Nautical Nuances
THE USE OF MARINE MOTIFS, COMPLEMENTED BY LUXURIOUS TOUCHES, TRANSFORMED THIS GOOD CLASS BUNGALOW INTO AN AQUATIC PALACE
Aquatic inspiration reigns in this abode which comes alive with marine motifs
Recently, Yang Tse Pin, his wife, their two children who are both in their 20s, and his mother decided to move from their former abode in the Upper Bukit Timah area because they wanted a home built to their specific needs, as well as more space for everyone— including their border collie. In the quiet Leedon Park neighbourhood, their new residence is “modern and contemporary, warm and friendly”, according to Yang. It strikes just the right balance between impressive luxury for entertaining friends and a sense of homeliness for the family’s enjoyment. Yang, who is in the property and construction business, went about his search for an interior designer through a variety of exhibitions, referrals and friends’ recommendations. He chose Designworx Interior Consultant after hearing its creative solutions for the family’s brief and observing its keen eye for detail. Design director Terri Tan worked closely with architect Betsy Lau of East 9 Architects & Planners to fully respect the building envelope and refine the interior design even as construction was still underway. “The homeowners’ brief to us included an entertainment room and a dry kitchen,” recalls Tan. “They also had specific orientations for their beds and altar, which were determined by a feng shui master.”
A SEA OF CONTRASTS
The entrance foyer is defined by a 6.6m feature wall, where a dramatic bronze and glass wall light from Serip’s Coral collection is set against an antique bronze stucco backdrop; the light’s intertwined structure was inspired by the natural complexity of coral reefs. The hemispherical form of the Koket Eternity pendant light is also reminiscent of a coral. Running the entire width of the foyer are wave-like panels that conceal full-height shoe cabinets. The flowing silhouette reinforces the aquatic theme and serves as a counterpoint to the linearity of the feature wall. The living room is located beyond the feature wall. The dialogue between its marine sky marble flooring (overlaid with a bespoke black-and-white oversized rug) and a 4m elliptical Manooi Artica chandelier within the oval ceiling recess sets the tone for the space in between. Two off-white sofas and a series of armchairs from Fashion Interiors by Paul Cornelissen, together with a pair of bespoke square coffee tables with seashells set within the table tops, balance the formality of the floor and ceiling with a more relaxed ambience. The sparkling Bohemian crystals of the chandelier add to the idyllic mood by conjuring impressions of the shimmering ocean surface.
It strikes just the right balance between impressive luxury for entertaining friends and a sense of homeliness for the family’s enjoyment
The dining room ceiling features a Serip chandelier that again draws upon the marine theme and echoes the seashells set into the top of the 18-seater dining table below. Tan sees the Miton dry kitchen island, with its fluid lines, as “an island amidst the waves”— it’s where Yang’s restaurateur daughter gets to display her culinary talent. From both the dining and living rooms, the family can soak in views of the swimming pool and surrounding landscape; Lau designed the organically shaped pool to resemble an artist’s palette. There’s an inviting sunken lounge, while mosaics in different shades of blue form meandering streaks at the bottom of the pool, to give a vivid optical illusion of actual waves.
INSPIRED BY NATURE
“We designed the wall of the entertainment room facing the living room as a high-gloss ebony feature with wine chillers that are accessible from both sides,” says Tan. The lavish treatment continues inside
Subtle cues to the aquatic theme can be found throughout the home, with the use of natural materials, sinuous curves and tactile details
the entertainment room: attention is immediately drawn to the shagreen feature wall with converging brass inlay strips, which forms a stunning backdrop for the bar. The base of the bar counter is made up of tree trunk sections and its natural quality is in harmony with the shagreen wall’s oceanic origins. On the other side of the room, sofa cushions and a bespoke rug with prismatic patterns maintain a connection with the bar by picking up on the aquamarine accents of the shagreen wall. A Timothy Oulton sofa and coffee table set, surrounded by acoustic wall panels, helps complete the perfect family karaoke experience. Walking up the straight-flight, open-riser staircase that leads to the second storey, the design director’s attention to detail is on full display. The texture of the grey Metallica marble wall that runs alongside the staircase, the floor lights set into the treads, and the juxtaposition of stone and timber elevate a utilitarian means of circulation to a stimulating experience.
FIRST-CLASS EXPERIENCE
The master suite is located just beyond a family hall, which is filled with family portraits as well as trophies collected by the family dog. The feature wall behind the bed is an intricate composition of panels mounted over a mirrored base, with sweeping arcs that bring to mind the swaying movement of kelp forests. The bespoke headboard design is also curved to resemble a first-class airplane seat. The Impressionist patterns of the customised rug mimic the surface of a pond, where the rippling water creates intriguing distortions of the marine life below. The children’s bedrooms were designed to suit their personal tastes. Yang’s son has a preference for the distressed leather look, so Tan incorporated this element into a darker, “masculine” scheme. His daughter does not like harsh angles, so she requested for a round bed. “We raised the bed on a round timber deck and used a timber-look wallpaper from wall to ceiling, to create the rustic feel she wanted,” says the design director. This home exemplifies Tan’s belief that “the experience of being in a space is more than just the summation of the floor, wall and ceiling.” To her, every interior should be “more than space”—it should exude an elegantly timeless quality.