Home & Decor - July 2014

www.homeanddecor.com.sg
S
$
6
.
0
0
JULY 2014
Decor ideas direct from Milan & Bangkok Decor ideas direct from Milan & Bangkok
qlobul de-iqn
in-pirution
qlobul de-iqn
in-pirution
Renovating a
small space?
All the Dos
and Don’ts
page 90
New kitchen
trend:
6mm-thin
countertops
Philippine
property
hotspots
$25,000
giveaway
inside!
pg 170
NEW
LOOK!
8
HOT S E AT –
MA S T E R S C HA I R
Philippe Starck’s Masters
Chair for Kartell is
a stylistic homage of
sorts to iconic designers.
P E O P L E –
C A R LO S & PAT R I C I A
S A N T O S O F F R A T O
Portuguese furniture brand Frato
may be relatively new, but it is
already gaining a global presence.
P E O P L E –
G R E G O R Y P E P I N
American-born Gregory Pepin
pursues his passion for sterling
silver designs at Georg Jensen.




WI L D WO R L D
Check out the zany world
of designer Philippe Starck
in the newly refurbished
J Plus Hotel.
MY AWE S O ME C A F E
First built in 1956 as a Chinese
clinic, this conserved shophouse
is now home to a cafe stop that
draws its decor inspiration from
the site’s heritage.
B I G I D E A
Skip the hassle of installing
shelving and try this for
a stylish store-and-display
idea at home.
T R E ND –
R O MA NT I C I S I NG
T HE E MP I R E
Home furnishings that hark back to
our colonial past are re-appearing.
P E O P L E –
L I M Z HI WE I
Also known as Love Limzy, this
25-year old artist uses fresh
flower petals, leaves and cereal
in her work.




A R T –
G I L L MA N B A R R A C K S
We take a walk around the area,
where the galleries are happy to
share their knowledge of art.

N0\
T h e L a t e s t i n De s i g n a n d De c o r Ne ws
tHEtK
0lT
C O N T E N T S
¡6
6:
R I OT O F C O LO UR
Are you bold enough to
meddle with the colour wheel?
Throw in every colour under
the sun for a wild mix.
S I LV E R L I NI NG
More than just reflective, these
mirrors add drama to and play up
the glamour of your space.
G O L D R US H
Softened by the purity of white,
the intensity of gold mellows
into a soft shimmer.
S MA L L S PA C E S –
S PA C E C HA NG E R
These HDB flats show you
three ways to turn a small
space into a spacious abode.
PA R T T HA I ,
PA R T G LO B A L
We bring you the best of
what caught our eye at
the Bangkok International
Gift Fair and Bangkok
International Houseware
Fair 2014.
S MA L L S PA C E S –
1 0 T HI NG S NOT T O
D O WHE N Y O U HAV E
A S MA L L S PA C E
Avoid these common mistakes
and create a spacious
environment in your
Lilliputian living space.
,6
;¡
,c
8:
I N T HE Z O NE
During Milan Design Week,
the city truly lives and breathes
design for one exciting week.
We bring you the highlights.
FOCUS
HOT S HE E T S
Revamping your bedroom could
be as easy as buying new bed
linen. Take your pick from the
latest designs available.
,8
FAB FINDS
66
INSPIRATION
FEATURE
MA D E T O O R D E R
We seek out furniture, fixtures
and accessories that you
wouldn’t have thought
were customisable!
1c:
K I T C HE N –
WHAT ’ S C O O K I NG
We present the latest kitchen
design trends from this year’s
Eurocucina in Milan.
1¡6
8¡
6;
C O N T E N T S
12
t0\ER
H0¾E
LO F T Y D R E A MS
Moving from a landed home
to an apartment gave this
expatriate family the New York-
style loft they wanted – and
brought them closer together.
S T Y L E S TAT I O N
The owner of this stunning
apartment in London’s iconic
St Pancras building, home to
the historic St Pancras train
station, pulled out all the stops
in dressing up his pad.
L I V I NG A MO NG
HI S T O R Y
This conservation unit in Tiong
Bahru is home to a couple who
wanted to bring the essence
of its historical yet trendy
surroundings, indoors.
S MA L L S PA C E ,
B I G C O MF O R T
Making minimal changes to
the unit, these designers deftly
demonstrate five ways they
made a small space work
harder for a large family.
F I T F O R A C HE F
The playground of a truly
passionate home-chef and
foodie, this apartment features
heavyweight kitchen equipment
that rivals the line-up of any
professional kitchen.

photography VERONICA TAY styling NONIE CHEN

H0¾ES
C O N T E N T S
14
E D I T O R ’ S NO T E
H&D . C O M. S G
H & D I NS T A G R A M
K I T C HE N
E C O WA R R I O R
E X P E R T S S A Y
F I X I T
I N S T O R E
P R O J E C T S HO WC A S E
B UY I NG G UI D E
WHE R E T O B UY
P R O P E R T Y
Manila has outranked Singapore
and Sydney in a survey on top
real-estate investment markets
in the Asia Pacific. Should you
consider buying property in
the Philippines?
WI N!
T OV O LO K I T C HE N
A C C E S S O R I E S
WO R T H $ 1 0 , 0 0 0 !
Create your own Home & Decor
cover and win Tovolo kitchen
accessories worth $10,000!
S UB S C R I B E A ND WI N
OV E R $ 1 5 , 0 0 0
WO R T H O F G I F T S !
Celebrate our new look with
special subscription deals and be
rewarded. Enjoy up to 20 per cent
savings, get your free digital edition
and stand to win fabulous gifts
worth over $15,000!
For the l atest desi gn and decor news
and i nformati on, f i nd us on Facebook.
See what the team is up to and get daily updates on what’s
new on www.homeanddecor.com.sg on our Facebook page.
Download our di gi tal edi ti on!
Get Home & Decor on your mobile devices and enjoy
enhanced and excusive content such as videos, photo
galleries and more! Download your copy or subscribe
at www.homeanddecor.com.sg/magazine.
PROMOTIONS



REGULARS
C O N T E N T S
16
Group Editor-In-Chief
Caroline Ngui
([email protected])
Group Editor
Raymond Goh
([email protected])
E D I T O R I A L
Editor
Rebeckka Wong
([email protected])
Writers
Mavis Ang
([email protected])
Louisa Clare Lim
([email protected])
Amanda Jayne Lee
([email protected])
Online Writer
Evangeline Leong
([email protected])
Sub-Editor
Hannah Ooi
([email protected])
Editorial Support
Senior Manager,
Administration
& Editorial Support Unit
Juliana Chong
([email protected])
Manager
Alice Han
([email protected])
Editorial Coordinator
Yolanda Zhuang
([email protected])
R E G I O N A L
E D I T I O N S
Home & Decor Indonesia
Pt Kingpin Media
Jl. Hang Tuah II,
No. 2 Kebayoran Baru,
Jakarta 12120, Indonesia
Tel: (62 21) 2555-4450,
Fax: (62 21) 2555-4452,
E-mail: [email protected]
Editor-In-Chief
Ferry Tanok
Ad Sales Enquiries
Edwin Arofah
E-mail: [email protected]
Home & Decor Malaysia
Bluinc Media Sdn Bhd
Lot 7, Jalan Bersatu 13/4,
Section 13, 46200 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Tel: (603) 5569-6800,
Fax: (603) 5569-6810,
E-mail: [email protected]
Editor
Elaine Dong
Ad Sales Enquiries
Michelle Yow
E-mail: [email protected]
C R E AT I V E
Creative Director
Maureen Cheng
([email protected])
Senior Art Director
Nonie Chen
([email protected])
Senior Graphic Designer
Yew Xin Yi
([email protected])
Graphic Designers
Kaffy Tan
([email protected])
Lim Yi Ling
([email protected])
P HO T O G R A P HY
Chief Photographer
Veronica Tay
([email protected])
Executive Photographers
Frenchescar Lim
([email protected])
Tan Wei Te
([email protected])
Photographers
Darren Chang
([email protected])
Jasper Yu
([email protected])
Vee Chin
([email protected])
Vernon Wong
([email protected])
Winston Chuang
([email protected])
Wong Wei Liang
([email protected])
Zaphs Zhang
([email protected])
Photography Assistant
Angela Guo
Senior Photo Administrator
Coco Pang
([email protected])
l!s Simply Execu!ivel
18
P U B L I S HI N G
S E R V I C E S
Team Head
Alice Chee
([email protected])
Team Lead
Lisa Yong
([email protected])
Executive
Alicia Cheong
([email protected])
Chief Executive Officer
Loh Yew Seng
([email protected])
Business Development &
International Licensing
Director
Foong Seong Khong
([email protected])
Publishing Services Director
Leong Tscheng Yee
([email protected])
Corporate Communications
Head
Chin Soo Fang
([email protected])
Senior Human
Resources Manager
Irene Lee
([email protected])
Home & Decor is published by
SPH Magazines Pte Ltd,
82 Genting Lane, Media Centre,
Level 7, Singapore 349567,
Tel: 6319-6319, Fax: 6319-6345,
E-mail: [email protected].
Ad Sales enquiries, tel: 6319-6326.
Distributed by Circulation
Department, Singapore Press
Holdings Ltd. Printed by KHL Printing
Co Pte Ltd, Singapore registration
no.: 197801823M.
SPH Magazines registration no:
196900476M MCI (P) 042/03/2014
All rights reserved. No part of this
publication may be reproduced
in any form or by any means
without the written permission
of the publisher. The views and
opinions expressed or implied in
Home & Decor are those of the
authors or contributors and
do not necessarily reflect those
of the publisher.
Call 6388-3838 for back issues,
e-mail: [email protected].
Subscription hotline:
6388-3838 or subscribe online:
www.homeanddecor.com.sg.
Managing Director
Dennis Pua
([email protected])
General Manager
Pang Lee Cheng
([email protected])
A DV E R T I S I N G
S A L E S
Director
Annie Tan
([email protected])
Group Account Manager
Jason Foo
([email protected])
Account Manager
Eilleen Tan
([email protected])
Assistant Account Manager,
New Media
Chia Lai San
([email protected])
MA R K E T I N G
Team Head
Vicky Yong
([email protected])
Team Lead
Serene Ong
([email protected])
Senior Executive
Agnes Tan
([email protected])
REBECKKA WONG
EDITOR
When we embarked on this revamp, we had
only one person in mind – you, the reader.
It has been a couple of years since Home &
Decor was redesigned and, while we always try
to better ourselves with each issue, it was time
to pause, take a step back and refine.
From this edition onwards, you will find
brighter, fresher pages with cleaner layouts,
with information presented in a clearer,
snappier format without losing the depth and
breadth of the content you need.
We now have a regular page on art
(page 42) and an improved Now section
in front which brings you the latest design,
shopping and product news in a more fluid
and exciting format. We have also enhanced
our homes section so you get to the heart
of the story, quicker.
For our feature on small spaces, find out
what you shouldn’t do with a small space
(page 96), and discover how the humble
i t ' - u l l u b o u t y o u
three-room flat can be cleverly reconfigured
for more spacious living in Space Changer
(page 90). Our three-part special on foreign
property also concludes with a look at buying
real estate in the Philippines (page 156).
As I mentioned, it’s all about you,
the reader – so let us know what you think
about our makeover by e-mailing me at
[email protected], or sending us a message
through our Facebook page (www.facebook.
com/HomeandDecor.Singapore). We would love
to hear from you!
T|ere' - nore!
The change in the way we deliver information
doesn’t stop with our print edition. From now
on, you can expect more enhanced content on
our digital edition – with videos, photo galleries
and, coming soon, exclusive features as well!
Get the digital version of Home & Decor from
Google Play or the App store.
E D I T O R ’ S N O T E
20
CHECK OUT OUR TOP THREE BLOG POSTS OF THE MONTH
W W W. H O M E A N D D E C O R . C O M . S G
THREE GOOD REASONS
TO HAVE
A PLATFORM BED
Still deciding on what
type of bed you want?
Platform beds are on our
list of beds to consider.
Why? We share three
advantages here: www.tinyurl.
com/3reasonsplatformbeds
SEVEN THI NGS TO DO
WI TH YOUR HDB FLAT’ S
BOMB SHELTER
The awful, obstructive bomb
shelter right at your HDB flat’s
main door can seem like
a waste of space but, really,
it’s added storage space for you!
Use it or hide it, pick from these
seven ideas at: www.tinyurl.com/
hdbbombshelter
NO SPACE FOR A DI NI NG TABLE?
1 6 BAR TOP I DEAS HERE!
These stylish kitchen islands and bars make us want to
ditch eating at the dining table! Check out the rest of them here:
www.tinyurl.com/16bartopideas
Ne v e r mi s s a b l o g p o s t !
Fo l l o w u s o n Fa c e b o o k a t
www. f a c e b o o k . c o m/
ho me a nd d e c o r. s i ng a p o r e
a n d r e a d n e w c o n t e n t o n
h o me d e c o r a n d mo r e , d a i l y.
22
EASY STEPS TO MAKI NG
A MOOD BOARD
3
Sign up at www.homeanddecor.com.sg
Click the that can be
found on every home or product image
Give your mood board a title, and you’re done!
Now, you can easily refer to your favourite
homes and products on the go!
+ MOOD BOARD
BE INSPIRED BY
OUR ONLINE
IMAGE LIBRARY
With a library of over 6,000
pictures of real homes,
furniture items, furnishings
and accessories, decor
inspiration for every part
of your home is at
your fingertips!
DIGITAL
EDITION
Download the digital edition of
Home & Decor at up to 20 per
cent off a single copy (at $4.80)
or 50 per cent off an annual
subscription (at $36)! Details
at www.homeanddecor.
com.sg/promotions.
text EVANGELINE LEONG 24
kludiamba.com
Gentle
beauty
KLUDI AMBA is the very essence of a new aesthetic style.Softer contours and intuitive operation
define the complete line of taps and accessories. Its sculptural appearance with sensory qualities
and the unique KLUDI IntegralDesign make it simply uniquely beautiful.
KLUDI Asia Pacific
61 Alexandra Terrace, #07-04
Singapore 119936
[email protected]
Partners Network:
Hafary Gallery
105 Eunos Avenue 3
Singapore 409836
Tel: 6250 1368
Home & Bathroom
566 Balestier Road
Singapore 329883
Tel: 6253 4655
Sansei
462 Tagore Industrial Ave
Singapore 787831
Tel: 6292 8321
O u t & A b o u t
A look at our favourite snaps from
Home & Decor’s Instagram account this
month. Follow us at Homeanddecor_sg
to see what caught our eye, what inspires
us, and what we’re up to!
1 Coconut Tree by Mick Saylom, one of the works on display at the Art Loft launch party. 2 We love the whimsical wall decor at Sabio By The Sea. 3 In Milan, you
can bring your damaged rattan seats to a roadside restorer. 4 Beautiful retro-style tiles seen at The Roof Top at City Square Mall. 5 A haphazard yet charming
melange of vintage items seen at a second-hand store in Bangkok. 6 Trick the eye with realistic wallpaper and some real drawers, seen at a shop in Milan.






FOLLOW US AT
homeanddecor_sg
H & D I N S T A G R A M
26

P l a y T i me
Bring out your
inner child with this
fun side table by
Norwegian designer
Mia Hamborg for
&Tradition. The table
has colourful painted
wooden modules,
which resembles a
toddler’s stacking toy.
Configure it as you
wish for design as
well as for height.
Shuffle Table, $1,350,
available at Grafunkt.
text THRINA THAM photo &TRADITION 29
Someone’s watching you along the streets of
Causeway Bay in Hong Kong – if you passed
by the J Plus hotel recently, you would’ve
found yourself caught in the serene gaze of a
Renaissance-style lady, whose visage takes up
an entire wall of the building’s facade. And if
her dramatic presence is any indication of the
building’s interior space, it doesn’t disappoint.
To commemorate J Plus’ 10th anniversary
this year, the hotel was redesigned by its
original designer, Philippe Starck, under Yoo
Studio. An agent provocateur of the design
world, Starck created a delightfully abstract riot
of design throughout the space, with nary a dull
corner to be seen. He wanted J Plus to provoke
guests through the use of culture and art,
down to the smallest details.
Go design-spotting in the lobby, which
mixes iconic as well as avant-garde furniture
pieces. Upstairs, the 55 guest rooms are
decorated with understated European charm,
showcasing a liberal use of white and marble
furnishings. To offset the minimalist look,
quirky Starck pieces, such as the jewel-toned
La Boheme and Attila gnome stools, offer
bursts of colour. Many features – such as
lamps, vases and even door handles – were
custom-made for each room, infusing creativity
into every aspect of a traveller’s journey.
CHECK OUT THE
ZANY WORLD OF
PHILIPPE STARCK IN
THE J PLUS HOTEL,
WHICH PROVES
THAT HOTEL ROOMS
AREN’T JUST ABOUT
WHITE SHEETS AND
CARPETED FLOORS.
WI LD WO R LD
J PLUS BY YOO I S LOCATED AT 1-5 I RVI NG
STREET, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG;
vi si t www. j pl ushongkong. com/en/
for reservat i ons.
T O P
The breakfast spread
is always a visual
smorgasbord at J Plus,
with avant-garde and
Victorian-inspired
furnishings beckoning
you to feast.
R I G H T
To contrast with the
predominantly white
decor, each room in
J Plus is decorated with
unique accessories in
bright hues, as can be
seen in the Blue Room.
text BEATRICE BOWERS photos J PLUS BY YOO STUDIO
N O W
30
Ma s t e r s C h a i r
At first glance, Kartell’s Masters Chair appears
oddly familiar. A stylistic homage of sorts, the
profiles of Arne Jacobsen’s iconic Series 7 Chair,
Eero Saarinen’s Tulip armchair and the Eames
moulded chair can seen in the criss-crossing
curves of its back. This lightweight indoor-
outdoor seat is crafted from polypropylene.
Parisian design kingpin Philippe Starck began
his prolific career with the launch of industrial
design firm Ubik in 1979. His design footprint
can be seen in thousands of projects, ranging
from furniture to architecture, and even pasta!
In 2010, he collaborated with Spanish-born
designer Eugeni Quitllet to conceive this chair.
Launched in 2010, the Masters Chair comes
in a variety of colours. The signature aesthetic
of its back was retained in the Masters Stool,
which is available in three heights. At this year’s
Salone del Mobile Milano, a gold metallised
version of the chair was unveiled as part of the
Precious Kartell collection.
Hh) Hc Lcic Il
Hhc Dcsiµncd Il
Hhul Il Inspitcd
KARTELL I S AVAI LABLE AT LI FESTOREY, THE
DESI GN STORE BY LI FESTOREY AND SPACE.
N O W N O W
text BEATRICE BOWERS photos SPACE 32
Setting up a cafe was
never part of Franck
Hardy’s plans – until he
viewed a vacant lot along
Telok Ayer which used
to be occupied by the
Chung Hwa Free Clinic.
His friends were
moving their advertising
agency into the second
floor of the building, and
had asked him along to
view the space. Moved
by its beauty, he was
inspired to turn it into a
cafe. “I wanted to return
the history of the place to
it,” the Frenchman says.
Simply called My
Awesome Cafe, the
joint’s concept was to be
as stripped back as its
name. On a mission to
imbue its ambience with
Singapore’s past, Franck
drove around Singapore
(and Malacca) in search
of pre-loved furniture. He
soon amassed vintage
shelves, tableware and
a batch of school tables
used in the 1970s.
“I met an uncle
here who repairs fire
pipes, and convinced
him to customise bar
tables and stools from
damaged pipes. He had
never done anything like
it before, and now he’s
pretty happy that we’re
My
A we s o me
C a f e


