVE DOUBLE

From Olympic stadiums to art galleries, shoes to super yachts, Pritzkerwinning architect Zaha Hadid infuses them all with fantastical flourish.

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n enormous vagina – that is what Qatar’s Al Wakrah stadium looks like, complete with labia-like appendages and a large slit in between. Architect Zaha Hadid, who based her design on the curves of the Arabian dhow fishing boat, shot back: “It’s really embarrassing that they come up with nonsense like this…That’s ridiculous.”

Her space age-worthy structures are as radical as they are remarkable; a fire station for the Vitra furniture factory in Germany (also her first to be built) is now a museum for chairs. “It was always intended as a multi-functional building.

It was not done as a fire station for the whole city, it was only for the factory,” she defended.

Then again, this 63-year-old Iraqi-born lady is no stranger to controversy or criticism.

Trained by Dutch neo-modern master Rem Koolhaas himself, who eventually made her a partner at his firm, Hadid’s Islamic upbringing contributed to her inclination towards fluid lines and open concepts.

Otherwise, Hadid is conquering the world, one monument at a time. She is based in London, for which she created the Aquatics Centre when the city hosted the Olympics in 2011, as well as The Serpentine Sackler Gallery. Her whimsical wonders attract hordes all across Rome, Beijing, Dubai, Ohio, Glasgow and even

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Singapore (those Supertrees at Gardens By The Bay). Already in the pipeline are projects in Iraq, Cambodia, Japan and South Korea.

Hadid’s bold and brazen designs reflect her defiance and determination – attributes that have helped give her the edge in an industry still dominated by men. Said Hadid, who became the first woman to snag a Pritzker Prize in 2004: “I never took no for an answer.

I never sat back and said, ‘Walk all over me, it’s OK’. ” Hadid Complete Works (1979 – 2013),

by Philip Jodidio, is available at US$79.99 ($63), www.taschen.com

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Trends | NEW & NOW

FLORAL

3 WORK

THE TREND

Spring is in full swing and exuberant blooms are a huge draw. A plethora of prints (Hermès exudes breezy chic in this urban jungle) and textures (Michael Kors plays peekaboo with lace) conjure a plush effect. From dainty to dynamic, there is a bouquet in this season’s garden for every personality.

1. Floral print pvc tote, Marni 2. Acetate camelia barette with swarovski crystal-embellished centrepiece, Alexandre De Paris 3. Mulberry 4. Imperial garden candles, Shanghai Tang 5. Rose gold-plated stainless steel timepiece with floral-embellished dial, Esprit 6. Somerset meadow ultra moisturing hand therapy cream, Crabtree & Evelyn 7. Floral perforated leather pumps, nicholas kirkwood at On Pedder 8. Vinyl iPhone case with floral pailettes, Burberry Prorsum 9. Printed leather belt with pouch, Tory Burch 10. Floral print cotton-blend cushion, Kate Spade Saturday 11. Metal bag charm, Louis Vuitton 12. Plexiglass cuff with enamelled flowers, Chanel

For prints, update your wardrobe with a walk on the wild side. Explore various interpretations such as Marni’s childish scrawls and Tory Burch’s painterly patterns.

If simple is your style, go for subtle touches such as a phone cases (Burberry Prorsum), bag charms (Louis Vuitton) and barrettes (Alexandre de Paris).

Orientalism is not just for Lunar New Year. Candles from Shanghai Tang lend a sprinkling of opulence to super-modern interiors.

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NEW & NOW | Trends

PURPLE REIGN

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New year, new hue. Radiant Orchid, a fusion of fuchsia, purple and pink, is Pantone’s Colour of the Year.

Though it’s early for this newly minted power player to flex its brawn, the shade is spot-on for Spring/ Summer 2014. Indeed, if last year’s Rich Emerald embodied growth and renewal, the vibrant successor is brimming with confidence and great joy.

1. Cotton-blend fairytale cushion, BoConcept 2. Rose gold enchanté ring with diamonds and amethyst, Goldheart Jewellery 3. Burberry Prorsum 4. Lavender conditioning hand wash, Crabtree & Evelyn 5. Suede and leather Mary Jane pumps, Repetto 6. Acetate cuff with crystal-embellished bow, Ted Baker 7. Metal geometric tealight-holder, BoConcept 8. Textured leather rockie bag, Alexander Wang at On Pedder 9. Acetate Dior audacieuse sunglasses, Dior 10. Leather foldover clutch with fur overlay, Burberry Prorsum

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WORK

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THE TREND

Flip the classic all-black ensemble on its head.

Give your skin an instant radiance via the rosy undertones for a healthy glow.

Interiors dominated by neutrals like taupe and grey benefit from a vivacious lift.

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Crushing on the colour does not mean donning it head-to-toe. Options abound; follow Burberry Prorsum’s lead and score a 3D hat-trick with tone-on-tone (on-tone)!

EQUESTRIAN

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It’s not going to dethrone leopard prints any time soon, but the Year of the Horse calls for a sumptuous break from the usual. Then again, equines have always been part of the Style landscape. This time, brands such as Tory Burch and Longchamp celebrate in style, rising to the occasion with special collectibles.

1. Metal bookends with horse ornaments, Shanghai Tang 2. 3.1 Phillip Lim 3. Polished metal equestrian knights cufflinks, Burberry 4. Silk sandal with metallic leather fringe, Marni 5. Hermès or horse print silk twill scarves, Hermès 6. Stainless steel stirrup timepiece with link bracelet, Ralph Lauren 7. Leather cut-out bootie with gold hardware, Tom Ford 8. Salto leather footstool, BoConcept 9. White gold men’s ring with celestial® diamonds, Goldheart Jewellry 10. Metal horseshoe and acetate horse head bag charm, Tory Burch 11. Pony hair and calf leather piper tote, Furla

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THE TREND

Many luxury houses have histories steeped in equestrian influences. Pick up a statement piece from these heritage goldmines, such as Ralph Lauren’s Stirrup watch.

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You don’t have to dress up your home like a ranch to incorporate the style. Go against type by pairing ponyhair with sleek silhouettes. Look out for abstract shapes – we spotted this saddle-esque footstool from BoConcept.

Cool hunters are adding va-va-voom to their wardrobes with fringes. Count on 3.1 Phillip Lim to make it wearable from work to weekend.

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NEW & NOW | Exhibition

Those who missed Chanel’s The Little Black Jacket exhibition should be kicking themselves – we have said it, so there.

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arl Lagerfeld is immensely attracted to Singapore. Only half a year after presenting Chanel’s Cruise collection at the Raffles Hotel, the Kaiser put our little island in the spotlight again by bringing The Little Black Jacket exhibition to the ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands.

Text by JACQUIE ANG

To make second time more memorable, Singapore was the finale stop for this 16-city tour, which kicked off in Tokyo in 2012. And since each display was curated according to location, the line-up here included the German fashion maestro’s new muse Rita Ora, South Korean model Soo Joo and homeboy-turnedcelebrity makeup artist Zing.

Show Stopper

liberate women from cinched-in silhouettes and fussy aesthetics of the Fifties. And Lagerfeld’s incarnations demonstrate its enduring, dynamic versatility via diverse personalities across all ages, from toddler Scarlet Utzmann Huynh to 80something Micheline Chaban-Delmas.

Lensed by Lagerfeld and styled by editrix supremo Carine Roitfeld (in one shot, she wielded scissors a la the mademoiselle), the plethora of chameleonic effects made me waver often. Indeed, the duo pulled

out all stops; turning the jacket inside out (Elizabeth Olsen), wearing it back to front (Yi Zhou), knotting it (Joan Smalls), and even deconstructing it (Aymeline Valade).

That the jacket appeared on boys (rapper Theophilus London, architect Junya Ishigami, film director Olivier Assayas among them) reminded of its menswear origins. “The Chanel jacket is a man’s jacket which has become a typically feminine piece. It has crossed that boundary. I love that,” said Lagerfeld.

While free admission certainly made the event more attractive, it would have been more meaningful if some parts of the exhibition offered insights. In the room where Fire Engraving took centre stage, varied treatments such as silkscreen printing exposed images on glass to give portraits an artisanal burst of colour: Keira Knightley in virginal white, Sun Fei Fei in golden yellow, Zhou Xun in blazing red, and Han Huo Huo in cool blue. Pity we had no idea how all that worked.

At 71, Coco Chanel scored a sartorial milestone with her boxy tweed topper, conceived to

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Song Hye Kyo

Ju Xiao Wen

Soo Joo

Fiona Fussi

Books | NEW & NOW

JANE & SERGE. A FAMILY ALBUM

By Andrew Birkin, Alison Castle Taschen, US$59.99 ($76), from www.taschen.com Who had better insight into the romance between Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg than the former’s brother? The British style icon – of that famous Hermes handbag – hooked up with the French musician in 1968, which resulted in that saucy duet ‘Je t’aime…moi non plus’ (‘I love you…me neither’ in French) as well as daughter Charlotte, now an It girl of her generation. Snapped over 12 years, these family portraits speak volumes about the intimate and passionate world the couple shared. Goodies like photo prints, sticker sheet and a fold-out poster will keep fans pleased.

100 GETAWAYS AROUND THE WORLD

By Margit J Mayer Taschen, US$59.99 ($76), from www.taschen.com

As frequent travellers can attest to, hotel rooms don’t differ much from one another. Not, according to this two-volume compendium of heavenly hotspots. In Abu Dhabi, the Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara evokes the exotic glamour of the Middle East with its lush interiors; along the French Riviera, Cap Estel lulls your senses into a comfort zone with its elegant chic. And for a respite up among the clouds, there’s always Sweden’s Treehotel, built up to six metres above ground for a panoramic view of the Scandinavian scenery. A chart of important information like room rates and amenities accompanies each property too – so stop dreaming and start packing.

OUTSIDE IN: DESIGN BY PENTAGO

By Brandon Liew Marshall Cavendish, $45, from major bookstores

Sought after for its “outside-in” philosophy that blends the natural landscape into contemporary architectural principles, Kuala Lumpur-based Pentago’s portfolio is the quintessence of tropical living. Features like open planning, high ceilings, generous verandas and discreet screens have successfully lent a charming resort vibe to houses and hotels. Commercial developments such as banks and universities, meanwhile, benefit from the clean lines and eco-friendly designs. A lust-have for collectors of coffeetable tomes, this is packed with over 200 fullcolour photographs and hand-drawn sketches, along with insights into design and concept.

MODERNISM REDISCOVERED

By Pierluigi Serraino Taschen, US$39.99 ($51), from www.taschen.com

Serraino, an architect based in San Francisco, dives into never-seen-before works by acclaimed photographer Julius Shulman, for this visual extravaganza that sheds spotlight on the modernism movement of the Fifties and Sixties.

Look forward to nearly 300 masterpieces, all hardly appreciated but each hailed a memorable contribution to the practice. Better than snooping and sneaking around, no? www.homeplusliving.com 15

SPACE

LOVE IS ALL AROUND February being the month synonymous with purification, ushers in a fresh sensibility. We want to start 2014 a little cleaner and a lot chicer. If your heart has skipped a few beats, your pace is springier and everything else around suddenly looks lovelier, well, you are in love (with our new look, at least).

Otherwise, whisk your special someone to a Valentine’s Day rendezvous at the super lavish Naumi Hotel, or ignite the flames of lust and desire with a candle for your most intimate enclave. And if it were up to rising star and TV sweetheart Cheryl Wee, love is way better given than received. www.homeplusliving.com 16

Text by MARY LIM Photography by ALWIN OH Styling by TOETY LIANG Makeup by ROS CHAN using Sisley Hair by JEREMY YAP using L’Oreal Professionnel Cotton lame dress, A/X

Homegrown

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Honey While most of Singapore was prepping for the Lunar New Year, the HOME+LIVING team decided to hang out with actress-singer Cheryl Wee at home.

Cover Story | SPACE

O

ne doesn’t have to meet Cheryl Wee to fall in love with her. All it takes is a few lines of text on the mobile.

“Happy new year! Sorry for the late reply… yeah, sure, we could definitely work out an interview.”

“I will get in touch with you asap once my confirmed schedule is out. Sorry about it.”

“Do you need me to prepare clothes?...but I’ll get my sister to show you my wardrobe too.”

She is even more likeable in real life. Looking way younger than her 26 years, Wee is affable and polite as she says “hello” to everyone on the team – some with whom she worked on a recent ad campaign for Jean Yip Group. Oh, did we mention that the company happens to be owned by her parents?

That her home is located in a very exclusive neighbourhood off Dempsey and it reaches three levels hasn’t made a dent in this multi-hyphenate’s girl-next-door charm.

Those designer carriers are borrowed from her mother and she herself wears clothes from fast fashion stores like Zara. “I think their clothes this season is not bad,” she pronounces.

Wee wails about putting on weight and having to stop eating those Lunar New Year goodies – “I feel fat just smelling all the cookies my mum is making!” We believe her when she tells you that she knows she’s OK for regular folk, but “everything appears bigger on TV”. She insists she’s tried all the different diets – one left her feeling tired all the time – and now prefers to maintain her figure the healthy way, aka eat in moderation and exercise regularly. www.homeplusliving.com 19

SPACE | Cover Story

“Character is very important to me.

I don’t think good looks are everything – for example, when I was going through my Twilight phase, I was more into Edward Cullen than Robert Pattinson.”

What’s coming next for you?

I will appear in Mr Missy, which is scheduled to air in March or April. I play a newcomer mobile nurse who falls for her colleague played by Thomas Ong. It’s my first Chinese drama so it was a challenge for me. To prepare for my role, I had to attend training sessions with real-life mobile nurses. I had to learn to measure blood pressure, handle a syringe and even treat bedsore.

Goals for 2014?

I want to get busy! I started out as a singer and never considered acting. Working on the MediaCorp 5 drama Mata Mata made me realise I’d fallen in love with acting. I learnt so many new things and I don’t feel I should take a break yet. I hope to keep this momentum going. Being busy also makes me cherish my free time better and therefore try to make the most of it. This is the first time I’m spending the Lunar New Year at home in three years – otherwise, I’d be performing – so I was roped in to help with baking pineapple tarts and cooking the pencai.

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The staircase is the focal point of the Wee residence.

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Bringing the outdoors in.

When Wee is not busy baking or reading, she plays the piano too.

How do you spend time at home?

You’re not fat.

I love baking and my specialty is dessert. I make a mean sea salt caramel chocolate tart and caramel banana walnut tart. I used to often get requests for kueh dada. My family members are picky about food but even they admitted that my desserts are good. I started baking because I loved eating, and the toughest part is constantly reminding myself not to over-indulge. When I was singing, I could burn off calories faster because I also had to dance. Now that I’m acting, I haven’t been able to exercise as much, so I’m more likely to put on weight.

Believe me when I say that I have tried out all the fad diets. For the first three days of filming for Mr Missy, I drank oatmeal with chia seeds for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

I regret that because I was always feeling tired. My dream is to work on a culinary show because I think I am happiest when I’m eating. I also read food blogs like ladyironchef and watch a fair bit of Food Network. I’m like most Singaporeans – I love finding new places to eat. Even when I’m on the treadmill, I’m watching Masterchef.

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When I’m not so busy, I attend hot yoga lessons. I used to dance and do wushu but after pulling a ligament in my knee, I switched to yoga. I like that it helps to keep me present and focused because I’m so hyper.

Sounds like the way to your heart is through the stomach, no?

It’s a bonus. I have a huge crush on Ryan Gosling since watching him in Young Hercules… his charming eyes and toned physique. But I don’t think good looks are everything – for example, when I was going

Cover Story | SPACE

becoming a pop star. My mum thought that studies should come first but she agreed to enrol me for singing lessons, which I did for half a year with Lee Weisong. After I completed my ‘A’ levels, I’d gone to New York to study dance. But she sent in my application for NUS. And so I had to come back home.

through my Twilight phase, I was more into Edward Cullen than Robert Pattinson.

Character is very important to me.

Love is…

Is romance on the cards?

You graduated from National University of Singapore with honours in Psychology.

Why did you choose a career in entertainment?

I don’t think I have time for romance because I’m so busy with work. If I have a boyfriend, I want to make sure I spend quality time with him. But I’m not consciously rejecting any opportunity to meet the right man. It’s important that my family approves of him because I’m so close to them. I don’t think I want to be made to choose sides.

Like a pillow. I can rest on it, hug it, and sleep on it. [Laughs]

I’ve always loved performing, like, since kindergarten. When my mother knew that I wanted to dance, she sent me to ballet class.

I was so happy, I never suffered from stage fright. When I turned 13, I dreamt about

With all this hindsight, when I was in my third year at NUS, I joined the Miss Singapore Chinese International pageant.

I wanted to use it as platform to start a career in entertainment. I knew my family would baulk at the idea of me parading onstage in a bikini, so I didn’t inform them.

Of course, when I made it to the semifinals, I had to own up. I was pleasantly surprised that my mother was very supportive and even turned up in placards to cheer me on.

How do you deal with the pressure of having such famous parents?

