Rich in materiality and texture, the design of this home shows that you can never have too much wood!
Rich in materiality and texture, the design of this home shows that you can never have too much wood!
The black display shelves from Grafunkt pair well with the home’s colour palette, while showcasing some of the homeowners’ favourite books and knick-knacks.
When Mohammad Zain and his wife Sharon Park got their duplex, they were sure about the materials they wanted to use for their home – primarily wood – as Zain, who is the general manager of wood flooring company Wow Floors, has a fondness for the material.
A long-time client and friend of Akihaus design director Lawrence Puah, Zain sought Lawrence’s help in designing the flat, while also remaining heavily involved in the construction process.
Designed around the heart of the home — the kitchen — the open-concept first level has several spaces where the family and guests can gather, such as the bar counter, living room, and family room. The openness of the space also helps bring light to the staircase area and throughout the abode.
With the $300,000 renovation (including furnishings), the interiors showcase lots of rich wood textures, such as the distressed handcrafted walnut flooring throughout the lower floor. The uneven texture creates a unique sensorial experience underfoot, unlike stepping on smooth regular tiles. “The home is a place for rest, and I wanted it to ‘wow’ in an understated manner,” says Lawrence.
A nature lover, Zain enjoys the outdoors, but having Pasir Ris Park a stone’s throw away wasn’t enough. He installed a green wall from Prince’s Landscape in the balcony, which is so luxuriant that “many cars have stopped by along the road to look at it. There was even a passer-by who requested to come in for a look – he stayed for half an hour just admiring it,” shares the couple.
Another impressive nature-inspired space in the home is the cosy family room, next to the dining area. Illuminated by sunlight, the space almost seems to glow, as all its walls – as well as floor and ceiling – are decked out in golden bamboo strips.
The only space in the home that doesn’t sport that much wood is the master bathroom upstairs, which exudes a luxurious appeal with surfaces clad in marble-like tiles from Rice Fields.
With an appreciation and respect for natural materials, the homeowners and designer have created a stylish home that will last for ages.
WHERE TO GO
Akihaus, TEL: 6221-2808
ABOVE
Lounging on the sofa bed from CB2 and watching TV is one of life’s little pleasures for the homeowners. The round patchwork rug from Proof Living complements the warm wood in this space. Cushions from Stylodeco.
OPPOSITE
The dining set consists of mismatched seats — a customised wooden bench, and chairs from Om and Marquis. Blue vase and tableware from Stylodeco.
LEFT
Ash-wood veneer is used on the TV console. The couple bought their L-shaped leather sofa from Om and coffee table from Grafunkt. Cushions from Stylodeco.
BELOW
Zain customised a wooden ledge so that the balcony doubles as a dining and entertainment spot in the home. Tableware from Stylodeco.
OPPOSITE
The brick wall in the living room extends to the second level and creates continuity in the design. Vase from Stylodeco.
LEFT
Natural light filters in from the balcony area to illuminate the interiors of the master bedroom; herringbonepatterned wood flooring adds character to this space.
BELOW
Concealed cabinetry behind wall mirrors provide more storage space in the master bathroom.
