N BR EW A LOND O CELEBRATING K
30 YEARS
OF GREAT DESIGN
5 STYLISH ABODES 10 easy ways to inject personality into your space
FURNITURE FROM LUXURY CAR MAKERS
PROPER TY TI P
SAVVY WAYS TO SAVE ON PAYING ABSD
C E LE B PA D
S$6.00
THE RISK OF USING FREE INTERIOR DESIGN SERVICES
VINCENT NG’S 3,850SQF FAMILY HOME
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CONTENTS
M AY
NOW DESIGN NEWS, PLACES TO V I S I T, T H I N G S T O B U Y
25 NEVER GO OUT OF STYLE How do you define style? Discover yours and let your interiors tell a story. 26 COLOUR OF THE MONTH Neutral tones are on-trend now. Here’s why. 28 IN SINK Kartell by Laufen sinks.
SHOPPING 30 10 WAYS TO STYLE UP YOUR HOME Our monthly roundup of the hottest new design products, to help you achieve your decor style.
NEW STORES
LIVING
36 P5 STUDIO The place to find the latest cult brands in furniture design.
40 BY THE SIDE Sideboard designs.
37 PRESTIGE FURNITURE Say ciao to a new designer furniture store in Outram. 38 DIPTYQUE BOUTIQUE SINGAPORE The 57-year-old French perfumer opens its first store in our garden city.
HOT SPOT 42 COMMON MAN STAN Common Man Cofee Roasters’ second cafe. 46 KAFNU TAIPEI Live, work and play in one snazzy shared space.
38 É ú âÐÛ Zé Û °ÉéÐ é°â S Þ°â° É È °âÐÉ ¦ÐÞ Âîÿ â Ééâʨ
42
30 Tile of the month.
40
8
CONTENTS
M AY
58 Bijoy Mohan on the future of baths.
DESIGN I D E A S A N D I N S P I R AT I O N F R O M THOSE IN THE KNOW
PEOPLE 50 ENZO GURIAN New to South-east Asia, the Gurian family has over six decades of experience in Italian furniture-making.
52 Inspiration behind the Gender chair.
52 PATRICIA URQUIOLA Award-winning architect, designer and art director of Cassina.
56 BREAK FROM CONVENTION British designer Tom Dixon oh his collaboration with Ikea. 58 BIJOY MOHAN Paving the way for bathrooms of the future. 60 CRAIG HENRICKSEN Vice-president of product and marketing at Kinestral Technologies, manufacturer of smart tinting glass Halio. 62 10 QUESTIONS WITH LAURENCE LLEWELYNBOWEN Judge on reality design competition The Apartment.
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CONTENTS
M AY
88
78 BLACK IS BACK This home can be considered an interior designer’s vision of the little black dress for a residential space.
102 PROJECT SHOWCASE How a nondescript condo apartment can be turned into a modern sanctuary.
88 LIGHT OF WAY Smart, sleek retouches paved the way for a breezy resort vibe in this multi-storey townhouse.
HOMES a) B r AH VB
on the cover
66
96 IN FULL VIEW A 10-day time frame did not stop the interior designers from unveiling a glamorous apartment to the homeowners.
HEART OF THE ACTION PHOTOGRAPHY VERONICA TAY ART DIRECTION NONIE CHEN & KAFFY TAN ACCESSORIES Egg3
96 12
CONTENTS
M AY
VOICES 64 Advice for homeowners from guest columnist Cameron Woo.
H&D CURATES 1 04 SOUND ADVICE With vinyl record collections coming back in style, here’s how to make one look at home on your console.
FEATURE 1 06 DRIVEN BY DESIGN Luxury car brands are making inroads into home territory with designer furniture.
PROPERTY 110 3 WAYS TO AVOID PAYING ABSD A second property means 7% Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty for Singaporeans, but there are ways to work around this.
TRAVEL 114 A FRENCH FAIRY TALE The majestic Hotel de Crillon in Paris reopens after four years of renovations, creating buzz about its modern design paired with 18th-century roots.
FEATURES T H E L AT E S T I N D E S I G N AND DECOR TRENDS
110 Save on ABSD.
20 EDITOR’S NOTE
122 IN STORE
22 H&D.COM.SG
1 24 WHERE TO BUY
23 DIGITAL EDITION EXCLUSIVES
126 BUYING GUIDE 128 THE FINAL SAY
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9 Raffles Boulevard Millenia Walk Singapore 039596 info@grafunkt.com
Grafunkt 02-34/35/36 6336 6046 grafunkt.com
Ligne Roset 02-29/30/31 6238 8372 ligne-roset.com
Conde House 02-42 6338 3248 condehouse.co.jp
Vitra by Grafunkt 02-32 6266 3369 vitra.com
Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec · Inga Sempe · Christian Werner · Antonio Citterio · Verner Panton · Jasper Morrison · Naoto Fukasawa · Phillipe Nigro Isamu Noguchi · Nathan Yong · Marie Christine Dorner · Michel Ducaroy · Peter Maly · Didier Gomez · Edward Barber & Jay Osgerby
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E D I TO R ’ S N O T E
This sentiment is shared by writer and curator John Cary, who felt so strongly about the matter that he devoted an entire book to it entitled Design For Good: A New Era of Architecture for Everyone. In it, he explains how everyone in society deserves to enjoy good design, regardless of stature or spending power. My personal belief is that good design must be empowering. It should ođer us the ability to express ourselves clearly, and be a catalyst to bringing like-minded people together. Ultimately, good design must enhance our lives and add value to our lifestyle. In order to appreciate design, we need to move away from making buying decisions based on whether we need something or we want something. Instead, we should start by asking ourselves how much joy we can derive from having that object in our lives, and if it will also improve the lives of those around us. Why? Because we’re worth it.
YO U N G L I M E D I TO R
20
photography ANGELA GUO art direction NONIE CHEN location SPACE
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
A few days ago, while in a car ride with home-grown industrial designer Nathan Yong, we got to talking about the notion of good design. I wanted his personal take on the qualities of a well-designed product. Being the enigmatic and liberated creative mind that he is, Nathan ođered his thoughts on the various aspects of bad design instead. “Bad design,” he said, “is selĝsh, is disrespectful, is inconsiderate, is unreasonable, is conĞicting, is unclear, is meaningless, is fearful.” His concise statement, which gave me much to think about, is not just poetic in its delivery, it’s also interesting to note because all the qualities he described were referring to design as a tangible form or entity, not unlike another human being. What strikes me most is how easy it is, or should be, for us to determine whether designs are good or bad, just as easily as we can tell about a person from the way he or she treats us.
REAL-TIME DESIGN UPDATES WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/ HOMEANDDECOR.SINGAPORE Read new content on home decor and more, daily.
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Clear clutter at home with these design tricks These simple space-saving designs will make a world of a difference. www.tinyurl.com/messtips
Ways to add brass accents stylishly to your home We show you the best spots to use brass. www.tinyurl.com/brasstips
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TOM DIXON ON HIS NEW PROJECT WITH IKEA aÐÈʙâ ÉÐé ¼Ð¿°É§ ú É â Āâ é ÂÐп Ц °â É ú ¦îÞÉ°éîÞ Ð é°ÐÉ ¦ÐÞ ,¿ ú â °ÉâÛ°Þ Ā ÐĔ Éʨ "°É Ðîé ÈÐÞ °É é°â ÿ Âîâ°ù °Éé Þù° úʨ 23
DWELL INTERIOR DESIGN P. L . INTERIOR DESIGN & CONSULTANCY DESIGN & BUILD | ADDITIONS & ALTERATIONS WWW.DWELL.COM.SG
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D E S I G N N E W S , P L A C E S T O V I S I T, T H I N G S T O B U Y
NEVER GO OUT OF STYLE Like a pair of handstitched brogues from Church’s, or Hubert de Givenchy’s little black dress for Audrey Hepburn, a ĝnely crafted masterpiece
transcends the limits of time and trends to become an indelible object of beauty. A well-decorated home achieves the same eđect, creating a sensual experience that moves beyond sight and touch to tell a tale. The result is an elegant Ğow from space to photo THE MILL
space, interwoven with beams of light as they ĝll the void, ođering you endless delight in discovering the details within. Be inspired to let your interiors tell a story, so that you can embark on a journey of exploration, and revel in your abode every day of your life. 25
C O LO U R O F T H E M O N T H
Pierre Frey’s Natecru collection features a range of earth tones presented in 100 per cent silk fabrics of various weaves, patterns and designs. www.pierrefrey.com
S TAY NEUTRAL Calming earth tones take centre stage in a minimalist environment, along with an emphasis on simple lines and graceful silhouettes. Getting that cool Japaneseinspired aesthetic or rustic Scandinavian look is easy, as long as you focus on pairing muted colours like white, ivory, beige, taupe, ecru or fawn, with complementary shades, such as a pale pink, light grey or a dark khaki. The resulting style should be efortless, comforting to the eye and allow the textures of each material to stand out.
26
the expert says
AL AN KUE H Design Consultant, AK+
“There’s an increasing trend in the use of earth tones for home interiors, partly because of the popularity of minimalist brands like Muji. While it’s not hard to see the appeal of this look, it is important
text YOUNG LIM
to keep in mind that personalisation is still key when it comes to good interior decorating. We need to inject our own character, with design that is adaptive to our habits and way of life. This ensures a more
lasting, timeless approach, when incorporating such soothing tones into our homes. A good approach would be to focus on using a larger variety of materials and textures to make up for the lack of contrast in the colours.”
LUXE IT
,B Z,B9 Kartell by Laufen Sinks xĂ?ĂŽ ¿ÉĂ?Ăş 9Â†ĂžĂŠÂœĂ‚Ă‚ †â ĂŠÂÂœ ,ʆ°†É ÂŚĂŽĂžĂ‰Â°ĂŠĂŽĂžÂœ Â’Ă?ĂˆĂ›Â†Ă‰Ä€ ĂŠÂ†Ê ˜Ă?ĂˆÂ°Ă‰Â†ĂŠÂœÂ˜ ĂŠÂÂœ Û†âÊ°’ ÂŚĂŽĂžĂ‰Â°ĂŠĂŽĂžÂœ Â’ĂŽĂ‚ĂŠĂŽĂžÂœ ú°Ê °Êâ °’Ă?É°’ Â˜ÂœĂ˘Â°Â§Ă‰Ă˘ĘŁ âΒ †â ĂŠÂÂœ #ÂĂ?âÊ Â’Â†°Þ Â†Ă‰Â˜ Ă?ĂˆĂ›Ă?É°‘°Â° âÊĂ?ĂžÂ†Â§Âœ ÎÉ°Êʨ a°â Ă˘ÂœÂ†Ă˘Ă?Éʣ °Êʙâ ĂžÂœĂšĂ?ÂÎÊ°Ă?É°â°É§ ‘†ÊÂĂžĂ?Ă?Ăˆ Â°Ă‰ĂŠÂœĂžÂ°Ă?Þâ ú°Ê °Êâ ‘†ÊÂĂşÂ†ĂžÂœ Ă‚Â°Ă‰ÂœĘŁ 9Â†ĂžĂŠÂœĂ‚Ă‚ ‘Ā ;Â†ĂŽÂŚÂœĂ‰Ę¨ a°â Ă›Â†ĂžĂŠĂ‰ÂœĂžĂ˘Â°Û ú°Ê ÊÂÂœ Zú°ââ ĂˆÂ†Ă‰ĂŽÂŚÂ†Â’ĂŠĂŽĂžÂœĂž ÂŚÂœÂ†ĂŠĂŽĂžÂœĂ˘ †É ÂœĂżĂ›ÂœĂžÂ°ĂˆÂœĂ‰ĂŠÂ†Ă‚ Â’Ă?Ă‚Ă‚ÂœÂ’ĂŠÂ°Ă?É Ă?ÂŚ â°É¿â ú°Ê †ÞÊ°âÊ°’ â°ÂÂĂ?ĂŽÂœĂŠĂŠÂœĂ˘Ę¨
These Saphir Keramik sinks are only a conceptual launch for now, but we have no doubt that the googlyeyed design world wants them in stores!
The sinks come in various shapes, from geometric styles to exaggerated oblongs.
Saphir Keramik is a highperformance ceramic that lets products be as thin as blades and light as a feather. You can now bid addio to bulky sinks.
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Other than revolutionising plastic furniture, Kartell is also famous for its joyful, candy-coloured designs.
text ELIZA HAMIZAH photos KARTELL BY LAUFEN
aÞ°Ú°† Kartell by Laufen products are designed by Italian power couple Ludovica & Roberto Palomba, and include everything from bath mixers to plastic towel rails and mirrors in colours like orange and blue.
10 STYLE TIPS SHOPPING IDEAS FOR QUICK FIXES WHEN S P R U C I N G U P YO U R S PAC E
2 Clutter-Free Concealable downdraft hoods have always been popular with homeowners for open-concept kitchens, but the Sintesi by Italian kitchen pundit Falmec goes one step further. Sintesi is an integrated kitchen system that combines a rear extractor and an induction hob with four (not the standard three) flexible cooking zones. The extractor is barely noticeable; instead of popping up like a downdraft hood, its space-saving slim blades simply open to absorb and purify air and moisture, removing odour. It is sophisticated, silent, easy to install, and is rated A++ for energy eiciency. For m ore det ai l s on t he Sin tes i by Fal m ec, vi si t www.fal m ec.co. u k .
3 Switch It Up 1 Art Smart Give your guests something to talk about when they pop by, with these hip and trendy art pieces featuring works by well-known contemporary art legends like Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Art gallery Lumas collaborated with The Skateroom to incorporate the world-renowned artworks onto skateboards that come in bright, vibrant pops of colour. Put up one of these priced skateboards, featuring Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans, and Basquiat’s Trumpet, in your home to lend it a fun, cool vibe. An d y War h o l ’s C amp b e ll’s S o u p C an s (se t o f 8 ) an d J ean-Mi chel B asqui at ’s Tru m pe t (s e t o f 3 ) re t ail at $ 3,18 0 an d $ 1,08 0 re sp e c ti vel y at Lum as G al l ery, # 0 4 -47, Parag o n , www. sg .lu mas.co m.
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Switches are seldom considered when thinking of ways to dress up your space, but this one is changing the game. The Avatar On customisable switch covers have a mirrorsmooth surface for personalised prints, and is changed easily with a snap-on motion.
Ava t a r On switc h es a n d s oc ket s st a rt f rom $9. To get t h em t h rou gh Sc h n eider Elec t ric ’s Cu stom er Ca re Cen t re, e- m a il c u stom erc a re. s g@ s c h n eider- elec t ric . com .
4 Make An Impression Nothing makes quite the same impact as a well-made sofa, when you’re looking to add the “wow” factor to your living room. Go for stately, elegant pieces like this Contemporary Hallie tufted sofa by home-grown furniture label Embowood. This updated Chesterfield design is finished in luxurious velvet and available in a variety of colours. Homeowners can also make a request for custom servicing.
Pri ces for t he Contem porary Hal l i e st art f rom $2,3 50. Vi si t www.havenl i fest yl e.asi a, or cal l 674 5-4 698 for enqui ri es.
TILE OF THE MONTH
5 Geometric Fashion For homeowners bent on changing the vibe at home, opt for radical-looking tiles. An unconventional take on square tiles, or mosaic, the Mutina Tratti tiles by Inga Sempe are designed with the aim of creating repeated patterns to result in graphical features. With a collection of patterns including grids, crosses, horizontal lines and even herringbone, there’s no definite formula when pairing the pieces in this collection with one another. The Mut i na Trat t i t i l e col l ect i on ret a ils a t Rice, # 01-03 , Henderson I ndust ri al Park, www. rice- f ields .com .
6 Statement pieces Three of the most iconic chairs of our time crafted for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, by Danish designer Arne Jacobsen, turn 60 this year. To commemorate this milestone, Fritz Hansen has reimagined the Egg, Swan and Drop chairs in new finishes centred on the theme of purity, dressing them in materials that develop a unique patina as they age. The limited-edition collection Egg and Swan chairs are upholstered in pure leather, while the Drop is covered in hardwearing fabric Sera. The bases of all three designs are plated with luxurious 24K gold. Th e 6 0 t h ann ive r s ar y co lle ctio n is ava i l ab le at W. Ate l ie r, w ith p r ice s st a rt i n g fro m $1 , 3 3 4 fo r th e D ro p ch air. Vi si t www.wate lie r.co m fo r d e tails.
