Innehållsförteckning för September 2020 från Home & Decor

The kitchen holds a special place in my heart, because it’s where I remember having the best conversations with my mother when I was a child. The fond memories of me sitting by her side, as she goes about preparing meals for the family, is so indelibly etched in my mind that I can still recall the piquant aroma of the spicy vegetable soup she likes to make, and the steam rising from a large bowl of freshly cooked rice. It was in that setting, that I boldly told her about my dreams of becoming an editor of my own magazine some day. I’m pretty sure our talks in the kitchen have contributed much into making me the person I am today. I believe everyone has their own personal stories…

What is your personal design style? I believe in keeping things simple, useful, beautifully made and true to their materials with a sense of playfulness. What is your fondest memory as a child? Heading out with my father for a late summer swim in the sea after school. Living in Devon meant we could get to the beach in about 20 minutes. During the late summer evenings, they were almost always empty, which was extremely special. Of these four elements, what inspires you the most and why: the sky, the ocean, the mountains or the animals? It’s a tough one as I love the mountains, but I’ve got to give it to the ocean. It was such a big part of my life when I was growing up in Devon…

Trained as an interior designer, homeowner and businessman Wen, who is of Singaporean and Taiwanese descent, specialised in commercial projects in Taiwan and China before returning to Singapore in 2016 to join the family business. When he and wife Sheena bought their first home here, Wen knew he had to design it himself. “Having worked in markets like Taiwan and China, I have been exposed to all the big players and how versatile the design scene is. I was also going to source for many of the furniture pieces and materials overseas, so it would be easier to just do it myself,” he rationalises. He took a tabula rasa approach as the apartment was from the 1980s and in need of a major renovation. The floors, walls and ceiling were…

Mycelium, the filamentous structure that forms the base of a mushroom, has emerged as one of the hottest new materials, with researches, exhibitions and design start-ups dedicated to it, well, mushrooming around the world. Mycelium can be used as an adhesive that binds materials together, much like resin or glue. Mycotech Lab (MYCL), a start-up based in Bandung, Indonesia, aims to create a circular material production using mycelium and agricultural waste. So far, it has two commercial products: decorative panels called Biobo, which can be used for interiors and furniture finishes, and mushroom ‘leather’ called Mylea, which has been used for fashion accessories like watch straps and bags. It plans to create other mycelium-based products and expand its production scale. We chatted with Ronaldiaz Hartantyo, one of MYCL’s five co-founders.…

Purchasing a kitchen sink and a faucet or kitchen mixer can be confusing for first-timers, especially with the dizzying carousel of finishes and types in stores. When shopping for such essential fittings, consider your cooking habits and kitchen workflow – factors that should take precedence, especially when the sink and the faucet will be some of the most frequently used items in your home. FAUCETS The faucet – or tap as it’s more commonly known as in Singapore – is one of the most essential things in the kitchen. Note these considerations when selecting yours. HEIGHT Most vary between three inches (7.6cm) and eight inches (20.3cm), but if you often wash large items, like pans and woks, and your sink isn’t deep enough, consider getting a taller one to accommodate…

With so much waste generated by unsold items in the furniture industry, do we really need yet another new brand? In the case of LAAT, the answer is a resounding yes. The brainchild of Cherin Tan, co-founder of architecture firm LAANK, and Alvin Tan, co-founder of art and design collective PHUNK, the bespoke label turns waste materials into one-of-a-kind lifestyle objects of desire. LAAT’s inaugural collection is a tribute to German countertenor Klaus Nomi, whose highly stylised aesthetics have inspired legends such as David Bowie and Lady Gaga. Customised editions in different colours are available upon request. Part of the proceeds from the sale of pieces will be donated to Action for Aids. The inaugural collection ranges from $380 to $1,850 and is available from Art Now at www.artnow.sg.…

