Tatler Homes Singapore October 2017

“Buy what you need, not what you want.” Whether you interpret this as a piece of financial advice or a road map to happiness, we can all accept this as words of wisdom. It’s a mantra that resonates with many nowadays and has been reinforced by lifestyle personalities including the American duo The Minimalists and Japanese organising guru Marie Kondo, who have inspired us to strip down to the bare essentials. Being discerning about what we include in our lives is definitely necessary, but I don’t believe in taking it to extremes. Deep inside, I also know that there are belongings that bring me happiness, especially those pieces imbued with soul. I recognise this because I feel moved when I see a thought-provoking work of art, lovingly crafted ceramics or…

KOH BOON WEI Boon Wei credits his father as a key influence for his interest in photography—his portfolio boasts shoots from genres as diverse as interiors, fashion, portraits, as well as commercial and editorial photography. For this issue, he shot an elegant, light-filled abode inspired by the lady of the house (page 114), as well as a penthouse apartment that’s been creatively styled to reflect the owner’s culinary passion (page 142). LYNN TAN Lynn derives pleasure from writing about and admiring well-crafted objects—particularly furniture pieces that pair tradition and technology with artisanal finesse. In a time where mass production proliferates, she feels that craftsmanship should become all the more cherished and honoured. For this issue, she writes about a multigenerational home in Bangalore that is at one with nature, while…

STORIED SPACES Imbue your dining area with a sense of heritage with the Hamptons collection from Angelo Cappellini. It celebrates the art of woodworking, with pieces that draw design cues from European-style period furniture. Highlights include a round walnut table decorated with gilt carvings, chairs upholstered in a luxe blue fabric, and even a straw sofa with a touch of chinoiserie chic—it’s upholstered with a fabric depicting Chinese vases. angelocappellini.com NATURAL STORY Titled Hemisphere, the Weitzner collection for autumn 2017 is inspired by panoramic landscapes, man-made architectural forms and sprawling cityscapes—think undulating geometric patterns on a variety of woven fabrics that celebrate a subtle movement of texture and colour. The wallpapers from the collection are equally elegant; they come in an earthy palette with organic details that will help create…

1 UPGRADE Renovating and remodelling old or outdated buildings and structures is what this book is all about. With its vibrant images and anecdotes from architects, this book reveals how forgotten architecture can be transformed into practical and beautiful new living spaces. gestalten.com 2 CONCRETE An ode to one of the most versatile construction materials in the world, this book explores the many wonderful properties of this robust material—as seen on intriguing structures by architects the likes of Le Corbusier and Frank Lloyd Wright. uk.phaidon.com 3 THE RED THREAD The Swedish expression den röda tråden (meaning “the red thread”) describes the essence of a piece of creative work—which is what this book sets out to do, by getting into the heart of modern and contemporary Nordic furniture. uk.phaidon.com 4 INSIDE…

EMBRACING HYGGE Bring that Danish sense of cosiness to your abode at the new HomesToLife flagship store. Its new 9,500sqft showroom features curated spaces crafted around the themes of Danish Living, Easy Modern and European Luxury. Top finds include trays and accessories from Notre Monde, Scandi-chic furniture from Broste Copenhagen, eco-conscious bedding from Coco-mat and a host of intriguing brands from all over the world. HomesToLife, 1 Kim Seng Promenade, #02-15, Great World City, homestolife.com LA DOLCE VITA Celebrate the Italian finesse for design at Flexform’s first dedicated showroom in Singapore. Founded in 1959, the Italian furniture brand is known for its elegantly functional design philosophy. Its timeless pieces include the Groundpiece sofa and the Gipsy dining table designed by Antonio Citterio, the long-time collaborator and creative director…

How would you describe your design philosophy? I see myself as a tailor who designs bespoke interiors. For this reason, I like to explore and use all the tools possible to realise each project. I never limit myself—I like to push the boundaries of design. What are your sources of inspiration? My inspiration for any project comes from the location itself. I spend time experiencing the place to understand the natural flow of the interior space and the play of natural light within it. Then I start to collect the perfect palette of materials. My relationship with a project is not only about what we see, but what we feel as well; I never forget the other senses. In your opinion, what are the essential qualities that define French design?…