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7 #Ă‚Ă?Ăş ,É aÂÂœ †Þ¿ Here’s something for the discerning homeowner: a handwoven rug with embedded optic-ďŹ bre nodes. Produced by the largest rugmaker in Europe, Ferreira de Sa, the Dazzling rug is ahead of its time and conceived especially for grand entrances. If you’re looking for something understated, the premium Portuguese rugmaker recently collaborated with local furniture retailer Studio 216 to launch a collection of rugs named after islands around Singapore.
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ĂžÂœÂ†ĂŠĂŽĂžÂœ Ă?ĂˆÂŚĂ?ÞÊ
Don’t forget to create cosy corners where you can retreat to after a long day. The N701 sofa from Ethnicraft ofers a plush spot for lounging in and is sturdy in build, making it the perfect addition to a family den. The N 701 ret ai l s at $1,795 and i s avai l abl e f rom Et hn ic ra f t . Vi si t www.et hni craf t -onl i ne.com .sg for det ai l s.
9 ;°§ÂĂŠÂœĂ‰ fĂ› Pri ce s fo r Fe r re ira d e S a’s ru gm a k i n g s e r v i ce b e g i n at $ 2 ,9 0 0 ( fo r a r ug o f 3 m by 2 m ). T h e r u g s are avai lab le a t F l exfo r m S i n g ap o re, # 0 1 -0 1, 20 0 N ew to n Road , tel : 69 0 9 - 2 1 2 8 .
Changing the mood of a space can be as simple as adding a source of ambient light to complement the decor. The Pose lamp from Maiori’s La Lampe collection charms with its blocklike and uncomplicated design. Switch it on in the evenings to create a soft glow around your dining or side table. The Pose light retails at $141, an d is avai l abl e f rom P5 St udi o, #0 1- 08 , Henderson I ndust ri al Park.
1 0 ZĂ?ÂŚĂŠÂœĂ‰ ,ĂŠ fĂ› Make your home feel cosy with artisanal cushions designed by textile specialists Insley & Nash. Its debut Doubloon collection for interiors consists of hand screen-printed cushions made of silk and linen, with patterns reminiscent of textured brushstrokes. They come in a luxurious palette of gold, navy and white. In sl ey & N as h ’s D o u b l o o n co lle ctio n c u sh io n s re tail a t U S$170 (S$ 2 2 2 ) e ac h , fro m www.w r ig h tan d smith .co m.
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ARTIST OF THE MONTH
9 ° r â ° ¿Ðúâ ¿° A multidisciplinary artist based in Sydney, Kai utilises photography, ready-made materials and multimedia to highlight ecological concerns. Catch him and other artists at the Trompe-l’Oeil exhibition at Sullivan+Strumpf Singapore from now till May 13. Visit www.sullivanstrumpf.com for details.
TRENDING
W OV E N WONDERS Originally created to withstand the rigours of harsh outdoor environments, woven furniture is making a comeback with modern silhouettes. Now, we’re not talking about bringing out your old wicker chairs from the storeroom. The new generation of woven designs comes in a sleeker form and a wider range of materials, making them suited for inand outdoor use. We’re in love with these pieces.
1 2
3
1. Quay outdoor chair, from $696, from King Living. 2. House Doctor hemp pouf, $338, from Journey East. 3. Amari rattan highback chair, $3,601, from Janus et Cie. 4. Studiohiji Bunga chair, $450, from Pick Junction.
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EXHIBITION
V RE
IEW
LIVING TREASURES: S I N G A P O R E ’ S H E R I TAG E H O M E S Publisher: Opus Editorial Price: $15 per book or $60 for a set of five Availability: All major bookstores Without knowing our past, there can be no future. This was the impetus for Living Treasures: Singapore’s Heritage Homes. The result of a laborious project that took 12 months, this five-part series delves into Singapore’s conserved houses, and is filled with over 1,000 coloured photos. The content ranges from a close-up look at the intricate facade designs of traditional shophouses, to a study of the various styles of compound houses and black and white bungalows, as well as an exploration into the evolution of high-rise public housing. Design lovers and history bufs can enhance their reading experience by embarking on miniexpeditions to visit the housing districts mentioned in each 128page pocketbook. A wonderful resource guide for foreign visitors, this series also highlights the layers of culture Singapore is steeped in. And that’s reason enough to get these books.
What: Angkor: Exploring Cambodia’s Sacred City (Masterpieces of the Musee national des arts asiatiques – Guimet) When: NOW UNTIL JULY 22 Where: ASIAN CIVILISATIONS MUSEUM
This is the museum’s first exhibition on the civilisation of Angkor, which is home to archaeological complexes that are acknowledged as great masterpieces. Visitors get to see a variety of historical artefacts from the ancient city, from exquisite Khmer sculptures to architectural elements in stone and bronze dating back to the 6th century, and memorabilia made by the French in the 1800s and 1900s. Admission charges apply.
Ad d to ca rt
If you are looking to ĝll that empty wall in the living room, check out the Online Art Store at www.aliexpress.com for a wide range of quirky prints in various sizes, from as little as $4.52!
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text DOMENICA TAN, ELIZA HAMIZAH & ISABELLE TOW
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P5 STUDIO Luxury furniture retailer
F
ollowing the success of its flagship outlet in Mohamed Sultan Road, luxury furniture brand P5 launched P5 Studio – a twostorey showroom housing international global brands including Sancal from Spain, Maiori Design from France, Saba Italia from Italy, and Stellar Works from China. With the interior of the showroom kept minimalist and pared-down, there is little distraction from the collection of designer pieces, which mostly embody a design
language comprising clean lines and sleek silhouettes. The showroom is also the flagship gallery for the sixyear-old Stellar Works. The Shanghai-based design brand, headed by founder and CEO Yuichiro Hori from Japan, aims to create products with East-meets-West aesthetics. It makes everything from living room essentials to dining sets and accessories including mirrors and tableware, which are designed in collaboration with renowned designers from around the world, including Neri&Hu and Space Copenhagen. The results are understated, timeless pieces kept at accessible price points, and finished in materials like wood, leather and brass.
The design of the showroom allows the displayed furniture pieces to stand out.
TOP The Ren dining table by Space Copenhagen pairs perfectly with Utility armchairs in grey by Neri&Hu, for a Mid-Century Modern aesthetic. MIDDLE The sculptural design of
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Sancal’s Mini Tortuga armchair makes it a statement piece for the home. ABOVE Sancal’s latest range of wall panels, Beetle, adds visual interest and a splash of colour to otherwise plain walls.
text DOMENICA TAN photos P5 STUDIO
The latest collection in store, the Bund by Neri&Hu, is inspired by the past, present and future of the city of Shanghai, and many of the pieces lend a Mid-Century Modern style, complete with oriental influences. The Mandarin Chair, for example, is a modern interpretation of seats that are an icon of the Ming dynasty – with high backrests, and wooden armrests around the seat. Aside from the wide array of furniture pieces, P5 Studio distributes fixtures such as designer lighting by Viabizzuno, to offer homeowners a holistic shopping experience. P5 Studio is located at #01-08, Henderson Industrial Park, 213 Henderson Road, www.p5studio.com.sg.
RIGHT The concept of the Air collection series is to make surfaces appear suspended in air, by supporting them with almost invisible tempered glass legs. BELOW Shoppers will find plenty of Europeanstyle design inspiration at the store.
PRESTIGE FURNITURE Say ciao to a new designer furniture store in Outram
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f you don’t already know, Tan Boon Liat Building is a treasure trove for those looking for offbeat, nonmainstream wares for their homes. The 15-storey building in Outram Road is home to the likes of vintage furniture shop Journey East, solid wood specialists Ethnicraft and fabric store Bode. Recently, the eclectic enclave welcomed new neighbour Prestige Furniture. Occupying a 4,500sqf space on the eighth floor, the showroom displays furniture and accessories from a mix of known and lesser-known European brands, such as Belgian mirror makers Deknudt and Italian heritage ceramists Bitossi Ceramiche. Prestige’s collection is curated with a focus on contemporary aesthetics by general manager Hazlee Suip and its businessman-founder, who
text ISABELLE TOW art direction KAFFY TAN photographer VEE CHIN
chose to bring in mid- to highend designer furniture brands. Interesting pieces include Italian brand Lago’s floating series, which includes the Fluttua bed and Air collection. Prestige’s genesis was driven by the desire to make high-quality European wares accessible at a comfortable price range. “After 15 years of experience in the industry, it is my hope that these established but unknown-to-the-local-market brands will make the furniture scene here more colourful,” says Hazlee. Besides free consultation services, Prestige has an in-house display artist to provide home styling. For those of you with Eurocentric tastes, this means you have one more stop to check out on your next furniture shopping trip. Prestige Furniture is located at #08-02, Tan Boon Liat Building.
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DI PTYQ U E BOU T I Q U E S I N GA POR E The 57-year-old French perfumer opens its first store in our garden city.
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LEFT Singapore’s label as a green city helped to inspire the look of the store. OPPOSITE TOP The ceiling border features Diptyque’s characteristic oval design.
BELOW With a giftwrapping station and helpful brand representatives, you’ll be able to gift your friends a good scent any time.
OPPOSITE BOTTOM The founding trio initially set out to design fabrics, explaining the brand’s sharp eye for prints, such as on this marble-look candleholder.
peppercorn, while Tempo is a woody fragrance with hints of patchouli and clary sage. And exclusive to the Singapore store are three scented candles: the spicy Cinnamon and Tea, as well as floral Hawthorn, which you won’t find at retailers such as Escentials and Tangs. Don’t leave the store emptyhanded: We have our eye on elegant handcrafted glass globes, as well as the large, five-wick 34 Boulevard Saint Germain candle to scent the home. If you’re buying a gift, you can have it wrapped at the counter, too. Diptyque is located at #B1-33A Takashimaya, Ngee Ann City. text ELIZA HAMIZAH photos DIPTYQUE
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LIVING
BY T H E S I D E Sideboard consoles have several functions, but they are so much more than just practical pieces of furniture. The right one adds depth and personality to a hallway or entrance foyer. Placed behind a sofa, it can even split a large room into smaller living spaces.
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2 1. S6 sideboard, from $5,575, from Danish Design. 2. Aura Sideboard 17, price upon request, from Grafunkt. 3. Treku 14 sideboard, price upon request, from Grafunkt. 4. Finn Juhl sideboard, from $11,792, from Danish Design. 5. Maxdesign Ofset storage unit, $1,690, from Made&Make.
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coordination LIM YI LING
COMMON MAN STAN Common Man Cofee Roasters’ second cafe
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fter reading an article on one of the last milk bars in Australia, the founder of Common Man Coffee Roasters, Harry Grover, passed it on to the Asylum design team for inspiration. These deli-like stores were popular in the 1920s, and sold daily essentials like newspapers, sandwiches and shakes to a suburban crowd in a glamorous Art Deco space. It was both sophisticated and inviting, an atmosphere 42
recreated in the second Common Man cafe, Common Man Stan. Located on Stanley Street, Common Man Stan is fast becoming a stylish breakfast and lunch spot for the busy bees of the CBD. Subtle Art Deco elements such as geometric instore graphics, brass-hued trims and arched shelves fill the space, while grey terrazzo floors and neon signs spell a more downto-earth atmosphere. Diner
LEFT Rattan gives both the sophisticated brass hues and raw concrete walls a softer touch. LEFT BELOW These orblike lamps complement the many curvilinear silhouettes in the cafe’s design.
The New York bagels are made fresh daily by Schmear restaurant, and the Crispy Barramundi comes with a minted pea and asparagus mash.
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RIGHT Harry adorned the cafe walls with art from his own collection, as well as some purchased online. BELOW RIGHT Every space is immaculately designed, including the loo!
BELOW LEFT The freshly pressed juices in Common Man Stan retail for $8. The cofee menu includes fast, slow and nitro cold brews, and the usual suspects like flat whites and mochas.
booths upholstered in muted flora and fauna prints and a long communal table also encourage get-togethers. “Harry wanted a lighthearted yet sophisticated dining ambience. An Australian milk bar is typically decked out in marble countertops, so we used brass and stone finishes to create a luxurious look and – inspired by theˈsurrounding location – rattan weaving for a local touch,” shares the Asylum team. On the menu are crowd favourites from its first cafe on Martin Road, as well as new dishes; the Beef Ribeye Jungle Curry was inspired by a popular fish head curry store around 44
text ELIZA HAMIZAH photography ANGELA GUO art direction LIM YI LING
the corner, and the Halloumi, Zucchini and Herb Fritters are so good it has been added to the Martin Road cafe menu as well. There is now also a longer wine list, and nitro cold brew and craft beer available on tap. Cafe-goers should check out the retail section, too. Common Man Stan is now selling Sol Cups, which are hand blown, reusable glass cups that make your coffee addiction more environmentally friendly. They retail at $35 each, with your first coffee on the house. Check out Com m on Ma n Stan at 11 Stanley St, tel : 6877-4 855 .
+65 9837 3935
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362, UPPER PAYA LEBAR RD, DAJIN FACTORY BUILDING, #02-081, SINGAPORE 534963
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The inviting dining area in the co-living space even features a well-equipped pantry.
K A F N U TA I P E I L I F E S T Y L E S PAC E Live, work and play in one snazzy shared space
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o-working spaces have been sprouting everywhere lately, so most of us should by now be familiar with the concept of a shared workplace. But what about a place not just for coworking, but also for co-living and playing, all in one? Enter Kafnu Taipei, the Taiwanese flagship of the full-service lifestyle space by hospitality and real estate company The Next Story Group. Targeted towards entrepreneurs and professionals from the tech, media and design industry, the membersonly facility occupies a 12-floor building in the Songshan neighbourhood. This “vertical village” is divided into designated zones for activities like working, living and resting, and playing. Creatives will especially appreciate specialised facilities, like the music recording studios and green screen rooms filled with professional equipment, in the media zones. Kafnu’s belief in the importance of play is expressed in its 24-hour Oxygen Lab fitness centre and in-house tapas restaurant Morsel, just two of the places available where you can take a break from work. Taking its name from the Indian village where hikers begin their Himalayan ascent, Kafnu postures itself as a springboard from which creatives can launch their
careers and businesses. It offers four membership plans that start at $135 and go up to $1,355 a month, depending on the resources you require. NonTaipei residents need not be green with envy for long too, for Kafnu is expanding to five other cities in the Asia-Pacific later in the year, such as Melbourne and Ho Chi Minh. By creating a real-life social network through its lifestyle spaces, Kafnu believes that the synergy arising from a community of minds will fulfil its vision that “together, we go faster”. Kafnu Taipei is located in the Songshan neighbourhood of Taipei. For more details, visit www.kafnu. com/taipei.
text ISABELLE TOW photos KAFNU
TOP Open six days a week, Morsel ofers Nordic cuisine with a Taiwanese twist. ABOVE Work at a spot that’s comfortable for you – be it a private oice, or at a sunlit desk in an open space.
BELOW Formerly an industrial district, Kafnu Taipei’s Songshan neighbourhood has been recently gentrified into a hip area popular with creatives.
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I D E A S A N D I N S P I R AT I O N F R O M T H O S E I N T H E K N O W
LIVE LIFE WITH STYLE & FLAIR A shining beacon in the great ocean of design, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen is an icon unto himself. The proliĝc designer leads by example in his line of work, dressing and styling his home according to his personal tastes, even if it may be controversial at times. That’s what being stylish means. Style encompasses many aspects of our lives, yet it can also be hard to deĝne. What’s so enigmatic about style is that while we can see it with our eyes, style is not something we can learn by rote. While a look can be copied, true style is always unique and personal. A Scandinavian look, for example, can be interpreted in a million ways. The best way to work out your style is by experimenting with colours and looks. Because, at the end of the day, there is no wrong answer. F IND OUT MORE ABOUT LAUREN CE O N PAGE 62 . 49
PEOPLE LEFT The Soho sofa has a recliner function that ofers extendable headrest and footrest, as well as chrome metal legs to meet both function and aesthetics. RIGHT Enzo personally prefers lightcoloured sofas, such as the Prado in beige. LEFT Designed with seat cushions made of nondeforming polyurethane foam covers and feather-filled back cushions, the City sofa is a comfortable seat perfect for the family.
