Alluring Abode

Dark colours resonate with these homeowners who gravitate towards a cosy, intimate ambience. DOMENICA TAN finds out how this three-room HDB flat was transformed into a gorgeous one-bedroom apartment.

Portrait of Tammy Strobel

Splashes of colour are introduced into this mostly monochromatic home, with the addition of a hand-painted mural, a fiddle-leaf fig plant and some flowers.

WHO LIVES HERE

A couple

HOME Three-room HDB BTO apartment in Chai Chee Road

SIZE 732sqf

A 732sqf apartment may seem compact for some families, but for homeowners Celine Goh and her husband, they knew they wanted to transform their matrimonial home from a three-room flat to a onebedroom unit with an openconcept design, in a departure from the conventional layout of shoebox apartments.

The lady of the house, who is the general manager of premium piano company Steinway Gallery Singapore, had a clear vision of what she wanted: a cosy, sensuous, character-filled – yet subtly dramatic – space in which the couple can spend quality time.

She engaged interior designer Ivan Lin of Aart Boxx Interior to assist with the execution of the interior design works, while also actively offering her input in design and styling. She even commissioned Thai artist Zhang Sitthi to create an exclusive hand-painted mural for her living room, which adds to the overall grandeur. Here, Celine tells us more about the renovation, which cost $100,000.

Q WHY DID YOU DECIDE ON A DARK COLOUR PALETTE?

Dark colours not only create a relaxing and cosy atmosphere, but it can also unify different decorative elements. I wanted the interiors to exude a bold presence. The colour selection process was quite challenging because there were many considerations for contrast and balance. I learnt that a good mix of different textures such as wood, metal and fabric is also important, to create a sense of balance. I even replaced the main door to achieve a rusted effect, to contrast against the engineered dark wood floor I got from Wood Culture.

Q DID YOU SPECIFY THE USE OF CERTAIN MATERIALS OR ACCESSORIES?

I love wood and its enduring beauty. It offers a very inviting sense of warmth and an intimate ambience so I incorporated wood flooring in most of my home. Lighting is an important element of interior design as well, because it can create the right ambience and mood, while enhancing the aesthetic appeal. I chose sets of pendant lamps from Thai lighting brand Lamptitude. 

Instead of
overhead
cabinets, which
would create
the illusion of
an even tighter
and more
claustrophobic
kitchen, Celine
wanted niches
to house oftused
spices
and

condiments,

as
well
as showcase her
collection of
tableware
Instead of overhead cabinets, which would create the illusion of an even tighter and more claustrophobic kitchen, Celine wanted niches to house oftused spices and condiments, as well as showcase her collection of tableware
Customising
the dining table
cum kitchen
island gave the
homeowners
the flexibility of
adding storage
to maximise
space, such as
with this
pull-out drawer
for cutlery.
Customising the dining table cum kitchen island gave the homeowners the flexibility of adding storage to maximise space, such as with this pull-out drawer for cutlery.
Most parts
of the home
are finished
in black paint,
except for a
blue accent
wall sitting
between the
living room and
kitchen.
Most parts of the home are finished in black paint, except for a blue accent wall sitting between the living room and kitchen.
For Celine, who
is half-Thai,
connecting
with her roots
was a key
inspiration when
conceptualising
her home design,
which resulted
in an impressive
wall mural taking
centre stage in
the living roo
For Celine, who is half-Thai, connecting with her roots was a key inspiration when conceptualising her home design, which resulted in an impressive wall mural taking centre stage in the living roo

Q SHARE WITH ME SOME SPACE PLANNING AND STORAGE STRATEGIES IN YOUR HOME.

Ivan’s goal was to make the home look exceptionally spacious, despite the floor area. There are no extensive storage spaces in the living room. However, the bedroom wardrobe was designed such that it could house all my clothing. He recommended loose furniture pieces to offer flexibility when required.

There is also ample storage space with open niches in the kitchen. We also designed an island, which doubles as a dining table; it is coupled with storage space for cooking utensils. As we love to cook, having an open-concept kitchen is a good way to integrate it with the living space. Ivan also created a space that suits our lifestyle. For example, as we don’t watch TV shows, he suggested that we integrate our Bang & Olufsen sound system with the feature wall instead.

Q WHAT CHALLENGES DID YOU FACE DURING THE RENOVATION PROCESS?

One of the challenges was integrating the mural artwork seamlessly into a modern, contemporary look. It took Ivan some time to think of a design concept to create a fusion between the interiors and the art piece. After much discussion, we decided that the positioning of spotlights is key to enhancing the beauty of this art piece.

To imbue
a sense of
cosiness in
the dark-hued
interiors,
Celine cleverly
swopped the
traditional
placement of
the day and
night curtains.
To imbue a sense of cosiness in the dark-hued interiors, Celine cleverly swopped the traditional placement of the day and night curtains.
Thai artist
Zhang Sitthi
was inspired by
yak, an often
seen depiction
of a guardian
of gates at
Buddhist
temples.
He also
incorporated
elephants
as a symbol
of humanity,
respect
and love.
Thai artist Zhang Sitthi was inspired by yak, an often seen depiction of a guardian of gates at Buddhist temples. He also incorporated elephants as a symbol of humanity, respect and love.
Greenery was added
to the service yard,
transforming it into 
a mini garden.
Greenery was added to the service yard, transforming it into a mini garden.

Q WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE FURNITURE AND FURNISHINGS IN YOUR HOME?

My best find is a Poltrona Frau Chesterfield sofa from Proof Living. I also got Tom Fereday dining chairs from Space Furniture to complement my kitchen island. An understated addition to my living room is a Stride rug from PDM. As for the bedroom, I chose a Ralph Lauren bed, and Jaspal bedding. I tend not to compromise when it comes to comfort.

Q WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF THE HOME?

The bathroom. I think one of our best decisions was to combine the original bathroom spaces and create a large open-concept en suite. 

The apartment
originally
came with
two separate
bathrooms,
which were
combined
to become a
spacious open-concept
master

en
suite.
The apartment originally came with two separate bathrooms, which were combined to become a spacious open-concept master en suite.
The main door
was replaced
to achieve a
rusted effect,
contrasting
against the 
engineered
dark wood
floor from
Wood Culture.
The main door was replaced to achieve a rusted effect, contrasting against the engineered dark wood floor from Wood Culture.
A large desk
takes pride of
place in front of
the wardrobe in
the bedroom,
at which Celine
can work and
doll up.
A large desk takes pride of place in front of the wardrobe in the bedroom, at which Celine can work and doll up.

photography DARREN CHANG art direction NONIE CHEN