Eliza Hamizah uncovers the layers of this maximalist home, which is filled with the homeowners’ charming collection of antique-style furniture and quintessential Chinoiserie prints.
Eliza Hamizah uncovers the layers of this maximalist home, which is filled with the homeowners’ charming collection of antique-style furniture and quintessential Chinoiserie prints.
The previous owner had bought the corridor space, giving interior designer Trifven Ho more space to experiment with various tiles.
Trifven used white to balance out the many prints and patterns in the home. However, textured surfaces on the door and walls still keep things interesting!
WHO LIVES HERE
A couple, their daughter and two pets
HOME Five-room HDB apartment in Depot Road
SIZE 1,100sqf
Homeowners Jason and Trish have worked with Trifven for two other homes – each in diff erent styles.
The couple loves oriental furniture, especially those with traditional features like lacquer finishes and metal hinges.
Both Trifven and Trish do not shy away from utilising prints on prints – the more the merrier, they say.
The couple retained the marble and terrazzo floors from the original unit. Many of their furniture pieces, such as the dining chairs, are from Taylor B.
“THE CHINOISERIE STYLE IS EFFORTLESSLY CHIC, A LITTLE CLUTTERED, AND DRAMATIC. TO CREATE IT, WE PICKED FLORAL PRINTS TO PAIR WITH GOLD AND BRASS FINISHES,” SAYS TRIFVEN.
The dining room space was reduced for the walk-in-wardrobe in the bedroom, which features a romantic wall covering.
Both the mirror and vanity are over 60 years old.
The freestanding claw-foot tub and handprinted floral mural take you back to the old days.
An all-white kitchen is punctuated with colour, such as a tap and track lights in gold fi nishing, and a Moroccan-style tile backsplash.
There is incredible detail in every corner of Jason and Trish Yong’s five-room flat, from the two different blackand- white tiles that greet visitors at the entrance to the dragon doorknob of the master bathroom.
This decorative Chinoiserie style is the result of a collaborative effort between interior designer Trifven Ho from Living Icon and the homeowners. Trifven and Trish not only have a good eye for Oriental design, but a resourcefulness and a more-is-more approach, too. It is no wonder that the Yongs have worked with Trifven on previous home and office properties (over the course of the last decade) as well. Trish shares with us the work that went into creating this vibrant and expressive abode.
THE HOME IS DECKED OUT IN COLOURFUL PRINTS. TELL US ABOUT IT.
I am half-Peranakan, and have always been drawn to loud colours and the Oriental style, with a French twist. Trifven knows my style well, and went to Goodrich Global to pick out several prints with butterflies, birds and flowers like peonies. We also engaged a Chinese artist to illustrate three murals, including the floral motif in the master bathroom.
WHAT WERE SOME OF YOUR MUST-HAVES FOR THIS HOME?
I insisted that I must have a bathtub, even if it is small. But it’s more about my love for standalone bathtubs rather than having a good soak (laughs). We decided to remove the shower point in the master bathroom and move a bathtub in instead. We also kept the area enclosed, away from the vanity, for a cosy and dramatic mood. My husband wanted a red main door, as it is a visually striking element and complements the oriental decor well.
WHAT WENT INTO THE $100,000 RENOVATION?
Mostly the reconfiguration of space. We took some space from the dining room for a walk-in wardrobe in the master bedroom, and created a shoe cabinet near the foyer. We also re-did the kitchen; we added a breakfast counter and, as I hate the oil from cooking, Trifven moved the stove nearer to the window.
THIS IS YOUR THIRD HOME. HOW DID YOU INCORPORATE YOUR EXISTING FURNITURE INTO THE NEW SPACE?
Every time I move, I will buy some new furniture and keep the rest in storage. Trifven will then look through my collection for pieces that match the current style. We also try not to discard furniture, and modify them to enhance its functionality instead. For instance, we incorporated a wooden partition – that we bought from Just Anthony almost 10 years ago – into the sliding grille in the living room, and turned another intricate wood panel we have into a dining room feature wall.
Photography FRENCHESCAR LIM Art Direction YEW XIN YI