B}H
GURIAN As an expert in sofas, what are some tips homeowners should know when choosing the right sofa for their home? Consider comfort over aesthetics. Whenever we are designing a new model, we spend two to three weeks just trying out the piece. Think about durability too. The form and structure of a sofa has to be good, so learn more about the density of the material that goes into the seats and backrests, before making your purchase.ˈ How have design trends for sofas changed over the years? In the past, sofas and cushions were designed with high backrests and deep seats. It was easier achieving a high level of comfort, but the designs meant bulky sofas that were impractical. Over time and with evolving trends, low-height sofas began achieving the same level of comfort, while 50
New to South-east Asia, the Gurian family boasts of a heritage in Italian furniture-making, with over six decades of experience. Enzo Gurian, president of Gurian, Lof’s Interior and Divanidea, ofers a rare glimpse of what it’s like to be helming the family brands, and what his furniture preferences are.
still looking sleek and stylish. Colour trends are another aspect of furniture design that has seen multiple variations over the years. Can you imagine that, 25 years ago, green sofas were trendy? I did not understand its appeal, but people loved it then. Guess what, though? We hardly even find an ottoman in green now. After green, it was dark brown, black, before white became trendy. In my opinion, a sofa should be timeless, so it is unnecessary to follow these trends. Then, when it came to materials, there was a question of comparison between leather and fabric. Ten years ago, when we distributed sofas to countries outside of Italy, like in other parts of Europe, Russia and the United States, customers were choosing primarily leather sofas. It was only in the Italian market where there was appeal for fabric ones — almost 80 per cent of the pieces sold were made of fabric. Now, across
the world, the demand for leather and fabric is almost the same. Do you prefer fabric or leather sofas? I have 10 fabric sofas in my 15th century, 26,900sqf Venetian house, and I like them because of the texture and cosiness they bring. That said, I love leather sofas too. What colours do you prefer? The sofas in my house are mostly in light colours like beige, off-white and cream, but I must say I do like bold designs — maybe not so much for the home, but in settings such as in the office or at a hotel. Divanidea carries loud and vibrant designs, with various parts of a sofa customisable, using different fabrics in a variety of colours and patterns. Sho p fo r Divanid ea s o fas at P rest ig e Fur nit ure, #08- 02, Tan B o o n Liat B uild ing .
text DOMENICA TAN photos ENZO GURIAN AND DIVANIDEA
interiors + design consultancy . construction + project management
designed spaces
connect lives
The Orange Cube Pte Ltd 14 Arumugam Road #01-03 . LTC Building C . Singapore 409959 . (MacPherson MRT Exit 'B') Tel: (65) 6337 7277 . www.theorangecube.com . enquiry@theorangecube.com . www.facebook.com/theorangecube
PEOPLE
AWARD-WINNING ARCHITECT, DESIGNER AND ART DIRECTOR OF CASSINA
PAT R I C I A
URQUIOLA A
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WHEN DESIGNING THE FLOE INSEL SOFA FOR CASSINA, WHAT DREW YOU TO THE IDEA OF FLOATING ICE?
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HOW OFTEN DO YOU FIND YOUR TRAVELS SERVING AS INSPIRATION FOR YOUR DESIGNS?
, ÐÉʙé é°É¿ é §°Éɰɧ Ц ÛÞм é °â Âú Āâ é Þ âîÂé Ц É °ÉâÛ°Þ é°ÐÉ ¦ÞÐÈ éÞ ù  ÐÞ âÐÈ é°É§ é é ÛÛ É °É ÈĀ °¦ ʣ îé °É é â Ц é "ÂÐ ,Éâ Âʣ °é ú âʨ ,ÉâÛ°Þ é°ÐÉâ É ÐÈ ¦ÞÐÈ ÝîÐé° ° É â°éî é°ÐÉâʣ °¿ É ÈÐé°ÐÉ ÐÞ Èîâ° ʮ é Þ Þ È ÉĀ Þ âÐÉâ éÐ §°É ÛÞм éʨ YOU’VE DESIGNED EVERYTHING FROM FURNITURE TO TABLEWARE AND CARPETS. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST CHALLENGING PRODUCTS TO DESIGN?
BÐé°É§ °â éÐР ɧ°É§ éÐ â°§Éʨ , é°É¿ â°§É °â É ÿ Þ °â °É Ð â Þù é°ÐÉ Ð¦ îÈ É ù°ÐîÞʮ îÉ Þâé É °É§ é É âʣ éé°éî â É ùÐÂîé°ÐÉâ °É âÐ ° éĀʨ ,é âÐî ÉÐé âÐÈ é°É§ é éʙâ ÐÞ° Éé é éÐ ÐÉâîÈ Þâʨ ,É ¦ éʣ ÐÉâîÈ Þâ Ц éÐ Ā Þ ÈÐÞ ÐÉ ÞÉ ú°é ÐÈÈîÉ° é°ÐÉʨ S ÐÛ îÉ Þâé É ú é Ýî °éĀ È Éâʣ °¿ §ÐÐ îâ Ц È é Þ° Ââʣ â°§É ÛÞÐ ââ â É é ÉÐÂЧĀ îâ ʨ aÐ Āʣ °é °â ÈÐÞ °ÈÛÐÞé Éé éÐ é°É¿ Ðîé °ù ÞĀ Ц â°§É ʊ °É§ éÞ ÉâÛ Þ Éé °É é ú Ā ĀÐî é°É¿ʨ
TOP The Beam sofa, which Patricia designed in collaboration with Cassina, has flexible and lightweight back and armrest cushions. LEFT The unique shape of the Cassina Floe Insel sofa is inspired by icebergs. 53
ANY PRODUCTS IN PARTICULAR THAT YOU LOVE DESIGNING?
, ÂÐù Ⱗɰɧ ÞÛ éâʥ WHY SPECIFICALLY CARPETS?
a ¿ ʣ ¦ÐÞ ÿ ÈÛ ʣ °¦ ĀÐîʙÞ °É § Þ É É ĀÐî  Ā ÞÛ é ÐúÉʣ ĀÐîʙÞ ÂÞ Ā ¦°É°É§ âÛ ʥ r É ù Þ âÐÈ ÐÉ â¿â È ú° ÞÐÐÈ , ÛÞ ¦ Þ °É ÐÈ ʣ , ÐÉʙé ù ÉĀʨ "ÐÞ È ʣ ÞÛ é °â ÉÐî§ éÐ Þ ÛÞ â Éé ÞÐÐÈʮ °éʙâ °¿ â Âé Þʨ aÐ Āʣ é ÐÉ Ûé Ц â Âé Þ °â ÉÐ ÂÐɧ Þ ¼îâé ÛĀâ° Â ÞÐЦʨ GEOMETRY OR CURVE?
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HOW OFTEN DO YOU SEE YOURSELF INCORPORATING NEW TECHNOLOGIES INTO DESIGN?
, ÐÉʙé ° ù é é é ÉÐÂЧĀ âÐÂù â ù ÞĀé°É§ʨ a Þ Þ È ÉĀ ú Āâ éРЦ¦ Þ É ú ÛаÉé Ц ù° úʨ ,é É Ā Þ é°É§ É ÈÐé°ÐÉ Â Þ âÛÐÉâ ÐÞ â Éâ é°ÐÉʨ , Âú Āâ é  âéî Ééâ É â°§É Þâ úÐ È Ā ¦ÞÐÈ ÐîÉéÞ° â ú Þ é ÉÐÂЧĀ °â  ââ ù É ʣ é é é Ā É é ¿ °ÉâÛ°Þ é°ÐÉ ¦ÞÐÈ é °Þ âÐ ° éĀʣ îÂéîÞ É î é°ÐÉʨ a â âÛ éâ É ÛÐââ° ÂĀ ù É ÈÐÞ ÛÐú Þ¦î é É ú é é ÉÐÂЧĀ È Ā ްɧʨ YOU USE COLOUR A LOT IN YOUR DESIGNS. HOW DO YOU USE IT TO YOUR ADVANTAGE?
,ʙÈ ÉÐé ÞÐÈÐʌÛÐ ° ʨ , È Âú Āâ °ÉâÛ°Þ Ā é É Þ§Ā é é ÐÂÐîÞâ §°ù È ʨ ÐÂÐîÞâʣ âîÞ¦ âʣ Û éé ÞÉâ É é ÿéîÞ â ʊ ,ʙÈ îÞ°Ðîâ Ðîé ÂÂ é â
é°É§âʨ "ÐÞ È ʣ ÐÂÐîÞâ Þ É ââ ÞĀʣ îé °é °â éî ÂÂĀ ¼îâé Ýî âé°ÐÉ Ð¦ °§éʨ a Ā Þ ù ÞĀ Þ é°ù éР°§é ʋ é ÿ°âé É ÐÞ ÉÐÉʌ ÿ°âé É Ð¦ °éʨ ,é ÂâÐ Û É â ÐÉ È é Þ° °éĀʨ "ÐÞ ÿ ÈÛ ʣ °¦ é Þ ʙâ É Ð ¼ é ú°é Þ° éÐÉ ʣ îé °§ÂĀ Þ ¦Â é°ù âîÞ¦ ʣ °é ú°Â Ц¦ Þ °¦¦ Þ Éé ÂÐпʨ r É ÐÐâ°É§ ÐÂÐîÞâʣ °é °â ÉÐ ÂÐɧ Þ ÐÉÂĀ Ýî âé°ÐÉ Ð¦ é â ʣ îé Ðé Þ ¦ éÐÞâ ¦¦ é°É§ °éʨˈ WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PIECE OF FURNITURE?
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WHAT’S ONE PROJECT IN ASIA YOU FOUND MOST SATISFACTION WORKING ON?
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TOP The Cassina Gender chair was designed to allow customisation, to allow for diferent expression based on form and colour. RIGHT Patricia is well versed in designing myriad types of products, including tableware such as the Kartell Trama collection. OPPOSITE Patricia worked with carpet specialist Cc-tapis to design this uniquely shaped Visioni rug fashioned after threedimensional imagery.
WHAT DO YOU THINK WE CAN EXPECT AT THE SALONE DEL MOBILE MILANO THIS YEAR?
aÂÂœĂžÂœĘ™Ă˘ †Âú†Āâ † Ă‚Ă?ĂŠ ÂÂ†Ă›Ă›ÂœĂ‰Â°Ă‰Â§ †Ê Z†ÂĂ?Ă‰ÂœĘ¨ HĂ‰Âœ Ă?ÂŚ ĂŠÂÂœ ÛÞĂ?ÂźÂœÂ’ĂŠĂ˘ ĂşÂœĘ™ĂžÂœ ĂşĂ?Þ¿°É§ Ă?É °â ĂŠÂÂœ ĂžÂœĂ‰Ă?چʰĂ?É Ă?ÂŚ †ââ°É†ʙâ âÂĂ?úÞĂ?Ă?Ăˆ °É q°† ÎÞ°É°ʣ A°Â†Éʨ aÂÂœ Â‘ĂžÂ†Ă‰Â˜Ę™Ă˘ Â’ÂœĂ‚ÂœÂ‘ĂžÂ†ĂŠÂ°Ă‰Â§ °Êâ É ČźĂŠÂ Â†Ă‰Ă‰Â°ĂšÂœĂžĂ˘Â†ĂžÄ€ Â†Ă‰Â˜ ĂşÂœ ú†ÉÊ ĂŠĂ? °ÉÊÞĂ?Â˜ĂŽÂ’Âœ † Ă‰ÂœĂş Â†ĂˆÂ‘Â°ÂœĂ‰Â’Âœ ĂŠĂ? ĂŠÂÂœ Ă˘Ă›Â†Â’ÂœĘŁ †â ĂşÂœĂ‚Ă‚ †â âĂ?ĂˆÂœ Ă‰ÂœĂş ÛÞĂ?Â˜ĂŽÂ’ĂŠĂ˘Ę¨ ANY PROJECTS IN THE REGION WE CAN LOOK FORWARD TO?
xÂœĂ˘ĘŁ ĂşÂœ Â†ĂžÂœ ĂşĂ?Þ¿°É§ Ă?É † Ă‰ÂœĂş âÂĂ?Ă› ÂŚĂ?Ăž SÂ†Ă‰ÂœĂžÂ†Â° †Ê ,Ă?É HޒÂÂ†ĂžÂ˜ĘŁ ú°’ ú°Â ÛÞĂ?‘†‘ÂĀ ‘œ Â’Ă?ĂˆĂ›Ă‚ÂœĂŠÂœÂ˜ ‘Ā ĂŠÂÂœ ÂœĂ‰Â˜ Ă?ÂŚ Ê°â Ä€ÂœÂ†ĂžĘ¨ S e e mo re o f Pat r icia U rq uio la wo rks at www. p at r iciaurq uio la. co m. Co l l e c t i o n s f ro m Cass ina are avai l ab l e l o c al ly at Sp ace Fu rn i t u re.
Ę–, ˜Ă?ÉʙÊ Â‘ÂœĂ‚Â°ÂœĂšÂœ ĂŠÂ†Ê ĂŠÂœÂ’ÂÉĂ?Ă‚Ă?§Ā âĂ?Ă‚ĂšÂœĂ˘ ÂœĂšÂœĂžÄ€ĂŠÂ°É§ʨ , †Âú†Āâ ĂŠÂœĂ‚Ă‚ Ă˘ĂŠĂŽÂ˜ÂœĂ‰ĂŠĂ˘ Â†Ă‰Â˜ Â˜ÂœĂ˘Â°Â§Ă‰ÂœĂžĂ˘ ĂşÂĂ? ĂˆÂ†Ä€ ‘œ ÂŚĂžĂ?Ăˆ Â’Ă?ĂŽĂ‰ĂŠĂžÂ°ÂœĂ˘ ĂşÂÂœĂžÂœ ĂŠÂœÂ’ÂÉĂ?Ă‚Ă?§Ā °â Ă‚ÂœĂ˘Ă˘ Â†Â˜ĂšÂ†Ă‰Â’ÂœÂ˜ĘŁ ĂŠÂ†Ê ĂŠÂœĀ ’†É ĂŠÂ†ÂżÂœ °Éâ۰ކʰĂ?É ÂŚĂžĂ?Ăˆ ĂŠÂÂœÂ°Ăž âĂ?Â’Â°ÂœĂŠÄ€ĘŁ Â’ĂŽĂ‚ĂŠĂŽĂžÂœ Â†Ă‰Â˜ ÂœÂ˜ĂŽÂ’Â†ĂŠÂ°Ă?Éʨʗ
text DOMENICA TAN photos SPACE FURNITURE
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BREAK FROM CONVENTION
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"ÞÐÈ Ð¦¦°É éÐ îâéÐÈ°â  ʋ é ¿ îâ éÞÐî§ é ÛÞÐ î éʙâ ÐÉ Ûéî  ùÐÂîé°ÐÉʨ a °É°é°  ÛÛÞÐ ú â Þ ¼ é ʣ âÐ ú âé Þé éÐ ÂÐп é ,¿ ʙâ Þ â Þ °ÉéÐ é ú Ā Û ÐÛ °ù É Ðú °é °â ùÐÂù°É§ʨ #°ù É é é ,ʙù §Ðé ÈĀ ÐúÉ ÐÈÛ ÉĀʣ , ú Éé éÐ úÐÞ¿ ÐÉ éĀÛÐÂЧĀ é é , ú âÉʙé  éÐ Ð ÈĀâ ¦ É é é ú â é ʣ ú Þ â ¦ÐÞ ,¿ ʣ °é ú Éé âЦ ʨ ZÐ ú È îÛ ú°é Ā Þ° ʣ É ú é ú ʙÞ â°éé°É§ ÐÉ °â é Þ âîÂé Ц é é °â îââ°ÐÉʨ
,¿ ú°Â â °ɧ é È °É ÛÞÐ î éʣ îé ĀÐîÞ ÐúÉ Þ É ú°Â â °ɧ ÂîÿîÞĀ ʘÛ°ÈÛ ĀÐîÞ ʙ ʌÐÉâʣ °¿ É Â éÞ° Âî Ƚȼȼˣ úÐРéÞÐú ʋ Ðú Ð ĀÐî é°É¿ Û ÐÛ ú°ÂÂ Þ °ù é Èʪ That’s kind of the point of the experiment. How you cover the product up, adapt and change it to suit whatever part of life you’re in – it all depends on the customer, right? The idea was driven partly by the conversation we had about how furniture, particularly sofas and beds, are made from stapled frames that are usually hidden under upholstery and textiles. But with the Delaktig, we’ve kind of done the opposite – we’ve made the higher-quality aluminium frame the hero of the piece; it’s actually the first thing that you see. And that, too, is a departure point for both the affordable and luxury sectors in furniture. "ÐÞ Ā Þâʣ é È È Þâ Ц É ÐÉ塃 §ÞÐîÛ Â ,¿ ) ¿ Þâ ù É ÈÐ °¦Ā°É§ ,¿ ¦îÞÉ°éîÞ éÐ âî°é é °Þ É â éé Þʣ âÛ°Þ°é é é é  ¿é°§ â Þ âʨ r â é  ¿é°§ â°§É ú°é é È °É È°É ʪ Not created for hackers per se, but the idea of allowing for the future of the object to extend beyond our present definitions is the interesting part of this project. The analogy which I always revisit is the iPhone – by the way, the shape of the iPhone 5 is exactly the same as that of the bed frame. What’s interesting about iPhones, and mobile phones in general, is that you buy it for one function, but its functions increase as your demands and requirements grow, with the series of apps you use on it. So that’s a modern way of having
IKEA’S CREATIVE LEADER, JAMES FUTCHER, ON WHY ‘PEOPLE WANT TO SHOW THEIR PERSONALITY IN THEIR FURNITURE’. James: People often like to hack and change many of our products. But what we have learnt from our research is that, beyond hacking, people want to personalise and customise things. They want to look diferent. One of the pillars of this project, therefore, was to make a platform on which it is possible to change and adapt, so you can show your identity in diferent ways – be it by making your own covers, or setting the base up in diferent ways.
