Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2025 i Tatler Homes Singapore

At this year’s Singapore Mental Health Conference, I shared a surprising idea: your home may be just as important to resilience as diet, sleep, or exercise. More than 90 per cent of our lives are spent indoors, yet most wellness advice overlooks the role of our surroundings in supporting our well-being. Neuroaesthetics, the science of how environments affect the brain, reveals that our homes are not neutral. We may think we are modern, but our biology hasn’t changed in 50,000 years. We are still wired for the forests and skies our ancestors knew. Yet today we live in rectilinear boxes of artificial light, still air, and constant digital noise. They may look sleek and feel comfortable, but to our ancient biology, they are unfamiliar terrain. Nature is dynamic and irregular—there…

Collaboration has become one of the defining forces in Singapore’s design scene. Designers partner with architects, architects draw on the expertise of carpentry specialists, and lighting brands join forces with landscape designers. Each partnership brings new lessons in materiality and craftsmanship, fosters growth through dialogue, inspires fresh ideas, and results in projects that are built on mutual trust and appreciation. We chatted with the people behind some of the most renowned practices—Armo Design Studio, Quarters Architects, Mosh Interior and SuMisura, as well as 4Plus8, Sol Luminaire, Soilboy and Minotti—to learn how they first began working together, what their collaborations entail, and how they imagine their shared futures. FIRST STEPS More often than not, collaboration begins with a recognition of talent. “We immediately recognised the potential in the carpentry work, particularly…

The townhouse in London had all the right bones—extraordinary ceiling heights from its days as an artist’s studio, windows that flooded the space with natural light. But when Kelly Hoppen first walked through, black dominated everything: black joinery, black metalwork, a black lacquer coffered ceiling in the entrance hall that seemed to swallow the light whole. “The property itself was in great condition, but the interiors felt heavy, with black joinery and metalwork dominating the space,” says Hoppen, the interior designer whose four decades in the industry have made her globally recognised for neutral palettes and clean lines. Her clients wanted something lighter, something that would let the building breathe. BRIGHTNESS OVER SHADOW Hoppen started with paint, the simplest transformation that would yield the greatest change. Little Greene’s Slaked Lime…

Steered by its credo of “Bespoke Solutions, Novelty Designs”, boutique interior practice Summerhaus D’zign’s calling card is classic, aesthetically pleasing spaces that incorporate smart functionalities, underpinned by a truly bespoke footing. This elegant apartment in Leedon Green, a condominium development in Singapore’s District 10, is an ideal case in point of the firm’s creative output, with beautifully realised and thoughtful tableaus that bear the unique identities of its inhabitants. The abode’s light spaces are refreshing and sophisticated, and the modern, neutral palette plays up the use of materials and furnishings in an impactful fashion. SETTING THE TONE The client desired a design scheme that was “minimalistic in nature, but with a touch of classical elements”, reveals Jenno Misa, partner at Summerhaus D’zign. The homeowner also requested that the spaces should…

“From the very first meeting, it was clear that this home was never meant to be just beautiful,” says Suzanne Ong, looking back on her latest project. “It was meant to be meaningful.” The senior creative at LA Design Studio took charge of transforming this terrace house in the east of Singapore in 2024. It was a daunting task given the home’s extensive footprint, which spans over 6,200 sq ft across four levels, including seven bedrooms. The clients—a thoughtful, design-conscious couple with a pair of spirited two-year-old twins—approached the firm seeking a new spatial concept and emotional language to reflect their dynamic lifestyle. “Their previous design direction had fallen short of capturing this,” Ong shares. “When the homeowners reached out, they were looking for more than solutions—they were looking for…

