Modern Victorian in monochrome
MANY new home owners fret about choosing the perfect theme for their homes, but not Tammy Tay.
The 26-year-old, who runs her own studio Imagine by SK66 in Singapore, knew exactly what she wanted for her 140sq m condominium apartment.
“I wanted a Victorian look, but one that was more modern. I wanted everything to be dark but not too dark, so I kept a balance by having black walls and mostly white furniture.”
On one side of the dining area is a white shelf that hangs above a white counter and houses Tay’s wine collection.
The plywood shelf and counter were made by carpenters from her firm. In between the shelf and counter is a mirror that stretches across the wall.
On the other side of the dining area, a mirror with an ornate frame – from bespoke furniture company Paris Home – hangs on a black wall.
A white dining table, with blackand-white chairs, sits in the centre of the space.
On the use of mirrors, Tay says they help make a home look more spacious.
She lives in the four-bedroom apartment with her husband, their two children – Elroy, three, and Ellie, one – and their two domestic helpers.
The black-and-white theme continues in the living room, where there are more pieces from Paris Home, such as a black sofa with silver nailhead detailing, a black leather coffee table and a white Victorian armchair.
To brighten up the space, Tay uses pieces of wall art, such as a pair of unicorn wall mounts from stationery and home accessories shop Typo, and a silver display piece from home-furnishing store Molecule.
She has friends over often and enjoys spending time with them on the balcony, which is sparsely furnished with a table and chairs from Singapore home-furnishing store Fortytwo.
“Usually, we’ll play mahjong or just chill there. We’ll have a meal there when it’s not too hot – mostly in the evenings.”
In the master bedroom, the furniture is white and mirrors – including a custom-made one hanging above the bed and a full-length standing one – help make the space appear more roomy.
Cove lighting, installed directly above the bed, and parquet flooring give the room a warmer ambience, compared with the living and dining areas.
In the room, Tay also displays her handbags and other trinkets on a shelf custom-made by her company.
Although most of the home is done up in a contemporary Victorian style, her children’s rooms are more colourful. Ellie’s room is painted in pink, while her brother’s is navy blue.
The five-week renovation for the home cost S$40,000 (RM126,000) with furnishings.
Tay says that designing her own home, while nerve-racking, was also fulfilling.
“The style is something I’ve always wanted. I haven’t seen many Singapore homes with this particular look. Victorian themes usually come with a lot of gold and white. With a mix of Victorian and modern furnishings, the home is very ‘me’.” – The Straits Times/Asia News Network