ELEVATED ELEGANCE
The light-lled spaces of this stylish pad are the very embodiment of feminine grace – inspired by the elegant poise of the lady of the house
For globetrotting urbanites, there’s nothing quite like returning to the comforts of their very own home after each eventful trip. That’s exactly what shaped the decisions of a successful businesswoman as she searched for a new abode in Singapore. It was love at first sight when she saw the show apartments designed by The I.D. Dept – so much so that she snapped up a unit and chose to work with the same firm to decorate her new apartment. “When my family and I visited the show flats, we were impressed with the gorgeous interiors designed by The I.D. Dept,” says the homeowner. “Their work was so inspiring, we decided to engage the team to work on our new unit.” The frequent traveller wanted an elegant home that her family could appreciate whenever they returned to Singapore from their trips. The abode was also intended to become a gathering hub for visiting relatives from abroad, with versatile communal spaces where guests could mingle and be entertained. That aside, her requirements were simple: to add greenery to the outdoor spaces and to maximise the home’s capacity to drink in natural light. Floating nearly 30 storeys above street level, the apartment enjoys panoramic views over the fashionable District 9. This provided plenty of creative freedom for design director Divya Anthony and her team, who sought to create spaces that would befit the elegant lady of the house and her family. “The inspiration for this project really stems from the client herself,” says Anthony. “She’s very feminine and elegant. We designed her home to reflect her personality and inimitable style through a muted colour scheme with touches of punchy hues.” The firm, which is part of The Mill design consortium, aimed to convey the comforts and luxury of a hotel-like ambience within the apartment, and to craft personalised rooms for the family – spaces that would become their home away from home.
CATCHING LIGHT
Mirroring the homeowner’s love of champagne gold, metallic accents can be found on pieces picked out for the apartment, most of which were purchased from American brands Barbara Barry and Baker. Reflective surfaces are a recurring element, with large ornamental mirrors such as a Fiam Italia piece by Philippe Starck selected to match the sleek lines of the wall panelling while enhancing the lofty sense of space. The attention to detail further elevates the refined look of the interior, which features a neutral colour scheme and material palette. The woven wallpaper selected for the dining and living area, for instance, carries a subtle sheen while adding textural nuances to the space. The home’s cosy corners are also filled with decorative vignettes that bask in the warm, intimate glow of decorative lighting. It is peppered with statement pieces sourced from all over the world, inspired by the homeowner’s cosmopolitan lifestyle. These include a striking ostrich feather floor lamp that is a real conversation starter.
SOCIAL SPACES
The apartment features a generously sized outdoor balcony and a skylight at the core of the living and dining area. “For the living room, the owner specifically asked for a seating arrangement large enough to accommodate her many young nieces and nephews who often visit,” says Anthony. So, the designer opted for an L-shaped sofa and dining bench that can be united or separated, depending on the occasion. “This seating system is seen as one entity, so guests can sit on both sofas to communicate and still be within close proximity of each other,” adds Anthony. Sliding doors open up the living area to the balcony, keeping the indoors connected with the outdoors. A wall of ferns and topiary on the outdoor terrace creates a comfortable relaxation space for the family. Touches of green on the cushions and other accessories echo the soothing vibe from planters at the balcony. “Our favourite area is definitely the dining and living area, which overlooks the greenery of the outdoor terrace,” enthuses the homeowner.
GETTING PERSONAL
A long corridor leads to the four bedrooms, each customised with its own theme and colour scheme. Shades of grey on the furnishings define the masculine character of the father’s bedroom, while blush and florallike decorative elements imbue the mother’s room with femininity. On her sister’s request, serene shades of blue and copper accents were included in her room, for pops of colour. As the lady of the house favours gilded trimmings, metallic details are found within the master bedroom. At the entrance, an embroidered fabric from Italy is framed as an artwork. Since she also requested for additional storage, the design team picked out gold display shelves and a matching glass table. Mirrored panels were also added beside her bed to mimic the reflective door that leads to the walk-in wardrobe and en-suite bathroom, while an adjacent balcony provides another cosy space for contemplation. “Divya and team did an excellent job transforming the apartment into a stunning home – they listened to our ideas, but also pushed us out of our comfort zone, which is what I think a designer should do,” says the owner, who was “blown away” by the results. She concludes: “My family and I are very pleased with the modern and timeless design, especially the colour schemes within the rooms and all the little decorative touches.”