an object: It’s not a finished thing, it’s a work in progress. What we’re trying to say is that when you buy either a bed or a sofa, it’s a big commitment. So why not make them such that, when your life changes, you can use the same furniture for something else? So if you’re presently living in a small apartment, you can buy a sofa that can be used as a bed, which can turn into a very fine bed for your children as they grow up. So it’s not a fixed piece of furniture at all. rĀ â °é é ¿ É âÐ ÂÐɧ éÐ Ð é°â РÐÞ é°ÐÉ ú°é ,¿ ʪ I worked at Habitat from 1998 to 2008, but, despite Ikea owning Habitat, we had “friendly rivalry”. And then for the first 15 years developing my company, I had to develop my identity, my products and distribution, so I wanted to be not collaborative. Now that I’ve kind of established my aesthetic and some
recognition for what I do, I can loosen up a little and do more collaborations on projects that I wouldn’t be able to do myself, beds being one of those. I don’t think I could really be an expert at distributing beds, because Ikea is. r É Ð ĀÐî § é ĀÐîÞ âé â°§É ° âʪ Usually when I’m not thinking about design. So it could be when I’m riding a bicycle, or when I’m visiting a factory. Art such as sculpture helps; seeing an exhibition at a museum. So anywhere that is non-design is where I get my design ideas – when I push myself outside of the context. T he DELA KTIG col l ecti on i s availab le at IKEA Ta m pi nes a nd A lexand ra. Pri ces ra n ge f rom $20 fo r an a rm rest/ba ck rest cus hio n cover to $ 379 for the 3 - s eater alum i ni um pl a tform frame. Find out m ore a t www. ikea.com /sg.
LEFT Homeowners can combine the base platform of diferent sizes to create a made-tomeasure modular sofa set. OPPOSITE The versatile Delaktig can pair with various furnishings for diferent moods and looks for the home.
text ISABELLE TOW photos IKEA
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The ground floor of Grohe’s expansive duplex gallery is filled with the brand’s latest sanitaryware products.
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BIJOY
MOHAN Paving the way for bathrooms of the future
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s the CEO of Lixil Asia Pacific, Bijoy Mohan has a huge task on his hands. Not only does he have to turn the bathroom space, an oft-underappreciated part of the home, into the centre of attention, Mohan also needs to change the way consumers shop for and select sanitary fittings. Yet, if the recent opening of the Grohe duplex-gallery at Shaw Centre is anything to go by, it seems he is all set to take on the challenges. Located in the heart of the shopping belt in Singapore, Grohe Spa is a beautifully decked-out 6,000sqf gallery featuring some of Grohe’s most innovative water technologies. While some may question the logic of a sanitaryware brand setting up shop in the middle of Orchard Road, Mohan believes
Grohe is at the right place, at the right time. “Grohe is part of Lixil, which happens to be the largest company in the industry and, as the biggest player in the market, we told ourselves a couple of years ago that it’s time to raise the industry to the next level,” he explains. “In doing so, we needed to consider two critical issues affecting the industry – enhancing the shopper experience, and finding a way to compete with other lifestyle products for the customers’ attention,” he adds. According to Mohan, simplifying the shopping journey for the consumer, when it comes to picking out the perfect showerhead or toilet fixture, will encourage homeowners to do more with their bathroom spaces.
“Homeowners don’t know what to do or where to go when they want to renovate their bathrooms, but if we make it easier, they will do it more often, and when the frequency increases, the whole industry grows,” he says, comparing the situation to a similar evolution that took place in the furniture industry two decades ago. “When it became easier for people to buy furniture, they started renovating every three or four years,” he elaborates. Looking around the showroom, it’s evident that Grohe has gone all out to create the ideal shopper experience. An entire floor is dedicated to showcasing actual bath suite settings from seven premium resorts and hotels around the world, from Sri Panwa in Phuket to The Conrad in Koh Samui and Swissotel The Bosphorus in Istanbul, all equipped with various Grohe collections. Not only are these displays complemented by live water areas with shower spray demonstrations, visitors can also tap into Grohe’s unique VR technology to view a realistic shower configurator, as well as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to compare products. “To engage homeowners, we need to be in a location
BIJOY MOHAN ON… 1 The next evolution of the bathroom. You’ll see digital technology coming into all aspects of the bathroom. Grohe has incorporated it in products like the Grohe Sensia Arena, as well as touch-control showers, and spa systems controlled by mobile apps. Grohe was the first to experiment with digital technology nine years ago and, today, we are looking into the next stage of digital integration, which includes medical analysis. We have prototypes of toilets that can measure daily blood sugar levels. 2 The ways people interact with water. Unlike shopping for clothes, a consumer who wants to buy a showerhead is not able to try it out by stepping into a bathroom setup to take a shower, so we thought about how to provide an experience, even via virtual reality, to give them an idea of the spatial feel. That’s how much we value the sensual experience that water provides. 3 Singapore as a design hub. Singapore is ahead of Hong Kong as a design hub. We see that in direct business correlation to the number of design businesses choosing to establish their base operations here, so we knew the Grohe Spa flagship gallery had to be here.
LEFT Be inspired to change the look of your bathroom, with Grohe’s extensive range of bath fixtures.
GROHE UTILISES TECHNOLOGY NOT ONLY TO IMPROVE THE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE, BUT IN ITS PRODUCTS AS WELL.
TOP LEFT With Grohe’s VR headset, visitors can experience the spatial feel of being in a bathroom equipped with Grohe’s spa systems, without getting wet. LEFT The instore RFID technology allows for easy product comparison.
accessible to them and where they can come in without knowing what to expect. We want them to be surprised at what their showers and baths can do and how they can look, and be inspired to consider a change,” Mohan says. He points out that Grohe utilises technology not only to improve the shopping experience, but in its products as well. The ground floor space in the two-storey gallery showcases its sanitaryware, some of which are not available in Singapore. “A lot of products you see in this showroom are not available from the other channels, because we want to educate and bring about more awareness to the consumers,” he says. One interesting development, which has yet to be introduced in the local market, is a device capable of
text YOUNG LIM
detecting and stopping leaks in water pipes. For Mohan, inculcating a love for the bathroom comes with knowing how to use water wisely as well. “If you want to enjoy water, you also need a sense of security when using it to make sure that it doesn’t become a problem. “We have to keep reminding ourselves when it comes to technological innovations in our products, we can’t focus on just doing new things; it must mean we can perform the small and basic functions just as well. We must inspire the consumer, not just by adding more features, but also by making the simple things more enjoyable.” Vis it t he G rohe Spa Asi a flag s hip at Level 1 # 01-04/05, Shaw Cent re, 1 Scotts Roa d. Vis it www.g roh e.sg for mo re info r ma ti on.
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Q&A
CR AIG
) BV, 9Z B Vice-president of product and marketing at Kinestral Technologies, manufacturer of smart-tinting glass Halio
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raditional ultraviolet Ä?lms have been eÄ‘ective in keeping heat and harmful rays out of buildings and interior spaces; the only problem lies in the reduced amount of natural light entering the space, resulting in interiors looking dark and gloomy at times. To address this problem, Californian company Kinestral Technologies launched Halio smart-tinting glass. We Ä?nd out more about this innovative product from Craig Henricksen, vice-president of product and marketing at Kinestral Technologies. With the facades of many modern buildings mostly clad in glass, having the Äžexibility of using clear and tinted glass is important to maximise the function of interior spaces, without compromising on style. For example, you’d want to dim your living room when watching a movie in the day, yet still enjoy
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a clear view of the surrounding scenery at other times. “Halio smart-tinting glass maximises natural light into your spaces, while reducing glare, blocking heat and ensuring thermal comfort,� shares Craig. When glare is detected, “Halio starts tinting within 15 seconds to deliver glare relief and shade, achieving desired tint levels in less than three minutes�, he adds. Unlike conventional polymer-dispersed liquid crystal glass, which instantly tints to become opaque when activated, but remains hazy when not in use, Halio is completely clear when inactivated, just like regular glass surfaces. When activated, Halio blocks 99.9 per cent of UV light. “This helps to prolong the life of valuable carpets, prevent sun damage of upholstery and paintings. You’ll no longer need blinds, curtains or shades too,� explains Craig.
How is Halio diferent from UV ďŹ lms? C: Halio changes the amount of visible light that enters the home. It’s glass that tints automatically or on command, and stays clear the rest of the time. In comparison, traditional UV films are a static solution applied on windows and may end up making your home look dark unnecessarily. How can Halio can be used in the home? C: Halio smart-tinting glass can be used for interior walls and partitions to allow light to penetrate interior spaces, while also enabling privacy on demand. It can also be used for residential skylights, which allows daylight to enter the interiors of shophouses and terrace houses.
text DOMENICA TAN photos KINESTRAL TECHNOLOGIES
It’s designed to cater to homeowners’ convenience, so you can opt to integrate home automation systems and control Halio through mobile phones, tablets, or voice-controlled systems, if you like. That way, you can also remotely and easily turn on Halio in certain parts of the home at diđerent times of the day. At night, for instance, you can choose to tint the glass to ođer privacy and a cosy ambience in the home, while doing away with blinds or curtains, to keep your home as minimalist as possible. Aside from facades, Halio ođers the possibility of keeping interior spaces open yet private, when required. “Compact living spaces can now look and feel larger with Halio being used as interior walls, for sliding doors and even partitions,� Craig shares, on the possibilities of this new technology in interior design. Halio s mar t - t in ti n g gl a ss ret ails at AGC Asi a Pa ci f i c. Fi nd o ut mo re at www.ha l i ogl a ss.com o r d av id .y im@agc.com .
T D N AL A I R C B SPE
HANDY HOB AND HOOD-CARE TIPS • Do not switch of your induction hob immediately after cooking. Allow the ventilation fan to cool the electrical board. Brandt’s range of hobs is designed to indicate that surfaces are hot — with a “H” sign displayed on the control panel. Simply switch of the main power after the “H” indication goes away. • The surface of the hood to the countertop should be 650mm to 750mm to ensure maximum eiciency. • To keep odours and grease out efectively, turn on the hood before the beginning of the cooking and leave it running after the cooking is done.
THE CHEF’S CHOICE The right selection of appliances promises a fuss-free cooking experience and a stylish look for your kitchen. Are you a baker, or an aspiring home cook? Get a well-equipped kitchen outfitted with a right mix of appliances to help you whip up delicious meals for your family and guests. At the same time, cook in style by dressing your space with Brandt’s collection of ovens, microwaves, hoods and hobs that come in a selection of black and platinum finishes. Not only do they work seamlessly together, Brandt’s products also help
to make the cooking space look neat and inviting. Of course, it’s not just about looks. They function efficiently to meet the needs of various cooking preferences, too. Brandt’s 60cm oven, BXP6555, handles heavy-usage demands with its pyrolytic features. You won’t have to worry about the cleanup after, either, as it comes with a built-in self-cleaning solution. As for bakers, select a model that offers top
and bottom heating, while cooks can choose among those with an additional back fan heating feature that works well in achieving evenly roasted meats and vegetables. Complement this appliance with a microwave, such as Brandt’s BMS6115, to expand cooking options, while expediting the process. If you tend to do more wok cooking or stir frying, get an induction hob as the energy conversion efficiency far outstrips that of gas or ceramic hobs. That means, food gets cooked more quickly! It’s also safer for use as there are no flames. Brandt’s induction hob, BPI6314B, even comes with power-boost and simmering functions, to make cooking fast and fuss-free. Don’t forget you’ll need a hood to eliminate foul odours, oil and grease. Pick a model according to the hob size — it can be equivalent or slightly larger than the hob. FI N D OU T MORE A B OU T B R AN DT ’ S KI TCHEN A PPLI A N CES AT WWW.B R A NDT. SG.
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ɇɆ Uf Z a ,HBZ r,a )
LAURENCE LLEWELYN-BOWEN Homestyle consultant and reigning judge of The Apartment reality design competition.
1 What gets you out of bed in the mornings? I could say my butler, but in fact I’m very self-motivating and a real morning person. Imagine Stan from American Dad but with more hair and no slippers. ˈ
2 What gets you to sleep? Gin and the love of a good wife. ˈ
3 One music track that you listen to while you work. Anything from British composer John Tavener. I love the glamorous solemnity of his works. I get quite “monk-ish” when I work, so listening to the chants featured in his music helps.ˈ ˈ
4 Your favourite pet. At home, we are constantly surrounded by pets and livestock. I did once have a perfectly charming dresser crab in a tank. He was lovely but refused to do the one thing dresser crabs are supposed to
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do, which is cover himself in bits of coral, pearls, sequins or anything else I popped in there with him.ˈ ˈ
5 Which natural element inspires you? It’s a shame gin isn’t an element… ˈ
way they want to express themselves… as long as it looks good that is.
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What would you like to have as your last meal on earth? I want to eat whatever is about to eat me, therefore making it not my last meal on earth.
6 Your fondest memory
9 One style that you never
as a child. I clearly remember the exquisitely romantic wallpaper in my grandmother’s bedroom in their big house in Wales. It must have been when I was very young, because they moved when I was five. It was a clear crisp duck egg-blue background, with biscuit-coloured birds. Otherwise, elsewhere round the house was hideously dark and rather gothic.ˈ
want to see again. HOPPENISM.
10 The last picture you took with your mobile device. This is one of my digital wall murals from the Wall Couture collection, which I recently designed for Graham & Brown.
7 One cause you will fight for. I’ll always fight for everybody’s right to decorate in whichever
text YOUNG LIM photo LAURENCE LLEWELYN-BOWEN
G NL SU I A M EC S AS P
EFFORTLESSLY CLEAN Save time and money with this new and efficient washing machine. Some may find doing household chores therapeutic, while others would rather spend time doing what they love. Regardless of how you feel about doing the laundry, completing this task in the most efficient manner is key — especially as it helps save money on utility bills1, as less electricity is spent running the appliance. Samsung recently launched the QuickDrive washing machine, which offers a powerful washing performance while reducing washing time by up to 50 per cent, and utilising up to 20 per cent 1 less energy as compared to its predecessors. How does it work?
The machine comes with a Q-drum, which comprises a “main drum” and “backplate”. They both rotate independently so your laundry moves in a dynamic action powered by dual forces to offer a quick and clean wash. Want to check on your laundry cycle while watching TV or while you’re out and about? You can control the QuickDrive machine remotely using the Q-rator smart function2 on your smartphone, which provides users with three features: Laundry Recipe It recommends the optimal wash cycle^ based on the type of clothing, colours and soiled level of your wash load, so you’ll never have to wonder which mode you should be using.
