DESIGN NEWS, PLACES TO VISIT, THINGS TO BUY.
DESIGN NEWS, PLACES TO VISIT, THINGS TO BUY.
KENZO RETURNS
Having left his eponymous brand in the hands of luxury brand conglomerate LVMH in 1993 (before departing the company entirely six years later), fashion icon Kenzo Takada wants the world to know he’s not done with design just yet. This time round, he is dressing the home instead.
Kenzo launched his new home and lifestyle brand K in January, featuring a range of chairs, sofas, tables, rugs, bed linens, home textiles and accessories. The collection presents a trinity of themes: Sakura, Maiko and Shogun, each highlighting an aspect of nature in a series of geometric forms.
The K home collection is available at 242 Boulevard Saint-Germain, 75007, Paris.
Homeowners can elevate the dramatic appeal of a blue and white colour combination with classic wainscoting details.
COLOUR OF THE MONTH.
COSY DINNERTIME COMFORT
It can be challenging trying to find the right colour for the walls of the dining area, because of the many functions the space is meant to perform. More than just a gathering spot for tucking into your meals, the dining area is also where family members can settle down to read, chat or catch up on some unfinished homework.
In order to make the dining room appear cosy and inviting, it helps to consider a slightly darker shade, such as this powdery Prussian blue. Contrasted with bold strokes of white and natural textures, this somewhat sombre shade appears mild and charming.
Perfect for an all-day dining space, this look is also great when applied to the living area. However, the combination may be too harsh and formal-looking for the bedroom or other private zones in the home.
COLOUR OF THE MONTH.
Pantone 7545C
Pantone 7534C
Pantone 4685C
Wong Liangyuan
Colour Specialist, Haven Lifestyle
The expert says
“Prussian blue is not your typical shade of solid blue, so it can be tricky when combining it with other colours. For that reason, it is best to stick with white as an accent colour and complement it with neutral shades. When done right, this beautiful blue hue will appear even more mesmerising and captivating.”
RENT-A-FURNITURE IS IN!
Need an extra bed? Now you can rent designer furniture for the short term from Flexisnug, and you won’t even have to worry about delivery or removal – it takes care of everything. By renting instead of buying, you’ll be saving precious environmental resources, too.
Find out more about Flexisnug’s rental services at www.flexisnug.com.sg.
Making a shift towards online retail, French luxury brand Hermes has introduced its digital flagship store in Singapore, combining e-commerce and content on a single platform. Shop for its latest offerings, from clothing, shoes and accessories to the house’s 15 metiers and petit h collections. Plus, you’ll get the latest updates on workshops and events as well as editorial content, with films, photographs and articles offering an insight to the house that Hermes built.
Visit www.hermes.com/sg
SOOTHE YOUR SENSES
Thann’s White Peony Aroma Diffuser, with an elegant porcelain exterior, is a treat for the eyes as well as nose. The device disperses fragrance through 2.5 million ultrasonic vibrations per second, has a built-in shut-off function for when the water runs out, and features two modes: continuously over three hours or intermittent cycling (one minute on and 30 seconds off) for up to seven hours.
White Peony Aroma Diffuser retails for $255 at Thann, #03-45 Paragon and www.thann.com.sg.
DARK BEAUTY
Fan specialist Efenz’s sleek Kith ceiling fan now comes in a sophisticated limited-edition Black Dutch Cocoa hue. With a body moulded from an anti-rust ABS material, you can choose between the Original Downrod or Hugger Version, and from three sizes: 46, 52 and 60 inches. All come with a three-year on-site warranty.
The Black Dutch Cocoa collection currently retails at soft launch prices, while stocks last: from $598 for a 46-inch Downrod fan (No Light) to $738 for a 60-inch Hugger fan (with LED light). Visit www.efenz.com.sg.
TILE OF THE MONTH
SPREAD THE CHEER
Designed with the essential aspects of the human character – humour, lightness and the ability not to take oneself too seriously – in mind, Confetti by Ceramica Vogue is characterised by subtle but lively graphics in soothing hues. The collection of glazed porcelain tiles add a current, welcoming aesthetic to your overall design scheme.
Confetti by Ceramica Vogue retails at Hafary, 105 Eunos Avenue 3, www.hafary.com.sg.
KITCHEN AID
If you’re in the market for appliances that make doing the laundry and cooking a breeze, give Miele’s connectivity-enabled Generation 7000 built-in appliances a whirl. They include ovens, steam ovens, induction hobs, coffee machines and dishwashers, which you can manage remotely via the Miele@ mobile app for iOS and Android devices. Also think washing machines and dishwashers that can start automatically and in-oven cameras for keeping tabs on the food among other smart innovations.
The Generation 7000 collection retails from $2,800 for an induction hob to $4,900 for an oven at Miele.
I extend the background
TRENDING
REFLECT ON THIS
Mirrors are an oft-forgotten accessory that can instantly elevate your space or amp up a bathroom, a console table or a plain wall.
1. Circles of Life Hand-carved Mirror, $492.20, from Finn Avenue; www.finnavenue.com
2. Dubois Large Square Wall Mirror in a distressed tin frame, $449, from Crate & Barrel, www.crateandbarrel.com.sg
3. Round Sunburst Mirror with wooden frame, $269, from Nook & Cranny, www.nookandcranny.com
4. Element Round Gunmetal Wall Mirror, $549, from Crate & Barrel.
Light Anywhere
Inspired by 19th Century street lamps, My Selection’s Mooon lamp is stylish, contemporary and versatile as it can be used both as an indoor or outdoor wireless lighting fixture. You can toggle between two light colour temperature — warm or cool white — to suit your different lifestyle needs, and even control the lamp wirelessly via Bluetooth on your smartphone or tablet.