My mother completed her ‘O’ levels but chose to become a hairstylist, which was frowned upon during then. Her work ethic is something I respect, admire and emulate.

I used to take it to heart when others said that my success is linked to my family. But you know, I can’t change my parents. www.homeplusliving.com 23

Cotton voile top and pleated cotton skirt, both COS www.homeplusliving.com 24

Cover Story | SPACE

If anything, I have to work even harder to fulfil my own dream. I hope that others will be able to see me as me. My parents’ success is my driving force. I am very fortunate to be born into a family where we didn’t need to worry excessively about everyday needs, but at the same time it made me feel that maybe I had been too sheltered. And acting allows me to go through so many different experiences that I never had the opportunity to. I never had

acting training so it’s a huge learning curve for me.

Other women you look up to?

Jessica Alba, for her healthy outlook on life. I also admire Julia Roberts and Maggie Cheung because they can tackle such a large variety of characters with charisma. I also used to idolise MediaCorp actresses like Zoe Tay and Fann Wong.

“Vulnerability is something that makes all of us human, simply because it’s natural to fear the unknown and uncertain.”

As a public figure, how often do you feel vulnerable?

I used to feel so frequently. I’m like an open book so my emotions can be read easily. But vulnerability is something that makes all of us human, simply because it’s natural to fear the unknown and uncertain. Buy hey, we can learn to find perfection in imperfection, right?

Finally, describe your dream home.

This is my parents’ house so it reflects more of their taste. If you ask me, there’s too much glass here, so it can get very warm. The two most important areas in my house are the kitchen – so I can try out new recipes – and the bedroom, where I can watch re-runs of Friends. Yes, you can call me a nerd but I’m so proud to be a homebody!

A pretty bathroom for removing heavy makeup from long hours of filming. www.homeplusliving.com 25

SPACE | Beauty Candy Apothecary

SUGAR RUSH

Be whisked away to New York City’s quaint shopping streets when you visit Beauty Candy Apothecary.

By YIP JIEYING

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long Cluny Court – a sleepy stretch where families brunch and grocery shop on weekends – Beauty Candy Apothecary refreshes like a breath of cool air. At first glance, you might mistake the lifestyle concept store for a Manhattan jeweller or a French café. Chic grey-and-white awnings stretch above neat potted shrubbery, beckoning enticingly to customers. As you (involuntarily) step through the door, you are greeted by a faint whiff of fragrance and a beautifully tiled mat with the store’s initials laid out in mosaic.

Beauty Candy is the brainchild of Parsons-trained fashion designer Astrie Sunindar-Ratner, who had wanted to offer shoppers the joy of discovering appealing things in unexpected places. The stylish enclave, dressed to look like a vintage pharmacy, is well stocked with organic beauty picks, fashion accessories and even knick-knacks for motherand-child. Sunindar-Ratner curates the selection herself, some of which are exclusive to Beauty Candy. “This is a shop you come to and know everything we carry has been carefully chosen because it’s creating waves and it’s going to be big,” she shares.

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Traipse around Beauty Candy Apothecary, dressed up to resemble a vintage pharmacy www.homeplusliving.com 27

Sugar, spice and everything nice: organic skincare have a place of pride here

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Beauty Candy Apothecary | SPACE

The store’s simple yet chic layout makes for easy browsing

A stepladder is reinvented as shelves for shop wares

Stacks of fluffy linen towels and toiletries from various cult brands fill up the top shelves – providing the experience of having stepped into the plush home of a glamorous starlet.

Just beyond the main door, a majestic glass-topped table holds court on the shop floor. On it is a treasure trove of goodies lovingly laid out – an intricate handmade headband by designer Jennifer Behr (a favourite on the set of the Gossip Girl drama series), fancy stationery from Sugar Paper and Maison Balzac’s perfumed candles.

For the fashion-forward, there is even a selection of acetate eyewear from PRISM, a quirky brand set up by ex-fashion editor Anna Laub.

One entire wall is lined with minimalist gold-accented cupboards, chock-full of covetables like all-natural skincare from Tata Harper, French luxury brand Paris Mode’s fine hair accessories, and delicate jewellery by Hollywood celebrity must-have Ariel Gordon. Powder pads and toothbrushes nestle in charmingly old-fashioned herb jars. Stacks of fluffy linen towels and toiletries from various cult brands fill up the top shelves – providing the experience of having stepped into the plush home of a glamorous starlet. www.homeplusliving.com 29

SPACE | Beauty Candy Apothecary

Make like a New Yorker at the Fresh Pressed juicery

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Attention is paid to every detail, down to the patterned tiles

Move slightly to find a sleek gold clothes rack, from which hangs London label Poplin’s sumptuous sleepwear. It tempts with silky kimono robes and classic cotton pajamas that Coco Chanel herself might wear. The fitting room, adorned with a large gilded mirror, amps up the space’s tasteful opulence. Little ones are not forgotten here, as Sunindar-Ratner includes a shelf full of cheery toys and accessories from Australian luxury children’s label Bella Buttercup and even ZOOBUG’s sunglasses for babies. A wooden rocking horse adds a touch of whimsicality.

After all that shopping, take a well-deserved break at the covert Fresh Pressed juice bar, tucked away at the back of the store. Designed in the same vintage style as the apothecary, the juicery offers cold-pressed drinks made with wholesome fruits and vegetables (psst, celebrity chef and health buff Emmanuel Stroobant is a consultant). Salads are also available, with mouthwatering yet healthy flavours like walnut chicken and lentils. As you perch on a wooden bar stool to sip your kaleand-berries juice, you will discover brews by New York tea atelier Bellocq sitting pretty on matching wooden ledges. Now, that is one more irresistible purchase to improve your home.

BEAUTY CANDY APOTHECARY #01-05B Cluny Court TEL: 6314 3828 www.beautycandy.com.sg

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SPACE | Naumi Hotel

VAROOM VA

With a plethora of super-posh fixtures and pop icon-inspired suites, Naumi Hotel’s all-new look turns makeover into marvellous. By YIP JIEYING

E

asy to get into but hard to get out of, Naumi Hotel is where designer addicts are tarrying these days. Its being located in the same neighbourhood as the celebrated Raffles Hotel has made the boutique property by comparison more clandestine – that means even more desirable for most.

For the record, all 73 rooms bring to life the quirky fashion- and art-centric dreamscapes by White Jacket, the same home-grown design studio behind projects like Lanson Place (Beijing), New World (Saigon) and Sentosa Cove (Singapore). It is not the only Singaporean creative to feature here; turn a corner and you may come across a wall mural by graffiti artist TR853-1, mesmerising video installations by pop artist Aiman or photographer Olivier Henry’s Lenticular images. Otherwise, plush pieces from leading furniture brands like Tom Dixon, B&B Italia, Artemide and Poltrona Frau also draw luxury lovers from everywhere.

But where the former Naumi was “fun and full of life”, as described by Patricia Ho, owner of White Jacket, it now reflects the “stylish, dare-devil trendsetter” seeking an urban adventure. As she let on: “The main challenge of the makeover was not to reinvent Naumi, but to encourage guests to reimagine her.”

STARRY STARRY NIGHT Leading ladies don’t come as legendary as Coco Chanel. And the madmoiselle’s sartorial flair is reflected in the Gabrielle and Camellia suites – christened after her first name and her favourite bloom respectively. Decked out in soothing tones of mint green and white and

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punched up with black accents, Gabrielle aptly embodies Chanel’s restrained elegance. A monochromatic trunk serving as a table cleverly references the designer’s jet-setting lifestyle.

Meanwhile Camellia inspires with stunning artwork inspired by its namesake.

Over at the Eden and Nirwana rooms, however, it is Andy Warhol who reigns. Holding court in these spaces are eye-catching psychedelic rugs and ergonomic armchairs in the artist’s favoured bright hues. If you are wondering about the numerous circle motifs (including the round bathtub, foot stool and ceiling fixture), consider them a sly shout-out to Warhol’s pop art and his first encounter with the Paint function on the Apple Mac. “Look, Keith, I drew a circle!” exclaimed an excited Warhol to fellow artist Haring.

Ho, who chose Coco Chanel and Andy Warhol because “they are non-conformist, who redefined and transformed modern art and culture; this is the same energy and spirit that drives Naumi’s design inspiration”, gave a fresh spin on conventional hotel rooms by lavishing unexpected touches. These include openconcept bathrooms, monolith glowing basins and pull-out bars.

“They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.”

– Andy Warhol

Touches of Andy Warhol shine through the psychedelic Eden and Nirwana rooms

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Gabrielle and Camellia suites pay homage to Coco Chanel’s love for the lavish things in life

“Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance.”

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– Coco Chanel

Naumi Hotel | SPACE

Peace is posh in the Oasis room

SANCTUARY FOR THE SENSES The Oasis room beckons with a dramatic contrast of black and white, as floor-to-ceiling windows open up to superb views of the business district. For some R&R, jump into a sleek gleaming bathtub for a good soak. A lattice screen (in chic black naturally) offers privacy, but know that all bathrooms at the hotel come equipped with “magic” glass panels that turn opaque when you press a button.

Upping the luxe quotient are bath amenities by hip New York apothecary MALIN + GOETZ. But it is the “fantastico flop spot”, otherwise known as Habitat room, that tickles our fancy. At a modest 26 sqm (the suite is 43 sqm by the way), this wood-clad enclave welcomes weary senses with its warm earthy tones. Try getting Ho to single out her favourite room, and she hesitates: “It’s impossible to pick one! I love every space and corner in the hotel.”

MALIN + GOETZ niceties up the ante for bathtime rituals

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SPACE | Naumi Hotel

Spice up evenings with Indian cuisine at Table by Rang Mahal

Less is more in the Habitat room

Spruce up for nights out with a spacious vanity counter

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HIDDEN SECRETS It just means that guests must prepare to explore Naumi and discover for themselves that occasional pleasant surprise. This includes treats hidden in the rooms and Naumi Angels popping up with complimentary nightcaps and nibbles during turndown time. The hotel’s redesign also unveiled a Privacy Floor (located on the third level) catering to female guests.

The floor is accessible only via a special key for extra security, and rooms are stocked with creature comforts such as hair straighteners and yoga mats. Too stuffed after chowing down on chicken rice? Work off those calories at the three mini-gyms, each dedicated to a different discipline. All gyms are outfitted with towels, bottled water and even iPod docking stations to lessen the gruel of workouts.

Feel on top of the world (almost!) at the Cloud 9 infinity pool

Get an eyeful of Singapore’s city skyline at the Cloud 9 rooftop infinity pool. Other than cheerful Dedon ecological furniture (complete with leaf-shaped lounge beds), there is also a bar where you can order drinks and plonk yourself by the pool. If you need anything else, the Naumi aides are ever-ready to please - look out for their hard-to-miss futuristic blue capes and deconstructed blazers designed by homegrown fashion label DEPRESSION.

SEE AND BE SEEN New restaurant Table by Rang Mahal, also designed by White Jacket, offers tasty Indian cuisine in a breezy bistro-style setting.

Geometric mirrors visually lengthen the space, while orange and yellow hues whet your appetite for the sumptuous feast to come. The dining room’s palette of white, gold and grey also lends a cool refined touch - a scintillating antithesis to the spicy Chilli Cheese Kulzza – a fluffy bread pocket stuffed with cheddar, chilli and coriander – and Bengali Fish Masala (sea bass fillets marinated in mustard and spices). Staycation or vacation, this is serious indulgence.

NAUMI HOTEL 41 Seah Street Tel: 6403 6000 www.naumihotel.com

LUST-MUST Enjoy a time of love and romance with Naumi Hotel’s Valentine Escapade on 14 Feb 2014. For $508++, it includes a 2D1N stay at the Habitat room, buffet breakfast for two, dinner for two at Table by Rang Mahal, and a bottle of sparkling wine.

Email: reservations@naumihotel.com www.homeplusliving.com 37

SPACE | Malmaison

IN THE

MOMENT

Michael Tay thrives on trying times. If there’s an opportunity in every crisis, the executive director of The Hour Glass Limited emerges both survivor and trailblazer. And Malmaison makes for a magnificent testament. By JACQUIE ANG

I

f Michael Tay had a secret apartment, it would most likely take the guise of Malmaison. “We want our customers to feel like they are our house-guests; to enter Malmaison is like entering someone’s house, or an intimate little museum,” he expounds on the luxury emporium concept by The Hour Glass Limited.

“We have spared no efforts in enhancing their experience, be it in the scattering of personal artifacts and curios that complete enliven [give space a personality] the space, to comfortable lighting and soft furnishings such as antique rugs and settees.”

This cradle of luxury began in Europe’s royal courts of yore. Among the foremost tastemakers of the time was French monarch

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Napoleon Bonaparte and his empress Joséphine de Beauharnais, whose famous abode Château de Malmaison inspired Tay’s concept of residential retailing, the first of its kind in Singapore.

VARIETY SHOW Tasked to carry this vision to life are Matthew Shang and Paul Semple, principals of Distillery Studio, a Singapore-based interior design consultancy established in 2007. From the 2,500 custom-made brass bees that occupy the front salon, to the huge imposing griffin that greets visitors, luxury is nothing less than sumptuous. Beneath all these niceties, however, are divine artistry and masterful craftsmanship. At Malmaison, you can even sit on the oldest wood in the world!

The Great Hall

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Griffin - Legendary Guardian of Priceless Possessions

Against a contemporary retail environment, lavish decorative arts from the Napoleonic period exude opulent old-world beauty.

Such extraordinary juxtaposition channels an elegant yet eclectic mood for the multicategory emporium.

“We wanted to create an atmosphere of coffee and conversation, in a setting that evokes a high sense of nostalgia... yet not steeped in the tradition, as we are principally a contemporary culture,” Tay adds.

Marking a new beginning post-closure of The Hour Glass’s first boutique in Lucky Plaza after 30 years, Malmaison heralded a new beginning for the company and its vision, shifting away from selling timepieces to the timeless.

Step into the sanctuary and discover all things fine and fabulous, comprising objects d’art, jewellery, fragrances, collectible literature and bespoke services of the sartorial kind. One of the distinguished brands offered exclusively at Malmaison in South East Asia is Frédéric Malle. The Parisian perfumer’s signature glass cylinders emulate the tools chemists and noses use when they create perfumes in the lab. Spraying onto paper affects the scent, so at Malmaison, you spray into the cylinders, to let the scent settle before taking a whiff. The vacuum lets you detect the notes of the fragrance from the top to the bottom notes.

For the discerning gentleman, shirts hail from the world-renowned Charvet, whose founder Cristofle Charvet set up the world’s first shirt shop in Paris when he opened in 1838. Oh, his cousin, Louise, made shirts for Napoleon.

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Malmaison | SPACE

“We wanted to create an atmosphere of coffee and conversation, in a setting that evokes a high sense of nostalgia...yet not steeped in the tradition, as we are principally a contemporary culture.”

– Michael Tay, executive director, The Hour Glass Limited www.homeplusliving.com 41

SPACE | Malmaison

By sharing passion and knowledge on the rich heritage behind fine watchmaking traditions, Michael Tay hopes to stimulate interest in acquiring these timekeeping instruments as works of art and genius.

FINEST HOUR Splendid cultural pursuits aside, Malmaison stays on course as a house of horology. After all, The Hour Glass, with its stable of over 50 brands across 29 boutiques in 10 cities throughout Asia Pacific, spearheaded the appreciation of contemporary horological culture.

Patek Philippe Salon

And with watches (very nearly) relinquishing time-telling to smart devices, Tay aims to elevate haute horology into an art. “Our mission is to be the watch world’s leading cultural retail enterprise,� said the fine watch ambassador for the Foundation de la Haute Horlogerie. By sharing passion and knowledge on the rich heritage behind fine watchmaking traditions with clients and collectors, he hopes to stimulate interest in acquiring these timekeeping instruments as works of art and genius.

One example is the 300-year-old restored antique clock from Charles Le Roy, master clockmaker to Napoleon. There are also groundbreaking timepieces from dedicated independent watchmakers such as H Moser, De Bethune, Alain Silberstein. Also stocked here are avant-garde kinetic alternatives from MB&F and Urwerk.

Besides the great marques of Patek Philippe, Panerai, IWC, Audemars Piguet, A Lange & Sohne, Jaeger-LeCoultre and Hublot, Malmaison is also the first authorised Rolex retailer in the world to display vintage pieces alongside modern models.

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The Napoleon Room

Such diversity underscores Malmaison’s deviation from norms of the trade, and a conviction that the strength of a timepiece lies in the integrity and purity of horological art, not the brand it bears.

“Malmaison is about celebrating the ingenuity of the human mind – that Man has progressed so far as to create, simply with an idea and their hands, an object of such impassioned refinement,” explains Tay. As he redefines the business of selling watches into an experience that brings romance into retail, Malmaison endeavours to present articles of authentic luxury and true exclusivity birthed from unequivocal passion and artisanship, in celebration of the original concept of luxury.

