Innehållsförteckning för September 2017 från Home & Decor

In this age of wireless connectivity and instant messaging, there’s no place where we can truly be “alone”. That can be a scary thought if you are, like me, the sort who values your privacy and cherishes those moments of silent contemplation. Furthermore, owing to the open nature of modern home interiors, it is a challenge to find a spot where you can get away from it all. Perhaps that is why homeowners are changing their impression of the bathroom, from being a purely functional cleaning zone into the last frontier where privacy is still of paramount importance. Because of that, there is a growing focus on good bathroom design and emphasis on turning it into a comfortable sanctuary, where you can not only freshen up your body, but recharge…

Japanese lifestyle retailer Muji is fast becoming a household brand. Ironically, Muji – “no brand” in Japanese – is continually making its mark worldwide, with the announcement of Muji hotels to be launched in China and Japan, as well as the most recent opening of its Plaza Singapura store – the first and largest flagship in South-east Asia. Spanning over 17,000sqf, this outlet not only houses Muji’s usual range of minimalist, no-frills household items, beauty products, snacks, travel accessories and apparels, but also its new clothing and furniture lines — Muji Labo and Idee, respectively. An interior brand from Tokyo, Idee provides a collection that ranges from leather sofas, wood coffee tables, to bath accessories, and even gardening products. Some pieces were designed in collaboration with up-and-coming designers worldwide, while…

You may be more familiar with New York’s version of the Roaring Twenties, but Paris, Venice and Istanbul embodied the glamour of the period’s newfound opulence just as stylishly, too. You’ll get a glimpse of this when you travel from London to Europe aboard the revamped grand suites on Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE), a luxury travelling accommodation owned by hotel and leisure company Belmond. The new look, by interior design firm Wimberly Interiors, evokes an elegant and nostalgic atmosphere. While the VSOE’s signature Art Deco-style remains unchanged, the grand suites now “focus on moments within each city, inspiring visual cues and the overall Belmond guest experience”, says Rachel Johnson of Wimberly Interiors. Handcarved timber and embossed leather tell the story of an opulent Istanbul, while the romance and haute couture of…

STORYTILES, NETHERLANDS FOUNDERS: MARGA VAN OERS AND JUDITH BEEK The Dutch traditionally collect tiles with beautiful illustrations on them. Amsterdam-based StoryTiles produces handmade ceramic tiles which come in varying designs and sizes. These range from mini, small, to medium, which is the size equivalent to the original Dutch Tile of the Netherlands. Each piece of the StoryTiles Artist Collaboration Collection reflects a different story, sense of humour, wit, and whimsical design style, from watercolour to paper cuttings. These are the works of Marga Van Oers and other Dutch artists including Piet Paris, Chris Van Eeden, Lieselot Moed, and Geertje Aalders. StoryTiles, too, has a story of its own; it all began when Marga received a box filled with Old Dutch tiles from her grandmother. “The special thing about StoryTiles are…

GESSI EQUILIBRIO The serendipitous meeting between CEO Gian Luca Gessi and artist-philosopher Marsel Lesko, who was balancing stones when they met at a Sardinian beach, prompted a collection of sculptural taps that sought to bring the harmonious relationship between man and nature indoors. Named Equilibrio (Italian for equilibrium), the collection features a stone-on-stone silhouette, and was made using pure materials like marble, river stones, and gold. Gessi created 16 handle and 10 base finishings so homeowners can create a stunning scene in the home’s most relaxing room. GROHE EURODISC JOY Inclined at a seven-degree angle and equipped with a joystick, this Red Dot Award winner is designed for interaction. Its playful yet futuristic looks are combined with high functionality; the adjustable joystick allows for meticulous precision in volume and temperature,…

Ensconced in the iconic South Bank Tower, a soaring landmark on the wings of the River Thames, this 2,368sqf three-bedroom duplex apartment on the 36th and 37th floors commands an awe-inducing perspective of the London skyline. The double-height glass windows give panoramic visibility to the exceptional views – which include stunning sunsets over the West End – and allow natural light to pour in. To complement the modern-heritage style of the building and its sun-kissed interiors, interior designers at Goddard Littlefair filled the home with an exquisite design scheme of sleek bespoke furnishings and an alluring medley of gleaming bronzes, warm coppers and soothing browns and blues. In the living area, Goddard Littlefair installed tall screens (each over 6m tall) in a liquefied bronze finish, to gently emphasise the generous…

WHO A couple in their late 40s and their two children HOME Four-bedroom, two-storey, semi-detached house in Siglap SIZE 2,800sqf “This is a Goldilocks house – not too big, not too small, but just right for us,” smiles Susanne Schaefer, who lives here with her husband, Adrian Cheng, and their two kids. Home to them is a two-storey, semi-detached house, and while many landed-property homeowners choose to add at least another floor, the couple were happy to keep it at two storeys. The home, renovated for around $700,000 by JQ Ong of The Association, has a design that’s based on the idea of enhancing and optimising, rather than expansion and enlargement. As Susanne was after a look that is “simple, clean and kept to an absolute minimum”, JQ ensured that…

