Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2017 i Tatler Homes Singapore

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…

When it comes to crafting a beautiful interior, it’s really all about paying attention to the details—and it takes a trained eye to put it all together. Over the course of delectable canapes and champagne, guests explored the new collections from the Italian furniture brand Meridiani, while picking up useful decorating tips during the styling masterclass conducted by Tan Sze Ling, founder of Topic Design Studio. From a considered mix of colour and texture to the right proportions and placement of each furniture piece and artwork, Tan explained how each of these elements can be paired beautifully to create an interior that’s truly your own. Contemporary art pieces from Singapore International Contemporary Art Society (SICAS) were also exhibited within the showroom, to complete the look of these stylish spaces. DESIGN…

At the time when British interior designer Amanda Clark first moved to Hong Kong in the ’80s, she was stymied by the lack of decor resources. “Very few international brands were available for purchase in Hong Kong back then—it was the pre-internet age and there was no global shopping,” she recalls. The intrepid designer sought to fill that gap by co-founding furnishings purveyor Altfield Interiors, bringing in top US and European brands to Hong Kong, Macau, Shanghai and Beijing. Its Singapore showroom opened earlier this year, carrying an inspired mix of decorative accessories and trimmings, and its extensive range of leading international textile and wallcovering brands. The variety of wallpapers available today has also shaped the ways in which interiors are crafted. “People have realised how the whole atmosphere and…

From inky indigo and fresh periwinkle to rich sapphire shades, interior designer David Collins was known for his deft use of blue and myriad jewel tones. His canny affinity with colour, paired with a sumptuous material mix, created decadent interiors that are at once elegant, glamorous and seemingly timeless. As the designer explained, the key to this cohesiveness stemmed from the appreciation of nature in all of its beautiful splendour. “I would never use or wear a colour that could not be found in nature, having seen the extraordinary richness of nature’s spectrum,” wrote the Irish-born designer in the book ABCDCS: David Collins Studio. True to its title, the design tome covered the signature stylistic features and ethos of his eponymous London-based practice, and was one of his last projects—it…

Form follows function, according to the old adage—but Rossana Hu has a quibble with that. “The functional aspects are less interesting for us,” says the Shanghai-based architect, who runs Neri & Hu Design and Research Office with her partner, Lyndon Neri. That might sound like a surprising admission from someone who designs highly acclaimed—and by all accounts, highly functional—buildings, interiors and products, but Hu elaborates. “Your design must work on a very realistic level,” she says. “But we believe in architecture and design as a powerful cultural force. We believe in the subtext over the obvious and the poetic over the utilitarian.” You can see it in the firm’s studio: a black box with large windows that open out onto the leafy streets of Shanghai’s former French Concession. You can…

When it comes to planning and hosting the perfect fête, Kelly Randall Sia has nailed down the splendid formula. “Make sure the guests are happy, make sure the glasses are full and always make more than enough food,” she says. The avid cook also lives by the maxim of entertaining in style: “You want your dishes to come out looking great—and you want to make an entrance yourself.” Recently, she has begun expanding her eclectic collection of tableware with unique pieces—“kind of an Alice in Wonderland sort of thing”, as she puts it. “If I break a cup from a matching set, I have to replace it. But now I’m thinking of buying unique pieces and pairing all the different patterns together to make the table setting more interesting.” Ahead…

With their bold juxtapositions of colour and luxurious materials, Monaco-based architects Emil Humbert and Christophe Poyet (of Humbert & Poyet) have made quite an impression on the design community over the past decade. Poyet, a Monégasque who splits his time between Monaco and France, has an apartment in Saint-Georges, Paris, which he renovated and designed together with Humbert. Located on the top floor of a stunning Haussmann building, the apartment offers spectacular views over the Parisian rooftops, Montmartre and the Sacré-Coeur. This home is an apt example of the duo’s philosophy of creating “atmospheres atemporelles”—a timeless luxury achieved through the use of refined yet contrasting materials, which creates an ambience where style is not just seen, but felt. RENEWED ELEGANCE The original apartment comprised several separate rooms that were just…