Glajz Haute Joaillerie Private Room

Distillery Studio took advantage of the high ceilings and open layout of the twostorey and over 8,000 sq ft to carve out intimate niches for visitors to explore and be enchanted but privacy demands among the well-heeled calls for other extras. Apart from cosy corners for picking out your new purchases away from prying eyes, entrances from the Knightsbridge carpark and proximity to the Grand Park Hotel’s driveway ensure direct access, convenience and exclusivity.

Expect personal butler services, customer relationship officers are on hand to welcome guests and assist in gift selection as concierge liaison, another first.

To round up the exceptional Malmaison experience, ribbons on packages are specially wrapped into the shape of a rose – a nod to Empress Joséphine’s favourite rose garden back at Château de Malmaison.

MALMAISON #01-01 Knightsbridge Tel: 6884 8484

LUST-MUST

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SPACE | Beds & Mattresses

B&B Italia Alys bed from Proof Living

DREAM ON

Enjoying a well-rested night lies in a good mattress and bed frame. HOME+LIVING reveals shopping tips from the experts

Text by YIP JIEYING

A

third of our lives are spent on slumber, which makes a suitable bed very important. In a survey by the National Sleep Foundation based in Virginia, US, nine in 10 respondents cited a good mattress as the topdetermining factor for quality sleep. Other than making early mornings less of a chore, shelling out for a bed set that fit your body type and sleep pattern also help improve your health in the long run, as they spare your spine from unnecessary pressure and reduce aches.

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SPRING UP If you are tossing and turning at night, your old worn-out mattress is likely the snooze killer culprit.

“A mattress has an average lifespan of eight to 10 years, and even shorter with heavier usage,” shares Valerie Tan, Southeast Asia marketing manager for Sealy Asia. “Some signs of wear are sagging, squeaking sounds and torn fabric.”

Physical changes due to ageing may also call for a change in mattress type. Ng Eng Hwa, marketing manager for Slumberland, points out: “It is normal to develop a body

Orthos Cashmere mattress from Hypnos

impression after sleeping on your mattress for a few months.” That’s why couples who tend to roll towards each other at night during sleep will find more obvious sagging in the middle of their mattress.

Nottingham mattress from Dunlopillo

Other than body weight that’s making your bed depressed, a 2011 mattress lifespan study by The Furniture Industry Research Association in Hertfordshire, UK, also revealed that sweat and debris like skin and hair can break down the support and comfort of fabrics and stuffing over time.

BUY OUT A good mattress can be pricey, so it is worthwhile to understand what your body needs before you splurge. “Orthopaedic surgeons believe that there is least pressure on the body when the skeleton is in a standing position,” says Tan. As such, good bed posture greatly decreases pressure points pushing against your body.

Go moderate on mattress firmness. While it is tempting to flop onto a feather-soft bed, Tan recommends a mattress that is neither too cushy nor hard. “You will wake up with a backache on too-soft mattresses as your body has been sagging for a few hours, while too-firm mattresses will cause discomfort due

to pressure acting on parts of the body that press against it,” she divulges. As your skin loses elasticity, especially after the age of 40, your body becomes more vulnerable to strain and tension. If you suffer lower back pain from being desk-bound, a 2003 research study in medical journal The Lancet finds that a medium-firm sleeping surface alleviates the pain.

Size does not always matter. Unlike the proverbial fairy tale of The Princess and The Pea, lying on a mattress as thick as a baby elephant does not necessarily lead to more comfort. Go for the dimensions you personally prefer.

Be aware of different measurement systems. One tip many are unaware of when mattress shopping, says Ng, is that every brand has its own approach for product dimensions. “Even if two mattresses are both labelled king-size, they may not be the same as they are not from the same manufacturer.”

Ng also reminds that different measurements and quality levels exist between original manufacturers and smaller companies who acquire a licence to adapt the product under respective labels. Important: ask questions about how various features in a mattress (such as pressure-relieving materials and special coils) can benefit you. www.homeplusliving.com 45

Do the 15-minute test. Bearing in mind that one brand’s ultra-soft mattress may be another brand’s normal firmness, test your potential purchase in-person for the best fit. Spend at least five minutes lying on both sides and your back to ensure that you will remain comfortable after an entire night.

Don’t be shy; well-trained salespeople will be happy to accommodate your request.

“Wear your most comfortable clothes; this will make your experience more similar to how you will feel when sleeping in your pajamas,” Tan adds.

Every brand has its own approach for product dimensions. Even if two mattresses are both labelled king-size, they may not be the same as they are not from the same manufacturer.

Bring your partner along. As you will be sharing the same mattress, make sure that your purchase is something you both find suitable.

Check the fine print. Take note that a guarantee protects consumer rights better – it promises (on paper) that your mattress will not malfunction within a given time frame. A warranty is trickier – it is subjected to the manufacturer’s terms and conditions, which may not benefit you. Clarify with your salesperson on the return and exchange policy, in case you change your mind about your purchase or if there is a manufacturing defect.

BED ANTICS To get the best value out of your splurge, consider buying your bed frame together with the mattress if available. “Usually retailers are able to work out a good package deal,” says Ng. This also ensures that your mattress fits the bed perfectly. An ill-fitting combination will cause you to shift during the night and disrupt your sweet dreams. Check that your bed frame has sturdy construction.

Flimsy bed frames creak under pressure, causing noises that could jolt you awake.

TempSmart 3.0 3600 mattress from Slumberland

If you have ever fought with your spouse over bed space, solve the problem by ensuring that your bed frame allows you to lie down side-by-side, arms behind your head, and elbows out without touching. Ng adds: “Your bed should also be 10 to 15cm longer than the tallest partner.”

When it comes to choosing a headboard, focus beyond aesthetics. It also serves as a support mechanism to lean on and relax. For those who intend to bolt the headboard to their bed and wall, this will better secure the bed.

Luxury Plush mattress from Sealy

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Beds & Mattresses | SPACE

BED FELLOWS

Eye-catching bed frames inject liveliness in your bedroom. Here are our favourite five.

MATTRESS MANUAL Chase away the confusion with this handy guide.

Poliform Big Bed

INNERSPRING

B&B Italia Alys bed

The most common and often cheapest, an innerspring mattress has a steel coil support system covered with foam and fibre. Rule of thumb: the heavier the body weight, the higher the coil count needed. Sealy’s Luxury Plush mattress features PostureTech™ twicetempered coils to minimise motion transfer and stabilise your sleep surface.

MEMORY FOAM This elastic material conforms to the body according to heat and pressure so as to evenly distribute body weight. It returns to its original shape when you get up from the bed.

The Beautyrest Black Sandrina Lush from Simmons combines memory foam with its Smart Response™ and Advanced pocketed Coil® technology to support your spine.

Maxalto Alcova bed

POCKET SPRING Individual springs in fabric pockets are linked together such that each spring provides individual support. If your partner rolls over in bed, you will hardly feel the movement as the springs operate independently. The Orthos Cashmere mattress from Hypnos has a three-zoned ReActive™ ten pocket spring system, with each spring containing ten active turns for full spinal support. If you are after a mattress with breathable fabric, go for Slumberland’s pure lambswool TempSmart 3.0 3600, which also offers a special Pressless Spacer for enhanced ventilation.

Matthew Hilton Hepburn bed

Zanotta Legumi bed

HYPNOS 8edtimes, #B1-09 Parkmall T: 6338 7889 SEALY #01-02 Tanglin Place T: 6475 6166 SLUMBERLAND #04-02 The Centrepoint T: 6733 3314 DUNLOPILLO #03-306/306A Marina Square T: 6337 9149

SIMMONS #01-08/10 Park Mall T: 6336 4100 PROOF LIVING (Zanotta and Matthew Hilton) #03-15 ION Orchard T: 6509 0555 SPACE FURNITURE (B&B Italia, Maxalto and Poliform) 77 Bencoolen Street T: 6415 0000

LATEX Folks who are sensitive to minute movements will be pleased with this. Latex wraps around body contours; it provides adequate support even if you may initially feel as if you are sinking in. Try Dunlopillo’s Nottingham model – its Talalay Latex relieves weight tension while a luxurious Belgian silk cover keeps you cool. www.homeplusliving.com 47

SPACE | Closets

ESTATE MANAGEMENT Can’t cram another jacket? Find out how you can make space for the finer things in life.

Text by JACQUIE ANG

H

itting headlines with her clothes (or the lack of) is expected of Rihanna, but Balmain’s new face has taken wardrobe envy to another level – her closet in her new Manhattan apartment spans three bedrooms. But will upsizing really contain the problem?

Put all your material possessions in front of you. Ask yourself this: Why do you have so much stuff? If many of them are old pieces you recognise, the pile of cherished mementoes could be a manifestation of arrested development, pointing to a hoarder who attaches emotion and nostalgia to objects.

Whoever said money can’t buy happy-everafter knows that for every “physical” side of the coin, there is the “psychological” value that weighs in.

Conversely, items that still have tags could be a symptom of a compulsive shopper with poor self-esteem. You buy because you think you need it or you’re snagging a bargain. However,

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keeping up with the Joneses only worsens the underlying problem with credit card debt and clothes wallowing in your wardrobe. Jennifer Baumgartner, a clinical psychologist, wardrobe consultant and author of You Are What You Wear: What Your Clothes Reveal About You, drew similarities between over-buying and binge eating. “There’s an emotional emptiness that you’re trying to fill with clothing,” she observed.

James Wallman can empathise. The trend forecaster and author of Stuffocation blames

It’s like when you go to a party and have a great time, but then you stay over there and wake up surrounded by all the mess.”

Released post-Chrismas shopping frenzy, Stuffocation delves into clutter crisis and points the finger at mass consumption and fast fashion. What once gave us joy now brought us stress. According to the most extensive study into daily life ever conducted by the Los Angles, California-based Center on Everyday Lives of Families (CELF), women who combat with excess at home end up battling chronic fatigue and depression. Talk about fatal attraction. Who knew mess could murder?

BACK TO BASICS Plan your wardrobe according to the things you need. Easy access at a prominent location will not only save time on hectic mornings but also maximise space. Consider segregating work and weekend wear.

Your pursuit for the perfect wardrobe ends the customisable Alumix structural system available from Besglas, which redefines power dressing with its assortment of components and accessories ranging from multiple colour safety glass doors, melamine shelves, to cross-section aluminium hanger rods and organisers. Highly versatile, the easy-onthe-pocket storage solution can be easily disassembled and reconfigured to meet changing needs. If you prefer professional assistance from home decor company Besglas, charges depend on the type of service. Fitting add-on items and adjusting shelvings or hanger bars within a week from installation date are free of charge.

The fact that is manufactured from aluminium of the highest grade in the industry makes a big difference. The Alumix system can hold up to 15kg per lineal foot, making this closet corrosion-free while keeping dust at bay.

Redefine power dressing with the Besglas Alumix structural system

Alumix structural system available from Besglas

it on early conditioning – we have been groomed since young to be consumers. The thrill to acquire and accumulate is addictive, even though you still end up “having nothing to wear”.

“I’ve been aware for a while of the fact that materialism doesn’t really work,” he shared.

“The 20th century felt like a time when everything was possible. And now we’ve now awoken in the 21st century and we’re faced with the negative consequences of our actions. www.homeplusliving.com 49

GREATER HEIGHTS Look upwards. Set aside top shelves for your Store collection. In this case, Häfele’s adjustable wardrobe-lifters are a godsend for the vertically-challenged in reaching their closet’s full dimensions. Besides an ergonomic handle and reinforced T-brackets, bumpers add protection to the housing when you lower the clothes bar. Spacers also provide optional distance between the back wall and hangers.

UP THE WALL Empty walls are prime estate for the sartorially-inclined due to space scarcity. You can hang ties, scarves, hats or bags with bars and hooks. Rolling ladders evoke an air of elegance but step ladders and stools can be nifty solutions too.

HANGING TOUGH “No wire hangers, ever!” Joan Crawford might have gone over the edge with her neuroticism, but it turns out that Mommie Dearest’s rejection was right. These colourful thin hangers may let you cram more but you only end up with a cluttered closet and wrinkled clothes.

Thicker is better, especially those with rounded shoulders for jackets, but sturdy wooden hangers take up space and can be pricey. Consider the think, flat velvet hangers as an affordable alternative. The spacesavers are durable without sacrificing style.

Plus, its fuzzy material prevents clothes from slipping off.

Good quality hangers prolong the lifespan of your clothes. Mismatched hangers create chaos when clothes tangle with each other.

Try and amass matching hangers – they slide next to each other with getting caught and the uniformity exudes a touch of class.

DIVIDE AND CONQUER Compartments can be clever when you can make the most of big spaces. Think Muji’s stackable drawers. Little trays and boxes (some can be easily reconfigured with detachable separators) can store itty-bitty things like detachable brassiere straps. Muji also has specific storage solutions such as a case where you can hang necklaces, and drawer to keep your favourite eyewear. Some come with lids that keep dust out and it’s easy to clean with a wipe. Transparent acrylic allows you to see everything in a glance but if the mess appears too jarring, you can always opt for opaque plastic.

ALL IS BRIGHT

LAND’S END With physical constraints under control comes post-maintenance. Former menswear fashion director at Bergdorf Goodman and menswear creative director at JC Penney, Nick Wooster likens a wardrobe to a garden.

“It needs constant tending,” the regular on the Pitti Uomo street-style circuit remarked.

To keep wardrobe orderly and in tip-top condition, consider an audit every six months or a year. Instead of accumulating new pieces, take care of what you have, like fixing buttons that are about to fall off.

BESGLAS Blk 2 Toa Payoh Industrial Park #01-1401/1403, Tel: 6353 3533 www.besglas.com HÄFELE SINGAPORE No. 1 Kaki Bukit Road #01-27/28 Enterprise One, Tel: 6848 9075 www.hafele.com.sg MUJI 2 Orchard Turn, #B4-16 ION Orchard,, Tel: 6509 9321 www.muji.com

Don’t forget lighting. All the better to see the innards of your wardrobe! Days of dressing in the dark are over with IKEA’s integrated wardrobe lighting.

Ideal for narrow spaces, the LED lights don’t emit much heat. Open the door and the lights automatically come on.

Muji’s stackable drawers

Häfele’s adjustable wardrobe-lifters are a godsend for the verticallychallenged in reaching their closet’s full dimensions

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Closets | SPACE

SECOND LIFE

POWER OF SUBTRACTION

Can’t bear to bin? If you see fashion discards as valuable resource, join the sustainability movement and find them a new home.

RETURN & REPURPOSE Fast fashion retailers have eco-friendly and socially conscious clothing recycling drives that aims to new use for old clothes and make the world a better place.

UNIQLO’s AllProduct Recycling Initiative accepts all used clothing under its brand. With the support of global partners including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Japan Relief Clothing Center, donations are distributed to refugees and other people in need around the world.

H&M takes in your cast-offs of any brand and in any condition to turn old textile fibers into, new yarns and rewards your green efforts.

At Singapore H&M stores, customers can redeem a $10 discount voucher for each bag of clothing brought (with a minimum purchase of $80).

SWAP IN THE NAME OF SUSTAINABILITY Cut back on shopping by swapping via local fashion exchange site Fashfix.sg.

Its Project Infinity promises that you will never repeat any outfit when there is a buffet of dresses you can pick two to enjoy as long as you like. When you’re ready for something new, just drop them into the provided pre-paid envelope and send them back. Yes, shipping is free!

Before your clutter kills you, wrestle back control by detoxing your wardrobe. Take stock of what you have. Honesty is your best ally here. Based on your possessions, divide into four groups:

CASH FOR CLUTTER Sell secondhand without braving the fleas?

Consider the user-to-user mobile app Carousell, where you snap, list and sell in 30 seconds.

Available on iPhone and Android for free, the digital marketplace reportedly boasts of more than million listings, 20 per cent of which are successful transactions. Though user numbers are not revealed, the Singapore-based startup claims that users open the app about 10 times each day on average, spending a total of 24 minutes on it. How’s that for mobile mogul?

XXXXXX

TRASH You don’t need anything unforgiving so do yourself a favour and bin those that does not flatter you.

STORE Put aside winter coats, tuxedoes, evening gowns and other apparel you don’t usually need.

KEEP IN VIEW While you give certain pieces a chance, watch this stack. Anything not worn in a year is a strong indication it does not have a place in your life. You know where they belong.

HOLD This collection comprises of your essentials that fit in your lifestyle. If the pile is still overwhelming after editing, take up the bin-bag challenge.

Wallman recommends everything to be put into trash bags, which you take out only what you need every day. Only the items that were used will “graduate” to the wardrobe.

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SPACE | Wood Furniture

IT’S A JUNGLE

OUT THERE Wood furniture still cuts a classy statement even in this day and age. For one, it is hardy and hence less vulnerable to damage.

Here are 10 to start you off.

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BEECH A hardwood that bends easily, this is often used for obscure bits such as drawer bottoms and sides and backs of cabinets. It stains well, so furniture makers often do so to give it the appearance of mahogany, maple or cherry.