N O W
34
MY AWESOME CAFE
I S LOCATED AT 202
TELOK AYER STREET,
TEL: 8248-0102.
L E F T
The cafe’s facade harks
back to the history of
the shophouse, which
was built in 1956 as
a Chinese clinic.
F A R R I G H T
Drinks are served in
vintage glassware.
B E L O W
The Awesome Salad
($15) is the joint’s
protein-packed
signature dish.
B O T T O M
Each of these
customised light bulbs
contain LEDs that fan
out like a miniature
Christmas tree.
B O T T O M R I G H T
The cafe’s raw industrial
look is enlivened by
Franck’s casual
flower arrangements.
The cafe is run by Franck Hardy, who finds
respite in running a small cafe after years
of managing large-scale hotels. “I love
that I can leave marks of my personality
everywhere,” he says.
text MAVIS ANG photography VEE CHIN art direction NONIE CHEN
referring the inquiries
we get about our
furniture to him,” says
Franck with a chuckle.
He’s also proud of
the communal table,
which has a century-
old door from China
as its table top.
The food at this
laid-back joint, which
Franck established
with a Swiss and
a Singaporean, is
kept unfussy. “We
serve fresh, simple
ingredients, and we
stick to easy-to-eat
sandwiches and
salads. The salad
leaves are air-flown
from Melbourne, and I
get some items from
Tiong Bahru market.”
The Awesome
Salad, he shares, was
inspired by a customer
who wanted a healthy
dish filled with protein.
Franck’s solution
was a Mesclun salad
with smoked salmon,
chicken breast, duck
rillette and avocado.
“I feel very proud
when my customers
say that they come
to the cafe to get
inspired,” he muses.
“They say that
they feel time
stops here.”
S H O P T H E L O O K
Find similar furniture and accessories at these places
J O U R N E Y E A S T
#03-02 Tan Boon Liat Building, 315 Outram Road,
tel: 6473-1693
L I K E T H A T O N E
#01-02 Skytech, 2 Bukit Batok Street 24, tel: 6560-9168
L O R G A N ’ S
#01-03 Century Warehouse, 100E Pasir Panjang Road,
tel: 6272-4988
T H E H E R I T A G E S H O P
#01-01, 93 Jalan Sultan, tel: 6223-7982
35
With more than two decades of experience
in the silverware business, American-born
Gregory Pepin continues to pursue his passion
for sterling silver designs at Georg Jensen, a
century-old luxury silverware company based in
Copenhagen.
What has your journey with silverware been
like? I started in the trenches. I began by
working at a shop in Denmark polishing silver
and, as soon as I picked up my first piece of
Georg Jensen, I fell in love. It was a small curved
nut spoon, and I thought its shape and quality
were second to none. When you start at the
bottom polishing silver and understanding how
things are made, you gain product knowledge
and become better at telling its story.
How should one start collecting silverware?
As large sterling silver holloware is not often
considered because of its price, a great entry
point for anybody is sterling cutlery, one piece
at a time. I buy a piece every month for each of
my children, and it doesn’t take long before they
can build up a set. It also introduces etiquette
into the house and when they look at the
silverware, I can explain to them its design and
the history of its period.
Surely you own stainless steel cutlery as well?
Let’s be honest. If you want to use a product
every day and you want it to be functional,
G R E G O R Y
P E P I N
text MAVIS ANG photos GEORG JENSEN
MANAGING DIRECTOR
OF THE STERLING
SILVER HERITAGE
COLLECTION AT DANISH
BRAND GEORG JENSEN
sterling silver is probably not the choice for
you – unless you have a butler and two maids. I
do own stainless steel cutlery – a Georg Jensen
pattern called Caravel designed by Henning
Koppel. You can put it in the dishwasher
because the quality is so good that you can use
it every day and it’ll still look fine. The Danes
always think about functionality.
What is your relationship like with the
silversmiths at Georg Jensen? I have a love-
hate relationship with them. It takes four
years to become a Georg Jensen apprentice
and another nine years before you can make
important pieces – so I don’t know as much
as they do about the product, but I know
more about the customer than they do. So,
sometimes, I’m not popular because I’m
involved with quality control as well, and I might
see something they don’t.
What is your take on the future of Danish
design? Our products could turn out very
differently in the future. As we evolve, everything
has to be quicker. But I think people will
eventually start slowing down. Everything
always ends up where it started, and the same
goes for design. Who knows, the next movement
might be inspired by Art Nouveau.
GEORG JENSEN I S LOCATED AT PARAGON.
I t takes f our years to become a Georg Jensen apprenti ce and
another ni ne years bef ore you can make i mportant pi eces.

R I G H T
The Chandelier #307
designed by Johan
Rohde is one of Georg
Jensen’s rarest pieces
and is valued at more
than $1 million.
F A R R I G H T
This organically
shaped pitcher is
designed by Henning
Koppel, a leader in
Scandinavian design.
B E L O W
The Dish 1302 by
Verner Panton
reflects light in a
dazzling effect thanks
to its seemingly
chaotic angles.
N O W
36
Hu n g Up
Skip the hassle of installing shelving and try this
for a stylish store-and-display idea at home
– choose a mounting space, drill two holes at
opposite ends and insert wall plugs for a tighter grip.
Then, align two folded straps of a sturdy material
and nail them into the plugs. Insert a rod through
the straps and you’re done! You can get the components
from Bloesem Creative Space or create your
own look by reusing old belts.
Leather-handle
sets, $29
each, and all
accessories,
from Bloesem
Creative Space.
text THRINA THAM photography FRENCHESCAR LIM art direction GENIE LIM
B I G I D E A
38
A col l ecti on of furni ture made up of a wi re framework wi th
cushi ons. The correl ati on between the three-di mensi onal outl i ne of
the metal rod and the geometri c vol umes of the cushi ons marks a
si gni fi cant shi ft from the common connotati on of wi re furni ture.
MAGI S TRAFFI C
WWW.XTRA.COM.SG [email protected]
PARK MALL 9 Penang Road, 01-01/02-01, Park Mall, Singapore 238459
T: +65 6336 0688 F: +65 6334 0688
TRAFFIC KONSTANTIN GRCIC
There has to be a secret formula for the
success of Frato — in the span of just four
years, the Portuguese brand has managed to
establish a presence in 47 countries, with its
latest showrooms having opened in London
and Riyadh this year. In fact, the Riyadh
store is the product of a partnership with the
royal family of Saudi Arabia. It came about
when Princess Mashael Bint Sultan fell in
love with the brand’s elegant and glamorous
Classic-Contemporary furniture pieces, after
seeing them at Maison & Objet in Paris last
September.
Helmed by Carlos and Patricia Santos,
Frato – which is derived from the word
“fraternity” – was also inspired by the names
of the couple’s six-year old twins, Francisco
and Tomas. “The name is very special to
us. And we want to achieve a very delicate,
timeless concept, with high-quality designs,”
says Patricia.
In doing so, they personally handle all
aspects of the brand, from management and
design to production. “Patricia is in charge
of design, while I manage the brand; it’s
complex because we do everything from A to
Z,” says Carlos. “It’s quite intense because
the growth has been very sudden and fast,
but we are coping.”
Although he has a background in
engineering and Patricia in law, the duo were
drawn to interior design. They produced
furniture for the hospitality industry for
about ten years before starting Frato. “After
so many years of working in the furniture
industry, interior design has become part of
my DNA,” jokes Patricia.
Though the couple work together, they
make it a point not to work at home. “We
work hard at the office, which is twenty
minutes away from home, but we have a rule
not to bring work home,” they say. All the
pieces are designed and made in Porto, in the
north of Portugal.
T O P
The Ericeira ceiling
lamp is from Frato’s
latest collection,
and reflects a
contemporary take
on Classic design.
F A R L E F T
Carlos and Patricia
describe their style
as “timeless, elegant
and glamorous”,
and they gather
inspiration through
travelling, art
and culture.
L E F T
Frato’s designs have
a neutral base with
earthy and light
colours, injected with
jewel-toned hues for
a fashionable take
on contemporary
elegance.
Our style i s real ly eclecti c and natural . We thi nk
that Asi a i s def i ni tely a source of i nspi rati on.
text LOUISA CLARE LIM photos VERNON WONG, MARQUIS
PORTUGUESE
FURNITURE BRAND
FRATO MAY BE
RELATIVELY NEW,
BUT IT IS ALREADY
GAINING A GLOBAL
PRESENCE.
C A R LO S
& PAT R I C I A
S A NT O S ,
OWNE R S &
D E S I G NE R S
O F F R AT O

FRATO I S AVAI LABLE AT MARQUI S STUDI O
( LOCATED WI THI N LI FESTOREY) .
N O W
40
If you’re as blank as a
white canvas when it
comes to understanding
art, a good place to start
is Gillman Barracks
– where the galleries
are happy to share
their knowledge and
appreciation of art.
Made up of 15 art
galleries and three
restaurants housed in
former army barracks,
Gillman Barracks is
far from a snooty arts
district exclusive to art
connoisseurs and those
with deep pockets.
Located across Hort
Park along Alexandra
Road, it’s our go-to
destination to escape
the crowds and immerse
ourselves in the art
world. Here’s our pick of
the friendliest galleries,
and what you can learn
from them.
G i l l ma n
B a r r a c k s
A B O V E
Singaporean artist Tang
Da Wu’s Our Children
explores issues about
filial piety.
L E F T
Sheela Gowda focuses
on the violence that
plagues Kashmir in
a series titled Loss.
Set up late last
year, the CCA is
an exhibition and
research centre put
together by Nanyang
Technological
University and
the Economic
Development Board,
aimed at showcasing
innovative artworks
and fostering
international cultural
exchanges. At the
moment, the CCA
is playing host to a
travelling exhibition
by the Guggenheim
C e n t r e f o r
C o n t e mp o r a r y
A r t ( C C A )
UBS MAP Global Art
Initiative titled “No
Country”, featuring
works from 16 South
and South-east Asian
artists that delve into
the idea of cultural
and national identities.
The CCA holds talks
and gallery tours for
the public, and there’s
even a shuttle service
between the Singapore
Art Museum and CCA
on Saturdays. For the
shuttle schedule, visit www.
gillmanbarracks.com/cca.
ART
N O W
42
T O P R I G H T
Founder Sueo Mizuma
is particularly interested
in artists who offer
a critical perspective
on consumer culture.
R I G H T
This series of mixed-media
pieces is by Indieguerilla,
a husband-and-wife pair
who started out as
graphic designers.
With Mizuma Gallery’s
expansion into
Singapore (it has
galleries in Tokyo and
Beijing), Japanese
founder Sueo Mizuma
hopes to bring in
more South Asian
art, with a focus on
Indonesian artists.
“While we showcase
contemporary art,
the pieces are more
approachable than
avant-garde art,”
says Mizuma, who
supports artwork
that critiques
contemporary
consumer society.
“People come here
not just for art, but
“We’re here to broaden
people’s minds,” says
Michael Janssen’s
gallery assistant,
Samantha Bok. The
Berlin-based gallery is
known for showcasing
edgy works, especially
of mid-career and
established artists from
North America, Europe
and South-east Asia
– including local artist
Jeremy Sharma, whose
works were presented
in a solo exhibition
(pictured, right) recently.
“For budding collectors,
Gillman Barracks is
a good place to get
educated about art,”
Samantha says.
www.galeriemichael
janssen.de
Mi z u ma G a l l e r y
M A S O N S
Need a break from gallery-hopping? Rest your feet and fill
your tummy at Masons, which cooks up a delectable spread of
salads, pasta, pizza and other Western dishes. Happy hour is
from 4pm to 7pm every day (yes, weekends included!), where
alcoholic drinks by the glass are half-price and free pizza
samplers are served.
www.masons.sg, tel: 6694-2216
also to learn about
the culture and
history of the
surrounding region.”
The gallery’s current
exhibition features
renowned Japanese
contemporary artists
such as Ohata Shintaro
and Ito Enpei.
www.mizuma.sg
Mi c h a e l J a n s s e n
G a l l e r y
43
The Drawing Room
was founded in Makati
City, the Philippines,
in 1998 by Cesar
Villalon Jr, who
concentrated initially
on showcasing works
using paper – hence
its name. The gallery
has now expanded its
collection to include
T h e D r a wi n g R o o m
Fost Gallery is the
only local gallery
within Gillman
Barracks, and has
held well-received
solo exhibitions by
reputed Singaporean
artists such as
Heman Chong,
Song-Ming Ang, and
Wyn-Lyn Tan. It has
also represented
international names,
including American
photographer Rodney
Smith and French
artist Vincent Olinet.
“It’s our duty to be
knowledgeable about
the art scene, and
we don’t tell visitors
Fo s t G a l l e r y
only what we have
to offer,” gallerist
Andrea Fam explains.
“We have a good
community at Gillman
Barracks, and we will
point people to other
artists and galleries
within the area.”
www.fostgallery.com
K N O W B E F O R E
Y O U G O . . .

Visit Gillman Barracks’ website
to glance through what’s new
and pick out a few galleries that
attract you – this allows you to

better chart the day’s journey.

Approach the gallerists.
They are equipped with a wealth
of knowledge on what’s offered
in the vicinity, and can help
suggest artists and galleries

suited to your taste and interests.

Don’t fret about covering the
entire 6.4ha site – focus
on a zone and spend more time
understanding each gallery at
a leisurely pace. You can always
come back another weekend to
cover more ground.

Galleries tend to hold smaller
shows in December, making it
a good period to pick up smaller,
more affordable works.

F R E E G U I D E D T O U R S
Organised by Friends of the Museums, the Gillman Barracks Art & History Tour
sees rained docents dishing out insights on artworks, as well as the site’s history.
DcluiIs und tcµisltulicn ul uuu.µiIImunhuttuc/s.ccm/cuIcndut.
sculptures and
installations, but
with a focus on
Filipino artists.
It represents works
that explore themes
of globalisation,
diaspora and the
cosmopolitan
world, as can be
seen in John Frank
L E F T & T O P
Palimpsest by Phi Phi Oanh
features paintings on glass
slides, which are projected
onto the wall.
Sabado’s intricate
and mesmerising
drawings (pictured,
above) that depict
the struggle
between untouched
utopian lands and
the influence of
technology.
www.drawingroom
gallery.com
text MAVIS ANG photography VEE CHIN art direction & illustration KAFFY TAN
N O W
44
33 Ubi Avenue 3 #02-09 Vertex Tower B, Singapore 408868 T: 6348 7787 E: [email protected]
www.reztnrelax.com
LIFETIME WARRANTY
a WARRANTY that could last a LIFETIME
E A Interiors Design Studio
Opening Hours : 10am – 5.30pm
Kim Yam Road – off River Valley Road
www.eandainteriors.com
Full Rennovation | Customised Furniture | Space Planning | Re-upolstery | Curtains | Soft Furnishings
E&A Interiors have an exclusive range of over thirty boutique fabric and wallpaper collections
from LA, New York, Paris and London.
The Herencia, 46 Kim Yam Road – off River Valley Road, #04-24, Singapore 239351 [email protected] Tel : (65) 6702 4850
Fr o m
F l o o r t o
Wa l l
TREND
Some carpets just aren’t
made to be stepped on.
As they now become
a canvas for brilliant
graphic design, artwork,
illustrations and even
photographic prints,
they deserve a place on
our walls as well.
A B O V E , L E F T
Jaime Hayon’s
Japanese Folklore
handmade carpet
for Nodus features
illustrations that
interpret traditional
folklore in a
contemporary way.
www.nodusrug.it.
A B O V E , R I G H T
Dutch designer
Sigrid Calon of the
+31(0)13 design
group created wall
objects based on a
grid that consists
of eight shapes and
eight colours.
www.sigridcalon.nl.
R I G H T
The Stranger
Within rug by
Formafantasma
for Nodus looks
like a giant mask.
0lR PItKS E x p o s e d B u l b L a mp s
T O P T O
B O T T O M
Bell Lamp by
Moooi, $1,080,
from Space.
Aura by Ladies
and Gentlemen,
$690 (10-inch)
and $790
(15-inch),
from Dream.
Light Hang
Cage lamps,
$41.73 each,
from Comfort
Furniture.
N O W
48
Mo d C h i n o i s
Start-up brand Scene Shang has
launched its Fall 2014 line, which
comprises modern furniture and
homeware with an Asian twist. The
collection includes the classical Chinese-
influenced Yuan Loft Table series,
with weathered elm-wood surfaces in
“plum” and hexagon shapes atop black
powder-coated steel legs. Other key
pieces include The Shang System – a
configurable chest of drawers made
of solid wood – and Embrace Me, a
collection of cushion covers depicting
Singapore’s Asian Art Deco architecture.
VI EW AND SHOP THE COLLECTI ON
AT WWW. SCENESHANG. COM.


49
I t a l i a n
J o b
Ma d f o r Ma t t e
Get into the trend for matte-finish furniture
with the Solid Appeal range of high-pressure
laminates from EDL. These coloured laminates,
which have no reflection and a powdery finish,
add vibrancy to your home without being garish.
We love that the scratch- and fade-resistant
material is also an affordable option to be
fashion-forward.
AVAI LABLE AT
BOTTEGA VENETA,
#1-04A I ON
ORCHARD,
TEL: 6238-0020.
Italian luxury design
house Bottega
Veneta’s recently
launched Home
Collection features
stylish interpretations
of its classics, and
new home furnishings.
Showcased at Salone
Del Mobile 2014, it
includes a scaled-
down version of its
rustic Sawhorse Table,
ash and cigar-toned
glassware, as well as
a yellow mohair-velvet
Tasello couch that
looks as delightfully
plush as it feels.
SOLI D APPEAL ( FI NE MATTE) LAMI NATES ARE
AVAI LABLE I N 10 COLOURS AT EDL, 43 SUNGEI
KADUT STREET 1, TEL: 6369-0990.
We l l D o n e !
The prestigious International Property Awards is an annual
competition that celebrates the best designs of the property and
real-estate industry across the globe. We are thrilled for Design
Intervention, which has bagged the Best Interior Design award
for the Private Residence category in Singapore and Japan.
S l e e p I t O f f
It’s time to bid farewell to under-eye circles
with Hilker’s mattresses. Each mattress
features a Triple-Decker Coil Spring System
with 7,000 independent springs that comfortably
support your body’s natural resting alignment.
The coils are also tangle-free, so you can zip off
to dreamland without noisy squeaks from your
partner’s movement waking you up.
HI LKER I S AVAI LABLE AT ALL HARVEY NORMAN
OUTLETS. CHECK WWW. HARVEYNORMAN. COM.
SG FOR LOCATI ONS.
FI ND OUT MORE
ABOUT DESI GN
I NTERVENTI ON
AT WWW.
DESI GNI NTERVENTI ON.
COM. SG
N O W
50
T i me l e s s S t y l e
New shop Cityflow focuses on home accessories
from Taiwan. The minimalist Koan clock uses
elegant brushstrokes on the revolving clock
face to tell the time, doing away with noisy
ticking clock hands, while the quirky Hot Dog
clock (right) changes in form as time passes
(the thin hands tell the time). Other understated
designs include the Auluxe Dew mini Hi-Fi
system (above), finished in wood veneer for a
contemporary yet natural look. Cityflow now
occupies a counter in the mall, but look out for
their own shop space in August.
CI TYFLOW I S LOCATED AT #04-K1
ORCHARD GATEWAY, TEL: 6702-6242.
NEW
SHOP
A r t A p a r t Fa i r
July 18 to 20, Parkroyal on Pickering
The fourth edition of the Art Apart Fair
will spotlight Eastern European artists
from Russia, Ukraine and Serbia. More
than 2,000 works from 23 galleries will
be showcased across several rooms
on the 14th floor, and the event will be
complemented with a performance by
Russian musician Iryna Vokhmyanina,
and canapes and beverages from Buyan.
WWW. ARTAPARTFAI R. COM
S i n g a p o r e Ga r d e n
Fe s t i v a l
Aug 16 to 24, Gardens by the Bay
For the first time since its inception in 2006, the
Singapore Garden Festival will be held outdoors
and at Gardens by the Bay. Expect a miniature
gardens showcase, a floral tabletop display
competition and a 70-stall marketplace.
VI SI T WWW. SI NGAPOREGARDENFESTI VAL. COM
FOR TI CKETS AND MORE I NFORMATI ON.
DIARY
N O W
52
Using hand-drawn illustrations and
watercolours, as well as fresh flower petals,
leaves and cereal to create 2-D and 3-D
elements, Lim Zhi Wei has created her own
artistic language. Under the moniker Love
Limzy – also the name of her Instagram
account – the 25-year old Singapore-based
Malaysian artist began using the photo-sharing
app as her personal gallery after she graduated
from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in
2011. We caught up with her recently.
What inspired you to make art like this?
Working in Singapore is hectic and when I was
still an art teacher after graduation, I couldn’t
find the time to sit down and paint big paintings
like I used to in college, or even buy materials.
So I thought of using simple household items to
“paint” and be creative after work.
What materials do you use?
I use stationery such as stamps, or food, as
well as natural elements such as stones.
Recently, I have been more inclined to
use flowers and leaves. I usually paint and
construct a piece before sundown, so that there
is still enough natural light to take pictures of
the artwork – this way, the freshness of the
flowers is captured in the photos.
Which is your favourite piece?
I can’t decide, as my focus is
always on the latest piece
I work on. However, the
Marilyn Monroe (a drawing
of Marilyn wearing her
signature dress, depicted by
white rose petals) will always
have a special place in my heart.
text LOUISA CLARE LIM

LOVE LI MZY’ S I LLUSTRATI ONS ( WI TH ARTI FI CI AL
FLOWERS) ARE AVAI LABLE AT ART XCHANGE
GALLERY. PRI NTS OF HER WORK ( WI TH REAL
FLOWERS) ARE AVAI LABLE AT WWW. NAI I SE. COM.
53
T h e Ne w
C l a s s i c
L o n g R a n g e
Give every member in your home the
strongest Wi-Fi connection possible with
Netgear’s AC 1200 Wi-Fi Range Extender
EX6200. With its 700MW high-power
amplifiers and high-gain 5dBi antennas,
the sleek, red-and-black Netgear Extender
will ensure that your Wi-Fi range will
extend to the furthest corners of your
home. You can monitor the signal strength
and traffic on a handy smartphone app.
Families with many gadgets at home can
make use of the five Gigabit Ethernet ports
and USB 3.0 port available on the device.
text MAVIS ANG, LOUISA CLARE LIM, AMANDA JAYNE LEE, THRINA THAM & BEATRICE BOWERS
Design aficionados
can cheer as Danish
company Sika Design
is bringing out-of-
production iconic designs
– such as the Paris
chair by Arne Jacobsen,
hanging egg chair by
Nanna and Jorgen
Ditzel and ottomans by
Franco Albini – back
into the shops. These
sculptural rattan and
wicker pieces are part
of Sika Design’s Icons
Collection, and were
made in collaboration
with the descendants of
their original designers.
AVAI LABLE AT
DREAMWEAVE AND
OTHER STORI ES,
#01-34 MI LLENI A WALK,
TEL: 6333-1669.
PRI CED AT $209, THE NETGEAR RANGE
EXTENDER I S AVAI LABLE AT LEADI NG
ELECTRONI C STORES. FOR MORE DETAI LS,
VI SI T WWW. NETGEAR. COM. SG.
E X C L U S I V E
T O H & D
R E A D E R S !
We’ve got three
Netgear Extenders
worth $209 each to give
away. Enter the contest
at www.homeanddecor.
com/promotions.