Available in five colours, the Mooon lamp retails for $610 at myselection.sg.
EDITOR’S CHOICE
WINGS OF STYLE
German fashion icon and now product designer, Claudia Schiffer has partnered Portuguese manufacturer Bordallo Pinheiro to create charming butterfly-inspired homeware that combines the avid art collector and design enthusiast’s love for the bucolic Rhine countryside together and Bordallo Pinheiro’s distinctive style. The Cloudy Butterflies collection was showcased at Maison & Objet in Paris earlier this year.
The collection retails from 95€ (S$ 145) for a vide poche (small bowl/container) to 690€ (S$1,051) for a vase at www.bordallopinheiro.com.
SIMPLY STYLISH
Whether used as a sideboard or a divider with the addition of an optional shelving unit, the Sage Credenza – by US architect David Rockwell in collaboration with UK-based furniture maker Benchmark – delivers on form, function and sustainability. Handcrafted from sustainable solid oak or walnut in a natural oil finish, it has adjustable internal shelving, and ventilation for media equipment.
The Sage Credenza by David Rockwell for Benchmark, starting at £5,509 (S$9,906) inclusive of VAT. Available at www.benchmarkfurniture.com.
Picture Perfect
We’ve all heard of 4K and 5K televisions, but an 8K TV is definitely something new! LG Electronics has launched the world’s first OLED 8K TV, which offers sharp details and vibrant, lifelike colours. Available in an 88-inch size — the largest OLED TV LG has carried to date — there are 33 million self-emitting pixels on the screen.
LG 88Z9 OLED 8K TV retails for $59,999. Find out more at www.lg.com/sg.
A GOOD BALANCE
Contrast Collection is Bang & Olufsen’s latest collaboration with Danish design studio Norm Architects. The limited eight-piece collection features tactility and textures combined with a palette of light grey and anthracite for products in the Beoplay and Beosound series. The understated design language is a balance of light and dark features.
Bang & Olufsen Contrast collection is available at the Bang & Olufsen Grand Hyatt flagship store, Tangs at Tang Plaza, Takashimaya D.S. and selected B&O retailers.
ARTIST OF THE MONTH
EVA ARMISEN
Not just an artist, Barcelona-based Eva Armisen is also an author, product designer, philanthropist and avid advocate for the less fortunate as well as cultural and heritage preservation. She takes a light-hearted, childlike approach to her artworks, which capture the extraordinary in everyday scenarios, and touch on love and togetherness. Her first solo exhibition in Singapore, Love Stories, depicts multigenerational families having a meal together and doing daily activities with their family pets.
Love Stories is on display at Ode To Art, #01-36E/F Raffles City Shopping Centre, till March 7, 2020.
Screen Time
Take your Netflix binges to the next level with the Epson EH-TW7000, a compact, affordable home projector that delivers vivid, sharp images, thanks to 4K Pro-UHD technology. It’s able to upscale full HD content, and includes Bluetooth wireless speaker support and aptX audio technology for that immersive home theatre experience.
The Epson EH-TW7000 retails for $2,099 at KEC Sound & Vision (#04-35 The Adelphi) and Arts of Entertainment (#B1-15 Capitol Piazza).
Sleep Tight
You’ll want to fall right into bed with Sunday Bedding’s new duvet inserts, enveloped within the brand’s best-selling bamboo sateen fabric covers. The lightweight inserts, made with sustainably sourced Tencel fibres that wick away moisture and a fill of 150gsm, are designed to keep you cool and comfortable.
Sunday Bedding’s duvet inserts retail from $188 for a single size to $298 for a super king size, available at www.sundaybedding.com.
FINDING SANCTUARY
Reminiscent of a bird’s nest, the Nodo Suspension Chair with its curved frame and plush velvet upholstery cradles and comforts you. The pastel and gold palette is both whimsical and luxe, making the chair the focal point of any room.
The Nodo Suspension Chair retails for €5,360 (S$8,156) at www.circu.net.
NEWS
NEW ON THE BLOCK
If your decor tastes veer towards understated Scandi styles, you’ll want to check out homegrown furniture brand Commune’s new collections, Flint and Sander. The former showcases the beauty of solid oak wood with a mid-century modern design aesthetic, while the latter’s pieces exude sophistication with their streamlined, functional designs and genuine leather upholstery. Homeowners will also appreciate their competitive pricing and quality workmanship.
Visit the Commune store at #02-52 Millenia Walk.
Modern Marvel
Singapore Art Museum (SAM) is currently undergoing a $90m makeover that is set to be completed in 2023. Led by architects from SCDA, key changes include a contemporary new facade in addition to its historical architecture, purpose-built exhibition spaces such as the ‘floating’ Sky Gallery, a new entrance with an outdoor plaza, and a gallery-cum-bridge linking its two existing buildings.
Singapore Art Museum
Going Green
By 2022, hospitality conglomerate Accor’s properties will be free of single-use plastics for guests, including individual plastic toiletry amenities and takeaway dishes. This move comes alongside the announcement of its commitment to the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Tourism Organization in collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