BIRCH Its light tan hue makes it similar in appearance to maple but is often stained to mimic walnut or cherry. As it is resistant to shrinking and warping, it is frequently used in pieces with simple and even contemporary designs.

CEDAR Known for its distinctive scent (that repels insects), this softwood is favoured for chests, drawers and closets. The pretty grain benefits from light streaks and knots against the reddish setting.

CHERRY One of the most valuable hardwoods, it comes in a palette ranging light brown to dark red brown. Used in fine furniture and cabinets, it is occasionally accentuated with a light stain.

OAK

ROSEWOOD Like mahogany, this is expensive and extremely valued in the world of furniture making.

A classic in the world of fine furniture, this is resistant to shrinking and warping. It is one of the softer hardwoods and therefore easier to carve details. It also retains lustre despite repeated polishing.

Cherished for its sturdiness and lovely grain, this is available in white or red. White is more attractive and more moisture-resistant so it is picked for outdoor furniture. This hardwood does not deteriorate with environmental damage, such as exposure to water in rainy season.

MAPLE

PINE

Used frequently for bowling alley floors because it is hard and shock-resistant, maple has a fine texture and even grain. Common in American colonial pieces, it can be stained to look like cherry.

Used in nearly all kinds of furniture because of its low cost, this pale yellow wood is lightweight and usually selected for country or provincial furniture. It can be painted, whitened or topped with an oil finish.

MAHOGANY

TEAK A versatile hardwood that can be crafted into solid pieces or used as veneer, this is very expensive. Indigenous to Southeast Asia, it is highly weather-resistant yet carves well, making it excellent for Scandinavian and Oriental styles.

“My father, who was a cabinetmaker, told me, ‘Wood has a grain and if you go into the grain, you have beauty. If you go against it, you have splinters – it breaks.’

And I took that as my view of life.”

– Christian Louboutin, shoe designer

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SPACE | Stain Remover

BEGONE,

STAIN

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eather upholstery is exotic and luxurious but as anyone who uses it will tell you, it’s a pain to maintain. Genuine leather lasts for years and ages extremely well but keeping it free of stains is a task.

The problem with most upholstery is their tendency to stain.

Preventing spillage is one way to go about having clean and stainfree furniture but accidents can happen and stains will form. What can be done is to address the spillage immediately before it seeps in to form a stain. Let’s see how this works with different variables.

Removing dark stains from light-coloured leather Light-coloured leather upholstery is elegant and beautiful but, like fabric, the light hue just attracts too much dust and shows up

What’s worse than wornout leather furniture?

Leather furniture with unsightly stains! If you can’t avoid them, know at least how to remove them.

spillage very clearly. If you’ve recently discovered a dark stain and want to remove it, try mixing equal parts lemon juice and cream of tartar.

Apply it, don’t scrub it in. Leave it for about 10 to 15 minutes and gently wipe with a soft, damp cloth or sponge. You can try reapplying the mix if the stain doesn’t considerably lighten.

A leather cleaning solution for upholstery can also work for stubborn stains. Alternatively, ask the retailer if there’s a solution designed specifically for your leather furniture.

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REMOVING GREASE STAINS

Grease stains can be addressed by blotting the area with a dry, lint-free cloth and sprinkling talcum powder. Prepare to repeat the process two or three times. Once the spot is greasefree, finish with a dab of leather conditioner.

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REMOVING WINE STAINS

Wine stains are frustrating because they’re so dark. If caught immediately after the spill, however, they won’t leave a stain. Sprinkle a generous amount of table salt over the area and wait for it to absorb the wine. Gently brush the remains away with a soft cloth and remove excess wine with the same cloth. Pour a few drops of white wine or club soda on the spillage and wait a few minutes before blotting dry.

Once the area is completely dry, use leather conditioner to retain the material’s suppleness.

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REMOVING INK STAINS

Like wine, ink stains deeply so the key is to prevent it from being absorbed. Using leather cleaner and rubbing alcohol, apply the former first and leave it to seep in. Follow with rubbing alcohol and dab using cotton balls in order to get as much ink out of the material as possible and allow the area to completely dry. Finish with leather conditioner to moisturise. Another method is to spritz hairspray directly on the site of the spillage.

Leave it to set for about 5-10 minutes and blot dry.

Follow with a leather conditioner.

REMOVING WATER STAINS

Water stains are the easiest to remove because no cleaning agent is required. Just dab the area with a soft, absorbent cloth and leave to dry. You can also use a hairdryer with lowest heat setting.

Dried water stains can be removed by using a damp cloth, blotting from the middle outwards.

Aside from removing or preventing stains, leather upholstery should be vacuumed frequently, wiped down with a damp cloth and conditioned every three months. One more thing: no matter how much you love your pets, never allow them on leather furniture as they can claw and tear the fabric. www.homeplusliving.com 55

SPACE | Candles

BURN BABY

BURN

Candles are creature comforts taking your home to another (olfactory) level.

Strike a match and bring forth these divine scents.

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f you remember the time you stayed at a nice hotel and the room smelled fantastic, well, recreate that memorable experience at home by lighting up a candle. Scents are known to reduce stress, making these waxy wonders the perfect accessory for a cosier nest. According to a 2005 study published in Oxford University’s Chemical Senses journal, aromatherapy is also effective in improving muscle tension. Go on, let your nose lead the way.

Text by YIP JIEYING

DIPTYQUE The luxury French perfume house tempts with the limited edition Rosa Mundi (price unavailable), inspired by King Henry II’s beloved mistress Rosamund Clifford. The candle is infused with floral notes of Turkey rose, cabbage rose, geranium and hedione as well as hints of bergamot, blackcurrant, honey and cedar.

Available at Escentials, #03-02/05 Paragon SC T: 6737 2478

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FORNASETTI

PENHALIGON’S

Late madcap Italian artist Piero Fornasetti was an avid collector of owl ornaments, such that the bird became a prominent motif in his homeware business.

Add a surrealist touch to your apartment via the Civette candle ($290), infused with the house’s signature ‘Otto’ scent. Perfumer Olivier Polge had paired Mediterranean herbs – found around the Fornasetti family home in Milan – with incense to conjure up a dreamy fragrance.

The venerable English perfumer – favoured by British royalty – celebrates the national pastime of drinking tea with its Tea Candle collection. Among flavours like Earl Grey and Neroli, the Assam candle stands out with its robust revitalising fragrance of thyme, verbena and rose. The heady tri-wick candles burn for up to 110 hours.

Available at #03-16 ION Orchard T: 6634 1040

Available at Escentials, #03-02/05 Paragon SC T: 6737 2478

CIRE TRUDON Having lit up French royalty’s homes since the 17th century, the world’s oldest candlemaker is no stranger to making covetable bougies. The Melchior ($160) is contained within a precious gold leaf-adorned pot and exudes an exotic scent of ambergris, spices, myrrh and citrus. Psst, legend has it that the only gift from Napoleon II to his first son was a Trudon candle encrusted with gold.

MT. SAPOLA Indulge in a home spa session with Mt. Sapola’s Lavender candle (from $32.90). Folks with allergies will benefit from the aroma, which neutralises irritating dust and odour particles. Lavender’s antiseptic properties also relieve colds and calm down frazzled nerves.

Available at #02-31 Mandarin Gallery T: 6737 9278

Available at Malmaison by The Hour Glass, #01-01 Knightsbridge T: 6884 8484

CRABTREE & EVELYN Little apartments can sometimes get stuffy – perk up your space with the Pomegranate Grove candle ($45), a citrusy concoction burning up to 40 hours that is sure to transport you right to sun-ripened orchards.

Available at #B1-26 Paragon T: 6235 7697

JO MALONE Fashion stylist Charlotte Stockdale – wife of industrial designer Marc Newson – has joined hands with Jo Malone to create the homely Just Like Sunday quartet of candles ($115 each).

Inspired by Stockdale’s childhood in the English countryside, Lavender & Lovage evokes the comforting scent of crisp lavender linen, while Sweet Almond & Macaroon is a saccharine blend of coconut, cherries and vanilla. Refresh with Green Tomato Leaf, a medley of galbanum, artemesia and cassis or go for Incense & Embers (silver fir, white pepper and nappa leather) for a touch of masculine luxury.

Available at #02-12B Takashimaya SC T: 6738 6842

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SPACE | Jewellery

Yellow gold charm bracelet with diamonds, Harry Winston

N THE CHARMS TURN

Charm bracelets have been chronicling lives and loves since time immemorial.

In a tell-all age, these fresh offerings are poised to draw new fans.

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ewellery always has a story to tell but none is a tattle-tale as the charm bracelet.

And what a royal affair it reveals.

Text by JACQUIE ANG

The Egyptian Pharaohs wore these trinkets as ancient ID tags, amulets and status symbols after death. Kings and queens in the Middle Ages believed that charms not only denoted family origin and political convictions, but also helped protect against enemies.

But it was Queen Victoria who set off a fashion trend among European nobility, singlehandedly transforming it from practical to pretty. She often gave them away as gifts, so her husband Prince Albert started designing charms that held photographs or locks of hair to commemorate special occasions.

One such love token can be found in the “Albert Room” at Windsor Castle, where the prince died in 1861. The gold chain bracelet has nine enamelled heart shaped lockets of different

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colours to represent the couple’s children. It was presented to the Queen three days after she delivered their first child, Victoria – a locket was added for every subsequent birth, each bearing a lock of the child’s hair and an inscription with name and date of birth.

Charm bracelets have an unshakeable association with British royalty. While the world’s most famous engagement ring remains in Kate Middleton’s jewellery box, her charm bracelet was talk of the town when a disc charm hinted at her close relationship with step-mother-in-law Camilla Parker Bowles.

The late Diana might not be pleased about that but the recent launch of The Princess Diana 50th Birthday Charm Bracelet should bring a smile to her fans. One of her charm bracelets, a gift from Prince Charles, whispers a poignant anecdote.

Like Queen Victoria, she received a different charm every year to add to the bracelet for the

first 10 years of their marriage. He gifted her a “W” in 1982 to mark William’s birth and an “H” in 1984 for Harry’s.

A pair of ballet slippers demonstrated her passion for dance and her dreams of becoming a ballerina.

A tennis racket stood in for her favorite sport, while a polo cap signified his love of polo. A miniature St Paul’s Cathedral indicated where they were married. An apple for her love of Manhattan. A teddy bear because of her weakness. And a pig that was most likely a private joke between the couple. It is believed that Diana rarely wore this bracelet in public – it held too many precious memories of their marriage.

But leave it to Princess Mary of Denmark to cause a stir with her modern version of the charm bracelet by Ole Lynggaard. With precious stones and gems dangling on bracelets of luxurious silk and soft calfskin, her firm support of Danish brands makes her a royal style icon in every sense.

Sterling silver “when pigs fly” charm, Carrie K

Sterling silver bracelet with red stone (passion), sterling silver (trust), amethyst (faith) and textured sterling silver (wisdom) charms, Pandora

Spink gold spiky valentine bracelet with brass metallic charms in palladium finish and swarovski crystals, Louis Vuitton

White gold charm bracelet with diamonds, Van Cleef & Arpels

Brass bracelet with emameled flowers and rhinestone-studded heart charm, Juicy Couture

18K gold oval clasping bracelet with paloma picasso charms, Tiffany & Co.

925 Sterling silver bracelet with karma beads and wheel of karma pendant, Thomas Sabo

Bling It On Arm yourself with these pleasurable picks.

PANDORA For The Over-Achiever

For the woman who wants it all, Pandora encapsulates treasured values in 24 hand-finished charms in myriad semi-precious stones. To complement the new Essence Collection, an innovative bracelet secures the charms in place.

CARRIE K For The Dreamer

What’s life without a little fantasy? Home-grown jewellery designer Carolyn Kan’s cheeky When Pigs Fly creation delights in defiance. Let your imagination take flight, critics be d***ed.

THOMAS SABO For The Bohemian

Good things come in small packages. Radiating positive energy is Thomas Sabo’s newest offering, which scores with the woman in touch with her

spiritual side. For the Wheel of Karma, an artisticallyrendered compendium of 72 Karma Beads come in exquisite filigree, hand cut semi-precious stones and cultivated freshwater pearls.

HARRY WINSTON For The Society Swan

The dazzle is in the details. This luxurious trio – a geometric Belle by Harry Winston, the House’s signature Sealed by Harry Winston, and (jeweller’s preferred shipping method) With Love from Harry Winston envelope – is set off with the world’s finest diamonds.

LOUIS VUITTON For The Diehard Romantic

All you need is love. Gain fresh edge this Valentine’s Day with Louis Vuitton’s new Spiky Valentine bracelet.

A little Swarovski crystal sparkle highlights the amorous four-letter word.

VAN CLEEF & ARPELS For The Happy-Go-Lucky

Not quite the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, but Van Cleef & Arpels successfully pulls together the maison’s beloved icons – the Frivole, the Lotus, the Alhambra, the Butterfly and the Flocon – into a bouquet you can jingle jangle.

TIFFANY & CO For The Park Avenue Princess

Long before Facebook, people wore their autobiographies on the wrists. Paloma Picasso draws the diary of a girl on the go with a sassy assortment on Tiffany & Co’s bracelet in lush 18-karat gold.

JUICY COUTURE For The Flower Child

Nearly 20 years on, the Juicy Couture girl continues to advocate freedom, fun and fashion. You can’t teach the whole world to sing, but you will get a feel-good vibe as you do the hippy hippy shake. www.homeplusliving.com 59

SPACE | Beauty

LOVE AT

FIRST SIGHT

If getting it on is not on your planner this month, you can still fake the big O-glow. Here’s how.

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ex can make you look younger and better. It increases blood circulation, which speeds up delivery of nutrients and oxygen to skin cells, and as a result brightens the complexion. It explains why radiant skin is often associated with love and lust.

Busy ladies will, however, be pleased to know that bedroom action isn’t the only way to achieve the so coveted luminosity that many stars sport.

And you’d do well to start now, especially since the signs can show up as early as the late 20s.

Ageing, which impedes skin cell turnover and depletes collagen production, can rid skin of moisture and cause it to become rough and dry.

All this can be exacerbated by environmental elements such as pollution and UV exposure.

The key to radiant skin is exfoliation, according to Dr Low Chai Ling, medical director of The Sloane Clinic. “It works by sloughing off dead skin cells to reveal brighter and fresher skin under. One way to do this is through chemical exfoliation, aka cleansers, masks or skincare that contain enzymes or fruit acids,” she explains.

Text by MARY LIM

It is therefore important to find out the ingredients that go into your skincare. At the top of the list is glycolic acid. This is an alpha hydroxyl acid that eradicates dry and flaky cells from the skin surface efficiently, thereby hastening skin turnover, smoothening acne scars and lightening discolouration along the way.

Look out, too, for the acids: hyaluronic, alpha lipoeic and kojic. These protect against collagen breakdown and plump up skin for that healthy glow, says Dr Karen Soh, medical director, Prive Clinic. Rounding up the list of do-gooders is vitamin C, an antioxidant that guards against free radical damage and rejuvenates dull and worn-out skin.

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Another method is manual exfoliation, primarily through procedures such as microdermabrasion.

This uses rough grains to buff away the surface layer of skin so new cells can shift to the top, leaving your complexion brighter and smoother.

One treatment Dr Low also recommends is Glamour Peel, which combines three alpha hydroxyl acids – glycolic, lactic and salicylic – to address concerns such as enlarged pores and excessive sebum production. It also includes two skinenhancing masks.

To correct sallowness, meanwhile, is Laser White Facetherapy. Prive Clinic’s signature treatment is a five-step regime led by Alpha-Litamin C, an antioxidant that is 100 times more powerful than Vitamin C, to rid pigmentation and age spots.

The key to radiant skin is exfoliation, says Dr Low Chai Ling, medical director of The Sloane Clinic.

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8 Essentials For That Morning-After Glow Rejuvenate your regime with these instant fixes.

MAKEUP REMOVER 1. L’Oréal Paris Skin Perfection 15 Second Miracle Cleansing Oil, $19.90 Made with 90 per cent pure oil, this offers three times more makeup solubilising ability than regular cleansing milks to mop up even waterproof makeup. Apply two or three drops onto dry skin and massage with fingertips over lashes, lids and lips, then rinse.

CLEANSER 2. Lunamer Clear Wash, $30 Achieve a smoother and brighter complexion with Clear Nano Vitamin E, which penetrates skin eight times more effectively to boost cell and collagen production. Meanwhile, your complexion appears healthier as fruit acid loosens and removes dirt, sebum and aged keratin from skin surface.

LOTION 3. Estée Lauder Micro Essence Skin Activating Treatment Lotion, $140 A revolutionary Micro-Nutrient Bio-Ferment

mimics the natural cellular renewal by extremophiles to calm irritation, strengthen resistance and deeply replenish moisture levels for a more translucent complexion.

TREATMENT 4. Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Optimizing Skin Serum, $102 Suitable for all skin types, sensitive included, this is formulated with an exclusive retinyl complex that renews clarity as it repairs sun damage.