A B O V E
Toymaker’s clock by Seletti,
$140, from Lifestorey.
R I G H T , T O P T O B O T T O M
Fusion wall clock, $195, from
Boconcept. Pieces Of Time
clock by Discipline, $209, from
Grafunkt. Walnut wall clock,
$69.95, from Crate & Barrel.
0lR PItKS Wo o d e n C l o c k s
N O W
54
1 Oxley rug, $2,549, from Missoni. 2 Cappellini Proust
Geometrica armchair, $23,548, from Dream.
3 Medium red round candle, $289, from Missoni.
4 Small green and yellow round candles, $479 (set of
four), from Missoni. 5 Bordeaux-red tray, $79.95, and
dust-green tray, $59.95, from Boconcept.
6 Forest-green tray, $69.95, from Boconcept. 7 Hay
Pinnochio multicoloured rug, $2,598, from Dream.
8 Sancal Pion table (sky-blue base), $1,296, from
Dream. 9 Sancal Pion table (mustard base), $1,642,
from Dream.10 Sancal Pion table (olive base), $1,419,
from Dream. 11 Blue and red tumblers, $25 each, from
Robinsons. 12 Tall vase, $49.95, from Boconcept.








F A B F I N D S
R I O T O F C O L O UR
Are you bold enough to meddle wi th the colour wheel?
Break the monochrome and throw i n every
colour under the sun for a wi ld mi x.





Ma d T e a P a r t y
Serve up a playful palette
of patterns and hues for an
exquisite visual treat.
1 Candle holders, $14.95 each, from Boconcept. 2 Butterfly Bloom teacup and saucer sets, $120 each, from Wedgwood.
3 Orla Kiely side plate, $12, from Robinsons. 4 Petalo green table, $2,706, from Dream.




58
1 Tapas blue dining chair, $1,880, from Dream. 2 Floral cushion, $389, from Missoni. 3 Fire cushion, $210, from Dream.
4 Nador pouffe, $1,139, and Mysore pouffe, $869, both from Missoni. 5 Tetris mixed-colours cushion, $79.95, from Boconcept.
6 Ottoway cushion, $399, from Missoni. 7 Oxley rug, $2,549, from Missoni.
S o f t L a n d i n g
Lift the mood and soften the
scene with multiple layers
of textural contrast.







59
1 Olga long brown umbrella, $229, from Missoni. 2 Jasmine mini green umbrella,
$199, from Missoni. 3 Nakita long blue umbrella, $229, from Missoni. 4 Russian
Wind-up clock, $99, from The Wright Gift. 5 Notebook, $19.95, from Typo.
6 Multicoloured cowhide rug, $899, from Galanga.
text THRINA THAM photography AIK CHEN art direction YONG WOEI NA
G o B o h e mi a n
Pull off the boho-chic look
with a radical mishmash
of patterns, held together
by a dark base.






60
S i l v e r L i n i n g
More than just reflective, these mirrors
add drama to and play up the glamour
of your space.
1 Deco Mirror 193, $980, from Lush. 2 Brillante designed by Alessandro Mendini,
from $2,000 to $2,200, from P5. 3 Tropicana Mirror in Fume colour by Miniforms,
price upon request, from Grafunkt. 4 Margarita Mirror by Miniforms, $652, from Grafunkt.


text THRINA THAM
F A B F I N D S
62
True luxury does not always come at a high price. This is a sentiment that
resonates deeply within the core of Varenna by Poliform kitchens.
Why? 8ecuuse Vurennu by Poliíorm believes thut everyone deserves the
best kitchen experience at competitive pricing without compromising on quality,
design or functionality. Each Varenna by Poliform kitchen is made exclusively in
Italy, infusing traditional artisanal craftsmanship with technological innovations
to ensure a kitchen system that works as brilliantly as it looks.
With Varenna by Poliform, you ultimately get to decide how you want
your kitchen to be. It offers eight kitchen models that come with a vast array
of customisable options and solutions to cater to every individual - from highly
configurable modular systems to an exceptional variety of finishes, materials,
colours and handle choices.
Whether you opt for a compact model for your apartment or indulge in a
comprehensive system for your villa, you’ll be assured of a kitchen system that
fulfils your lifestyle preferences and space requirements in every aspect.
DESIGN IS IN THE DETAILS
When it comes to the design of Varenna by Poliform kitchens, less is more. The
sleek demeanour of Twelve showcases unprecedented technical precision with a
worktop of a mere 12mm thickness, slim volumes and strong horizontal lines.
FREEDOM OF COMPOSITION
Every kitchen is as different as its user. The modularity of Varenna by Poliform
kitchens responds to the need for personalisation according to unique
preferences to create a kitchen just the way you like it.
KITCHENS THAT WORK SMART
Clever solutions pluy un essentiul role in
maximising the functionality and ergonomics
of the kitchen systems. Pocket slide-and-hide
doors for tall wall units offer a concealed yet
convenient storage, while wine glass holders,
extendable work tops and systematic internal
orgunisution with option oí LED lighting ull
contribute to a kitchen that makes your life easy.
Dream Kitchen Within Reach
The freedom to define your personal luxury kitchen is
made possible with Varenna by Poliform’s smart solutions
My Planet
Twelve featuring
internul LED lighting
A kitchen for the family home
In large households, the kitchen is often the heart of the home. When the occasion calls for you to
cook up a storm, a Varenna by Poliform kitchen is the best domestic help that you can acquire. Island
worktops integrated with high–performance appliances let you cook comfortably while ample storage
spaces with clever organising solutions allow you to precisely keep track of inventory. Plus, wide
worktop surfaces as well as island extensions offer a platform for the family to congregate over meals.
A kitchen for the
bachelor’s pad
For a young executive who leads a busy
lifestyle, the process of whipping up a meal
has to be quick and concise, thus requiring a
minimalist kitchen complete with all the basic
necessities for the modest loft. The modular
systems of Varenna by Poliform let you tailor
your kitchen to specific space requirements
with tall units that offer the ideal space
saving solution, while customisable inner
drawers put everything within arm’s reach.
Varenna by Poliform is the fit-out of
choice for high-profile international
projects, such as:
· One Centrul Purl _ AOL 1ime
Wurner Center (New Yorl)
· 1he Pulmolive 8uilding (Chicugo)
· 8 Kent Poud - Pose 8uy (Sydney)
· VQ VentiQuuttro Pudisson SAS
(Dubui)
· 8eethum 1ower (London)

Spuce lurniture, the exclusive retuiler
of Varenna by Poliform, also holds a
sterling record of project fit-outs in
Southeust Asiu thut include 1he Orchurd
Pesidences (¦ON), Seuscupe, 8 Nussim
Hill, Sundy ¦slund und, most recently,
Coruls ut Keppel 8uy in Singupore.
Spuce lurniture's proíound experience
and technical know-how in kitchen
fit-outs make them the ideal source
for clients who wish to select the best
kitchen solutions according to lifestyle
requirements, budget and spatial layout.
A kitchen made for two
The culinary workspace for couples calls for a sophisticated yet utilitarian kitchen system, ideal for
preparing a romantic dinner at home or for entertaining in style. The broad variety of quality materials
like glass, wood and stainless steel in addition to sleek architectural lines and contemporary colours
enable Varenna by Poliform to fit seamlessly into the urban abode. Varenna by Poliform is the perfect
marriage between form and function, thanks to the ergonomic layout and smart innovations that allow
you to cook and socialise at the same time.
WHO IS VARENNA BY POLIFORM FOR?
Varenna by Polilorm is exclusively available at Space Furniture
Sinçapcre 77 Bencoolen Street, t +65 6^15 0000 l KuaIa Lumpur 3^8 Jalan 1un Razak, 1he lntermark L3, t +603 2166 2212
Artex
My Planet
Pocket slide-and-hide doors
ADVERTISEMENT
NTHE
ZONE
DIRECT
FROM
MILAN
One essential item to take
along when navigating
Milan Design Week –
a pair of good shoes.
How else are you going
to check out the massive
array of design events
(986 this year) scattered
around 12 zones in
the city, with your
soles intact? Known
as Fuorisalone, and
featuring events and
exhibitions in tandem with
the Salone del Milano
at the Rho fairgrounds,
Milan truly lives and
breathes design for
one exciting week.
Here, companies
escape the business-
as-usual atmosphere
of the fairgrounds by
building their own
creative environments.
Discover country-centric
design exhibitions and the
refreshingly original work
of independent design
collectives, artisans and
fresh-faced designers.
We did the legwork
and lived to bring you
our top highlights.
66
W A R M
W E L C O M E
For the second year
running, Dutch design
company Moooi
held its Unexpected
Welcome at Via
Savona in the Tortona
district. As with
last year, soaring
4.5m-tall images
accompanied room
settings made up
of the firm’s new
offerings. This year,
it was Massimo
istri’s awe-inspiring
images of important
Italian architectural
monuments that lent
drama to the new
furniture collection,
which included
Marcel Wanders’
Love sofa and Prop
Lights by Bertjan Pot.
We sat down with
Moooi co-founder
and art director
Marcel Wanders
to find out how this
year’s collection
was put together.
Read the interview
at www.tinyurl.com/
MarcelWanders.
www.moooi.com
Zcnu Tctlcnu
With over 200 exhibitions alone in
the Tortona and Savona area by
companies in all fields of design
ranging from furniture to cars,
this zone is one of the most
established among the
Fuorisalone districts.
W H E R E
HdD
uchsilc
c1cIusiic
67
H E R I T A G E
F O U N D
Trying to uncover
the secret of mid-
century Danish
design’s success,
design students
Sarah Cramer and
Anders Engholm of
the VIA Teko Design
& Business school
in Denmark created
the Waffle bench
and sideboard. The
movable parts (the
bench’s padded seat
and the shelves’
fabric enclosure)
make the pieces
relevant to modern,
mobile lifestyles.
www.studiofem.dk
Icnlutu Lumhtulc
Bridging the urban and industrial
areas in north-eastern Milan,
Ventura Lambrate – which was
launched in 2010 – has been steadily
building a reputation as an exciting
hotspot for young design talent,
pop-up restaurants and
design markets.
W H E R E
68
B L O W I N G
B U B B L E S
Loading soap
solution with dye
and blowing them on
handmade porcelain
tableware, designer
Nienke Sybrandy
manages to capture
the ethereal beauty
of soap bubbles in
her new tableware
range, Surfactants.
It was a labour of
love as the designer
experimented
endlessly with the
different densities of
water, soap and dye.
www.studiosybrandy.nl
W I R E D U P
We were impressed
by the work of
Rick Tegel and
Klaas Kuiken from
Workmates, a team
of young Dutch
design talents.
Using wire mesh,
Tegel managed to
produce lampshades
of extraordinary
beauty and lightness,
while Kuiken applies
production and craft
to glass wine bottles
to give each one
a unique identity.
www.workmates
presents.com
M I X N M A T C H
We can’t believe how
simple and stylish
the Pot.purri series of
modular containers
by the Venezuelan
design team Three
Dots Collective are.
From just 10 basic
parts made of metal
and concrete, you
can create numerous
configurations and
change them at
will, as the pieces
are attached with
strong magnets. The
geometric designs
were inspired by
the patterns used in
indigenous weaving.
www.3dotscollective.com
69
A S T R O N G
L I N E
A simple and strong
sinuous line runs
through Spanish
designer Adolfo
Abejon’s Handy side
table and Castella
bench. The line is
“drawn” with an
iron bar and flows
in one continuous
loop, creating an
elegant contrast.
We also think his
Venice lampshades
are a great idea for
homeowners who
are tired of bare
bulb pendants – just
slip the porcelain
lampshade over the
bulb, secure it and
you’ve got a lamp!
www.adolfoabejon.com
S T R I N G
A L O N G
Japanese designer
Jun Murakoshi has
created multiple uses
for a single glass
vessel, just by using
coloured string. His
mouth-blown Bloom
glass vases have
notches in the rim on
which you can wind
regular cotton string
around – the tension
creates beautifully
precise geometric
patterns, as well as
a surface to hold
fruit or a flower stalk
in place.
www.junmurakoshi.com
oun Gtcµctic Dcccl
This newly minted design
district aims to be a hub for
quality exhibitors from
international brands.
W H E R E
70
R O O M F O R
M O R E
Comprising 25
stackable blocks and
a low table which
can be combined in
various ways, Room
– by Erik Olovsson
and Kyuhyung
Cho – explores the
relationship between
object and space.
The enclosures
were designed
to house specific
objects, such as
wine bottles (round
holes) and open
books (peak shape).
www.studioeo.se,
www.kyuhyungcho.com
T R A V E L
L I G H T
Chateau de la Resle
is both a charming
hotel in the Burgundy
countryside and a
design label by its
Dutch owners. The
new range includes
candleholders
by Roderick Vos
designed to fit the top
of the Chablis wine
bottle, and a luggage
collection. The limited-
edition luggage set of
three by Jeroen Wand
was inspired
by vintage travel.
www.chateaudelaresle.com
opu:ic ßcssunu
OtIundi
In 2002, Rossana Orlandi, a patron
of limited-edition design art, turned
a former factory into a gallery of
exquisite design and innovative
ideas. We love traipsing through
the warren of spaces not knowing
what great design ideas lie
around the corner.
W H E R E
C O L O U R E D I N
Renowned Danish
fabric manufacturer
Kvadrat had tasked 22
established and up-
and-coming design
names to experiment
freely with Divina, a
range of intensely
coloured wool fabrics
that were launched 30
years ago. The result
was a showcase
called Kvadrat Divina,
a stunning display of
creative vision which
fully exploited the
fabric’s wide colour
spectrum.
Read our interviews
with two Kvadrat
Divina collaborators
– British designer
Bethan Laura Wood,
who designed the
Guadalupe daybed
(pictured, below), at
www.tinyurl.com/
BethanWood, and Thai
architect Duangrit
Bunnag, who designed
the Fortune chair,
at www.tinyurl.com/
DuangritBunnag.
www.kvadrat.dk
HdD
uchsilc
c1cIusiic!
71
L I G H T W A V E S
Finally, here’s a lamp
that can replicate
the beautiful effect
created by light
bouncing off water in
an enclosed space.
Ripple by Poetic Lab
and Lobmeyer is a set
of two glass globes
– one encases the
light source, while
the other rotates.
When the light hits the
mouth-blown unevenly
shaped rotating dome,
it creates ripples of
shadow and light
across the space.
www.lobmeyr.at,
www.poetic-lab.com
F L O W E R
P O W E R
Any fatigue we had
was forgotten when
we stepped into the
Marimekko space.
Decked out in the
Finnish brand’s iconic
Unikko print, the studio
celebrated the print’s
50th birthday with new
fabric colourways,
and even a patchwork
Pop Art rendition
on the wall.
www.marimekko.com/
unikko
W A T E R
M A R K S
The Bricola collection
by Alcarol features
designs that look like
a cross section of
the Venetian canal.
Mollusks in the canals
eat away at oak logs,
leaving behind circular
markings, which
are then filled with
aquamarine resin.
Tiny underwater air
bubbles complete
the illusion.
www.alcarol.com
72
H I S T O R Y
O N A P L A T E
We love how traditional craftsmanship
endures through the injection of new design
blood, such as with Flux, seen at Edit by
Design Junction. Flux was established by the
Staffordshire University in Stoke-on-Trent
to combine the centuries-old techniques
of working on fine bone china with modern
designs. The various designs, from graphic
dots to happy illustrations, are held together
by the base colours of blue and white.
www.fluxstokeontrent.com
B U I L D I N G
R O M E
Named after Roman
emperors and
monuments, Jaime
Hayon’s New Roman
vessels for Paola
C was introduced
at the brand’s city
showroom. The
materials and
forms might be
sophisticated, but
Hayon still manages
to sneak in playful
touches, such as
a smiley face on
the glossy silver-
plated Augustus
pitcher (above).
www.paolac.com
LIscuhctc
in lhc cil)
W H E R E
text REBECKKA WONG
T W I S T O F W A T E R
Hansgrohe held the global launch of its
highly anticipated Axor Starck V faucet at its
city showroom, instead of at its pavilion at
the Salone. Through the clear glass mixer,
witness the vitality of water as it rises up in a
vortex. It took Hansgrohe’s engineers three
years to apply the principle of a centrifugal
force to the mixer, to create this effect.
www.axor-design.com
73
I N S P I R A T I O N
74
G O L D
R U S H
Softened by the puri ty of whi te,
the i ntensi ty of gold mellows
i nto a soft shi mmer.
B A C K G R O U N D
Wallpaper from Design Hub.
F R O M L E F T
Gold-plated Tulip Family lamp, $5,796, from
Dream; Paloma white bird stool, $450, from
Platform; Bertoia high-back lounge chair,
$7,398, from Dream.
O N M O D E L
Paule Ka dress from Tyan,
shoes by Giuseppe Zanotti.
75
F R O M L E F T
Mid tridacnidae seashell, $680,
from Platform; Lilian white-gold cylinder,
$218, from Robinsons; white birds with stand,
$740, from Platform; tall wine glass, $29,
from Egg 3; short wine glass, $29, from Egg
3; royal crown ring holder, $69.90, from Wood
Would. Other items, stylist’s own.