For Wendy Smith and Nishan Weerasinghe, designing and building their own home from scratch proved to be blissfully easy. As a senior designer for Design Intervention, Smith was lucky enough to have all of the necessary resources on hand—but it was the freedom to dictate each and every detail that made the design process such a pleasurable experience. “My previous homes were both conservation houses and those are inevitably fraught with regulations,” she explains, seated in the living room of the couple’s three-storey abode. “But in this instance, I was able to select my favourite architectural and decorative details, and combine them to create something that feels fresh and modern.” DREAM COLLABORATION Smith moved to Singapore from the UK in 1998 and joined Design Intervention in 2004. Her role within…

Set against the stunning natural landscape of Cape Town, the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) is a definitive statement of the growing importance and influence of art. Its mandate is to “collect, preserve, research and exhibit art from Africa and its diaspora”—it’s the first building of its kind in Africa to be devoted solely to contemporary art. Housed in a converted grain silo, the privately funded project was designed by the progressive Heatherwick Studio and exhibits the collection of German businessman Jochen Zeitz. Dubbed Africa’s “Tate Modern”, the museum’s first month saw record-breaking audience numbers, as they flocked to see installations such as Luanda, Encyclopedic City by Angolan artist Edson Chadas, which won the Golden Lion Award at the Venice Biennale in 2013. Guests can also check…

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…

One look at Annica and Marie Eklund, and you may be forgiven for thinking they helm a successful fashion label and not a cutting-edge design company. Most family businesses rely on succession and typically the next generation looks to preserve the legacy through careful, calculated moves. But when the Eklund sisters took control of Bolon in 2003, they decided to follow their instincts and take a sharp curve. With a passion for design and a knack for collaboration and branding, they were able to transform their grandfather’s humble rug company into an international design player focused on woven vinyl flooring. Over lunch at the Four Seasons in Milan, they share how they began and their next steps. “WE INTRODUCED THE THOUGHT OF USING FLOORING AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF DESIGN…

THE BUILDING IS DESIGNED TO RESEMBLE A FORTRESS—TO CREATE A SPACE THAT FEELS CALMING AND SAFE In the depths of Redhill, among the depots, warehouses and garages, lies a sight akin to a real-life Batman’s lair. A Neo-Gothic structure that stands 45 metres high, the twin-towered edifice commands an imposing presence in the neighbourhood, fronted by a handful of handsome vintage cars. To say that it’s eye-catching is definitely an understatement. From inside, Roy Teo emerges, impeccably dressed in a blue-checked suit. Teo is the owner of the building and an eminent personality in Singapore’s design industry—he’s the founder of design consortium The Mill Group, which comprises interior design firms Kri:eit Associates, Splendor, The I.D. Dept and XXII Century. This brand-new building, which just opened in September, is its latest…

BLUE BAR Opened in 2000, this striking bar at The Berkeley hotel covered the existing Lutyens-carved walls in a serene blue—a shade that envelops the interior like a precious jewel box. Crimson accents heighten the sense of drama of this space. BOB BOB RICARD This Russian-style brasserie was inspired by romantic train journeys in the early 20th century. A plush mix of marble, velvet booth seats and ikat-inspired wallpaper decorate the dining spaces; the “Press for Champagne” button at each table adds a playful touch. THE WOLSELEY Housed in a building designed by William Curtis Green in 1921, this former car showroom has been reimagined as a grand cafe and restaurant with old-world charm in spades. The resulting interior is timeless and steeped in European tradition.…

ELEMENTAL BEAUTY Canggu, Indonesia It might be only 20 minutes north of Bali’s teeming, see-and-be-seen Seminyak, but Canggu seems light years away in terms of ambience. The small village between Seminyak and Tanah Lot has quietly emerged in the past few decades—first as a magnet for surfers drawn by the consistent break, and more recently with expats who have moved to escape the throngs and mayhem further south while enjoying the bars, cafes, restaurants and shops that have emerged to sate the burgeoning influx. TAKE IT SLOW To cast The Slow, a newcomer to Canggu’s ever-expanding boho-chic scene, as just a hotel is to do it a huge disservice. This multilayered beachside getaway has cool accommodations, all-day dining and drinks, oodles of art and its own retail outlet. Crafted by…

