BEST LIVING ROOM

Upstairs_

Dennis Cheok, creative director of Upstairs_ was challenged to redesign the space as a modern ryokan with Scandi-chic accents; he stayed true to the brief by drawing multiple design elements from a traditional Japanese inn, which can be seen in the residence’s sunken floorplates, elevated platforms, patterned screens and timber panelling. Oversized sofas add cosiness to the living area while an open-concept kitchen serves as a communal space for the family to dine together. The minimalist furnishings pay homage to both its Japanese and Nordic influences, which results in capacious yet intimate rooms.