Escape to another dimension where
land, air and sea are all touched
with the noble hue.
76
B A C K G R O U N D
Wallpaper from Design Hub;
luggage cart 9008B, from Novox Inc.
O N M O D E L
Paule Ka dress from Tyan.
77
B A C K G R O U N D
White bookshelf wallpaper from Dream.
F R O M L E F T
Lamp, $560, from Robinsons; small Pisa building
sculpture, $95, from Egg 3; Win bottle holder,
$70.09, from AF Home; large Pisa building
sculpture, $115, from Egg 3; Areaware hand
hook, $146, from Robinsons; gold fan, $350,
from Egg 3; Jali square tea light, $125.23,
from AF Home; Venus short vase, $341,
from AF Home; table, $950, from Platform;
Seletti white crown, $59, from Robinsons.
Other items, stylist’s own.
T R A V E L L E R ’ S T A L E S
Relive your precious memories through
objects that hint at adventures in antiquity.
78
79
F R O M L E F T
Agata Ta gold leaf lamp, $2,080, from Dream; unicorn
skull jewellery holder, $155.90, from Wood Would;
Seletti gold skull, $59, from Robinsons; Onyx skull
ring holder, $129.90, from Wood Would; Bola Vola
painting, $3,900, from Dream; crowned lion cookie jar,
$179.90 from Wood Would; large gold gnome chair,
$445, from Robinsons.
S H 0 P 0 I t l R I 0 S I T I E S
Does everything look better coated
in gold? What might once have been
strange oddities now take on a gleam
of glamour under Midas’ touch.
80
O N F L O O R
Paloma gold bird stool, $1,550, from Platform;
George Aries rug, $1,577, from Dream.
O N M O D E L
Dress from H&M.
text AMANDA JAYNE LEE photography TAN WEI TE styling NONIE CHEN
f
a
s
h
i
o
n

s
t
y
l
i
s
t

E
V
O
N

C
H
N
G

a
s
s
i
s
t
e
d

b
y

A
L
I
S
S
A

T
A
Y

m
a
k
e
u
p

S
H
A

S
H
A
M
S
I

U
S
I
N
G

L
A
U
R
A

M
E
R
C
I
E
R

h
a
i
r

R
A
Y
M
O
N
D

L
E
E

/

C
L
O
V
E
R

H
A
I
R

B
O
U
T
I
Q
U
E

U
S
I
N
G

S
E
B
A
S
T
I
A
N

m
o
d
e
l

E
V
E
L
Y
N

R

F
R
O
M

/

A
V
E

M
A
N
A
G
E
M
E
N
T
81

W - N O T C H
B Y C A S T
Cast was formed less
than a year ago by
Napawan Tuangkitkun
and two partners, and
it aims to shed some
light on discarded
materials. “The wood
from the W-Notch
garden stool is from
old railway tracks,”
says Napawan
of the minimalist
industrial-style seat.
To better appreciate
the naturally aged
reclaimed wood, the
designers decided to
use a simple metal
stand to display it like
a piece of art.
www.fb.com/castbkk
B A M B O O
M O S A I C
V A S E S B Y
B A M B U N I Q U E
Specialising in resort-
style furniture and
accessories made
with Thailand-grown
Phai Tong bamboo,
Bambunique’s
designs are
sustainable and long-
lasting, thanks to a
treatment process
that protects it from
termites. We love
how different shades
of bamboo create
the mosaic surfaces,
giving an edgy twist to
the natural material.
www.bambunique.com
L I K A Y B Y
S R I N L I M
Named after a form
of traditional Thai
folk theatre known
for its colourful and
dazzling costumes,
Likay is graphic
and textile designer
Sarinya Limthongtip’s
tribute to the classic
art form. With this
invigorating textile
pattern, Sarinya
hopes to demonstrate
how Thais can still
embrace their culture
within contemporary
settings.
www.srinlim.com
PART THAI,
PART GLOBAL
Whi le sti ll fi rmly rooted i n local materi als, techni ques and culture, Thai desi gn i s
now savvi er than ever. As seen at the Bangkok Internati onal Gi ft Fai r and Bangkok
Internati onal Houseware Fai r 2014, Thai desi gners are now creati ng refi ned
i nterpretati ons of uni versal trends, wi th many pi eces featuri ng a brand of humour that’s
synonymous wi th thei r heri tage. We bri ng you the best of what caught our eye at the fai r,
i ncludi ng brands and desi gners to keep on your radar.
DIRECT
FROM
BANGKOK
83
D E S I G N B U Z Z
S A B A I - D
Flamboyant and eccentric, yet wonderfully elegant, every piece in Sabai-D’s
collection is handcrafted with the same amount of love and passion an artist would
put into each artwork. Co-owner and designer Paramet Saentaweesuk shares
that his vision is to create art in the form of furniture, rather than design furniture
for the home. A favourite among the local creative crowd, Sabai-D is known for its
playful designs such as the Ma Nung bench (pictured above) – inspired by the Thai
word for bench (ma nung), which directly translates to “horse” and “sit”. Paramet
also enjoys thinking out of the box in terms of materials. One example is the Ind
Wing chair, which appears to have a steel frame, but is in fact made of wood.
www.iamsabai-d.com
ßtund lc
Hulch
L A M Y A I
B Y H O O G
Made out of solid
ash or oak, the
Lam Yai table lamp
comes in two parts
– a stand and a
spherical “head”.
When assembled,
the light sits snugly
on its “body”, but you
can rotate it in any
direction you please.
This clever and quirky
design comes in three
shades: Natural,
tabacco and ebony.
www.hoogshop.com
R O C K Y B Y
E V E R Y D A Y
Relive the simple
delight of sitting on
a rocking horse as a
child with the Rocky
Stool by Everyday
studio, which has
a “rein” that allows
you to carry this
lightweight design.
Whether you
straddle this stool
like a cowboy or
ride sideways like a
lady, this piece will
definitely inject
a little cheer into
your household.
www.everyday-
studio.com
Space-saving furniture, sustainable products and
designs that value craftsmanship were dominant
themes that ran throughout the fair.
84
C O C O O N
H A N G I N G
L A M P
B Y K O R A K O T
Designer Nopparat
Chaiwong grew
up in a small town
surrounded by
fishermen, and
took inspiration
for this sculptural
pendant lamp from
their net-weaving
techniques. Just like
the rest of Korakot’s
lighting designs,
the Cocoon hanging
lamp is inspired by
Thai techniques and
environments, such
as the use of locally
sourced natural
materials, including
bamboo and
hemp rope.
www.korakot.net
P R A I B Y
K I D D E E
D E S I G N
M.L. Poramats
Varavarna is the brain
behind Prai, a simple
and creative solution
to building your own
vertical garden. This
modular system is
inspired by plants
that grow on cliff
faces, and is made
up of individual
boat-shaped planters
which allow you to
inject greenery into
your home – be it in
a small corner of your
bedroom, or against
the fence of your
back porch.
www.kiddeedesign.com
P U N - S U K B Y
H A R I O R A
With a shared
loved for “small
furniture that makes
you happy”, fresh
graduates Nutdanai
Siribongkot and
Chayamin Sakdikul
got together to
design a collection of
Scandinavian-inspired
wooden pieces. Under
the Hari Ora brand,
the budding designers
hope to present
pieces that are warm
and functional, such
as the Pun-Suk table,
which features a
pull-out ledge to hold
additional dishes
– a nifty solution,
especially for large
families!
www.fb.com/pages/
Hari-Ora
85
D E S I G N B U Z Z D E S I G N B U Z Z
O U T O F S T O C K
www.outofstockdesign.com,
www.industryplus.com.sg
The intriguing Luna light
was awarded one
of the Outstanding
Talents of 2014 by Interni
magazine as part of the
Asia Talents showcase.
This design is available
under Industry+, a new
Singapore-based
furniture brand.
D E S I N E R E
www.desinere.com.sg
Home-grown talent
Melvin Ong’s medley of
chic designs include
the Fraise ornamental
paper collar and the Rok
concrete paperweight.
S T U D I O N O R M
www.studionorm.com
Studio Norm’s series
of contemporary and
elegant stainless steel
vases represent the
refined aesthetics the
studio adheres to.
S T U D I O J U J U
www.studio-juju.com,
www.industryplus.com.sg
Founders Timo Wong
and Priscilla Lui
designed a solid
walnut-wood dining set,
featuring a sturdy
table and low reclining
chairs (pictured),
for Industry+.
text MAVIS ANG
P D M B R A N D
With a couple of accolades already under its belt, including
acknowledgements from Japan’s Good Design award and Singapore’s
Furniture Design Award, PDM Brand is already on the region’s design radar.
Its new mat collection (pictured above) took home a couple of honours
under the Asia Talents showcase at the Bangkok International Houseware
Fair. “We used traditional ways to produce the polypropylene mats, but
gave it a modern geometric design,” says founder and designer Doonyapol
Srichan. Standing out from the many friendly designs at the fair, his work –
like the steel Paper chair – is sleek, edgy and unabashedly urban.
www.pdmbrand.com
ßtund lc
Hulch
U N I E B Y
A L L T A G
Do you often find
yourself rummaging
through your bag
right before you leave
home, to check if
you have everything
you need? One way
to beat that last-
minute search for
those loose (but
essential) items is by
placing them right
by the door – and
the slim Unie floor
lamp, along with its
detachable shelves
and mirror, is the
perfect piece to hold
all your little knick-
knacks.
www.alltagdesign.com
F R U I T
C A N D L E S
B Y N I M I T E D
Display these candles
in a fruit bowl at home
and amuse your
guests by picking up
an “apple” or “pear”
to light. Made to
look, feel and peel
just like real fruit,
Nimited’s delightful
candles work as fun
accessories to inject
humour into your
home setting and liven
up your tablescape.
www.nimited.com
At this year’s Bangkok International Houseware
Fair, 40 emerging designers from around the
region were recognised through the Asia Talents
showcase. Home & Decor couldn’t be more
pleased to see Singapore being represented by
these cutting-edge local design studios.
Dcinµ oinµupctc Ptcud
86
T|e Sun-unq turved lHD T\ trun-port- you into u «|ole ne« «orld.
C UR V E D WI T H
A P UR P O S E
Samsung Curved UHD TV HU9000
S A M S U N G S P E C I A L
88
The Samsung Curved UHD TV is available at leading electronic stores.
Catching your favourite television
programme or watching a movie
is a luxury most of us look forward
to after a long day’s work. It’s an
experience that takes you away
from reality and transports you into
another world.
Samsung’s Curved Ultra High
Definition (UHD) TV does just that
– it provides you with an immersive
cinematic experience by enveloping
your visual range with a curved
screen. You’re no longer just part
of the audience, but you’re also
given the opportunity to be a part
of the action.
The unique shape of the curved
screen ensures less visual distortion
as the surface curves softly inwards
– a reflection of the convex curve of
your eye. This means that every point
of the screen is at a uniform distance
from your eye’s curved surface. The
effect results in a panoramic viewing
experience.
At the optimal curvature of
4200R, the Samsung Curved UHD
TV is perfect for most households,
where the TV viewing distance is
3m to 4m.
The curve also helps amplify
the UHD technology built
within the television screen.
Currently the only curved
television set in the market
to have UHD technology, the
HU9000 offers four times
the resolution of a full-HD
television, with a proprietary
innovative four-step UHD
upscaling technology that
improves lower resolution
images to near UHD picture
quality. The clear, high-
resolution images are further
amplified by the essential
concave curve of the television
set. In addition, Samsung’s
Auto-Depth Enhancer
technology maximises the
contrast of each content area,
giving you 3-D impact without
the need for 3-D glasses.
Built to suit the style
of homes everywhere, the
Samsung Curved UHD TV
has a softer, more elegant
shape as compared to its
box-like predecessor. The
only curved television set to
be wall-mountable at the
moment, it comes with a thin,
sleek bezel and sits as pretty
as a picture on any wall. Its
slim design ensures that the
screen is only 11.5cm away
from the surface it is placed
against, just 2cm more than
its flat-screen counterpart.
Available in 65-inch
and 55-inch sizes, the
Curved UHD TV is perfect
for homeowners with small
spaces and little standing
room for television consoles.
Offering a gateway
into the cinematic world,
Samsung’s Curved UHD
TV is truly the pinnacle of
television technology.
H I G H - T E C H S T Y L E
I
m
a
g
e
s

a
r
e

f
o
r

i
l
l
u
s
t
r
a
t
i
o
n

p
u
r
p
o
s
e
s

o
n
l
y
.

S
c
r
e
e
n

i
m
a
g
e
s

a
r
e

s
i
m
u
l
a
t
e
d
.

S
a
m
s
u
n
g

E
l
e
c
t
r
o
n
i
c
s

C
o
.
,

L
t
d
89
S P A C E C H A N G E R
Desi gni ng a smal l space can be chal l engi ng. Usi ng t he pet i t e t hree-
room HDB f l at as an exampl e, we i dent i f i ed t hree ways i n whi ch
homeowners have t urned t hei r humbl e 600sqf t o 700sqf apart ment s
i nt o spaci ous and uni quel y st yl ed abodes. You can appl y t hese
l essons t o any space!
1 Home to a young couple, the pair turned
the spare bedroom into an open study. They
kept the layout bare and minimal, opting for
a wall-mounted wooden ledge instead of a
desk. This helped maintain a clean, spacious
look for the living area. The master-bedroom
door was shifted perpendicular to, and out of
sight of, the living room. This gave the couple
a more private entrance into the bedroom
and a wider wall space for a television
console and storage area.
Design: Box.ID Studio
O p e n u p y o u r l i v i n g s p a c e
b y t a k i n g d o wn t h e wa l l
o f a n a d j o i n i n g r o o m

S M A L L S P A C E S
90
2 There are no problems with privacy in this
bachelor’s flat. Living on his own gave him
the option of opening up the whole space
for himself. With no need for an enclosed
bedroom, he can now watch television from
the comfort of his bed, giving him his own
“resort-hotel suite”. However, should guests
pop by, sliding double pocket doors allow him
to close off his bedroom for privacy.
3 One of the bedroom walls in this flat was
removed to create a space that was turned
into a study and a hobby room, showing off
the homeowner’s collection of Bearbrick toys.
The formerly enclosed windows now let light
into the adjacent living space.
4 This bachelor replaced the wall of one
bedroom with glass, and turned the space
into a showroom for his collection of quirky
furnishings, such as the Pop Art-inspired
decor pieces and unique chairs, set against
a commissioned wall mural. The glass wall
also brightens the area considerably.
Design: Amphibios Creative
5 Wanting an open-concept apartment, this
homeowner decided to take down all the
walls within the space. She used dividers,
such as the patterned glass panel which
stands between the living area and bedroom,
to zone the home instead. Not only does the
glass divider make the room appear larger,
but its patterns also cast pretty shadows onto
the surrounding areas.
Design: MOMO



91
B r i n g y o u r d i n i n g t a b l e i n t o
y o u r k i t c h e n s p a c e
1 With the cooking
area downsized and
tucked into the back
of the kitchen, there
was enough space
to place a dining
table in the kitchen
for this bachelor and
his guests, leaving a
more spacious living
zone (not seen). To
recreate the nostalgia
of an old coffee shop,
he decorated the
space with pale-green
tiles and vintage
accessories, which
add to the old-school
charm of communal
dining in the kitchen.

92
2 Once the kitchen
wall was torn down,
the long layout of the
flat meant that the
homeowners had the
option of building a
long island counter.
Clad in simple square
white tiles, it is large
enough to seat
six people.
Design: Box.ID Studio
3 Hidden behind a sliding door, the kitchen might be small,
but it is just large enough for this bachelorette who hardly
cooks and prefers spending time in her living room. Instead
of a stand-alone dining table, a long customised countertop
stretches across the length of the space, making it a great
place to grab a quick bite. Design: MOMO
4 A combined kitchen and dining area makes the living zone
look much more spacious. Besides a tailor-made dining
table, this singleton opted for space-saving benches instead
of dining chairs. A sliding glass door zones off the kitchen
and dining area for privacy, and it allows sunlight into the
middle of the flat even when closed.


93
R e c o n f i g u r e t h e f o o t p r i n t
o f y o u r b a t h r o o m
1 Playing with the standard side-by-side toilet
and shower areas, the designer created wet
and dry areas, placing the washbasin outside
the toilet area and shower enclosure so that
the owner can have more space to store his
bathroom accessories.
2 A three-room flat usually
comes with separate toilet
and shower areas. This flat
combines the two spaces, but
partially screens the toilet from
the shower area with a wall.
The former entrance from the
kitchen was walled up, and an
entrance was created from the
adjacent master bedroom. The
shower area was given a unique
curved corner and a storage
niche in the wall for bathroom
essentials, with exposed pipes
spray-painted black.
Design: The Association

94
3 This tall wooden structure slices the kitchen
of the flat into half lengthwise, and shields the
bathroom from view of the kitchen on the other
side. It also houses the washbasin, and the
shelves provide ample storage space for towels
and toiletries.
R E C O N F I G U R I N G Y O U R H D B F L A T ? T A K E N O T E :
Structural walls, beams and columns
cannot be hacked or removed.
Your bathroom’s floor slab and
walls cannot be tampered with, which
means no removing or repositioning of
concealed water pipes. This is because
waterproofing has already been done
by the HDB. You can change only the
finish of the floor and not the slab
itself, which means you can lay over the
original tiles, but not replace them.
Bathroom wall finishes can be
replaced after the first three years of
completion of the block, but ensure your
wall finishes – including cement screed
– don’t exceed 25mm in thickness.
When installing a tub or shower tray,
purchase ready-made products as the
4 The only entrance to this bathroom is from
the master bedroom, and its footprint has been
reconfigured so that the washbasin counter
is now inset into the space outside the wet
areas. The homeowners can now also use the
bathroom and washbasin independently.
Design: Box.ID Studio


text AMANDA JAYNE LEE
Don’t be confined by the layout of your home – simply shifting
fixtures or knocking down walls can help you open up the
space and make rooms appear larger.
construction of tubs is not allowed. Also,
the space beneath your tub or shower
tray has to be kept empty.
You can raise the level of your flooring,
inclusive of tiles, up to only 50mm using
concrete.
Embedding of wiring in walls, beams,
columns, wall plaster or other finishes
is not allowed.
Construction of arches, demolition
of walls and construction of openings
between two flats requires a permit
from the HDB.
You are not allowed to change the
usage of your air-conditioner ledge
or planter box.
Check out more HDB guidelines here:
www.tinyurl.com/HDBrenoguidelines
95

THINGS
NOT TO
DO WHEN
YOU HAVE
A SMALL
SPACE
We’ ve all been gui lty of
these at some poi nt. Avoi d
these common mi stakes
and create a spaci ous
envi ronment i n your
Li lli puti an li vi ng space.
S M A L L S P A C E S
96
1
Choose too many different
types of laminates
For a more cohesive look
throughout your home, don’t go
crazy with laminate patterns and
overwhelm the space with
different designs.
:
Install low-hanging
or large pendant lights
These stunt the height of your
ceiling. If you’re looking to spice
up the room decor, cluster a
few small pendants to create
a light feature.

)

Use heavy drapery
Heavy curtains could
overwhelm the design of your
home and take attention away
from an outdoor view, if you have
one. Make use of sheer curtain
materials to let more light into
your home, and fake taller and
wider windows by extending
your curtains or placing your
blinds beyond the dimensions
of your window.
¡

Clutter your floor space
Avoid crowding your floor
with thick and heavy furniture.
Opt for pieces that have thinner
legs and a higher base to give the
illusion of a free-flowing, empty
floor. This way, you still have the
furniture you need, but with a
wider-looking space.
¡

Use visually-heavy
wallpaper
Wallpaper that has strong or
complicated prints could make a
room seem smaller than it actually
is. If you want patterns, try using
artwork or accessories.
6
Waste vertical space
Build storage space on walls
and keep your floor space clean.
For example, opt for suspended
cabinets and shelves instead of
standing storage units.
;

Cut up your space
Keep the space free-flowing
and the layout simple with larger,
basic living zones. Demarcating too
many functional zones in one area
could create a confusing, crowded
atmosphere in your home.
8
Buy too many small
pieces of furniture
It might seem like a good idea to
purchase a bevy of small pieces
for your small space, but too many
items could clutter it up instead.
Purchasing a few high-quality key
pieces is better than buying many
smaller, cheaper alternatives.

