Indholdsfortegnelse for March 2019 i Home & Decor

I always get excited around this time of year, because that’s when the annual Singapore Design Week takes place. This year, it runs from March 4-17, and includes events such as Design Trailblazers, a showcase of works that have won National Design awards by Cooper Hewitt, and President’s Design awards; and Singaplural, an exhibition featuring cross-disciplinary design created in collaboration between local and foreign brands and designers. I was a child in the early 80s, when there were no local events championing the design scene in Singapore. So, seeing visitors take in the work of local talents today brings joy to my heart – because not only does it show that Singaporeans can be capable of producing good design, but that they also have the capacity to learn about and…

If you’ve got it, flaunt it, and what better way to showcase your collections than on a shelf that says as much about your interesting personality as the items on display. Here are some of our favourites to consider. DESIGNER DISNEY Renowned designer Kelly Hoppen gave childhood icon Mickey Mouse an elegant makeover with her version of the Disney character swathed in taupe and black, signature colours Kelly uses in her interior projects. Only 99 pieces are available. More on the 140cm tall handmade Mickey by Kelly at www.leblon-delienne.com SLEEK SYSTEMS German high-end home appliances brand Gaggenau has introduced the new Vario cooling 400 series – an all-in-one built-in system featuring a modular-style refrigerator, freezer, fridge-freezer and wine climate cabinet. Extremely sleek, it can seamlessly integrate with any kitchen design.…

There’s a new kid on the block in the realm of Italian upholstered furniture. Chateau d’Ax, a 70-year-old sofa-maker with stores in over 80 countries, has launched its latest showroom in high-end shopping destination Palais Renaissance. The brand has been helmed by the Colombo family for three generations; they started the business after World War II in Lentate sul Seveso, Milan – one of the furniture industrial districts in Italy. Today, Chateau d’Ax counts an impressive list of designers in its portfolio. This includes Cini Boeri, an architect and designer who have worked for brands like Artemide and Arflex, as well as Karim Rashid, an industrial designer known for his luxury designs for many brands, from Kenzo to the revamp of Mexico’s Temptation Cancun Resort. These designers offer a seamless…

The future lies at sea, and the future is now. At the SMM (shipbuilding, machinery, marine technology) fair held in September last year – the fair is the leading international maritime trade show held biennially in Hamburg – technology group Wartsila announced its global initiative titled “An Oceanic Awakening”. Wartsila, the Finnish global leader in smart technology in the marine and energy sectors, announced that the bold new project focuses on “the radical transformation of the world’s marine and energy industry into one supremely efficient, ecologically sound and digitally connected ecosystem”. The visions birthed at the Hamburg workshop were also meant to inspire the global marine industry and the authorities to address complex problems caused by rapid urban growth. Jason Pomeroy of Pomeroy Studios was one of three prominent Singapore-based…

What is a significant trend set to emerge? An exciting, emerging trend that will have a major impact on the way future kitchens look and work is the rise of ambient tech – where technology is instead seamlessly integrated into your kitchen. By incorporating functional technology into the kitchen, it leaves kitchen counters and surfaces clutter-free, and allows more widespread use of natural materials, giving your high-tech kitchen a more natural feel. How are these trends changing the way we use kitchens? With kitchen spaces evolving based on our habits, another development is the “reveal-conceal” trend. Apartments are being designed with open-concept kitchens, and in those kitchens, countertops, appliances and cupboards are concealed behind large cupboard doors that completely integrate with the interior of the home. Folding walls, as well…

Now that their children are grown up, the couple’s dream for an all-white kitchen can finally be achieved, in the form of a contemporary white Blum kitchen. Taking into account the warm-toned living room, Mikael decided to zone the spaces using two flooring types: white marble tiles for the kitchen and living room, and light-wood timber strips for the dining and television console areas. The timber flooring originally came in large slabs, but were cut into narrower strips to create the illusion of a larger space.…

ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS ACORN #02-09 512 Chai Chee Lane Tel: 6445-6144 www.acornceilingfan.com BRANDT ASIA #02-51/52 Oxley Bizhub 65 Ubi Road One Tel: 6508-4639 www.brandt.sg ELECTROLUX S.E.A. #07-10 Galaxis 1 Fusionopolis Place Tel: 6727-3699 FISHER & PAYKEL #03-01A Ubi Biz Hub 150 Ubi Avenue 4 Tel: 6547-0100 SAMAIRE CEILING FAN #06-01 1 Kallang Way 2A Tel: 6846-7737 www.samaire.com.sg FURNITURE & FURNISHINGS DA VINCI LIFESTYLE #01-01 Concorde Hotel Tel : 6468-6333 www.davincilifestyle.com FURNITURE GALLERY 18 Tampines Industrial Crescent www.furnituregallery.sg FLEXFORM | STUDIO216 #01-01 200 Newton Road Tel: 6909-2128 www.flexform.sg HOME 2 U GALLERY #02-719/720 Suntec City Tower 4 Tel: 6737-7838 MUJI #02-198 Vivocity Tel: 6376-8023 www.muji.com/sg STAR LIVING 1 Pasir Panjang Road Tel: 6273-2522 www.starliving.com.sg XZQT #01-05 8 Pandan Crescent Tel: 6774-8031 www.xzqt.com.sg INTERIOR DESIGNERS BLACK N WHITE HAUS 291 Tanjong Katong…

Hot on the heels of Tom Dixon’s first collaboration project with Danish furniture giant Ikea comes a new addition to his Delaktig series - a customisable bed. Homeowners can now make (we mean, construct) their bed and sleep in it, literally – by simply changing the accessories that go with it. Refresh the look of your bedroom by swopping the black headboard for another made with woven rattan, or add bedside lamps if you enjoy Netflixing in bed. What’s more, the Delaktig bed is made of 50 per cent recycled aluminium, ensuring that you are doing your part for the environment, even when you’re catching up on your sleep. The Delaktig bed is available at all Ikea stores and website. Visit http://ikea.sg for more information.…

San Francisco has become the worldwide reference for innovation and technology, thanks to Silicon Valley. Its bohemian tradition, cultural history and European influences, however, live on in the city. Opened in 2018, San Francisco Proper Hotel reminds us of that. Nestled in an almost 100-year-old Beaux Arts building, the hotel, which is home to restaurant and lounge Villon, is an ode to San Francisco. It is located in an area with old theatres and arts institutions that is currently enjoying a revival, with luxury residential projects and offices of large companies making their home there. Forgotten for years and then damaged by a fire, the building was recently reimagined, with the objective of contributing to the local community’s development. On the exterior facade, real estate investment and management company The…

Q Describe your fondest memory as a child. My father was an architect, and I was fascinated by his work. I remember sneaking into his study as a child and unrolling his blueprints when he was not around. I would trace the lines with my fingers and marvel at the intricacy and details. I think that was what influenced me to pursue interior design as a career. Q Name one music track you listen to, while at work. It really depends on my mood, as my music taste is very diverse and eclectic. I could be listening to French rap by MC Solaar one moment, and switch to songs by Goldfrapp, Leonard Cohen, Madonna or even P.Diddy, the next. Q One worthy or charitable cause you’d fight for? I believe…

CHOOSE PIECES YOU ENJOY There are simply no rules to govern which art piece would speak to you - its appeal boils down to emotional connection. Think of artworks as permanent friends that will live in your home – therefore, they have to positively resonate with you and your lifestyle. START YOUR COLLECTION The purchase of one piece of art that brings you joy will likely lead to you acquiring more pieces that draw your attention. Art fairs, galleries, markets, antique shops and open studios are all ideal starting points, especially if they feature emerging artists. If possible, get to know the artists who interest you. This will provide a better understanding of their design and artistic voice, and possibly explain how and why their works resonate with you. If…