Consumer tests on women aged 30 and 50 in the US observed improvements in as quick as six days.

DAY MOISTURISER 5. Origins GinZing Energy-Boosting Moisturizer, $50 Give skin a wake-up glow with panax ginseng and caffeine, the power couple that boost cellular energy and replenish hydration. This super light and cooling gel also contains other goodies like olive, chestnut seed and grapefruit oil.

NIGHT MOISTURISER 6. Vichy Aqualia Thermal Night Spa, $48 In addition to the brand’s Thermal Spa Water (naturally enriched with minerals and trace elements), this silky gel-cream concoction also includes hyaluronic acid, glycerin and a patented aquabioryl to attract and lock in moisture for a morning-after radiance.

MASK 7. Est.Lab Vitalift A + Brillage Mask (box of six), $98 Each sheet is made of nano-sized organic fibres and offers ingredients such as cordyceps sinensis and algae extracts so skin appears smoothened and brightened in just half an hour.

ORAL SUPPLEMENT 8. Fancl Beauty Vitamin & Collagen Supplement (180 tablets), $53 For a more holistic experience to clearer and brighter skin, speed up cellular metabolism by ingesting two tablets three times a day.

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SPACE

ALL FIRED

UP

Today, barbeque grills are common features across almost every backyard. But it wasn’t always like this. While no one knows the actual emergence of BBQ, we can still mark out important moments in its recent evolution.

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t’s not a surprise that first records of grilling practice take us back to the ancient times. At least half a million years ago, our ancestors discovered they could cook pieces of meat using fire flames. We can easily picture a couple of cavemen who sit around the fire and watch meat sizzle over burning tree branches. If they only knew what kind of story they were starting back then. Later, a tribe known as Arawak began to utilise a more complicated grid, made of wooden sticks. This grid is in fact the predecessor of modern day metal grills and was called “barbacoa” - thus the word barbecue.

BRIQUETTES The next big thing in history of BBQ is the invention of charcoal briquettes. They were patented in 1897 by Ellsworth B A Zwoyer, whose Zwoyer Fuel Company owned charcoal briquette manufacturing plants throughout the US. However, it was charcoal company Kingsford that made them popular in 1920 when it started producing briquettes from wood scraps. Some sources state that Henry Ford teamed up with Thomas Edison to create them, but it was really his relative and partner E G Kingsford who paid attention to the leftover scraps at the assembly lines of Ford’s iconic Model T. Soon, brazier grills took their place in many homes’ yards. They’re probably the most basic BBQ devices with simply a wired grid over a pan for the briquettes.

MORE FANCY BARBECUES In the early Fifties, a welder at the famous company Weber, George Stephen, invented the tripod model. He brought two halves of a metal buoy together – one to act as a pan, and the other one – as a lid, preventing the wind from blowing the ash all around. The rest is history – the history of Weber’s triumph, indeed.

In the next years a new player appeared in the grilling game – gas BBQ. There are different reports regarding the company that invented this type of grill. LazyMan and ARKLA are notable brands here as their models were among the first barbecues to use lava rock and bottled natural gas. One drawback: gas models were quite hard to clean.

Infrared grills emerged in the Eighties and scored massive success in restaurants all around the world. These grills incorporated a more-than-hot ceramic tile to produce electromagnetic radiation in the infrared range. The method offered many advantages compared to classic hot air grilling: evenly cooked food, more precise control of heat, fast start.

Regardless of how it is done, appeal of barbecue has transcended the generations.

Where else can a massive amount of food be cooked simultaneously and quickly to feed large gatherings from birthday parties to community carnivals? Start the fire already.

Charcoal briquettes

“Intelligence is something we are born with. BBQing is a skill that must be learnt.”

– Edward de Bono, author

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BEST CHOICE AWARD 2014 BEST ENERGY-EFFICIENT ELECTRIC COOKER Roman Delicooker Electric cookers can be a bane when they are incompatible with your pots and pans. This winner is designed to work with every type of cookware, ranging from claypot to glass.

While it withstands heat well for dishes that require long hours on the stove, the cooker is also able to pause heating to save electricity. If you love to experiment with techniques like braising and roasting, the three cooking rings of 1,000W, 1,800W and 2,000W will surely thrill. Oh, did we also mention that there is a 90-minute auto shut-off feature for forgetful folks?

BEST PREMIUM HANDCRAFTED BED BEST TWO-IN-ONE WASHING MACHINE BEKO WDA91440W Washer Dryer Tackle enormous laundry piles confidently with this nifty machine, which has a 9kg wash and 6kg dry capacity. Choose from 16 programmes like Baby Protect+, which cares for babies with allergies as it adds an extra rinse cycle and effectively removes all hairs for perfectly hygienic clothes. Enjoy also the thoughtful time delay function (up to 24 hours), which fits laundry neatly into your schedule. For extra assurance, the washer is equipped with a childproof lock and overflow safety.

BEST LED LIGHTING SYSTEM Häfele Loox LED Lighting System Every home benefits from a good lighting system for that bright and cosy environment. Häfele’s Loox Plug & Play technology integrates LED lighting into made-to-measure furniture, as the modular system can reliably handle various voltages and frequencies. For extra convenience, Loox’s multiswitch box connects up to three different switches with just a single driver, thereby letting you switch on lights from various points within your house while saving cost.

Hypnos Orthos Cashmere Top up on beauty rest with the Hypnos Orthos Cashmere bed, which delivers sweet slumber via a state-of-the-art tri-zoned ReActive™ ten pocket spring system mattress. Upholstered with soft, breathable layers of wool and luxe cashmere, the mattress also regulates your body temperature while amping up the comfort factor.

Match your mattress with a deep padded, non-sprung divan (customisable in a wide selection of fabrics) to spruce up your bedroom.

BEST COMPACT WATER DISPENSER Pere Ocean If you are planning to spend a day out in the sun, make sure to keep everyone adequately hydrated. Tote along H2O from this easyto-replace compact water dispenser, which comes with a patented Dry Guard Non-Spill System. Besides a range of standing and tabletop designs, you can also pick from mineral and distilled water.

BEST ECO-FRIENDLY BOTTLEWARE Snapware Eco-Flip Bottle

BEST HEALTHY COOKING MICROWAVE

No more nasty plastic – the cheerful and ergonomic Eco Flip bottles were recently lauded “Design of the Year” at the President’s Design Award Singapore 2013. Made from a non-toxic recyclable material known as borosilicate glass, these silicon-covered containers store hot and cold drinks for optimum hygienic conditions. The easy-to-clean Eco Flip also sports a well-designed flip lid that stays secure when swung by the handle, so you can avoid cleaning up messy leaks.

Hitachi MRO-AV200E Microwave Oven Cooking for your clan is easy with this useful gizmo.

Pick from five cooking methods: Microwave, Steam, Grill, Oven and the special Superheated Steam – which produces low-calorie fare by enveloping food with high temperature steam to melt and rid fats through condensation. Get creative with the 36 Auto Menu function, which allows you to combine several heating methods for the most delicious results. The Triple Weight Sensor also effectively directs microwaves based on your dish’s position while adjusting the cooking time and temperature according to food weight.

BEST ONE-STOP RETAIL STORE ToTT Family-oriented fun await at this culinary haven, where little ones can indulge in gourmand ambitions with 30-minute private cookie-baking parties at the Bake&Go corner. If Junior is already a mini Jamie Oliver, the hands-on cooking lesson will further hone his skills by introducing sophisticated techniques like sous vide and experimental dehydration. On hand to provide tips are Singapore’s top chefs like cookbook author Vivien Pei and Malcolm Lee of Candlenut Kitchen.

Don’t forget to browse through the well-stocked retail shop with over 20,000 chef-recommended products to fulfill every kitchen fantasy.

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BEKO WDA91440W WASHER DRYER The most value for money washer dryer in the market. All Beko washer dryers are made in Europe.

Smart choice for the Smart Generation.

Breeze through laundry days with this efficient wash-and-dry, which offers 16 different programmes to suit every washing need. For those who are timestarved, hit the Xpress SuperShort and Wash & Wear buttons to get clean clothes on your back in a blink.

The washer’s Wash&WearTM feature combines a 14-minute wash and 40-minute dry cycle, completing your chore in just under an hour. BEKO’s innovative Direct Air Technology also lowers energy bills by using air to dry your laundry.

Keep expensive togs pristine with the Delicates and Hand Wash cycles – the additional Woolmark Apparel Care detail protects fine woollen clothing. The washer also allows for temperature and spin speed selection so you can customise the cleaning process. Arrive home to fresh laundry with the machine’s time delay function (up to 24 hours).

Parents will be pleased with the washer’s kid-friendly Washer Dryer with Baby Protect+ TM mode, which adds an extra rinse cycle and remove

all hairs for perfectly hygienic clothes. For extra assurance, the washer is equipped with a childproof lock and overflow safety. Best of all, the machine’s Silent TechTM shock-absorbent sidewalls ensure quiet yet efficient washing and drying so you can enjoy blissful peace.

Beko is a world leader in energy saving and innovative technology inspired by nature. Be a part of a green future, this washer dryer offers great performance with minimum energy consumption and save your money on energy bill too.

BEKO Beko appliances are available at all Courts Stores, Courts Online Store, Lucky Stores and selected dealers.

Visit our Beko concept corner at Courts Megastore today!

For more information, log on to www.beko.com.sg or call Beko Hotline 6438 7423

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LED LIGHTING SYSTEM

LOOX LED LIGHTING SYSTEM Backed by over 90 years of experience and expertise in furniture and hardware, Häfele now wants to help beautify interiors with the right lighting.

LED 3010

Getting the right lighting for your home requires a careful balance of versatility and functionality. LED, with its energyefficiency and even illumination, has become the preferred choice for many.

At Häfele, these qualities can be found in the Loox LED lighting system.

Leading this collection of innovative and powerful lights are LED 3010 and LED 3020. Both can be mounted under cabinets but offer an exceptional brightness that can be lowered for various moods and needs – making them excellent for work surfaces such as the kitchen. They are among the latest additions to the 24 Volts range, which is designed to yield a better glow.

LED 3020

Driving the Loox LED lighting system, meanwhile, is a Plug & Play technology that makes it easier to incorporate LED lighting into both series and made-to-measure furniture.

A modular system that’s available in different powers (12 Volts, 24 Volts and 350 mA), it’s flexible and user-friendly at the same time.

Cost-conscious homeowners will also be pleased to know that Loox LED lights now come with a multi switch box. Up to three different switches can connect to one driver, thereby upping convenience but lowering electricity bills. Now that’s a brilliant idea.

HÄFELE SINGAPORE PTE LTD No. 1 Kaki Bukit Road, #01-27/28, Enterprise One Tel: 6848 9075 www.hafele.com.sg

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HYPNOS ORTHOS CASHMERE

One more reason to catch up on sleep: the Hypnos Orthos Cashmere premium bed.

Eight hours of slumber is a luxury.

With a state-of-the-art three-zoned ReActive™ 10 pocket spring system, the Orthos Cashmere mattress offers complete head-to-toe zonal support for maximum comfort.

And to effectively regulate body temperature and keep you cool, it is upholstered with naturally soft and breathable layers of Wool, Cashmere

and eOlus™ sustainable fire. A Silver-infused Belgian Damask makes for a fresh and hygienic sleeping surface too.

Matched with a deep padded, non-sprung divan for extra-supportive and firmer feel, Hypnos Orthos Cashmere is available with a traditional deep or modern divan base to cater to different needs. Finally, to ensure seamless harmonisation with your interiors, divans can even be upholstered in a wide selection of fabrics.

8EDTIMES International Furniture Centre, 62 Sungei Kadut Loop, #02-15 Tel: 6255 5575 Park Mall, 9 Penang Road, #B1-09 Tel: 6338 7889 www.hypnosbeds.com

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PERE OCEAN Eight glasses of water daily is essential to staying healthy.

Drink up now!

It is important to cultivate the habit of drinking adequate amount of water and encourage your kids with Pere Ocean’s series of colourful and compact water dispensers. With hassle-free replacement, Pere Ocean dispensers boast added convenience with a patented Dry Guard Non-Spill System, giving you extra protection from leaky bottles, and are available in standing and tabletop designs.

Pere Ocean offers direct home delivery.

Simply contact them at 3157 1688 (Mon – Fri, during office hours) for more information. Alternatively, you can also drop an SMS to 9018 6099.

It is important to keep the whole family hydrated, especially with the torturous heat and humidity striking us. Ensure your family gets their daily requirement of water with Pere Ocean.

Forgo the chore of boiling your drinking water as Pere Ocean guarantees safe drinking water for everyone. Whether it’s the Pere Ocean Mineral Water or the Pere Ocean Distilled Water, you can expect amazing health benefits.

Pere Ocean Mineral Water eliminates the toxins in your body. This detoxification process improves the general health of your brain and body while reducing the risk of contracting degenerative diseases. Mineral water is also good for preventing health problems relating to the nervous system while keeping it healthy.

Similarly, the Pere Ocean Distilled Water does wonders for your health. It collects harmful materials accumulated in the cells, artery walls, joints and other parts of the body, only to safely eject them afterwards.

PERE OCEAN Tel: 3157 1688 Email: enquiries@pereocean.com www.pereocean.com

HO

ENERGY-EFFICIENT ELECTRIC COOKER

RE

BEST

LIVING SINGAP E O M

ROMAN DELICOOKER ®

Whipping up your meal at home becomes more enjoyable and economical with a cooker that works with myriad materials and methods.

Touch control design

Electric cookers, with their speed and sleek appearance, are a godsend for busy folks who desire the best of both worlds. And the name that springs to mind is invariably Roman® Delicooker.

Two horizontally positioned stove units allow you to cook with a large pot each at the same time. This, along with an energy-saving feature, enables users to cook more economically. Flameless cooking with a timer function give peace of mind while the state-of-the-art technology and design make it ideal for experimenting with diverse techniques, including grilling and toasting.

Cooking is also made easier with Roman® Delicooker, thanks to its VitroCeramic technology. This, together with a German-manufactured Schott Ceran glass ceramic panel, works with any type of cookware ranging from claypot to even glass. It can withstand high levels of heat and temperature variations of up to 800 degrees Celsius, so it is especially convenient for dishes that require long hours. What’s more it’s free from hazardous substances and safe for food contact.

And to help you make the best use of your Roman® Delicooker are various after-sales services. Among them is a complimentary cooking class where you can pick up pointers on new dishes.

Multi-material cookware application

NEW WORLD HOME CARE PTE LTD Blk 1 Rochor Road #03-578/580/582, Rochor Centre, Singapore 180001 Tel: 6294 3251/6392 2005 Email: enquiry@nwroman.com.sg www.nwroman.com.sg

DIRECTIONS

JOIE DE VIVRE If it was good enough for Audrey Hepburn – “Paris is always a good idea”, the legendary Hollywood actress once gushed – it’s good enough for us. In the City of Love, romance is the order of both day and dusk, thanks in large part to its gorgeous galore of enchanting monuments and artisanal tradition.

Sweeten the affair with a serving of desserts so divine you won’t be in a hurry to forget. With useful mobile apps, energy-efficient gadgets and easy-peasy DIY recipes, Valentine’s Day this year promises to be your most bustle-free yet. www.homeplusliving.com 71

DIRECTIONS | Travel

Eiffel Premier suite at the Shangri-La Paris

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FRENCH KISS

Fancy a romantic stroll, bauble shopping or museum hopping? Find your perfect match in Paris. Text by YIP JIEYING

P

ublic display of affection is the way of life among Parisians. A stolen peck on the cheek in the park, quick hugs on the streets, even a secret rendezvous in an obscure alley. Open canoodling is blithely accepted and encouraged. After all, it is no secret that Paris is hailed the City of Love, as filmmaker Woody Allen painted in his amorous ode Midnight in Paris.

Despite its petite size at slightly over 105 sq km (almost seven times smaller than Singapore), Paris is teeming with starry-eyed travellers all eager to soak up its legendary magic. According to the French tourism board, 29 million tourists thronged the arrondissements (districts) in 2012. It could be the flowing wine, plentiful cafes and achingly chic residents – but Paris has successfully proven itself to be an irresistible lover.

THIS WAY TO ROMANCE A glimpse of the famed Eiffel Tower is enough to send most hearts aflutter. But Montmartre in the 18th arrondissement – Paris’s tallest hill at 130 metres – offers the city’s best panoramic view. The choicest spot for an eyeful is the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, which has retained a pristine white hue through air pollution and rain thanks to its château-landon stone walls. Narrow streets snake down the hill, crammed with tiny boutiques and cafes. As an artsy enclave, Montmartre’s scenic appeal also attracted the likes of famous artists Salvador Dali, Claude Monet and Piet Mondrian, who all have set up their studios there.