When refurbishing a home located in a picturesque seafront setting, framing the enviable views with a complementary design scheme is a given. Such was the case with this apartment, perched on the 28th floor of Reflections at Keppel Bay; the owners wanted a functional, easy-to-maintain home that also preserves and highlights the sweeping vistas. Its occupants, a couple in their mid-50s, appointed Cube Associate Design to conceptualise a stylish, liveable abode suited to their future retirement. The husband is a pilot with an eye for design, while the wife works from home. Sarah Tham, design director of Cube Associate Design, led her team in giving the unit a thoughtful layout, plenty of storage space, and finishes suited to comfort, elegance and long-term practicality. “The clients were moving from a three-storey…

Colour has long been a defining element in interior design, yet for much of recent history it was pared back or excluded from the bathroom. Today, however, colour is making a confident return—and at the forefront of this revival is Villeroy & Boch. In 2025, it takes on a deeper, more personal resonance: as our homes increasingly serve as sanctuaries from the fast pace of modern life, colour becomes a tool for emotional balance, well-being and self-expression. Recognising this shift, Villeroy & Boch expands its acclaimed Artis collection of surface-mounted washbasins with a new palette of solid, matte finishes developed by German designer Gesa Hansen. Lush yet grounding, these hues transform the bathroom into a retreat that nurtures both style and serenity. The matte finish intensifies this effect, absorbing light…

“The first time I visited the Hakone site was a day in late summer a few years ago. The leaves were dense but after a few steps, I reached a clearing where I was surrounded by nature and a beautiful sky. It was calm and quiet, and I felt very comfortable,” says Kazuyo Sejima. “I hope guests can experience this nature when they visit SSH No.04.” The Japanese architect who runs her eponymous firm, Kazuyo Sejima & Associates (KSA), as well as SANAA (Sejima and Nishizawa and Associates) with business partner Ryue Nishizawa, was describing her observations of the first time she visited the plot for Shishi-Iwa House (SSH) No.04. The 18-room retreat, slated to open in 2027, is located in Hakone National Park on the outskirts of Tokyo. It…

Caroline Lim is many things. An illustrator, author, seasoned HR professional and art collector with a distinct fashion sense and homes to match, readers of Tatler Homes knew her by her previous abode in central Singapore, renovated by Edmund Ng, whom she met through her best friend Jazz Chong, gallerist and Ng’s wife. That residence featured a black, white and red colour palette, with singular details like a living room in the attic and, of course, artworks tastefully showcased throughout. It graced the cover of Tatler Homes Singapore in 2022 and was crowned the Best Use of Art winner at the following year’s Tatler Homes Design Awards. Lim recently moved to a new house, designed again by Ng, along with her expansive art collection and her journalist husband Andrew Webster’s…

Artificial intelligence and digital technology increasingly dominate daily life and shape our cities. Amid such alienation, Kengo Kuma believes there is a growing need to reconnect with nature. “These urban, artificial spaces may be stressful for working individuals, as they are very unnatural for humanity,” he observes. “Walking in natural spaces is becoming rare in big cities, as these intimate places disappear, and the human need for natural experiences intensifies.” Kuma’s response is Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown, a 410-room hotel resembling a forest walk. It offers a vision for urban hospitality that honours local traditions while creating spaces for connection and eliciting a sense of wonder. “Malaysia is undergoing urbanisation, and its technology has reached a cutting-edge level,” he says at the hotel’s official launch in August.…

Pondok Indah, an upscale residential area in South Jakarta, is known for its tree-lined streets, gated compounds and the ever-expanding Pondok Indah Malls. In this enclave, a new residence by Willis Kusuma Architects stands out curiously thanks to the playful sculpture perched on its modernist façade, which is articulated with concrete and timber, and softened with a biophilic touch by way of planters of swaying grass. It was commissioned by a business-owner couple, who share the house with their four children—two boys and two girls, ranging from teenagers to young adults—and their domestic staff. The husband was a returning client already familiar with Willis Kusuma’s work, having previously engaged the architect to design his restaurant. “The couple knew our approach from earlier commercial projects,” says Kusuma, the founder of his…