The nightspots along Mohamed Sultan Road used to be among homeowner Edmund Chan’s favourite hangouts when he was growing up, so when he and his wife, Elaine Koh, were looking for a new home, they decided to explore the River Valley area. “It has a very ‘other worldliness’ about it, and I like the restaurants in the vicinity,” he says. When they finally found an apartment that they liked, they decided to have the interior gutted, in order to start from scratch. “The renovation was so extensive that only two of the existing walls were left standing,” he recalls. The couple turned to Laank for its design expertise. The home-grown boutique practice is the creative genius behind Violet Oon’s culinary concepts and came highly recommended by her daughter, Tay Su-Lyn,…

SEA Games bronze medallist and model Oz Titus Hong’s apartment is located a stone’s throw away from Singapore Sports Hub where he trains. The multi-talented athlete had been trained as an interior architect and used to specialise in hospitality design. He may have swopped his design wand for oars, but he relished the opportunity to be creative when crafting his own living space. “I tried to infuse my home with bespoke, understated luxury, through the use of materials and all the little details and personal touches,” says Oz, not unlike the way he gave character to the numerous luxury hotels that he worked on in the past. LAYER YOUR WAY TO MORE SPACE Perhaps it has to do with his personality, or maybe it’s attributable to his background in design…

The initial step in designing the perfect wardrobe is to ask if you want it open or closed, says Susan Knof, founder of Knof Design. “It is a completely personal preference; some people like to see all their clothes at once, while others like them neatly tucked away. For me, a healthy balance of both is best! Then, it is time to consider every last detail, from coats and long dresses down to shoes and jewellery.” Some elements to keep in mind – choose finishes you love; organise clothes and accessories by colour or size; and make the most of vertical storage space. Anna Kroesser and Amelia Strat of New York interior design firm Homepolish recommend illuminating the wardrobe. According to the duo, there are a plethora of closet lighting…

Ritz-Carlton Kyoto The Ritz has admirably incorporated ryokan aspects into an abode that has 409 pieces of contemporary art that fascinatingly evoke old Kyoto. The showpiece is in the principle private dining room Ebisugawa tei at its Italian restaurant, La Locanda. The room overlooks an indoor garden (tsuboniwa), which is a feature of Kyoto homes, to get sunlight. Kamogawa Nijo-Ohashi Hotori, Nakagyo ku, Kyoto, Japan 604-0902. www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/japan/kyoto Sankara The spacious lobby flows into a stunning infinity pool that seems to slip into the seas yonder. Villas stock Balinese furniture. Sankara says this is Yakushima, and not Balinese, decor. By whichever name, the upholstery with leafy motifs recalls the nearby rainforests of Yakushima that visitors can visit – unless you prefer to bask on the sundeck’s swank surfboard deckchairs. 553 Haginoe…

If you haven’t heard, creator of flatpack furnishings Ikea recently announced plans to launch a test concept in Switzerland, which will change the way homeowners buy, use and dispose of furniture. According to Torbjorn Loof, CEO of Inter Ikea Holding (the company which controls the Ikea brand rights), “we will work together with partners so you can actually lease your furniture. When that leasing period is over, you hand it back and might lease something else”. Now you might be wondering if homeowners are going to end up with used furniture, but fear not – because the point of this sustainable approach is to allow homeowners to return old furniture, so that they can be donated to charity. This is great news for a world that is increasingly conscious about…

Paint specialist Dulux recently announced that Spiced Honey is the Colour of 2019, sending homeowners into a tizzy – wondering why, and how this muted hue can be worked into interiors. According to Heleen van Gent, creative director of Akzonobel’s Global Aesthetic Center: “It’s a colour which can be calming or nourishing, stimulating and energising, depending on the light and colours surrounding it.” With that in mind, it makes sense to treat this shade as a contrasting note to a lighter main colour used in the same space. In the kitchen pictured, Spiced Honey is used as a ceiling colour, tempering the brighter accents of the accessories and the neutral tone on the walls. the experts “At first glance, it’s easy to dismiss this colour simply because we’re used to…

