Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2021 i Tatler Homes Singapore

In its heyday, Japanese guru Marie Kondo’s decluttering method, KonMari, grabbed the attention of homeowners everywhere. Her minimalism-inspired approach was hailed as a “life hack” anyone could achieve, if only they had the willpower. But it had its limitations—a clutter-free space runs the risk of looking lifeless and sterile. Not everyone can live like the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, who was famously content to stay in an almost furniture-free house. That radical extreme is clearly neither ideal or practical. The real goal then is to be decisive about which elements to remove or minimise, while paying heed to the personalised features that make a house a home. A simple colour palette is one way to start. The monochromatic interiors we feature in this issue are beautifully layered spaces with…

Our homes are where we ultimately seek safe harbour. And tucked away within these personal spaces is a private refuge where we can rejuvenate and unwind in complete solitude—the bathroom. The importance of hygiene will continue to be paramount. “Undoubtedly, people are now paying more attention to their personal hygiene due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” says Antoine Besseyre des Horts, who leads the global design team of the Lixil Group, which carries brands such as Grohe and American Standard. “Hygiene and well-being will take precedence; we expect that contactless technology will become more popular. Homes will start seeing more sensor-based technologies, such as automatic toilet lids, shower toilets and touchless faucets.” Besides incorporating these technological advances, bathroom design will continue to become more personalised. “The bathroom is now a secluded…

It had been more than a decade since a family of four moved into this semidetached house. They loved the location but as the children grew up and the family’s lifestyles changed, they thought about looking for a new abode. The couple spoke with their friend Teo Boon Kiat, a director in Ong&Ong’s interior design department, who convinced them that a remodelling of their 4,000sqft home could address their concerns. The couple’s bedroom was formerly in the attic, but they no longer wanted to climb up two-and-a-half storeys several times a day to reach it. They also wanted to be closer to their children, whose bedrooms are located on the second floor. Teo took these factors into consideration, and improved not only the house’s functionality, but also updated it with…

With their family now spending more time together at home, it was timely for a couple to give their underutilised rooftop areas a new look. The owners also wanted to enclose the exterior area so that these spaces could be air-conditioned when needed on humid days. Inspired by the requirements of this ongoing project, local firm Topic Design Studio proposed a tea pavilion concept to create a tranquil respite on the attic level. Comprising a tea room, an office for the husband as well as a study for the kids, the rooftop is now designed for work and play. “We envisioned the area as an indoor-outdoor environment that’s almost like a resort in home,” says Tan Sze Ling, founder of Topic Design Studio. “Rather than being cooped up in a…

Gabriel Tan’s interior designs feature a marked international flavour—the result of his product-design training and a career that has taken him across continents. The Singapore-born designer has created furniture collections for brands such as Blå Station, Design Within Reach and The Conran Shop; he is also the creative director of local firm Turn Handles and Japanese furniture brand Ariake. Tan’s design language draws from both historical references and a certain pragmatism. His ability to translate them across disciplines can be witnessed in his increasing portfolio of interior works, which he conceives under his studio, Antimatter. His astute knowledge of craft techniques and materials is apparent in the high level of precision and detailing. While he moved to Porto, Portugal, last year to oversee Origin—a craft brand he founded to work…

“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works,” declared Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple. The tech visionary had a great love of design and his modernist childhood home sparked his desire to create sleek, human-centric and intuitive products for everyone. This emphasis on the multifaceted elements of good design is similarly celebrated by the Tatler Design Awards (TDA). Now into its fifth edition, the awards ceremony lauds creative concepts as well as functionality and practicality, honouring the most innovative residential and commercial projects recently completed in Singapore. This year, the winners of the 2021 edition will be presented via a livestream on 8 April. The ten projects featured on the following pages represent the boldest visions and best execution, as realised by…

PAPER CHASE Italian ceramicist Paola Paronetto specialises in delicate, slender vases crafted with a mix of paper pulp and clay. Featuring textured facets and modern forms loosely inspired by the parts of a flower, these handmade objects reference their botanical influences with bright colours, and are designed to be displayed in groups to form an expressive composition inspired by the beauty of nature. Available from paola-paronetto.com RAW BEAUTY Entitled Small Things, this series by Dawn Ng features handmade items that are sculpted by the local artist using a mixture of mulched paper, cotton fibres, glue, acrylic pigments and gypsum. As part of Ng’s ongoing experiments with colour, form and materiality, these objects sport organic shapes and raw edges, each featuring a kaleidoscopic colour scheme. A second edition of this collection…