The transformation of this 4,059 sq ft four-bedroom semi-detached house in Serangoon Garden was undertaken by Mr Shopper Studio and completed in June 2025, following a six-month renovation. The homeowners had sought interiors that project warmth while maintaining a poised balance of modern elegance and comfort. Responding to the spatial constraints of the site, the studio devised a precise plan to optimise functionality. To the owners, accustomed to larger quarters, the design allowed familiar pieces of furniture to remain integral, adding character and resonance. Their extensive art collection, gathered over years of travel, was also carefully placed to enhance the renewed interiors rather than overwhelm them. WARMLY BOLD A home often mirrors the spirit of its occupants. Here, the design introduces fluid circulation, abundant daylight and a series of warm,…

Tucked away in a cul-de-sac in Bukit Timah, this semi-detached property makes an emphatic initial impression with its cuboid, almost brutalist form. An amalgamation of seemingly disparate materials comprising concrete, glass and timber, among others, makes up its exterior, yet this merry medley is surprisingly effective in its execution. Vertical fins fulfil aesthetic and functional requirements, creating a unique visual appeal while facilitating natural illumination, ventilation and protection from the elements. The three-level structure incorporates the requisite common zones such as living and dining areas, along with a pool, six bedrooms, a powder room, a gym, an entertainment area, a TV room and a breezy outdoor terrace. As with its impressive facade, the 5,500 sq ft abode makes an equally impactful statement on the inside, with open spaces, calming hues…

The story of Clover Villas began with a partnership between developer Khoon Development and the original landowners of a kampong plot in Lorong 108 Changi. What emerged was a quartet of terrace houses, each distinct yet tied to the land’s history. The original kampong dwelling had weathered zinc roofs, timber columns and simple partitions—elements that spoke of its modest past, but were showing their age. House 16, designed by Create Architecture, exemplifies the ethos of the project: a tropical sanctuary that balances privacy with communal living while preserving cultural memory. Completed in 2025 after two years of construction, the 7,700 sq ft home incorporates five ensuite bedrooms, a study, a rooftop terrace, and multiple communal spaces. “We were tasked to weave legacy into contemporary living,” explains lead architect Tan Bing…

TIDY TETRIS Made from 100 per cent recycled plastic, Hay’s collapsible crates are strong enough to withstand daily wear and can be recycled again. The stackable crates are available in nearly every colour to suit your interiors, and the perforated design lets you peer at their contents easily. Add wheels to the bottom of the crates and top them off with a lid to create a bedside table. hay.com SAVE THE BEES Dior pays homage to the bee, a symbol integral to the House’s history and a reflection of the fragile ecosystem, by launching a collection of upcycled creations. These wonderful finds in the Bee Dior collection are elevated with familiar elements such as bag handles, leather-fringed fabrics, as well as buttons and chains to bring forth one-of-a-kind objects of…

ATELIER V&A Hidden within an industrial complex in Kaki Bukit, Atelier V&A defies its modest entrance and lift lobby to reveal a soaring, gallery-like space. Founded by Singaporean designer Venetia Gu and Australian-Dutch stylist Aisha Hillary-Morgan, the atelier is both showroom and working studio—a rarity in Singapore. Within its double-height workshop, master artisans craft bespoke furniture under the Atelier One line, while the Vanda collection reimagines florals as sculptural arrangements. Infused with playfulness and bursts of personality, the duo also breathe new life into clients’ existing pieces, transforming even broken items into design treasures. Here, craftsmanship becomes theatre, and design is felt as much as it is seen. ateliervanda.com NATHAN HOME Set in a historical building near Seletar Airport, Nathan Home offers an intimate and deeply personal showroom experience. A…

