HOME &

DECOR
FAIR CELEBRATING

30
20 18
PAGE 120

YEARS

OF GREAT
DESIGN

PROPERTY
TIP

HOLD
OR SELL
YOUR
30-YEAR-
OLD
FLAT?

HOUSE TOUR

Check out this

family home
with a bold
industrial look

THE N EW

RENO
CHECKLIST
JULY 2018 How to get your home techʌready
Modern spaceʌsaving hacks &
Laundry room makeover tips
S$6.00
 CONTENTS

J U LY

NOW
DESIGN NEWS, PLACES TO
34
V I S I T, T H I N G S T O B U Y

19 SHOPPING LIVING
MAKE A 24 34
DIFFERENCE GREAT BUYS GOLD & WHITE 20
The Loewe Bild 5 Our monthly Gorgeous table and
Oled range. roundup of the pendant lamps with
hottest new gold accents.
20 design products
COLOUR OF for the home. HOT SPOT
THE MONTH 36
Teal wallpaper with NEW STORES ANN SIANG HOUSE
watercolour efect 30 New boutique hotel
adds depth and SOL LUMINAIRE housed in a heritage
artistic flair. + ASHLEY shophouse.
Two new spots
22 to find lighting 38
LUXE IT and furniture. DOUBLE JOY
Divina Cucina A LIFESTYLE AND
extractor hood 32 GARDEN CENTRE
by Smeg x Dolce MC.2 Shop for plants, as
& Gabbana. This showroom well as rugs, vases
ofers more than and chairs made out
just ordinary blinds of natural materials.
and curtains.

39
Stop by for
furniture,
gardening
supplies
and a quick
snack!

2 
 44

DESIGN
I D E A S A N D I N S P I R AT I O N F R O M
THOSE IN THE KNOW

PEOPLE MY SPACE
41 46
ALL OUT TO WIN LAUNDRY LIST
The Apartment S6 Pointers for a fuss-
winner Stephanie free and eicient time
Dods shares her washing your clothes.
experiences.
50
44 VOICES 47
10 QUESTIONS Lawyer Fong Wei
WITH TIMOTHY Li ofers advice on Keep up with
OULTON guarding against the latest
The designer unsavoury technology and
behind the sales tactics. products for
eponymous British doing laundry!
furniture brand.

4 
 CONTENTS

J U LY

53

52
THE URBAN 79
RESORT
The owners’
jet-setting lifestyle,

HOMES
paired with the
designer’s knack for
design, results in a
luxurious interior.
a)
Br
AHVB

on the
cover 84
58 SLEEK
EASTERN SANCTUARY
GLAMOUR This petite HDB
66 Uncover the layers home shines with
of this maximalist its atypical layout
home. and customised
A home
soft furnishings.
built on a 78
communal BEST OF ALL 90
WORLDS PROJECT
living concept The homeowners’ SHOWCASE
diferent preferences A layout
PHOTOGRAPHY
challenged the reconfiguration and
VEE CHIN
interior designer the right suite of
ART DIRECTION
to find a creative finishes make up
NONIE CHEN
solution. this modern abode.
ACCESSORIES
EGG3

6 
 CONTENTS

J U LY

FEATURES T H E L AT E S T I N D E S I G N
AND DECOR TRENDS 98
Hermes releases
latest home
collection.

FEATURE
92 10 6 14
WELCOME TO THE SPACE-SAVING EDITOR’S NOTE
CHROMATICITY SOLUTIONS
Hermes’ latest home Having insuicient 16
collection reveals space is a common H&D.COM.SG
its strength in issue faced by many
furniture and homeowners. Here’s 17
homeware design. how to tackle it. DIGITAL EDITION
EXCLUSIVES
1 00 PROPERTY
SMART HOME 11 0 118
BUILDING HOLD OR SELL IN STORE
It’s important to MY 30-YEAR-OLD
integrate smart FLAT? 119
technology into With no assurance WHERE TO BUY
your homes in of Sers, that’s the
renovations of concern on many 12 0
today. homeowners’ minds. H&D’S AUGUST
FAIR 97
TRAVEL
11 4 12 6
DESIGN CITIZENS BUYING GUIDE
Thriving yet
underrated 12 8
cities you should HARD TRUTH
know about.

8 
 GROUP EDITOR-IN-CHIEF C R E AT I V E P H O T O G R AP H Y INTERNATIONAL
Caroline Ngui EDITIONS
(nguislc@sph.com.sg) CREATIVE DIRECTOR CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Maureen Cheng Veronica Tay HOME & DECOR INDONESIA
GROUP EDITOR (chenglpm@sph.com.sg) (verontay@sph.com.sg) MPG MEDIA PUBLISHING
Joanna Lee-Miller Jl Palmerah Utara 55
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Nonie Chen PHOTOGRAPHERS Indonesia
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EDITORIAL SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Tel: +62 21 5366 7777
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(younglim@sph.com.sg) PHOTOGRAPHERS
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WRITERS Zaphs Zhang E-mail: sales@bluinc.com.my
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EDITORIAL SUPPORT EXECUTIVE

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10 
 MANAGING DIRECTOR D I G I TAL PUBLISHING Home & Decor is published by
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12 
 E D I TO R ’ S N O T E
As a design lover, and a new
homeowner, I believe that there’s
no such thing as a house beyond
redemption. Every property, old or
new, ođers as much potential in being
transformed into a beautiful space. All
it needs is a vision, wise planning, and
plenty of patience.
So what should you be looking out
for when purchasing a home? In my
opinion, look for houses with beautiful
bones. That means looking at the layout
and structure of the property, instead
of just focusing on how clean it is or
how well-maintained the walls are.
Those are just cosmetic in nature, and
can be easily rectiĝed. Look beyond
and study the way the spaces Ğow.
Consider what can be done if walls
have to be hacked or if you need to
remodel the bathroom.
More importantly, look at the
BUILDING surrounding area around the house.
Are there ample amenities in the
ON A DREAM vicinity and is there enough greenery
to provide shade for your home? While
14 
factors regarding the interiors can
be managed and tweaked, it’s the
elements outside the property that
are beyond one’s control.
Those were the things I studied
when I embarked on my search
for a new home ĝve months ago.
Once I’d received the keys to the
resale unit, the exciting process of
renovation went into full swing.
That was when I realised that there
weren’t any renovation guides
around to ođer tips on integrating
home automation or smart devices
into the home. When should one
plan to install the broadband and
wireless mesh networks? How
should homeowners connect various
devices like a smart TV and wireless
speakers to the home network?
Ironing out those issues was my
preoccupation over the last three
months, and it compelled me to
share some of my experiences with
you in our new renovation checklist.
At the same time, homeowners
are always thinking about ways to
optimise space usage and that’s
something I want to share as well. I
hope these features will help you as
much as it did me, in the course of
our research. Be sure to follow the
updates on my renovation project on
our website and in Facebook posts,
and we’ll see you again in August.
photography ANGELA GUO art direction NONIE CHEN location SPACE
YO U N G L I M
E D I TO R
 REAL-TIME DESIGN UPDATES

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HOMEANDDECOR.SINGAPORE
Read new content on
home decor and more, daily.

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INSPIRATION

CHECK US OUT AT
@HOMEANDDECOR_SG

Six new furniture stores you might have missed Unique ceiling designs to have in your home
Find European, American and local brands at They look good and can conceal pipings, too.
these stores. www.tinyurl.com/coolceilingshd
www.tinyurl.com/newstoreshd

HOMEANDDECOR
.COM.SG
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‘ÂЧ
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魜
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IN THE JULY DIGITAL ISSUE…

THE NEW HOME WARM AND INVITING SPACES
COLLECTION BY HERMES #Ð
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17
 DWELL INTERIOR DESIGN P. L .

INTERIOR DESIGN & CONSULTANCY

DESIGN & BUILD | ADDITIONS & ALTERATIONS

WWW.DWELL.COM.SG

RIVER VALLEY | 11 KIM YAM ROAD | T 6883 1005 | TALKTOUS@DWELL.COM.SG

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
D E S I G N N E W S , P L A C E S T O V I S I T, T H I N G S T O B U Y

MA K E A
DI F F E R E NC E
Sometimes, giving
your home a new look
means thinking out
of the box, especially
when it comes to your
choice of conventional
arrangements. Not all
living rooms require
a sofa, and not all
televisions have to sit on
a console or be mounted
on the wall. Design
solutions come in many
forms, such as this
elegant TV design from
German AV specialist
Loewe. Imagine a screen
panel that is thinner than
your smartphone (4.9mm
to be exact), paired
with svelte minimalist
legs carved out of oak
wood. When switched
ođ, this television is
harmoniously aligned
with the interiors; when
switched on, it stands out
proudly with its vibrant
colours and powerful
built-in front speakers.
Just sit back and relax.

The Loewe B i l d 5 Ol ed
range ret ai l s f rom $6,3 99
and can be vi ewed at At l as.

photo ATLAS 19
 C O LO U R O F T H E M O N T H

DA R K E R
SHADE
OF TEAL
Murky as it may seem, teal
actually evokes a cosy
and comforting ambience
when it’s in the right shade
and texture. The Envy Teal
wallpaper from English
brand Murals Wallpaper gets
it spot on, presenting its
ENVY TEAL
watercolour efect beautifully
PANTONE
across a large surface. The
19-4536 TCX
mesmerising layered look is
softened with the gradual
dispersion of the dark teal,
accented by darker corners
where the paint layers
overlap. The cloud-like
impression of the generous
brushstrokes creates a
whimsical and lighthearted
feel, making it a breathtaking
backdrop for the furniture
in the space. Used on an
accent wall in the living room
or against the headboard in
the bedroom, this delightful
shade of teal adds depth and
artistic flair to the interior.

魜
œÿۜÞé
â†Āâ
“The idea for this design
and colour originated from
searching into the subconscious
to create a free form of
KATH RYN JONES expression, something that is
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guided by intuition instead of
formal structure or symmetry.
The final watercolour efect
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reflects this desire to break ÛîÞÛÐâœ
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away from convention. It’s also ’­†°Þ
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a style that is trending at the
moment in home decorating. I
suggest pairing it with furniture
in simple shapes to create a
contrast with the fluidity of the
colour gradation.”

20  photos WWW.MURALSWALLPAPER.COM
interiors + design consultancy . construction + project management

designed spaces connect lives

The Orange Cube Pte Ltd

14 Arumugam Road #01-03 . LTC Building C . Singapore 409959 . (MacPherson MRT Exit 'B')
Tel: (65) 6337 7277 . www.theorangecube.com . enquiry@theorangecube.com . www.facebook.com/theorangecube
 LUXE IT

HAUTE KITCHEN
Divina Cucina extractor hood by Smeg x Dolce & Gabbana

Treading the line between kitchen appliance and high fashion is the third collaborative Trivia
series from Smeg and Dolce & Gabbana. Following the success of previous partnerships,
The first Smeg x
the two Italian powerhouses teamed up again to draw inspiration from their heritage, Dolce & Gabbana
specifically from the vibrant and larger-than-life Sicilian artistic style. Named “Sicily is my collection in 2017
Love”, the collection introducesˈtwo new prints on three appliances: the iconic retro-style saw the release of
FAB28 fridge, a freestanding cooker and oven, and these eye-catching extractor hoods. 100 Smeg FAB28 
refrigerators,
costing up to
$48,000 each.
The prints are The second
categorised release includes
into two colour a line of small
groups: fiery red appliances
and orange (to such as cofee
represent the machines and
Sicilian puppet blenders, all
theatre and hand- clad in colourful
painted carts), Sicilian patterns.
and cool blue
and white, which See more at
was inspired by a www.smeg.com.
popular majolica
(tin-glazed
pottery) print.

Besides this cooker

hood looking
good, Smeg
promises a
noiseless and
high extraction
performance,
as well!

These floral motifs

are inspired by
the vegetation
and landscapes of
Southern Italy, and
framed by geometric
shapes called
Crocchi. Definitely
not for staunch
minimalists!

22  text ELIZA HAMIZAH photos SMEG

 Made in Japan

CONDE HOUSE

09 Raffles Boulevard
#02-42 Millenia Walk
Singapore 039569
1130AM-0830PM

6338 3248
info@grafunkt.com
condehouse.co.jp

Managed by Grafunkt
 EDITOR’S
CHOICE SHINE BRIGHT
No home is complete without showcasing
your favourite souvenirs and decor
accessories. Dressing your sideboards,
side tables and display shelves with
knick-knacks you love adds character
to your living spaces. Include Atelier
Swarovski’s latest home decor range to
your collection, including the Tangent
collection – a collaboration with Japanese
design ĝrm Nendo. Comprising candle
holders, vases, trays and mirrors featuring
crystals within rectangular metal frames,
Tangent adds a touch of luxury to your
home, through the multifaceted design
language of these pieces showcasing
curves and linear elements.

Fin d o u t mo re ab o u t Ate lie r Swarovski ’s Tangent col l ect i on at

www.ate lie r swarovskih o me.co m.

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F i n d ou t mo re at www.b o sc ave n ezia.it.
E AT ‘ R OT T E N ’
After encountering wasted fruit in farms
– the farmers don’t grow enough to sell,
but cannot consume everything that their
ground and rots – Tony Fernandes decided
to freeze dry the pesticide- and chemical-
free fruit. The Rotten Fruit Box delivers
organic seasonal fruit, such as peach, kiwi
and raspberry, from small farms in Spain
and Portugal, and ofers a subscription
box as well. Each fruit pouch can last up
to a year. Yum!
Fi nd t hem at www.t herot te n f ru it box .com .

24 
H 7   a
H "
A  A H Vx
Combining traditional methods with inspiration from a Modernist
chair she likes – the 1950s Basket Chair by Nanna Ditzel – Patricia
Urquiola has created an outdoor furniture collection that is both
modern and familiar. Named after “wicker” in Italian, the Vimini
collection for Kettal features wicker-and-wood pieces with Basket-
like seats, and the classic braiding often seen in outdoor pieces.
Complementing its earthy tones are nature-inspired hues like
taupe and green. “It doesn’t have the same Modernist spirit as the
Basket but it’s familiar enough that, when you get close, it
stirs a memory and makes you feel at home,” says Patricia.
T he Ke t t al Vi min i co lle ctio n co n sists o f so fas, side
t a b l e s and a d in in g ar mch air. Fin d it at P 5 , 63 M o ham ed
Su l tan Ro ad , te l : 6337- 0 0 5 0, www.p 5 .co m.sg .

COLOU R F U L
AND VIBRANT
Adding colours and textures
into your home helps elevate
the cheerful, welcoming vibe
you want. With Swedish textile
artist Simon Key Bertman’s
Chess cushion collection, you
get pattern, texture and colour
all in one without the pieces
looking too loud or overbearing.
His works are statement pieces
too, thanks to a very unique
choice of material – 100 per cent
cotton shoelaces handwoven
to create intricate patterns.
Si m on Key B ert ma n ’s Ch ess
cushi on col l ect i on ret a ils for $2 78
at Vanilla Home, 63 Club Street,
www.vani l l a-hom e.com .

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T h e new To u r in g s e r ie s an d Ac u stic a Lo u n g e w irel ess speakers

re t a i l fro m $2 69 to $ 5 49 at au th o r ise d d e ale r s, in cl udi ng AV
I n te l l ig e n ce at #0 1 -7 1 M ille n ia Walk, Ro b in so n s Th e Heeren,
Ta n gs O rc hard an d Vivo city.

25
 J U S T P L AY A LO N G
ARTIST OF THE MONTH
7É
A†ĀÐÞ
a­œ
;ÐɘÐÉʌ‘†âœ˜
˜œâ°§ÉœÞ
醿œâ
°Éâ۰ކé°ÐÉ

¦ÞÐÈ
Ȇ魜Ȇ鰒â
†É˜
Ɇéîޜʨ
Julian began his design journey
as an interior designer after
graduating from the Royal College
of Art in 2000. Since then, he has
built up an extensive repertoire
of work showcasing his high-tech
design processes and craft-based
techniques. Catch his ĝrst show in
South-east Asia, Keep Calm And
Summer On, at Mazel Galerie in
Paciĝc Plaza from July 7 to Aug 26.
Portable Bluetooth speakers are the way
forward in home entertainment, and if
you’re on the search for something stylish
and packed with power, the Beoplay P6
is deĝnitely one to consider. Designed
in line with Bang & Olufsen’s signature
understated Scandinavian style, the P6
features rich, powerful sound, up to 16
hours of battery life, and a dust- and
splash-resistant exterior. P6 is made from
premium materials, including a pearl-
blasted aluminium grille and a leather
strap. One of the impressive highlights is
the control buttons, which are milled out
of a single piece of aluminium and have
a soft tactile feel when pressed. Designed
for portability at home or on the go, P6 lets
you listen to music wherever you like, even
while you’re lazing away in the tub after a
long day.
The B eopl ay P6 ret ai l s for $62 9, a n d is
avai l abl e f rom B ang & Ol uf sen.