Materials & Design What: A Passage Through Colours Where: Now until Sept 30, 2020 When: Visit www.mulangallery.com.sg for the link to the virtual exhibition Presented by Mulan Gallery, A Passage Through Colours showcases the abstract works of Japanese artists Kaz Orii and Yokomizo Miyuki, as well as Shanghai-born artist Mao Lizi. Evoking brilliant movement through exuberant yet controlled strokes, as well as intense colours, many of the contemporary artworks in the exhibition reflect the artists’ expressions of freedom simply with the use of colours.…

Known for his larger-than-life, hyperrealistic and richly detailed portraits that substitute depictions of aristocratic Europeans bearing symbols of power and status in paintings by artists between the Renaissance and 1800, with good-looking African-American men and women in modern-day clothes – T-shirts, sweatpants, jeans, sneakers and bandanas – striking confident, heroic poses, Kehinde Wiley has been subverting the power relations embedded in certain art traditions. The Los Angeles-born, Yale-educated portraitist confronts and critiques historical traditions that do not acknowledge the black cultural experience, thereby bringing Old Master paintings by the likes of Velazquez, Rubens, Titian, Van Dyck or Holbein face to face with contemporary popular culture. Portraying dark-skinned people from all walks of life, Kehinde – the first African-American artist to paint an official portrait of an American president (Barack Obama)…

As feelings of distress simmer in times of collective grief, we are called to create new routines for resetting and reflection. From Zoom to Google Meet, the affordances of digital platforms have allowed us to stay connected while being apart. Yet when screens become overstimulating, I am learning to divert my attention offline. With a longing for green spaces, my houseplants become my new companions. There is an emerging obsession with houseplants, and I take this rising trend in my stride to connect with the houseplant community and grow my knowledge. Care takes the form of receiving a gardening tip from a stranger halfway across the globe after posting “What’s wrong with my plant?” They say you create more green thumbs when you share plant tips. Surely, I am learning…

KEEP THINGS AFLOAT When space is scarce, floating cabinetry can give the illusion of more floor space and visual lightness without raising the roof. Looking every part a sculptural piece, the Arclinea Lignum et Lapis island is constructed with suspended base units. Its worktop, which can be crafted with materials such as stone or stainless steel, doubles as a bar area, comes with a handy drip guard, and can be integrated with hobs and sinks. Available at Unique Kitchen Fusion. POCKET DOORS Instead of doors that swing outwards, consider pocket doors designed to slide outwards and then tucked in laterally. You won’t have to deal with open doors getting in the way when you work in the kitchen. With Arclinea’s new pocket doors system, even sinks and food preparation counters,…

BLUM SOUTH EAST ASIA (SHOWROOM) (By appointment only) #02-00 Ubi Biz-Hub, 150 Ubi Avenue 4 Tel: 6547-1760 www.blum.com/sg BOSCH UNSERHAUS EXPERIENCE CENTRE #04-02 11 Bishan Street 21 Tel: 6356-1080 www.bosch-home.com.sg CASTLERY #02-06 Jit Poh Building, 19 Keppel Road Tel: 3138-1999 www.castlery.com CRATE AND BARREL 2 Orchard Turn, #04-21/22 ION Orchard Tel: 6634-4222 www.crateandbarrel.com.sg HANSGROHE AQUADEMIE 69 Mohamed Sultan Rd Tel: 6884-5060 www.hansgrohe.com.sg HOUSE OF SUB-ZERO AND WOLF 31 McNair Rd Tel: 6386-9335 www.szwasia.com GRATUS ordergratus@gmail.com www.gratus.shop JOURNEY EAST #03-02 Tan Boon Liat Building 315 Outram Road Tel: 6473-1693 www.journeyeast.com MIELE EXPERIENCE CENTRE #B1-01 Winsland House II 167 Penang Rd Tel: 6735-1191 www.miele.sg RUHENS SHOWROOM #01-06 Zervex 8 Ubi Road 2 Tel: 8186-2186 www.ruhens.com.sg SCARLET SPLENDOUR www.scarletsplendour.com TOM DIXON XTRA DESIGNS #02-48 Marina Square 6 Raffles Boulevard Tel: 6336-0688 www.xtra-eshop.com.sg UNIQUE…

