Despite its petite size, this HDB home shines with its atypical layout and customised soft furnishings. ELIZA HAMIZAH finds out how it was achieved.
Despite its petite size, this HDB home shines with its atypical layout and customised soft furnishings. ELIZA HAMIZAH finds out how it was achieved.
LAYERS OF LUXURY
Almost everything in this three-room flat is bespoke, from the patterned rugs and modular sofa – interior designer Adrian Heng flew in a water- and dirtresistant fabric from Europe for it – to the shade of green used for the kitchen backsplash. He kept to monochromatic hues for the fabrics and accessories, and layered the space with rich textures like velvet and leather.
DISTINCTIVE DINING
While circles and ovals rule the living room and bedroom, the dining area features angular designs in the form of an island-height dining table with a geometric steel base, and a cowhide rug. “I designed the dining set with elevation, so the homeowner can enjoy the greenery outside. For the rug, we sourced authentic cowhides, sliced them up and had the pieces stitched together; this way the floor gets interesting textures and patterns,” says Adrian.
IN HARMONY
This light wood laminate by EDL is the leading lady in the colour palette. Its cool tone visually expands the space, and its subtle textured finish allows for easy styling. This great alternative to white walls is complemented by linen-style wallpaper on the beams and accent walls. Once these were chosen, the designer jazzed the home up with soft furnishings in a monochromatic scheme.
MODERN CONVENIENCES
The kitchen was designed to be ideal for a busy businessman and avid traveller. The anti-fingerprint Fenix laminate and hard-wearing quartz countertop cladding the cabinetry are easy-to-maintain surfaces, while the downdraft hood and simple induction stove keep the kitchen functional yet clutter-free.
WHO LIVES HERE
A bachelor in his 40s
HOME Three-room HDB resale apartment near Holland Village
SIZE 800sqf
The homeowner of this sophisticated abode saw the complete look only when he was ready to move in. Such is the schedule of the busy businessman, who fully trusted Adrian Heng of Ottimo Spazi to deliver a turnkey service. The designer worked in European design influences – his client’s favourite travel destination – and combined that with his signature touch, to create an understatedly elegant home with bespoke motifs and furniture. But first, Adrian knocked the walls down for a clean slate.
MATERIAL MAN
Adrian kept to the muted colour palette, while infusing “a bit of bathroom bling” with the right choice of tiles. Black quartz is paired with Italian grey stone tiles – it is both luxurious and minimal, masculine and chic.
SWITCHING IT UP
One of the homeowner's favourite spaces is the bathroom, which looks a world away from its previous rundown state. After combining the laundry and bathroom areas, the sink was shifted nearer to the kitchen. This creates a more spacious and bright shower area and WC, thanks to the sunlight streaming in from the window.
WALK-IN WONDER
“A spacious wardrobe is important to the fashionable homeowner, so I converted half the common room into a walk-in and ‘gave’ the remaining half to the living room. This not only made way for a full-height galley wardrobe, but created an atypical HDB layout, too, which is useful in putting together a sophisticated interior,” shares Adrian. The wardrobe is accessible via a flushed door in the living room, as well as through the bedroom.
SUAVE SERENITY
Its white leather wallpaper and customised pillow covers are stylish details that catch the eye, but the real winner of this bedroom is its lighting. As his client loves to read, Adrian incorporated a backlight in the headboard. The cove light imbues the room with warmth, while the dimmable halogen light above the bed is mood lighting.
Photography ANGELA GUO Art Direction KAFFY TAN
