Small, stark and smart
SPORTS enthusiast Kate Tan’s 40sq m one-bedroom apartment is indeed a squeeze, but the bachelorette is not complaining.
Her cosy apartment on Singapore’s West Coast exudes a chic hotel-room vibe and there is enough space for a queen-size bed and storage for her bulky sports gear.
The home owner, who is in her 30s, says: “I told (design director) Lawrence (Puah of interior design firm Akihaus) that I wanted a casual yet chic home – something I will not grow tired of and that matches my personality.”
The swim instructor has travelled to many countries such as Japan and Tonga and is most attracted to well-designed resorts that are restful and void of loud colours.
Combining this with the idea of a contemporary New York City-style loft, Puah decided on a monochrome palette.
“Black and white go well with the existing marble and oak flooring, and help imbue a sense of spaciousness in the small apartment,” he says.
The renovation cost about S$28,000 (RM87,000) and includes folding glass doors with black aluminium frames that separate the living room from the bedroom – a loft archetype that pairs perfectly with the unit’s high ceilings.
When Tan has guests over, she has to only fold the doors and push her sofa back for more legroom.
The full-height, built-in television console conceals storage, where she keeps necessities such as an ironing board. Items such as diving gear and bulky cold-weather wear are stashed in her bed’s hidden storage area, which is easily accessible, thanks to a hydraulic lift.
Things that are more weather-proof are stored under the balcony’s removable timber decks.
Large monochromatic photographs of a humpback whale and penguins, taken during Tan’s travels, add a sophisticated yet personal touch to the home. – The Straits Times/Asia News Network Calling homeowners, designers, architects, and anyone who appreciates beautiful spaces: share some photos at star2@thestar.com.my and we might feature your space in these pages.