GREY MATTERS

This apartment takes a no-holds-barred approach to achieving an industrial chic look.

This apartment takes a no-holds-barred approach to achieving an industrial chic look. Jacqueline Tan finds out how the designer achieved it using colour and accessories.

The exposed ceiling is undoubtedly one of the highlights in this living room.

WHO LIVES HERE

Male owner in his 30s HOME Two-bedroom apartment at The Inspira SIZE 936 sq ft

It took a good amount of effort to cement the look, literally. About six layers of cement screed had to be painstakingly applied (at intervals) before the walls had the effect that the owner wanted – a raw textured look befitting the industrial theme of this home which cost around $70,000 to renovate.

It took the longest time to finish! I’m not sure if I want to go through another round of this,” says Jimmy Tay jokingly. He is the design director of Jimmy Tay Studio.

He adds: “The owner wanted a strong industrial look throughout, so the cement walls pervade the entire home with no ‘break’ in the grey palette.” The grey walls also serve as an edgy backdrop for the owner’s striking collection of pop artworks.

And what’s an industrial theme without “full exposure”? The living room’s ceiling was ripped apart to show the pipes and air conditioning ducts. Even the water tank in the kitchen was left exposed and given a bold coat of black. “Since the owner lives alone, there were no reservations about going full-on with the masculine look,” says Jimmy. Light switches are in dark grey to go with the theme, and solid timbre window blinds were chosen over conventional blinds for a warm touch. The original floor tiles in the living room are overlaid with vinyl, allowing for better flooring protection and also adding to the warm “earthy” touches of the home. Just next to the entrance is a customised shoe cabinet to house the owner’s sizeable collection of footwear.

The last thing the owner wanted was the usual TV console and feature wall. So Jimmy worked closely with him to design a unique TV ledge made from a huge plank of solid wood specially imported from Indonesia – and mounted it on slabs of grey bricks.

The original wall separating the kitchen from the living room was hacked down to create a seamless singular space. As the owner does not cook or have dinners often at home, the quartz countertop (in metallic grey, no less) in the openconcept kitchen was customised to protrude and serve as a dining space where he can sit on the high chairs and have breakfast or a nightcap.

Mounted on various sections of the walls in the living room and master bedroom are slim, sleek shelves bought online to serve as display niches for the owner’s personal knick-knacks.

The industrial theme also makes its presence felt in the spacious master bedroom. The original flooring was stained a darker shade for a more masculine feel; that also helps to make the room a more restful sanctuary.