August may have come and gone, but we are still celebrating the double milestones of SG60 as well as the 20th anniversary of Tatler Homes Singapore. To mark this shared anniversary, we are publishing a trilogy of features that examines what makes Singapore design distinctive. For this instalment, we posed a deceptively simple question to 20 designers, architects and makers: “What’s a gesture, material, or way of working in your practice that feels distinctly Singaporean?” Not in grand national statements, but in the details, instincts and habits that shape how we design, make and live. The responses, diverse and thoughtful, reveal a design culture that is at once pragmatic and poetic, practical and inventive, deeply rooted in heritage, yet porous to the world. Read together, they paint a picture of…

As architecture director at Studio MK27, one of Brazil’s most influential residential design firms, Renata Furlanetto has helped shape projects that span continents, from the sun-washed villas of Patina Maldives to immersive pavilions at world expos. Graduating from FAU-Mackenzie in 1997, with further studies at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya in Barcelona, she has been recognised with awards such as the Europandom and the IAB Young Architects Award. Since joining Studio MK27 in 2001, she has overseen landmark works including Ramp House and the Brazil Pavilion for World Expo Osaka, while leading the team on more than 15 competition projects. Her trajectory reflects Studio MK27’s Brazilian modernist legacy, refined through contemporary precision and sensitivity. “Home is where the people you love are,” she says simply. In an age obsessed with…

“From my old bedroom, I could see it. It’s always been there; it predates the previous house” There are few things that can make a person feel awestruck such that a few minutes of silence is necessary for quiet admiration. One is being in a grand cathedral or some other similarly towering space or glorious edifice. In my case, I am standing at the base of a rain tree so fetching and commanding in presence that I long to linger a little more. The tree stands at a far corner of a Good Class Bungalow whose owner knows more than a thing or two about building in and with nature. Ho Kwon Cjan is the senior vice-president and group chief architect of Banyan Tree Holdings. A recipient of the Singapore…

“I believe that light is the most important part of architecture. Without light, there is no space,” declared prominent Japanese architect Tadao Ando once. Amid the bustling surrounds of Newton Road in central Singapore stands a five-bedroom apartment that personifies this mantra, with its thoughtful use of illumination playing a decorative and practical role in defining what is an eminently atmospheric and liveable abode. Located in the Newton One condominium development, the 2,411 sq ft home’s occupants comprise a couple and their two young sons, their pet dog, and two helpers. They approached Parenthesis Studio to undertake a full overhaul of their abode, with a view to creating an elegant, inviting haven for their multigenerational family. “The makeover had to balance the owners’ idea of the home as a safe…

Perched in the heart of Singapore’s most vibrant shopping district, this apartment designed by SuMisura is defined by serene grace, discreet opulence and fine detailing. While the residence enjoys panoramic views of Orchard Road’s bustling energy, its interiors tell an entirely different story: one of tranquillity and quiet sophistication. PERSONAL TOUCH To Angela Lim, co‑founder of luxury interior design studio SuMisura, the guiding concept was to transform the home into an abode that balances richness with warmth. The result is a dwelling that feels generous yet practical, a retreat that mirrors the individuality of its owners while echoing SuMisura’s distinctive design language. “Our design ethos at SuMisura focuses on crafting homes that are deeply personal and highly considered, tailored to each client’s needs while maintaining a stylish subtlety,” shares Lim.…

Nestled in the exclusive Upper Bukit Timah enclave is a 5,380 sq ft semi-detached house aptly named The Geometria. Geometrical elements are present throughout various spaces, a poetically inspired design principle underpinning the project. K2SD Group’s principal architect Kelly Kawahara Cheah and project director Tommy Yeo executed an overhaul with full interior design, furnishings and furniture. The homeowner, a successful entrepreneur, simply requested that the final design boldly create a lasting impression. At K2SD Group, all projects come to life with a unique poetic flourish, personally penned by Cheah. The “Geometria poem” revealed her intention of embodying boldness through geometry: “Sublime dialogue of geometry with space. Circle, trapezium, and planar silhouettes entwine. Weaving from outside to within, to the soul of the space. Echoing the spirit of the dweller, bold,…