The design of this monochromatic home relies extensively on one laminate finish — but applied in different directions to mix things up.
The design of this monochromatic home relies extensively on one laminate finish — but applied in different directions to mix things up.
The light fittings above the dining table, from Pomelo, were specially chosen for their slim profiles. This way, they don’t feel imposing with the lower height of the disguised beam.
RIGHT & ABOVE
All the built-in carpentry is finished in a dark wood grain laminate. However, the grain is orientated differently on various surfaces – for example, diagonally on this cabinet panel in the dry kitchen – to keep the flat surfaces visually interesting.
OPPOSITE
In the living area, the designers installed a cantilevered ledge that functions as a convenient breakfast counter or reading area in front of the full-height windows.
“Minimalist, modern and monochromatic was what we wanted for our home, with lots of black — our favourite colour,” says Kng Qiao Mei. She and her husband, Lee Wei Jie, who both work in the finance industry, had collected images of their ideal home on Pinterest before engaging Li Yanling and Denise Chng of Habit to remodel their cookie-cutter Housing Board Build-to-Order flat. The renovation cost $80,000.
The designers incorporated lots of built-in structures and furniture pieces to streamline the look of the interiors. An almost black, dark ash-tone laminate from Admira was chosen as a finishing for the carpentry works. “Just one laminate was used throughout the place, but it is applied differently to highlight various features,” explain the designers.
In the living area, the wood grain laminate is applied diagonally onto a wall-hung sideboard, creating a chevron pattern. This is also evident in the dry kitchen area, on a wide panel that conceals the pantry. Although it also means more wastage of the material, this unconventional way of using laminates creates a unique look.
In the bedroom, for the wardrobes, the laminate is applied with the wood grain in a horizontal direction for the bottom compartments, and vertically for the top ones. A few chosen surfaces in the home, such as on the TV console, are finished in a marble-print laminate for contrast.
Yanling and Denise had to deal with a potential eyesore in the form of a structural beam that was visually cutting up the open-concept living space. “The problem became an inspiration — instead of hiding the beam, why not enhance it and use it to our advantage?” they say. The beam is now part of a structure that frames the dining area, and a focal point in the home, together with black mosaic wall and floor tiles, as well as statement lights from Pomelo.
WHERE TO GO
Habit, TEL: 6222-2240
ABOVE
Two bedrooms were combined to create a larger master bedroom, which has a separate sleeping area with a platform bed.
OPPOSITE
To access the raised sleeping area in the master bedroom, you have to go through the wardrobe area. The wardrobe carpentry is finished in laminate applied both horizontally and vertically.
Sophisticated contemporary interiors were achieved through the use of clean lines, thoughtful details and simple materials applied creatively.
ABOVE
The vanity counters, in front of the sliding glass panels of the master bedroom, feature glass insets on the surface for a boutiquestyle display of accessories.