PORCELAIN PLATE BY ARITA PLUS Inspired by the sight of water bubbling above lava rocks, this porcelain plate features a textural finish that was created with silver glazing. It is perfect for appetisers and petit fours. PORCELAIN PLATE BY ARITA PLUS This piece has been handpainted to resemble the rugged contours of raw porcelain rock. It’s recommended for dishes with modest or no sauce, such as sushi and sashimi. SHOT GLASS BY KIMOTO GLASSWARE Crafted with the Edo kiriko (cut glass) technique, the modern checkerboard design is engraved on a thin layer of coloured glass that forms its exterior.…

A skilful designer is like a conductor of an orchestra, guiding his or her instruments to work together to complement—rather than compete—so that each element enhances the next to create a beautiful concerto. Colour, light, shape, texture, scale and pattern are the instruments of design, but nothing adds depth like pattern to an interior. To many homeowners, mastering the art of combining patterns can be the most daunting of all decorating tricks. Many worry that mixing different patterns together will overpower the room, giving it a busy, messy feel. But patterns and serenity certainly aren’t mutually exclusive. HARMONIOUS HUES Combining patterns doesn’t have to be hard—they don’t always have to match. Like all elements of decorating, they simply have to complement. The easiest way to mix patterns is with colour.…

In a collaboration that spans a distance of almost 10,000 kilometres, Singapore-based The Rug Maker has teamed up with local designer Tiffany Loy to create an intriguing new line of woven rugs, made exclusively in Finland. Launched at Maison et Object 2017 in Paris, the Supertextures collection is inspired by the very materials used to create it. CREATIVE MATCH Since 2004, The Rug Maker has established itself as the local and regional specialist in bespoke rugs, working with properties such as the Shangri-La Hotel and The Sukhothai Residences in Thailand. The family-owned company launched its first retail collection, Into the Rabbit Hole, in 2013. Upon meeting Finnish woven rug producer VM-Carpet at a trade show in 2014, The Rug Maker saw an opportunity to expand beyond their tufted rug offering.…

Inspired by the challenge of transforming their next home, the Ziegler-Münck family wanted to move out of their mansion into something that was distinctly different from their previous abode. “Having lived in historic houses, we were looking for something different,” explain French designer Sandrine Ziegler-Münck and her husband, Hervé. “Our last home was one of a kind—we didn’t want to be able to draw comparisons.” The couple first thought about finding an apartment within a former factory building. By chance, they visited an office complex in the city centre of Mulhouse in eastern France. “We loved the 22-metre-long corridor that opened onto a large room (today, the living room) with a breathtaking cityscape,” they recall. There was also the additional challenge of working around the property’s many load-bearing walls in…

When designing our homes, we often give plenty of attention to the living and dining rooms as well as the kitchen. But bathrooms also have great potential for creating a design statement. Besides crafting a soothing space where you’ll love to linger, your bathroom is an ideal place to experiment with visually captivating materials and finishes. Before working on your bathroom decor scheme, it’s important to start with the spatial planning. “Begin with the layout of your bathroom,” says Larry Lim, the managing partner of local design firm Summerhaus D’Zign. “If you have curved bathroom walls, mosaic is a natural choice. I like to use bigger pieces of stone on the walls as it reduces grout lines, which is not only more aesthetically pleasing, but also easier to clean and…

Think of London and it’s more than likely that landmarks such as the Big Ben and the Buckingham Palace will spring to mind. Now picture living just minutes away from these monuments—while sharing the same postal code as the Queen herself. That’s what the future homeowners of The Broadway can look forward to, thanks to its exclusive address at the heart of Westminster. During the stylish soiree, friends of Singapore Tatler Homes explored the key features and stellar amenities of these luxury residences, while learning about the prospects of property investment in London. Of course, no fashionable soiree is complete without photos. A glamorous set-up from Timothy Oulton formed a truly British backdrop, featuring a rugged sofa bearing the Union Jack graphic as the focal point—just the setting for a…

