Despite its odd layout, this homeowner managed to incorporate all his family’s needs and achieve a luxurious look, too. ELIZA HAMIZAH finds out how.
Despite its odd layout, this homeowner managed to incorporate all his family’s needs and achieve a luxurious look, too. ELIZA HAMIZAH finds out how.
As he dislikes clutter, Suhaimi designed full-height cabinetry in the living room for everything from shoes to the family’s crockery collection.
Who lives here
A couple in their mid-50s, her mother, a helper and two cats
HOME Three-bedroom condominium apartment in Siglap.
SIZE 1,150 sq ft
Suhaimi has a collection of authentic Moroccan decorations and crockery, which he bought for his previous Moroccanthemed home.
The running theme in all of Suhaimi Lazim’s homes – he’s designed three and several friends’ places – is the openness of space. “It’s a signature of mine. I don’t like clutter and prefer open plans with lots of light. This creates space, which is a luxury in Singapore,” says Suhaimi. The 50-something homeowner is a partner in a law firm, but has been dabbling in interior design— under a design outfit called Rumah by Lieblingsg — for several years.
Suhaimi is not aversed to using affordable items to create a luxe look. This includes the Castlery sofa as well as stonelook tiles.
He now lives in a contemporary luxe apartment with his family. To accommodate everyone’s needs while maintaining a bright and airy interior, Suhaimi rejigged the layout — resulting in one master bedroom with a spacious ensuite bathroom, as well as a convertible guest room for his mother-in-law. The guest room features an accordian door and a Murphy bed, giving Suhaimi the option to free up the space when it is unoccupied. He also incorporated a wardrobe into the guest bathroom.
Faridah loves white kitchens. Printed tiles add visual interest.
I prefer open plans and lots of light. This creates space, which is a luxury in singapore.
– SUHAIMI LAZIM
“A long countertop and natural light streaming in make the kitchen a joy to work in,” says Suhaimi.
Suhaimi finds odd-shaped apartments a good challenge. Using ottomans, instead of large pieces of furniture is one way to provide seating without closing up a space.
The guest bathroom is fitted with a wardrobe, so the guest room, part of the communal area once opened up, does not appear cluttered.
Suhaimi’s wife, Faridah Sidik, wanted the home to have a luxurious ambience. He achieved this by using a plethora of stone-look tiles and laminates in shades of cream and grey. Darker and brighter colours, such as the brown patina-look tiles in the bedroom and the mustard dining chairs, add depth and texture.
Another signature of Suhaimi’s is the use of Murphy beds. “Beds, when unoccupied, create dead space. A Murphy bed solves that problem,” he says.
Suhaimi lined both sides of the master bedroom with his-andhers wardrobes.
“The patina-look tiles were not something within my consideration at first, but I saw their potential. The metallic sheen is interesting compared to regular wood flooring, while the reddish tint can still add warmth to a room. Another unique material I used is the TV console laminate, which depicts the cross section of different stones. It’s unusual, so creates visual impact,” he shares.
Inspired by hotel bathrooms, the master bathroom features large mirrors and mood lighting.
While Suhaimi loves collecting crockery and decorations, his wife collects handbags – hence the large wardrobe space!
Altogether, the couple spent $200,000 on renovations and furnishings. Some clever hacks allowed them to lower the cost further, though. “I bought a Castlery sideboard at $700. To elevate the look, I placed a piece of the granite-like laminate from the TV console on top of it. Now, it looks more than it is worth!” he says.
The bedframe is a reproduction of Patricia Urquiola’s Bed Husk he got for a tenth of the original price.
Darker and brighter colours, such as the brown patina-look tiles in the bedroom and the mustard dining chairs, add depth and texture.
– SUHAIMI LAZIM
Photos VERONICA TAY
Art direction NONIE CHEN