Laundry Planner This function curates your laundry schedule by allowing you to set the desired laundry finishing time3^. This way, you can come home to freshly washed clothes. HomeCare Wizard You can remotely monitor your washing machine’s condition with the HomeCare Wizard function, which provides you with tips to ensure that your washer is maintained at its best. Don’t worry about missing a piece of laundry after you’ve started a wash cycle, as this machine comes with an AddWash door: Simply drop in loose items 4. As a safety feature, the door can be opened only when the drum temperature is below 50 deg C. FI N D OU T M ORE A B OUT THE SA MSU N G QUI CKDRI V E WASHI N G MACHI N E AT WWW. SAMSUNG.COM/SG/QUICKDRIVE.
1 Based on Intertek test results, Samsung WW7800M (QuickDrive system) saves up to 50 per cent washing time and up to 20 per cent energy as compared with WW6500K (conventional system), based on Cotton 40 degree Celsius course, half load (washing performance within ±3 per cent). Based on Samsung internal test results, Samsung WW7800M saves up to 20 per cent energy as compared with WW6500K, based on Super Speed Cycle 40 degree Celsius course, 5kg load. Tested in accordance with IEC 60456:2010, individual results may vary. 2 Requires installation of Samsung Connect app on compatible Android or iPhone mobile device, and Wi-Fi connectivity to the mobile device. 3 The wash cycle will be recommended solely based on desired end time, and may not be appropriate based on the type of fabric or soiled level of the clothing articles being washed. 4 Only fabric items, detergent and softener can be added. ^ User will be solely responsible for any consequence(s) that may result from user’s implementation of the recommended wash cycle, including — but not limited to — any damage to articles caused by incorrect or incomplete information provided by the user.
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PART 2 of a 3-part feature
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CAMERON WOO PRESIDENT, INTERIOR DESIGN CONFEDERATION SINGAPORE
A MESSAGE TO THE HOMEOWNER, FROM AN INTERIOR DESIGNER Cameron Woo talks about the hidden dangers of engaging companies that ofer interior design services for “free”.
frequently make the mistake of would like to talk about a budgeting only for construction situation that’s happening and/or the supply of goods, and within the renovation forget about the design part of industry. In the course of your the project. This may be due search for help with renovation, to the confusion created by you may have encountered contractors purporting to ođer companies purporting to free design services. ođer interior design services Errant contractors tend to for “free”, as long as you buy avoid establishing a design and a something or you engage them budget based on a clearly to renovate your home. deĝned scope of works, to take Let me be clear about this: Anything of value cannot be free. advantage of inexperienced clients by plying them with There are retailers that ođer additional costs known as free interior design assistance, Variation Orders. Without a clear in the event you purchase a set of design documentation minimum number of furniture drawings and pieces from them. speciĝcations There are also the describing quality of contractors, and objective materials, ĝnishes even some interior and ĝttings, the design studios, who “As the project is likely ođer free design president of the to run overtime in the event you Interior Design Confederation and over budget – hire them to build Singapore (IDCS), resulting in a project your project. an association literally carried out It is not free – representing “on the run”. you are paying for practising A professional this by buying from interior design professionals, interior designer or engaging them. it’s my mission can set the right Some of them may to correct expectations for the be ođering free misperceptions client in terms of the design services of the profession process, and time because they are not of interior design – it is largely and money required, properly trained to misunderstood, as they are often provide the full suite technically underestimated, of interior design challenging, due to the timeservices as well. hard work and consuming nature The core very much undervalued.” of setting a budget competency of and making plans to interior design maximise it. professionals is interior I have heard many horror design. If this is free, what stories of homeowners doing this else are they in business for? and going broke, or relationships Be careful! Free might destroyed, or both! mean poor advice or lack of I have said many times – competency. Anybody who what a client is ultimately paying is an expert in what they for is peace of mind. do should be in demand. EX PE R TI S E A N D VA LU E
The professional interior designer ođers much expertise and value to help you achieve your dream home. People
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IN THE FINAL PART OF THE SERIES Cameron sheds light on managing the renovation budget and interior design fee.
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The home of celebrity, sportsman and fitness icon Vincent Ng embraces his values, beliefs and the people he holds dear. LYNN TAN finds out where the multi-hyphenate spends his time, when away from the public eye.
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WHO LIVES HERE
A wushu master, his wife and mother H OME A landed home in the north-east S IZ E 2,160sqf (land area), 3,850sqf (built-up area)
Vincent shares the home with his wife and mother. As this is a family home, everyone’s needs were taken into consideration.
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For World Wushu Champion and three-time SEA Games gold medallist Vincent Ng, wushu is an expression of body movement through coordination and balance. “There is an emphasis on lines, flexibility, physical and mental strength, and it is rooted in values and tradition,” he says. Perhaps stemming from his martial arts background, Vincent’s approach towards design is a balance between tradition and the avant-garde to achieve something modern and homely. The founder of wushu school Wufang Singapore is well-known not just in the sports arena. He is also a familiar face on local television, playing Sun Wukong in The Legend of the Eight Immortals and police officer Ricky Soh in Heartlanders. In 2017, he gave up his bachelor pad located in The Residences at W Singapore Sentosa Cove and purchased this landed home, in order to live with his parents, be near his two sisters, and spend more time with the extended family. That same year, Vincent found his soul mate and they tied the knot. He is particular about alignment, order and organisation, both in wushu,
The layering efect of the stairwell design was inspired by the overlapping panels of the pendant light in the dry kitchen.
as well as his home, and he found an interior designer who is equally, if not more, scrupulous about such details. OSC By Norman Yeo came highly recommended by Vincent’s close friend, veteran Singaporean model Celia Teh. Norman’s star-studded clientele includes high net worth individuals, and international and local celebrities such as Fann Wong, David Gan and Ann Kok, who appreciate his bespoke and personalised service. “OSC is a one-stop design and build concept, which is a niche market that not many are able to provide in Singapore,” Norman points out. Every one of his projects is designed and tailor made according to the client’s preference and lifestyle. Vincent’s home is no exception and their shared meticulousness is what fuels the client designer chemistry. Here, design is used to showcase craftsmanship and detailing, and not the other way round. A central axis runs the length of the house, beginning from the porch, continuing through the living room and into the dry kitchen. Elements such as the main door, television console and kitchen
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island, right down to the tile line, are all aligned along this datum. And this is just the tip of the iceberg, with regard to the painstaking thoroughness that has gone into the design and construction of the interior. Even the minutest of details are not spared Norman’s precision. The exposed edges of tiles are carefully chamfered to create a seamless finish. Laminates are applied with a machine press to eliminate any waviness, and the edges where two pieces of laminates meet are so well-bonded that you
do not see or feel the joints. All the screws and fixings in the carpentry are concealed, and the weight of cabinet doors are assessed against hinge sizes to prevent sagging. Blackout curtains have hidden stitching, and they drape 30mm over the floor so that there is no chance of the faintest trace of light penetrating through stitching holes or from under hems. The width of the curtains are precisely measured so that they fall in regular pleats, regardless of whether they are drawn.
Vincent enjoys spending time with his family around the kitchen counter.
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The leather travertine feature wall behind the headboard has an interesting texture that is a contrast of smooth and rough. It has an iridescent, quartz-like efect against the light that creates a mesmerising visual spectacle. OPPOSITE The specially designed washbasin incorporates a sloping black granite insert that drains water eiciently, while concealing the drainage hole.
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Norman sealed of the void at the top of the stairwell to create a master suite for Vincent, with a foyer and lounge area. RIGHT The master bath has a soothing spa-like ambience. The lighting feature around the rain shower creates a halo efect. BELOW Norman’s eye for detail extends to the smallest of elements.
The walk-in wardrobe attached to the master bath was tailor-made for Vincent and his wife. Norman personally looked into each and every shelf and drawer, carefully detailing each compartment based on what it would accommodate. The corner space has been put to good use and the drawers even incorporate hidden locks. The porcelain floor tiles that resemble wood were specially treated to enable them to dry quickly.
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The centrepiece in the dry kitchen is the island-cumdining table. The interlocking configuration of the black granite kitchen island and the engineered-wood dining table is a visual spectacle in itself. On closer inspection, the way the dining table has been cantilevered from the kitchen island could have been achieved only through mastery of both design and construction. Apart from this significant design feature, the dining area also
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holds a symbolic meaning for Vincent, who cherishes dinner time with his family. “As a bachelor, I hardly dined in. Since moving to our new home, we have been having dinner at home almost every evening, and the dining table is where we chat and share about our day as a family,” he says. Evidently, what sets Norman’s works apart is the marriage of craftsmanship and detail, which Norman firmly believes must go hand in hand.
“It is not just about experience, but more importantly, experimentation. It takes years to master a detail through repeated trials and refinement,” he emphasises. He admits that it does take longer to properly resolve the detailing but the results speak for themselves. For Vincent, who is used to life in the public eye, home is a place where he can feel settled emotionally, physically and mentally. “It is where I can be myself, without any restraint
or inhibition,” he confesses. Over the past few years, the self-professed workaholic has slowed down to spend more time with his family. “My family is what motivates me and makes me feel more focused,” he shares. And, now, he has the perfect home to share with the people that he loves. W H E R E TO G O OS C by N o r man Ye o, www.o s c .co m. s g
A meditative rock garden along the boundary wall gives the exterior a calming quality. RIGHT Beneath Vincent’s masculine appearance is a loving husband and filial son. BELOW The base of the television console feature is a black marble slab that was acid-treated to achieve a textured efect.
photography VERONICA TAY art direction NONIE CHEN & KAFFY TAN
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Sherlynn used stained birch wood for the pegboard wall, in a departure from the many matte black surfaces throughout the home.
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This home can be considered an interior designer's vision of the little black dress for a residential space. ELIZA HAMIZAH speaks to the homeowner-slash-I.D. behind this modern monochrome abode.
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While there is a rise in the popularity of all-black interiors, there are not as many homeowners who would commit to this colour scheme as boldly as Sherlynn Low and her husband, Brandon Chen, did. What sets this home apart is the oversized alcove built into the living room which Sherlynn, the founder of interior design firm Millimeters Studio, cladded entirely in dark finishes. The dark ceiling and its cove lighting frame the living room, making quite the visual impact. The decision to stick to a single colour was a simple one: The designer of 12 years prefers not to work from home, and a cosy ambience would help her keep to that intent. With that as her objective, the rest simply fell into place. Sherlynn tells us more about her abode, and how she pulled off the all-black look.
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Q
HOW DID YOU WORK WITH THIS COLOUR SCHEME?
I like things simple, but with a bold or unexpected detail or twist. In a similar vein, no one area in the house is entirely black. I complement black with shades of grey, add colour to every corner with plants and accessories, and play with different textures, such as the birch wood pegboard and tiled panel at the entrance. These give the home more life, and break the monotony of a monochrome interior.
Q
YOU SPENT $103,000 ON RENOVATION. WHAT DID YOU SPEND MOST ON?
That would be the extensive customisations done and quality materials used, including the anti-rust and anti-corrosion galvanised steel used for the front gate, kitchen island legs, and all the square grid features you see throughout the home. I also opted for the anti-scratch and anti–bacterial Fenix laminate for the walls and ceiling of the living room “box”, and waterproof vinyl flooring. And, for a clean and seamless look, I concealed all light fittings and casings with false ceilings. This is a liveable showroom to show my clients, so I don’t mind spending more on materials that will last.
WHO LIVES HERE
A couple and their two dogs H OME A five-room HDB flat in Bukit Batok S IZ E 1,220sqf
Sherlynn was unfazed by the all-black colour scheme, as elements such as neon lights, design books and hanging plants help to brighten the interiors. OPPOSITE Sherlynn and Brandon have similar styles in fashion and design, so the renovation process was “super easy" and their ideas did not clash at all.
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The kitchen wall was hacked away to make space for a long kitchen island, which is useful as the couple entertain often. The island also features an induction cooktop and a downdraft hood.
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Sherlynn took a bold approach in the design of her home, as she sees the space as a portfolio of sorts. BELOW Accents come in the form of colourful accessories that adorn the shelves, counter and tabletops around the home.
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The triangular sink was a steal. The couple found it at a clearance sale in Ubi, and paid only $80 for it. OPPOSITE The headboardcum-bedroom dresser was inspired by the layout that many new hotels have adopted, says Sherlynn, who has experience in the hospitality industry.
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Q
WHAT ARE SOME SIMPLE YET CLEVER FEATURES YOU’VE DESIGNED?
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Q
WHAT’S IMPORTANT TO YOU IN A HOME?
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photography VERNON WONG art direction NONIE CHEN
WHER E TO GO Mi l l i m eters St u dio, tel : 9680-147 7, www.m i l l i m eters .com . s g
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The living area opens onto the verandah, creating a seamless space that is airy and inviting.
Smart, sleek retouches paved the way for a breezy resort vibe in this multi-storey townhouse. JACQUELINE TAN talks to interior designer Terence Neo on how his team created this beautiful family home. 89
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WHO LIVES HERE
Couple with their two young daughters HO ME Four-storey townhouse in Watten estate SI ZE 2,600sqf
hen a home is big on space, there’s a tendency (or temptation) to pile on the design elements, furniture and accessories. But not for the homeowners of this fivebedroom townhouse, who even did away with the television set in the living room. “The owners rarely watch TV shows and they do not want a console or feature wall to take up space,” says Terence Neo, design director of Eightytwo. “Their style is understated and they don’t want anything too loud, gaudy or bulky-looking.” Refurbished at a cost of about $150,000, the major overhaul resulted in a look that strikes a balance between being resort-like and exuding a cosy, homey feel. An immaculate row
LEFT Homeowners Calvin Chan and Zoe Luo. ABOVE Full-length glass panels allow plenty of natural light to fill the indoor spaces during the day. OPPOSITE The light colours of the interiors help to make the open kitchen area look spacious and warm.
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A former staircase wall was knocked down, and in its place are well-spaced wooden panels, that together with the brown sofa lend a warm, cosy accent to the living room.
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TOP LEFT The interesting door handle design lends a touch of sophistication to the space. LEFT The design team optimised the use of tight spaces by turning them into functional areas, such as this dressing corner.
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TOP RIGHT Plenty of large windows around the house allow light to fill the home in the day. OPPOSITE The glass door in the en suite bathroom in the guest room lets in natural light, with its metal frame lending a bold, sleek accent.
of bamboo plants is planted on the front porch, creating a picture of calm and serenity when one looks out from the living room. A former wall by the staircase was torn down to make way for more natural light. In its place are spaced wooden panels, which act as a divider and also lend a warm accent to the space. An interior that was once all about ornateness (think suedes and heavy carpeting) has been transformed into one that is clean, airy and nature-inspired. PL AY TIME
The living room extends into a dedicated play area that allows plenty of room for their kids to engage in games and activities. The play area and adjacent
dining room are treated to outdoor views, with floor-toceiling glass panels letting in plenty of light, contributing further to the spacious feel of the home. COOL KI TC HEN
As the couple entertain a fair bit, the kitchen is not just a sleek showcase but designed to be practical as well. Cabinets provide ample storage and are clad in highly resilient off-white laminates in the dry and wet kitchens. As a slight contrast to the dry kitchen, the wet section gets a dash of raw, earthy touch with its cement-textured flooring and backsplash. WH ERE TO GO Eig h ty two www.e ig h ty two.sg
photos EIGHTYTWO
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STUNNING SUNSET Hʣ Ðú é Z°É§ ÛÐÞ B é°ÐÉ Â Zé °îÈ â°É â é É°§éʥ r°é Û°É¿ âîÉâ é î â É Âî⠦а § ʣ é°â §ÐÞ§ Ðîâ ù° ú °â é °ÉâÛ°Þ é°ÐÉ °É È ÉĀ â°§É °â°ÐÉâ ʋ ¦ÞÐÈ é Þ Ğ é°ù É é  â é é ްɧ é ù° ú °É ÐÐÞâʣ éÐ é âÛп ; §ÐÐÉ Þî§ úÐâ â°§É Ð â é ÈÐù È Éé Ц ú é Þ °É é # Ā ɧ V°ù Þʨ
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A tight deadline did not stop these interior designers from unveiling a glamorous apartment to the homeowners. ELIZA HAMIZAH Ä?nds out how Design Intervention pulled it oÄ‘.
