LIGHTNESS OF BEING
Artistic flourishes enliven the bright and soothing spaces of this award-winning family home by DESIGN INTERVENTION
WHEN DESIGN INTERVENTION WAS TASKED TO
breathe new life into a timeworn villa on Ridout Road, the studio saw a chance to revitalise the property while maximising vantage views of its surrounding greenery. The challenges were two-fold: the design duo had to work with the site’s undulating hillside topography, while devising a new layout that would realise the homeowners’ dream of a calming, light-filled space. The redesigned abode, which is home to two professors and their teenage daughters, has been named Best Architecture for the single residence category in Singapore at the International Property Awards 2017.
The design duo had to work with the site’s undulating hillside topography, while devising a new layout that would realise the owners’ dream of a calming, light-filled home
Rooms with a View
Past the home’s light-filled entrance, a long hallway leads visitors up to the large poolside room. “As the main door opens, your eye is drawn from the linear space to the delightful view of the garden, pool and beyond,” says Andrea Savage, project director and partner who worked on the project with principal, Nikki Hunt. The design duo have cleverly positioned a dining banquette in the area, where the family can enjoy views of the outdoor area during their meals. A leisurely mood reigns in the living and dining areas that follow. Sickle-shaped sofas, generous leather ottomans and a pair of coral high-backed armchairs invite family members to lounge and read. The designers have also masterfully maintained a calm and neutral palette in these areas to keep the attention on the alluring green views beyond. “We introduced pattern with a restrained hand to enliven the areas without distracting from the views,” explains Hunt.
Artistic Panache
In celebration of the lady owner’s passion for art, the home is filled with bespoke pieces and decorative, art-inspired touches. Right from the entrance, a unique centre hall table sets the tone. Its crisp lines reflect the home’s interior architecture, while the tactility of wood and hints of brushed gold evoke a sense of understated luxur y. Such strong linear details continue in the dining area where a bespoke table is paired with pendant lights with sculptural details. Alongside the home’s tranquil palette, Hunt and Savage have also artfully introduced pops of colour to enliven the decor. Take for instance the dramatic wallpaper that flanks the staircase. “The gold hues add a sense of elegance, while large-scale patterns fill the space with life,” says Hunt. Soft watercolour and painterly effects are also featured within the home, most notably, on the back of sofas and seats. Further testament to Design Inter vention’s creative attention to detail, the designers have turned a functional necessity—a lift area—into a design statement, by cladding the lift doors in elegant champagne gold, and framing them with black granite. The final result is an elegant and calm family home, where every detail has been designed to be in harmony with its environment and with its inhabitants.