,

Turn your whole
home white
Painting your home completely
white could do more harm than
good. Instead of making your
home look larger, it could come off
rather one-dimensional instead.
Use some colour to help create a
balance. Paint a single wall a rich,
brighter shade to introduce some
depth and dimension.
1c
Restrict furniture to
one use
Make use of what furnishings you
own; many pieces can have
a secondary purpose. For example,
a low step-ladder could be used
as a display shelf, and ottomans
can double as table surfaces
for drinks.
text AMANDA JAYNE LEE illustration CARMEN CHEN 97

Revampi ng your bedroom coul d be as easy as buyi ng new
bed l i nen. From bri ght hues and graphi c pri nt s t o cal mi ng
neut ral s, t ake your pi ck f rom t he l at est desi gns avai l abl e.
98
99
1 Circuit bed linen
set, from $259,
from Robinsons.
2 Konrad single-sized
duvet cover, from $169,
from Robinsons.
3 PS 2014 duvet cover,
$49.99 (includes two
pillowcases), from Ikea.
4 Kullervo Citron Queen
sheets set, $249.95,
from Crate & Barrel.
5 Brunkrissla quilt cover,
$29.90 (inludes two
pillowcases), from Ikea.
6 Forest single-sized
quilt cover, $148,
from Robinsons.
7 Mirage queen-size quilt
cover set, from $259,
from Robinsons.
Bedsheets in your
favourite colour or
print are just the thing
to perk you up on those
dreary mornings. If you
want your bed to be
the centre of attention,
opt for a busy palette
of contrasting colours.
To complement an
already vibrant room,
go for simple lines on a
neutral or pastel base.
Ma k e a b o l d s t a t e me n t wi t h a n e c l e c t i c
a r r a y o f p r i n t s a n d p a t t e r n s .
t 0 L 0 l R ¾ E ( l I R K Y





Ne u t r a l s h a d e s a r e n ’ t b o r i n g wh e n d o n e r i g h t .
S u b t l e p r i n t s i mp a r t a r e f i n e d a n d c o s y f l a i r t o y o u r b e d .
S H A D E S O F G R E Y

100
Move over, white bedsheets. Other shades from
a broad spectrum of neutrals can accentuate
a minimalistic decor just as well. Grey sheets,
especially when matched with subdued motifs,
can add a masculine edge to your bed. If you’d like
some femininity, pick pillowcases with cool-toned
florals for a softer touch.
8 Constellation single-
sized quilt cover, $49,
from Robinsons.
9 Nyponros quilt cover,
$59 (includes two
pillowcases), from Ikea.
10 Pebble sheet sets, from
$349.95 for a queen-size set
(includes two pillowcases),
from Crate & Barrel.
11 Belo Grey twin-sized
sheets, from $159.95
(includes two pillowcases),
from Crate & Barrel.
12 BRZ quilt cover, from
$204.90 (includes two
pillowcases), from CB2.
13 Azalea single-sized quilt
cover, $119, from Robinsons.



text & coordination BEATRICE BOWERS 101
D E S I G N B U Z Z
M A D E
T O O R D E R
How would you li ke to have your very own personali sed desi gns
for your home? We seek out furni ture, fi xtures and accessori es
that you wouldn’ t have thought were customi sable!
B a t h wa r e
Australian-owned-
and-designed luxury
brand Apaiser offers
handcrafted, bespoke
stone-composite
bathware. Reported
to have the highest
level of stone content
in the market, its
bathtubs, shower
trays and washbasins
are made with eco-
A B O V E
At Apaiser, you can
customise stone
bathware to fit any space
you want – such as this
corner bathtub, which
is also the bathroom’s
design feature.
R I G H T
The minimalist
washbasins perfectly
complement the elegant
curved bathtub. Both are
customised creations
by the Australian brand.
friendly reclaimed
marble to individual
specifications.
You can go as far as
selecting the finish
of your pieces –
such as engraving,
mother-of-pearl or
rock textures – as
well as your desired
shape and form.
www.apaiser.com
102
L a mp s h a d e s
Instead of putting your
photos in frames, print
them onto lampshades.
You can customise the
canvas shade of the
U-Canvas lamps from
Artique Studio with your
own images, whether
they are photos or
your own designs. The
lamps are handmade
with printed canvas and
recycled wood. If you’re
not a Photoshop whiz,
the studio can help with
digital effects and even
superimpose your image
on stock backgrounds.
The lamps, priced from
$150, are available
in either square or
rectangular frames,
and in different sizes.
www.artiquestudio.co
L E F T
No more boring
switches! With
Jung’s online graphic
tool, you can even
personalise electrical
switches with images.
A WORLD OF YOUR OWN
THESE MATERIALS AND FITTINGS
ALLOW YOU TO CREATE A HOME THAT
YOU CAN TRULY CALL YOUR OWN.
G l a s s a r t
For a classy and artistic touch,
order handmade glass feature
panels, partitions, lighting fixtures,
sculptures and more at Synergraphic.
www.synergraphic.com.sg
S i l k
Add a dose of luxury with beautiful
Chinese art hand-painted on silk that
is made into wallcoverings, panels
or screens, from Just Anthony.
www.justanthony.com
M o s a i c s
Create dazzling feature walls and
floors with colourful, iridescent
mosaics from Italian brand Sicis,
available at GF+A Global.
www.gfaglobal.com
W a l l c o v e r i n g s
Contemporary vinyl wallpaper can
be customised with hand-painted
designs. Available at Goodrich Global.
www.goodrichglobal.com
P a i n t e f f e c t s
Achieve the look of brick wall,
leather and metal with paint and
plaster. Available at San Marco.
www.san-marco.com/eng
S w i t c h e s
Electrical switches from German
brand Jung can be customised by an
online graphic tool, with either a laser
engraving or a colour-printed finish.
www.jungasia.com
103
D E S I G N B U Z Z
S o f a
De t a i l s
The Holiday collection
from German brand
Domicil takes sofa
customisation to the
next level, by tailoring
each piece according
to your preference
down to smallest
detail. Apart from
choosing leather for
colour, thickness and
feel, elements such
as piping, stitching
and trims can also be
customised to create
attractive contrasting
effects. The pieces
are made by skilled
craftsmen, and prices
start from $2,200 for
a leather armchair.
www.domicilishome.com
At the Harvey Norman
Design Centre,
you can dress up a
selection of sofas
and armchairs in
a collection of over
2,000 exclusive fabrics
from Australian brand
Warwick. Now, you
can apply the fabrics
to the bed frames
and headboards in
store, and even to a
range of IMG recliners
from Norway.
R e c l i n e r s ,
b e d f r a me s
a n d h e a d b o a r d s
This way, you can
colour-coordinate your
suite of furniture, all
in one place. Choose
from prints, patterns
and weaves – the
fabrics are also easy
to clean, so you do not
have to worry about a
laborious maintenance
routine. Prices start
from $1,209 for a
bed frame.
www.harveynorman.
com.sg
text LOUISA CLARE LIM
L E F T
The Imagine sofa by
Domicil is just one
of the many in its
range of customisable
seating options.
B E L O W
The smallest details
make a difference –
so choose the kind of
stitching you would
like to have.
R I G H T
At Harvey Norman,
you can select fabrics
from Australian
brand Warwick’s
extensive range for a
beautiful bed frame
like no other!
B O T T O M R I G H T
Warwick offers
countless fabric
options, which
are exclusive in
Singapore to
Harvey Norman.
L E F T
Customise the
look of your IMG
recliners, such that
it harmonises with
the rest of your living
room furniture.
104
Visit us at
www.spacefactor.com.sg
E: [email protected]
T: 6746 0082
122 Eunos Ave 7 #08-02/03
By Appointment Only
L E F T
The original timber
trusses and beams
elegantly frame
the upper levels
of the penthouse,
reinforcing the loft
space’s sense
of heritage.
R I G H T
The modern
chandelier from
Nemo instantly
dresses up the
streamlined dining
space. A Gunlight
standing lamp
from Philippe
Stark adds a touch
of contemporary
whimsy.
The owner of this stunning apartment in London’s iconic
St Pancras building, home to the historic St Pancras train
station, pulled out all the stops in dressing up his pad. He
engaged architect and interior designer Thomas Griem of
TG-Studio to turn the unique Grade 1-listed building space,
with its breathtaking panoramic views, into a cosy and
stylish abode.
“Grade 1 buildings are of exceptional interest,” says
Thomas, explaining that government approval was required
for any changes that might affect the apartment’s original
state. Working within those confines, he managed to make
significant structural changes, such as demolishing the
existing staircase between the first two levels and replacing
it with a modern, glass-balustrade stairway. The stairs are
cleverly cantilevered against a newly designed library, thus
avoiding the need to put extra load on the floor, which would
not have been able to support the weight.
Th e internationally-known designer took pleasure in
creating a contemporary living space within the Victorian
Gothic building, blending the owner’s various South
African, Indian, European and American influences. “To
aesthetically integrate multicultural design,” Thomas says,
“it is important to create a calm base, and then mix ideas,
finishes and furniture from different cultures and styles.”
S T Y L E
S T AT I O N
WHERE TO GO TG-Studio, www.tg-studio.co.uk
106
107
R I G H T
Full-height
windows allow
natural light to
wash into this
elegant en suite
bathroom. A
Masiero chandelier
glamorises the
monochromatic
space.
( O P P O S I T E )
T O P L E F T
Designer Thomas
Griem enjoying
the result of his
creative vision.
T O P R I G H T
Glass and spacious
areas give an open,
fluid feel to the
multi-level home.
Like the oatmeal
silk carpet of the
bedroom, base
colours throughout
the home are
kept consistently
warm and neutral
to marry the
various functionally
separate, but visually
overlapping, areas.
B O T T O M L E F T
The penthouse
is situated in
one of the towers
of the famed St
Pancras station, an
architectural icon.
B O T T O M R I G H T
Spots of colour,
like this sunflower-
yellow Metropolitan
armchair by
B+B Italia, are
artfully scattered
throughout the
home. Pieces
of art from the
homeowner’s
collection
personalise and
distinguish
each space.
108
The challenge of creating a sweepingly luxurious interior in a Victorian Gothic embrace found
its answer in layering the dramatic fundamentals – timber beams and arch windows –
with lush materials and bespoke furnishings in strikingly clean and contemporary forms.
109
R I G H T
The classic
simplicity of the
plush Giorgetti
sofa and Bloom
coffee table by
Meridiani ensures
that there’s no
undue distraction
from the home’s
original structural
elements. All
the windows
were repaired,
reinstated and
double-glazed, and
the eye-catching
timber beams were
cleaned up.
110
111
T O P
Concealed
storage space
is conveniently
located behind
the Kartell Masters
chair and Oak
and Hazel desk
from Heal’s.
L E F T
Part of this
bedroom’s space
was converted into
an adjoining work
area. The slanted
ceiling beam gives
the space a cosy,
atelier-like feel.
O P P O S I T E
A snapshot of
the more than
12m-tall loft. Glass
balustrades play a
starring role in the
open-concept plan,
adding to the sense
of spaciousness
throughout the
home. The ultra-
modern kitchen on
the lower level is
a picture of sleek
simplicity, with
blocks of colour
and unbroken lines.
Modern conveniences are cunningly hidden behind seamless facades.
Lighting, audio and video systems, as well as curtains and blinds, can
all be controlled remotely to provide ultimate functionality.

text EILEEN KHOO photography PHILIP VILE
R I G H T
The living area is
the heart of the
home, flanked by
bedrooms, the
kitchen and a
television zone on
top of the steps.
Removing the
steps’ original
railings results
in an unobstructed,
open look.
Movi ng from a landed home to an
apartment gave thi s expatri ate fami ly
the New York-style loft they wanted –
and brought them closer together.
L O F T Y
D R E A M S
W H O
A couple from
Norway and their
two teenage
children
S I Z E
3,700sqf
H O M E
Five-bedroom
condominium
apartment near
Orchard Road
114
115
L E F T
Mindful not to
have their home
look like a gallery,
artwork and
artefacts are
strewn casually
on the floor rather
than framed or put
in display cases.
This allows them
to be switched
around easily, too.
R I G H T
Sparse furnishings
– which include
Arne Jacobsen’s
Egg Chair – and
splendid views
lend an immediate
sense of space.
An expatriate family’s decision
to move out of their rambling
colonial black-and-white
bungalow after more than 10
years and into a five-bedroom
condominium apartment filled
them with apprehension, but also
rekindled an old fantasy.
Having grown up surrounded
by vast tracts of land in Norway,
the family naturally had
misgivings about size constraints
and weren’t too pleased with
the lower ceilings. “It was a
completely different space, and
there were structural walls
and beams that couldn’t be
hacked,” says the wife. However,
she soon realised its potential to
be transformed into her dream
home: A New York-style loft with
minimalist styling and clean,
open spaces.
In the hands of designer
William Chan of Spacedge,
walls were torn down in a
six-month overhaul that turned
the apartment as close to a
structural blank canvas as it
could be. What is most striking is
the immediate sense of space in
the well-sized living area, flanked
by the kitchen, bedrooms, and a
116
Keeping the furnishings in shades of tan helps define
the living area and create a sense of visual unity.
117
( O P P O S I T E )
T O P L E F T
The family’s
collection of art and
Asian artefacts fits
surprisingly well into
the apartment’s pared-
down Scandinavian
aesthetic.
T O P R I G H T
As the homeowners
enjoy having friends
over, they chose a
3m-long dining table
that brings out the
best of the elongated,
narrow space.
B O T T O M L E F T
The wife loves
furnishings that are
visually light, such
as the see-through
Bubble Chair by Eero
Aarnio that beckons
guests from the
television zone.
B O T T O M R I G H T
The bathrooms
feature cementitious
walls – walls with an
engineered cement
finish that is suitable
for wet conditions,
hence reducing the
need for maintenance.
A clear, uncluttered
space – as seen
in the TV zone –
was one of the
homeowners’
requests.
television zone. The wife has
an eye for aesthetics, and the
all-white interiors are infused
with the Japanese and
Scandinavian design sensibilities
that she favours for their
reserved simplicity.
As the living area is
on a slightly lower level,
William redesigned the steps
to increase accessibility and
removed the original railings for
a cleaner look. Laid-back pieces
in white and a warm tan shade,
including Arne Jacobsen’s Egg
Chair, provide ample seating.
Paintings are not hung, but leant
against the home’s white walls.
To give the family the
expanse of space they are
accustomed to, William
completely reconfigured the
layout of the apartment. The
kitchen – which had been a
tiny, L-shaped nook – is now an
open, elongated area with a low-
maintenance Silestone worktop
and breakfast counter perfectly
sized for four. It also allows
plenty of room for cooking and
118
119
120
T O P L E F T
The Silestone kitchen
counter doubles as a
breakfast area sized
to fit four bar stools
on one end.
T O P R I G H T
A touch of wood
warms up the
all-white master
bathroom, which was
made more spacious
by removing the
wardrobes at
one end.
R I G H T
Wall panels were
added to improve
the acoustics in the
drum room, and their
cool black-and-white
aesthetics ups their
style quotient, too.
O P P O S I T E
In the kitchen,
sliding polyurethane-
clad doors hide
appliances. A
recessed cooker
hood in the ceiling
removes cooking
fumes in the
open-concept area.
baking – some of the wife’s
favourite pastimes. Customised
wall storage units here and
throughout the apartment are
concealed by doors wrapped
with a polyurethane finishing
to minimise joint lines for
a cleaner look.
Beyond aesthetics, the
couple’s main prerequisite
was a dedicated drum room
for their son. Taking over the
footprint of a bathroom behind
the television area – where a
Bubble Chair by Eero Aarnio now
hangs – the room’s door, ceiling
and walls were insulated and
soundproofed, with panels added
for better acoustics.
For the master bedroom,
William oriented the bed towards
the apartment’s lush green view.
121
122
A dash of quirkiness and a touch of colour
through the furnishings and artwork make this
bright, white oasis even more inviting.
WHERE TO GO
Spacedge, TEL: 6438-3770
As the en suite bathroom –
now a whitewashed oasis –
was rather small, he made
space by relocating its
wardrobes on one end.
While moving meant
they had to throw out some
furnishings and send other
pieces back to Norway, the wife
reveals that they are enjoying
some unexpected benefits –
easier maintenance, and more
text KITTY CHEW photography MARTIN T art direction NONIE CHEN & KAFFY TAN
interaction with their children.
“It’s a smaller space, so we
have them much closer to us,”
explains the wife. “It’s nice to
start afresh, with an empty place
that we can gradually build up.”
And doing so in their dream
New York-style loft isn’t a bad
proposition either.
123
124
L I V I N G
A M O N G
H I S T O R Y
Steeped i n hi story, but also located i n one
of the trendi est nei ghbourhoods i n town,
thi s conservati on uni t i n Ti ong Bahru i s
home to a couple who wanted to bri ng the
essence of i ts surroundi ngs, i ndoors.
W H O
A couple in
their 30s
S I Z E
1,100sqf
H O M E
A 1930s walk-up
apartment in
Tiong Bahru
L E F T
The loft-style open
kitchen and dining
area serve the
couple’s lifestyle
well, as they often
host brunch for
friends on the
weekends.
125
126
L E F T
Accordion gates
now stand in place
of a solid wall
that once zoned a
bedroom from the
stairway entrance.
This grungy feature
adds to the
retro-inspired
common area.
B E L O W
The cement
markings that
run alongside
the apartment’s
original mosaic
tiles tell a story
of the home’s
original layout.
original mosaic tiles was one of the
homeowners’ requirements, so the
floor areas where the walls once
stood were left untiled. It may be
an eyesore to some, but the couple
love that the apartment’s original
footprint remains evident.
Adding to the retro theme is
the missus’ collection of storage
and bar cabinets inherited from
her parents, which she restored
not just for their decorative value,
but also for their functionality.
She was also delighted to
chance upon a couple of vintage
lampshades – which now hang
above the dining table – at a junk
shop in Craig Road.
As she enjoys baking and
cooking, the kitchen had to not
only be functional and spacious,
but also integrated into the dining
and living zones to better entertain
guests. Its sleek architectural
design contrasts smartly with the
common area’s retro finish.
The more restful zones of
the home present a 180-degree
change in aesthetics – Yann
This resale flat was pretty much in
its original state when its current
homeowners first got hold of
it. Antiquated, dark and slightly
cramped, it called for a major
facelift and the couple sought
out WY-TO Architects for the
task. Having already completed
a handful of residential projects
in the vicinity, its director, Yann
Follain, had a good grasp of the
restrictions posed by conservation
guidelines, and was the couple’s
go-to designer for the renovation.
The open-plan apartment
is divided into two contrasting
sections; the common area
showcases a retro style, while
the private zones are done up in a
contemporary fashion. Just like the
district it’s in, this home is now a
charming juxtaposition of the past
and present.
In order to make the most
of the generous amount of
natural light flowing through
from both ends of this elongated
apartment, Yann opened up all
three bedrooms. Retaining the
Just like its neighbourhood, this walk-
up apartment in the trendy Tiong Bahru
area is a charming juxtaposition
of the past and present.
127
outlined these areas with crisp
lines, cladded with warm timber
flooring and furnished with
contemporary designs. This
open-plan section consists of a
bedroom, a washroom and a
walk-in wardrobe positioned
adjacent to each other.
The bedroom is a medley of
soft pastels, held together by a
watercolour print wallpaper which
the missus ordered online from
Eskayel, a New York-based design
studio. A customised cabinet is
installed against the wall, which
conceals and makes better use of
awkward niches tucked away at
the corners. Just like the bedroom,
the walk-in wardrobe is kept
strictly functional and clean-cut.
Besides physically zoning this
home into common and private
sections, Yann also artfully worked
two contrasting styles into both
spaces, resulting in an invigorating
blend of the old and new. The
refurbished home might tally with
current popular decor styles, but
what the homeowners really love
is that it still reflects its history and
the spirit of the neighbourhood.


A pegboard as
the kitchen’s
backsplash keeps
kitchen tools
neatly displayed
and organised
– a method
popularised
by renowned
American
chef and TV
personality
Julia Child.
WHERE TO GO
WY-TO Architects, TEL: 6438-4090
L E F T
The large balcony
was left untouched,
rather than
absorbed into the
living area, as the
couple felt that
it represents the
essence of the
neighbourhood.
O P P O S I T E
The dining area is
made up of a table
from Foundry,
a grey J77 chair
from Hay and
dining chairs from
the International
Furniture Fair
Singapore.
128
129
B E L O W , L E F T
A pale, calming
palette, pulled
together by an
Eskayel wallpaper,
was chosen for the
bedroom as the
couple needed it
to be a place just
for rest.
B O T T O M
One of the rooms
was converted
into a fuss-free,
storage-filled
walk-in wardrobe
and dressing area
for the practical
homeowners.
The home’s more private
sections are done up in a
contemporary fashion, in
contrast to the retro theme
of the common area.
B E L O W , R I G H T
Once enclosed
and separated
into a shower and
washroom, both
areas were merged
and the sink was
shifted out into
the walkway to
create a roomier
bathroom space.
O P P O S I T E
Privacy can be
restored to the
bedroom with the
help of a concealed
sliding door at
its entrance.
130
Contrast
creates
interest. Here,
the industrial
cage lighting
(from www.
urbancottage
industries.com)
lends a gritty
contrast to
the bedroom’s
pastel colours.