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BESPOKE DESIGN ,é °â °É é îâéÐÈ°â Û° â é é é ÐîÛ ʙâ Û ÞâÐÉ Â°é° â â°É éÞÐî§ʨ a âЦ ʙâ ù° Þ Éé ÛÞ°Éé °É ÐÞÛÐÞ é â é °Þ ¦ ùÐîÞ°é ÐÂÐîÞâʢ Âî É §Þ É ú é Þ ÐÂÐîÞʌ âÝî âéÞп â ¦ÐÞ A°  ʣ É ÐÞ É§ ÐÉéÞ âé ۰۰ɧ ¦ÐÞ A Þ ʨ a
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Û §Þ É °§ ¿ ÞÈ °Þâ ʂú°é ú°é ۰۰ɧ ʋ éÐ ¿ Û é ÂÐп ¦Þ âʥʃ ú Þ â°§É ¦ÐÞ é  Ā Ц é Ðîâ ʣ úÐ Þ Ýî âé §ÐÐ ¿ âîÛÛÐÞé ¦ÐÞ Þ °É§ʨ a Þ â°É § ÐÈ éÞ° Ðđ é  ú â È éÐ ú°éâé É éÐ Â Þʙâ ¿ÉÐ ¿â É îÈÛâʨ
A ROOM FOR LO U N G I N G
WHO LIVES HERE
A couple, and their daughter and newborn baby HOM E A three-bedder apartment near Tanjong Rhu S IZ E 1,650qf
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10-day time frame would scare off most interior designers, but design doyennes Nikki Hunt and Andrea Savage from Design Intervention managed in that period to achieve the luxurious look their clients wanted, and then some. Their clients, Michelle Lim and Marc Chong, received the keys only two weeks before the due date of their second child, and wanted an elegant and inspiring home to return to, after the delivery. As they did not have much time on site, the interior design team had to execute as much as possible, before they had the keys. “The couple, who run a boutique hotel, wanted a glamorous home that is rich in colour and detail. To counter the tight deadline, we focused on achieving this through the furniture pieces (instead of heavy renovation work),� say Nikki and Andrea.
aÂĂ?Χ ÊÂÂœ °ڰɧ ĂžĂ?Ă?Ăˆ ÂŚÂœÂ†ĂŠĂŽĂžÂœĂ˘ âÊÞĂ?ɧ Â’Ă?Ă‚Ă?ÎÞâʣ âΒ †â °É ĂŠÂÂœ Ă?ĂžÂ†Ă‰Â§Âœ Ă›ÂœĂ‚ĂˆÂœĂŠĂ˘ĘŁ °Ê âÊ°ÂÂ ÂœĂżĂŽÂ˜ÂœĂ˘ † ĂžÂœĂ˘ĂŠÂŚĂŽĂ‚ Â†ĂˆÂ‘Â°ÂœĂ‰Â’ÂœĘ¨ aÂÂœ ;†§Ă?Ă?É ÞΧ Â†â † Â’Â†Ă‚ĂˆÂ°Ă‰Â§ œđ ÂœÂ’ĂŠ Â†Ă‰Â˜ Ă‰ÂœĂŽĂŠĂžÂ†Ă‚Â°Ă˘ÂœĂ˘ ĂŠÂÂœ ‘ÂĂ?Â’Âż Â’Ă?Ă‚Ă?ÎÞâʣ ĂşÂÂ°Ă‚Âœ ĂŠÂÂœ ’ÎÞÚĀ â°ÂÂĂ?ĂŽÂœĂŠĂŠÂœĂ˘ Ă?ÂŚ ĂŠÂÂœ Â†ĂˆÂœĂžĂ?É âĂ?Π Â†Ă‰Â˜ ’ÞĀâʆ ’ÂÂ†Ă‰Â˜ÂœĂ‚Â°ÂœĂž âĂ?ÂŚĂŠÂœĂ‰ ĂŠÂÂœ Ă‚Ă?Ă?¿ʨ aÂÂœ Â’Ă?ĂŽĂ›Ă‚ÂœĘ™Ă˘ †ÞÊ Â’Ă?Ă‚Ă‚ÂœÂ’ĂŠÂ°Ă?Éʣ Â’Ă?Éâ°âʰɧ Ă?ÂŚ †ÞÊúĂ?Þ¿â ĂŠÂ†Ê Â†ĂžÂœ Ă˘ÂœĂžÂœĂ‰Âœ Â˜ÂœĂ›Â°Â’ĂŠÂ°Ă?Éâ Ă?ÂŚ Ă‰Â†ĂŠĂŽĂžÂœĘŁ Â’Ă?ĂˆĂ›Ă‚ÂœĂˆÂœĂ‰ĂŠĂ˘ ĂŠÂÂœ ĂˆĂ?Ă?Â˜Ę¨
WHER E TO GO Desi gn I ntervent i on, Tel : 64 68-194 2
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M AG N I F I C E N T M E TA L L I C "ÐÞ §Â È đ éʣ é â°§É é È Û °Éé é ÞÐÛ °Â°É§ È é ° â°Âù Þ î ʨ a°â ÉÐé ÐÉÂĀ â §ÂÐú é é °ÂÂîÈ°É é â é ÞÐÐÈʣ îé Þ úâ é Ā éÐ é °ÉéÞ° é É Â° Þ â ú ÂÂʨ Z°Âù ÞʌÛ °Éé °âÛ Ā °É éâ É §Â ââʌéÐÛ °É°É§ é Â É É é ÂÐпʨ
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REST ASSURED The master bedroom is a restful oasis decked out in earthy tones. A clever use of materials keeps it looking opulent. The furniture is mirror-clad; heavy blackout curtains with a metallic sheen create an intimate setting; while the gleaming and a faux fur bed throw provide plush comfort.
photos DESIGN INTERVENTION
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P R OJ E C T S H OWC A S E
MODERNIST MAKEOVER ELIZA HAMIZAH finds out
how Renaissance Planners & Designers turned a nondescript condominium apartment into a sophisticated sanctuary. 102
OPPOSITE The television no longer needs to be in the living room, but where it is most required. In this case, the space that is often used is the dining room, says Kelvin. OPPOSITE BELOW A large sliding door that conceals the study area keeps the space looking tidy. RIGHT One bedroom was removed to make way for the dry kitchen.
WHO LIVES HERE
A couple and their three teenage children HO ME Five-bedroom penthouse apartment in Simei SI Z E 2,700sqf
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fter 10 years in their penthouse apartment, Mr & Mrs Mah felt they needed a change of scenery. Instead of moving out, however, the couple tasked Kelvin Bing from Renaissance Planners & Designers to give their beloved family home a makeover. The anchor feature of the home, located in the dining area, reflects the heart and soul of the Mah family. “The family gathers in the dining room not only for meals and catch-ups, but also to conduct weekly Bible studies. This inspired me to fashion a screen that projects Bible verses which they can change, or that can be switched
to regular television mode any time,� says Kelvin. The screen is incorporated into a series of floor-to-ceiling cabinets, which the client had requested, to accommodate the family's growing storage needs. The cabinets are clad in a dark mahogany finish which, when complemented with other minimalist yet luxurious elements such as a plush sofa upholstered in a lustrous pink fabric, as well a marble table, helps to create a Modernist interior that is sophisticated and timeless. Upstairs, the master suite oozes a luxury boutique hotel ambience. After reorganising
the once-narrow layout, the bathroom now features a double vanity and a sunken bathtub, and is dressed in textured travertine tiles. Lastly, the sleeping area maintains a fresh yet restful look, due to a dijon yellow fabric headboard that adds warmth to the room.
ABOVE With travertine tiles, dark wood finishes and a quartz countertop, the modern bathroom looks like it belongs in a boutique hotel.
WHER E TO GO Renai ssance Pl anners & Desi gners, tel : 6291-154 5
text ELIZA HAMIZAH photos RENAISSANCE PLANNERS & DESIGNERS
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H & D C U R AT E S
SOUND A DV I C E Vinyl record collections are coming back in style, and it’s a matter of time before retro-turntables make a fashionable reappearance in our interiors. Here’s how you can make one look at home on your console without missing a beat.
location XTRA
CLOC KWIS E FROM TO P AT-LP5 Direct Drive Stereo turntable with dust cover, $598, from AudioTechnica. Pastoe Frame Joost Selection sideboard, $7,865; Catellani & Smith PK LED 40 table lamp, $2,000; and Herman Miller Eames lounge chair and ottoman, $12,589; all from Xtra.
Vinyl records deliver a warm and rich sound quality, and while scratches on the surface of the record can afect the clarity of the recording, audiophiles regard them as unique accents, which lend an air of nostalgia to the overall experience.
location POMELO HOME
F ROM LEFT Pablo Designs Pixo table lamp, $350; Up In The Air Somewhere pitcher, $80; ceramic tree trunk vase, $60; Woon Hung mahogany kidney dish, $59; crinkle cup, $52 (set of 4); Punt Ernest desk, $2,600; Muuto Cover chair with leather upholstery, $1,180; all from Pomelo Home. Vintage vinyl record player, $900, from Mobler.
photography DARREN CHANG art direction KAFFY TAN
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F E AT U R E
OFF THE ROAD AND INTO THE HOME
DRIVEN BY DESIGN As the creme de la creme of automobiles, these marques are instantly recognised for their unparalleled superiority in design and performance. Masters in their Ä?eld, these automakers have been making inroads into homelier territory – quite literally speaking. The idea of furniture by car brands may seem novel and unexpected, but there are some who are totally enticed. Lynn Tan,
a motoring writer who is trained in architecture, tells us that one reason such furniture appeals to car enthusiasts like herself is that it’s designed by highly sought-after automotive brands. She says: “For such car brands, they are not just selling their automobiles, they are also selling a lifestyle of luxury that buyers identify with.� As luxury car brands are renowned for their
design, craftsmanship and engineering, it is intuitive that they would apply these qualities in the design and fabrication of their furniture lines. The furniture designs can be classiÄ?ed into three distinct styles: classic, modern and futuristic. Read on and take the quiz to Ä?nd out which of the luxury automobile brands oÄ‘er the designer furniture to match your style.
FERRARI F UT U R I S T IC
COCKPI T CH A I R BY POLTR ON A FRAU
HĂ‰Âœ Â§Ă‚Â†Ă‰Â’Âœ †Ê ĂŠÂÂœĂ˘Âœ Ă›Â°ÂœÂ’ÂœĂ˘ Â†Ă‰Â˜ Ä€Ă?ĂŽ ’†É ĂŠÂœĂ‚Ă‚ ĂŠÂÂœÂ°Ăž ĂŽĂ‰ĂˆÂ°Ă˘ĂŠÂ†ÂżÂ†Â‘Ă‚Âœ †ÎÊĂ?ĂˆĂ?ĂŠÂ°ĂšÂœ Â°Â˜ÂœĂ‰ĂŠÂ°ĂŠÄ€Ę¨
Ă?Ă‰Â’ÂœÂ°ĂšÂœÂ˜ Â†Ă‰Â˜ Â˜ÂœĂ˘Â°Â§Ă‰ÂœÂ˜ ‘Ā ĂŠÂÂœ "ÂœĂžĂžÂ†ĂžÂ° ÂœĂ˘Â°Â§Ă‰ ĂŠÂœÂ†Ăˆ ĂşÂ°ĂŠÂ ÂŚĂŽĂžĂ‰Â°ĂŠĂŽĂžÂœ ĂˆÂ†ÂżÂœĂžĂ˘ SĂ?Ă‚ĂŠĂžĂ?Ɇ "ކÎʣ ĂŠÂÂœ Ă?’¿Û°Ê ’†°Þ °â †É Ă?ÂŚÂŚÂ°Â’Âœ ’†°Þ ĂŠÂ†Ê Â’Â†Ă›ĂŠĂŽĂžÂœĂ˘ ĂŠÂÂœ ÂœĂżÂ’Â°ĂŠÂœĂˆÂœĂ‰ĂŠĘŁ Ă˘Ă›ÂœÂœÂ˜ Â†Ă‰Â˜ Â˜Ä€Ă‰Â†ĂˆÂ°Ă˘Ăˆ Ă?ÂŚ ĂŠÂÂœ Â˜ĂžÂ°ĂšÂœĂžĘ™Ă˘ Ă˘ÂœÂ†ĂŠ Â†Ă‰Â˜ ۆââ°Ă?É ÂŚĂ?Ăž ކ’°É§ʨ A†˜œ ÂŚĂžĂ?Ăˆ ĂŠÂÂœ Ă˘Â†ĂˆÂœ ĂˆÂ†ĂŠÂœĂžÂ°Â†Ă‚Ă˘ ĂŽĂ˘ÂœÂ˜ °É "ÂœĂžĂžÂ†ĂžÂ° ’†Þâʣ ú°Ê †É ÂœĂżĂŠÂœĂžĂ‰Â†Ă‚ âÂÂœĂ‚Ă‚ ĂˆĂ?ĂŽĂ‚Â˜ÂœÂ˜ ÂŚĂžĂ?Ăˆ ’†Þ‘Ă?É Ă?Ăž Â†Ă‚ĂŽĂŠÂœĂżĘŁ ĂŠÂÂœ ’†°Þ Â’Ă?ĂˆÂœĂ˘ °É ĂŠĂşĂ? ĂšÂœĂžĂ˘Â°Ă?Éâʢ ĂŠÂÂœ SĂžÂœĂ˘Â°Â˜ÂœĂ‰ĂŠ Ę‹ ú°Ê † ÂÂ°Â§Â Â‘Â†Â’ÂżĂžÂœĂ˘ĂŠ ÂŚĂ?Ăž Â§ÂœĂ‰ÂœĂžĂ?Îâ âÎÛÛĂ?ÞÊʣ Â†Ă‰Â˜ ĂŠÂÂœ ĂżÂœÂ’ĂŽĂŠÂ°ĂšÂœ Ę‹ Â˜ÂœĂ˘Â°Â§Ă‰ÂœÂ˜ ú°Ê † Ă‚Ă?ĂşÂœĂž Â‘Â†Â’ÂżĂžÂœĂ˘ĂŠ ÂŚĂ?Ăž ÂŚĂžÂœÂœĂž ĂˆĂ?ĂšÂœĂˆÂœĂ‰ĂŠĘ¨ THE COCKPIT CHA I R I S AVA I LA B LE FOR PREOR DER AT PROOF L I V I N G.
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"°É Ðîé ú° Ц é â â°§Éâʣ ¦ÞÐÈ é ù Þ°Ðîâ îéÐÈÐ °Â Þ É âʣ âî°éâ ĀÐîÞ âéĀ ÛÞ ¦ Þ É Ā é ÂÂĀ°É§ é ÛаÉéâ Ц ĀÐîÞ Éâú Þâ ÂÐúʨ
A
Your ideal date night is a... 1. Dinner by candlelight 2. Skydiving adventure 3. Visit to a museum 4. Movie under the stars
M E RCE D E S - B E N Z FURNITU R E COLLECTI ON BY FO RMI TA LI A
The eight-piece collection, which was developed with designers from Formitalia in 2012, features regular furniture pieces, such as a sofa, dining table and a âé Ц Þ ú Þâʨ r éʙâ ÉÐé so typical are the decidedly progressive designs – their curvy, stretched forms and pointed stems make them almost unrecognisable as furniture. Visit www.form i t al i a.i t to fin d out m ore about th e co llect i on, or e-m ai l ex p o r t@form i t al i a.i t
B
Your dream holiday destination is... 1. Provence, France 2. Dubai, UAE 3. Berlin, Germany 4. Singapore
C
Your all-time favourite dessert? 1. Tiramisu 2. Deconstructed black forest cake 3. Nitrogen ice cream 4. Ondeh-ondeh cake
D
Your preferred credit card is... 1. American Express Centurion 2. Visa Infinite 3. Citi Group Black Chairman 4. Mastercard Gold
fo r e n q ui ri es. IF YOUR SCORE IS
ʡ 4-7 points: You are one for icons, especially if they are from Bentley or Lamborghini. ʡ 8-9 points: Your taste is as slick as the designs by Mercedes. ʡ 10-11 points: You enjoy bold strokes that are fast and furious, like Ferrari. ʡ 12-13 points: Aston Martin rocks your boat. ʡ ȽɀʌȽɂ ÛаÉéâʢ A â Þ é°ʙâ comfort and style is your thing.
