NEW FROM OLD

The trendy industrial-meets- Scandinavian style gave this pre-war apartment a smart update.

Portrait of Tammy Strobel

The trendy industrial-meets- Scandinavian style gave this pre-war apartment a smart update.

My Reading Room

The home of Tommy Wee and Evelyn Lee is somewhat similar to a studio or art gallery, with its concrete screed floors and white walls. “We wanted it monochromatic, and not too colourful and intense to come home to after a long day!” says Tommy, who is a magazine editor and content producer. Cue the sparse canvas inspired by a combination of industrial and Scandinavian style. Pops of colour and texture, through artwork, soft furnishings and decor, bring the otherwise bare spaces to life.

The open study area acts as a backdrop to the living room, with wall-mounted desks underneath open shelving.
The open study area acts as a backdrop to the living room, with wall-mounted desks underneath open shelving.
Tommy and Evelyn filled their home with furniture from Boconcept, as well as buys from their travels.
Tommy and Evelyn filled their home with furniture from Boconcept, as well as buys from their travels.
Glass panelled bi-fold doors separate the living room from the balcony, also allowing the spaces to merge almost seamlessly when opened.
Glass panelled bi-fold doors separate the living room from the balcony, also allowing the spaces to merge almost seamlessly when opened.
My Reading Room
The Milano extendable table and Ottawa dining chairs, all from Boconcept, have a contemporary Scandinavian look that fits the open-concept dining space.
The Milano extendable table and Ottawa dining chairs, all from Boconcept, have a contemporary Scandinavian look that fits the open-concept dining space.

For their interior styling and furnishing needs, the couple turned to Danish brand Boconcept. The brand’s stylist helped them select contemporary Scandinavianstyle pieces such as an L-shaped sofa, dining set and bed. The layout of the pre-war apartment was adapted to suit the couple’s lifestyle — walls were removed and replaced with glass panels, which provided a more spacious and airy feel. Built-in structures, such as a concrete screed-finished trough sink and open shelving, were also added. The result: A perfect balance of old and new.

The focal point of the corridor leading to the kitchen is a concrete screedfinished trough sink, cast around an iron frame. “We got the idea from a bar in Norway,” says Tommy.
The focal point of the corridor leading to the kitchen is a concrete screedfinished trough sink, cast around an iron frame. “We got the idea from a bar in Norway,” says Tommy.
The Lugano bed from Boconcept is a simple but stylish addition to the open-concept bedroom.
The Lugano bed from Boconcept is a simple but stylish addition to the open-concept bedroom.

Hints of wood, and metallic tones give the almost monochromatic interiors a touch of contemporary luxury.

Brass fittings, such as a towel hanger and toilet paper holder, were purchased online from Ferm Living.
Brass fittings, such as a towel hanger and toilet paper holder, were purchased online from Ferm Living.
The only shower and WC in the home are in separate areas to make getting ready in the morning more effi cient.
The only shower and WC in the home are in separate areas to make getting ready in the morning more effi cient.
An all-white palette allows for a bright and airy feel in the compact kitchen.
An all-white palette allows for a bright and airy feel in the compact kitchen.
The texture of the kitchen wall was created by hacking off its plaster surface with a drill, which uncovered its underlying brick surface.
The texture of the kitchen wall was created by hacking off its plaster surface with a drill, which uncovered its underlying brick surface.