text MAVIS ANG photography DARREN CHANG art direction NONIE CHEN & KAFFY TAN 131
132
and reading zones – making minor
but effective tweaks that left most
of the unit’s original structure
untouched, to save on unnecessary
demolition costs. We list the five
smart ways in which Hsia Pin and
Eunice made a small space work
harder for this big family.
1 They created a versatile
dining space
The cosy bistro-style curved booth
seating was fashioned to exude a
warm, homely vibe and, together
with a couple of chairs, is able to
accommodate all seven family
members during mealtimes.
One wall behind the bench is
clad with a mirror, and this reflects
light into the area and makes it
look more spacious; perpendicular
to that wall is one made of glass.
By today’s standards, a 1,367sqf
living space hardly seems small.
But when you consider the fact
that this condominium unit houses
five adults and two kids, it suddenly
seems like a real squeeze. The
inhabitants of the home include Mr
Lim, his wife and their two daughters,
his sister and their parents.
Coming from a large family
himself, interior designer Hsu
Hsia Pin of EHKA Studio felt that
the home should have spaces in
which the family can spend time
together, instead of retreating into
their own rooms. “There are three
family units living under one roof,
so there is a need for separation,
yet connectivity,” he says.
What he and his wife and
partner Eunice Khoo did was to
create subtle dining, entertaining
S M A L L S P A C E ,
B I G C O M F O R T
Maki ng mi ni mal changes to the uni t,
these desi gners deftly demonstrate fi ve
ways they made a small space work
harder for a large fami ly.
W H O
A three-
generation family
of seven
S I Z E
1,367sqf
H O M E
Four-bedroom
condominium unit
in Buangkok
R I G H T
The custom
two-part sofa can
be pulled apart to
make space for
larger gatherings.
O P P O S I T E
Sheer curtains are
used to divide the
dining area from
the kitchen, while
still allowing light
to pass through.
133
R I G H T
Blinds are used to
demarcate a private
study area, without
completely cutting
it off from the rest
of the home.
The translucent curtains in front of
the glass wall create texture for a
more warm and welcoming space.
This dining booth replaces a
kitchen counter that was hacked
away to make space for the
curved structure. The proportion
of the space was also changed
for aesthetic purposes. “This is so
there is more fluidity in movement,
and so the area is made less
squarish,” adds Hsia Pin.
2 They built a cosy reading corner
The designers defined a study
corner at the back of the living
room by constructing a timber
partition that extends all the way
up and across the ceiling. The
partition is part of a structure that
also includes a study desk and
storage. To keep the structure
light, a large window was made
in the partition wall with blinds to
provide privacy from the corridor.
The designers also built a
high-back upholstered booth seat
that extends from one end of the
partition to the sliding doors of the
balcony, for a more social space.
To keep the area clutter-free,
storage areas were incorporated
in the drawers under the reading
bench, behind the high backrest,
and in the cabinets beside the
desk. They included open shelves
for easy access to items such as
the printer, too.
134
A B O V E
An open shelving
system adds
contrast to
the concealed
storage space.
R I G H T
Fabric panels
flanking the TV
screen were
designed as a
safety feature and
also hide a narrow
storage area.
F A R R I G H T
The family decided
on timber decking
for the balcony,
where they like
to relax.
A neutral colour scheme lends a sense of
spaciousness and provides a clean palette for
furnishings and colour accents.
135
B E L O W , L E F T
A sponge
headboard cladded
with fabrics from
Bode, along
with glass-finish
bedside drawers,
were designed
to add a sense
of luxury to the
master bedroom.
B E L O W , R I G H T
The handleless
push-to-open
cupboard doors
offer a clean,
seamless look.
O P P O S I T E
Floor-to-ceiling
cupboards double
as feature panels
while maximising
storage space
in this compact
bedroom.
Hsia Pin and Eunice initially
proposed using loose furniture
for the study area, to keep to the
homeowners’ budget. However,
Mr Lim was so taken by the idea of
a comfy reading nook built with a
computer table, that he decided it
would be worth splurging a little.
3 They designed a
multi-functional sofa
Made of two L-shaped sections –
one with a low backrest –
the family’s space-saving sofa
has plush customised fabric-
upholstered sections that are
fashioned more like day beds,
with no arms.
When placed together, there
is a backrest in the centre and
seats facing all sides, so different
groups of people can watch
television comfortably, or chat
at the back. The design provides
ample space for family members
to interact with each other from
all around the room.
Anchoring the living room,
the sofa makes the space appear
larger than it is. Its mobility was
appealing to the homeowners,
as the modular units can be
separated and offer individual
bench seating for hosting a large
group of family friends.
4 They kept the colour
scheme light
Using his preferred neutral
colour scheme, Hsia Pin kept
things simple and coordinated to
make the space feel bigger. The
customised structures are built
from timber clad in a light wood
laminate to complement the white
walls, adding a sense of serenity in
the home.
Coloured accents such as the
black Lightcraft ceiling lamp above
the dining table, along with a bright
green rug in the living room, keeps
the look from getting boring.
See-through dividers zone
the areas while keeping the space
from feeling closed or cramped.
Sheer curtains conceal the kitchen
from the dining area while allowing
light to pass through, and blinds
are used to shade the semi-private
study. This allows a generous
amount of light from the floor-
to-ceiling balcony glass doors to
permeate the home.
5 They devised plenty of
storage space
Instead of free-standing cabinets,
built-ins were configured to fit
bare wall spaces and exploit every
corner for storage space. Breaking
the monotony is an open shelving
136
Hidden storage units in the bedrooms
are designed as feature panels,
while the primary use of wood reflects
a warm and cosy vibe.
text THRINA THAM photography WINSTON CHUANG art direction NONIE CHEN & BRENDA WONG
system that also houses the TV
set and provides a display area.
To keep the structure streamlined,
the designers chose to clad
stronger, but thinner, plywood
panels in metal instead of using
thick metal shelves. The white
of the structure provides an
interesting visual break from the
warm wooden palette of the home.
The built-ins extend to
the bedrooms, where vertical
storage units double as stylish
wall features. Mr Lim confesses:
“We don’t throw out our things,
so we have a lot to tuck away.”
To accommodate this need,
the designer duo created bay
windows with storage space
below by covering up the bottom
glass panels of some of the
rooms’ full-height windows.
Hsia Pin reasons: “If we didn’t
cover the glass, those spaces
would not have been used for
anything else.” The position of
the storage units also mean the
intensity of sunlight in the rooms
is lessened, keeping the rooms
cool during sunny afternoons.
WHERE TO GO
EHKA Studio, TEL: 9692-4205
137
The playground of a truly passi onate
home-chef and foodi e, thi s apartment
features heavywei ght ki tchen
equi pment that ri vals the li ne-up
of any professi onal ki tchen.



W H O
A couple and
their two children
S I Z E
2,300sqf
H O M E
Three-bedroom
penthouse unit in
Bukit Batok
When its door is
closed, the built-in
pantry situated in
between the dry
and wet kitchens
blends seamlessley
into the panelling
of the living area.
T O P L E F T
Homeowner and
Gaggenau chef
LT Low’s love for
cooking and good
food stems from
growing up in a
Peranakan family
who loves food.
138
139


Play up a double-
volume space by
repeating shapes
and forms. The
rectilinear shapes
of the tiled feature
wall, cabinet
and glass panels
draw the eye and
dramatise the
ceiling height.
Depth is also
created thanks
to the various
material textures.
140
L E F T
A high-ceiling
entrance area
bathed in natural
light welcomes
the family home.
B O T T O M
The spacious
first floor, which
includes a large
al fresco dining
area, was designed
for entertaining.
It is obvious that this
contemporary, stylish home
belongs to someone who really
loves to cook. It has three
kitchens – one wet, one dry
and one outdoor – fitted with
Gaggenau appliances, and
includes three fridges, two wine
coolers, four ovens and even
an integrated pantry. On top
of that, everything is designed
with a chef’s requirements in
mind. “Functionality in the cook
space is very important to me;
everything is two to four steps
away,” says homeowner LT Low.
Trained at Le Cordon Bleu,
the manager in the food industry
is so passionate about cooking
that German luxury kitchen-
appliance brand Gaggenau
has engaged him as a private
chef and to hold cooking
demonstrations at its events.
Mark Yong of Museum
Homes designed LT’s two-storey
penthouse apartment, which has
an open concept with clean-cut
details and neutral colour tones.
The centrepiece of the first
floor is the dry kitchen, which is
visible the moment you enter the
home. Featuring a large kitchen
island with an integrated 90cm-
wide induction hob, this is where
LT can usually be found and
where his family gathers.
The passionate chef
attributes his love for cooking
and food to his Peranakan roots
and his mother’s influence.
“While I was growing up, my
mother always asked me to taste
her food,” he smiles. We dig
deeper into his passion.
How did your love for the
culinary arts develop? Coming
from a food-centred Peranakan
family that ran a spice business,
I’ve always had a passion for
cooking, but I didn’t know how
passionate I was till an encounter
with Gaggenau about six years
ago. I was in the showroom
looking for an oven, and when I
met the managing director, we
clicked. At the time, the brand
was looking for a chef to cook
Peranakan food.






With three professional cook spaces and a design concept centered
around entertaining, this modern penthouse unit is a reflection of the
homeowner’s lifestyle and passion for the culinary arts.
141
So I started cooking for its
events, and Gaggenau opened
doors for me, introducing me
to a lot of the equipment now
installed in my own home.
I found a new lifestyle that
revolves around cooking and good
food, and started entertaining a lot
more. I then attended Le Cordon
Bleu in Bangkok. I was looking for
refinement; I wanted to make food
look and taste better in terms of
texture and presentation. I also
attended a wine appreciation
course at Singapore Polytechnic.
If you want a good, wholesome
dining experience, that includes
drinks as well.
What are your kitchen must-
haves? The ultimate must-have
is a steam oven, like the one
I have from Gaggenau. It is
wonderful as it steams food
and is also better for roasting
with low temperatures. With it,
you can preserve texture and
flavour, and control moisture and
humidity so your food won’t dry
out. It’s also good for baking and
keeping food warm for a party.
Another must-have is a high-
performance blender, and a good
hand blender. I use a blender
for everything from juice to
smoothies and gazpacho, and for
emulsification techniques.
I’m an advocate of the
induction hob. I’m fed up with
gas hobs, because the kitchen
gets very hot due to the heat and
when there’s a draft, the shifting
flame results in uneven cooking.
At home, a kitchen island is
essential. Ours has become the
centre of the house, where the
family often gathers.
What are your parties like?
We hold dinner parties for friends
and family, where I cook mostly
French and Peranakan food.
Roasting meat is my forte.
The party usually begins with
tapas and starters served on the
island counter, where we spend
most of the time cooking
and interacting.
T O P L E F T
LT ensured that
everything in the
home – even a rail
for hanging utensils
– was installed
according to his
specifications.
A B O V E
On the second
floor, the cosy
master bedroom
“extends” into the
outdoor area.


Neatly
consolidate all
your household
appliances in
one structure.
Here, a central
timber-finished
“column”
between the
living area and
wet kitchen
holds the TV set
(behind sliding
louvred panels),
a wine chiller,
the pantry,
a fridge and
storage space.
T O P R I G H T
A corner in the
balcony has been
dedicated to the
wife’s herb garden,
from which she
harvests edibles to
use for cooking.
142
An understated but effective palette of wood tones
and varied dark and neutral hues sets the mood
in this stylish, contemporary home.
143
text LOUISA CLARE LIM photography EDWARD HENDRICKS / CI&A & MUSEUM HOMES art direction NICCO LIM
A B O V E
LT had a long
suspended dish
drainer customised
and installed
above the sink in
the L-shaped wet
kitchen, as the
family frequently
entertains.
B E L O W
A statement graffiti
wall mural was
commisioned for
the son’s room,
adding a burst
of colour to the
neutral colour
scheme.
Then, we have the main
course and dessert, sometimes
in the outdoor area upstairs. I
make my own cocktails, too.
I normally spend up to two
days preparing for a party. I
start by planning the guest list
and menu, and then buying the
ingredients. Some dishes, like
stews, have to be cooked a day in
advance, to let flavours develop.
As I don’t have a helper or sous
chef; I do everything from peeling
the onions to plating up. But I
enjoy it – it’s very therapeutic.
Why do you enjoy cooking and
entertaining? I love playing with
ingredients and spices, and
exploring new flavours. When
I travel for work – often every
week – I always look forward to
coming home to cook. I love to
create dishes and recipes, and
cooking for people. When you
cook for guests, you interact with
them and get to know what they
like. It’s amazing to be able to
create something on the spot and
blow their minds. In a way, it’s
quite a personal thing, as you’re
connecting with people.
Have you considered setting up
a restaurant? Perhaps if I was
30, but I’m too old for that now!
I don’t want to kill the passion.
When you start a restaurant, it
becomes a commercial project in
which you have to make money.
I don’t want cooking to become
a drag. I’d rather enjoy what
I’m doing, and share it with the
people that matter, in my own
time. This way, I get to play with
and create food and keep people
happy. Furthermore, my work in
the food industry lets me do what
I love.
How has your lifestyle
influenced your family? My
17-year-old daughter is a food
blogger and a self-taught pastry
chef. She impresses me because
she can simply take ingredients
from the fridge and whip up a
great meal. She has picked up
WHERE TO GO
Museum Homes, TEL: 6737-9793;
Gaggenau Experience Centre,
TEL: 6356-1080
quite a few techniques from me,
but she wants to be a pastry chef
and has set her mind on attending
the Culinary Institute of America
in New York. She likes to entertain
friends at home by cooking and
experimenting with baking. My
13-year-old son also has a lot of
interest in cooking. My wife really
likes gardening and grows herbs
in the balcony – but she cooks only
when I’m not around.
144
Visit us at
Booth NC26 at
Singapore Garden
Festival 2014
at Gardens by the Bay
16-24 Aug
D E S I G N B U Z Z


W H A T ’ S C O O K I N G
These days, we show off our kitchens as much as we do our living areas.
We present the latest kitchen design trends from this year’s Eurocucina
(the International Kitchen Furniture exhibition) in Milan.
S l i m
Wo r k t o p
P r o f i l e s
Thin is in, especially
for countertop
materials – all
the experts we
consulted concurred
on this point. New
innovations have
made worktops as
thin as 12mm, such as
the Stormer ceramic
worktop in the display
kitchen at W Atelier
(below). Poliform’s
Phoenix kitchen
(right) features a steel
worktop that is only
6mm thick (or thin!).
“At Eurocucina, we
also saw thin tops
made of cement
and resin, as well
as powder-coated
aluminium,” says
Selina Tay from
Collective Designs.
A p p l i a n c e
O v e r l o a d
“Technology these
days is unbelievable,”
says Luca Zucchet,
general manager of
the furniture division
of W Atelier (which
carries Toto Kitchen
and Stormer). People
used to just want a
functional kitchen with
a built-in fridge, hob
and oven. Now, they
want teppanyaki
plates, double ovens,
an induction and a
gas hob, he says.
Manufacturers
are not stopping at
contemporary designs
of stainless steel
and glass, either.
Smeg introduced its
Victoria line (above),
modelled after 1950s’
aesthetics, complete
with a retro-style logo
and chrome control
knobs. It may look
retro, but it comes
with interactive menus
and pre-set recipes on
its display screen.
K I T C H E N
146

electrical cables and
rubbish, all with the
press of a button on
the countertop,” says
Jennifer. An example
can be seen in this
Poliform kitchen (left).
For her new
Salinas kitchen
for Boffi (available
at Xtra), designer
Patricia Urquiola
created a hidden
integrated gutter-
shaped system which
houses the plumbing,
electrical and
extractor parts.
In keeping with the
trend of uncluttered
surfaces, smart
solutions for kitchen
systems are being
introduced. They hide
things you don’t need,
but still make them
accessible. Luca
says: “The design of
the Stormer display
kitchen (left, above) is
the result of listening
to our customers.
We integrated a
chalkboard, a storage
niche for cookbooks,
and a trough which

can be used as a
herb planter or
to hide bottles
of seasonings.”
Another nice
touch is the butcher
block fitted onto
the kitchen island,
which can be used for
carving meat in front
of guests.
“Smart-solution
technologies have
been integrated
seamlessly into the
kitchen system, to
hide as well as reveal
kitchen-cleaning aids,
Fe a t u r e s t o Ma n a g e C l u t t e r
S mo o t h
& F l a t
C a b i n e t r y
“Europeans don’t
like to see too many
items in the kitchen.
Cabinetry should
resemble a cube,
with no handles
and always in matte
lacquer,” says Luca.
So what we see are
linear designs with
hidden or recessed
handles – such as
the Stormer kitchen
(left) and Poliform’s
Sharp kitchen (right) –
which also makes the
surface easy to clean,
says Jennifer Soh,
marketing manager
of Space Furniture,
which carries Poliform.
147
D E S I G N B U Z Z
text REBECKKA WONG
Ma t e r i a l
Mi x e s
With the demand in
the European market
down, companies
pulled out all the
stops this year to
attract the attention of
Asian consumers with
high-gloss surfaces
and fancy materials
such as quartz,
marble and ceramic,
says Luca. Exciting
material combinations
were also seen,
“pushing the visual
presentation of
the kitchen to the
I n t e g r a t e d
L E D
L i g h t i n g
LED lighting is not
only functional, but
also adds to the
design element of
kitchen systems,
says Jennifer
“Smart LED
lighting is integrated
to illuminate the
interiors of cabinets
and drawers with
motion-sensor
next level,” says
Jennifer. “The use
of many ingenious
combinations of
concrete, metal,
glass, wood,
laminates, quartz
and marble sets
the trend focusing
on more natural-
looking products.
The Salinas
kitchen by Patricia
Urquiola for Boffi
(left) takes decorative
flexibility to the next
level. The system
opening and soft-
closing capabilities.”
This can be seen
in the Poliform
Varenna Artex
system (right), and
in the Boffi Salinas
kitchen, where LED
lights are installed
in the shelves and in
structures for hanging
kitchen tools.


allows for door
panels in various
materials such as
metal (zinc, brass,
copper), industrial
glass, lacquers or
textured concretes,
to be inserted within
the frame. Worktops
are made of matte
ceramic, marble,
stone or lava. There
is also a wooden
chopping-board table
which slides out to
provide more surface
area for preparation.
148
at Teak & Mahogany
B
e
a
c
h
L
iv
in
g
K I T C H E N
When compared to
washing dishes by
hand, dishwashing
machines provide
an easier, quicker,
and more efficient
cleaning solution.
As dishwashers
are still uncommon
in local households,
Harvey Norman’s
new Der Spuler
dishwasher concept
store by Bosch will
serve well as an
educational hub for
those still on the fence
S t a r t wi t h a C l e a n P l a t e
about investing in
one. “This dishwasher
lab, just like our
coffee and cooking
concept stores, will
help improve our
consumers’ lifestyles
by providing them with
expert knowledge,”
says Angelo Augustus,
the managing director
of Harvey Norman.
Bosch’s entry-
level machine is the
Active Water 60cm-
wide model ($1,399),
which holds up to 12
place settings, and
can eliminate bacteria
by using water heated
to 70 deg C. For
smaller spaces,
consider the Active
Water Smart Compact
(below, $1,099),
which is the size of a
microwave oven and
sits comfortably on a
kitchen countertop.
Der Spuler by
Bosch i s located
at Harvey Norman,
#02-57 to 62
Mi l leni a Wal k.
O N B A K I N G
For flakier pie crusts
and puff pastries,
SCS Butter advises
keeping butter as
hard and as cold
as possible before
using. The cold pieces
of butter, trapped
between the layers of
dough, create small
air pockets when they
melt, resulting in a
flakier texture.