#H
N
TIP D

“It is important to choose the right

leather for your sofa. A full aniline
leather sofa looks amazing, but the
leather colour is likely to fade and
can stain so it is best to pick semi–
aniline leather with a protective
finish. You can find such sofas from Trend expert
furniture brand King Living’s True Sebastian Nash ofers
Touch and Prestige leather range; handy advice on how
they look like aniline leather but to protect leather
have easy care properties.” sofas from stains.

26 
 IN A NEW LIGHT
Keep your home cool and
cosy, while taking advantage
of soft furnishings like blinds
to add ambience to the space.
Inspired by nature, where
clouds act as a barrier to
sunlight, Woodnotes Cloud
blinds mimic the natural
element with the use of paper
yarn fabrics, which create
diferent looks in the home
at various times of the day. ,x V,#)a
Natural light accentuates
the textural details of the r°é­ âРȆÉĀ ¦†’éÐÞâ éÐ ’ÐÉⰘœÞ
material, while various ú­œÉ ‘îĀ°É§ † éœÂœù°â°ÐÉ ’ÐÉâÐœ
tonalities are revealed when ÐÞ â­Ðœ ’†‘°Éœé ʋ ¦ÞÐÈ °éâ ­œ°§­é éÐ
seen in the dark. Designed by
魜 ÉîȑœÞ Ц ˜ÐÐÞâ ʋ °é úÐî˜ ‘œ
Finnish textile designer Ritva
Puotila, the Cloud blinds can È œ†â°œÞ éÐ â°ÈÛÂĀ ’îâéÐÈ°âœ
be customised using duo- ú­†é ĀÐî ɜœ˜ʨ îâéÐʣ † ɜú ÐÉ°ɜ
coloured or multi-coloured Û†é¦ÐÞÈ ‘Ā î钭 †Þ’­°éœ’é †È°œÂ
fabrics to create a unique look rœ°¼œÉ‘œÞ§ʣ Ȇ¿œâ é­°â È œ†â°œÞʢ
in your home. Z°ÈÛÂĀ œÉéœÞ 魜 Ȝ†âîޜȜÉéâ
C u sto mis e Wo o d n o te s C lo u d †É˜ ¦œ†éîޜâ ĀÐî ޜÝî°Þœʣ †É˜ 魜
b l in d s to s uit th e d e sig n o f
yo ur ho me. P r i ce o n re q u e st. ‘œâÛпœ ÛÞИî’é ú°Â ‘œ ˜œÂ°ùœÞœ˜ éÐ
Availab l e at Va n g u ard In te r io r s,
3 Kallan g Ju n c tio n . ĀÐîÞ ˜ÐÐÞâéœÛ °É Ðɜ éÐ é­Þœœ úœœ¿âʨ
a­œ °éœÈ⠆ޜ Ȇ˜œ °É Z°É§†ÛÐޜ
†É˜ ’îé ¦ÞÐÈ ­°§­ Ýî†Â°éĀ ÛÂĀúÐИʨ
"îââʌ¦Þœœ †É˜ âéĀ°â­ʥ
Check out what you c a n c u stom is e
at www.custom i zedstora ge.com .

C H I L D ’ S P L AY
Design your kids’ rooms like how you would your
own, and dress them up with high quality furniture
pieces that are functional yet fun! This way, you
encourage a sense of belonging, while educating
your children about the importance of good
design. Newly launched luxury kids-furniture brand
Essa Grace came to fruition, thanks to a father’s
passion to build unique furniture for his kids. With
a collection made of European birch plywood, the
range includes a minimalist, Scandinavian-style
bench, bookshelves, chairs, tables and even a slide!
Mix and match these pieces to create a fun, practical
living space your children can feel at home with.
E ss a G race ’s fur n itu re re tails fro m $ 12 0 fo r a chai r.
C he c k o ut t he co l le c tio n at www.e ssag race.co m .

27
 2 3

TRENDING

a­œ
1. Olivia armchair, $1,750, from

qœÂùœé°Éœ
¦¦œ’é
Embowood.
2. Sistine armchair, $1,280, from
Finn Avenue.
3. Luke chair and Luke chair with arms,
in Christian Lacroix Birds Sinfonia Perce
Neige (back) and Aqua Clean Bellagio
Velvet is “in” this season! We’re seeing it on (front), $590 and $650 respectively,
everything from chairs to loungers and even up on from Blafink.
walls! Perhaps it’s that air of romance it conjures, and 4. Normann Copenhagen Ace lounge
that utterly sensual feel, which have homeowners chair, from $1,290, from Kuhl Home.
spellbound. Here are some pretty options to consider. 5 5. Fredericia Swoon lounge chair, from
$3,979, from Danish Design Co.

S P I N AWAY
You’ll know control – so you do
Vornado as the not over-circulate
US fan brand and waste energy
that invented the – a brushless
Vortex Action energy-eicient DC
technology: motor, and a timer TILE OF
the sculpting which shuts of the THE MONTH
of air into high fan when it isn’t in
velocity flow use. The 6803DC
while blending model, in particular,
hot and cold air, has an adjustable N E W T R AD I T I O N S
resulting in even height and cord East meets West in the design of this made-in-Japan tile
room temperature. management, collection, Hinotori, which is the result of a collaboration
Well, Vornado making it a between French designer Theophile Besson and Kyoto tile
has launched an convenient and manufacturer Asada Kawara. Each tile is handmade, with
Energy Smart clutter-free traditional production methods where ĝne clay is polished
Series which product. several times before being ĝred. The result is a rot-proof
combines its and weather-resistant material suitable for both indoor and
Th e En e rg y S mar t
powerful airflow S e r ie s co me s w ith
outdoor use. The shimmery look on the tiles is reminiscent
with eco-friendly a 10 -ye ar war ran ty. of that on roofs of traditional Japanese temples. Geometric
Find the series at
features. This H o me - Fix Trad in g ,
and textural details are added to the pieces using patented
includes 99 #02-01, 19 Ta i screen printing technology.
S e n g Ave n u e, te l:
variable speeds 6 67 1- 9000, www. The Hi notori col l ect i on i s avai l abl e for order via e- m a il:
to allow precise vo r n ad o sg .co m. i nfo@t heophi l ebesson.com .

28 
 NEWS

B AC K A N D B E T T E R
Gucci has partnered Dapper Dan to
launch a studio atelier in Harlem, New
York City. Once known for dressing
gangsters in Harlem, he returns to
the fashion industry after 25 years.
He will create unique pieces using
fabrics, prints, embroidered patches
and hardware from the brand. The
by-appointment-only store will have
a strong look (with red interiors),
reflecting Dapper Dan’s bold creations.
EW
VI
RE
GTECH AIR RAM K9
The low-down:
Within just two years of its launch,
the Air Ram by Gtech became the
UK’s best-selling vacuum cleaner in
2014. Now available in Singapore, this
3.5kg cordless cleaner runs on a 22V
lithium-ion battery and is designed with
a proprietary Air Loc system which
promises to pick up both fine particles
and larger debris. We test the Air Ram
K9, the strengthened, pet-friendly
version featuring resilient aluminium
alloy components and scented tabs
which eliminate odour.
FA S T
FREE
Don’t let the process of buying,
selling or renting your property
intimidate you. It will no longer
be tedious and time-consuming,
especially since you can specify
your requirements – whether
you are a buyer, seller, tenant or
landlord – via the free Ohmyhome
mobile application (available
on App Store and Google Play).
Pushing the boundaries of
traditional real estate search, the
in-app “Shoutout” feature ensures
you access a well-curated list of
properties, and communicate with
prospective buyers and tenants
directly, without needing a property
agent. That’s everything you’ll need
at your fingertips!

ITS EASY-TO-MANOEUVRE BODY AND LED

LIGHT WILL TAKE THE LOAD OFF USERS WHO
HAVE REDUCED DEXTERITY AND POOR SIGHT.
EL IZA H AM IZ AH
)ÐȜ ˸ œ’ÐÞ rÞ°éœÞ

The review:
The vacuum cleaner is easy to
assemble, with a straightforward
manual. I am most impressed by its
nimbleness and powerful suction; it’s
easy to work around furniture legs, and
lifts hair and bits of my cat litter well
— on tiles and rugs, and during forward
and backward strokes. I find that my
traditional cleaner would not have
cleaned the space as immaculately!
I do enjoy the foot-operated on-of
button, and the fact that the machine
can stand upright. It comes with two
chargeable batteries. You can charge
one and continue cleaning with a spare.
T h e A ir R am K 9 re tails fo r $ 65 6 an d is availab le at  www.gtechworl d.sg. I t com es
wi th a t wo -ye ar war ran ty. Lo o k o u t fo r its mo n th ly of fers, too.
The LED light highlights fine dust, which
I would have missed under normal
lighting. Ironically, it also illuminates my
biggest gripe about the Air Ram – the
dust in corners that are unreachable.
The rotating brush, filter, dirt bin and
battery are fitted in one area; this makes
the body too bulky to clean corners. I
had to use a broom to sweep out the
dust in corners. If only this came with
slim hoses or brushes!
The scented tabs are a welcome
change. I wouldn’t say they neutralise
odour, but they do provide a powdery
scent that makes cleaning enjoyable.
text DOMENICA TAN & ELIZA HAMIZAH
New A ge
o f Desig n
One more handle for all you design
enthusiasts out there to follow, on
social media platform Instagram!
Its design team launched @design
in April, to celebrate global craft,
design, as well as technology. With
the widespread use of this platform
internationally, the world will
continue to receive design ideas and
inspiration readily and conveniently.
29
 NEW STORES

LIGHT THE
WAY

U
nlike conventional
lighting stores
where shoppers are
overwhelmed by pendant
lamps and standing lights
lined from wall to wall, Sol
Luminaire’s new showroom is
monochromatic and minimalist.
What catches the eye when
you step into the store is the
uniquely designed Nula 8
lighting collection. Its lighting
options take centre stage,
protruding from the ceiling as
tubular designs positioned at
various angles. Sol Luminaire’s
Aeon series includes over five
variations of fixtures, such as
suspended, recessed, surface-
mounted and track lights, to
name a few.
These designed- and visual distractions,” shares
made-in-Singapore lamps are Joseph Ho, owner of Sol
categorised and showcased Luminaire. “Lighting is an
according to their uses in extremely important aspect of
the home and housed the home environment because
within “cabins” in the it can make or break the ONE-STOP SHOP
shop, to create a conducive ambience,” he adds.
shopping experience.

“This way, clients tend to
feel less overwhelmed when
shopping, as there are less
E
Visit Sol Luminaire at stablished American furniture brand Ashley
395 Guillemard Road, Furniture Homestore recently unveiled its
www.solluminaire.com.sg. first Singapore flagship. Housed in a 7,000sqf
showroom at Kallang Way, the brand carries a wide
variety of furniture pieces for the living room, dining
room, bedroom and even study or home office.
Its collections fit into five categories comprising
Vintage Casual, Urbanology, Contemporary Living,
New Traditions and Family Spaces. There is a wide
selection of styles and materials to complement
different looks. There are also furnishings such as
vases, clocks as well as decorative accessories.
Exclusive to the Singapore store, Ashley Furniture
Homestore has a dedicated space for bed and mattress
specialist King Koil to showcase the brand’s range of
mattresses and customised sofas, too, making it a one-
stop shop for home furniture and furnishing needs.

Visit Ashley Furniture Homestore at #01-01, North East

Building, 12 Kallang Way, www.ashleyfurniturehomestore.com.

30  text DOMENICA TAN photos SOL LUMINAIRE & ASHLEY

Online store is now open!
 NEW STORES
MC.2
Spanning 4,200sqf and two storeys, this showroom ofers
more than just ordinary blinds and curtains
S
ome homeowners can’t
agree on whether outdoor
balconies are a boon or
a bane; they either see it as
unusable space or love the
opportunity for gardening.
The answer to this issue is
located at MC.2’s stylish new
gallery in Ubi, in the form of
TOP
Find the Altex the Securezip blinds by Altex,
blinds on the which can transform a balcony
second level, or patio into an extended
displayed
alongside Wood “indoor” space any time. This
Couture’s flooring is made possible as its fabric
options. shields the space from rain and
ABOVE strong winds, while keeping the
Shoppers can air-conditioning in.
explore Toso’s The Securezip blinds are
wide and colourful
range of fire- not the only game-changing
retardant fabrics. product here. Shoppers can
explore the extensive range of
RIGHT
The Hunter innovative window and wall
Douglas range solutions by Toso and Hunter
here includes Douglas. Hunter Douglas’
light-filtering
Alustra Woven Powerview, for instance, is a
Textures fabrics. system that allows motorised
32  text ELIZA HAMIZAH photos MC.2
blinds to be operated via a
phone app, as well as via voice
automated home systems like
Amazon Alexa.
The pleated blinds by
Toso are a stylish two-in-
one product, with one sheer
and one opaque fabric that’s
customisable. A sheer upper
fabric lets in light, while
the eye-level opaque fabric
provides privacy. If your home
faces the sun, keep the heat out
with an opaque upper fabric.
You can shop for wall
claddings and sound systems
here, too. MC.2 has expanded
to include a wide range of
brands, such as sound system
brand Sonos, stone specialists
Polystone, and flooring
supplier Wood Couture.
MC.2 is located at #01-28 Vertex,
33 Ubi Avenue 3, tel: 6634-7333,
www.mc2.com.sg.
 LIVING

H A LCYO N
GLAZE

These gorgeous table and pendant lamps are shiny and

splendid enough to grace your study or bedside areas. 1
The gold accents are a perfect complement to the various
glass and stone materials, giving the fixtures an air of
absolute poise and sophistication.

1. Rubn Vox 5. Pablo Pixo

table lamp, table lamp,
$560, from $350, from
Made&Make. Pomelo.
5 2. Dahl 6. House
pendant lamp, Doctor Pin
price upon table lamp,
request, $347, from
from Danish Journey East.
Design Co. 7. Walter table
3.Saturne lamp in satin
pendant lamp, brass with
price from glass shade,
$1,475 till $1,325, from
$1,645, from Vanilla Home.
Vanilla Home.
4 4. Lambert
6 & Fils Clark
table lamp,
$1,680, from
Made&Make.

