Indholdsfortegnelse for July 2018 i Home & Decor

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 firm 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. Find out more about Atelier Swarovski’s Tangent collection at www.atelierswarovskihome.com .…

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. The Kettal Vimini collection consists of sofas, side tables and a dining armchair. Find it at P5, 63 Mohamed Sultan Road, tel: 6337-0050, www.p5.com.sg .…

East meets West in the design of this made-in-Japan tile collection, Hinotori, which is the result of a collaboration between French designer Theophile Besson and Kyoto tile manufacturer Asada Kawara. Each tile is handmade, with traditional production methods where fine clay is polished several times before being fired. The result is a rot-proof and weather-resistant material suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. The shimmery look on the tiles is reminiscent of that on roofs of traditional Japanese temples. Geometric and textural details are added to the pieces using patented screen printing technology. The Hinotori collection is available for order via e-mail: info@theophilebesson.com .…

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…

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…

This 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…

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 room, and common bathroom to convert the now-huge space into a master suite,” says Wein. Another unique addition to the space includes…

BEFORE RENO SET YOUR GOALS AND WORK OUT A BRIEF Identify what you want to achieve, your requirements and any issues that you wish to address. These may include planning how you are going to use the rooms you have, or if you should hack walls you don’t need, and practical considerations such as storage and laundry. It may be useful to keep a scrapbook of ideas that you come across in magazines and showflats. tip 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…

When 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…

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 o›! Intaglio DC-159 is also available in Matte-Black and Matte-White, and is priced from $249. Find it at www.acornceilingfan.com  or authorised Acorn retailers. LIGHT IT UP Prefer to shop for your lighting online? Head to Lightcraft’s…

You should not see doors as solely utilitarian objects, but works of art, as well. Charme, by Italian company Boscavenezia, for example, is made with great craftsmanship and traditional finishing techniques. It features transparent and tempered bronze glass, as well as decorative metallic armatures and handles in a copper finish. Boscavenezia also uses materials (for example, steel and wood) that are eco-sustainable, and count sliding aluminium doors and wooden shelving as part of its made-in-Italy collection. Find out more at www.boscavenezia.it .…

When shopping for portable Bluetooth speakers, the most important thing is a compact appliance that packs a punch! This way, you can easily carry it around and enjoy quality music whenever you like. Swiss-based audio brand Geneva Lab achieves that with the new Touring series wireless speakers that looks rugged yet elegant. It is clad in high quality eco-leather and crafted with aircraft grade aluminium, so durability is assured. Expect deep bass and a 20 hour-long battery life. The new Touring series and Acustica Lounge wireless speakers retail from $269 to $549 at authorised dealers, including AV Intelligence at #01-71 Millenia Walk, Robinsons The Heeren, Tangs Orchard and Vivocity.…

Established American furniture brand Ashley Furniture Homestore recently unveiled its 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…

Visit 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 drinking holes that line the street. To add to the lively environment is the well-appointed Ann Siang House, which has breathed new life into the corner shophouse lot 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 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…

LAUNDRY CARE 101 HONEY, YOU SHRUNK YOUR CLOTHES! 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. Choose gentle spin cycles too, as this helps keep fabric in shape. DON’T SWEAT IT 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 cuffs of long-sleeved shirts…

Homeowner 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 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 the requirements. The open shelves are filled with knick-knacks…

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…

“I WANTED THE COLLECTION TO REFLECT THE STRUCTURE OF AN ENGLISH GARDEN, BUT ALSO THE WAY NATURE TAKES OVER WHEN YOU LET IT GROW.” 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 first attempt at designing porcelain pieces. “I wanted the collection to reflect the structure of an English garden, but also the way nature takes over when you let it grow,” says Nigel.…

Everyone 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 some of…

Treading the line between kitchen appliance and high fashion is the third collaborative series from Smeg and Dolce & Gabbana. Following the success of previous partnerships, the two Italian powerhouses teamed up again to draw inspiration from their heritage, specifically from the vibrant and larger-than-life Sicilian artistic style. Named “Sicily is my Love”, the collection introduces two new prints on three appliances: the iconic retro-style FAB28 fridge, a freestanding cooker and oven, and these eye-catching extractor hoods.…

After encountering wasted fruit in farms – the farmers don’t grow enough to sell, but cannot consume everything that their trees grow, hence the fruit falls to the 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 offers a subscription box as well. Each fruit pouch can last up to a year. Yum! Find them at www.therottenfruitbox.com .…

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. Essa Grace’s furniture retails from $120 for a chair. Check out the collection at www.essagrace.com .…

Some 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 the Securezip blinds by Altex, which can transform a balcony or patio into an extended “indoor” space any time. This is made possible as its fabric shields the space from rain and strong winds, while keeping the air-conditioning in. The Securezip blinds are not the only game-changing product here. Shoppers can explore the extensive range of innovative window and wall solutions by Toso and Hunter Douglas. Hunter Douglas’ Powerview, for instance, is a system that allows motorised blinds to be operated via a phone app,…

Known 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. The boutique is run by husband-and-wife team Tinah and Desmond Leong. The former is a florist and interior design enthusiast who has worked with John Erdos Home and Liaigre, while the latter is founder of Mandala Landscapes. Tinah’s selection of relaxed, beach-inspired furniture – mostly made out of natural materials like wood, pandan, seagrass and bamboo – and Desmond’s array of plants and flowers create a restful…

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…

The 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. LAYERS OF LUXURY Almost everything in this three-room flat 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…

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 finished 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.…

P5 DADA HI-LINE 6 Compact, functional and classically stylish – these attributes are arguably the most sought after in a kitchen design, and can be found in Dada’s Hi-line 6 kitchen system. Besides finger recesses and push-pull opening systems, we are also pleased with its clever pull-out stainless steel shelf – extend when needed, push back when not. The Hi-line 6 by Dada Kitchens is available at P5. Price available upon request. Visit www.dada-kitchens.com  for more information. Optimise Kitchen Space HAFELE ELECTRIC LIFT SYSTEM Perhaps you like preparing your meals in tandem with a celebrity chef coaching on the small screen, so it makes perfect sense to have a monitor for convenience in the kitchen. Hafele’s electric lift system caters to that, and the screen can also be…