Admira www.admira.sg Atomi #04-26/27 Mandarin Gallery Tel: 6887-4138 www.atomi-jp.com Beltiston Ventures #02-11 Win5 @ Yishun 15 Yishun Industrial Street 1 Tel: 6367-3148 www.beltiston.co Bode #05-10 Tan Boon Liat Building 315 Outram Road Tel: 6635-3377 www.bode.com.sg Dornbracht Interior Affairs 302 Jalan Besar Tel: 6291-3864 Dyson www.dyson.com.sg/ hand-dryers Tel: 668105286 Econflo Systems 401 Commonwealth Drive #01-01 Lobby B Haw Par Technocentre Tel: 6396-3738 www.econflo.com Ethnicraft Online #05-01 Singapore Handicrafts Building 72 Eunos Avenue 7 Tel: 9272-1545 www.ethnicraft-online.com.sg Gessi Bathroom Gallery 25 Changi South Avenue 2 Tel: 6546-5900 www.bathroomgallery.com.sg Grafunkt #02-34/35/36 Millenia Walk Tel: 6336-6046 www.grafunkt.com Grohe #01-02 Haw Par Centre 180 Clemenceau Avenue Tel: 6311-3611 www.grohe.sg Hansgrohe 69 Mohamed Sultan Road Tel: 6884-5060 www.hansgrohe.com.sg Inhabitant #04-00 Jubilee Industrial Building 6 Genting Road Tel: 9069-1317 www.inhabitant.sg Kohler KHK Asia #01-11 Cendex Centre 120…

BIO In 2015, creative director Alessandro Michele introduced a romantic and maximalist style for the fashion house of Gucci, which was a welcome change from the slinky, sensual designs of his predecessor. The success of the new direction prompted the label to channel the look into its other offerings as well, including Gucci’s first home-decor collection launched this year. Alessandro’s signature use of frills, tassels and rich hues are encapsulated in these velvet Renaissanceesque cushions – they are the highlight of this collection, as well as a reflection of the new Gucci. TRIVIA To emphasise his liberal approach to decoration, Alessandro’s Gucci Decor – which features pillows, crockery and furniture – will be integrated with the clothing and fitting spaces of Gucci stores, and not in a dedicated area. GUCCI…

Those who yearn for an antidote to a hectic life will appreciate Nanxun Blossom Hill, a boutique heritage hotel where urbanites can immerse themselves in nature and history. French designer Thomas Dariel created the perfect balance between tradition and modernity in the restored ancient villa where Nanxun Blossom Hill is housed. This idyllic 30,000sqf space, dotted with South Chinese gardens, is located in Nanxun, Huzhou – a town aptly known as Hidden Book Town, named after the impressive book collection and introverted nature of the town’s richest resident, Liu Chenggan, who built a library in the 1920s. Long, winding paths lead to the building, where the original bricks, wood and engravings have been preserved. Within, guests are introduced to Nanxun’s culture through subtle and stylish hints of the town’s popular…

The Maldives is a travel destination that many yearn to check off their bucket list for its beautiful sea view resorts, offering the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life. Known for its one-island-one-resort concept, the Maldives’ latest addition is Grand Park Kodhipparu, located on North Male Atoll. Designed by Hirsch Bedner Associates, this luxurious resort houses 120 beachfront and overwater villas, with 65 units built with a private pool. Whether it’s lazing in the pool or reading in your room, you’ll enjoy expansive views of the ocean. Boundaries between the indoors and outdoors are blurred, further enhancing the experience of tranquil resort living. The interiors of the villas exude a rustic charm that’s achieved with natural materials, curated to blend into the surroundings without being overbearing.…

Smart Storage Storage has always been an essential part of the home — regardless of the amount of floor space you have — and is an effective and easy way to help keep your home looking neat and tidy. The same goes for your bathrooms; you won’t want your toiletries hanging out on your countertop, where they’ll get wet and grimy over time, so plan the design of the bathroom with sufficient storage in mind. “The easiest, and most seamless, way to incorporate storage into your bathroom is to have cabinets behind the mirror,” shares Kelvin Teo, founder of interior design firm Space Sense Studio. This makes it easy to retrieve items that you use everyday, as well. Dennis Cheok, design director of Upstairs_, shares his bathroom design strategy for…

1 Dark walls tend to make a space feel drab, if the space isn’t designed properly. To play it safe, choose a light or neutral colour to visually expand the space. 2 Paint the ceiling white. Dark ceilings tend to make a room feel smaller. 3 Use accent colours like bright red and orange, which can give your home the “oomph” factor. But be careful how and where you use them, or they can be overwhelming. A good trick is to confine them to accessories such as vases and cushions. 4 Lighten your window treatments. Replace your heavy curtains with lightweight ones. Blinds are also good alternatives. 5 Use low-energy light bulbs, such as compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) and cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFL), to illuminate your rooms. 6 For…

