Innehållsförteckning för April 2019 från Home & Decor

One of the things that I tell everyone I meet is that design should be accessible to everybody, regardless of income bracket, gender or age. That’s an important factor to keep in mind, especially for young and/or first-time homeowners, because all it takes is some effort to style up a living space. However, for those who have reached a certain point in their appreciation of outstanding design, and who are on the hunt for something unique and distinctive, they will be glad to know that there is a whole universe of creativity and beauty worth investing in. That is the topic that we will delve into within this issue; the many new ways to enjoy the finer things in life when it comes to home and interior decorating. For me,…

If stepping into a jewellery store feels intimidating, it could be because the layout is making you feel that way. With retail consultants guarding long counters of pristine jewels, there is a pressure on shoppers to make a purchase. Goldheart Jewellery wants to change this, and make jewellery shopping a casual, delightful and fun affair. It has done away with the conventional setting – and even the doors – for its new Plaza Singapura store. Instead, its designs are now showcased in an intimate and unpretentious “public living room” setting. “We outfitted the interior with a credenza, dresser and settee, which are furniture items one expects to find in a home. It is so that the brand can connect with shoppers on a more relaxed level, and they don’t feel…

Homeowners Kevin Tham and Peggy Toh purchased this semidetached property about seven years ago, but had it tenanted out as they were living in Hong Kong. Upon their return to Singapore, they embarked on a major renovation project that redefined the spaces – in order to create a family home tailored to their needs. For Bu Shukun, the founder and design director of Architology Interiors, the design intent was to transform the rooms into proper family spaces and to sculpt a spatial sequence that flows through the entire house. The client’s brief was relatively functional and straightforward. “We wanted something that was Japanese minimalist, clean and contemporary,” says Kevin. Along with catering to what the clients wanted, Shukun incorporated elements that gave the home a touch of luxury reminiscent of…

From online marketplaces like Carousell to an array of online stores such as Taobao and EZbuy, shopping now goes beyond borders. No longer just places for fashion and small goods, these sites also offer furniture at low cost, with many of such items being copies of designer furniture. How then do you differentiate between a knockoff and the real McCoy? Paying attention to furniture descriptions is the first step. Look out for terms such as “genuine” and “original”; such furniture pieces are produced by the design firms or licensed manufacturers. The term “inspired” informs potential buyers that an item is a modification of an original design. Some who are selling copies will tell you that their wares are “replicas” and “reproductions”. The trouble is that sellers may not be truthful,…

What does luxury living mean to you? Gone are the days when living the fine life meant splurging on bulky furniture finished in ostentatious gold and velvet trimmings. Modern luxury is an attitude, a preference for appreciating the details in life instead of going for the obvious. Luxury is having the space for nothing, and understanding that, sometimes, all a room needs is a single statement piece to make a big impression. That is the meaning of mod-luxe. The Canape armless banquette sofa is part of Pierre Frey’s new furniture line. Visit www.romanez.com.sg for more information.…

When in Tokyo, fashion lovers know where to go. The neighbourhood of Ginza is a must-visit destination, with the most famous luxury brands gathering there. And, since December 2018, it has been home to the biggest Bottega Veneta boutique in Asia. Spread over six floors, the 800 sq m flagship is nestled in a sleek structure inspired by Tokyo’s futuristic spirit and Modernist architecture. Its facade is made of 900 silvery square metal panels – a reference to the famous intrecciato weave technique created by Bottega Veneta. The ground level features women’s leather goods and eyewear. A women’s shoe salon, a dedicated space for women’s bags and personalisation services are located on the second floor. The third floor is filled with women’s ready-to-wear and more shoes, and the fourth level…

Nestled somewhere on the coast of East Africa, where there are pristine white sand beaches and a view of the Indian Ocean, Zuri Zanzibar – Zuri is “beautiful” in Swahili – is undoubtedly living up to its name. However, that beauty lies not only in its prime location, but also in the resort’s ability to provide responsible tourism. Everything, from its design language to the food and service, is grounded in local culture. Designed by Jestico + Whiles, with a striking landscape design by Ferdinand Leffler, Zuri Zanzibar strikes a balance between opposing ends of spectrums. It is private yet open: The designers built a cluster of 55 villas and bungalows within thick indigenous greenery, while creating winding paths that connect to common spaces. It is modern, yet rooted in…

Self-taught South African artist Esther Mahlangu’s powerful, evocative works keep the heritage of her Ndebele tribe alive. “To paint is in my heart and in my blood,” says Esther. She may not know how to read or write, having never attended school, but she was born an artist. Aged 83 and considered a national treasure, she has devoted her life to sharing her cultural heritage with the world through her vibrant, geometric and symmetrical abstract paintings and murals in the Ndebele tradition. She is among South Africa’s most famous living artists who have exhibited in some of the world’s most respected museums, and counts celebrities Usher, Swizz Beatz, John Legend and Oprah Winfrey as collectors. She was the first person to transfer the time-honoured Ndebele style of painting from wall…

New homeowners are often faced with the issue of making their property feel liveable and cosy, which can be a challenge when you are neither inspired, nor do you have the necessary know-how to style your space. A good way to tackle this issue would be to start by giving character and personality to your living room, the area that tends to be the centre of all homes. The majority of homes, especially landed properties and condominiums, are based around open-plan living and dining spaces. Here are things to consider. PLAN THE LAYOUT Ensure that the layout of the room is conducive to entertaining, and that it’s more than just a space for two persons facing a TV screen. Focus on creating a layout that encourages interaction among the inhabitants.…