Summer is here, but it may take a while for us to be able to go to the beach like we used to. So why not usher some of that beachy summer vibes into your space instead? Pantone’s Gardenia colour mimics the perfect shade of sand, featuring a golden undertone, that keeps the room bright while adding warmth and cosiness. Pair it with shades of blue to create a Hampton-inspired seaside summer feel, and darker shades of browns for a nice contrast. Portuguese lighting brand Delightfull pairs Gardenia with solid white surfaces, pale wood, golden marble, white, and metallic accents to create a luxurious setting that remains welcoming and approachable. Gardenia goes well with all metallic finishes, as seen in this living room. Fashioned after the shape of trumpets, the…

With its many styles and forms, glass has long been favoured for its visual lightness, structurally sound qualities and versatile beauty in both art and interior design. Modern visionary and a pioneer in Singapore’s glass-making field, Florence Ng sheds light on its evolution and new possibilities. HOW DID YOU START WORKING WITH GLASS AND WHAT INSPIRED YOU? I first encountered glass in 1984, when I supplied and installed glass in windows. Trained in advertising arts and as a graphic designer, I wanted to discover more ways to create art with it. In 1990, I flew to Europe’s biggest glass trade fair in Dusseldorf, Germany, and later to Seattle to learn the art of fusing and blowing from American glass artist and designer Roger Nachman. I’ve had an innate passion for…

The countertop is the centrepiece of our kitchen. As it has evolved from a utilitarian place into the social hub of our domestic life, it must be attractive, easy to maintain and durable. It must also be able to wow friends and family while withstanding the heat, scratches and the wear and tear due to daily culinary theatrics. The fact that we have been spending more time at home because of the pandemic has only added to its importance. Beyond being used for food prepping and some meals, it now doubles as a workplace, a Zoom “meeting room” and even a study for many of us as well. In short, whatever the countertop is made of has become an investment. Natural stones – think marble, granite and soapstone – and…

Gone are the days when the quality of your cooking depended entirely on your skill and experience. Thanks to smart appliances, even the newest of cooks can deliver flawless roasts and bakes full of flavour. The smart oven of today, for instance, functions as an assistant to help you monitor temperature and texture, adjusting itself accordingly. Refrigerators even come with cameras and smartphone applications to help manage food storage. Other appliances, like wine coolers and hand blenders, have also made leaps and bounds in technology to deliver the very best gourmet quality. Here, we’ve rounded up 15 appliances that can make life a lot easier – and tastier – for you. BOSCH ERGOMIXX VACUUM HAND BLENDER (MS6CB61V5) Thanks to the 1,000-watt motor and innovative QuattroBlade, the Bosch ErgoMixx Vacuum Hand…

For novices who have yet to dive into the world of cake batter and sourdough starters, you’ll need quality bakeware and the right tools to get started on producing mouth-watering, Insta-worthy bakes. “My go-tos are a mixer, a spatula, a weighing scale, a whisk and, of course, an oven. These are essentials for every baker. With these, you can make everything and anything!” shares Levine. Other handy tools include mixing bowls, measuring cups or spoons and cookie cutters.…

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 EFENZ CEILING FAN #06-01 1 Kallang Way 2A Tel: 6747-2742 www.efenz.com.sg ELECTROLUX S.E.A. #07-10 Galaxis 1 Fusionopolis Place Tel: 6727-3699 www.electrolux.com.sg FISHER & PAYKEL #03-01A Ubi Biz Hub 150 Ubi Avenue 4 Tel: 6547-0100 www.fisherpaykel.com/sg FURNITURE, APPLIANCES & FURNISHINGS HARVEY NORMAN #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 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 ROCHE BOBOIS #01-02 Boon Siew Building 75 Bukit Timah Tel: 6513-1918 www.roche-bobois.com SCANTEAK 60 Sungei Kadut Drive www.scanteak.com.sg SPACE FURNITURE 77 Bencoolen Street www.spacefurniture.com.sg STAR LIVING 1 Pasir…