34  coordination KAFFY TAN


CONVENIENT CLEANER
An efficient, compact and lightweight
cordless vacuum cleaner is a must-have
in the home.
Health is wealth, and keeping
your home clean is the
first step in keeping your
family safe from germs and
bacteria, preventing them
from falling sick easily.
Ensure cleaning up is kept
as fuss-free as possible, by
choosing the right appliances
that will help you do the job
effectively.
Tired of tripping on
the wire every time you’re
vacuuming? Corded vacuum
cleaners and tangled-up
wires are a thing of the
past, with Samsung’s handy
Powerstick Pro. Not only is
this wireless vacuum safe
to use when your children
and pets are around, it’s
also easier to manage and
handle. Designed with users’
convenience in mind, this
appliance is powerful enough
for efficient cleaning.
Simply switch the
lightweight machine on and
it’s ready to go! With the
Turbo Action brush, you can
use it on all floor types. For
the Turbo mode, press the
trigger button to achieve
a stronger suction that’ll
make removing dust and
hair lodged in upholstery,
cushions, carpets and even
curtains easier. The brush’s
rotating brush bar also plays
a part in removing dirt,
as the bristles dive deep
into fabrics. Thanks to the
machine’s hygienic HEPA
filtration system, up to 99.9
per cent of the dust 1 remains
in the canister and exposure
to harmful particles like
S AS P
M EC
SU I A
NL
G
mites, pollen and mould2 is
reduced, ensuring that the
surrounding air is kept clean.
You can even reach
under furniture such as
sofas and beds easily
with the Powerstick Pro’s
patented ergonomic Flex
Handle, which can be tilted
around by a maximum of
50 degrees. This way, you’ll
never miss a corner again!
This feature also minimises
strain on the wrist, muscles
and back.
The Powerstick Pro
comes with additional tools
including a mini motorised
tool (for bed sheets and
mattresses), extension
crevice tool (for crevices in
sofas and the corners of high
ceilings), combination tool
(for table tops and window
frames) and soft action brush
(to collect fine dust on hard
floors), so every corner of
your home can now be kept
squeaky clean!
A single charge promises
40 minutes of battery life 3, THE SA MSU N G POWER STI CK
which ensures more than PR O R ETA I LS FOR $899 AT
enough operational time to MA J OR ELECTR ON I C STOR ES.
clean an apartment home. To FI N D OU T MOR E I N STOR E OR
extend cleaning time without AT WWW.SA MSU N G.COM/SG/
disruption, the removable POWER STI CKPR O-VS8000.
battery pack can be easily
switched when needed.
After you’ve completed 1 Based on testing by SLG Prüf-und
the cleaning, clearing the Zertifizierungs GmbH which awarded the
EZClean dustbin is easy; a ‘Excellent‘ five star dust retaining grade
based on IEC 60312-1:2020 (ed.1) + A1:2011
quick pull of the lever lets clause 5.11 Filtration efficiency.
you dispose of the contents 2 Anti-allergy and hygienic filtration
within. The bin can also system approved by the British Allergy
Foundation (BAF).
be detached for washing, 3 Based on internal testing in Normal
without you worrying about Mode. Results may vary depending on
dirtying your hands. floor types and usage.
35
 HOT SPOT
©Áěė
őĂŅĩŖúĂőĂä
ĂĩőäěūĆőĂŖʼnͥ
Zœœ
ۆ§œ
ȽɃʨ
V
isit the row of
shophouses along
Ann Siang Road in the
evening and you will enjoy its
vibrant, cheerful atmosphere,
with crowds patronising the
many restaurants, cafes and
ANN SIANG drinking holes that line the
street. To add to the lively
HOUSE environment is the well-
appointed Ann Siang House,
which has breathed new life
New boutique hotel housed into the corner shophouse lot
in a heritage shophouse that sits at the top of the slope.
“We wanted to create a
lifestyle destination that’s
accessible not just to the after-
work crowd, but to everyone
who wants to experience the
vibrancy of this area, while
36 
being close to cultural and
heritage spots nearby, such
as Chinatown,” shares Sara
Villarreal, head of business
development at 8M Real Estate,
which acquired the property.
Interior designer Flo Sander
of Ithink Consulting Group
spruced up both the exteriors
and interiors of the four-storey
building, while preserving
the old-world charm of this
1920s heritage shophouse.
To lend contrast and create
a standout feature, Flo chose
a striking deep blue for the
facade on the ground floor. An
opulent chandelier hangs at the
entrance of the hotel lobby, and
many passers-by have stopped
§ÐИ
éÐ

¿ÉÐú
Pop-up eateries
on the ground
floor of Ann
Siang House keep
the space
hip, refreshing
and a destination
to frequent.
to admire the luxe yet edgy
aesthetics of the space.
At night, clever use
of lighting on the facade
transforms the hotel into a
beacon atop the hill, while
illuminated rooms add a touch
of warmth to the overall look.
The 20 rooms across two
floors are kitted out in locally
inspired elements, and have a
touch of Mid-Century Modern
style. The East-meets-West
LEFT
Ann Siang
House lights
up at night
to create
attractive
aesthetics
inside and out.

RIGHT
Bold design
elements such
as the black
and white
tiles, and gold
tones, add
to the overall
luxurious look.

MIDDLE,
RIGHT
Classical-style
features like
wainscot panels
are used in the
hotel rooms.

BELOW
In addition
to textural
materials like
subway tiles,
there are
also carefully
curated
artworks
placed
throughout
the hotel and
its rooms.

features and a bold colour

palette comprising mustards
and greys, and brass and copper
tones, lend lots of character
to the interiors. Despite a
mishmash combination of
styles – from photos of local
architecture, to Classical-
style wainscot panels on the
walls and subway tiles in the
bathroom – the result boasts an
understated appeal and a touch
of luxury. Also, every room
offers an element of surprise,
thanks to different layouts and
configurations as a result of the
building positioning.

Ann Siang House is located

at 28 Ann Siang Road,
www.annsianghouse.com.

text DOMENICA TAN photos ANN SIANG HOUSE 37

 HOT SPOT

Zœœ
ú­†é

˜œ’ÐÞ
†É˜

¦îÞÉ°éîޜ

Û°œ’œâ
ĀÐî
’†É

¦°É˜
­œÞœʥ
Zœœ
ۆ§œ
ȽɃʨ

DOUBLE JOY
A LIFESTYLE A N D
GARDEN CENTRE

Shop for plants as well as rugs, vases, and

chairs made out of natural materials

K
nown for its long stretch of pubs and
eateries, East Coast Road is always bustling
with activity. At the quieter intersection,
however, is a boutique where you can unwind as
well as do some shopping. Double Joy A Lifestyle
And Garden Centre comprises a furniture and
decor store, a quaint cafe that sells freshly baked
pastries, a garden nursery, and a floral studio.
ABOVE
The boutique is run by husband-and-wife The spacious
team Tinah and Desmond Leong. The former is longhouse in
a florist and interior design enthusiast who has which Double
Joy is located
worked with John Erdos Home and Liaigre, while used to home
the latter is founder of Mandala Landscapes. horses in the
Tinah’s selection of relaxed, beach-inspired 1900s.
furniture – mostly made out of natural materials RIGHT
like wood, pandan, seagrass and bamboo – and Customers
Desmond’s array of plants and flowers create can choose
from plants
a restful atmosphere. After spending some and gardening
time here, you’ll be inspired to recreate the materials from
environment at home, too. Indonesia,
Malaysia and
“We bring in non-mass-produced items we the UK. Double
have sourced during our travels, including those Joy also has
by European designers in Indonesia. From them Murakami
Nishikigoi koi, a
are products like the wooden daybed and burnt championship
wooden stools, and from Vietnam, the fish-trap breed from
hanging lamps. There are vases and trays from Japan.
Australia as well,” says Tinah.
The store smells wonderful, thanks to the eco
wood wick candles by Australian bath, body and
fragrance label Sohum. One of the scents, Cotton

38 
 LEFT
Many of the
products have
interesting
origins, such
as table lamps
made from
water jars in
Vietnam, and
stone birds
which are
carved out of
river stones
by hand.

BELOW LEFT
The cafe
features a halal
menu, and its
indoor and
outdoor seating
can hold about
20 people.

BOTTOM
BOTH
Besides the
extensive range
of candles and
reed difusers
by Sohum, the
store also has
accessories and
even jars of
lavender honey
from Australia.

Flower, has notes of white lily, pink pepper
and carnation. As for the lush greenery, step
outside to experience it. “Mandala Landscapes
is branching out from commercial projects into
retail. We sell gardening supplies, fertilisers,
and plants and flowers like agave, globe
amaranth and marigold. I even use some of
them for my TinahL floral arrangements,”
says Tinah.
Double Joy is located at 1A Kuo Chuan Avenue, 
tel: 6344-0443.

text ELIZA HAMIZAH photography DARREN CHANG art direction KAFFY TAN 39
 THE PROGRESSIVE WOMEN’S FASHION & BEAUTY MAGAZINE
HER WORLD FASHION
MEDIA OF
THE YEAR
MPAS
AWARDS
2017

COOL JUNE 2018 WWW FEMALEMAG COM SG

& CHIC F E M A L E S ING A P OR E

6 BEST @ F E M A L E S ING A P OR E

SHORT
HAIRDOS STATEMENT LASHES – THE
JUNE 2 0 1 8 $6 SINGA PO RE H ERWORL D COM NOW NEW BOLD BEAUTY MOVE

SAY YES
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EVERY
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6 
 I D E A S A N D I N S P I R AT I O N F R O M T H O S E I N T H E K N O W

ALL OUT
TO WIN
Tough challenges,
feisty characters
and zero margin for
error – those were
the conditions that
participants faced in
the sixth edition of
the reality interior
design competition
The Apartment: Passion
For Design. Emerging
from the ordeal was
Philippines-based
fashion designer
Stephanie Dods,
whose ĝnely tuned
design instinct and
perfectionist streak was
her winning edge.

41
 F
ans of both reality
competition shows and
interior design will not be
unfamiliar with The Apartment,
which just concluded its sixth
and latest season in May. The
2018 “Passion for Design” edition
of the television show saw 12
international interior design
amateurs busting their design
chops in 10 gruelling missions.
Those missions, which ranged
from putting together a ĝtness
room to designing for demanding
real-life clients, were challenging
not only because of tight deadlines
and scant budgets, but also
due to testy personalities and
unexpected hiccups along the way.
Enduring it to the end and
emerging winner of this season
was 27-year-old fashion designer
Stephanie Dods. In the ĝnal
mission, which tasked her and co-
ĝnalist Rachel Lee to design a two-
storey ĝve-room property within
45 hours, the half-Pinay, half-New
Zealander impressed the judging
panel with her eye for colour, and

ability to pull ođ a masculine

“I’VE ALWAYS HAD AN
INTEREST IN INTERIOR
DESIGN BUT NEVER THE
COURAGE TO COMMIT TO
A COURSE OR STUDIES.”
vintage concept. Though principal
judge Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen
did not vote in her favour in the
ĝnals, he could not deny that
she had grown into a formidable
interior designer. “Stephanie
showed such natural talent
from the outset and her fashion
background meant that she was
incredibly style-literate. Our job
as judges was to get her to bring
some heart and soul into her
designs, to break the “showroom
home” mould she was adept at
producing. I’m very pleased with
how she Ğourished in the ĝnal
and I’m beyond proud of what
she will become in the future.”

42 
We speak to the newly crowned
winner about her personal
experience on the show and her
plans ahead.
Congratulations once again,
Stephanie. Can you share
with us what made you join
The Apartment?
I’ve always had an interest in
interior design but never the
courage to commit to a course
or studies. I was at a crossroads
in my life and a friend
happened to mention the show
to me. Everyone at the time
knew how much I love interior
design and thought this would
be a great introduction.. a crash
course, if you will!
Do you have some background
in design?
Design has always been a part
of my life. I was an art student,
and that led to a career in
fashion. I started off only as a
sales associate, but with focus
and dedication, I was able to
work my way up to become
a buyer and co-designer
for Australian label Cubic
Collective’s in-house brand,
Love is Treason, shortly after.
How was the experience of
being on the show?
I absolutely loved my
experience and I was probably
the only person that didn’t miss
home. It was at times incredibly
draining – oftentimes we
were working on only three to
five hours of sleep, and each
challenge was shot back-to-
back, with one rest day each
week. I also found it difficult
to work with certain people.
In the high-pressure setting,
where we were working against
the clock, I found it hard to be
patient – although I did meet
some incredible people on the
show and I’m so thankful for
the relationships I did make.
There were some clashes with
the other contestants, who
sometimes found you high-
strung and controlling. Do
you think this was fair?
It was completely fair because
I am, but I don’t find that a
negative at all. There were so
many instances when I did not
have control – be it the wrong
curtains showing up, furniture
available, time constraints,
or who I was paired with.
There were so many things
on the show that we did not
have control over, so I found
control wherever I could. I’m a
perfectionist at heart and
when things are off-balance,
it is not okay with me.
Why do you think you won?
I think I won because I really
enjoyed what I was doing and
completely threw myself into
this competition. I came in with
the right intentions and didn’t
let the fact that there were
cameras or unruly people get
in the way of making the best
room I possibly could. I worked
hard, prepared, and I listened
to the judges. I think when
you’re passionate
text ISABELLE TOW pictures THE APARTMENT
about something, it shows in
your work.
Do you have plans to pursue
interior design after this?
Winning this competition gave
me validation in my abilities in
interior design, although there
is still so much I need to learn.
I intend to further explore all
aspects of interior design and
practise in the Philippines.
Thankfully, I’m going home
with my two closest friends on
the show, Jesy Cruz and Eugene
del Rosario. They inspire me
a great deal and I will learn so
much from them.
3 D E SIGN TIPS
F RO M STEPHANIE
Scale and proportion are
crucial to space design
It’s always a risk to decide
something of a small
swatch; this applies to
fabric, wallpaper, paint,
tiles and furniture. Things
often appear diferent on
a larger scale, so ask to
see the physical tile, or
the wallpaper up against
a wall, and buy tester
pots of paint to try out
at home.
Lighting makes a
diference
When used correctly
and creatively, lighting
can afect mood and can
be used to designate or
highlight certain areas
in a room. Key note:
Colours may also change
depending on lighting
used, so it’s always best
to test fabric, paint and
materials under the
specific lighting you will
be using.
Inject character through
artwork and accessories
Paintings and accessories
can completely change
the look and feel of a
space, and is a great
way for your room to
tell a story. Surround
yourself with pieces
you love and don’t be
afraid to mix and match
for added personality.
43
 U P C LO S E

ɇɆ
Uf Z a ,HBZ
r,a )

TIMOTHY OULTON
Furniture and interior designer of the eponymous brand
specialising in handcrafted leather furniture.

1 What gets you out of bed in
the mornings?
I love what I do, so starting the day
is never a chore.
2 What gets you to sleep?
I’m not sure I’m the best person to
ask! I never understood work-life
balance, it’s all just life! And the
human brain is an amazing thing,
even when you’re asleep it keeps on
whirring away. Sometimes the best
ideas hit you at three in the morning.
3 Your favourite pet?
I had a lovely chocolate brown lab
called Tallulah, which became the
company dog. When we host visitors,
Tallulah would always be there.
4 The most inspirational element
in the world is...
I love the ocean; part of me
would be quite happy to live on a
houseboat. I also recently spent
some time in a village up in the
mountains of rural China – it
was incredibly peaceful and the
feeling of reconnection inspired
my new Noble Souls collection.
5 Your fondest memory.
I went to a school called Ampleforth,
which is in a Benedictine monastery.
My house master, a Benedictine
monk, was a great guy.ˈI’ve lots of
very happy memories, including
this community ethos: It doesn’t
matter what you do, as long as you
contribute.
6 A cause you support.
One that’s very close to my heart
is the village primary school
near our workshops in China. We
sponsor the school basketball team,
and host afternoon activities for
the kids, and events where teachers
can practise their English with
some of our team.
7 Your personal design style.
I’m a very casual person so my
home is the same. But I love
antiques too – especially from the
great historical periods of British
handcraftsmanship. I like to
incorporate pieces from different
eras. I have a few antique pieces in
my home, but I mix them up with
something more modern; I like
that collision of old and new.
8 One style you dislike is...
I wouldn’t say there’s a style I have
an aversion to as such, but I think
interiors that rely on one particular
design trend won’t stand the test
of time. ˈ
9 Your last meal on earth
should be...
It would have to either be a good
old traditional English roast or a
beautifully cooked steak, with a
bottle of red.
10 What’s the last picture you
took with your mobile device?ˈ
I don’t take that many photos on my
phone actually, but here’s one of
the spaceship we built for our Milan
Design Week booth. Everyone wanted
to sit in it – at first, people were
taking their shoes off and being really
careful but, after a while, everyone
just piled in, kicked their feet up and
relaxed. It was brilliant.

