TILE OF THE MONTH

UNDERSTATED ELEGANCE.

Portrait of Tammy Strobel

Del Conca Boutique Calacatta, a delicately glazed porcelain slab in bright white and with grey veining, takes on the sophistication and subtle drama of the Italian Calacatta marble that it draws on. It makes for a versatile backdrop too, whether imbuing a classicstyle home with natural glamour or adding just the right amount of refined drama to a contemporary space.

Del Conca Boutique Calacatta retails at Rice, 213 Henderson Road #01-03. Visit www.rice-fields.com.
 
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STAY FRESH

Keep all the nutritional value of your fruits and foods for longer, when you blend them with Philips latest High Speed Vacuum Blender. With its Stay Fresh Vacuum Technology, the appliance has a powerful pump with an air-sealed system that keeps air out to reduce the amount of bubbles, foam and separation during the vacuuming process. This helps keep fruit smoothie freshness for longer and preserves three times the amount of vitamin C.

Philips High Speed Vacuum Blender retails for $599 and is available at Philips e-shop and authorised retailers.
 
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COSY UP

Throws are perfect for lending warmth and cosiness to your home. The ones from Frette sparked our interest with their understated yet eye-catching designs that’ll instantly elevate a simple armchair.

Frette’s throws retail from $585 to $2,135, and are available at Takashimaya Department Store.
 
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TRENDING

ISLE STYLE
Weave that breezy resort vibe into your home decor with lampshades crafted from natural materials like rattan or rope. They aren’t just great for outdoor spaces or your grandparents’ home, as rattan is commonly associated with. Dress up your living room or kitchen with lamps in lighter hues for a laid-back charm.

Even better: some of these are made with sustainablysourced materials.

1. Ibiza Hanging Lamp in rattan, from $95 to $165, from Island Living by Cocoon.
 
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2. Toothpick Lamp, $225, with Sophie Rattan Lampshade, $125, from Elements Concept. 
 
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3. Endless Natural rattan lamp, $540, from Originals.
 
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GO WITH THE FLOW

Style meets substance with the Kohler Parallel Collection, featuring a series of geometric faucets that play with both rounded edges and straight lines to create a contemporary profile. It’s not all just looks, either – the collection includes Kohler’s 30mm highperformance patented ceramic valve cartridge, which increases flow rate by 30%, and an internal waterway that insulates the hot water, so you don’t have to worry about scalding yourself.

The Parallel Collection retails from $649 and is available at authorised Kohler retailers.
 
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SAVE THE ANIMALS

Paint your home, while protecting endangered species all around the world. You can do that by using Tikkurila’s new Endangered Colours collection, which offers nine colour options that each represent an endangered species, such as the giant panda, Siamese fighting fish, Siberian tiger and snowy owl. With every product sold, one euro is donated to protect these animals. Tikkurila products are designed to be environmentally friendly too, with low-emission paints.

Find out more about the Tikkurila Endangered Colours collection at endangeredcolors. tikkurila.com.
 
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ALTERNATIVE OBJECTS

That’s what Commune’s new sub-brand Alt.o bills its curation of luxurious furniture designs. While Commune’s pieces are designed for smaller homes, Alt.o’s larger furniture pieces are poised to appeal to those with roomier abodes. Its collection will also feature more premium materials and bolder designs in a lighter palette and cleaner aesthetic. It unveiled its first Singapore store last December, which is an extension of Commune’s flagship store.

Visit Alt.o by Commune at 02-52 Millenia Walk. Prices start from $599 for an armchair to $2,299 for a dining table.
 
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EDITOR’S CHOICE

SHEER DECADENCE

Reminiscent of Byzantine art and Persian bazaars, the Orientalisme fabric collection by Pierre Frey features rich damask satins, ikats, and velvets that instantly lend drama and decadence to any room. The fabrics can be used for upholstery, carpets, or even as wall art for a visually arresting focal point.