A S TON M A R T I N SA LON E DEL MOB I L E 2 01 8 PR EVI EW BY F ORMI TA L I A LUXU RY GR O UP
MODERN
Like in the collection by Tonino Lamborghini Casa, Aston Martin has created a three-piece collection with Formitalia for this year’s Salone, but its designs could not be more different. Aston Martin’s latest sofa, coffee table and chair can be arranged to create the quintessential modern Italian living room, defined by clean, geometric lines and featuring a neutral palette accented with pale gold and briarwood. The make of the collection references the high-tech manufacturing processes and traditional craftsmanship similarly applied to its coveted automobiles. VI SI T WWW. F ORMI TA L I A . I T TO FI N D O UT MORE
Ă?Ă‰ĂŠÂœĂˆĂ›Ă?ކÞĀ â°ÂÂĂ?ĂŽÂœĂŠĂŠÂœĂ˘ °É ĂˆĂ?Â˜ÂœĂžĂ‰ ĂˆÂ†ĂŠÂœĂžÂ°Â†Ă‚Ă˘ Â†Ă‰Â˜ Â’Ă?Ă‚Ă?ÎÞú†Āâʨ
M AS E R AT I G RA N DTO UR ARM C H AIR BY Z A NOTTA
When the Italian architects and designers Ludovica and Roberto Palomba asked themselves, “If Maserati was an armchair, what would it look like?�, they found their answer in the shape of this lounge chair. The Palombas broke down the sharp lines of the Maserati Quattroporte and rendered them in the design of an armchair which they felt reflected the inherent qualities of the marque: luxury and sportiness, technology and craftsmanship. T H E G RANDTO UR ARM C H AIR
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I S AVA I LABLE TO O RD E R F R O M W. ATE LIER.
A B OU T THE COL L ECT I ON , OR E-MA I L EXPORT @ FOR MI TA LI A. I T FOR EN QU I R I ES.
BENTLEY HOME COLLEC T I ON BY LUXU RY LI VI N G GROUP
The 99-year-old British carmaker made its furniture debut at the 2014 Salone del Mobile, producing a five-piece collection that perfectly captured the brand’s renowned craftsmanship and exquisite materials found in its vehicle interiors. The collection, made in collaboration with Luxury Living Group, evokes the epitome of classic luxury – featuring sophisticated materials like velvet and cashmere in a natural colour palette of cognac and taupe. THE BENTLEY HOME COLLECTION IS AVAILABLE AT MARQUIS HQO, LEVEL 1, 16 TAI SENG STREET.
CL A S S I C
a â Þ É â ù °Éé ÞÛÞ é é °Þ ¦îÞÉ°éîÞ âé é° °É é Рʌ úÐÞ é âé â Ц ÂîÿîÞĀʣ Þ É Þ °É Û° â °¿ ÛÂîâ éî¦é â éâ °É Û î â âî â È îù ʣ ÈÐ É îÞ§îÉ Āʨ
LAMBORGHINI S P RINT CO LLEC T I ON 2018 BY FO RM ITALIA LUXU RY GRO UP
Its luxury furniture arm, Tonino Lamborghini Casa, has produced three furniture pieces for its 2018 Sprint Collection – Alex, a range of tufted sofas; Kate, an upholstered modular armchair; and a Hidra bed. VIS IT WWW.FO RMI TA LI A .I T TO FIND O UT M O RE A B OU T TH E CO LLE C TIO N, OR E-MA I L E X P O RT@ FO RM ITA LI A .I T FO R ENQ UIRIES .
text ISABELLE TOW
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PROPE R T Y
3 ways éÐ ùа paying ABSD
Buying a second property will incur Singaporean investors 7% Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty, to 10% for third and subsequent homes. Here are some legal loopholes, to avoid paying that hefty sum.
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A
s if properties in Singapore are not already crazily expensive, buyers must also shell out a pretty penny in stamp duty. In Singapore, all property purchases are charged Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD), calculated at 1% on the first $180,000, 2% on the second $180,000, and 3% on the rest of the property’s cost. But in December 2011, the Government implemented the Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD), one of several cooling measures used to curb property speculation. In January 2013, hot on the heels of a feverish market that saw exploding property prices, the Government upped the stakes again. Singaporeans are now taxed 7% ABSD on the second property and 10% on the third and subsequent properties. Singapore Permanent Residents (PR) are taxed 5% for their first property and 10% on their second and subsequent properties. Foreigners pay a flat 15% ABSD for any property they purchase. If two parties are of mixed residency status or mixed residential ownership profile, the Government will charge you the higher ABSD rate. Want to skimp on the ABSD? Try these.
§ÐÐ éÐ ¿ÉÐú
1
P U R C HASE YO U R F I R ST HOM E U N D ER O N LY ON E SP OU SE’S N A ME
)Ðú °é úÐÞ¿â This requires some planning. If you intend to buy a HDB flat, it can be bought only under the Single’s Scheme after one party turns 35, leaving your spouse’s name free to buy a private property. Otherwise, both spouses should buy separate private properties under your respective names. This is a useful solution for the many newly minted “en bloc millionaires” who may be contemplating buying two properties – one to stay in and the other to lease out. 9 Ā ÐÉâ° Þ é°ÐÉ Obviously, you need enough money – or earn enough to get a sufficient loan – to support the purchase of a property by yourself. Based on one person’s salary instead of two, this may restrict the loan quantum the bank is willing to extend to you, hence denting your budget.
Singaporeans are now taxed 7% ABSD on the second property and 10% on the third and subsequent properties.
2
DE CO U P L I N G
)Ðú °é úÐÞ¿â You don’t actually need to divorce your partner to avoid paying ABSD. Decoupling means transferring the ownership of a property from one co-owner to the other. You can either sell your share to your partner, or by way of gift. If it’s a gift, note that you cannot have outstanding loans. All CPF and accrued interest of the existing party must be refunded. If you purchase your spouse’s share at market value, you take over the existing bank loan if any, and refund your spouse’s CPF with accrued interest.
9 Ā ÐÉâ° Þ é°ÐÉ Firstly, married couples who own HDB flats are not allowed to decouple. You can, however, use the resale partshare method to transfer flat ownership between parents and children, or to buy over your ex-spouse’s share. Secondly, though the idea is for both spouses to “share” two homes, who gets to legally own the more expensive house? Even if you’ve owned the property for many years, you start all over and the party who takes over the share of the other spouse is subject to Seller’s Stamp Duty for that share, if the property is sold within the first three years of the transfer.
3
B U Y I N G T HRO UGH A TR U ST
)Ðú °é úÐÞ¿â This is usually done by parents for their children who are below 21 years old and do not have the legal capacity to own a property in his/her own name yet.
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Singaporeans are now taxed 7 per cent ABSD on the second property and 10 per cent on the third and subsequent properties. B U Y ING A $1- M I L L I ON I N V EST M EN T P R OP E R TY W I TH O U T D E CO U P L I N G
How it works BSD $1,800 (1% of first $180,000) + $3,600 (2% of next $180,000) + $19,200 (3% of remaining $640,000) = $24,600 ABSD 7% x $1 million = $70,000 Total $24,600 + $70,000 = $94,600 B U Y ING A FTER D ECOU P L I N G
If the couple co-owns the first property at 50%-50%, the husband buys over the wife’s share ($500,000) and they pay: Husband’s BSD
$1,800 (1% of first $180,000) + $3,600 (2% of next $180,000) + $4,200 (3% of remaining $140,000) = $9,600
Wife buys the $1-million investment property, counted as her first property. She pays: $1,800 (1% of first $180,000) + $3,600 (2% of next $180,000) + $19,200 (3% of remaining $640,000) = $24,600 Total BSD paid for both properties $9,600 + $24,600 = $34,200
Wife’s BSD
ʖ ÐîÛ°ɧ È Éâ éÞ É⦠Þްɧ é ÐúÉ Þâ°Û Ц ÛÞÐÛ ÞéĀ ¦ÞÐÈ ÐÉ ÐʌÐúÉ Þ éÐ é Ðé Þʨʗ The parents set up a trust to purchase a property for the child (the beneficial owner). Pacific Law Corporation charges about $5,000. Key consideration “If a property is purchased under a trust, it belongs to the beneficiary and the trustee is accountable to the beneficiary for the property,” highlights lawyer Elena Tay, the executive director of Pacific Law Corporation. This means the trustee must manage the trust property, such as paying the relevant taxes and duties for the benefit of the child. Also, such purchases must be done in hard cash. “The trustee is unlikely to get a bank loan for the purchase of the property,” says Elena.
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text STELLA THNG illustration KAFFY TAN
ST ELLA T H N G Home & Decor’s property columnist since 2011, Stella is a polytechnic lecturer-cum-writer with over 25 years of experience in publishing. She bought her ĝrst home at 23 and loves sniĔng out good property investment deals.
the expert says No matter if you are buying your second (or subsequent) property alone or with your spouse, ABSD will depend on residency status, the number of residential properties owned, as well as nationality. A Singaporean man with a foreign wife, for example, will have to pay 15% on the second property purchased together. A first-time buyer coinvesting with his mother who already owns one home will have to pay 7% ABSD as his mother’s property status will be taken into account, and her home is counted as the second property.
T R AV E L
F A FRENCH FAIRY TALE The majestic Hotel de Crillon in Paris reopens after four years of renovations, creating buzz about the design steeped in modernity yet paired with the building’s 18thcentury roots.
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aced with increasingly stiff competition in recent years from neighbours the Mandarin Oriental, Shangri-la and The Peninsula piloted by Asian groups, the Hotel de Crillon was under growing pressure to refurbish its fading interiors, just like the Plaza Athenee and the Ritz Paris did. So the establishment – it is said that queen Marie Antoinette took piano lessons here – located in the Place de la Concorde in Paris overlooking the Obelisk of Luxor announced in 2012 that it would close its doors. Its owner, Saudi Prince Mutaib Abdullah Abdulaziz Al Saud, called on architect Richard Martinet and artistic director Aline Asmar d’Amman of Lebanon- and Paris-based agency Culture in Architecture to lead the facelift, with Hong Kong’s Rosewood Hotels & Resorts managing it. Rather than a straightforward restoration of the hotel that’s housed in a historic
building – its facade was designed by the Petit Trianon architect, Ange-Jacques Gabriel – Aline orchestrated a modernisation where history is aligned with the 21st century. The building was commissioned in 1754 by King Louis XV, and became the former residence of the Duke de Crillon in later years. Aline enlisted the help of four designers: Tristan Auer, Chahan Minassian, Cyril Vergniol and Karl Lagerfeld. The opulence remains but the feeling is entirely contemporary and vibrant. Taking the stiffness and formality out of the traditional five-star experience, the Crillon feels more like a private home rather than a hotel, complete with fresh flowers by Djordje Varda (the florist behind Pippa Middleton’s nuptials) and interior fragrances by Parisian soapmaker and perfumer Buly. Known for designing furniture, residences and hotels like Paris’ Les Bains and
Cotton House on Mustique Island, Tristan transformed the former reception space into a peaceful haven with a concierge area, and introduced a cigar lounge covered in papyrus leaves evoking cigar wrappers by their texture and colour. He also included in the space a hairdressing salon featuring an alcove lined with peacock and black feathers; a men’s grooming salon helmed by La Barbiere de Paris, France’s first female barber; and a shoeshine area housing 1960s’ Aston Martin seats that reference the decorator’s passion for cars. The engraved mirrored glass lifts are crafted by specialists Arizio. A boudoir for tasting extremely rare spirits in the brown and auburn tones of cognacs and Armagnacs comes with a star-studded, fireworksmotif domed ceiling created by French artisans in gold leaf, palladium leaf and acrylic paint; while the casual Brasserie d’Aumont is designed with woven rattan seats and an undulating rosewood bar.
LEFT The interiors come with bespoke furniture, objects and furnishings crafted by France’s best artisans.
TOP Each area of the hotel exudes a diferent feel, yet all of them ofer the same level of opulence and elegance.
OPPOSITE The hotel’s facade was designed by the Petit Trianon architect, Ange-Jacques Gabriel.
ABOVE The men’s grooming salon helmed by La Barbiere de Paris, France’s first female barber.
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Q&A
with Tristan Auer
Describe your design language. I consider myself to be a tailor who designs bespoke interiors. For this reason, I like to explore and use all the tools available to carry out a project. I never limit myself and like to push boundaries. I am passionate about l’art de vivre, and, being French, I have a lot to say. Tell me about your creative process on this project. The Hotel de Crillon is not a hotel in Paris, but a Parisian hotel. This changes the rules of the game and forces us to set the bar high, to live this place as a destination unlike any other, where guests discover surprises step after step that enchant them and hold them captive. I wanted to keep, respect and enhance the personality of one of the most iconic hotels in the world and gently turn it towards the 21st century. The most important thing was the flow: to create a good rhythm between the areas, creating sequences and strong emotions during one’s stay – exactly as a movie director does. Public spaces are
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important because people expose themselves; it is like being on stage. I designed them to make guests feel beautiful and to encourage the social aspect. Working with the other designers was easy as we were friends before the project and Aline d’Amman ensured coherence among all of us. She was a key element of the success. How did you take into account the architecture of the building when doing the interior design? The building and its history formed the basis of my inspiration. I listened very carefully to what it told me. I did some research on the original 1909 layout and decor, and used it to build the progression from the very classic entrance to the very modern far end of the hotel. Which are the materials, customised furniture or special design elements that stand out in particular? This is a hospitality project I designed with a residential philosophy. I used a large range of unique, bespoke materials, developed only for me. True luxury is something made to measure. Ninety-five per cent of my design for the hotel is bespoke. I would like to highlight the richness of the 120 pieces of furniture I designed and the 330 materials I used in 28 areas. Some of the finishes were used 500 years ago, and I found the rarest craftsmen who could recreate them today. This project took four years of my life.
rÂÂ°Ă‚Âœ aÞ°âʆÉ Â†â Â°Ă‰ÂźÂœÂ’ĂŠÂœÂ˜ † Ă›ĂŽĂžÂœ Â†Ă‰Â˜ ĂžÂœÄ?Ă‰ÂœÂ˜ Ä€ÂœĂŠ ĂşÂ†ĂžĂˆ Â†ÂœĂ˘ĂŠÂÂœĂŠÂ°Â’ĘŁ ††Éʙâ Ă˘Â°Â§Ă‰Â†ĂŠĂŽĂžÂœ ĂŽĂ˘Âœ Ă?ÂŚ ĂžÂ°Â’Â ĂˆÂ†ĂŠÂœĂžÂ°Â†Ă‚Ă˘ âÂÂ°Ă‰ÂœĂ˘ ĂŠÂĂžĂ?Χ °É Ă?ĂŠÂÂœĂž Â†ĂžÂœÂ†Ă˘Ę¨ He even breathed new life into the hotel’s 1973 Citroen DS courtesy car in luminous and chic Parisian grey, and launched a bespoke haute couture car “tailoringâ€? business personalising vehicles from A to Z. While Tristan has injected a pure and refined yet warm aesthetic, Chahan’s signature use of rich, mineral and textured materials shines through in other areas. The extravagant, gold-hued, allmirror, marble and frescoed Les Ambassadeurs bar mesmerises with its cloudy blue sky-painted ceiling, a chandelier composed of patinated and folded brass and bronze sheets, sofas in grey crushed velvet, and tabletops inlaid with slices of agate. Finedining restaurant L’Ecrin led by chef Christopher Hache features aged patinated mirrors, Murano glass sconces, and furniture in gypsum and rock crystal hues. A magnificent, curving white Corian staircase and stucco corridor lead to the spa abounding with
ABOVE Les Ambassadeurs bar mesmerises with its cloudy blue sky-painted ceiling. LEFT While some rooms are ornately decorated, others are kept simple and sophisticated. RIGHT Tiles that were laid by hand adorn the walls of the new indoor linear swimming pool.