44  text ELIZA HAMIZAH photo TIMOTHY OULTON


OPEN UP TO NEW
POSSIBILITIES
A refrigerator that can send text messages,
operate your washing machine and
television, and even play music?* The future
is now, with Samsung’s new Family Hub.
Refrigerators are an essential
appliance in any kitchen.
Not only do they help to
keep your meats, vegetables
and fruits fresh, fridges
are also handy for storing
iced beverages to provide
relief on a sunny day. But
did you know that with the
latest development in fridge
technology, a fridge can also
become the technological
center of the home? Saavy
homeowners can now
bring different parts of the
home together via one key
appliance in the kitchen: the
Family Hub refrigerator by
Samsung.
As its name suggests, the
refrigerator features state-
of-the-art technologies that
offer entertainment and
communication capabilities,
allowing you to enjoy benefits
of a fully connected home
at the touch of a button, or
the sound of your voice.
Expect The Unexpected
For a truly hands-free
experience, the Family
Hub comes with Bixby, the
machine’s built-in voice
control system, which is the
perfect assistant to help you
navigate apps or read your
morning brief. What’s more,
the Family Hub can also take
stock of expiring food in your
fridge, and find out what your
family will be busy with via the
calendar syncing function, and
inform you accordingly.*
Forgot your shopping list
while you’re on a grocery run?
The Samsung Family Hub is
capable of showing what’s
in your fridge, with pictures
snapped by three built-in
cameras.*
It also has a SmartThings
app, which is a home
automation system that
connects with other Samsung
smart appliances, including
robotic vacuum cleaners,
washing machines and air
conditioners.* Imagine the
convenience when you can
operate these appliances
from the kitchen!
Enjoy Family Time
Tired of stepping onto
magnets or post-it notes that
keep falling off the fridge
door? With the Samsung
Family Hub, you can write
notes and draw pictures on
the touchscreen surface.
You can also send reminders
to family members on their
mobile devices, and ensure
that everyone is connected
even when they are on
the go.^ The SmartThings
app can be wired up to
your doorbell or security
camera, so you can check
who’s at the door while
you’re cooking, and even
communicate with guests.*
Always Entertained
Enjoy your favourite shows
in the kitchen by simply
mirroring your Samsung
television or phone screen on
the Samsung Family Hub’s
surface.˜ You can also search
for your favourite dramas on
the Web browser and have
it played while you cook!
S AS P
M EC
SU I A
NL
G
Always have music in the
background too. Whether it’s
via Spotify or your favourite
local radio stations, you
can access them on the
Family Hub, which is fitted
with a Harman Kardon AKG
speaker, for uncompromising
sound quality. The Samsung
Family Hub revolutionises the
use of refrigerators, making
it an appliance that pushes
boundaries and promises
new experiences for
individuals and families alike!
FI N D OU T MORE A B OUT
THE SA MSUN G FA MI LY HUB AT
WWW.SA MSUN G.COM/SG.
* Family Hub requires an internet
connection. Apps and services are
subject to change without notice. Data
usage fees may apply.
^ Compatible with phones with Android
4.4 and higher or iOS 9.1 and higher.
Requires internet connection and
download of Family Hub App. Data
usage fees may apply.
˜ Compatible with Samsung TV 6400
series or 2015 TV models and above.
45
 M Y S PAC E

L AU N D R Y
LIST
Doing the laundry doesn’t have to be a
pain. Here are some pointers to help make
your laundry time fuss-free and efficient.

Samsung
LAUNDRY D O N ’ T S W E AT I T

CARE 101
H O N E Y, Y O U S H R U N K
YO U R C LO T H E S !
Using the dryer ensures your
laundry can be cleared quickly and
conveniently, but take note of best
practices to prevent clothes from
shrinking! Aside from checking
clothing labels and selecting a low
temperature setting for delicate
materials, it is essential to keep the
dryer door closed. This ensures that
your laundry does not go through
any temperature shock, keeping
your clothes in good condition.
Humidity can cause a problem, as damp clothing
can get mouldy. Always ensure that your washed
clothes are completely dry before you place them
back in the wardrobe, especially in areas such as
around the collar, and at the cufs of long-sleeved
shirts where the fabric might be thicker. Air-dry
them before keeping them, if need be. Also, avoid
packing clothes too tightly, as this causes
DON’T BOTTLE UP
a lack of air circulation, trapping moisture and
creating a damp environment that mould and
bacteria thrive on. Keeping your laundry area neat and tidy ensures
you have a hygienic, clutter-free space. Don’t leave
bottles of detergent lying around. Instead, pour
them into sleek, stylish dispensers that can blend
in perfectly with your interiors. The detergent can
also be dispensed easily whenever you need,
instead of having to haul heavy bottles over the
washing machine.
123 RF

Onehub Si m pl ehum an sensor pu m p s oa p

Choose gentle spin cycles too, as
di spenser i n brushed ni ckel , $10 9, ava ila ble
this helps keep fabric in shape. at Redmart.

46 
 ONE SIZE FITS ALL

If you find yourself always

Fashi on Master
B 3 847, $2,999,
avai l abl e at Mi el e.
hunched over your ironing board
and straining your back, it’s time
to replace it with one that’s of
the right height. Make sure to
keep everything within reach with
an all-in-one appliance too, like
Miele’s B3847 Fashion Master,
which consists of an iron, steam
generator and ironing board.
With its flexible height settings,
the ironing board can be adjusted
to fit individual working heights.
Ironing no longer needs to be a
back-breaking activity!

FUSS-FREE, CREASE-FREE B AG I T

There are many ways you can cut down on time spent Take extra care of delicate clothing, such as lingerie,
ironing your clothes, so you can free up more time doing when putting them into washers and dryers. Always
things you enjoy, like spending time with family and use laundry bags for smaller items, as that’ll ensure
friends! When washing laundry, select low speeds (1,200 they do not get tangled up with other pieces of
revolutions per minute, or less), as this results in less clothing, or get stretched during the wash or dry
wrinkles on clothes. Some dryers also come with anti- cycle. Never overload laundry bags, to ensure
crease functions, so make full use of them! Of course, it clothing will be washed more efectively.
is also important to use an eicient and powerful ironing
appliance. For example, Tefal’s Pro Express Care steam
generators are said to achieve ideal ironing results in a
shorter time compared to steam irons, as the former can
produce higher steam output (up to 8 bar steam pressure)
to penetrate fabrics more efectively.

Tefal P ro E x p re ss C are ste am irons ret ai l f rom $73 9,

availab le at majo r e le c tro n ic stores.

;Ðú
âۜœ˜â

ʂȽʣȾȼȼ

ޜùÐÂîé°ÐÉâ
ۜÞ

È°Éîéœʣ
ÐÞ
œââʃ

ޜâîÂé
°É
œââ

úްɿœâ
ÐÉ

’ÂÐ魜âʨ

123 RF

47
 WASHERS
TO WATCH

T WO I S B E T T E R T H A N O N E

Convenience is key with the LG Twinwash

washing machine, which is designed to
allow homeowners to run two separate
wash cycles at the same time. Wash
your white tees, delicates or even baby
clothing simultaneously, yet separate
from the regular laundry load. You’ll need
just 49 minutes to complete two laundry
loads – that’s really eicient!

Samsung
F i n d out mo re ab o u t LG Tw inwash
wa sh i n g mac hin e at   www.lg .co m/sg .

NEVER MISS A THING

r†â­°É§
é°Èœ
°â
This machine helps you save both time and money!

ޜ˜î’œ˜
‘Ā
îÛ
éÐ

Samsung’s Quickdrive washing machine ofers
powerful washing performance so washing time is
Ɂȼ
ۜÞ
’œÉéʣ
†É˜
°é
said to be reduced by up to 50 per cent, and it also

îé°Â°âœâ
îÛ
utilises up to 20 per cent less energy, compared to

éÐ
Ⱦȼ
ۜÞ
’œÉé

conventional systems in predecessors. If you discover
you’ve forgotten to include a piece of clothing after
œââ
œÉœÞ§Āʨ
starting a wash cycle, you needn’t worry. The machine
comes with an Add Wash door where you can drop in
loose fabric items.

Fi nd out m ore about Sam sung Qu ic kdrive

washi ng m achi ne at sam sung.com /s g/
qui ckdri ve.

GENTLE YET EFFICIENT

Bosch’s 9kg Active Oxygen

automatic washing machine is
designed to house the brand’s unique
drum structure that is said to ofer
gentle and eicient wash cycles,
suitable even for sensitive clothes
that require low-temperature washes.
Because of its in-built Eco Silence
Drive, the machine operates very
quietly and eiciently too!

Fin d out m ore about B osch

Active Oxygen washing machine
at  www.bosch-hom e.com .sg.

48 
 DILIGENT
DRYERS
E N E R G Y S AV E R

Care for your laundry, as well

as the environment. A five-tick,
energy-eicient appliance,
Electrolux Heat Pump dryer
makes use of a heat pump
technology – as its name
suggests – where a closed
circuit system passes heated
air over clothes and recycles
this air to dry laundry. This
recycling process ensures
less energy consumption.

Fi nd out m ore about

El ect rol ux Heat Pum p dryer
at www.el ect rol ux.com .sg.

A ĝve-tick, energy-eĔcient
appliance, Electrolux Heat Pump
HIT THE GAS
dryer makes use of a heat pump
technology, which recycles heated
City Gas Rinnai RD-600 CG air to dry laundry.
gas clothes dryer is designed
to work faster and requires a
shorter drying time, lowering WELL-ROUNDED
running cost, when compared
with electric clothes dryers. With
a built-in microchip sensor that Achieve optimal results with machines like washer
constantly monitors the humidity dryers that kill two birds with one stone. The
level to prevent over-drying, Panasonic washer dryer NA-D106X1 can wash up to
the machine makes clothes turn a 10kg laundry load, and dry a 6kg load. Not only is
out soft, flufy and with fewer it said to complete washing in a mere 34 minutes,
wrinkles. The strong gas output the machine also has a tilted drum with a sensor
also keeps laundry almost 100 per that ensures clothes throughout the load is washed
cent germ-free, as dust mites and thoroughly. Simply activate the dryer once washing
microorganisms are killed during is complete!
the drying process!
Fi nd out m ore about Pana s on ic wa s h er dryer
F i n d o u t mo re ab ou t C ity N A-D106X1 at www.panason ic .com /s g.
G as Rinnai RD-600 CG at
City G as G allery at
#02-01/03 PWC Building, or
www.c it yg as .co m. s g .

49

FONG WEI LI
LAWYER,
LITIGATION AND
ARBITRATION,
KEL LLC
DON’T LET
FURNITURE
SHOPPING BECOME
A NIGHTMARE
Fong Wei Li ofers legal advice on how
homeowners can protect themselves
against unsavoury sales practices
and missing furniture dealers, when
shopping for the home.
F
itting out a new home
with the furniture
of your choice is
often an exciting part of a
homeowner’s journey. But
a handful of unfortunate
homeowners have recently
been left in the lurch, after
a spate of shop closures
by furniture vendors,
leaving orders unfulĝlled
50
VOI C E S
and deposits unrefunded.
Elsewhere, consumers are
complaining of late deliveries
and shoddy product quality
from errant furniture retailers.
Because furniture purchases
can amount to quite a hefty
ĝnancial outlay, homeowners
should take steps to ensure that
they get what they pay for.
Before making a purchase,
do a quick online search on
the retailer to see if its past
or existing customers have
left unfavourable reviews.
The Consumer Association of
Singapore (Case) maintains
an active “blacklist” of errant
retailers; it might be worth it
to pay Case’s website a visit to
ascertain if the retailer is on
the list.
When transacting, refrain
from making advance payment
in the whole sum of the
purchase price. While it is fair
for vendors to require a deposit,
the deposit such never be in full.
Insist that you pay at most half
of the purchase price upfront,
with the remaining to be paid
upon delivery of the furniture.
This reduces your ĝnancial risk,
should the vendor suddenly
wind up without delivering on
its obligations.
While paperwork may
appear cumbersome to most,
having the transaction recorded
in writing is a must. This
does mean signing a formal
agreement. At the very least,
the retailer must issue you an
invoice or sales conĝrmation
on its oĔcial letterhead
that contains the following
information: a description
of the items purchased, the
quantity, price, payment
terms, and the dates on which
the items will be delivered.
If the retailer promises
a warranty on the products,
ask for a written conĝrmation
of the warranty’s terms and
duration. Finally, all payments
you make to the vendor
(including deposit payments)
should be conĝrmed with a
receipt issued by the retailer.
Most established furniture
vendors will have the above
paperwork in place. If not, it’s well
within your right to ask for these.
If a retailer refuses your request,
you can almost be sure something
ĝshy is going on (because it will
need the same paperwork for
legitimate accounting
anyway). These
documents will come in
Take Note
handy, if you ever have
to make a claim against From a legal
a retailer for a refund, perspective, a
replacement, or a late company is a
separate entity
or unfulĝlled order. from its owners.
If you discover What this
defects in the furniture means is that,
items after they are if the company
delivered, make sure folds, the law
you inform the retailer
does not allow
for aggrieved
in writing (which customers to
can be in the form of go after the
e-mail, SMS, or even company’s
Whatsapp message). owners for
whatever
Keep records of all undelivered
your correspondence orders or
with the retailer, unrefunded
including replies from deposits.
the retailer. Similarly,
if your order does not °â’†°ÈœÞʢ
q°œúâ

come on time or remains œÿÛޜâ✘
°É
é­°â

undelivered, inform the ÐÛ°É°ÐÉ
’ÐÂîÈÉ
†Þœ
魜

retailer in writing and úÞ°éœÞʙâ
ÐúÉ
†É˜
˜Ð
ÉÐé

keep a record of the ɜ’œââ†Þ°ÂĀ
ޜĞ
œ’é
魜

communication. Ûî‘°⭜Þʙâ
ÛÐâ°é°ÐÉʨ
It is perfectly
acceptable and common
for customers to speak to the
vendors over the phone
or in person on such matters,
but be sure to follow up
with a short e-mail or text
message conĝrming what
was discussed verbally.
Where big-ticket items such
as furniture are concerned, it
is better to be safe than sorry.
Making sure that the purchase
process is proper, fair, and
well-documented will go a
long way in saving you from
despair and acrimony, if a
retailer ever goes rogue.

THE FUTURE IS HERE
Corded vacuums will be a thing of the
past from here on.
Dyson has done it again.
This time, it’s proven that
bigger does not necessarily
mean better. And if you’ve
been on the hunt for a new
vacuum cleaner, you might
have noticed the increasing
popularity of smaller and
cordless models. Now the
Dyson Cyclone V10 is the
brand’s latest revolutionary
product. Its new and
improved technology
promises equivalent
(if not, better) efficiency
when compared with
corded cleaners.
Smaller and lighter, yet
more powerful
Dyson’s latest stick vacuum
has a smaller and lighter
motor than its predecessor
Dyson V8, yet it’s proven
to be 20 per cent more
powerful. In fact the weight
of the all-new Dyson V10
Cyclone digital motor is
almost half that of the Dyson
V8’s. Made of ceramic, it is
also the brand’s fastest and
most power-dense digital
vacuum motor yet. It spins
up to 125,000 rpm — that’s
over 2,000 revolutions a
second!
Cleans from ceiling to floors
Because the machine is so
lightweight, you won’t feel
as if you’re lifting heavy
weights at the gym when
you vacuum the ceiling fans
or cornices.
D PE
S
Y C
SO I A
NL
It is not as loud as you think bin emptying mechanism,
The machine is acoustically simply release all the dust
engineered so it does not and dirt directly into the
create jarringly loud noises dustbin or trash bag and
that’ll wake even your dispose immediately.
neighbours. A layer of acoustic
felt around the Dyson digital Air that leaves the machine
Various accessories allow motor V10, a post motor filter,is extremely clean
you to clean all spaces as well as a motor bucket that Allergens and bacteria are
There are tools that cater regulates airflow around the kept in, thanks to the pre- and
to different uses and needs, motor to reduce turbulence, post-motor filters, which are
including the combination help absorb vibrations and integrated as one sealed unit,
tool (for all surfaces), mattress reduce noise. so you won’t have to worry
tool (perfect for mattress about nasty microscopic
and upholstery cleaning), Up to 60-minute fade-free dust (as small as 0.3 microns)
hose extension (to reach run time escaping from the machine
into awkward corners), mini The lightweight, energy-dense and into the air you breathe.
motorized head (to remove battery ensures constant
ground-in dirt and hair from suction so performance is not Sleek and stylish design
upholstery and confined compromised from start to end. With a sleek body that
spaces), amongst others. comes with a metallic
You won’t get your hands orange stick, it is minimalist,
There are indicators to dirty even when clearing yet futuristic. A must-have
update you on the condition the bin appliance for the home,
of your machine With a ‘point and shoot’ we say!
You’ll never have to second-
guess what’s happening to
your machine when it seems
to be working less efficiently.
Dyson Cyclone V10 has an
LED system diagnostics that
gives instant confirmation
of filter status, blockage and
battery usage, so you can fix
the problem and get it back
on track.
Its patented brush cleans
everything
Four rows of soft anti-static
carbon fibre filament remove
fine dust from hard floors.
Large debris is no problem
for the machine either, as the
roller is covered entirely with
soft woven nylon that helps
pick up large pieces of dirt.
The stiffer and denser nylon THE DYSON CYCLON E V10 IS AVAILABLE AT SHOP.DYS ON.COM.SG
bristles also dive deep into A N D A LL MA J OR ELECTR I CA L A N D DEPA R TMEN T STORES.
carpets to remove stubborn
dirt and pet hair.
51
 Brass and
copper accents
throughout
the home add
to a luxurious
ambience.

OPPOSITE
Brass track
lights by
Swedish
designer Niclas
Hoflin hang
above the
marble island.

52 
 [O L \ YI HU Y L Z VY[
ELIZA HAMIZAH visits this home in Bugis, where the owners' jet-setting lifestyle and the
designer's knack for spatial and lighting design resulted in a luxurious interior.