With their playful demeanour and adorable quirks, our pets have been close companions since time immemorial. But ask any pet owner, and chances are, you’ll hear stories of precious furniture being chewed on or scratched by their furry roommates. As our four-legged friends are essentially part of the family, there’s good reason to consider home design ideas that can better accommodate their living habits and needs. A pet-friendly haven starts with the right choice of furniture, made with materials that can withstand wear and tear. MATERIAL WORLD According to Jeremy Tay, director of Prestige Global Designs, corduroy, velvet and other delicate materials should be avoided. He suggests dark leather and smooth synthetics to facilitate the removal of fur, and to pick upholstery textiles that are stain-resistant and water-repellent so spills…

Flowers have long been a language of expression. Whether it’s a rose for romance or cherry blossoms to mark the start of spring, one can communicate the mood of an occasion with the right selection of blooms. Similarly, you can elevate a space with a stylish floral arrangement at home. The first step? Try crafting your design around distinctive species. Melissa Wang, creative and production head of floral studio, Wonderland Botanicals, advises beginners to start by narrowing their focus to tropical flowers such as the popular anthuriums or birds of paradise. Pair their vibrant colours and unique shapes with ferns or monstera leaves to create a simple but striking arrangement. Such exotic varieties are also trendy options for bolder arrangements. Natalie Seng, e-commerce and marketing manager of botanical design studio…

Award-winning designer Lee Broom has always thought outside the box. Whether it’s presenting a collection from the back of a delivery van in Milan, filling an underground car park with over a hundred of his lights in Sydney, or making a movie featuring an orchestra to launch his Maestro chairs at last year’s London Design Festival, his past shows are known for their theatrical touches. That creativity certainly came in handy recently, as pandemic restrictions forced the British designer to complete his penthouse in New York from the other side of the Atlantic. “I thought it would be impossible to do,” recalls Broom via Zoom from his converted fire-station home in London. “Then you’re put in this kind of situation where you have no choice, you just have to work…

If you get the chance to visit Sabina Villa, Ibiza’s first eco-inspired private estate and clubhouse, it’s likely you’ll be swept away by the island’s white sand beaches, sun-dappled waters and verdant landscapes. When Sabina Estates founder Anton Bilton reached out to acclaimed British designer Tara Bernerd for the opportunity to design a turnkey six-bedroom villa within the development, she agreed almost instantly. “It was something of a personal dream to design a home in Ibiza, so I jumped at the chance,” she says. “I have been friends with Anton for many years, so it was a particular pleasure when he came to my office to discuss his vision for the project.” Located a mere 500m from the Balearic Sea, the villa was the first of thirteen launched in 2020,…

Working on this three-storey residence in Bukit Timah was a dream come true for E&A Interiors founder Chlöe Elkerton. The designer was tasked to put together an elegant yet comfortable abode that incorporated its Australian owners’ personal collection of Aboriginal art pieces. Drawing on her extensive experience with upholstery textiles, Elkerton accentuated the clients’ collection of Polly Ngale artwork with complementary furnishings and finishes, creating a layered look for the abode. This 5,000sqft home also features Asian elements and vintage pieces throughout. “Bold and beautiful fabric choices, and playing with different scales and patterns deliver a unique edge to this home,” she says. BASIC INSTINCT The design firm turned to one of the family’s largest artworks as the focal point of the living room. The painting’s cerulean hues pop against…

WORK SMART Designed by Andreas Krob in collaboration with engineer Joachim Brüske, the Cynara chair combines a sense of lightness with an ergonomic form. Produced by office furniture manufacturer Okamura, this task chair references the graceful arc of the yumi, a traditional archery bow used by ancient warriors in Japan. The curved frame is a flexible structure designed to support your spine for optimal comfort. The chair also offers an adjustable seat height and the brand’s proprietary ankle-tilt recline, which moves the back and seat simultaneously when needed. Available from Okamura; okamura.com.sg GOING ASTRAL Taking inspiration from the heavens, the 089 Eliomoon floor lamp from Cassina features glass-blown spheres meant to resemble celestial bodies. The lamps are supported by a sleek metal base, painted in black for a minimalist look.…