The Parisians’ passion for arts and culture is apparent with over 204 museums catering to local art buffs – one of the highest counts in the world according to the municipality. While the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay are among the most popular, zip to Musée Rodin to get up close and personal with French sculptor Auguste Rodin’s marble masterpiece The Kiss. The embracing lovers were drawn from Dante’s Inferno killed for committing adultery before consummating their romance with a kiss. With over 6,500 other sculptures (some showcasing the artist’s fascination with hands), the museum also features paintings by Van Gogh and Monet from Rodin’s personal collection.

Vantage view at the top of SacréCœur Basilica www.homeplusliving.com 73

The Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles reflects French opulence

For a taste of French flamboyance, hop on a short 20-minute RER train ride from Paris to Îlede-France, where Marie Antoinette once resided with her husband Louis XVI in the gilded Palace of Versailles. Grab a ticket from the counters at the main courtyard and hotfoot it to the Queen’s Gardens. The young royalty, who favoured the rustic floral landscapes, was often spotted traipsing through the grounds in a simple muslin frock. The castle’s 700 extravagant bedrooms also dazzle with sheer opulence, including the stunning Hall of Mirrors where heads of state are still entertained today.

Coco’s iconic boutique on Rue Cambon, the place to lay hands on designer labels is surely Champs-Élysées. One of the world’s most expensive real estate, the long street leading to the Arc de Triomphe is paved with flagship stores of fashion giants like Louis Vuitton and Hugo Boss as well as popular favourites H&M and Zara. The bustling Left Bank of the Seine River is where to see and be seen. Besides being a popular spot for bohemian types, the hippest parisienne labels such as Isabel Marant, Vanessa Bruno and Zadig & Voltaire have set up shop here.

After all the walking, soothe your soles with a spa session at the more-is-more Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris. The signature A Stroll To Versailles treatment, €420 ($727), pampers with an orange blossom body scrub and massage with warm shea butter. Nibble on the complimentary macarons afterwards to round off your Marie Antoinette moment.

Immerse first-hand in the French nonchalant cool at concept boutique Colette on nearby Rue Saint Honoré, which offers cult fashion labels like Comme des Garçons and Azzedine Alaïa.

If you are feeling thirsty, the Water Bar soothes parched throats with its minimalist white interior and over 100 types of premium bottled water.

While you are in the city of love, pop by Place Vendôme to pick up some baubles. The large square in the first arrondissement is home to the brightest of jewellers like Boucheron, Bulgari and Van Cleef & Arpels.

TO CHERISH AND HOLD Don’t leave Paris without a Chanel bag (or two) on your arm. Other than Mademoiselle

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Indulgence awaits at the Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris

Boucheron was the first jeweller to set up shop at Place Vendôme

Travel | DIRECTIONS

Christian Lacroix’s designer luxe at Hotel du Petit Moulin

In fashion-forward Paris, it is no surprise that hotels are also well appointed.

Godfather of haute couture Christian Lacroix dreamt up the interior for Hotel du Petit Moulin

Ara Starck-designed ceiling at Le Dali

TRAVELLER’S CHECKS GETTING THERE Singapore Airlines offers direct flights from Singapore to Paris.

CURRENCY Euro (€), At press time, €1 was equivalent to $1.73.

Restaurant L’Opera is a hotspot for the cultured bon vivants

TASTE TEST

HIT THE SACK

Escape to Le Meurice hotel for a bite at Le Dali restaurant – named after Salvador Dali, a frequent guest who amused staff with his eccentric requests. The dining establishment overlooking the Tuileries garden pays homage to the artist’s style via its gold-and-black Surrealist decor, including a decadent curtained ceiling canvas by interior designer Philippe Starck’s daughter Ara. Fancy dining on the Eiffel Tower? Celebrity chef Alain Ducasse’s Jules Verne restaurant offers delicious French cuisine while perched on the steel tower.

Architecture fans, be sure to visit Restaurant L’Opera tucked within Opera Garnier (designed in the 19th century for emperor Napoleon III). The curvaceous structure dips and turns dramatically, including taps that change the colour of water when motion is detected. The restaurant also uses honey from its own apiary on the roof.

In fashion-forward Paris, it is no surprise that hotels are also well appointed. Godfather of haute couture Christian Lacroix dreamt up the interior for Hotel du Petit Moulin – from €219 ($372) a night – in the trendy Marais district. Here, baroque accents are boldly set off against 1960s furniture.

“It brings to mind a dollhouse, or those cross sections of buildings you might see in 20th century encyclopedias with very different atmospheres from one floor to the next,” quipped the designer.

For a visual break, the Martin Margiela-conceived Le Maison Champs-Élysées – from €183 ($316) a night – charms with the Belgian’s signature sleek minimalist lines. If a superb view of the Eiffel Tower is what you seek, splash out on the Shangri-La Hotel Paris. At €900 ($1,558) a night, the Eiffel Premier room will make you feel like the ultimate bon vivant.

WEATHER Pile on your winter layers, for Paris in February and March is at a teeth-chattering range between 4 to 10 degrees Celsius.

GETTING AROUND The city’s train system plies major tourist destinations; buy a Paris Metro pass at the station www.parismetro.com. For an eco-friendly alternative, try renting a Vélib’ bicycle (locate your nearest station on www.en.velib.paris.fr).

LANGUAGE As the French prefer tourists to attempt the native tongue, picking up a few key words like “Bonjour” and “Merci” will improve your stay.

MORE INFO www.parisinfo.com

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DIRECTIONS | Yenn Wong

SHERRY

SHERRY LADY

Yenn Wong offers insights on doing business in Hong Kong, and according to her latest venture, sherry is the drink du jour.

The eatery is conceptualised in true Spanish bodega style – as a bustling intersection for socialising over good food and drinks. Specifically, the tipple of choice is sherry in over 50 varieties and styles. Guests can sip upon world-class favourites including sherries from the nonpareil elBulli cellar. “I love creating places that are eclectic, and warm yet infused with a sense of fun, where you can enjoy delicious food,” adds Wong.

The design pays homage to Spain’s flamboyant culture, and features vibrant Spanish-style tiling on its interior and exterior. As with most of Wong’s hotels and restaurants, expect no less from the design. The 1,300 sq ft space is designed by award-winning Shanghai-based architectural design practice Neri&Hu, and features vibrantly-coloured Spanish tiles in the restaurant’s interior and exterior.

Yenn Wong

Text by JASMINE THAM

S

ingapore is my hometown and holds a special place in my heart. But for now I am focusing on my businesses in Hong Kong,” remarks local-born Yenn Wong, the same savvy entrepreneur who gave us the now-defunct Spanish restaurant Bomba, Australian cuisine-based Graze, and the Thai restaurant Kha. The new mother, who recently delivered her first child, a baby boy, will turn her business acumen to Hong Kong where she is currently based with her husband. In Hong Kong, her latest coup in a string of dining establishments is Ham & Sherry, a jamon and sherry tapas bar which opened last year and that is situated at 1 – 7 Ship Street in Wan Chai.

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Yenn Wong’s latest coup, in a string of dining establishments, is Ham & Sherry

Coming up with something eclectic and fun yet hits the mark food-wise can be difficult, but it’s always more satisfying when it turns out to be successful.

Ham & Sherry is also her second collaboration with Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton in Hong Kong. The first is 22 Ships, a tapas bar located at 22 Ship Street, along the same street as Ham & Sherry.

How does running restaurants in Singapore differ from that in Hong Kong?

The people in Hong Kong and Singapore have different expenditure patterns and expectations of restaurants. In Hong Kong, foodies are usually looking to find a couple of hidden gems, not necessarily expensive cuisine, but simply delicious food.

The 22nd Ship - Bespoke Sherry

business operations under my belt, so the collaborations work well.

What are the challenges that you now face, basing your food empire in Hong Kong?

In Singapore, you can get great food at almost every corner. There are numerous culture precincts where foodies can venture out to. They tend not to pay more than the average price, unless it is to dine in a celebrity chef or Michelinstarred restaurant.

Hong Kongers are getting more creative with their restaurant concepts and the dining scene is improving, from say, five years ago.

Coming up with something eclectic and fun yet hits the mark food-wise can be difficult, but it’s always more satisfying when it turns out to be successful.

You’ve managed collaborations with celebrity chefs and designers successfully – what’s your secret?

How are you trying to overcome these challenges?

Communication. It sounds simple but having partners you can communicate with openly and honestly, by sharing and listening to ideas, is key.

In your partnership with Jason Atherton, what does each of you bring to the partnership?

We both will only work on projects that we are passionate about. When people hear his name, they know what quality of dining to expect, and that’s always a good thing to have by your side.

On my part, I have several years of running

I have an incredible team. Many of us have been working together for a few years now so the implementation and understanding of the market is high. Success comes from forward thinking and staying ahead of your customers’ needs.

What are some dining/nightlife trends in Hong Kong now?

I expect to see more independent restaurant entrepreneurs, setting up more focused and smaller menus, with strong characteristics. I think there will also be quite an influx of foreign celebrity/Michelin starred chefs coming into the market and aiming to open in more interesting pockets/locations.

What’s your advice to would-be entrepreneurs?

If you truly believe in something, take a risk and go for it.

Ham & Sherry G/F, 1-7 Ship Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong Tel: +852 2555 0628 www.hamsherry.hk

What were the lessons you learnt from the closure of Bomba, Graze and KHA? I learnt how to accommodate and work with people from all cultures and backgrounds. I also learnt that the food and beverage industry could be very different in different countries.

Paella Arincini Chorizo & Pepper Puree www.homeplusliving.com 77

DIRECTIONS | Dining Out

SWEET

Classic Plum

TALKIN’

What better way to round off Valentine’s Day than by nibbling on an exquisite dessert?

Absinthe Sweet-toothed types will love the quintessentially French Madeleines ($15++). The freshly baked morsels arrive warm and crispy, while a cold scoop of smooth Valrhona chocolate mousse makes for a delightful contrast. If you prefer a less saccharine option, the Figues de Soliès ($15++) is a platter of fresh black figs generously coated with balsamico glaze, mascarpone foam and vanilla oil.

2am: dessertbar

71/72 Boat Quay Tel: 6222 9068 www.absinthe.sg

Bamboo shoots and yoghurt make an unlikely couple, but Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef Janice Wong pairs them perfectly for her Cassis Plum dessert ($18++). The melt-in-your-mouth cassis meringue shell is stuffed with elderflower granita and plum wine for an exotic spin on this sweet treat. Chef Wong’s penchant for innovative desserts also shows in the Cheese Avalanche ($18++) – savoury cheese mousse on biscotti served with sous vide cantaloupes and candied figs.

Madeleines

21A Lorong Liput Tel: 6291 9727 www.2amdessertbar.com

Text by YIP JIEYING

Antoinette

Apple Napoleon

Antoinette

db Bistro Moderne

Love is decadent, so go all out like French royal Marie Antoinette with a slice of tantalising Chloe cake ($9). A fluffy layer of light sponge cake envelops the heart of Chef Pang Kok Keong’s dreamy concoction - velvety white chocolate vanilla mousse balanced with tangy yuzu cremeux. Declare your adoration for chocolate with the namesake Antoinette ($10), an earl grey tea-infused chocolate mousse cake topped with a juicy raspberry coulis. Oh, je’taime!

Celebrity chef Daniel Boulud has a fondness for apples, which makes the Apple Napoleon ($18++) a must-order. Other than slow-cooked apple confit wrapped in crispy phyllo dough and topped with quince gelée, the bitesized napoleons also come with green apple sorbet. For the most divine of desserts, ask for the Lychee & Blueberry Vacherin ($15++), all dressed up in delicate crunchy meringues with Edelweiss liquor marshmallows and sugar tuiles.

#B1-08/10C, Palais Renaissance Tel: 6735 6392 www.antoinette.com.sg

#B1-48, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands Tel: 6688 8525 www.dbbistro.com

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Milk Cake

boCHINche This cosy Argentinean-style joint offers a smallplate sharing concept, making it perfect for a romantic dinner with your beau. Sweeten the evening with head chef Fabrice Mergalet’s popular Milk Cake ($17), made with three types of milk and amped up with passionfruit sorbet. Another musttry is the Creme Brulee ($17), which further tempts with accompanying homemade banana ice cream. #02-01, 22 Martin Road Tel: 6235 4990 www.bochinche.com.sg

Ginger Nougat Parfait

Tatin

Blancheur and Miromel

The Halia at Raffles Hotel

Pollen

Patisserie G

Sugar, spice and everything nice lies within The Halia’s signature Ginger Nougat Parfait ($12), which combines moreish nutty ginger nougat with caramelised pineapples for a sweet yet spicy dish. Toast to the occasion with the Chocolate and Orange Custard ($10) – a Grand Marnier-laced concoction with a crunchy top layer of chopped almonds and shortbread crumbs.

After a hearty meal, Pollen’s Tatin ($20++) is a refreshing palate cleanser. Salted caramel ice cream is creatively paired with verjus (juice from unripened grapes), green apple and crème fraîche for a memorable mélange of flavours. For a little adventure, the Jaal ($20++) will send your taste buds into a flurry with 76% chocolate and dark plum on puffed rice.

#01-22/23, Raffles Hotel Tel: 9639 1148 www.thehalia.com

#01-09, Flower Dome, Gardens by the Bay Tel: 6604 9988 www.pollen.com.sg

Size does not matter here, as Patisserie G’s Blancheur cake ($9) packs delectable white chocolate mousse and raspberry coulis within a tiny white chocolate almond coat. Also good is the Miromel ($8.50), which entices with a blend of caramel and chocolate sponge with just a hint of peanut butter. Patissier Gwen Lim’s crowd pleaser is the G Spot ($9), which satisfies with mouthwatering dark chocolate mousse nestling on a hazelnut praline crunch. #01-40, Millenia Walk Tel: 6338 7578 www.patisserieg.com

Les Amis The star of head chef Sebastien Lepinoy’s repertoire at Les Amis must be the Candied Whole Clementine ($26++), which opens up to a medley of panna cotta and sorbet. Get a quick perk-me-up with the Colombian Coffee Medley ($22++); its trio of ice cream scoops in varying intensity will surely please bean conoisseurs. #02-16, Shaw Centre Tel: 6733 2225 www.lesamis.com.sg

Tuxedo Cafe If you would rather canoodle at home on V Day, drop by the Tuxedo Cafe for some takeaway cupcakes ($3.20 each) to surprise your partner. The scrumptious range of flavours – including red velvet, hazelnut caramel, lemon, and milk chocolate – also whets visual appetites.

Lobby at Carlton Hotel Tel: 6415 7887 www.carltonhotel.sg Candied Whole Clementine

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DIRECTIONS | Recipes

HONEST

TO GOODNESS Healthy foods can taste yummy. Impress your partner with one or all of these nutritious recipes by restaurant chefs.

Tuna Steak Sandwich on Focaccia Serves 5 A protein packed and tasty combination starring endamame and tuna.

Tip: keep the total salt to under 1/8 of a teaspoon.

Ingredients: • 650g tuna steak • 5 slices of focaccia bread (10 x 7cm each) • Handful of arugula • 1 large tomato, sliced • 3 pieces of bacon, cooked till crisp • Ground black pepper Endamame Aioli • 230g endamame, shelled • 1L water • Black pepper • 60 ml olive oil • 60ml lime juice • 60ml mayonnaise • Sea salt • Fresh mint leaves, chopped • Fresh basil leaves, chopped

Method: • To prepare endamame aioli, bring water in a pot to a boil.

• Add endamame and simmer for 6 to 7 minutes.

• Drain and place in ice water.

Strain when cooled.

• Place in blender with remainder ingredients.

Puree and strain.

• Remove and place in refrigerator for 1 hour before serving.

• Toast focaccia bread and spread endamame aioli evenly.

• Arrange arugula and tomato slices on top of each slice of bread.

• Season with black pepper.

• Season tuna steaks with pepper and salt.

• Grill on each side for less than a minute if you like it rare; about 2 minutes for medium cooked.

• Slice tuna into 5 thin slices, place on top of tomato and garnish with bacon.

Recipe courtesy of Sven Capon, executive chef of The Westin Singapore

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Buckwheat Ravioli of Pumpkin and Vincotto Sauce Serves 4 Hailed as a super ingredient, buckwheat contains more protein than rice and wheat but less sugar. It fills you up quickly and also helps maintain a healthy digestive and cardiovascular system.

Ingredients: • 1 garlic clove, crushed and skin intact • 3 sage leaves • 80ml extra virgin olive oil • 20ml vincotto Fresh Pasta Sheets • 350g farina flour • 350g buckwheat flour • 15ml olive oil • 5g salt • Egg yolk, for brushing Roasted Pumpkin • 2kg pumpkin • 15 ml olive oil • 2 stalks of thyme leaves • 3 cloves of garlic, crushed • 5g pepper

Method: • To prepare paste sheets, use a dough machine and mix all of the above ingredients. When the mixture becomes less sticky, knead into a ball.

• Continue kneading the dough until well-mixed and firm. Place the ball under an inverted bowl and allow it to rest for 30 minutes.

• After the dough has rested, divide it into approximately 3 smaller balls to fit into your pasta machine.