WHO LIVES HERE

A couple
H OME One-bedroom

condominium apartment
S IZ E 829sqf

53
 Moving the
island and
sink to a more
central position
was costly but
necessary, as
the couple
entertain often.
The large island
also holds a
dishwasher and
wine fridge.

sojourn at a luxury boutique

hotel, paired with an itinerary
filled with wine and dine
destinations, spells the perfect
vacation for homeowner Stan
and his partner. Naturally,
these avid travellers want their
apartment in Bugis to be an
urban sanctuary that reflects
their lifestyle, too.
“We started out wanting a
bold Empire State Building-
esque interior, but all our ideas
eventually pointed to a restful
and elegant style – much like
that of the Aman resorts, which
we love!” says Stan. The couple’s
friend and interior designer,
Vin Leong from Haelcyon Days,
merged the two into the dark
and modern one-bedder
it is today.
Here’s how they achieved
the look, which set them back
$120,000 in renovation costs.

;OL`YLJVUMPN
\YLK[OLZWHJL
Despite the small space, Vin
was adamant about not going
open-concept. Instead, he com-
partmentalised the home into
various “elements of surprise”.
Upon entering the home, guests
will be greeted by a long and
striking Nero Marquina marble
countertop, before being drawn
to the backlit cabinet housing
travel mementos. Open the
sliding door next to the
wood-slat console to enter
the bedroom, where its pas-
sageway is flanked by a sink
vanity and glass wardrobe.
There is also a cleverly
concealed walk-in closet.

54 
 ¸0^HU[LKHZWHJPV\ZHYLH[VLU[LY[HPU"
IV[OT`WHY[ULYHUK0SV]L[VWSH`IHY[LUKLY^OLU
MYPLUKZJVTLV]LY¹ZH`Z:[HU

55
 The same
Nero Marquina
marble was
used to clad
the sink, which
was moved
outside of the
bathroom as
“we are vain
and need a
huge vanity”,
says Stan with
a chuckle.

;OL`JOVZLH
KHYRJVSV\Y
ZJOLTL
“We both love the sensuality
and masculinity of dark tones,
leather and brass. Vin’s lighting
design, from placement and
hue to even voltage, accentuates
these and creates an inviting
and elegant mood,” says Stan,
who adds that his partner’s
background in the hospitality
industry gave them insight into
interior design. To match the
home’s dark marble and wood
finishes, the couple opted for
a tinted-glass wardrobe and
black granite bay window.
;OL`^LU[[OL
L_[YHTPSL¶
SP[LYHSS`
The jet-setters spent lots of
time at Ralph Lauren Home’s
New York stores and lugged
home its stylish bedspreads, as
well as Art Deco-style sconces
which sit prettily by the bed-
side. They also ordered a taupe
leather sofa from Molteni while
in Italy, and nesting coffee
tables from Australia. Though
they came with some risks –
both orders arrived with cracks
and had to be replaced – getting
the perfect look was well
worth it!

56 
 6WLU[OLZS PKPUNKVVY[VYL]LHS[OL
ILKYVVT^OLYLP[ZWHZZHNL^H`PZMSHURL K
I`HTHYISLJSHKZPUR]HUP[`HUK
[PU[LKNSHZZ^HYKYVIL

They kept the

parquet floor,
whose golden
brown tone
adds warmth
to the mostly-
black space.

photography VERONICA TAY art direction LIM YI LING 57

 EASTERN
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58 
The previous
owner had
bought the
corridor space,
giving interior
designer Trifven
Ho more space to
experiment with
various tiles.

OPPOSITE
Trifven used
white to balance
out the many
prints and
patterns in the
home. However,
textured surfaces
on the door and
walls still keep
things interesting!

59

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60 
WHO LIVES HERE
A couple, their daughter
and two pets
H OME Five-room HDB apartment
in Depot Road
S IZ E  1,100sqf
Q THE HOME IS DECKED
OUT IN COLOURFUL
PRINTS. TELL US ABOUT IT.
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THIS HOME?
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Both Trifven OPPOSITE
and Trish do BOTTOM
not shy away The couple
from utilising loves oriental
prints on prints furniture,
– the more especially
the merrier, those with
they say. traditional
features like
OPPOSITE lacquer
TOP finishes and
Homeowners metal hinges.
Jason and Trish
have worked
with Trifven
for two other
homes – each
in diferent
styles.

61
62 
 The couple
retained the
marble and
terrazzo
floors from
the original
unit. Many of
their furniture
pieces, such
as the dining
chairs, are from
Taylor B.

“THE CHINOISERIE
STYLE IS
EFFORTLESSLY
CHIC, A LITTLE
CLUTTERED, AND
DRAMATIC. TO
CREATE IT, WE
PICKED FLORAL
PRINTS TO PAIR
WITH GOLD AND
BRASS FINISHES,”
SAYS TRIFVEN.

63
 Q WHAT WENT INTO THE $100,000
RENOVATION?
Mostly the reconfiguration of space. We took
some space from the dining room for a walk-in
wardrobe in the master bedroom, and created
a shoe cabinet near the foyer. We also re-did
the kitchen; we added a breakfast counter
and, as I hate the oil from cooking, Trifven
moved the stove nearer to the window.

Q THIS IS YOUR THIRD HOME. HOW DID

YOU INCORPORATE YOUR EXISTING
FURNITURE INTO THE NEW SPACE?
Every time I move, I will buy some new furniture
and keep the rest in storage. Trifven will then
look through my collection for pieces that
match the current style. We also try not to
discard furniture, and modify them to enhance
its functionality instead.ˈFor instance, we
incorporated a wooden partition – that we
bought from Just Anthony almost 10 years ago
– into the sliding grille in the living room, and
turned another intricate wood panel we have into
a dining room feature wall.

64 
ABOVE OPPOSITE
An all-white TOP RIGHT
kitchen is Both the mirror
punctuated with and vanity
colour, such as are over 60
a tap and track years old.
lights in gold
finishing, and a OPPOSITE
Moroccan-style BELOW
tile backsplash. The
freestanding
OPPOSITE claw-foot
TOP LEFT tub and
The dining handprinted
room space was floral mural
reduced for the take you
walk-in-wardrobe back to the
in the bedroom, old days.
which features
a romantic wall
covering.
photography FRENCHESCAR LIM art direction YEW XIN YI 65
 a†¿œ
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A BOLD
MOVE
This modern kampung house pushes the concept of
communal living to the extreme. LYNN TAN finds out more
about this interesting project from the team behind its design.

66 
LASTING
IMPRESSION

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67

WHO LIVES HERE
A couple and their three children
H OME A semi-detached home in Jalan Wajek
SI ZE 4,818sqf (land area),
6,474sqf (built-up area)
his semi-detached house at the corner of Jalan
Wajek looks every bit the industrial home, with
its black steel and glass exterior, complete with
a corrugated metal roof more commonly used
in the construction of flatted factories here.
So it comes as a surprise when the team at
Three-D Conceptwerke reveals that the design
was not driven by any particular style.
“Together with the homeowners, we
wanted a home that was open and airy,
comprising a simple and lightweight structure,”
says the team.
As a typical reinforced concrete structure
would be visually too heavy, they decided to use
I-sections for the columns and beams. Instead
of covering up these structural members, they
chose to express them, resulting in an aesthetic
language that is a manifestation of the design
ethos rather than style.
The choice of building elements also
addressed the homeowners’ preference for
a dry construction approach. Alex Lin and
Pauline Soo were adamant about minimising
disturbance to their neighbours, so the home
was conceived with pre-fabrication in mind and
without any piling involved.
68 
Alex and
Pauline believe
firmly in
spending as
much time
as possible
with their
three boys,
Ayden, Kaleb
and Eli, aged
10, nine and
seven months
respectively,
especially while
they are young.
A raft foundation was cast after the existing
house was demolished, upon which the new house
was erected. Structural members were calculated
and pre-cut to size, then transported to site, and
bolted and welded together like a Meccano toy set.
Similarly, the corrugated metal was chosen as the
roofing material because of the ease of installation
and its durable qualities. Cutting down on in-
situ works also greatly reduced the construction
time to 12 months, including planning and
design. “The skeleton of the house went up very
quickly. Whenever we came by the site to check
on the progress, we could literally see the house
‘growing’ day by day,” recalls Alex.
This project was a challenge for the design
studio, requiring meticulous planning before
construction, as well as working very closely
with the architect who advised them on
building regulations and authority submission
requirements. The result is a captivating domain
with spaces that flow freely from room to room
and designed to encourage social interaction.
“We see this project not so much as
building a home for our clients, but more about
building a dream and turning it into reality,”
says the team.
A I R P L AY

The many skylights

allow natural light to
ĝlter into the house,
giving the interior
diđerent qualities
depending on the time
of day. “I love how the
house interacts with
the light,” comments
Alex. “We understand
that there is always
a link between light
and heat, but this is
something that we are
willing to live with.”

69
70 
INSIDE
OUT

The design team

went through various
proposals with Alex
and Pauline, including
a “kelong style” home
elevated on “stilts”,
and one with front and
rear blocks connected
by a central staircase,
before eventually
arriving at the ĝnal
design, which is more
reminiscent of a
traditional kampung
dwelling layout. But
all the schemes had
a common thread,
which is the element of
communal living.

71
 THE OPEN MASTER
BEDROOM LOOKS OUT
TO ALE X ' S STUDY,
WHICH HE REFERS TO
AS HIS " MAN CAVE ” .

72 
S PAC E TO
THINK

Two green armchairs

in a cosy corner
overlooking the
driveway strike a
dialogue with the
landscaping around
the compound, and
inject colour into
a monochromatic
palette. Alex
expressed some initial
reservations about the
colour monotony and
austerity, but Pauline
conĝdently forged
ahead. Now, he really
likes it. “I think the
grey walls and Ğoors
really complement the
black metal elements,”
he says.

73
 A SKYLIGHT ABOVE
ONE OF THE COMMON
SHOWERS GI VES IT
AN OUTDOOR FEEL.

74 
RIGHT
Gym locker
room-style
showers are
a unique
feature of the
home, which,
again, draw
on the theme
of communal
living.

FAR RIGHT
The use of
perforated
metal panels
reinforces
the quality
of lightness
and casts
interesting
shadows.

BELOW LEFT
The absence of
the ubiquitous
walk-in
wardrobe is
just one of
the many
ways that this
home defies
convention.
Taking its
place is a row
of wardrobes
that lines the
wall beside
the master
bedroom.

BELOW
RIGHT
The wide
corridors are
proportionate
to the lofty
ceiling height.
Their generous
width also
transforms
them from
utilitarian
circulation into
communal
spaces.

75
 BELOW RIGHT
The aesthetics Instead of
of the home an attached
are derived master
from an honest bathroom, the
expression family shares
of how it has a common
been put cluster of WCs
together with and showers.
components
that give it BOTTOM
character, from The Lins’
the exposed family home
structural is filled with
I-section personalised
columns touches and
and beams, keepsakes that
and Bondek give it a warm
formwork, to and loving
the ceiling feel, despite
cable trays, raw its metallic
cement floor structure and
and industrial grey-black
switches. colour.

76  photography KOH BOONWEI art direction NONIE CHEN & KAFFY TAN
 a†¿œ
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 Z a OF
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78 
 The homeowners’ differences in
tastes and the need for storage
challenged the interior designer to
find a creative solution.
ELIZA HAMIZAH finds out what went
into this $130, 000 renovation.

“The unit came

with dark wood- WHO LIVES HERE
finished carpentry
by Poliform. We Two professionals in their 40s
used this material H OME Three-bedder
palette to inform
the rest of the apartment in Keppel Bay
home, including S IZ E 1,227sqf
cladding the dining
room ceiling in a
similarly stained
dark veneer. This
gave it a more
cocooned and
cosy environment,”
says interior
designer Alvin Oh.

79
 omeowner Dan Lee says he and
his partner, John Lim, are polar
opposites. He prefers dark hues,
while John likes bright colours; he
cycles and John runs. And, says Dan
as he gestures towards some Chinese books: “I
am fascinated by Chinese literature, while John
prefers Chinese decor.” These differences are, of
course, not irreconcilable. They purchased this
80 
Keppel Bay apartment as their retirement home.
All they needed was an interior designer who
could combine their tastes and requirements into
one coherent look.
They chose Alvin Oh of AO Studios for this
task. Alvin fashioned two full-height shelves that
separate three living spaces: the living room,
dining room, and bedrooms. Clad in a dark
wood finish, these statement pieces check all
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81
 ABOVE & ABOVE,
RIGHT RIGHT
Their large These metal
collection of frames lend an
display items industrial-chic
includes a Jef look to the
Koons Balloon formal kitchen.
Dog, Georg Pendant lamp
Jensen silver from Krislite.
pieces, and
various books.

“Staying in some very nice

hotels definitely influenced the
look we wanted. For instance,
my love for dark wood came
about after a stay at the Park
Hyatt Shanghai. The $130,000
renovation cost went mostly to
the extensive carpentry work to
achieve this contemporary look,
storage space — we have lots of
winter and sportswear — and
converting one common room
into a dining area. This home is
a good marriage of what we like,
and what Alvin loves to design,”
shares Dan.

82 
Alvin
incorporated
Dan’s love for
linear designs
with a slatted
bedroom
alcove.

BELOW
The apartment
was chosen
as it is near
Sentosa, where
Dan and John
love to cycle
and jog.

photography VERNON WONG art direction NONIE CHEN 83

84 
 Despite its petite size,
this HDB home shines
with its atypical layout
and customised soft
LAYERS OF
furnishings. LUXU RY

Almost
ELIZA HAMIZAH finds out everything in this
three-room flat
how it was achieved. is bespoke, from
the patterned
rugs and modular
sofa – interior
designer Adrian
Heng flew in a
water- and dirt-
resistant fabric
from Europe for
it – to the shade
of green used
for the kitchen
backsplash.
He kept to
monochromatic
hues for the
fabrics and
accessories,
and layered the
space with rich
textures like
velvet and leather.

85
 DI S T I NC T I V E
DI N I N G

While circles and ovals rule the

living room and bedroom, the
dining area features angular
designs in the form of an
island-height dining table with
a geometric steel base, and a
cowhide rug. “I designed the
dining set with elevation, so
the homeowner can enjoy the
greenery outside. For the rug,
we sourced authentic cowhides,
sliced them up and had the pieces
stitched together; this way the
Ğoor gets interesting textures and
patterns,” says Adrian.

86 
IN HARMONY

This light wood

laminate by EDL is
the leading lady in
the colour palette. MODERN
Its cool tone CONVENIENCES
visually expands
the space, and its The kitchen was
subtle textured designed to be
finish allows for ideal for a busy
easy styling. This businessman and
great alternative avid traveller. The
to white walls is anti-fingerprint
complemented Fenix laminate and
by linen-style hard-wearing quartz
wallpaper on the countertop cladding
beams and accent the cabinetry are
walls. Once these easy-to-maintain
were chosen, the surfaces, while the
designer jazzed downdraft hood and
the home up with simple induction
soft furnishings in stove keep the
a monochromatic kitchen functional
scheme. yet clutter-free.

WHO LIVES HERE

A bachelor in his 40s

H OME Three-room HDB resale

apartment near Holland Village

S IZ E 800sqf

he homeowner of this sophisticated

abode saw the complete look only when
he was ready to move in. Such is the
schedule of the busy businessman, who
fully trusted Adrian Heng of Ottimo Spazi to
deliver a turnkey service. The designer worked
in European design influences – his client’s
favourite travel destination – and combined
that with his signature touch, to create an
understatedly elegant home with bespoke motifs
and furniture. But first, Adrian knocked the
walls down for a clean slate.

87
 MATERIAL MAN WA L K- I N
Adrian kept to WO N D E R
the muted colour
palette, while
infusing “a bit of “A spacious wardrobe
bathroom bling”
with the right
is important to the
choice of tiles. fashionable homeowner,
Black quartz is
paired with Italian so I converted half the
grey stone tiles – common room into a
it is both luxurious
and minimal, walk-in and ‘gave’ the
masculine and chic. remaining half to the living
SWITCHING room. This not only made
IT UP way for a full-height galley
One of the wardrobe, but created an
homeowner's
favourite spaces
atypical HDB layout, too,
is the bathroom, which is useful in putting
which looks
a world away together a sophisticated
from its previous interior,” shares Adrian.
rundown state.
After combining The wardrobe is accessible
the laundry and via a Ğushed door in the
bathroom areas,
the sink was living room, as well as
shifted nearer to through the bedroom.
the kitchen. This
creates a more
spacious and bright
shower area and
WC, thanks to the
sunlight streaming
in from the window.