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LEFT Guests are welcome to lounge in any of the hotel’s grand open spaces.
marble, Venetian plaster and mirrors in shades of cream, gold, aqua and turquoise that confer a seaside atmosphere. However, the piece de resistance is the brand-new indoor linear swimming pool. It’s lined with 17,600 gold leaf, molten glass fish-scale mosaic tiles applied by hand that are surrounded by celadon ceramic sculptural walls punctuated by large gold-flecked pearls by American artist Peter Lane. Dug two stories underground, it is illuminated by natural light flooding in through a glass roof from the groundlevel Gabriel courtyard designed by famed landscape architect Louis Benech. Using 600 materials (including 40 types of marble) decorated in a palette of greige, blue or brown, Cyril updated the 124 guest rooms and suites with furniture like 1950s’ silkupholstered armchairs, soft rugs and specially curated board games and coffee-table books to give a homely feeling. As Karl is an 18th-century decorative arts expert, he is particular apt in combining historical elements with a French art de vivre aesthetic, and was entrusted with decorating two Les Grands Appartements suites and an adjacent room that he devoted to his Birman mascot, Choupette, complete with black-and-white carpeting inspired by cat scratches. The suites showcase textured grey walls that are made up of nine layers of paint, with touches of iridescent 119
mother-of-pearl, referencing the silvery light of Paris. He personally chose each crystal for the dining-room chandelier, and original sinks from the Chateau de Versailles were placed in the powder room. Concerned with how guests would interact with the furniture, he custom-made a white couch in the living area to guarantee the ideal curvature for a woman’s frame. As the Crillon’s owner is an avid art collector, the entire hotel is filled with 1,000 original artworks from his collection, curated by London-based Fru Tholstrup. Cesar’s giant thumb in Baccarat crystal and British artist Kate MccGwire’s Tussle made from pheasant feathers resembling intertwining serpents are in the lobby; Annie Morris’ Stack 9 Copper Blue totem in pigmented metal, concrete, plaster and sand greets visitors at the entranceway; and celebrated photographer Cecil Beaton’s black-and-white prints of famous personalities, such as Alberto Giacometti and Coco Chanel, delight diners in the Brasserie d’Aumont. In three listed heritage salons with 6m-high ceilings, oversized paintings commissioned from French artist Laurent Grasso portray battle scenes imbued with the artist’s language weaving science, history, mythology and supernatural phenomena.
RIGHT The grand setting of the hotel suites evokes a sense of redolent splendour. FAR RIGHT The spacious marble-clad bathroom gives more than just privacy, it’s almost a space for a personal retreat. 120
As the Crillon’s owner is an avid art collector, the entire hotel is ĝlled with 1,000 original artworks from his collection. RIGHT Close to the heart of the city, the hotel ofers unobstructed views of Paris’ most iconic landmark. LEFT Immaculate detailing adorn every inch of surface in the hotel.
text Y-JEAN MUN-DELSALLE
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I N S TO R E
M A K E A S TAT E M E N T
F U N A N D V E R S AT I L E With small spaces, one thing is for sure: Your furniture pieces and accessories need to be multifunctional and versatile. The Balad lamp and its metal stand by French brand Fermob – both of which come in a spectrum of fun hues like sunshine yellow and cerulean blue – is one stylish example. The lamp can be used outdoors and indoors, on bedside tables as well as hung (from the stand) over the dining table during
intimate family gatherings. The water- and UV-resistant Balad is chargeable via USB cable and can last up to 14 hours. It features both warm and white light.
From the silhouette to the materials used, each detail plays a part in creating a stunning piece of furniture. The Stratos Keramik table by luxury Italian label Cattelan Italia is a ĝne mix of both. Its sculptural titanium base is modernist, while the Calacatta marble top is testament to the timeless beauty of natural materials. Designed by Studio Kronos, this dinner table is truly a sight to behold.
The B al ad Lam p and B al ad St and (of f set ) are sol d
The Stratos Keramik table by
separately at $115 and $483
Cattelan Italia is available at
re spect i vel y. Di scount s f rom
XZQT Hom e, # 0 1 - 05 , 8 Pa n da n
13 per cent onwards are
Crescent , tel : 67 74 - 8 03 1 . More
ap p li cabl e, when you order
m ateri al opt i ons , s u c h
fro m www.mysel ect i on.sg.
as graphi te and em boss ed l acquered stee l ba s es a n d brown z i nc cera m ic tops , are avai l abl e.
W I N D -W I N D S I T U AT I O N It is perpetually summer in Singapore, and keeping cool is top priority. The Fantasia DC-356 ceiling fan by Acorn will help you achieve that without busting the bills, thanks to its innovative DC motor which reduces energy consumption by 50 per cent, without compromising on wind delivery. Made entirely of the durable and rustproof ABS acrylic material – with the exception of the downrod – you’ll be sure to love this fan for a long time. C h ec k i t o ut at www. aco r n ce ilin g fan .co m o r vi si t Aco r n’s list o f aut ho r ise d d e ale r s.
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WHERE TO BUY
BOCONCEPT
FLEXFORM
JOURNEY EAST
MOBLER
P5 STUDIO
#04-01/03 Paragon Tel: 6736-0777 www.boconcept.sg
#01-01 200 Newton Road Tel: 6909-2128 www.flexform.sg
#01-01, 10C Jalan Ampas Tel: 9882-5320 www.moblersinga pore.com
DANISH DESIGN
FRITZ HANSEN
#03-02 Tan Boon Liat Building Tel: 6473-1693 www.journeyeast. com
#01-08 Henderson Industrial Park 213 Henderson Rd Tel: 6337-0050 www.p5studio.com. sg
#01-02 Harbourside Building 1 1 Boon Leat Terrace Tel: 6270-8483 www.danish designco.com
#01-01/02 75 Bukit Timah Road Tel: 6270-8828 www.watelier.com
DEPARTURES & ARRIVALS
#02-61 Oxley Bizhub 1 Block 65 Ubi Road 1 Tel: 8511-3584 www.livingdna.sg ETHNICRAFT
#05-01 Singapore Handicrafts Building 72 Eunos Avenue 7 Tel: 9272-1545 www.ethnicraftonline.com.sg
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GRAFUNKT
#02-34/35/36 Millenia Walk Tel: 6336-6046 www.grafunkt.com HAVEN LIFESTYLE
#01-14 City Warehouse 5 Kaki Bukit Road 2 Tel: 6745-4698 www.havenlifestyle. asia JANUS ET CIE
Suite #01-02 11 Beach Road Tel: 6333-0060 www.janusetcie.com
PICKJUNCTION KING LIVING
#01-00 Hong Aik Building 22 Kallang Avenue Tel: 6805-4198 www.kingliving. com.sg LUMAS
#04-47 Paragon Tel: 6834-9535 http://sg.lumas.com MADE&MAKE
#04-00 Jubilee Industrial Building 6 Genting Road Tel: 6908-5908 www.madeandmake. sg
72 Eunos Avenue 7 Tel: 9087-4896 www.pickjunction. com POMELO
#13-02 Tan Boon Liat Building Tel: 6226-4663 www.pomelo.com. sg
RICE
#01-03 Henderson Industrial Park 213 Henderson Rd Tel: 6692-1199 www.rice-fields.com VANILLA HOME
63 Club Street Tel: 6324-6206 www.vanilla-home. com
PROOF LIVING
W.ATELIER
#04-16 Ion Orchard Tel: 6509-0555 www.proof.com.sg
#01-01 and #03-01 201 Henderson Road Tel: 6270-8828 www.watelier.com XTRA
#02-48 Marina Square Tel: 6336-0688 www.xtra.com.sg
date
day
time
JUNE 30, 2018
SATURDAY
9.30am-5.30pm
The ever popular D-Tour is back! Join us for a delightful day out to learn decorating tips and get practical home design ideas. You’ll also enjoy a sumptuous breakfast and attractive shopping deals. Hurry! Register early to reserve a spot. FOR LATEST INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER, VISIT
www.homeanddecor.com.s
promotions
*SPH Magazines reserves the right to amend event details.
D E TA I L S •$20 registration fee per person (Registration fee is non-refundable and can be used to offset against the cost of a Home & Decor print-edition subscription.)
HIGHLIGHTS •Door gift worth over $50 •Exclusive discounts •Attractive lucky draw prizes worth over $2,000 •Decor tips and advice
ORGANISER
PARTNERS
Hann-Young Design
TERMS AND CONDITIONS • Priority will be given to participants aged 21 years old and above. •Participants will receive a reminder e-mail, with more details of the shopping trip, 3 days before the actual event or earlier. • Registration fee is non-refundable and can be used to offset against the cost of a Home & Decor print-edition subscription. More details will be provided on the event day. • By providing the information set out in the registration form and submitting the same to SPH Magazines, you confirm that you have read, understood and consented to the terms of this event, and also to the collection, use or disclosure of any personal data by SPH Magazines for the purposes of your event registration, in accordance with its Data Protection Policy available at www.sphmagazines.com.sg.
BUYING GUIDE YOUR ONE-STOP RESOURCE FOR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
BATHROOMS
FURNITURE & FURNISHINGS
TOTO @ W. ATELIER
#01-01 and #03-01 201 Henderson Road Tel: 6270-8828 www.watelier.com
DA VINCI HOME
#01-01 3 Tai Seng Drive Tel: 6468-6333 www.davinciasia.com FRITZ HANSEN
ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS ACORN
#02-09 512 Chai Chee Lane Tel: 6635-6147 www.acorn ceilingfan.com
#01-01 and #03-01 201 Henderson Road Tel: 6270-8828 www.watelier.com FURNITURE GALLERY
18 Tampines Industrial Crescent www.furniture gallery.sg
BRANDT ASIA
#02-51/52 Oxley Bizhub 65 Ubi Road One www.brandt.com.sg
GRAFUNKT
#02-34/36 Millenia Walk Tel: 6336-6046 www.grafunkt.com
CITY GAS GALLERY
#02-01/03 PWC Building 8 Cross Street Tel: 6732-6910 www.citygas.com.sg
HOME 2 U GALLERY
PANASONIC SINGAPORE
HOUSE OF W.ATELIER
202 Bedok South Avenue 1 www.panasonic. com/sg
#02-719-720 Suntec City Tower 4 Tel: 6737-7838
#01-01/02 75 Bukit Timah Road Tel: 6270-8828 www.watelier.com
MUJI
#02-198 Vivocity Tel: 6376-8023 www.muji.com/sg P5 STUDIO
#01-08 Henderson Industrial Park 213 Henderson Road Tel: 6513-9595 www.p5.com.sg
#06-01 1 Kallang Way 2A Tel: 6846-7737 www.samaire.com.sg
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RENAISSANCE PLANNERS & DESIGNERS
ARCHIVE DESIGN
#01-02 469 MacPherson Road Tel: 6291-1545 www.renaidesign group.com
#02-08 362 Upper Paya Lebar Road Tel: 6702-7738 www.archiveinterior design.com
THE ORANGE CUBE BLACK N WHITE HAUS
60 Sungei Kadut Drive Tel: 6368-2802 www.scanteak.com.sg
291 Tanjong Katong Road Tel: 6440-9766 www.blacknwhite house.com
SPACE FURNITURE
DESIGN INTERVENTION
77 Bencoolen Street Tel: 6415-0000 www.spacefurniture. com.sg
75E Loewen Road Tel: 6468-1942 www.design intervention. com.sg
SCANTEAK
#01-03 LTC Building C 14 Arumugam Road Tel: 6337-7277 www.theorangecube. com THREE-D CONCEPTWERKE
24 Eng Hoon Street Tel: 6293-8001 www.three-dconceptwerke.com
1 Pasir Panjang Road Tel: 6273-2522 www.starliving. com.sg TAYLOR B FINE DESIGN GROUP
#04-02 43 Keppel Road Tel: 6225-7090 www.taylorb design.com
DWELL INTERIOR DESIGN
11 Kim Yam Road Tel: 6883-1005 www.dwell.com.sg HAIRE LIVING
Level 4 29 Mayo Street Tel: 6441-3345 www.haireliving.com MONG DESIGN STUDIO
#01-05 UE Tech Park Tel: 6774-8031 www.xzqt.com.sg
#13-05 Trivex 8 Burn Road Tel: 6753-3005 www.mongdesign studio.com
LIGHTING LIGHTCRAFT
131 Jalan Sultan Tel: 6297-6658 www.lightcraft.com.sg
RENOVATION MATERIALS CAESARSTONE S.E.A.
#08-06 The Spire 10 Bukit Batok Crescent Tel: 6316-1938 www.caesarstone.sg HAFARY
105 Eunos Avenue 3 Tel: 6250-1368 www.hafary.com.sg TIMPLEX
STAR FURNITURE
XZQT SAMAIRE CEILING FAN
INTERIOR DESIGNERS
KITCHENS
#01-13 18 Sin Ming Lane Tel: 6898-1120 www.timplex.sg
MUDIAN
#01-21/23 Vertex Building 33 Ubi Avenue 3 Tel: 6733-7378 www.mudian.com.sg TOTO KITCHEN @ W. ATELIER
#01-01 and #03-01 201 Henderson Road Tel: 6270-8828 www.watelier.com
OTHERS ACACIA FABRICS
#04-03 Ubi Techpark Lobby A Tel: 6743-0060 www.acacia fabrics.com
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TERMS AND CONDITIONS • This subscription promotion is valid only for the print edition when signing up at www.homeanddecor.com.sg, for the sale period of the May 2018 edition. • Your subscription will commence with the June 2018 edition. • Current print subscribers may enjoy this subscription promotion as well (the new subscription period will automatically commence when the current one expires). • The subscription rate offer is applicable to Singapore addresses only. • Subscriptions are non-refundable and non-transferable. • Please allow about four working days from the magazine release date for postage. • Subscriber information may be used in future marketing or promotional activities. • By providing the information set out in the subscription form and submitting the same to SPH Magazines, you confirm that you have read, understood and consent to the terms of this subscription and also to the collection, use or disclosure of any personal data by SPH Magazines for the purposes of your Home & Decor subscription, in accordance with its Data Protection Policy available at www. sphmagazines.com.sg. • For subscription enquiries, call 6388-3838 or e-mail circs@sph.com.sg.
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T H E F I N A L S AY
HARD TRUTHS FROM A TREND GURU
P §ÐÐ éÐ ¿ÉÐú Here’s how you can estimate the amount of flooring material you need: Multiply the length and width of a room, before deducting 10 per cent from the derived figure. This amount takes into account the approximate wastage that comes from laying a standard floor.
128
ardon the pun but, when it comes to Ğooring choices, homeowners tend to get Ğoored by what’s available. At one end of the spectrum, there are costly options ranging from slab-matched marble tiles, which cost upwards of $15psf, to natural hardwood Ğoors or parquet, which can cost anywhere from $8psf to $25psf depending on the type of wood. Weighing in at the other end are the more ađordable alternatives, such as laminates, vinyls and linoleum surface coverings, as well as stone, ceramic and porcelain tiles. Their costs range from $4psf to $15psf. Straddling these two extremes are other materials, such as engineered woods, stone
composites and concrete screed. The price range for these materials can be $10psf to $20psf. What’s more, these estimates are just material costs, before factoring in the cost of labour. Just as you would for diđerent types of materials, the price you pay is also indicative of the quality – in this case, of workmanship. As a trend observer, and having been in the industry for over 20 years, what irks me (and I suspect most interior designers) is when homeowners make the most unreasonable comparisons when choosing the Ğooring. Is it the homeowners’ fault for trying to understand the situation? Absolutely not. In fact any renovation professional will appreciate liaising with those who have done their “home” work (oh, the puns!). What is highly irritating, and insulting to a specialist, is when they compare apples to oranges. Flooring options diđer greatly, based on material, size, design and thickness, as well as in terms
of the type of ĝnish and quality of workmanship. The crux of the matter is you shouldn’t be comparing quality with cost. One should expect to pay for good quality, so it doesn’t make sense for a homeowner to be ĝghting for the cheapest price, when what they deserve is a well-designed and renovated home. But why do I stress this point on Ğooring, when you should adopt the same principle for other parts of the home? It’s because the Ğoor is one of the most essential parts of the home. It’s the surface that your body comes into contact with the most, and the one factor that can ađect the value of your property when you’re putting it on the market. A beautifully tiled Ğoor lasts longer, and will add more value to a home, compared to a beautifully laid vinyl Ğoor. While cheaper in price, vinyl Ğoors do not look and feel as natural, and can shrink and warp over time if not properly installed. The saving grace is that they are also easy to replace. So how should one really go about choosing the right Ğoor? First of all, ĝnd an interior designer you trust and have faith in the quality of work his team produces. Then, really look at the textures and decide on one you can see yourself living with, in the long term. Lastly, have a rough budget in mind but don’t let that tie you down. I’ve always believed in the worth of investing in a good Ğoor, and, if need be, you should carve some money from other parts of the renovation to supplement the best type of Ğooring available.
illustration KAFFY TAN photo 123RF.COM
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