• Start your pasta machine on the roller farthest apart. Run the pieces through the rollers, about 5 times on the widest section, folding the pasta top to bottom or side to side the achieve a long sheet slightly narrower than the machine rollers.

• Make a long pasta sheet and divide into half.

• Portion the pumpkin filling one by one on the pasta sheet and brush the pasta sheet on the edge with egg yolk.

• Cover it with another layer of pasta and softly press to seal the ravioli.

• Portion the ravioli by using a round cutter.

• To make pumpkin filling, arrange the seeded pumpkin halves in a baking tray. Sprinkle crushed garlic clove, olive oil, thyme and pepper over.

• Roast the pumpkin at 150 °C for 40 minutes.

• Scrap out the pumpkin flesh.

• Wrap the pumpkin puree with a cheesecloth and chill overnight in the refrigerator. (to remove the excess moisture in the pumpkin puree) • Mix the pumpkin puree with mascarpone cheese, Parmesan cheese, and extra virgin olive oil; season it with sea salt and pepper.

• To cook ravioli, blanch them in boilings alted water for approximately 3 to 5 minutes.

• Heat up the sauté pan with extra virgin olive oil, add in crushed garlic clove and sage.

• Sear and toss the blanched pumpkin ravioli in the sauté pan.

• Arrange the ravioli on a plate and drizzle with vin cotto before serving.

Pumpkin Filling • Roasted pumpkin • 100ml extra virgin olive oil • 250g mascarpone cheese • 100g Parmesan cheese • Sea salt to taste • 5g black peppercorns

Recipe courtesy of Sven Capon, executive chef of The Westin Singapore

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Recipes | DIRECTIONS

Beetroot Quinoa Salad Serves 1 Quinoa provides high quality protein and contributes to heart health and sugar regulation. Beetroot’s unique pigment, betalains, gives antioxidant and anti-inflammatory support.

Ingredients: • 100g uncooked quinoa • 40g cucumber, seeded and diced • 40g tomato, seeded and diced • 20g freshly grated beetroot • 1 small stalk of Chinese parsley • 1 small stalk of Italian parsley • 8 to 10 mint leaves • 2 tbsp finely chopped onions • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice • ½ tsp salt • Crushed black pepper Method: • To cook quinoa in a steam oven, pre-heat oven to 85°C. • In an oven-safe pot, place 100g of uncooked quinoa and add 100ml of water.

• Cook quinoa in the oven at 85°C for 15 minutes.

• Remove from oven and set aside to cool.

• Roughly chop the parsley and mint leaves.

• Transfer cooked quinoa in a large bowl.

• Using the finer side of the grater, grate peeled beetroot over quinoa.

• Add remaining ingredients and toss salad until evenly mixed.

Recipe courtesy of Tony Tan from Salad Stop!

Almond Meringue Cake Serves 6 to 8 Tip: Add 1 tbsp of sugar while beating the egg whites to help the whites firm up.

Ingredients: • 60g ground almond • 50g sugar • 4 egg whites • 1 tbsp sugar Whipped Cream • 125g whipping cream • 1 tbsp sugar

Recipe courtesy of Agnetta Lew, chef and co-owner of Jonathan’s

Method: • Line 2 baking trays with parchment paper.

• Preheat oven to 135 °C. • Put ground almond and 50g of sugar in a bowl and mix well.

• Beat the egg whites to a soft peak and add in 1 tbsp of sugar to help egg whites firm up.

• Fold beaten egg whites into the ground almond in 3 batches.

• Scoop into a piping bag and pipe out circles onto the prepared trays.

• Bake for 1 ½ hours.

• Beat cream and sugar until stiff peaks form.

• Lay one piece of cake and spread the cream topping over.

• Top with berries or nuts.

• Lay a second piece of meringue over the top to form a sandwich. www.homeplusliving.com 83

DIRECTIONS | Gadgets

COOL

HUNTING

Buying a refrigerator can be so intimidating because it is one of those long-term investments with considerably hefty dimensions and price tag. So we asked the pros for tips on making the most of yours.

W

hile more are veering towards eating fresh produce for myriad health benefits, it can be a considerable challenge in Singapore to ensure that produce stays fresh. Humidity levels average about 82 per cent, and the presence of excessive moisture can make food more vulnerable to bacteria and other chemical reactions. Food, therefore, spoils easily.

It explains why so much attention is paid to getting a good refrigerator. And the notion of quality revolves around ensuring that food remains safe for as long as possible. Scour the market and the options are endless.

Text by MARY LIM

FOOD SAFETY Beko, the leading appliances brand whose refrigerators are top sellers throughout the UK and Western Europe, equips its machines with a Fresh Blue Light Technology. “By allowing photosynthesis to continue within the refrigerator, it helps to keep fruit and vegetables fresh and nutritious for longer,”

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reveals Seyhan Ceyhan, international marketing manager, Arçelik AS. That’s not all. Beko’s wide selection of refrigerators is fitted with other features that aim to extend storage; an Active Ioniser neutralises bacteria, viruses and particles, while an Active Odor Filter rids yucky smells and germs.

With the R-C6800S, Japanese appliances maker Hitachi has successfully fused form and function. Its slew of intelligent features is led by Photocatalyst Preservation, which uses LED light to produce carbon dioxide in the vacuum compartment. As Justina Koh, assistant manager, Marketing Communications, Hitachi Home Electronics Asia (S) Pte Ltd, shares: “This helps to retain freshness and nutrients so foods don’t lose the original taste and texture.”

naturally rank energy efficiency as important. The Mandatory Energy Labelling Scheme introduced by the National Evironment Agency assesses energy efficiency of refrigerators according to the number of ticks – four being the best.

Among the newest models to bear this covetable quartet is Electrolux NutriFresh, which arrives in stores in February. Its MultiFlow system regulates airflow throughout the machine so that temperature stays consistent. Some brands like Beko, on the other hand, indicate energy efficiency via the European Union scheme, which runs from A+ to A+++.

Another smart feature, Holiday Mode, also allows frequent travellers to look forward to a smaller utilities bill as the refrigerator runs on minimum energy levels while you’re away.

ENERGY SAVING

USER MANUAL

Since the refrigerator is among the few appliances to run 24-7, practical homeowners

A decade – that’s how long a refrigerator typically lasts. But with a little TLC, some families can rely

THE FRESHMAKERS Our round-up of the latest models with the coolest features.

BOSCH HydroFresh ColorGlass Bottom Freezer, $2,599

BEKO Rice Fresh CFF 6873GR, $1,299

Its Excellent (four ticks) rating for energy efficiency aside, this Red Dot International Design Award winner scores with its uber-sleek sensibilities. Food stays fresher for longer, thanks to the revolutionary Multi-Airflow system that ensures up to 40 per cent more air circulation for betterregulated temperatures.

A HydroFresh drawer keeps humidity optimum so fruits and vegetables can be kept for twice as long too.

Short on space?

A button on its control panel transforms a compartment from refrigerator to freezer. Natural flavours and nutritional value of fruits and vegetables are prolonged via a Fresh Blue Light Technology that photosynthesis to continue in the refrigerator.

Energy efficiency rating comes in A+++ and A++, the European equivalent of our four-tick system.

on the same unit for up to 30 years.

Clear out your refrigerator every six months.

This helps to maintain proper ventilation at obscure bits like the back. Ensure that the doors close tightly – food quality can suffer as air leaks, so clean the rubber gasket twice yearly using a toothbrush and a solution of baking soda and water.

Check the temperature. Ideally, the refrigerator should range between 3 to 5 degrees Celsius. Keep the freezer at 0 degrees Celsius.

Clean the condenser coils under or behind the unit. Dust build-up can cause a refrigerator to work harder (read: use more energy) and last shorter. Vacuum every three months.

Replace the water filter if your refrigerator has an ice maker or water dispenser. Do so every six months and you can continue to enjoy water that’s clean and fresh.

HITACHI R-C6800S, from $4,799

ELECTROLUX NutriFresh, from $1,049 A FlexStor feature allows you to move sections around so as to accommodate larger and bulkier items. To help you circumvent the excessive humidity that can cause foods to break down quickly is a Market Fresh Crisper function.

This six-door sensation is equipped with a Photocatalyst Preservation feature that uses LED light to generate carbon dioxide in its vacuum compartment – hence inhibiting oxidation and loss of freshness in foods. Myriad energyefficient features, led by a Power Saving mode and four-ticks rating, make for an efficient kitchenista’s must-have.

SAMSUNG RF858, $5,299 Banish yucky odours in the refrigerator with its Triple Cooling technology, which designates individual cooling systems for compartments. Smart sensors monitor temperatures both inside and outside, ensuring a constant environment that prolongs the freshness of foods.

Candied Whole Clementine

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DIRECTIONS | Intelligence

APP

SO

Home improvement is just a tap away with these useful mobile apps. By YIP JIEYING FOR: PAINT PROJECTS

Dulux Colour Schemer Create rainbow-worthy palettes from any shade (even photographs). The app suggests complementary hues to match your favourite colour so you can save time and guesswork at the paint store.

Available free on iTunes and Google Play

FOR: ROOM REVAMP

FOR: CARPET SHOPPING

Dimensions of your residence are readily at your fingertips. Simply snap a photo of your rooms and add up their measurements. Whip it out for your next furniture shopping spree.

Available for free on iTunes and Google Play

Settings

MagicPlan

iCam

Videos

iTunes

App Store

Houzz

Carpets & Floors Calculator Outfit your room with the right rug just by keying in your floor and carpet sizes and price. This calculates the units of carpet required and even provides a detailed breakdown of installation cost.

Available free on iTunes and Google Play

Photo Measures Lite

Dulux Colour Schemer

FOR: FLOOR PLANS

MagicPlan No need to flip your nest upside down just for a layout plan. Create one in under 15 minutes by tracking rooms with your smart device. The app’s sci-fi cool augmented reality feature captures every detail and assembles a floor plan. Download it in PDF or JPG format, or publish an interactive plan online.

Available for free on iTunes and Google Play

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Intelligence | DIRECTIONS

FOR: HOME DECOR IDEAS

Houzz If a makeover is on your mind, this app version of the popular ID website is chock-full of visual ideas (categories make for easy browsing). Besides photos of envy-worthy abodes, Houzz also tags websites where you can lay hands on selected homeware and contact details of designers behind your favourite spaces.

FOR: HOME SECURITY

Available free on iTunes and Google Play

Camera

Photos

iCam FOR: WALL HANGING

iHandy Level

HomeSavvy

Carpets & Floors Calculator

Getting that family portrait up on the wall is a breeze when your smartphone doubles as a guide to realign crooked frames. This calibrates your phone against a completely flat surface and measures it against the furniture to be hung up. A digital reader shows – in numeral degrees – how far off you are from the perfect straight line.

This turns the webcam on your laptop or desktop computer into a surveillance camera so you can monitor live feeds remotely via mobile phone. When motion is detected, the app sends push notifications to the phone so you can take immediate action.

Available at $5.98 on iTunes and Google Play

FOR: FURNITURE SHOPPING

Available free on iTunes and Google Play

FOR: HOUSE MAINTENANCE

Photo Measures Lite

iHandy Level HomeSavvy Just like cars, homes need regular checks to run smoothly. This not only keeps a schedule but also sends out alerts that remind you to complete essential tasks. New homeowners will appreciate those tips on getting around household chores.

SnapShop Visualise how furniture can complement your home before you splurge.

Superimpose product images from the catalogue (which includes popular brands like Ikea and Crate & Barrel) or your own snaps on a photo of the room to preview.

Available free on iTunes

Available for free on iTunes and Google Play

SnapShop

Clock

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DIRECTIONS | Quick Fixes

6

LAST MINUTE

HOME FIXES The stress of cleaning your house can dampen your weekend. Find out how you can do everything (well, almost!) better.

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1

CARPETS AND RUGS

You’ve probably heard this before; when in a rush, sweep everything under the carpet.

Carpets and rugs are great for hiding flaws in your flooring whether it be a hideous scratch or a frightening old stain.

4

PEELING WALLPAPER

Bright wallpapers signify prosperity and happiness, but peeling wallpaper is definitely not the way to welcome the new year. Before you start freaking out, here is a quick tip to resolve this unsightly issue.

It also helps brighten your living space and pumps up the festive spirit. If you do not have enough time to go rug shopping, revitalize old carpets and rugs with a mixture of hot water and salt. The salt brightens faded fibre and protects against further discoloration.

With a knife, gently smear wallpaper paste on to a piece of writing paper. Rub the paper against the underside of the peeling section. Press the wallpaper against the wall and in one smooth action slide the writing paper out. Smoothen any bubbled surfaces with a clean damp cloth.

2

CEILING AND LIGHT FIXTURES

5

3

SPARKLING WINDOWS

Remove dust and dirt from ceiling fans and airconditioner vents with a damp cloth and a vacuum with a soft nozzle attachment. If your home has skylights or high ceilings, consider investing in a stepladder and extended-reach dust-and-dirt removal tools.

Using an old spray bottle, mix together one teaspoon of window cleaning liquid, half a teacup of white vinegar and two teacups of warm water.

Spray this solution on to your windows and use a soft, dust-free rag to wipe clean.

6

OLD FURNITURE

If your upholstered furniture has seen better days but is still too comfy and sturdy to be disposed, give your old furniture a face-lift with new fabric upholstery. This is much more economical and ecofriendly than purchasing brandnew furniture.

FRESH CURTAINS

With a steamer and stool, work the curtains from bottom to top by gliding the steamer over the curtains in one-foot sections, placing the nozzle about an inch away from the fabric.

Unless your curtains are unusually thick, you’ll only need to steam it once.

GET IT

NOW! Discover insights on child development, and find the latest news, tips and inspirations to help you in your parenting journey

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DIRECTIONS | Investment

HOUSE Text by JAFRI M

CALLS

With home prices declining due to a slew of cooling measures, this is arguably the best opportunity to acquire a new pad.

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T

he local housing market is turning steadily into a buyer’s market, with this year a vital one for property. According to the recent Financial Stability Review by The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the average quarter on quarter change in private residential was 0.67 per cent for the first three quarters of 2013. The figure moderated from 0.7 per cent in 2012 and nearly 1.5 per cent in 2011.

Even the once resilient landed homes sector has suffered its first price dip in four years, indicating that the cooling measures are reaching far and deep. Recent flash estimates from the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)

also revealed that the landed property index was down 1.2 per cent for the three month to end-December last year – in the quarter before, it had risen 0.7 per cent.

And looking ahead, a sizeable number of private properties will be completed over the next few years. Indeed, from this year to 2017, we are talking in terms of 15,000 annually. Then mull over this: the total number of private properties in Singapore (executive condominiums included) was around 298,000 in Q3 2013. With estimates that there will be over 19,000 units completed in 2014, the rise in residential units works out to be over 6 per cent. This abundance in supply is good news for potential buyers, who no longer have to pay a premium.

Indeed, property sources feel this year marks a crucial time for the local market, with some analysts predicting a fall of about 10 per cent for private home prices. Several have ventured to even put the figure at 20 per cent, though this is probably a stretch, given Singapore’s sound economic fundamentals and stable business environment.

BUYING TIPS Before you decide to take the plunge, know that there are important factors you must consider.

Financing - Now more than ever, you really need to get your sums right with all the tightening in bank financing regulations. For starters, there is a Total Debt Servicing Ratio (TDSR). Essentially, this caps a borrower’s total monthly debt payment at 60 per cent of gross monthly income across the board. Lenders now consider total debt obligations of borrowers, including car loans and other mortgages, before approving a new home loan.

How did TDSR come about? In 2012, MAS conducted a thematic inspection of banks’ residential property loan portfolios. It uncovered uneven practices with respect to the application of debt servicing ratios, and recommended improvement in credit underwriting practices.

As such, TDSR provides financial institutions a framework for assessing borrowers’ debt servicing ability for property loans, in relation to their other outstanding debt obligations. Banks must consistently compute the TDSR, or the

percentage of total monthly debt obligations to gross monthly income. Now the TDSR applies to loans for the purchase of all types of property, loans secured on property, and re-financing of such loans. Today, banks do thorough checks and will advise on the final loan granted. So it now becomes more important that you can afford the property.

Remember that if the property offers a limited lease, it may be harder to finance the buying with a housing loan. Generally, the shorter the lease period, the higher the interest rate of the loan.

Don’t forget the Additional Buyers’ Stamp Duty (ABSD) rates. In the beginning of 2013, a duty of 5 per cent was implemented for permanent residents acquiring their first property and a 7 per cent duty on Singaporeans buying their second property. To be on the safer side, check with your real estate agent and lawyer about fees to be paid for a more accurate estimate of your overall budget.

Research - Make the process more efficient with online research as many listings are accompanied with virtual tours and images. You can also study property reviews and recent sale prices.

Agent - Work with a real estate agent who can set up appointments, accompany you to viewings and negotiate on your behalf. Get recommendations from friends who purchased property recently.