88 
 S UAV E
SERENITY

Its white leather wallpaper

and customised pillow
covers are stylish details
that catch the eye, but
the real winner of this
bedroom is its lighting.
As his client loves to read,
Adrian incorporated a
backlight in the headboard.
The cove light imbues
the room with warmth,
while the dimmable
halogen light above the
bed is mood lighting.

photography ANGELA GUO art direction KAFFY TAN 89

 P R OJ E C T S H OWC A S E

ROOM
FOR
MORE
A layout reconfiguration and
the right suite of finishes
make up this modern abode.
Eliza Hamizah checks it out.

90 
 WHO LIVES HERE

A couple in their 30s

H OME Three-bedder apartment
with a family room
S IZ E  1,800sqf

A
plain and ordinary home just won’t cut it
for the sophisticated homeowners of this
Riviera Residences apartment. Their love
for metallic trims and stone finishes like marble
led Wein Goh from Poetus to design a cool yet
refined home that is decked out in white and grey.
The $100,000 renovation cost included a
major restructuring of space. Originally a three-
bedder with a family room, the apartment is now
compartmentalised into one spacious living and
dining room, as well as one master suite.
“It wasn’t part of the initial plan, but, after we
understood the layout better, I proposed that we
take down the two common bedrooms, family
OPPOSITE TOP room, and common bathroom to convert the
Behind the Stone tiles now-huge space into a master suite,” says Wein.
square cement from Rice and
slabs lie over a worktop from Another unique addition to the space
100 pairs of Cosentino clad includes the living room arrangement: A
shoes! the bathroom. stylish open study sits behind the living
OPPOSITE ABOVE room sofa, giving dual function to the space.
BELOW You don’t need The concrete slabs that clad the hidden
The glass doors to stick to only storage space create an edgy backdrop.
that join the one material;
rooms allow Wein gave the Wein also experimented with the walk-
natural light couple both in-wardrobe, where all three walls feature
to illuminate grey frosted differently designed closets. An open-concept
the spaces. glass doors, as
well as wood- section means the fashionable clothes on
LEFT finished ones. display will add personality to the room, while a
The couple traditional wardrobe allows clutter to be hidden.
shopped at
stores like In the bedroom, the designer created a
Made & Make storage headboard for the customised platform
to select their bed. Its grey wood finish goes beautifully with the
modern yet
unique furniture white marble flooring, and the colours and open
pieces. area help instil a sense of calm in the space.

text ELIZA HAMIZAH photos POETUS 91

 F E AT U R E

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92 
A
plunge into a kaleidoscope
of rich and comforting
colours – that is perhaps
the best way to describe the
experience of navigating through
Hermes’ multihued wonderland at
the recent Milan Design Week.
A presentation so unforgettable
requires a site as impressive,
and playing host to the occasion
is the 137-year old Museo della
Permanente, the cultural centre
for the society of fine arts and
permanent exhibition, in Milan.
Here in the hallowed halls of
the former palace, an entourage
from the luxury French maison
laboured for three weeks, in
order to transform the spaces
into an enchanting labyrinth
of towering pavilions.
From equestrian flair to
interior finesse
Founded in 1837 by Thierry
Hermes, the lauded house of high
fashion grew from humble origins,
first as a maker of high-quality
wrought harnesses and then as a
producer of fine saddlery. Over
time, it was the creation of the
Kelly, followed by the Birkin, that
catapulted the maison into the
stratosphere of luxury goods,
fashion and apparel.
However, its meteoric rise
across social strata hasn’t changed
the core philosophy of the
brand, which places emphasis
on well-honed craftsmanship,
attention to detail and a
relentless pursuit of perfection.
In 2011, Hermes made a formal
entry into the world of furniture
design, launching a full-fledged
collection in collaboration with
Japanese architect Shigeru Ban.
Since then, it hasn’t slowed
its momentum of launching
collections for the home during
Milan Design Week.
A village of colours
At the latest edition of the Italian
city’s design festival held in April,
Hermes ups the ante with a large-
scale installation, establishing it
as an exemplary home furnishing
solution, not just a fashion brand
doling out token chairs on the side.
One of the most striking
highlights is the sheer amount of
tiles specially shipped in. In all,
150,000 Moroccan zellige (small
glazed ceramic square) tiles clad
the seven block-like pavilions, as
well as the entrance foyer within
the museum.
Conceived by Charlotte
Macaux Perelman, co-artistic
director of Hermes Maison, and
Alexis Fabry, the pavilions are
each draped in a different colour.
At a glance, the scene resembles
a city of glittering adobe-style
towers so brilliant in their glow
that it makes one wonder if they
are a mirage.
“We wanted to work with
scale. Most of the pieces this
year are small so we created
towering structures; the height
is emphasised by the use of
stairs in the scenography
(designed by Herve Sauvage),”
Charlotte explains.
Doorways lead in and out
of rooms within the towers,
allowing visitors to weave through
corridors, from one colour-
filled setting to another. Amid
this unusual chromaticism,
the new collections for the
home – comprising small
objects, furnishings, fabrics and
wallpapers – are presented.
93
 SœÞ°Èœéޜ HÞ°†
âœÞ°œâ ˜ʙ)œÞȜâ
The series
’­†°Þ
comprises a Viewed from
mix of vases the side,
and trays, the chair’s
with designs silhouette
drawn from a features the
combination of letter H –
natural motifs one of Hermes’
and patterns icons – in a
inspired by timeless style.
the urban
landscape.

S†°˜ ;°È°éœ˜
’ÐÂœ’é°ÐÉ œ˜°é°ÐÉâ
Hermes also This Double
unveiled six Cheval blanket,
plaid designs, designed by
with geometric Mexican artist
and equestrian Miguel Castro
themes, woven Lenero, features
from full hand-applied
cashmere, as block prints
well as a mix of and traditional
cashmere and kantha
merino wool. embroidery.

a­œ S°ʙ) a°‘°’ÐÂÐÞ

This includes
aކĀ
comprises Perfect as
trays and desk the gathering
accessories. space for loose
Each item is change, keys
made from a and whatnot,
single piece the Tibicolor
of thick bridle tray is accented
leather, in a with a bridle
rich brick hue. leather
Precision cut, tab on the side.
the joints are
stitched with
four white
saddle stitches.

94 
 a­œ
H†â°â
Each mono-
coloured tower
presents pieces
from the new
collection.
Here, against
the opulent
and glossy blue
zellige tiles, are
key pieces from
the Perimetre
collection
– porcelain
vases and trays
handmade
from unrefined
white clay and
produced by
Mosaic del Sur.
The homeware
items are
conceived by
Gianpaolo
Pagnie, who also
designed the
brand’s tangram
boxes.

95
 Vis a Vis
necklace busts

Attrape Reve scarf

holder, designed by
Guillaume Delvigne

The Perimetre
vase collection

96 
 Droit Fil
scarf box

FURNITURE &
ACCESSORIES
Integrating whimsical
aspects with practical
solutions for the home and
wardrobe, the various pieces
of hardware intrigue with
Vice Versa
timeless looks and elegance.
two-way
desk with
drawer
Always drawing inspiration from
its close association with horse
riding and saddlery, Hermes
has injected leather accents into
most of its products. One of the
highlights is the Droit Fil scarf
box (above), which is inspired
by vintage sewing boxes. Made
from maplewood and ĝnished in
a vibrant orange shade, the box
features a handle upholstered in
incardine blood orange alligator
leather. It can hold up to 18 of
your cherished silk scarves.

Karumi banc et
assise bench

97
 PLAIDS &
WALLPAPER
Whether it’s something
for the walls or to add
visual warmth while you are
curled up in bed, Hermes
has you covered.

TOP LEFT
Plaid Avalon
Nothing is too small a detail or too
Tangram impossible a task when it comes
blanket to achieving perfection at Hermes.
LEFT
This quality-centric philosophy
Plaid Formes extends to the textile and wallpaper
Simples segments. One of the key pieces at
blanket
the design week, the Avalon Tangram
TOP RIGHT (above left) blanket is made from
Squares Nepalese cashmere and features
wallpaper
a plaid design made from hand-
RIGHT dipping the various sections one at
Circus a time. The blanket is removed from
wallpaper
the dye only when the colours have
been absorbed fully by the material.
This laborious technique allows the
colours to bleed into overlapping
sections, while still showing
hints of the layers underneath.
The result is a mesmerising
eđect with blurred edges and a
lively and multi-layered look.

98 
 TABLEWARE
This year’s collection
features A Walk In The
Garden tableware pieces
designed by Irish artist
Nigel Peake and is based on
an English garden theme.

What started as a conversation

between Nigel and Benoit Pierre
Emery (creative director of
Objets et la Table at Hermes) at
summertime has blossomed into
an entire tableware collection
18 months later. Although Nigel
has worked with Hermes prior
to this collection, it is his ĝrst
attempt at designing porcelain
pieces. “I wanted the collection “ I WA N T E D T H E C O L L E C T I O N T O
to reĞect the structure of an REFLECT THE STRUCTURE OF
English garden, but also the
AN ENGLISH GARDEN BUT
way nature takes over when
you let it grow,” says Nigel. A L S O T H E WAY N AT U R E TA K E S
OV E R W H E N YO U L E T I T G R OW.”

Q&A
There’s a lot of
reference to colour and
proportion in this year’s
launch. Why so?
Benoit (right): We
wanted to arouse
emotions with colour,
as soon as you see the
collection. It gives
you a special perception
of the objects when
you enter the various
rooms at the exhibition,
and leaves an indelible
impression in your mind.
What interests you
about colours?
Nigel (left): In my
opinion, colours are like
words; you have to use
diferent words in order
to form a sentence, so
you need to learn to use
various colours together place that allows you to
while still letting them be alone and still be in
remain individual the company of nature.
elements of a final
creation. There What were some of the
are also many shades technical challenges
to a specific colour; you encountered?
the subtlety of colours B: Getting the right
intrigues me. colour was diicult
because there aren’t as
What are some images many colour options
about a garden that available for porcelain-
came to mind when you making as before. It’s
were designing these not easy to get the
pieces? strong reds, pinks
N: I immediately thought and oranges that we
of something that’s desired. The other
overgrown, vines and issue was attaining
things that move in the sharpness of
the wind or make a the details when
sound, more so than transferring Nigel’s
just flowers alone. I like drawings onto
the notion that a garden porcelain. It’s very
is a protective space, hard to control the
a secret place you can sharpness of the prints
go to when you want to when the porcelain
look at trees, the sky and undergoes the
grass. It’s also a simple baking process.

text YOUNG LIM photography HERMES, A. SAMSON 99

 F E AT U R E

SMART HOME
BUILDING
It’s important to include the integration of smart technology when
you are renovating your home today. Here is a handy checklist of
what to look out for pre- and post- renovation, as well as tips on
what you need to do to keep your interiors digitally connected.

100 
BEFORE RENO
S E T YO U R G OA L S A N D WO R K O U T
A BRIEF
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Focus on the physical layouts of the spaces
you need first, followed by creating another
list of the smart appliances you have or plan
on purchasing. These can include wireless
network set-up, soundbars, intelligent home
systems, lighting, air-conditioners, locks and
kitchen appliances that be connected to
your central home system.
SET A REALISTIC BUDGET
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Create three diferent cost sections,
one for the cost of interior design and
labour, another for the cost of materials
(tiles, laminates, surfaces, lights, air-con
system and units), and a third sheet for
furniture. This helps you understand how
much you are spending in each area, and
ensure that all parts of the renovation
process are catered for accordingly.
LIVING ROOM
E S TA B L I S H A T I M E L I N E
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This is where an interior design studio can
ofer a lot of support by taking on the role
of a project manager, as well as ofering
design solutions. Remember to factor in
time required for the setting up of your
fibre broadband (Netlink Trust), as well as
for the application of mobile broadband
network and cable television service.
D R AW U P A C O N T I N G E N C Y P L A N
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Diferentiate between your needs (must-
haves) and wants (nice-to-haves) and
prioritise accordingly, based on your
budget and timeline. If you are in a rush
to move in, you can start purchasing
furniture and appliances first and store
them until they can be used. However,
be careful not to go overboard on home
shopping and buy unnecessary things that
will end up cluttering your space.
ROOM
BATH
BEDROOM
101
 G O D I Y O R E N G AG E A N I N T E R I O R
DESIGNER?
Doing it yourself can help you better manage
costs and it is a great option if you know exactly
what you want, what you need and what needs
to be done. But, unless you have industry
experience or are prepared to devote time
researching and put in the legwork, you may be
better off leaving it to a professional.
An interior designer will be able to assist
you with the application of renovation
permits and recommend contractors for your
consideration. When looking for an interior
designer, don’t just look at their portfolios and
their style. It is very important that you have
rapport and can communicate efectively with
one another. For a look at established IDs in
Singapore, visit www.homeanddecor.com.sg
to download a free copy of Designer
Showcase 2018.

P R E - R E N OVAT I O N A S S E S S M E N T O F
EXISTING CONDITIONS
If your home is a resale unit, get a professional
assessment of the existing conditions, such as
whether it is structurally sound, whether there
are leaks, or damp or waterproofing issues, and
if the doors and windows are operating properly.
Apart from safety and functionality issues, it
will also help you to prioritise what needs to
be replaced and what can be retained. If it is a
newly completed unit purchased from the HDB
or a private developer, be sure to check for any
defects and get them rectified before you proceed
with any renovation works.
Remember to check if the premises are
fibre-ready. Alternatively, you can visit
http://netlinktrust.com/ to find out.

E N S U R E T H AT A L L T H E N E C E S S A R Y
P E R M I T S A N D A P P R OVA L S H AV E
B E E N O B TA I N E D
Be in the know as to the extent of works that
you are allowed to carry out, and ensure that
your contractor/interior designer takes note of
structural elements that cannot be hacked.
HDB homeowners will be notified of their
permit application status through the HDB
portal online. It also helps if the homeowner
calls 1800-225-5432 to check for updates.

102 
ELECTRICAL POINTS AND CABLING FURNITURE SHOPPING
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ۆÞ鰒î†Þ
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Advance planning can help you to plan for ú­†éœùœÞ
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concealing electrical wires and cords within °ÉéÐ
魜 ˜œâ°§É†éœ˜ âۆ’œʨ
plaster walls and hollow skirting. Don’t forget to allow for circulation space
around the furniture. Also, consider how and
where you are going to place your electronic
devices, such as music player, modem, router,
speakers and television set.
B U I LT- I N E L E M E N T S
S†É
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HOME AUTOMATION
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Ȝ†âîޜȜÉé⠒†Þœ¦îÂÂĀ ‘œ¦Ðޜ ¦†‘Þ°’†é°ÐÉʨ
For built-in appliances, always check the sizes
to ensure that the carpentry can accommodate
the appliances. You may have to select your
appliances earlier, as the contractor will need
the dimensions to fabricate the carpentry. If
you require space for displaying unique items,
such as a pen or doll collection, be sure to
mention it to your designer as they may
require unique set-ups and shelf space.

P R OT E C T I O N With sensors and smart home

assistants, it is now possible to
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create a fully integrated home
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system that can allow you to
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control everything from switching
úÐÞ¿â
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˜†È†§œʨ on air-conditioners and drawing
the blinds, to playing music and
even sending messages through
your smart fridge! The cost of
SEQUENCE automating the appliances in
a­œ
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your home depends on the
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compatibility of the products
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and whether their built-in smart
systems can be synced with the
¦ÐÂÂÐúœ˜ ‘Ā œÂœ’éÞ°’†Â ú°Þ°É§ †É˜ âÐ ÐÉʨ
system by your provider. For a
start, homeowners can consider
Apply for your broadband connection in
using the Amazon Echo and Alexa
advance, so that the engineer sent from
or the Google Home, all of which
your broadband service provider can assist
make use of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
you with the installation of your broadband,
networks to connect appliances.
as well as Wi-Fi mesh and cable television.

BALCONY
WARDROBE BEDROOM

BATHROOM

F TV & BOOKSHELF

BALCONY
KITCHEN
LIVING ROOM

103
 AFTER RENO

C O N T R AC T UA L O B L I G AT I O N S
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â†é°â¦°œ˜ ú°é­ 魜Èʨ
Note down the various corrections or
improvements that need to be done when the
home is handed over to you. Point out the
stains and areas that require additional work.

CHECKING FOR DEFECTS

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A handy tip is to go around with a roll
of masking tape in hand and use it to
indicate where various defects are, for easy
identification when pointing them out to your
interior designer/contractor.

