The Sim family returned to Singapore after living overseas for over a decade.
The Sim family returned to Singapore after living overseas for over a decade. Through their journey, Lynn Tan discovers that home is wherever the family reside.
Jonathan Sim and yvonne Cheong returned to Singapore after spending 12 years in China, and the maisonette they settled on was intended as a welcomehome gift to yvonne. While Jonathan and their sons, Jeric and Xavier, 21 and 19 respectively, were house-hunting, they chanced upon a unit in the neighbourhood that was undergoing renovations. The friendly homeowner showed them around and the serendipitous encounter led them to engage Imagine SK66 to design their unit.
Over the next three months, father and sons worked closely with interior designer Tammy Tay to transform the apartment into their family home. It was a surprise for Yvonne, who did not see the place until it was completed. “I am very touched that my ‘boys’ went to such great lengths and did all this for me,” says the homemaker.
The trio’s brief to Tammy was to make the interior look and feel as roomy as possible. They also expressed their preference for a black and brown colour palette. “I incorporated some white colours and elements into the design, in order to create a more spacious appearance,” says Tammy, the third generation designer in family business SK66 Carpentry, founded by her grandfather 50 years ago. All the built-in carpentry in the home was undertaken by SK66 Carpentry.
With the kitchen being an important part of the home, due to younger son Xavier’s love of cooking, they decided to hack the walls of a bedroom between the main entrance and kitchen, so that the kitchen area would be enlarged. “They wanted to combine the two spaces into one large, open-concept kitchen so that it looks bigger, but I advised against it due to practical considerations. In anticipation of the heavy-duty cooking that they may do, it is better to have separate wet and dry kitchens,” explains Tammy.
A sliding glass door between the dry and wet kitchens was erected, so that the grease and smoke from cooking can be contained. a marble and wood counter in the dry kitchen is not only visually pleasing, but it also provides the perfect spot for the rest of the family to hang out whenever Xavier demonstrates his culinary skills.
The wet kitchen opens onto a terrace with a beautiful view of Tampines River and the park connector. With just some plastering of the walls and a set of table and high stools, Tammy created another simple, yet cosy, chillout space for the family.
The terrace is also linked to the living room, and the latter’s palette of blacks, greys, whites and browns was exactly what Jonathan, Jeric and Xavier wanted. The white walls and a pop of colour from a red armchair help to lighten the scheme and prevent the dark colours from being too overpowering.
On the upper floor, the common bathroom was extended outwards into the hall to accommodate a new vanity, storage shelves and a cabinet that Jeric and Xavier share. Glossy white subway tiles on the walls and in the shower area, together with a white vanity top, balance the dark grey flooring and black mirror frame.
The master bedroom shares the same lovely view as the terrace. Its dark colours evoke relaxation and a sense of quietness. With some clever space planning, Tammy managed to carve out sufficient space to fit in a set of wardrobes, a dressing table and other storage spaces.
While the overall interior design style may initially seem more masculine, in over a year, Yvonne has lovingly added her own touches to the apartment. With photos and other family memorabilia adorning the home, it is evident that the Sim family has settled in nicely since their return to Singapore.
The small space between the main entrance and staircase has been transformed into a cosy dining area, complete with a wooden table and bench, and a pair of black, highbacked chairs.
Accent pieces from Imagine SK66’s collection of home products give the home a stylish look.
The living room is the heart of the home, and it is where the family hangs out.
The blackbrown-white colour scheme addresses the family’s preferences, while enhancing spatial considerations.
The extended bathroom shared by the sons is bright and airy.
PHOTOGRAPHY DARREN CHANG ART DIRECTION NONIE CHEN
