COMPACT BUT LUXURIOUS

This home design utilises every inch of space in a modestly-sized but beautifully styled two-roomer apartment. LYNN TAN talks to the designer to find out how it was all achieved.

Portrait of Tammy Strobel
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"The cosy living room is where the homeowner spends most of his time after work catching up on news or just relaxing."
 
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For this homeowner, it was very clear from the start what he wanted for his new bachelor pad. As the apartment was modestly sized, his priorities were to optimise the internal space and to create more storage. Design-wise, he prefers a clean and uncluttered look that is modern, timeless and chic, with a splash of colour. His brief to Adrian Heng, from Spaceone Interior Design Consultancy, also called for a flexible furniture layout that can be modified according to his needs, such as when hosting family and friends. Most importantly, “the home has to be practical, comfortable and where I can inject my personality over time,” he says.

Beyond these requirements, the homeowner, who is an engineer, gave Adrian free reign over the design scheme. “In addition to the usual sketches and collages, Adrian even brought me to view some of his ongoing projects. I especially like his geometric designs, hidden doors concept and bespoke furnishings, which were eventually incorporated into my home,” he shares.

There were also four other aspects pertaining to his interests and lifestyle that the homeowner requested Adrian to take into consideration in the interior design. The first is immediately apparent upon entering the home. Taking pride of place in the entrance foyer is the homeowner’s Officer Cadet School (OCS) ceremonial sword that he received on his commissioning, prominently displayed in a custom-made wall-hung showcase. “It reflects my commitment to national service,” he emphasises.

The living room used to be a bedroom. The walls were demolished to create a more spacious living and dining zone that has been conceived as one, even incorporating a small workspace against the full-height window in the living area. “I retained the existing timber flooring in the original bedroom, but added an oversized, custom-designed rug that defines the space,” Adrian points out. To address the homeowner’s request for greater flexibility, the bespoke dining table, sofa and ottoman have hexagonal forms that allow them to be reconfigured according to usage and group size. The sofa and ottoman can even be combined into a daybed.

The balcony beside the dining area offers a pocket of green that addresses the second of the homeowner’s lifestyle preferences- to be close to nature. With just some simple outdoor furniture and a few plants, Adrian managed to transform the balcony into an inviting space that many homeowners would otherwise have used to hang laundry.

Art is another one of the homeowner’s interest. Adrian ensured that there was sufficient wall space for hanging art. The pieces on the dining and balcony walls were speciallycommissioned and customised by Ode to Art. “The interior colour palette is predominantly grey, so I selected prints that inject a pop of colour, which is also what the homeowner likes,” he explains.

The wall along the corridor leading to the master bedroom comprises a series of concealed panels and a door behind which storage cabinets, the electrical distribution board panel and the common bathroom are hidden. This is one of the signature features in Adrian’s works. He made provisions for the homeowner’s two pet cats- the fourth of his ‘loves’, at one end of the built-in carpentry, allowing space to tuck the cat litter and scratch post, as well as a nook for the cats to hide.

The most striking element in the master bedroom is without a doubt the feature wall behind the bed. It comprises timber strips that have been cut from their original 2.4-metre lengths, then painstakingly pieced together into square modules that are rotated to form a geometric pattern. Adrian recalls: “I got the inspiration for this feature wall design during a trip to Japan. I was sitting at a café and admiring its chevron timber floor. Then I saw some straws and started fiddling with them. The two came together and voila!”

The interior design addresses all of the homeowner’s needs and preferences, interests and lifestyle. “I am generally a laid-back, simple and practical person and the interior reflects that. It is a home where I can relax and unwind,” he says.

 
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LEFT

The kitchen is kept simple and fuss-free.

BELOW

The mitre joints of the cabinets become features in their own right.

OPPOSITE
With some clever space planning, Adrian managed to carve out a proper dining area within the small apartment, a far cry from the original dining area that was no more than an incidental corner beside the kitchen.
 
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WHO LIVES HERE

An engineer and his two cats HOME A two-bedroom condominium in Upper Thomson SIZE 700 sq ft
 
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TAKING PRIDE OF PLACE IN THE ENTRANCE FOYER IS THE HOMEOWNER’S OFFICER CADET SCHOOL (OCS) CEREMONIAL SWORD THAT HE RECEIVED ON HIS COMMISSIONING.
 
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LEFT

The hexagonal dining table complements the sofa and they fit together like pieces of a jigsaw. This modular design is both compact and flexible and can be rearranged to form various configurations.

BELOW

The balcony is a relaxation corner that allows the homeowner to feel close to nature, especially since the Windsor Nature Park and Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park are just a stone’s throw away.

OPPOSITE
The homeowner’s ceremonial sword has been framed up like an art piece.
 
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RIGHT

A wall-hung cabinet cum vanity top in the bathroom achieves a floating effect.

BELOW

Geometric motifs rule, from the sofa, ottoman and dining table, to the bedroom feature wall and rug.

OPPOSITE
The feature wall in the bedroom is a labourintensive piece that is made up of about 3,000 pieces of timber strips.
 
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PHOTOGRAPHY TAN WEI TE ART DIRECTION NONIE CHEN