104 
 W H AT T H E E Y E C A N N O T S E E
S†Ā
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ú†éœÞÛÞÐЦ°É§ʣ ˜î’é°É§ †É˜ ú°Þ°É§ úÐÞ¿âʨ
Ensure that your wireless networks are
operating properly.

R E C T I F I C AT I O N WO R K S
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˜œâ°§ÉœÞʯ’ÐÉéކ’éÐÞ ’ÐʌÐޘ°É†éœ ¦ÐÞ ĀÐîʨ
Some major defects may involve extensive
rectification works or even abortive works,
so be prepared. The bottom line is, do not
take over the unit unless you are absolutely
sure that everything has been satisfactorily
rectified, or if otherwise, that it is something
you are willing to live with.

CLEANING
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SECURITY
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Many digital locks, such as the Samsung

Push-Pull Digital lock, come with Bluetooth
capabilities, allowing you to pair the lock
with up to eight smartphones so you can
open the door with your mobile device.
It can also be synced with smart home
assistants, such as Alexa and Google Home..

text LYNN TAN with additional reporting by YOUNG LIM 105

 F E AT U R E

CHIC &
SMART
âÛ †’œ ʌ⠆ù ° ɧ
âÐÂîé ° Ð Éâ P 5 DA DA H I - L I N E 6
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NOT HAVING ENOUGH SPACE IS A COMMON
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ISSUE FACED BY MANY HOMEOWNERS. HERE
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ARE SOME INNOVATIVE IDEAS ON HOW TO
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ENSURE THAT YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE ROOM
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FOR EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY AND ALL THE
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THINGS YOU NEED.
The Hi -l i ne 6 by Dada Ki tchens i s avai l abl e
at P5. Pri ce avai l abl e upon request . Vi si t
www.dada-ki tchens.com for m ore i nform at i on .

106 
 HÛé°È°âœ
9°é’­œÉ
Zۆ’œ

H A F E L E E L E C T R I C L I F T SYS T E M
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The pri ce of Hafel e’s El ect ric L if t system is

avai l abl e upon request . Vi sit www. h a fele.com .
sg for m ore i nform at i on.

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K I N G L I V I N G D E LTA I I I
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S tora g e is an o p t io nal fe atu re fo r Kin g Liv in g ’s

D e l ta I I I s o fa. P r ice s star t fro m $ 5 ,72 6 fo r
p rem i u m K i n g fab r i c s.

107
 EDL FENIX NTM
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Vi ew t he Feni x N TM col l ect i on

by EDL at i t s 4 3 Sungei
Kadut St reet 1 showroom .
Vi si t www.edl euro.com
for m ore i nform at i on.

A Sleek Study

photo EDMUND NG ARCHITECTS

M U R P H Y H A U S H O R I ZO N TA L
H I D E AWAY B E D
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The horizontal hideaway bed with writing desk

retails from $3,460 for a single bed and is
available at Murphyhaus, www.murphyhaus.com.

A Practical
Guest Room
108 
 F U L L H O U S E D I L LY
BUNK BED

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The Di l l y B unk B ed ret ai l s

for $3 ,288 at Ful l house Home
Furni shi ngs at I MM.

A†ÿ°È°âœ

H A L I O S M A R T-T I N T I N G œ˜ÞÐÐÈ
Zۆ’œ
GLASS

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H a l i o s mar t - t i n t i n g g lass
re t a i l s at AG C A s ia Pacific .
F i n d o u t mo re at www.
h a l i og lass .co m o r
d avi d .y im@ ag c .co m.

text ISABELLE TOW & DOMENICA TAN 109

 PROPE R T Y

)И
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ÈĀ

ȿȼʌĀœ†ÞʌИ

¦Â†éʪ

With no assurance of a Selective En bloc
Redevelopment Scheme (Sers) ofer in sight, that’s
the question on many concerned flat owners’
minds, including our property columnist’s.

W
hen my husband and
I bought our first
home back in 2000,
the age of the flat was not a big
consideration. Convenience was
key. Although Build-to-Order
(BTO) flats were cheaper, we
didn’t like the long wait and the
locations offered. We viewed
several four-room resale flats
in Clementi but those 20-year-
old flats were commanding
$50,000 to $60,000 in Cash-
Over-Valuation (COV). So, we
headed to Jurong East, just one
MRT stop away, and bingo! Our
budget stretched to a five-room
flat! We paid $334,000 (including
$22,000 in COV) for a spacious
1,302sqf unit on a low floor.
A youngish 16-year-old flat
then, the renovation, though
unfashionable, was of good
quality and still usable, so that
saved us a pretty penny. Most
of my family and friends had
bought resale flats of about the
same age or older. Nobody was
counting down the 99-year
lease because the Government
was carrying out upgrading and
Sers projects all over the island.
Despite being unseasoned
first-timers, we spotted Jurong
East’s potential, even before the
Urban Redevelopment Authority
unveiled (in 2008) the blueprint
for the Jurong Lake District, and
the master plan (in 2017) for the
Jurong Gateway, Lakeside and
Lakeside Gateway precincts
to form the second Central
Business District. True enough,
those former green fields
around Jurong East MRT station
are now home to J Cube, JEM,
Westgate, Big Box and J Gateway
condominium, joining the older
IMM nearby. Across the road
are the new Ng Teng Fong and
Jurong Community hospitals.
We love the superb location
of our flat so much that we
refuse to sell it and plan to
retire there some day, even
though we now own and stay in
a condominium. It is 5 minutes
away from the Jurong East
MRT station, the hospitals and
the malls. So, like many other
Singaporeans, we assumed that
when our turn came, our old
flat would undergo Sers and
we’d get to buy a new one. That
is, until National Development
Minister Lawrence Wong
sounded an ominous alarm.
N O G UA R A N TE E O F S E R S
Do not assume that your flat
will be chosen for Selective En
bloc Redevelopment Scheme

110 

(Sers) when the lease runs out,
warned Wong in a blog post
in March 2017. Singaporeans,
many probably for the first
time, found out that only 4 per
cent of HDB flats have been
chosen to undergo Sers since
the programme’s launch in
1995. The post was meant to
caution some home buyers
who were shelling out as
much as $1 million for older
flats, gambling on their Sers
potential. But, judging from
the online chatter and letters to
The Straits Times’ Forum page,
the post has got many owners
of ageing HDB flats worried
and increasingly frustrated.
For years, Singaporeans
have been sold the idea of home
ownership and that our HDB
flats are our greatest asset. Will
over 80 per cent of Singapore’s
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proposals, the current message
is clear: Buy expensive old flats
at your own risk, and don’t
bank on profiting off it.
TH E ‘ S E L L’ C A M P :
C H AS E A N E W E R F L AT
One solution is, of course, to
constantly “sell old, buy young”
but it can be disruptive and
expensive. Homeowner Madam
S.H. Tang, who is in her 50s,
recently moved
into a 30-year-old
§ÐИ éÐ executive apartment
in Bukit Panjang.
¿ÉÐú She chose this over
Resale prices for an 18-year-old unit
four-room flats in in the same estate
old estates, such because the older
as Aljunied and flat was cheaper
Paya Lebar, with
population who and bigger.
61-year leases
live in HDB flats currently range However, she is
end up in homes from $400,000 to concerned that
where the value $510,000. should she sell
gradually whittles her $600,000 unit
down to zero? after 20 years,
Currently, 70,000 HDB flats there could be a possible
are more than 40 years old, and dip in value of at least 30 per
almost 10 per cent of flats will cent, by her estimation. Thus,
face lease expiry in 50 years, she is thinking of uprooting
and the flats will be returned within the next 10 years
to HDB. before the flat hits 40, while
While some have called for its worth is still maintained.
an automatic lease extension, For some senior citizens,
Wong says it’s not such a selling is not as easy as
straightforward matter, as before, as some buyers are
Singapore, having limited staying away from ageing
land, needs to recycle its flats. According to The Straits
land use for future housing Times Forum letter writer
to keep subsidised housing Ronald Wong, “many seniors
accessible to our children and who want to downgrade to
grandchildren. Although the BTO studio apartments for the
Government promises to study elderly are in a fix, as they are
the issue further and welcomes unable to sell their old flats”,
111

adding that they may even
lose their deposits on their
new flat if they cannot do so.
“Most of them were hoping
to downgrade and live on the
profits from selling their flats
but have become disillusioned.
The Government needs to step
in to manage this problem
and not just leave things to
market forces,” urged Ronald,
a retired senior education
officer. Other elderly owners
who prefer to live out their
days in a familiar old flat but
would like to bequeath their
property to their children, may
fret that they are handing over
an inheritance that is getting
smaller by the day. Should they
cash in now? Has their flat’s
value plateaued?
T H E ‘ H OLD’ CA MP : THE
G OVE R NMENT WILL AC T
Audrey Sun, 40, lives in a five-
room flat in Bukit Panjang
with her family and does not
intend to sell their 30-year-
old home because they love
its roominess. “If we move
to a newer flat, which will
likely be smaller, we will feel
suffocated!” While she will
leave the property to her two
kids, she is not fussed about
preserving its investment value
by quickly selling it off. “My
husband and I believe that
our kids should work hard
to buy their own housing in
future, so we have not thought
112  text STELLA THNG
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about this issue seriously.”
She is confident that even if
her flat is not chosen for Sers
in future, the Government of
the day would carry out some
upgrading and enhancement
work such as painting or
redoing the water proofing.
Another homeowner of a
30something-year-old flat, who
declines to be named, says he
also intends to hold on to his
property. He has an interesting
theory; with so many ageing
flats in Singapore, he thinks the
Government would still offer
Sers but only at an opportune
time. It may choose to do so
for very old estates where the
owners are mostly elderly and
the remaining lease is short at,
say, 20 years. This then allows
the Government to buy back the
lease at lower prices to develop
new homes. Some of these
can be sold with short term
leases, or rented to the elderly,
cheaply. This could meet both
the economic and sociological
needs of our ageing population.
So, will my husband and
I sell off our 34-year-old flat
before it hits 40? Probably not
yet. My husband believes
that ageing HDB flats is an
issue the Government would
do something about, simply
because the majority of
Singaporeans are in the same
boat. Even President Halimah
Yacob owns an HDB flat!
“If the message to the
people is that whatever
you buy with your money
now will become junk, it
will create a market crash.
The Government may not
necessarily offer Sers to every
HDB flat but it may have
other solutions, which are not
finalised yet. As long as our
population is still growing –
be it through natural birth
rate or immigration – and the
demand for public housing is
still there, I’m not worried,”
says my hubby confidently.
As for me, let’s just say
that should we finally sell off
our HDB flat, I’d rather save
up for a smaller freehold or
999-year leasehold property
next. Even if there is no en
bloc potential, at least I don’t
have to fret over a ticking
lease bomb!
ST E L LA T H N G
)ÐȜ ˸ œ’ÐÞʙâ ÛÞÐۜÞéĀ
’ÐÂîÈÉ°âé â°É’œ ȾȼȽȽʣ ZéœÂ† °â
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During a session in
Parliament in May 2018,
National Development
Minister Lawrence Wong
acknowledged the concerns
and explained: “The
Government has made clear
from the outset that the
HDB lease is 99 years. That
is a long time – it covers two
generations.” Since the oldest
HDB flat is around 50 years
and the vast majority have
more than 60 years of lease
remaining, he added that this
is not an immediate issue.
 Where:
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M E X I C O C I T Y,
MEXICO
Mention Mexican design and
you’d be hard-pressed to
find someone who does not
include its traditional crafts,
like textiles and basketry,
in the discussion. However,
the city’s crowning as the
World Design Capital of 2018,
and its annual Design Week
Mexico, have shifted the
world’s attention from these
typical, albeit significant,
elements to modern
Mexico. Many consider Luis
Barragan, one of Mexico’s
greatest architects, to have
contributed to this. Luis
combined the country’s
colourful heritage with his
simplistic and blocky homes,
which you can experience at
his home and studio in the
Miguel Hidalgo district.
114 
Other great buildings
around the city include the
Torre Reforma, a three-sided
skyscraper situated on Paseo
de la Reforma, a wide avenue
that’s home to many other
iconic structures. The “holes”
you see on the concrete facade
designed by Benjamin Romano
of LBR & A are actually triple-
height windows that allow
the building to bend without
breaking – a thoughtful design
for this earthquake-prone city.
You should also visit the
towering steel shelf structures
of the Biblioteca Vasconcelos
library, as well as Palacio
de Bellas Artes (Palace of
Fine Arts), whose prominent
Neoclassical facade and Art
Deco interiors give insight to
the city’s history.
 B I L B AO ,
S PA I N

Bilbao is not exactly under the radar, thanks to

Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum. When it
opened two decades ago, the silver sculptural
structure – and its spider companion, Louise
Bourgeois’ Maman – boosted Bilbao’s tourism

123RF.COM
industry (this was later coined The Bilbao Effect)
and was even featured in one James Bond film.
However, Frank Gehry was not the only
starchitect to create change for Bilbao. Zaha
Hadid designed the Zorrotzaurre, an artificial
peninsula-turned-island that is meant to
promote creative and cultural activities; and if
you are dining at one of Bilbao’s restaurants, you
might be served water in a slanted ceramic jug
designed by Patricia Urquiola. The H20 Bilbao is
her reinterpretation of the wooden Kaiku jug.
And, besides also being a Unesco City
DUNDEE, of Design, Bilbao has one other connection
SCOTLAND to Singapore: The Bilbao City Hall won
the inaugural Lee Kuan Yew World City
We are only months away from the opening of Prize in 2010, which recognises urban
Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum in Dundee. transformation and city excellence.
The museum sits overlooking River Tay, where
the stunning water reflection visually doubles
the already imposing size of the sci-fi-esque,
Kengo Kuma-designed building. It’s Scotland’s
first design museum and V&A’s first branch
outside London – clearly, Dundee is on the cusp
of something big, and all eyes are on it.
For the creatives of Dundee, this spotlight
is a long time coming. The city has roots in the
jute textile industry, but is now applying design
in all aspects of life. There’s the always-packed
Pechakucha nights organised by Creative
Dundee, where thinkers and doers share
ideas in a quick image-led format; the 2016
Designs on Justice collaboration, which saw
law and art & design students re-thinking the
criminal justice system; and this year’s Dundee
Design Festival, whose theme explores makers,
machines and the future of manufacturing. We
can’t see what else Dundee has in store for us!

115
 CHIANG MAI,
THAILAND

We are no strangers to Thai There’s also the newly

NAIROBI,
K E N YA
The rise and popularity of
Afro-futurism has instilled
a pride in African culture
like never before, which is
especially exciting for up-
and-coming designers. In
Kenya, where there is a strong
culture of entrepreneurship
– it contributes 5.5 per cent to
Kenya’s Gross National Product
– Nairobi, in particular, is set to
experience a bright future.
In the last several years,
Nairobi has seen a surge of
designers, mostly working
with start-ups and NGOs. The
recent Pechakucha launch,
theˈGo Down Arts Centre which
is a warehouse converted into
artists’ studios, and events
like Make a Day of It, where
designers and makers share
design; the annual Singapore
Design Week as well as local retail
stores often introduce its visitors
to made-in-Thailand furniture
from popular Bangkok brands like
Atelier 2+ and PDM Studio. Well,
the capital may have paved the
way for global interest, but we say
it is now time to set our sights on
the creative hub of Chiang Mai.
There are no shortages
of galleries and festivals that
showcase emerging talents,
such as Moonler Collection
Co, which often combine their
contemporary designs with
traditional craftsmanship. Baan
Kang Wat is one of them – visit
not only to see its craft studios
and cafes, but also to admire the
kampung-inspired architecture.
their process with the public,
are part of the resourceful and
imaginative creative scene.
Some notable names
spearheading the movement
include Tosh Juma, the founder
of the Nairobi Design Institute
– his first cohort of design-
thinkers graduated earlier
this year – and Mark Kamau
of BRCK who, alongside other
tech whizzes, wants to improve
Wi-Fi access in Africa.
opened MAIIAM Contemporary
Art Museum, which counts
works by the famous Montien
Boonma – said to have shone
the light on modern Thai
art – as part of its permanent
collection. And lifestyle brands
like Woo Cafe & Art Gallery,
and boutique hotels like 137
Pillars House and The Artel
Nimman, add to the vibrant
and creative atmosphere.
Of course, any burgeoning
art scene would have its own
Design Week. Chiang Mai’s
is organised by Thailand
Creative & Design Center,
whose branch here offers
design enthusiasts and brand
owners a suite of resources,
like books and seminars.