New Jewels Italian furniture brand Flexform has introduced several new pieces in its showroom, adding jewel tones into the space with iconic products including the Sveva armchair. Check it out at #01-01, 200 Newton. Music to the Ears Audio specialist Bose has a new store in town. Bose @ Paragon boasts 1,400 sq ft of space, with a demo room for customers to enjoy a fully immersive audio experience. Visit the store at #04-31 Paragon. Singapore Design Week Into its sixth year, the Singapore Design Week runs from March 4 to 17. It’s organised by the Design Singapore Council. Look out for key events such as Singaplural and trade show International Furniture Fair Singapore, as well as several fringe events around the island. Find out more at www.designsingapore.org/sdw.…

Kristina Karlsson does not fit the stereotype of what a strong-willed entrepreneur ought to look like. Aside from her disarming smile and a preference for comfortable and casual attire during meetings, Kristina has no formal training in business or manufacturing. It was in a moment of panic, at three in the morning 10 years ago, that she decided to create her own stationery brand. Fast-forward to the present, and Kikki.K has over 102 monobrand stores in 147 countries, raking in annual sales of $81 million globally. After realising her dream of setting up what is perhaps the world’s most desirable stationery store, Kristina is now all set to help millions more women achieve theirs. We don’t have to be stationery lovers (or hoarders) to find ourselves caving in to the…

Colours and curves dominate this vibrant apartment in Barcelona, which belongs to Francesca, a young and stylish Italian professional in the fashion industry. After tearing down all non-structural walls, the designers from Colombo and Serboli Architecture (Casa) worked on the apartment’s visual anchor – the element that informs the rest of the 699 sq ft space. This takes the form of a voluminous bespoke storage unit in the foyer. Clad in deep-blue and light pink finishes, this floor-to-ceiling unit creates a grand doorway. The blue visually condenses the area, while the tall pink panels allow a transition before one steps into the larger and brighter open-plan living area. It also conceals a walk-in wardrobe (home to Francesca’s large collection of clothing and sports equipment) and an entrance to the master…

BANG & OLUFSEN #01-05 Grand Hyatt Singapore Tel: 6737-7500 www.bang-olufsen.com CAESARSTONE The Spire #08-06, 10 Bukit Batok Crescent Tel: 6316-1938 www.caesarstone.sg COMMUNE 28 Defu Lane 4 Tel: 6282-9086 DANOVEL #01-02, 100 Pasir Panjang Road & #02-54/55 Tanglin Shopping Centre Tel: 6338-2488 www.danovel.com www.facebook.com/Danovel.Sofa DYSON https://shop.dyson.com.sg EGG3 #02-35, 112 East Coast Road Tel: 6538-3229 www.eggthree.com HARVEY NORMAN FLAGSHIP #01-59/63 Millenia Walk Tel: 6311-9988 www.harveynorman.com.sg HIPVAN #02-06/08 The Cathay Tel: 6291-1725 www.hipvan.com HUI DESIGNS Tel: 9637-1304 www.huidesigns.com KITCHEN CULTURE #01-02/05/07/08 Thye Hong Centre 2 Leng Kee Road Tel: 6473-6776 www.kitchenculture.com LOVERA COLLECTIONS www.loveracollections.com MADE AND MAKE #04-00 Jubilee Industrial Building 6 Genting Road Tel: 6908-5908 www.madeandmake.sg MAYER #02-66 IMM Building Tel: 6563-4288 www.mayer.sg MUD ROCK CERAMICS 85 Maude Road Tel: 6291-1186 www.mudrockceramics.com REDMART Tel: 6261-3456 www.redmart.com ROBINSONS THE HEEREN 260…