Inspired by the founder’s Swedish heritage,
Kikki.K’s new home accessories collection
embodies the graceful simplicity of the Nordic
style. Featuring pure white ceramic and earthy
woods, each piece is finely accented either
with gold stripes or a quirky apple motif.
Items range from tableware ($39.90 for
a 26cm bowl) to tea towels ($24.90 for a pair).
Avai l able at al l Ki kki . K outlets and
at www. ki kki -k. com.
Mi d a s To u c h
150
Here’s an incentive
to bake up a storm!
Earn points when you
purchase SCS Butter
products and use
your points to redeem
kitchen essentials,
such as baking
equipment and
even a range of
pots. This loyalty
programme runs
till Oct 31 and
is available only
in Singapore.
For more detai l s,
check out
www. scsdai ry. com.
B r o wn i e
P o i n t s
text MAVIS ANG, AMANDA JAYNE LEE, LOUISA CLARE LIM, THRINA THAM & BEATRICE BOWERS
Rejuicenate is made
up of organic fruit
and vegetables
cold-pressed into
interesting and
nutritional blends
such as Spicy
Lemonade, Coconut
H2O and Mean Green.
You can purchase the
concentrated juices
as part of a cleansing
programme, or
J u i c e T h e r a p y
Inspired by Italian marble, Caesarstone’s latest Calacatta Nuvo quartz
surface can effortlessly accent any kitchen with its subtle elegance.
Featuring cascading grey veins against a white base, it bears an uncanny
resemblance to its natural counterpart. With the added edge of being
easy to clean, you’d never have to sweat over a stain again.
Vi si t www. caesarstone. com. sg for more i nformati on.
Ma d f o r Ma r b l e
in a pack of six
500ml bottles
($75). Founder and
Michelin-trained
chef Chris Remaley
claims that after
a bottle, you’ll be
too full to eat!
Order your
Rej ui cenate
customi sed
si x-pack at www.
rej ui cenate. net.
The new Miele CM
6300 Coffee Maker
makes enjoying
a morning coffee
with a loved one
even more pleasant
with its “one touch
for two” function,
which enables you to
prepare two coffees
simultaneously. This
D o u b l e t h e J o y
Avai l able at al l maj or electroni c stores.
Prepare more dishes in less time with Samsung’s
Built-in Multi-Function Oven, which allows you
to cook two dishes simultaneously at different
temperature and time settings. With a range of
induction hobs and hoods, and a dishwasher,
this makes up the Korean brand’s newly
launched built-in kitchen appliance collection.
Two D i s h e s wi t h O n e O v e n
sleek machine is
great for families, as
it can input up to four
user profiles to cater
to each individual’s
coffee preferences.
Pri ced at $2, 788
f rom the Mi ele
Bouti que, #B1-01
Wi nsl and House I I ,
tel : 6735-1191.
151
E C O - W A R R I O R
T HE A F T E R L I F E
Recycli ng ensures that we don’ t guzzle up more new resources from our planet.
Let’ s take a look at what we can recycle and how to make i t easi er.
PLASTIC
In Singapore, we throw away over
800,000 tons of plastic annually,
but recycle only 10 per cent of it.
Recycling plants sort the plastic
by type, then break them down
into small pellets that are used for
making new plastic products.
Fact! Five hundred years from
now, every plastic bottle thrown
away will still be on Earth.
What can be recycled: Bottles
and containers that hold food and
drinks, personal and cleaning
products, clean takeaway
containers, clean straws, plastic
cutlery and plastic bags.
What can’t be recycled: Styrofoam
containers – so say no to them!
text MILITZA MAURY photo IMAGE WERKS/CORBIS IMAGES
DID
Y0l
KN0\:
The average person
produces 1kg of garbage
every day and up to 75 per
cent of it can be recycled.
Keep in mind that
producing raw materials
uses 70 per cent more
energy than when using
recycled materials. By
recycling, you contribute
to creating products in
a more sustainable way!
Make a difference with
these simple changes
to your lifestyle:
1. Set up recycling bins.
2. Buy products with
packaging made from
recycled and reused
materials – look for the
Singapore Green Label.
3. Buy less. Simplify your
lifestyle and think twice
before you buy.
METAL
Metal can be recycled repeatedly
without losing its original
properties. Scraps are melted and
rolled into metal sheets to be used
for new products. Reusing metal
in this way helps to minimise the
impacts of mining.
Fact! Recycling one drink can
saves enough energy to power
a television set for three hours.
What can be recycled: Tin
containers for powdered drinks
and biscuits, metal cans,
aluminium foil, disposable baking
trays and empty aerosol cans.
What can’t be recycled: Large
electronic equipment and
batteries, which need to be
recycled in special collection bins.
Visit the National Environment
Agency website at www.nea.gov.sg
for locations.
T I P !
Never throw trash into a recycling bin.
It makes it more difficult for the recycling
plants to sort through the waste, and food,
drinks and other contaminants can ruin an
entire batch of recyclables. Make sure to
empty and clean your recyclables first.
PAPER
The average household throws
away 13,000 pieces of paper
and paper products every year.
Recycling only one ton (1,016kg)
of paper can help to save 24
trees, 1,439 litres of oil and
7,000 tons of water, yet most
people recycle only 38 per cent
of the paper they use.
Fact! A recycled newspaper
can be reprinted as a new
newspaper within a week.
What can be recycled:
Newspapers, cardboard food
packaging, white office paper,
coloured paper, gift wraps,
magazines, brochures
and envelopes.
What can’t be recycled: Paper
contaminated with food.
GLASS
Glass can be recycled
repeatedly. It will be sorted
by colour and then melted to
produce new glass products.
Fact! Every glass bottle you
recycle saves enough energy
to power a computer for
25 minutes.
What can be recycled: Glass
food containers and bottles,
drinking cups and glasses.
What can’t be recycled:
Lightbulbs.
152
Synonymous with style, Whiteboard
lets you create your dreams freely.
Draw inspiration from all the colours
and design that Whiteboard has to offer.
You will be flaunting contemporary chic
pretty soon.
E X P E R T S S A Y
Is it strange to place a ceiling
fan over the dining table?
We eat under fans all the time,
at coffee shops and outdoor cafes.
So it’s not strange to have a fan
ventilate the air in your dining
area. There are fans which come
with integrated lights, but if the
unit breaks down, you will have no
light or ventilation! For decorative
purposes, you might also want
to have a separate light. “Also,
consider fan speed. For example,
you’ll want your fan to be able to
provide a good breeze at a low
speed to ensure food on the table
won’t go cold fast,” says Lee
Ming, general manager of Capital
Distributors, which distributes
KDK in Singapore.
We answer your renovation
and decorating questions with
help from industry experts.
E-mail questions to
[email protected]
Y O UR R E NO &
D E C O R Q UE S T I O NS
A NS WE R E D
Q & A
p
h
o
t
o
g
r
a
p
h
y

F
R
E
N
C
H
E
S
C
A
R

L
I
M

d
e
s
i
g
n

W
2
D
A
p
h
o
t
o
g
r
a
p
h
y

R
O
G
E
R

C
H
U
A

d
e
s
i
g
n

E
D
G
E
L
I
N
E

P
L
A
N
N
E
R
S
I’d like to partition my dining
area to create another room.
How can I do this and which is
the most affordable way?
You can choose from several
materials for the partition, and
each comes with different costs
and considerations.
Your choices include solid
hollow concrete blocks, partition
boards – which is made of gypsum
– and glass, says Raymond Seow,
design director of Free Space
Intent. If you live in a HDB flat
and would like to put up a wall
made from concrete blocks, you
will need permission from the
Housing Board as it will result in
additional weight and stress on the
apartment level.
Walls made of gypsum board
and glass are lightweight and don’t
require official approval.
Between glass and gypsum
board, the choice is more of an
aesthetic one, says Raymond.
Glass, would, of course, allow
more light to enter the space.
You can also consider combining
two materials, such as glass with
partition boards.
When it comes to dismantling
the wall, the lightweight materials
will be easier to take down as
compared to a wall constructed
with concrete blocks. In terms of
cost, a partition made of concrete
blocks can cost as much as
double that of a wall made
from gypsum board.
154
d
e
s
i
g
n

T
H
R
E
E
-
D

C
O
N
C
E
P
T
W
E
R
K
E
I have a long rectangular
living and dining area. How do
I section off the space to have
a proper dining area, but still
keep the look clean? I want
some privacy for my dining
space, which can be seen from
the main door, but I don’t want
to block out the light.
Establish the space’s presence
without compromising privacy
by using partitions, which will
demarcate the two areas without
separating them visually.
For your living-dining space,
you can use a tall open display
shelf between the two areas.
Show off your stylish accessories
on them, but leave enough space
so one can see through to the
other side.
If you have a low ceiling,
choose a table-height console
which will leave half of the
vertical space open. You can even
position furniture pieces, such as
your sofa (with the back facing
the dining area), so they zone the
spaces naturally.
The same principle applies
to shielding the dining area from
the main door without losing light
and ventilation. Depending on
your preferred decor, a slim panel
made of timber strips, a framed
glass panel or even a suspended
sheer fabric panel, placed to
“block” the view of the dining
area, can serve both a practical
and decorative function.
I would like to have glossy
white laminate for my kitchen
cabinets because it makes
the space look larger.
However, I’ve heard that it
stains easily, so what other
types of laminate can I use?
Glossy laminates are easier to
clean than matte ones,
says Jansen Tan, director of
product design and development
for Lamitak.
Most stains can be removed
by wiping with warm water and
a clean non-abrasive cloth, or
you can use a mild household
cleaner or detergent.
Stubborn stains can be
removed with a small amount of
thinner on a clean non-abrasive
cloth. Always rinse and wipe
dry if you’re using cleaning
products. Avoid using cleaning
agents that contain acid, alkali
or sodium hypochlorite, as they
may corrode, discolour or ruin
the surface of the laminate.
To achieve a more spacious
look, Jansen advises against
bold designs as they will
dominate and “clutter” the
space. Instead, choose single
colours or subtle grains
and patterns.
text REBECKKA WONG 155
P R O P E R T Y
MA NI L A
O F T HE
MO ME NT
The famously hospitable Filipinos
tell tourists that “it’s more fun in
the Philippines”. In recent years,
property punters are finding that
it may also be more profitable to
invest in its real estate.
In January, the Urban
Land Institute (ULI), a
non-profit research and
education organisation, and
PricewaterhouseCoopers
polled international real-estate
professionals about the investment
prospects of different cities around
the world. The Philippines’ capital,
Manila, was listed No. 4 behind
Tokyo, Shanghai and Jakarta,
respectively. Sydney ranked No. 5
and Singapore, No. 7.
In a study titled “Emerging
Cities Outlook” by global
management consulting firm A.T.
Kearney, it was predicted that
in the next one or two decades,
Manila and Jakarta will likely
overtake New York, London and
Paris and attract more business
from global companies. But for
now, the Philippines is probably
not a top-of-mind destination for
L E F T
Metro Manila is
located on Luzon
Island, the biggest
and most populous
island in the
Philippines. It offers
most of the real-
estate investment
opportunities that
attract foreign
investors.
most Singaporean investors.
“Our long-term plan is to
retire in the Philippines,” says
one investor in his late 50’s,
who is married to a Filipino and
bought a condominium unit in the
Philippines for about S$100,000
a few years ago. “The standard
of living in Singapore is simply
becoming too high – our savings
can be stretched further if we live
in the Philippines.”
Most Singaporean investors,
however, are not buying for
retirement, but are hoping to
cash in on capital gains and rental
yield. They focus on projects in
prime locations in Metro Manila
(the National Capital Region of the
Philippines, made up of 16 cities
and the municipality of Pateros).
Singaporean property agents
say a buzz has been building up.
“Singaporean investors are very
savvy and they know where to look
for the next best investment,” says
Bobby Kok, executive director
of SLP Scotia. “The Philippines
has become one of the hottest
destinations for real-estate
FOREIGN
PROPERTY
SPECIAL
PART 3
It’s not as glitzy
as Sydney or as
cosmopoli tan as
Si ngapore, but Mani la
has outranked both
ci ti es i n a survey
on top real-estate
i nvestment markets
i n the Asi a Paci fi c.
Should you consi der
buyi ng property there?
156
investments due to its low prices
and high returns.”
Certainly, Filipino properties
have been more aggressively
marketed to Singaporeans in
recent times. The Philippine
Property Show held in March
reportedly attracted close to 1,000
visitors, which included Singapore-
based Filipinos, local-based
foreigners and Singaporeans, who
bought at least 21 units over the
two-day event. Come September,
the fair will return to feature a
variety of residential and resort
projects with prices starting from
S$100,000, with projected rental
yields of 10 per cent and more.
Tempted by the figures? We
answer your FAQs before you
start shopping.
What type of properties
can foreigners buy in
the Philippines?
Foreigners are not allowed to
buy or own freehold land unless
it is inherited. However, they
can buy condominium units
built on freehold or leasehold
land. Do take note of the “40-
60” rule. Foreigners can buy up
to a maximum of 40 per cent of
a condominium project, while
Filipino buyers must make up
60 per cent or more. “However,
foreign owners can sell their
properties to both local and foreign
buyers,” says Bobby. Do remember
that there will be capital gains tax
of 6 per cent imposed on your sale.
Why are foreign investors eyeing
Filipino real estate?
ULI Asia Pacific chief executive
John Fitzgerald credits the rising
interest in Manila to factors such
as the greater investor confidence
in the government and its fast-
growing economy; the Philippines’
gross domestic product grows
at almost 7 per cent per annum.
In addition, Manila is enjoying
increasing popularity among
multinational companies as a
destination to outsource services.
Bobby agrees. “Foreign direct
investment has been pouring in
due to the government being
open to foreign investors.
Many Business Process Out
sourcing firms are popping up
all over the country, creating
more jobs and infrastructure for
these businesses.”
A growing economy leads
to greater demand for housing
and property investment, which
results in resale prices and rental
yield going north. Bobby, who
markets international properties
from the UK, Australia and
various parts of Asia, shares that
he has noticed a definite increase
in the sale of Filipino properties,
particularly over the past year.
“Investors are attracted to the
high capital appreciation, which
has grown steadily at 10 per cent
per annum over the past few
years. Depending on the project,
rental yield can reach as high as
11 per cent.”
Is there demand from local
buyers in the resale market?
There is a growing market of
middle- and upper-middle class
Filipinos with greater buying
power than ever – even though
they may not even be living in the
Philippines. One of the country’s
greatest exports is its human
resource. Filipinos who work
overseas contributed US$22
billion (S$27 billion) worth of
remittances in 2013 alone and
this is projected to grow another
15 per cent by 2018.
This leads to healthier-than-
expected consumer spending
within the country. Property,
whether as a family home or
for rental income, is always an
attractive option for locals looking
to grow their money and assets,
which helps to boost demand for
resale properties.
Which areas should investors
check out?
Bobby recommends prime areas
with good rental demand. The
upscale Rockwell Centre, for
T O P
Fort Victoria,
a mid-upper
condominium unit
at Bonifacio Global
City in Taguig City,
attracts foreign
investors with its
good location near
the Singapore
Embassy,
international
schools and
entertainment
options.
A B O V E
The Proscenium,
which includes
condominium
blocks, an office
tower, a retail
area and a live
performing-arts
theatre and is to
be completed by
2019, will add to
the hip Rockwell
Centre popular
with expats and
well-heeled locals.
157
P R O P E R T Y P R O P E R T Y
1. Go with a good and trusted brand. Do your
research and check out the developer’s track
record with its previous projects.
2. Location, location, location. “Go for a prime
location, and don’t think twice,” advises Bobby.
3. It’s all about the timing. “You may have a
good and trusted brand and great location,
but if you don’t buy at the right time, your
investment may not be as lucrative,” warns
Bobby. Remember how bungalows in the
Iskandar Region used to cost RM1 million
(S$389,700), but fetched a cool RM5 million
within five years? Investing earlier in the
game may nab you a tidy profit later.
4. Don’t be blinded by terms such as
“guaranteed rental”. Though they sound
attractive, Bobby warns that, often, this
is already factored into the selling price,
Do keep in mind the “40-60” rule. Foreigners can buy up to a
maximum of 40 per cent of a condominium project, while Filipino
buyers must make up 60 per cent or more.
text STELLA THNG photos SLP SCOTIA & GARDEL BERTRAND/HEMIS/CORBIS IMAGES
example, sits on 15.5ha of land
in Makati City’s central business
district, and is popular with expats.
Bobby describes it as a “mini
Singapore” with high-rise office
buildings, condominium towers,
a shopping mall and schools.
“It has the most appeal to
Singaporean investors in terms of
the quality and exclusive township
lifestyle that they offer to their
high-net-worth tenants, both
local and foreign.”
According to Bobby, 80 per
cent of the tenants at Rockwell
Center are expats or corporations
which can support the high rental.
“The per-square-metre prices of
the older blocks have remained
high and have appreciated 160 per
cent since they were launched 15
years ago,” he adds.
Check out Rockwell Land
Corporation’s recently launched
Proscenium project in Rockwell
City. When completed by 2019, it
will feature four apartment blocks,
an office tower, retail area and a
live performing-arts theatre.
Investors will find Proscenium
attractive due to its top-notch
security. Rockwell Land
Corporation is the only developer
that secures its property’s roads
at night. All roads leading into and
out of the mega complex have
mobile gates armed by guards who
will open the gates for residents
after 11pm.
Prices range from 180,000
pesos to 200,000 pesos per sq m
(from S$480 per sqf). A spacious
1,506sqf apartment goes for
about S$725,000.
so you may be paying more to “subsidise”
your rental yield later.
“The risky part is what happens after the
three-year guaranteed lease is over. If the
project is not viable for rental, you may not
recover your investment,” he cautions. While
shopping for your property, look beyond these
terms and take a critical look at the project
itself to analyse its attractiveness for rental
and potential for capital appreciation.
5. Think value, not cheap. “Don’t just buy
because it’s cheap – buy because it’s a worthy
investment,” says Bobby. A cheap apartment
that you can’t rent out to cover your mortgage
will become a liability in no time. You are better
off paying more for a better project that enjoys
strong resale and rental demand. Do your
homework before you shell out those pesos.
B U Y E R ’ S C H E C K L I S T
Bobby Kok, executive director of SLP Scotia, offers five tips on how to pick the right
property in the Philippines.
For a more modest property
that you can lease out soon, Fort
Victoria at Bonifacio Global City in
Taguig City offers more affordable
prices in a good location. This
soon-to-be-completed mixed
development with shops and
food-and-beverage outlets is
located along the 5th Avenue,
known as the millionaire’s row
in Bonifacio Global City.
“Taguig is considered the
country’s fastest-growing business
and leisure district. It is located
next to the Singapore Embassy,
churches, a hospital, eateries
and shopping belts are within
a short walking distance,” says
Bobby, adding that it is a popular
choice for rental. A 481sqf
apartment at Fort Victoria
costs 4.8 million pesos.
158
F I X I T
G E T A
D E E P
C L E A N
The thi cker the rug,
the more di rt may
be hi dden. These
ti ps wi ll help you
keep your carpets
gri me-free.
SYNTHETIC CARPETS
Routine care: Vacuum at least
once a week to prevent dirt from
sinking deeper into the material.
Vacuum in varying directions to
“scrub” out the dirt. Or brush the
carpet in a circular motion.
Spills: Blot spills with paper
towels, and clean stains with
a mixture of clear dishwashing
liquid and water. Creamy
dishwashing liquid might leave a
sticky residue.
WOOL CARPETS
Routine care: Vacuum at least
once a week and be gentle on the
material. Do not brush in a circular
motion as the yarn may fuzz;
instead, brush in a single direction.
Spills: Blot spills with paper
towels, but avoid using soap. Clean
by misting with water. Avoid using
ammonia or any high-alkaline
cleaner as these will damage wool.
STATIC NO MORE
Shaggy carpets, especially wool
ones, can build up static cling as
you rub your feet on them, and
attract dust. Air-drying a carpet
can cause static cling to build, too.
To combat this, mix a tablespoon
of fabric softener with one litre of
water. Keep the mixture in a spray
bottle and use it on the carpet
whenever you have to. Never soak
your carpet with the mixture as it
may damage the material.
RAISE DEPRESSIONS
Heavy furniture can sometimes
leave depressions in carpets. After
moving your furniture away from
its carpeted spot, hold a steam
iron close to the affected area.
Avoid letting the iron touch the
fibres as they could melt or burn.
After a few minutes of steaming,
lift the fibres up with a spoon or
a coin.
The growth of
carpet mould
isn’t affected by
humidity, but
by the carpet’s
cleanliness.
text AMANDA JAYNE LEE photography WINSTON CHUANG
DID
Y0l
KN0\:
160
I N S T O R E
text AMANDA JAYNE LEE & THRINA THAM
Get your laundry and dishes clean
the eco-friendly way with Ecover
Zero. The dermatologically tested
Belgium brand features a range
of cleaning products that are
fragrance-free, colouring-free
and phosphate-free. Approved
by Allergy UK, the plant-based
products won’t irritate your skin.
If you’ve ever dreamed of relaxing
on a hammock on a beach
somewhere, Airmocks can help you
turn that dream into reality – no
trees needed! The free-standing,
foldable hammock weighs only 7kg
and can be stored away and tucked
into a bag for outdoor picnics. The
Japanese-made ball bearings on
each end are strong enough to
support up to 250kg.
S u mme r t i me S wa y
E X C L U S I V E
T O H & D
R E A D E R S !
One of five hammocks
from Airmocks worth
$109 each. Register at
www.homeanddecor.
com.sg/promotions to
enter the lucky draw.
Ai rmocks hammocks ( $109
each) come i n two colours, Lush
Green and Royal Bl ue, and are
avai l able on www. ai rmocks. com.
Preparing meals is hardly a chore
with the Hori Zone Chef induction
hob by De Dietrich. Equipped with
an intuitive touchscreen to control
four zones that have 15 power
levels each, the hob is made with
ease and precision of cooking in
mind. It also comes with 99-minute
individual timers, so you don’t have
to worry about burning your food.
Dark-grey Hori Zone Chef
i nducti on hob ( 65cm) , $6, 800,
i s avai l able at La Galeri e De
Di etri ch, #01-04 Cendex
Centre, tel : 6508-4600.
Mi n d Yo u r C o o k i n g
S we e t D r e a ms
The Ortho Luxury Seri es
f rom Hypnos i s avai l able at
Ackerman & Smi th, #01-06
Hi angki e I ndustri al Bui l di ng, 27
Woodl ands I ndustri al Park E1,
tel : 6366-6392.
C l e a n L i v i n g
Pri ces range f rom $7. 50
for a 750ml bottle of fabri c
condi ti oner to $23. 95 for a
1. 5-l i tre bottle of l aundry
l i qui d. Avai l able excl usi vely
at Home-Fi x stores.
Never worry about throwing your
back out again with Hypnos’ Ortho
Luxury Series of mattresses.
Designed to provide firm back
support, the range uses Reactive
pocket-spring technology to
balance support with comfort.
The mattresses come in four
luxurious materials: Latex,
cashmere, silk or wool.