116  text ELIZA HAMIZAH

 I N S TO R E

PRETTY NECESSARY

With homeowners becoming

more in tune with design
trends, even the appliances they
buy have to be pretty. These
include ceiling fans, which
have a bad reputation for being
an unsightly, albeit necessary,
home appliance. The Intaglio
DC-159 by Acorn Ceiling Fan,
however, easily proves that that
is a misconception. Measuring
130cm, the Intaglio sports subtle
curves and is clad in a natural
wood grain. You can opt for an
LED light that’s available in three
colour temperatures, too. Sleek
and simple, this is one fan you’d
want to show ođ!
In tag lio D C-15 9 is al so
availab le in M atte - Black and
M atte -Wh ite, an d is pri ced
fro m $ 249. Fin d it at www.
aco r n ce ilin g fan .co m or
au th o r ise d Aco r n re tai l ers.

LIGHT IT UP

Prefer to shop for your lighting online? Head to

Lightcraft’s new online store, where you’ll ĝnd
its bestselling items; these include everything
from ceiling lights to track lights, and they
come in popular contemporary, Scandinavian
and industrial styles. To make your shopping M AG N I F I C E N T
experience a pleasant one, Lightcraft also ođers MARBLE
two-year warranties for its LED products and
after-sales service. You only need to walk into Marble surfaces are one sure-
one of its stores, and the stađ will share with you way to elevate the look of your
what you need to know about glare control, light home, but can be troublesome
colours, and more. to maintain especially if you
have kids or hate doing chores.
C h e c k o u t Lig h tc ra f t ’s onl i ne store at ht t ps:// One great (and cost-eđective)
e sh o p.lig h tc raft.co m .sg, or vi si t i t s showroom alternative to natural marble is
at 131 Jalan S u ltan , tel : 6297-6658. laminates: Thanks to advanced
technology, the patterns can
SAFE & STYLISH often look like the real deal!
EDL’s new range of marble-
Anyone who loves to cook would know that look high pressure laminates,
the quality of the stove is as important as the the Lavant, not only features a
ingredients used in preparing meals. City Gas’ new realistic diagonal pattern, but
range of gas hobs allows you to choose between is smooth to the touch, too.
two easy-to-maintain materials (tempered glass You can clad your customised
and stainless steel), as well as the burner size and furniture and even oĔce desks
placements. Find one that complements your suite with these for a luxurious look.
of cookware! To prevent gas leaks, these hobs will
stop producing gas once the Ğames are out. The gas The Lavant ra n ge is ava il-
leak detector provides further protection. abl e i n bot h da rk a n d ligh t
shades, and hi g h gloss a n d
T he new C i ty G a s ra n ge i s c u rre n t l y o n 2 0 p e r m at te f i ni shes. F in d it a t EDL ,
ce nt discou n t, a n d th e gas l e ak d e te c to r re t ai l s 4 3 Sungei Kadu t St reet 1 , tel:
at $85 (pu rc h a se -wi th - pu rc h as e). Fi n d i t at C i t y 63 69-0990, www.edleu ro.com .
G as G aller y, 8 C ross S tre et , te l : 673 2 - 69 1 0.

118  text ELIZA HAMIZAH

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photo 123RF

119
 DATE
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3-YEAR SUBSCRIPTION (WORTH $216 EACH)

print at $162
digital at $129.60

4-YEAR SUBSCRIPTION (WORTH $288 EACH)

print at $216
digital at $172.80

5-YEAR SUBCRIPTION (WORTH $360 EACH)

print at $270
digital at $216

B E O P L AY P 6 P R E M I U M B L U E TO O T H
SPEAKER, WORTH $629

With rich, powerful sound and premium materials

including pearl-blasted aluminium grilles and a
leather strap, P6 ofers full versatility. Splash- and
dust-resistant, it can be used in any room or easily
picked up and taken outside. With a battery life up
to 16 hours, P6 can used outdoors for a long period
of time, too.
Designed for simplicity, the speaker allows you
to access voice assistant, accept calls and use Tone
Touch presets through the One Touch Button.

122 
 VORNADO 723DC AIR
C I R C U L ATO R , W O R T H $ 5 9 9

Part of the Energy Saving air

circulators, 723DC combines
Vornado’s classic style with more
powerful airflow, moving air up
to 100 feet. A return to variable
speed puts users in precise control.
Along with Vornado’s signature
Vortex Action, the appliance creates
whole-room circulation, keeping the
entire room cool and comfortable.
B E O P L AY M 3 C O M PA CT
SPEAKER, WORTH $449
A R I S TO N A N D R I S S L I M 3 0 ,
WORTH $389
Ariston is the first in Singapore
to launch a storage water heater
design that is customised
to fit the bathrooms in new
condominiums and HDB flats.
The 30-litre water storage can
be heated in 33 minutes. The
SL30 consists of Ag+ silver ions
with anti-bacterial properties to
provide healthier and cleaner
shower experiences.

M3 delivers a finely tuned

audio experience that will
fill any small to medium
room with rich and authentic
Bang & Olufsen Signature
Sound. Its connected audio
capability allows music
flow through every room,
via Chromecast, Wi-Fi or
Bluetooth to other multiroom- A R I S TO N A U R E S R O U N D L U X U R Y R T 3 3 ,
enabled speakers, so users WORTH $359
experience seamless sound.
The RT33 redefines the shower experience with
constant temperature. Its allure is in its elegant
Italian design, complete with an ultra-modern and
super-sleek round shape. It can memorise up to
three shower profiles, replaying them for maximum
shower pleasure. It comes with features like
anti-scalding system, total safety system and a
soft-touch interface.

123
 A R I S TO N A N D R I S L U X 1 5 , W O R T H $ 3 5 9

The Andris Lux 15 shell technology is a perfect

balance of geometry and assembly. It has
an intuitive design, and promises enduring
performance, and strong resistance to pressure
and corrosion.

WHIRLPOOL MAX385L
M I C R O WAV E O V E N ,
WORTH $328

This compact microwave oven,

with a flat glass door and an
integrated handle, fits perfectly
in a kitchen corner. The Jet Crisp
function with 3-D distribution is
perfect for making pizza, while
the Jet Defrost feature enables
VORNADO 733B AIR
it to defrost food seven times VORNADO 660W
C I R C U L ATO R , W O R T H $ 4 9 9 A I R C I R C U L ATO R ,
faster than regular ovens.
WORTH $399
The Vornado 733B circulates
air from three diferent base
Users of the Vornado 660W
positions and is the most
can efortlessly select among
powerful Vornado fan, built for
four speed settings, ranging
use in large rooms. The three-
from whisper-quiet to turbo.
speed control is easy to access
Maintaining the 660W is
and allows for speed selection
simple, with a detachable grille
to meet any circulation need.
that provides easy access to
the blades for cleaning.

CHECK OUT MORE GIFTS* AT WWW.HOMEANDDECOR.COM.SG/FAIR18

* Choice of gifts dependent on subscription package and while stocks last.

124 
 CHE CK O UT T HE LAT E ST T R E N DS I N I N T E R I OR DE SI G N ,
FURN IT UR E , SOF T F UR N I SH I N G S A N D H OUSE H OLD SE RVI C E S
ETHEREALL
Ethereall is established by a group of
young entrepreneurs and designers
who specialise in residential,
commercial, hospitality, F&B and
retail spaces. With vast experience
in interior architecture, design and
fashion, the company believes that
design should not only cater to
aesthetics, but should also help to
simplify the utilisation of space. The
company hopes that the spaces that
are designed will be able to provide
an elevation in comfort, experience
and convenience.
Visit www.ethereall.com to find
out more about Ethereall.
S TA R R Y H O M E S T E A D
Starry Homestead is a one-stop
interior design firm that ofers
customised renovation services.
From vision to mission, they are
eager to provide services that
meet or even exceed customers’
expectations. The diverse range of
projects that they previously took
charge of, no matter residential
or commercial, has enriched the
company, allowing it to come
up with practical solutions to
every unique challenge.
Visit www.starryhomestead.com
to find out more about
Starry Homestead.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR EXHIBITORS AND EXCLUSIVE OFFERS AND PROMOTIONS AT
WWW.HOMEANDDECOR.COM.SG/FAIR18
ERGOWORKS
Ergoworks is a leading brand in
holistic ergonomic and posture
wellness solutions for home and
oices. It is the only brand endorsed
and recommended by Singapore
Physiotherapy Association and The
Chiropractic Association (Singapore).
Ergoworks ofers five categories
of solutions: Ergo Comfort, Ergo
Active, Ergo Sleep, Ergo Junior
and Ergo Health. The extensive
range of products includes Zero
Gravity Massage Recliner, Desk Bike,
motorised height adjustable desk,
sit-stand desk converter, ergonomic
chairs, anti-fatigue standing mat, and
postural support aids.
Visit www.ergoworks.com.sg to find
out more about Ergoworks.
PA R I S H O M E
Possessing a passion for 17-century
European culture with a twist, Paris
Home is the first full-fledged furniture
online shop in Singapore, launched
in 2007. With an established factory,
Paris Home is able to work in unison
with clients to create Bespoke
French, Baroque, Rococo, Hollywood
Regency, Mid-Century Vintage and
Victorian home furnishings and
decorations to fit clients’ living
spaces and desired colour schemes.
Visit Paris Home at 310 Joo Chiat
Road Singapore 427561
(Open daily: 12pm - 7:30pm)
to find out more.
MAGHREBI
Maghrebi is a Middle Eastern and
North African (MENA) fashion
and home decor boutique. Being
Singapore’s only North African
decor house, it is committed to
bringing about an understanding
of MENA culture through
fashion and interior decoration.
Indulge in exotic craftsmanship
from Turkey to Morocco and
everything in between.
Visit www.maghrebi-sf.com to
find out more about Maghrebi.
ONNA
Onna believes that window
coverings should go beyond the
conventional function of providing
shade. Its range of coverings also
enhances the overall comfort of a
space, provides lighting control,
accentuates the energy of a room,
and highlights a homeowner’s
distinctive personal touch.
Visit www.onna-sg.com to find
out more about Onna.
125
 BUYING GUIDE
YOUR ONE-STOP RESOURCE FOR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

ELECTRICAL & GRAFUNKT TAYLOR B FINE DWELL INTERIOR THREE-D RENOVATION

ELECTRONICS #02-34/36 DESIGN GROUP DESIGN CONCEPTWERKE MATERIALS
Millenia Walk #04-02 11 Kim Yam Road 24 Eng Hoon Street
ACORN Tel: 6336-6046 43 Keppel Road Tel: 6883-1005 Tel: 6293-8001 CAESARSTONE S.E.A.
#02-09 www.grafunkt.com Tel: 6225-7090 www.dwell.com.sg www.three-d- #08-06 The Spire
512 Chai Chee Lane www.taylorb conceptwerke.com 10 Bukit Batok
Tel: 6635-6147 HOME 2 U GALLERY design.com HAIRE LIVING Crescent
www.acorn #02-719-720 Level 4 Tel: 6316-1938
ceilingfan.com Suntec City XZQT 29 Mayo Street www.caesarstone.sg
Tower 4 #01-05 Tel: 6441-3345 KITCHENS
BRANDT ASIA Tel: 6737-7838 8 Pandan Crescent www.haireliving.com HAFARY
#02-51/52 Tel: 6774-8031 MUDIAN 105 Eunos Avenue 3
Oxley Bizhub HOUSE OF W.ATELIER www.xzqt.com.sg MONG DESIGN STUDIO #01-21/23 Tel: 6250-1368
65 Ubi Road One #01-01/02 #13-05 Trivex Vertex Building www.hafary.com.sg
Tel: 6508-4639 75 Bukit Timah Road 8 Burn Road 33 Ubi Avenue 3
www.brandt.sg Tel: 6270-8828 Tel: 6753-3005 Tel: 6733-7378 TIMPLEX
www.watelier.com INTERIOR www.mongdesign www.mudian.com.sg #01-13
SAMAIRE CEILING FAN DESIGNERS studio.com 18 Sin Ming Lane
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1 Kallang Way 2A #02-198 Vivocity ARCHIVE DESIGN RENAISSANCE @ W. ATELIER www.timplex.sg
Tel: 6846-7737 Tel: 6376-8023 #02-08 PLANNERS #01-01 and #03-01
www.samaire.com.sg www.muji.com/sg 362 Upper Paya & DESIGNERS 201 Henderson Road
Lebar Road #01-02 Tel: 6270-8828
P5 STUDIO Tel: 6702-7738 469 MacPherson www.watelier.com OTHERS
#01-08 www.archiveinterior Road
FURNITURE Henderson Industrial design.com Tel: 6291-1545 ACACIA FABRICS
& FURNISHINGS Park www.renaidesign #04-03
213 Henderson Road BLACK N WHITE group.com LIGHTING Ubi Techpark
DA VINCI HOME Tel: 6513-9595 HAUS Lobby A
#01-01 www.p5.com.sg 291 Tanjong Katong THE ORANGE CUBE LIGHTCRAFT Tel: 6743-0060
3 Tai Seng Drive Road #01-03 131 Jalan Sultan www.acacia
Tel: 6468-6333 STAR LIVING Tel: 6440-9766 LTC Building C Tel: 6297-6658 fabrics.com
www.davinciasia.com 1 Pasir Panjang Road www.blacknwhite 14 Arumugam Road www.lightcraft.com.sg
Tel: 6273-2522 house.com Tel: 6337-7277
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18 Tampines com.sg DESIGN INTERVENTION com
Industrial Crescent 75E Loewen Road
www.furniture Tel: 6468-1942
gallery.sg www.design
intervention.com.sg

126 
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127

BE HOUSE-PROUD
ALL THE TIME
E
veryone loves a picture-
perfect living room, but
what happens after you’re
done Instagramming the space?
Do you love your home as much
as you say you do, or are you
concerned about its upkeep only
when there are guests?
Having shot well over 1,000
homes over the past three
decades, the team at Home &
Decor has documented and
shared some gorgeous abodes
with readers. Yet what the
readers don’t get to see is the
hard work the crew puts into
cleaning up some of those
homes, in order to get that
perfect shot. While there is a fair
share of genuinely house-proud
homeowners who keep their
homes in pristine condition,
many of the homes visited
require plenty of assistance
to get them photo-ready.
This happens, even though
128 
HARD TRUTH
some of them may have just
settled into the property.
Now, as professional as the
team is in capturing the best
shots, it remains a wonder
why owners of the home aren’t
willing to put in the eđort to
keep the space looking just as
beautiful all the time.
As a modern homeowner,
you shouldn’t portray yourself
as living the good life only when
people are around; you should
aspire to create the dream home
speciĝcally for your personal
enjoyment all the time.
Alas, with the popularity
of photo-sharing portals. such
as Pinterest and Instagram,
many homeowners are more
invested in building vignettes
of their home that can generate
the most amount of likes, as
opposed to decorating spaces for
themselves. Now, many interior
designers will tell you that when
WHAT’S TRENDING &
WHAT WE THINK
you love your home, it will be maintaining the clutter around
reĞected in the way it looks and the room. An untidy home is
also inĞuence how others view not a place you look forward to
your space. Intentionally putting coming home to, at the end of a
together a choreographed long day, when what you need is
corner in the living room or a snug sofa to sink into.
kitchen, just When styling a
so you can space, always begin
accompany a §ÐИ
éÐ
by considering how
shot of the space ¿ÉÐú the space would be a
with an equally physical representation
pretentious In need of a of your life story.
hashtag, like part-time cleaner Shower your home
#hygge or for the home? with love and plan for
#luxe or even Consider the its upkeep. The late 80s
#minimalist, is, mobile service groomed a generation
to say the least, Amahs on of true house-proud
basic and banal. Wheels, www. homeowners, who
Urban amahsonwheels. would go all out with
dwellers will com, which a speciĝc theme for
complain that provides a trained their home decor, be
maintaining team of cleaners it country-rustic or
the home, on on demand. modern-contemporary
top of juggling sleek, and keep their
work and family, domain in sterling
is a major challenge. We are condition at all times.
illustration KAFFY TAN photo 123RF.COM
not saying that isn’t true. The If you have the opportunity
message here is that taking time to Ğip through some of the
out to keep your home clean and Home & Decor issues from that
inspiring, actually does more for period, you would be able to
making you happy than anybody witness the Ğair homeowners
else. So don’t see housekeeping of that era injected into their
as a chore; instead, see it as spaces. Worry not, for as
something you do because you the leading design read in
are worth it. Singapore, we will continue to
Sure you can surround inspire readers and provide you
yourself with organised chaos, with ways and tips to create
but that is no excuse for your dream home.