“THE FURNITURE PIECES FROM FLEXFORM HAVE A QUIET ELEGANCE THAT BECOMES A NATURAL EXTENSION OF THE INTERIOR THAT YOU CREATE” By the time we meet Pietro and Giuliano Galimberti in the Flexform Singapore showroom, the two are already in a convivial mood. During the interview, it seems obvious that they truly enjoy what they do—banter about their work comes easy, with the duo often caught jesting about the family’s democratic ways of working together. “Being a family, it’s not so essential to have each of our job titles listed on our business cards, because we feel part of a whole entity, rather than as a singular element working for the company,” shares Giuliano, while his uncle Pietro begins laughing as he chimes in: “I don’t even have business cards!” Founded…

MARINA BAY RESIDENCES, SINGAPORE The ideal urban pied-à-terre, this abode boasts a debonair style that subtly brings the charm of old-world Singapore into the 21st century. Catering to the vivacious host, the abode places an emphasis on entertaining through large-scale communal spaces and exquisite finishings to create the ultimate city pad. THE NASSIM, SINGAPORE Located at one of Singapore’s most sought-after addresses, this apartment in The Nassim was developed by Kri:eit Associates in partnership with crystal purveyor Lalique. Inspired by the glamorous Art Nouveau and Art Deco movements, all details in this apartment are fully bespoke and feature crystal in abundance. HOLIDAY VILLA IN NICE, FRANCE Completed in just two weeks, this four-bedroom villa features a French country-style decor scheme, inspired by the home’s bucolic setting in Nice. The starting…

From a bold, brightly-hued bungalow to a minimalist chalet, every space has a story to tell. No one knows this better than Design Intervention, who have mastered the art of storytelling through interior design. With a diverse roster of clients and projects that includes luxury resorts and affluent homeowners across Asia and Australia, the Singapore-based design firm specialises in crafting bespoke spaces with stylish aplomb, celebrating each client’s unique personality. LEADING LIGHT Having garnered multiple awards and accolades for its residential and commercial work, Design Intervention is consistently heralded as an industry leader across the region, while its latest accolade reinforces its status as one of the world’s most outstanding design firms. For the fifth year running, Design Intervention has been recognised as one of the world’s top 100 interior…

CREATIVE TEXTURES Create a characterful statement wall with the new Ambiance Desert paint collection by Dulux, which features rugged textures that hark to a sunny day by the beach. The brand’s Ambiance Glitter can also be added to this finish to give your wall a subtle shimmer. To achieve the look, enlist the help of specialised painters, who will apply the paint in an artful criss-cross pattern onto the Ambiance All base coat. duluxambiance.com.sg ON THE FRINGE Add a beautiful edge to your upholstery with trimmings from the Inca collection by Samuel & Sons. Featuring a contemporary take on geometric forms inspired by the Inca, Aztec and Mayan civilisations, it’s crafted with a variety of natural fibres. Highlights include the Mayan border, which features a diamond motif that’s reminiscent of…

After looking at a number of palatial South African houses, a French family of six happened, aptly, upon a Provençal-style home. Not only did it have a European-type layout and the requisite number of living rooms and kitchens, it was near the schools where they planned to enrol their children. And when you’ve got four children at three different schools, proximity is essential. “It was a very big decision,” says the matriarch of the family, of her husband’s resolution to sell his company and transplant their children. “We didn’t want to make a mistake.” In a subsequent whirlwind trip to Cape Town, they met with the builder and the interior designer, and then jetted back to Brussels, where they were living at the time. Apart from one more trip at…

It’s often said that the kitchen is the soul of the home, where meals are crafted and savoured—with the adjoining dining area being as significant, especially for those who love to entertain. The dining table anchors the decor scheme of this communal space, so make sure you pick the piece that works best with your meal habits and entertaining style. According to Tan Sze Ling, design director of Topic Studio, rectangular tables are the most common choice for good reason. “They show the social hierarchy of the crowd, with the host and hostess often at the head of the table, so this shape is good for formal business dinners,” explains Tan. An alternative would be the oval table—similar in style to a rectangular table, it occupies less space visually and…