162
text AMANDA JAYNE LEE photos ARTE LIVING DESIGN STUDIO
P R O J E C T S H O W C A S E
E NT E R TA I NME NT S PA C E
Cateri ng to the homeowners’ karaoke parti es, thi s desi gner customi sed cabi netry
to tuck away thei r karaoke system for a clutter-free home.
Being karaoke enthusiasts,
the owners of this three-
bedroom condominium unit
wanted a home that could
accommodate guests for
karaoke nights. So, they turned
to Gary Boo of Arte Living Design
Studio to help create an open
and uncluttered living area.
The 1,200sqf ground-floor
home came with an extensive
balcony that is great for outdoor
parties, so it was the living and
dining area that needed work.
Gary’s goal was to create an
environment that would feel
spacious even when filled with
a large group of people.
He first made provisions
for any messiness in the living
and dining area through a large
built-in storage feature behind the
dining table and chairs. A display
niche in the centre helps break the
monotony of the full-length, white
laminated cabinets. Wall-mounted
display shelves, finished with white
laminate and a mirrored back,
were placed along the hallway
entrance to give the couple a place
to display decorative items.
Key furniture pieces – such as
the leather sofa, dining table and
chairs – adhere to the all-white
theme, keeping the space bright
and clean. Floor-to-ceiling mirrors
stretched across the living-room
wall help to make the area appear
larger. To keep the living space
from appearing one-dimensional,
colour and texture were
added through velvety, silver
curtains and a shaggy brown
rug. A console was also built
to store the couple’s karaoke
equipment, which includes
BMB speakers on either side
of the television set.
To keep to the same theme
as the common area, the
master bedroom was painted
white. The designer achieved
a simple and clean look by
building storage units under
the bed and hiding a dresser
in the built-in wardrobe.
WHERE TO GO
Arte Living Design Studio, 280A
River Valley Road, TEL: 6238-1057
164
Create your own cinema,
spa and gym at home
Build the wardrobe of
your dreams
Discover the hottest trends
in tiles, wallpaper and more!
2014
EDITION
OUT NOW!
YOU MUST-HAVE
ESOU CE BOOK!
ENOVATION
The digital edition is available at
www.homeanddecor.com.sg/promotions
Valid till July 31, 2014.
Only for print edition
when purchased at
www.tinyurl.com/hndreno2014.
EARLY-BIRD
SPECIAL
AT ONLY

$8
(U.P. $10)
GRAB YOUR COPY NOW!
Boconcept
#04-01/03 Paragon
Tel: 6736-0777
www.boconcept.sg
Castilla
#03-08/09 Park Mall
Tel: 6337-6433
www.castilla.com.sg
Commune
#02-51/52/53
Millenia Walk
Tel: 6338-3823
www.thecommunelife.
com
Danovel
#02-54/55 Tanglin
Shopping Centre
Tel: 6235-5020
www.danovel.com
Da Vinci Home
10 Tanglin Road
Tel: 6738-6333
www.davinciasia.com
Dream
456 River Valley Road
Tel: 6235-0220
www.dream-int.com
Grafunkt
#02-01 Tong Yuan
Industrial Building
85 Playfair Road
Tel: 6281-8465
www.grafunkt.com
Harvey Norman
Level 2, Millenia Walk
Tel: 6311-9988
www.harveynorman.
com.sg
Lorenzo
#01-13/18
Pan-I Complex
Tel: 6746-1180
www.lorenzo.com.sg
Lush Boutique
#01-01
302 Jalan Besar
Tel: 6294-0042
www.more-less.sg
Lush Flagship
#03-01 Centro Bianco
73 Upper Payar Lebar
Road
Tel: 6858-5882
www.lush-lush.com
Nobel Design
16 Tai Seng Street
Tel: 6383-2222
www.nobel.com.sg
Novamobili
@ W. Atelier
Level 1
75 Bukit Timah Road
Tel: 6270-8828
Y O U R O N E - S T O P R E S O U R C E F O R P R O D U C T S A N D S E R V I C E S
buying guide
OM
Level 8
16 Tai Seng Street
Tel: 6235-0777
www.om-home.com
Teak & Mahogany
#07-04 Century
Warehouse
Tel: 6273-8116
www.teakand
mahogany.com
The Design Store
by Lifestorey
Level 1
16 Tai Seng Street
Tel: 6749-2422
www.lifestorey.com
Xtra Designs
#01-01 Park Mall
Tel: 6336-0688
www.xtra.com.sg
XZQT
#01-05 UE Tech Park
Tel: 6774-8031
www.xzqt.com.sg
INTERIOR
DESIGNERS
Distinctidentity
#01-02 Lion Building B
12 Arumugam Road
Tel: 6846-0033
www.distinctidentity.
com.sg
Dwell Interior Design
11 Kim Yam Road
Tel: 6883-1005
www.dwell.com.sg
Haire Living
Level 4, 29 Mayo Street
Tel: 6441-3345
www.haireliving.com
Mong Design Studio
#05-01 Centro Bianco
73 Upper Paya
Lebar Road
Tel: 6753-3005
www.
monginteriordesign.
com
Prozfile
1 Starlight Road
Tel: 6396-6672
www.prozfile.com.sg
Rezt & Relax Interior
#02-09 Vertex Tower B
Tel: 6348-7787
www.reztnrelax.com
Sky Creation
8 Kim Keat Lane
Tel: 6352-8809
www.skycreation.com.sg
Space Factor
#08-02 Richfield
Industrial Centre
22 Eunos Ave 7
Tel: 6746-0082
www.spacefactor.com.sg
The Design Practice
#04-01 The Modules
387 Joo Chiat Road
Tel: 6337-6478
www.thedesignpractice.
sg
Three-D Conceptwerke
24 Eng Hoon Street
Tel: 6293-8001
www.three-d-
conceptwerke.com
Vegas Interior Design
#01-07 Orion @
Paya Lebar
Tel: 6252-5522
www.vegas.com.sg
Whiteboard
#07-08
16 Tai Seng Street
www.whiteboard.sg
Tel: 6383-0133
KITCHENS
Mudian
#01-21/22/23
Vertex Building
33 Ubi Ave 3
Tel: 6733-7378
www.mudian.com.sg
Toto Kitchen
@ W. Atelier
Level 1
75 Bukit Timah Road
Tel: 6270-8828
www.watelier.com
LIGHTING
Lightcraft
131 Jalan Sultan
Tel: 6297-6658
www.lightcraft.com.sg
PAINT
Dulux
22 Soon Lee Road
Tel: 6265-0677
www.dulux.com.sg
Nippon Paint
1 First Lok Yang Road
Tel: 6265-5355
www.nipponpaint.
com.sg
RENOVATION
MATERIALS
Hafary
105 Eunos Ave 3
Tel: 6538-3823
www.hafary.com.sg
Hot Spring Stone
34 Sungei Kadut
Street 1
Tel: 6362-0085
www.hotspringstone.
com
Rice
#01-06, 66
Eng Watt Street
Tel: 6227-3456
www.rice-fields.com
T.A.K.
41 Sungei Kadut Ave
Tel: 6366-1212
www.tak.com.sg
OTHERS
Absolut Outdoors
#03-11, 59 Ubi Ave 1
Tel: 6553-1540
www.absolutoutdoors.
com
Acacia Fabrics
#04-03 Ubi Techpark
Lobby A
Tel: 6743-0060
www.acaciafabrics.com
Excel Hardware
#03-52/51
Northlink Building
tel: 6853-3113
www.excelhw.com.sg
Hafele Singapore
#03-00 Nutzcentre
Tel: 6494-7400
www.hafele.com
Legate Enterprise
#01-47 Northstar @ AMK
Tel: 6242-1911
www.legate.asia
Onna Prima
#01-44 Northstar @ AMK
Tel: 6886-9303
www.onnaprima.com
Robinsons
#05-05 The Centrepoint
Tel: 6733-0888
www.robinsons.com.sg
BATHROOMS
Apaiser
23 Mosque Street
Tel: 6223-2378
www.apaiser.com
Kludi Asia Pacific
#07-04 Harbourlink
61 Alexandra Terrace
Tel: 6270-6031
www.kludi.com
Toto @ W. Atelier
Level 1
75 Bukit Timah Road
Tel: 6270-8828
www.watelier.com
BEDDING
8edtimes Gallery
#B1-09 Park Mall
Tel: 6338-7889
www.8edtimes.com
Englander Gallery
#05-21/22
Plaza Singapura
Tel: 6884-5755
www.englander.com.sg
Serta International
#05-07 Plaza Singapura
Tel: 6238-0070
www.serta.com
Simmons Gallery
#03-341/342
Marina Square
Tel: 6339-7966
www.simmons.com.sg
ELECTRICAL
& ELECTRONICS
Schneider Electric
#02-17/20 Techpoint
Tel: 6484-7877
www.schneider-electric.
com.sg
FURNITURE
& FURNISHINGS
Abitex Designs
#04-50 Paragon
Tel: 6338-7789
www.abitex.com.sg
Air
#01-01 Sophia Flats
28 Wilkie Road
Tel: 6336-0662
www.weloveair.com
166
MEN’S HEALTH 11TH BIRTHDAY
SPECIAL GIVEAWAY!
SINGAPORE’S TOP MEN’S
MAGAZINE TURNS 11!
To celebrate, we’re giving you the chance to win exclusive
Amber Lounge party invites to rock out with your favourite
F1™ drivers. One lucky reader will get to party in style
with seven of his mates at a Classic Table worth $8,000!
There are also two individual party invites worth
$1,000 each up for grabs!
PLUS! SUBSCRIBE to 12 print issues now at only $60 (U.P. $72)
and select a gift of your choice worth up to $159!
While stocks last!
Party with the stars at the F1
™
Amber Lounge
with invites worth
$10,000!
HOW TO WIN/SUBSCRIBE
Visit menshealth.com.sg now!
photography AIK CHEN art direction YONG WOEI NA
W H E R E T O B U Y
AF Home
274 River Valley Road
Tel: 6733-7012
Artful House
#08-04 Tan Boon Liat
Building
315 Outram Road
Tel: 8112-6127
Boconcept
#04-01/02/03 Paragon
Tel: 6736-0777
CB2
Peranakan Place
Complex
178A Orchard Road
Tel: 6732-5333
Crate & Barrel
#04-21/22, #03-25
Ion Orchard
Tel: 6634-4222
Design Hub
30 Tuas Bay Drive
Tel: 6686-2002
Dream Interiors
456 River Valley Road
Tel: 6235-0220
Egg3
#07-01 Tong Yuan
Industrial Building
85 Platfair Road
Tel: 6281-2197
Galanga Living
#01-02
211 Henderson Road
Tel: 6475-2633
Grafunkt
#02-01 Tong Yuan
Industrial Building
85 Playfair Road
Tel: 6281-8465
Ikea
60 Tampines
North Drive 2
Tel: 6786-6868
Lush
Level 2 & 3
Centro Bianco
73 Upper Paya
Lebar Road
Tel: 6858-5882
Missoni Home
#02-37 Hilton
Singapore Hotel
Tel: 6235-3396
Platform
#04-12/13
Mandarin Gallery
333A Orchard Road
Tel: 6235-5618
P5
5 Purvis Street
Tel: 6337-0050
Robinsons
260 Orchard Road
Tel: 6735-8838
#01-07/13 Jem
Tel: 6887-8838
Singapore
Trading Post
02-04 Citilink
Warehouse
102F Pasir Panjang
Road
Tel: 6274-0511
Typo
Change Alley
16 Collyer Quay
Tel: 6534-1340
The Wright Gift
#04-02 Ion Orchard
Tel: 6509-8220
Woodwould
#03-24
Mandarin Gallery
Tel: 6735-6136
Wedgwood
Heap Seng House
36 Liang Seah Street
Tel: 6338-1343
168
treute your o«n Hone 8 Deeor
eover und «in Tovolo kite|en ueee--orie-
«ort| -I0.000!
www.homeanddecor.com.sg
S
$
6
.0
0
JULY 2014
Decor ideas direct from Milan & Bangkok Decor ideas direct from Milan & Bangkok
qlobul de-iqn
in-pirution
qlobul de-iqn
in-pirution
Renovating a
small space?
All the Dos
and Don’ts
page 90
New kitchen
trend:
6mm-thin
countertops
Philippine
property
hotspots
$25,000
giveaway
inside!
pg 170
NEW
LOOK!
Upload a photo of
your living space
and place it on the
Home & Decor cover.
PUT YOUR HOME ON THE COVER!
Celebrate our new look by placing your living space on the cover of Home & Decor,
put the cover lines in place, and stand to win $10,000 worth of Tovolo kitchen accessories!
SEE YOUR
HOME HERE!
HOW TO WI N
Log on to
www.tinyurl.com/
hndnewlook
to enter.
Decorate it
with the cover lines
provided.
1 2 3
P R O M O T I O N
170
www.facebook.com/tovolosg
TERMS AND CONDITIONS • Delivery not included. • This promotion is open to all Singapore residents, except employees of Singapore Press Holdings and its sponsors. • Prizes must be
taken as provided and are not exchangeable or transferable for cash. • This promotion is valid from July 1 till July 31, 2014. • The sponsors reserve the right to change the terms and condi-
tions without prior notice. • Winners will be notified by post. • Upon your submission of the online contest, you are deemed to have agreed that the organiser/sponsors can use, archive and
distribute data provided by you in a manner they deem fit, without any reference to you.
2 0 S E T S O F T OV O L O K I T C HE N
AC C E S S O R I E S ( A S S O R T E D )
WO R T H $ 5 0 0 E AC H T O B E WO N.
First 10 sets each include four
large flexible cutting mats,
10-inch silicone steamer, silicone
pasta claw, silicone slotted
spoon, silicone slotted turner,
silicone ladle, silicone mixing
spoon, two sphere ice molds,
six star pop molds, collapsible
stopper and strainer, scoop and
spread, Spatulart Smiley Face
nylon flex turner, 3.5-inch paring
knife and two sandwich shapers.
MAKI NG
COOKI NG FUN
Tovolo, a decade-old American
brand of cooking accessories is now
available in Singapore! Its collection
of colourful and functional high-
quality kitchen tools will brighten up
every homeowner’s kitchen. Tovolo’s
kitchen accessories serve virtually
every food preparation need, from
cooking to baking. The brand takes
care of the little details to ensure its
products exceed expectations.
Tovolo is available exclusively at
Robinsons Orchard and online at
www.tovolo.com.sg. It is distributed
by the Centurion Group Pte Ltd.
The other 10 sets each include two
Perfect Cube ice trays, Better Batter
tool, Tip Top tongs, all-purpose
knife, 7-inch chef knife, tabletop
citrus reamer, Pop Up peeler,
Spatulart fried-egg nylon flex turner,
King Cube ice tray, mini turner
tongs, Tilt Up ice cream scoop,
in-mug tea infuser, microwaveable
collapsible food cover, silicone Yolk
Out, three Smiley Face pot lid lifts
and Perfect Poach.
171
Celebrate our new look with special subscription deals and be
rewarded. Enjoy up to 20 per cent savings, get your free digital
edition and stand to win fabulous gifts worth over $15,000!
SUBSCRIBE AND WIN
OVER $15,000 WORTH OF GIFTS!
6-MONTH SUBSCRIPTION
AT $30 (U.P. $36)
Free six issues of the digital
edition worth $18
PLUS! 1 chance of winning
1-YEAR SUBSCRIPTION
AT $57.60 (U.P $72)
Free 12 issues of the digital
edition worth $36
PLUS! 2 chances of winning
2-YEAR SUBSCRIPTION
AT $115.20 (U.P $144)
Free 24 issues of the digital
edition worth $72
PLUS! 4 chances of winning
www.homeanddecor.com.sg

Decor ideas direct from Milan & Bangkok Decor ideas direct from Milan & Bangkok
qlobul de-iqn
in-pirution
qlobul de-iqn
in-pirution
Renovating a
small space?
All the Dos
and Don’ts
page 90
New kitchen
trend:
6mm-thin
countertops
Philippine
property
hotspots
$25,000
giveaway
inside!
pg 170
NEW
LOOK!
000
S
$
6
0000
S
$
6.00000000000
S
$
6
00000
S
$
6.0000
6.00
$
6.000
6.0
6
0
S
$
6.0
6.0000
6.0
$
6.0000..
$
666
S
$
66666
$$$
S
$$$$$$$
SSSSSSS
JJJJUUUUU JJJJUU JU JJUUUU JU JU JJU JU JUUULLLLY YY LY Y LY LY YYY LLY LY Y LY LY LY LY YY LY YY 2222000 220 20 200 20 0 220 0 220 0 220111111111114444444444444444
DDDDDDD
SUBSCRIBE TO THE PRINT EDITION
FREE DIGITAL EDITION + WIN OVER $15,000 WORTH OF GIFTS!
S U B S C R I P T I O N
172
Log on to www.homeanddecor.com.sg/promotions to subscribe and win now!
TERMS AND CONDITIONS • This subscription promotion is only valid
for print edition when signing up at www.homeanddecor.com.sg, for
the sale period of the July 2014 edition. • This promotion is open to all
Singapore residents except employees of Singapore Press Holdings
and its sponsors. • Your print and digital subscription will commence
from the September 2014 edition. • Current print subscribers may
enjoy this subscription promotion as well (the new subscription period
will automatically commence when the current one expires). • The
subscription rate and offer are applicable to Singapore addresses only.
• Subscriptions are non-refundable and non-transferable. • Please
allow about four to six working days from the magazine release date
for postage. • The lucky subscribers will be informed by post to collect
their gifts (where applicable). • Prizes must be taken as provided and
are not exchangeable or transferable for cash. • Upon your submission
of the subscription form online, you are deemed to have agreed that
the organiser/sponsors can use, archive and distribute data provided
by you in a manner they deem fit, without any reference to you.
• Subscriber information may be used in future marketing or
promotional activities. • SPH Magazines and the sponsors shall not be
liable for any loss or damage suffered by the subscriber or any party in
accepting, possessing, using or consuming the gifts. • For subscription
enquiries, call 6388-3838 or e-mail [email protected].
Streamlined yet soft, the Bjorn sofa from Grafunkt features eye-catching details in its upholstery,
giving it a fashionable edge. Grafunkt is a forward-thinking lifestyle brand that aims to promote design
appreciation through the products it designs and the labels it carries. It follows a stringent selection
process in bringing in labels which align well with the brand’s philosophy. Grafunkt sources widely
from design hubs such as Milan, London, Copenhagen and the United States, to the far corners
of Europe in places such as Slovenia and the Czech Republic.
#02-01/02, 85 Playfair Road | tel: 6281-8465
#02-06/07/08 Park Mall, 9 Penang Road | tel: 6338-3248
#01-47A/48 Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Boulevard | tel: 6336-6046
www. grafunkt.com | www.facebook.com/Grafunkt
BJORN SOFA
WORTH
$5, 559.
A SOFA
FROM GRAFUNKT
WORTH $5,559!
WI N
E Y E - C A T C H I N G E D G E
173
Nook and Cranny Living brings online convenience to furniture shopping. Each furniture piece reflects
the brand’s belief in well-made and designed products that every homeowner will cherish.
It offers home accessories, such as rugs, paintings, vases and photo frames, so that you can put
together the styles you love at home. Its range, which includes clean and contemporary designs
with ethnic details, as well as elegant pieces, are extremely functional and timeless.
Nook and Cranny Living is available at www.nookandcranny.com.sg.
C L A S S I C C H I C
STYLISH FURNITURE PIECES
FROM NOOK AND CRANNY LIVING
WORTH OVER $5,200!
WI N
AN ETHNI C
I NDONESI AN
BAMBOO
LOUNGE
CHAI R WI TH
FI NE I TALI AN
UPHOSLTERY
WORTH $1, 099.
THREE SETS OF
CRI SS-CROSS
MI STER
THREE-SEATER
SOFA WORTH
$949 EACH.
A HAND
CARVED
SOLI D WOOD
POLYNESI AN
LOW TV
CONSOLE
WORTH $1, 299. 9.
(Pictured: Criss-cross Mister two-seater)
174
#02-07, 514 Chai Chee Lane
www.nookandcranny.com.sg | www.facebook.com/NookAndCrannyLiving
L I V I N G E S S E N T I A L S
DINING AND LOUNGING ITEMS
FROM COMMUNE
WORTH OVER $5,000!
WI N
A RUSSEL
THREE-SEATER
SOFA I N
BABY BLUE
WORTH $1, 699.
A BRI GHTON
DI NI NG SET
I N WALNUT
WORTH $3, 394.
I ncludes a di ni ng table,
a bench and four
hi gh-back si de chai rs.
175
Commune is a furniture design and lifestyle company which offers original furniture pieces in designs
ranging from modern contemporary and rustic to retro modern. The team behind the brand have trawled
the world for unique designs that reflect current decor trends and can be mixed and matched to create
a personalised style. Expect dining and living furniture collections, designer pillows curated
and designed by Deborah Mckellar, as well as foldable stools by Untitled.
#04-50 Paragon, 290 Orchard Road | tel: 6338-7789
#02-52 Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Boulevard | tel: 6338-3823
28 Defu Lane 4 | tel: 6282-9086
www.thecommunelife.com | www.facebook.com/CommuneHomeSG
Smart Shopper
Soft-closing double wall systems in
luxury white D series is our newest
solution for stylish pull-out designs.
www.excelhw.com.sg
Available to Download now.
It is USD$1.99 only.
Your One Stop Solution Carpentry Renovation
Needs In One App.
EXCEL-DTC D
Series
Soft-Closing Double Wall System in Luxury White
Likewise, the Double Wall Drawer System is a soft-close kind and
needless of tools. The load can carry a capacity of 40kg left
or right.