Calming, simple and timeless—these words are frequently associated with Japanese design. It’s no wonder it continues to hold sway in the interior realm, drawing admiration from architects, designers and homeowners alike. “The Japanese design language is unique in that it celebrates the negative space, shadows and imperfections,” shares Dennis Cheok, creative director of Upstairs_. “These are rare traits in an industry that is obsessed with perfection and building fast, and I think it can have a very profound influence on the way we envision our projects.” Cheok was the lead designer of The Ryokan Modern, an apartment filled with Japanese influences. The project received the Best Living Room accolade at the Tatler Design Awards 2020 and was celebrated for being a beautiful tribute to Japanese culture. “When designing with a…

Since its inception in 2004, Design Intervention has crafted stunning homes with soulful interiors. Led by founder Nikki Hunt and Co-CEO Andrea Savage, the multi-award-winning firm’s services range from architecture and interior design to product design; the studio often creates custom-made furniture for its clients. Having worked on residential and commercial projects in Singapore and abroad, the local practice has been honoured with numerous accolades, yet it still considers its biggest accomplishment the ability to put “a smile on the faces of clients” after the completion of each project. “We believe that design, like nutrition and fitness, is an essential tool for better living,” says Hunt. “At Design Intervention, we employ the transformative power of design to affect mood, influence behaviour and improve our well-being.” Savage concurs: “Our unique approach…

“My intention was for the entire home to feel like a cloud when you step into it,” says interior designer Rebecca James and the founder of her eponymous studio. Indeed, looking at the 4,000sqft duplex apartment in its present state, it’s hard to imagine that this enchanting abode was once a dark and cluttered office. Left untouched for over two decades, it has a narrow, elongated layout, with a pitched roof vaguely reminiscent of Parisian-style Haussmann apartments. Instead of seeing these features as design limitations, the studio cleverly used these French cadences as a source of inspiration. “Our vision was to create a contemporary Parisian-style apartment with reined-back luxury, layered with textures all working together in harmony,” says James. “Our clients tasked us with designing a family apartment with a…

While minimalism continues to resonate, there has also been an increase in the number of people looking to inject more colour and texture into their otherwise streamlined interiors. These days, homeowners are becoming more adventurous with colour and material selection. Case in point: this family’s four-bedroom apartment in Singapore. Designed and renovated by The Scientist in three months, it has a clean white palette punctuated by delightful accents. INNER LIGHT The 2,820sqft apartment has an abundance of windows that bring in plenty of natural light and offers a panoramic view of the city. Principal designer Alvin Ling and his team aimed to create a “castle in the sky”, taking advantage of the ample illumination to highlight various elements. The owners also enjoy hosting friends and family at home, so spacious…

A Arova 7 Mandai Link #04-03 Mandai Connection Tel: 6363 1661 arova.com.sg Astro Lighting 16 Raffles Quay #10-00 Hong Leong Building astrolighting.com B Barovier & Toso 1 Nassim Road #01-06 Tel: 6735 0808 barovier.com Bathroom Gallery by Wan Tai & Co 25 Changi South Avenue 2 Tel: 6546 5900 bathroomgallery.com.sg C Cetec 36 Armenian Street #02-05 Tel: 6634 5998 cetec.com.hk Charlotte Puxley 315 Outram Road #08-07 Tan Boon Liat Building Tel: 8182 1164 charlottepuxleyflowers.com Cosentino 34/35 Duxton Road Cosentino City Centre Singapore Tel: 6713 9543 cosentino.com D Danish Design Co 100E Pasir Panjang Road #06-03 Century Warehouse Tel: 6270 8483 danishdesignco.com.sg Da Vinci Lifestyle 100 Orchard Road #01-01 Concorde Hotel Tel: 6468 6333 davincilifestyle.com De Dietrich 65 Ubi Road 1 #02-70 Oxley Bizhub Tel: 6508 4639 de-dietrich.com Diptyque 391 Orchard…