“LIMIT YOURSELF TO THREE MAIN COLOURS, EVEN RIGHT DOWN TO SMALL ITEMS LIKE THE BROOM AND FRUIT PLATES.” When fashion business owner Elyn Wong and her partner, who is a medical doctor, embarked on their search for a rental apartment, they had only one criterion – it must have a huge balcony. The couple viewed countless apartments that met this requirement but, somehow, they all felt wrong. Ironically, the unit at Draycott Park was the only one without a balcony, but they fell in love with it at first sight. “We both love the unusual round layout and I personally find older developments more charming and more spacious,” she explains. Selecting suitable furniture and furnishings took four months, including a trip to Milan, but many of the pieces in the…

MITON MAROSI Italian kitchen brand Miton carries a very unusual collection, Marosi, whose design is inspired by waves and fluid movements. Its unique curvy form embodies a statement-making aesthetic that aims to make every home look stunning. BOFFI CODE Boffi Code is designed by Italian architect and designer Piero Lissoni and offers customised solutions combined with artisanal craftsmanship to suit a variety of needs and design preferences. Boffi Code is available at Boffi Studio, #01-13 Regency House, 123 Penang Road. Prices upon request. NEXT125 NATURAL Premium German designer brand Next125 combines technology, design, architecture and ergonomics to create a quality kitchen that offers both convenience and style. Its Natural collection has a dark colour palette that exudes a sense of masculinity. The Next125 kitchen collection is available at W. Atelier…

If you bought a property before March 11, 2017, you have to pay SSD of 16% if you sell it within the first year; 12% within the second year; 8% within the third year; and 4% within the fourth year. For properties bought after March 11, 2017, the SSD period was adjusted to three years, with the rate at 12%, 8% and 4% respectively. If you are forced to sell one of your flats and it has not met the Minimum Occupation Period yet, the consolation is that the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore will waive the SSD if you: • Own an HDB flat, inherit an HDB flat, and are required under the HDB’s regulations to dispose of either the inherited HDB flat or the existing HDB flat. •…

BANG & OLUFSEN #01-05 Grand Hyatt Singapore Tel: 6737-7500 www.bang-olufsen.com BIG BLUE TRUNK #02-27 Cluny Court 501 Bukit Timah Road www.bigbluetrunk.sg CAESARSTONE #08-06 The Spire 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 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 MAKE YOUR OWN #01-06 Block 4 Upper Aljunied Lane www.makeyourown.sg MAYER #02-66 IMM Building Tel: 6563-4288 www.mayer.sg MUD ROCK CERAMICS…

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, APPLIANCES & FURNISHINGS HARVEY NORMAN 9 Raffles Boulevard #01-59 to 63 Millenia Walk Tel: 6311-9988 www.harveynorman.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 SCANTEAK 60 Sungei Kadut Drive https://scanteak.com.sg SPACE FURNITURE 77…

Add to cart An offshoot of the luxurious American lighting brand Hudson Valley Lighting, Mitzi presents more affordably priced, but no less chic, collections sporting similar colour schemes like black and gold. Mitzi carries various lighting options, from chandeliers and floor lamps to wall sconces. Styles range from elevated industrial to sculptural and geometric. See the designs at https:// mitzi.hvlgroup.com. TAKE A SEAT American modern furniture brand Bernhardt Design has launched the Claus Breinholt’s Queue collection of dining chairs that are sleek and versatile for use in any interior space. Thanks to its seamless, understated design paired with comfortable upholstery, it delivers both on function and form. Each Queue dining chair costs 406 euros (S$620). Find out more at www.bernhardtdesign.com. NEWS New Designs Local furniture brand Ipse Ipsa Ipsum has…

Achieving Scandinavian-style interiors may sound effortless in theory, but it is much more challenging in reality. As a result, the homeowners (a newlywed couple) of the apartment featured here engaged interior design firm Free Space Intent, armed with ideas gleaned from social media platforms like Pinterest and Instagram. To fulfil the couple’s requests for a bright and spacious interior with a touch of nature, designer Raymond Seow went with a neutral colour palette comprising white, light wood as well as green accents. Natural lighting is one of the most crucial factors in Scandinavian-style interiors. So, in order to illuminate the space, Raymond installed glass partitions and sliding doors, letting in an ample amount of sunlight. Sheer drapes that frame the large sliding doors were used to bring a soft touch…

Italy-based studio Adriano Design recently partnered dynamic new kitchen-appliance start-up Fabita to propose a new approach to the most essential appliance in the cooking zone: the burner hob. Dubbed a deconstruction of an induction hob, Ordine (pictured) is a “burner” that home cooks can place anywhere along a kitchen counter. After cooking, the two round induction plates can be hung back onto a central rack, much like you would with pots, pans and other cooking utensils. According to Gabriele Adriano, one half of the duo – they’re brothers – who founded the studio, the hob is “no longer an irremovable block in your kitchen, where the distance between the hobs is never enough when you are cooking with larger pots. With Ordine, you can decide at what distance they need…