Occupational Hazard

ELIZA HAMIZAH peeks into the contemporary chic home of Grafunkt co-founder Jefery Kurniadidjaja, who believes renovation and furniture carry equal weightage in importance.

Portrait of Tammy Strobel

For their new home, the homeowners wanted a darker, warmer colour scheme – a world away from the light and airy style of their previous residence. They opted for the Prado sofa from Ligne Roset for their living room.

Su-Lin says the
dining area is
her favourite
part of the
home. “We eat,
we gather, we
do homework
and work at
this table.”
Su-Lin says the dining area is her favourite part of the home. “We eat, we gather, we do homework and work at this table.”

WHO LIVES HERE

A couple and their young son

HOME Three-storey corner terrace in Serangoon

SIZE Land area 2,160sqf Built-up area 3,500sqf

Jefery Kurniadidjaja’s home can be described as liveable chic. Despite the impressive array of designer pieces, such as the Luceplan floor lamp and LC4 Le Corbusier chaise longue in the living room, this corner terrace in Serangoon still exudes a down-to-earth atmosphere. “A home is not a showroom. We collect furniture we love – not necessarily iconic designs – and just mix and match them. It is what gives character to the space,” he says.

The Grafunkt co-founder, his wife (operations manager of Grafunkt Teo Su-Lin) and their 11-year-old son (left) live here. Being in the business of selling furniture has heightened their sense of appreciation for craftwork and design, but also tempts them to shop. “We stop each other whenever we have the urge to buy something new, and then wait for the sale,” says Su-Lin with a laugh.

Being patient is key to having a personalised home, says the couple. It is worth waiting for a piece that not only suits the home, but will also age well – just like the Carl Hansen Safari chair Su-Lin bought at a sale. We chat with the couple for more tips. 

My Reading Room
Su-Lin, who
does most of
the cooking,
chose long
drawers (to
keep away
clutter), an
easy-to maintain

granite
top,
and
smooth
Blum
mechanisms,

for
the kitchen.
Su-Lin, who does most of the cooking, chose long drawers (to keep away clutter), an easy-to maintain granite top, and smooth Blum mechanisms, for the kitchen.

What’s the story behind this home?

Our previous home was light and airy, so, for this space, we want something darker. We toned it down with muted grey, the black kitchen Su-Lin and I have always wanted, and dark walnut. Walnut is warmerand has more pronounced grain, as compared to oak. Wealso used art to add texture and character, such as the monochromatic Maison Martin Margiela Trompe l’oeil door print in the living room (“It creates an ‘extension’ of the space”) and the washi paper art in the kitchen. I painted that kitchen wall grey to complement the paintings.

How did you keep your renovation costs low, at $60,000?

We worked with the existing structure and revamped onlythe areas that we felt needed improvement. For instance, we relied on paint to create the ambience we want, added solar film to block the heat from the windows and, in one of the bedrooms, we kept the original structure of a wardrobe – changing only the doors to create a walk-in closet. However, we did tear down most of the existing kitchen and replaced it with a contemporary, all-black and handleless design. Here, we opted for a marble-look ceramic tile backsplash, which we purchased from Hafary. 

The homeowners
kept the existing
white marble
tiles in the
bathroom but
updated the
look with black
marble-look tiles
in the shower
area, and a
glass frame.
The homeowners kept the existing white marble tiles in the bathroom but updated the look with black marble-look tiles in the shower area, and a glass frame.
Jefery played
with angular
lines, as well as
various shades of
green and blue,
while keeping 
to the dark
colour palette.
Jefery played with angular lines, as well as various shades of green and blue, while keeping to the dark colour palette.

What is your approach to furniture shopping?

It’s tricky (laughs), because you are tempted to buy everything. Beyond what we sell, Su-Lin and I are consumers as well. I always tell my consumers: a home should embrace the lifestyle and taste of the owner. Of course, you shouldn’t design it without care, but one should not be afraid to aim for something they like. Don’t be too fixated on having the “perfect” house.

What are some of the designer pieces you have?

In the living room, we have the Eames lounge chair and ottoman, as well as the fabric LC4 Le Corbusier chaise longue. Our dining set consists of the Conde House Hakama table as well as Wing Lux dining chairs. I don’t just love the look and timelessness of the Wing Lux chair, but its ergonomics as well; it’s comfortable even without cushioning, and it features traditional Japanese joinery – no nails in the joints. Su-Lin has a Carl Hansen Safari chair, and we have an array of dining chairs from brands like Vitra and Kartell. These mismatched chairs come out when we have guests over. 

Jefery and
Su-Lin initially
hated the
dramatic
marble tiles
in the powder
room. However,the eclectic
look grew on
them and they
decided to
furnish it to
their taste.
Jefery and Su-Lin initially hated the dramatic marble tiles in the powder room. However,the eclectic look grew on them and they decided to furnish it to their taste.
The couple
used art and
greenery to
liven up their
property. The
parameters
of the home,
in particular,
feature a mix
of light foliage.
“We want
a peaceful
and softer
environment
with some light
shade,” explains
Jefery.
The couple used art and greenery to liven up their property. The parameters of the home, in particular, feature a mix of light foliage. “We want a peaceful and softer environment with some light shade,” explains Jefery.
The staircase
landing is
decorated with
a yellow ombre
& Tradition
rug, a print
from Lumas,
as well as an
Ercol Originals
love seat.
The staircase landing is decorated with a yellow ombre & Tradition rug, a print from Lumas, as well as an Ercol Originals love seat.
“I told Jefery,
‘If the Ruche
bed from Ligne
Roset is still in
store by the
time we get
our new house,
I’m sold. It’s
mine.’ And
here it is, in the
bedroom!” 
Su-Lin shares.
“I told Jefery, ‘If the Ruche bed from Ligne Roset is still in store by the time we get our new house, I’m sold. It’s mine.’ And here it is, in the bedroom!” Su-Lin shares.
Jefery chose
these Georg
Jensen lamps
to illuminate
the stairway.
Jefery chose these Georg Jensen lamps to illuminate the stairway.

photography ANGELA GUO art direction NONIE CHEN