When it comes to this apartment home belonging to a young couple, a practical yet bold and modern aesthetic serves as the perfect canvas for showcasing art and statement pieces. ROSSARA JAMIL delves into the details surrounding its design.
Strategic lighting is essential in bringing out the textures, especially when working with a dark palette.
The owners picked out the Tracks coff ee table by Folks, which they purchased from Grafunkt. The multi-layered table is a great conversation starter.
Located close to the bustling areas of Balestier, Kallang and Whampoa, this four-room flat in McNair Road has a bird’s eye view of the surrounding cityscape. The unit is home to two young professionals, a couple who share a love for art and design. When they received their keys, the owners already had an idea of what they wanted for their home: a modern space with textures and dark finishes.
In their search for an interior designer, they got to know Joey Khu, who helms his eponymous interior design studio. Say the homeowners: “One of the main things we wanted was an open-concept kitchen with a long table, as long as it’s possible.”
The layout and limited floor area of 1,000 sqf, however, presented several challenges. The kitchen was also initially enclosed. Joey knocked down the walls, which allowed him to fit in a bar counter and a six-seater dining table connected to the counter. He then reconfigured the layout to accommodate storage solutions close to the entrance, as well as create a cosy living area. A partition holds the television and hides the living area away from the main entrance.
The couple shared with Joey their preference for dark finishes, but they were concerned that the home might appear small. “I love dark colours too, and my projects do use them as well. What I do is make the first visit to my client’s place before finalising the materials. Their unit is quite bright, so dark colours are possible,” Joey shares.
He proposed finishes in smoky hues, including grey marble flooring and laminates in shades of grey for the living area. The palette continues into the bedroom and bathrooms. He stained the original wood flooring in the master bedroom a darker brown to match the dark panelling flanking the padded headboard. One bedroom, converted into a study, features a full wall of storage units in grey. These not only store books, but also serve as additional wardrobe space.
Joey conceptualised a space that mixes customised solutions and statement furnishings. The couple also indulged in their passion for art and design in their selection of artworks, furniture and accessories. Peppered throughout the home, the pieces bring colour and dynamism to a home with dark finishes.
“The owners are particular about the materials and details,” Joey says. “What I loved was that they gave me a lot of freedom to make decisions on how to combine the finishes and conceptualise the feature walls and bathrooms.” The home, with its unique mix of details, is an intimate abode perfect for enjoying the city lights.
With the kitchen opened up, Joey was able to accommodate a dining table for six. The table was customised and then matched with Zartan Eco Stacking chairs from Xtra.
This space houses several artworks sourced from around the world, including Poland and the US. The Jottergoods Rivet side table is from Made & Make and the Cassina LC1 armchair from Dream.
The television console in the living area is customised to fit the dimensions of the television wall, and its look gels with the modern interior.
The master bathroom is decked out in dark brown finishes, evoking a soothing and sensual atmosphere.
Another room is furnished with storage solutions in grey, with injections of turquoise. Niches and storage cabinets of various sizes bring visual interest to this space.
WHEN THEY RECEIVED THEIR KEYS, THE OWNERS ALREADY HAD AN IDEA OF WHAT THEY WANTED FOR THEIR HOME: A MODERN SPACE WITH TEXTURES AND DARK FINISHER.
photography VERNON WONG art direction NONIE CHEN