The Orientalisme collection retails at the Pierre Frey showroom, 36A Craig Road. Visit www.pierrefrey.com for more details.
 
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LA VIE EN ROSE

We all know that scent is the most evocative of the senses. The limited-edition Paris en Fleur candle by Diptyque quite literally puts romance in the air this Valentine’s Day - its fresh rose chypre scent with patchouli brings to mind a romantic evening stroll on a Parisian summer night.

The Paris en Fleur scented candle retails from $57 at Takashimaya Shopping Centre, Robinsons The Heeren, escentials Paragon, escentials TANGS at Tang Plaza, and www.escentials.com
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EXHIBITION OF THE MONTH

What: Emerging: Collecting Singapore Contemporary – Selections from the DUO Collection

When: 1 January – 1 March (Visit www. theprivatemuseum.org for opening times and tickets)

Where: The Private Museum, 51 Waterloo Street, #02-06

Coinciding with Singapore Art Week 2020 and as part of its 10th anniversary celebrations, The Private Museum is exhibiting 20 artworks from 16 emerging artists in a bid to connect private art collections and the public. It is the first of a series of five exhibitions, and the artworks (collected by the anonymous collectors of the DUO), contemplate pressing issues in Singapore with regard to the environment, urbanisation and identity.

 
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CLEANER CLOTHES FOR A GREENER WORLD

Eco-conscious homeowners will be glad to know that there is now an alternative to conventional detergents, which frees you from generating waste bottles and packaging. Instead of the usual detergent liquid, powder or pods, Earth Breeze comes in convenient strips that dissolves when added to your wash. Everything, from the strips to the box, is bio-degradable, ensuring that your conscience stays as clean as your clothes.

Earth Breeze detergent strips are priced at $27 for a box of 30 strips. To purchase, visit https://earthbreeze.com
 
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ARTIST O F THE MONTH

KAYLEIGH GOH

At the heart of Malaysian artist Kayleigh Goh’s distinctive works is the notion that spaces can evoke different thoughts and emotions. Her primary mediums of choice are cement and wood, which are common building materials. She seeks to instill a feeling of calm and quietness with her architectural two-dimensional art pieces (usually in muted hues), and to portray cities as familiar spaces for healing, rather Kayleigh Goh, On Lightness, 2019 Cement and acrylic paint on wood, 122 x 90 cm than cold and devoid of feeling.

You can see her works, which have been showcased across the globe, at GENSET, an exhibition that puts the spotlight on rising Southeast Asian artists.

GENSET is on until Feb 9 at Gajah Gallery – Singapore.
 
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Smart Mode

Mc.2 has expanded its Smart Blind Gallery, previously at 4,200 sq ft, into a 7,000 sq ft showroom. It is home to the Altex Solutions Centre, where you can try out various voiceenabled smart-home devices and check out the brand’s latest indoor blinds, as well as the Renson Outdoor Blinds Experience Centre, which has a coloured LED illuminated ceiling that can simulate different weather conditions. There is also premium furniture from OHMM as well as designer fabrics.

Visit Mc.2’s Smart Blinds Gallery at 33 Ubi Ave 3, Vertex #01-28.
 
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A Click Away

Need a handyman or housekeeping services in a jiffy? You can now find a suitable service provider all in one place thanks to homegrown start-up and online marketplace Zowedo. It allows you to schedule an appointment, compare vendors, make payment and more via the platform.

 
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Art On The High Seas

Luxury cruise Seven Seas Splendor, which is slated to set sail in February this year, will boast a US$5 million curation of 20th and 21st century art pieces by over 200 contemporary artists. To be displayed throughout the vessel, the collection includes works from Pablo Picasso, glass sculptures by Duncan McClellan, and oil paintings by Spanish painter Eduardo Arranz-Bravo.

Visit www.rssc.com.

TEXT DOMENICA TAN, MELODY BAY & MICHELLE LEE