Tatler Homes Singapore December 2017

Hygge, lagom and wabi sabi—a decade ago, only a handful of design lovers knew what these words meant. Today, not only do we know what they pertain to, many of us strive to live them. These cultural ideals have become part of the everyday vernacular and have spawned an entire lifestyle category. While they don’t necessarily espouse “minimalism”, a greater appreciation for natural, cosy and considered things and spaces ties them all together. However, it’s safe to say that the tide is changing—we’re seeing a visible shift from pared-back spaces to opulent ones. Fashion and interior design are two disciplines that feed off each other, and fashion’s current penchants for embroidery, embellishment, jewel tones and velvet are strongly echoed in the design world as well. That’s why we’ve dedicated this…

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 a serene abode in Singapore that marries rustic appeal with modern elegance—find the stunning home in our Sanctuaries section (page 138). MICHELE KOH MOROLLO Michele is a big fan of Mid-Century Modern design. She enjoys scouring through vintage furniture stores in Hong Kong where she now lives. In this issue, she discovers a vibrant array of decor possibilities, from the fabric trends to watch (page 93), colourful lamps for every space (page 48) to stunning ways to elevate your bathroom design (page 174). POLLY SWEET Polly is a British journalist…

Child’s Play Let your child’s imagination take flight with the new Far Away Places collection from Dulux. Start by choosing from one of eight fun themes, which include life underwater, the wonders of intergalactic space and colourful safari wildlife. Each box includes decals based on each concept, along with six paint colours and other tools to help you and your child decorate the walls with these whimsical motifs. The roll-on paints are a breeze to use for adults and kids alike, and are odour-free—perfect for a fun weekend activity. dulux.com.sg POETIC SPIN Picture a gravity-defying vortex of floating leaves, frozen in time—the crystal maestros of Lalique have captured this dreamy sight in satin-finished crystal. First created in 1951 by glassmaker Marc Lalique, the Champs-Élysées bowls and vases feature finely engraved…

THE MURRAY Originally designed by architect Ron Phillips, the former government block known as The Murray Building in Hong Kong gets a second life as a luxury hotel. British studio Foster and Partners led the restoration project, revitalising the building to house 336 luxurious suites. Opening in January 2018, its elegant interior reflects the clean lines of the Modernist structure, and comes with a rooftop bar and restaurant with a killer view of the city. wharfhotels.com VUE HOTEL HOUHAI Framed by the neighbouring park and Houhai lake, this new hotel pairs its serene setting with architectural cues to local heritage. The first property of the Design Hotels group in Beijing, the hotel comprises a series of transformed buildings from the 1950s, which contain 80 rooms and suites. Its cohesive look—from…

The recent opening of the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) further cements Cape Town’s reputation as the continent’s venerable art capital and makes it a must-see for the global art cognoscenti. Those keen to carefully examine and revel in the richness and diversity of South Africa’s art scene will benefit from checking into Ellerman House—a beautiful hotel perched on a cliff in the Mother City’s exclusive enclave of Bantry Bay. Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2017, this intimate hotel is well-loved for many reasons: the expansive view, timeless decor, exquisite food and wine, but most of all for its unparalleled collection of art. Forget finding run-of-the-mill art pieces in your room or at the lobby. Instead, take in the 1,000-strong collection of valuable artworks carefully incorporated into…

Leave it to Hermès to craft wondrous vignettes full of wit and whimsy. Conceptualised especially for Singapore by Jean-Christophe Vaillant & Hervé Sauvage, the Through The Walls exhibition featured scenography starring furniture pieces and furnishing collections from the diverse Hermès home universe. Over the course of three weeks in October, the upper floors of the brand’s Singapore flagship store became the backdrop for playful displays that featured the myriad facets of its homeware and furniture collections. Wallpapers were playfully torn asunder, plastering the staircase in artful assemblage, while a table service appeared to be on the cusp of falling off a rotatable disc. Other interactive spaces created a tactile experience for visitors, featuring the snugness of carpets and throws on display, as well as the Cabinet of Curiosities centrepiece—a customisable…