Viewings - Define your living needs clearly before you start viewings. As the number of properties increase, you will become surer of what your preferences. Whenever possible, take photos of exteriors and interiors, noting unusual design details, quality of finishes and even a snapshot of the front gate or door with the house number. You could be viewing many properties so this helps to avoid confusion.

Amenities - Consider the range of amenities in the vicinity, like food courts, restaurants, wet markets and retail shops. Proximity to schools, clinics, and leisure facilities also matter, as does availability and convenience of public transport. If you need to take the train, for instance, is the station within walking distance or do you have to take a bus?

The Total Debt Servicing Ratio caps your total monthly debt repayment at 60 per cent of gross monthly income… and takes into account other debt obligations including car loans. www.homeplusliving.com 91

DIRECTIONS | Scrapbook

ALL IN THE FAMILY Communal dining is now more convenient with IndyFlex+ Beko Hob. On a stylish display panel are eight coils that can be controlled separately or linked into a single zone. The cooking surface becomes bigger instantly for whipping up your favourite curry to feed the whole clan.

NOW HEAR THIS Equipped with Dolby technology for a vivid 7.1 virtual surround sound, the Siberia Elite Gaming Headset is designed for gaming and entertainment across multiple devices. A SteelSeries Engine 3 configuration software allows you to customise the audio profile, such as equaliser for various gaming genres and illumination options from over 16 million colours. And with extra-large memory foam ear cushions providing superb comfort and support, this is one reason to tune in and log on.

HOPPEN MAD Since designing a family friend’s kitchen as a 16-year-old, British interior designer Kelly Hoppen has garnered a loyal fan base with her neutral palettes, cosy textures and East-meets-West sensibilities.

Now available at her online store is a collection of luxury homeware, including bed linen, cushions and other home accessories. Visit www.kellyhoppen.com

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LET THERE BE LIGHT Find out how window shades can improve your environment. The Lutron Fabric Collections App for iPad stocks more than 1,500 high-resolution images of fabrics, which can be sorted according to colour, pattern and other specifications such as green standards. A zoom capability also offers close-ups of texture and weaves. You can visualise, save and share favourites on the go – what’s not to like? Free from iTunes store.

TEAL APPEAL Combining the natural beauty of green and the coolness of blue, teal lends an elegant confidence to your most intimate spaces. Teal is also the colour Dutch paints maker Dulux is hailing this year’s star, and features in its latest five palettes: Silent Revolution, Margin Of Proof, Urban Folk, Do It Now!, and Secret Garden, which we especially love for its ethereal atmosphere.

Otherwise, hues that work well with this super versatile shade run the gamut from emerald to wood.

POSH NOSH From March 6 to 9, The Promontory@ Marina Bay welcomes a gathering of gourmets from all corners of the globe as curtains to Savour 2014 open. Two Michelin-star chef Michael Caines leads the line-up, which also comprises familiar favourites such as Emmanuel Stroobant and Ryan Clift. In addition to a vast assortment of sea catch, cheese and wine, 20 restaurants will also whip up more than 50 signature dishes at a wallet-friendly range from $6 to $18. Tickets at $45 onwards, with a credit of $30 to spend at the event. More details at www.savour.sg

ONE TOUCH That’s all you need to start enjoying your favourite tunes at home. Bang & Olufsen’s new BeoSound Essence system is accompanied by a remote that allows you to perform an array of functions, from skipping tracks to adjusting the volume. A BeoMusic app allows you to control it from iOS and Android devices too.

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INTO THE GROOVE The right music can help you stick longer to your exercise regime, according to Dr Costas Kargeorghis, deputy head (research) of the School of Sport and Education at Brunel University, UK. “A suitably motivational playlist can help to ‘colour’ the symptoms of exercise-related fatigue, like breathlessness and a beating heart, in such a way that they are interpreted in a more positive manner. This means that at the point when your body is shouting ‘Stop’, the music has the power to lift your mood and beckon you on,” he explains. And research by digital music service Spotify shows that women are more likely than men to use music to exercise in time to the beat. Log on to www.spotify.com and tune in to its Ultimate Workout playlist now.

DREAM CREAM All night in an air-conditioned bedroom can cause skin to lose water and start to look dry and feel itchy. Restore your complexion to youthful smoothness with Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream Intense Hydration. It contains an enriched hyaluronic acid to instantly deliver moisture to skin and lock it in for up to 24 hours. A refined apricot oil comprising Omegas 3, 6 and 9, as well as essential fatty acids, also conditions and softens skin.

WET SUITE Everyone loves a hot shower at the end of a long day at the office. And the folks at Grohe truly understand.

To be launched later this year are a trio of Spa Ceramics collections, including bathtubs, shower trays and washbasins. A stepped bowl in the latter helps to minimise volume so less water is required to fill it.

BOOM BOOM ROOMS Two months into the new year, and you’re already dying to get away? Design Hotels has just expanded its collection of stylish properties with another nine. But if you don’t want to travel too far from home, we suggest Grace Beijing in China. Set in a former Bauhaus-style crystal factory in the uber-cool 798 district, this 30-room accommodation merges Ming magnificence and contemporary hip. Walls are adorned with film stills by acclaimed auteur Wong Kar-Wai. More details at www. designhotels.com/grace_beijing

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Scrapbook | DIRECTIONS

CAN BUY ME LOVE Valentine’s Day takes on special meaning as it coincides with the Chinese equivalent, aka the 15th day of the Lunar New Year. Here, ways to thrill and tantalise your partner.

TWO BECOME ONE Wear your heart on your sleeve with Citigems Sugar Desires Avoire pendant, which features a pair of white and rose gold ribbons that end in an inverted raindrop of 10 diamonds of 0.4 carats.

REST & RELAX Who says parents must compromise on couple time? Pack the kids along check-in at Club Med Bali. From March 11 to April 7, the resort’s Body And Soul: Four Colours in Four Days will pamper both young and old with a plethora of wholesome activities, including batik painting for little ones and stressbusting spa sessions for grown-ups. For details, visit www.clubmed.com.sg

RAINBOW BRIGHT

BAND AID Fashioned from rose gold and black gold are these Goldheart Floret rings that ooze sensuality and sophistication with their chain of daisies.

Nibble on this delicate sponge confection that bursts forth with an array of vibrant shades from The Deli at Goodwood Park Hotel. Feed me, darling!

DINNER FOR TWO It’s said that seafood can get you in the mood and Quayside Fish Bar & Bistro is where you can chomp on delicious catch – and soak up the romantic ambience of the Sentosa Cove vicinity. Prices start at $95++ per person for a three-course dinner that includes scrumptious homemade lobster tofu (“Love at first sight”) and fragrant cod bouillabaisse (“First Dance”).

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DIRECTIONS | Ambassadors

REACH FOR THE STARS

What famous faces do for fashion, beauty, watches and cars, they are doing more often for home essentials. Do you have a favourite here?

ANDY LAU: Osim Lau may be 52 but the Hong Kong superstar’s appeal stretches across generations. And homegrown wellness company Osim capitalised on this as early as 2010, signing him to plug its U-Divine massage chair. Marketed as “massage fit for a king”, it benefited from Lau’s friendly reminder: “Escape everyday stress and be welcomed to a new world of relaxation. Relieve neck and shoulder aches, relax at night or re-energise in the morning – satisfy the desires of your body.”

Company founder Ron Sim, who described the move as “very, very powerful…quite astonishing”, also handed Lau the contract for last year’s Infinity massage chair. Now that’s one cushy seat.

SCARLETT JOHANSSON: SodaStream Come February 2 and Johansson will embark on her latest role as global ambassador for SodaStream, the home soda making system that she’s been “using…myself and giving them as gifts for many, many years”. It helps that the award-winning actress is “a role model for healthy body image and a champion for environmental responsibility” – the system seeks to reduce waste from plastic bottles and cans. The 29-year-old’s previous peddling stints include makeup, fashion and champagne.

EDMUND CHEN & XIANG YUN: Mitsubishi Electric

Text by MARY LIM

Household names in Singapore’s entertainment circuit, the couple, together with son Yi Xi and daughter Yi Xin now appear on TV and print ads for the Japanese home appliances maker. “We’re happy to do endorsements as long as the brand is suitable and appropriate.

It’s also a great learning experience for our children and they learn values like confidence,” according to them. Both kids have since landed parts in movies.

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KIM TAE-HEE: LG Electronics It takes more than a pretty face to land an endorsement deal, and the Korean top actress has perfected this into an art, if her stellar portfolio is anything to go by. Parlaying the confidence of sophisticated females she often portrays on screen for LG’s Dios collection, she gamely did a little boogie to draw attention to the refrigerator in the TV ad (which also featured Jeong Wooseong of Athena fame). Fan signings aside, she also appeared in interview clips on the brand website. In one, Kim even joked: “Aren’t I prettier now? I’m continuing to get prettier while my sister was always pretty. That’s it.”

GEORGE CLOONEY: Nespresso Sandra Bullock may have landed the coveted Oscar nomination but the one raking in the money is surely her Gravity co-star.

Since 2006, Hollywood multi-hyphenate and hottie Clooney has raked in the big bucks by fronting the Swiss coffee brand. Elegant, edgy and witty, campaigns have featured him opposite guest stars like fellow thespians John Malkovich and Matt Damon. “People will go, ‘Oh, that’s a sell-out!’ You know what? F*** you!” Clooney once lashed out at critics. Apparently, the millions he bagged paid for a satellite to keep watch on Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir. www.homeplusliving.com 97

DIRECTIONS | Calendar

My Fair Lady

11 Feb

Singapore International Jazz Festival

My Fair Lady Snobbish professor Henry Higgins tries to transform flower seller Eliza Doolittle into a proper lady in three months.

As they bond over the English language, both find themselves entangled in an unlikely romance. Set in Edwardian London, the musical is based on George Bernard Shaw’s play Pygmalion.

Ruan Lingyu’s The Goddess - A Silent Film Concert

Until 23 February, Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands.

Tickets from www.sistic.com.sg

15 Feb

The Ant And The Grasshopper

Ruan Lingyu’s The Goddess – A Silent Film Concert Shanghai screen siren Ruan Lingyu portrays a woman who sells herself in order to care for her infant son. When a gangster steals the money she has saved for her child’s education, she decides to take action. Accompanying the screening is a soundtrack composed and rearranged by home-grown composer Law Wai Lun, and performed by the Singapore Chinese Orchestra led

by Tsung Yeh. This is part of Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts, which showcases works by Chinese artists across theatre, dance and other genres.

Esplanade Concert Hall.

Tickets from www.sistic.com.sg

Singapore International Jazz Festival

Yuna Nocturnal Live In Singapore

24 Feb Yuna Nocturnal Live In Singapore Malaysian-born chanteuse Yuna follows up on her self-titled debut album with a fresh line-up of sparkling originals, including the bubbly ‘I Wanna Go’ and dancey ‘Falling’. Are you ready to bop along?

Esplanade Concert Hall.

Tickets from www.sistic.com.sg

26 Feb The Ant And The Grasshopper Friendship, diligence and generosity are the themes of this fun-filled musical based on the well-loved Aesop fable. Ant is always working hard with no time for play while Grasshopper does nothing but play all day, with Caterpillar rounding up the trio. But how will the arrival of winter change their friendship?

Packed with colourful puppets and catchy sing-alongs, this is one adventure both kids and grown-ups will enjoy.

Until 15 March, Jubilee Hall, Raffles Hotel.

Tickets from www.sistic.com.sg

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27 Feb Jamie Callum, James Morrison, Natalie Cole and Gregory Porter are among the international stars that will take the stage at the inaugural Sing Jazz.

To extend the reach of this musical genre, organisers have also lined up a roadshow and fringe festival. Proceeds go toward the Foundation for Arts and Social Enterprise to help nurture local jazz talents.

Until 2 March, Event Plaza, Marina Bay Sands.

Tickets from www.sistic.com.sg.

More information at www.sing-jazz.com

Eason’s Life In Singapore

1 Mar Eason’s Life In Singapore “I hope that through this concert, everyone can realise the importance and value of the ‘small’ things in life and invest more in finding out different meanings and significances in life,” shared the Hong Kong singeractor of Eason’s Life tour.

No encore is slated for this one-night-only gig, which features the crème de la crème among his over 400 track-repertoire.

Mosaic Music Festival - Buika

Disney On Ice Treasure Trove Romeo & Juliet

Singapore Indoor Stadium.

Tickets from www.sportshubtix.sg

Disney On Ice Treasure Trove

7 Mar Mosaic Music Festival Saving the best for last is the final edition of this musical extravaganza, which presents the world’s top acts across pop, rock, jazz, electronic and soul.

Treat yourself to the lush indieinfused melodies of American ensemble Hellogoodbye – of Platinum CD Here (In Your Arms). Another eagerly anticipated artiste is Spanish sensation Buika, whose sensual vocals have been likened to “velvet gravel” and lend flourish to her flamenco pop offerings.

Until 16 March. Tickets from www.sistic.com.sg

19 Mar

7 Mar Made In Singapore: A Wedding, A Funeral & Lucky, The Fish/Stand Behind The Yellow Line Contemplate on social issues Singaporeans contend with through two poignant productions. The first – a bittersweet comedy about a wedding tea ceremony gone wrong – reflects the importance of marriage to local women.

The second, on the other hand, explores the relevance of rules via an unlikely friendship between two women.

13 Mar Romeo & Juliet Inspired by the same-named Shakespearean romantic tragedy, this exquisite production by the Singapore Dance Theatre features superb choreography by the late Goh Choo San and a stirring score

by Sergei Prokofiev.

Hop on with Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy, and drop in on the most enchanting characters in celluloid history ever. Expect an incredibly pulsating pace as performers glide, twirl and soar to bring to life cherished tales such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, The Lion King and Tangled. Keep peepers peeled especially in Peter Pan, when Captain Hook’s pirate ship transforms into a magic castle.

Until 23 March, Singapore Indoor Stadium.

Tickets from www.sportshubtix.sg

Until 16 March, Esplanade Theatre.

Tickets from www.sistic.com.sg

Until 9 March, DBS Arts Centre – Home of SRT. Tickets from www.sistic.com.sg www.homeplusliving.com 99

STOCKISTS 8edtimes 62 Sungei Kadut Loop #02-21, International Furniture Centre Tel: 6255 5575 9 Penang Road #B1-09 Parkmall Tel: 6338 7889 B&B Italia Space Furniture Besglas Singapore 2 Toa Payoh Industrial Park #01-1403 Tel: 6353 3533 Design Hotels www.designhotels.com Dunlopillo Marina Square #03-306/306A Tel: 6337 9149 Excel Hardware 10 Admiralty Street #03-52 North Link Building Tel: 6853 3113 www.excelhw.com.sg H채fele No 1 Kaki Bukit Road #01-27/28 Enterprise One Tel: 6848 9075

IKEA 60 Tampines North Drive 2 Tel: 6786 6868 www.ikea.com/sg

Sim Siang Choon 2 Jurong East Street 21, IMM Building 03-10 Tel: 6563 6493

Matthew Hilton Proof Living

551 Balestier Road Tel: 6254 8122

Maxalto Space Furniture

99 Bukit Timah Road Alfa Centre #01-01 Tel: 334 1123 www.simsiangchoon.com

Muji ION Orchard #B4-16 Tel: 6509 9321 Pere Ocean 58 Senoko Road Tel: 3157 1688/9018 6099 www.pereocean.com Poliform Space Furniture Proof Living ION Orchard #03-15 Tel: 6509 0555 Sealy Tanglin Place #01-02 Tel: 6475 6166 Serenity 1 Harbourfront Walk #01-98/99, VivoCity Tel: 6376 8185 391 Orchard Road #05-32, Ngee Ann City Tel: 6235 9989 www.serenity.com.sg

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Simmons Park Mall #01-08 Tel: 6336 4100 Slumberland The Centrepoint #04-02 Tel: 6733 3314 Space Furniture 77 Bencoolen Street Tel: 6415 0000 ToTT Store 896 Dunearn Road #01-01A Tel: 6219 7077 www.tottstore.com Zanotta Proof Living

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Lot 2668, Jalan Kampung, Kg Baru Sungai Buloh, 47000 Selangor D. E. Malaysia Email: saleskl@excelhw.com.sg T: +603-6156 3553 F: +603-6156 3003 Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8.30am-5.30pm Sat 8.30am-12.30pm (Johor Bahru Branch) (Reg No.:1045591-D)

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Each and every Hypnos bed is a bespoke creation, handcrafted to perfection, a masterpiece. We only use natural and sustainable materials of the finest quality. A 10 year guarantee reinforces this unsurpassed craftsmanship and illustrates our confidence in the quality and durability of our materials and craftsmen.

Our master craftsmen, their passion, their experience and their unparalleled attention to detail guarantees exceptional quality - truly, a labour of love.

PARKMALL 9 PENANG ROAD #B1-09 SINGAPORE 238459 +65 6338 7889 IFC 62 SUNGEI KADUT LOOP #02-21 SINGAPORE 729507 +65 6255 5575 W : www.hypnosbeds.com

E: sleep@hypnosbeds.com.sg