Natural Finesse

An earthy palette and a well-planned layout transformed this home into a bright, airy space with refined interiors.

Mark lined solid oak pieces vertically on the facade of the concealed TV console, hiding clutter and cables while creating an impressive feature wall in the living room.

The original terrazzo floors in the dining area and kitchen were sanded down and overlaid with light oak-look tiles

WHO
A couple in their 40s, their seven-year old child, and a helper

HOME
Four-bedroom resale condominium apartment in Meyer Road

SIZE
2,700sqf

When homeowner Sam Chiu and his wife bought their resale apartment at Equatorial Apartments, they told their interior designer, Mark Yong of Piu Design, that they wanted the home to have a spacious and open configuration. The previous layout had to be reconfigured and selected finishes removed, to achieve bright and airy interiors.

An earthy colour palette was chosen to imbue a warm and cosy ambience, despite the generous floor space in the home. 

Natural materials and wood accents blend well together for textures and a tactile experience, while a pop of vibrant hues come into play with the right selection of furniture. Private spaces in the home, such as the bedrooms and bathrooms, are “hidden away” as Mark strategically designed a reading corner-cum-library and display shelving in the intermediate space that leads from the living room and kitchen, to the three bedrooms, bathrooms and study.

With the renovation cost amounting to $200,000 (without furnishings), the home now combines a touch of the Mid-Century Modern-inspired look with a resort style, resulting in an understated, refined and cosy abode — everything that the homeowners were looking for! 

WHERE TO GO
Piu Design, www.piu.com.sg

A textural granite wall is the first thing you’ll see when entering the home. Its design was inspired by one of Sam’s favourite American artists, Josh Agle, who goes by the pseudonym Shag. The stone walls set the backdrop to the living room’s natural palette.

Mark replaced the original stairs with wood of a locally felled Khaya tree. The natural patina and silhouette of the material add to the home’s polished look

Making a statement in the dining area-cum-open-concept kitchen is a sculptural pendant lamp — the Acrylic Spiral of Light suspension lamp by Palmer Earley — from The Beuro.

To anchor the furniture in the living room, Sam and his wife chose a large geometric-patterned rug in grey and white, which complements the blue armchairs and coffee tables from Lorgan’s.

This part of the home is kept to a mostly white palette, and to ensure it is easy to maintain, Mark cladded the kitchen cabinetry in Fenix NTM, a nanotechnology material that is matte, hygienic and resistant to fingerprints, scratches and mould.

To add an accent to the otherwise pared-down kitchen, Carrara marble tiles were used for the backsplash. The design of the solid oak feature wall in the living room is adapted here, too.

Mark customised storage cabinets and display shelves for the homeowners’ book collection. This strategy helps keep the home looking clutter-free, while carrying the white-and-wood look through to the other spaces.

The feature wall design continues into the study, too, where the homeowners display knick-knacks including family portraits and travel photographs. Mark customised a wooden frame around the windows to mimic the look of shutters, when paired with blinds.

There are many nooks where the family can lounge, including this Mid-Century Modern-style mustard lounger from Lorgan’s in the living room. An abstract artwork sits next to it for a splash of colour.

The homeowners love to read and spend plenty of time here. Rug by PDM Brand, from For The Common Goods.

Sam wanted the master bathroom to have both a shower area and bathtub. Mark customised a 2-in-1 fixture cladded in marble-look ceramic tiles. Paired with wood for the under-sink storage and doors, this intimate space exudes a resort-inspired vibe.

Similarly, the common bathroom has a bathtub-cum-shower space. An interesting feature is the granite wall, which Mark cladded over a structural wall to accentuate the overall bathroom design.

The louvred doors help to keep the bathroom well-ventilated at all times.

text DOMENICA TAN photography VERONICA TAY art direction NONIE CHEN