Spurred by a news report about the Government taking back 191 private terrace homes in Geylang after their 60-year leases run out in 2030, The Straits Times’ reader Larry Leong wrote a letter to its forum page on June 24, 2017. He called for greater clarity on the issues regarding leasehold properties as – while he was applying to lease out his HDB flat – the Housing Board referred to him as “tenant”, and his potential tenant as a “sub-tenant”. He thus questioned: Are HDB dwellers tenants or real homeowners for 99 years? A HDB spokesman replied: “Flat owners enjoy rights to exclusive possession of the flat during the tenure of the flat lease. They can sell, let out, and renovate their flats, within the guidelines specified in the Lease…

WOVEN AND BRAIDED RUGS Check the label to determine if it is washable. If it is, a small rug can be placed in a zippered pillowcase or mesh laundry bag, and machine washed in cool water on a gentle cycle. For a large rug, place it on a vinyl or concrete floor, or put an old blanket beneath it. Sponge a recommended cleaning solution over the surface and rub it in according to label instructions. Finish by rinsing or vacuuming. Dry thoroughly before putting back in place. Also, check the stitching before and after you clean the rug to see if there are any breaks. If you notice breaks, it’s best to have it professionally repaired before cleaning the rug, to avoid further damage. ORIENTAL RUGS Whether new or antique,…

Sitting at the heart of the colonial 130-year-old Raffles Hotel lobby is an impressive floral centrepiece that steals the spotlight as soon as you step into the grand space. Showcasing beautiful arrangements that change on a weekly basis, these floral features are a hallmark of the establishment. Some arrangements may even use up to 400 stalks of flowers! We meet the man behind these captivating floral creations, Albert Chan. Tell us about your background in floral arrangement. I’ve been with Raffles Hotel for 5½ years, but I used to own a florist shop. Floral arrangement started out as a hobby for me; I did decorations in church, and from there, I picked up the skill myself with tips from friends in the industry. What kind of work goes into creating…

The new Lamitak gallery in Lavender is not only a more accessible location for homeowners (a relief for those who dread driving to its Sungei Kadut branch), but it has customer service down to a T, too. The gallery’s thoughtful and stylish design makes it easy for you to get to know your options better – an important aspect of laminate-shopping, especially with the increasingly creative areas of application, such as 3-D feature walls and bench stools (we spotted some in the gallery!). The 2,105sqf gallery is separated into two spaces: the cosy mezzanine where interior designers and homeowners can discuss in private, and the ground floor, which showcases hundreds of designs. In the material library, there are full-height panels that can be pulled out and rotated 360 degrees; this…

With interiors as storied and glamorous as this, the guests of Hotel Indigo will be exploring Los Angeles, particularly its entertainment industry during the 1800s to 1900s, from the moment they check in. “We wanted to discover what it would’ve been like to live during a time when LA was turning into a hub of entertainment and culture, so we took the best stories to represent it,” says Jana Dadant of hospitality interior firm Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA). HBA transformed historic moments into the captivating and modern design you see in the 350-room hotel today, including the 1890 Rose Parade – the first (and now, annual) flower tournament that celebrates New Year’s Day. The lobby walls are clad in floor-to-ceiling monochromatic photographs from the event, while 30 custom-made chandeliers –…

WHO A couple in their late 30s HOME Three-bedroom condominium unit in Sembawang SIZE 1,400sqf Keeping it modern and classy was the design brief given to Max Lee, director of Icon Interior Design, for this apartment at The Nautica. While highlighting the importance of the right look, the couple also requested that choice materials were used for a clean and authentic finishing. Hence, wood veneer, rather than laminate, was chosen for the feature panels. “Wood veneer looks and feels more natural, and this lends ‘authenticity’ to the look,” Max explains. A black-coated wood veneer “frames” the panels, turning them into a standout feature of the home. When it came to the colour palette, Max took into account the female owner’s penchant for all things Kelly Hoppen – the UK-based doyenne…

WHO A family of five HOME Five-bedroom cluster house SIZE 5,000sqf With three growing children, space was becoming an issue in the HDB flat where this family once lived. So, when they purchased this cluster house, they knew what was most important to them. Terri Tan, design director of Designworx Interior Consultant, recalls: “They showed us photos when they briefed us so that we could see for ourselves how much storage we needed to provide in their new home.” Terri drew up storage solutions in many areas to fulfil this requirement. “The dining table was custom-designed to include storage in the table support. We even managed to have full-height storage integrated with the lift at every level,” she says. The dining area, cosy and warm, is infused with a luxe…

Marbled Magnificence Imbue your interiors with chic understated luxury courtesy of the Metropol sideboard from Cattelan Italia. Designed by Paolo Cattelan, it features marble-like veins that add depth to the lustrous surface of the ceramic stone. The detailed doors are balanced with a simple lacquered wood frame and painted steel legs, both of which are available in white, black and graphite to suit your aesthetic style. The Metropol sideboard is priced at $6,828 and is available at XZQT stores. Visit www.xzqt.com.sg. Bask In Glory Take advantage of the balmy tropical weather by lounging out in style with SP01’s outdoor collection. Highlights from the range include the Eileen Circular table and Jeanette chair, now available at Space Asia Hub. Featuring smooth lines with a top that comes in two finishes –…