Roman Reign
A HOUSE WITH OVER TWO DECADES OF HISTORY IS GIVEN A GRAND MAKEOVER INSPIRED BY ROMAN ARCHITECTURE
The Neo Classical look of the house inspired its grand interior overhaul
Originally built in 1994, this house is now home to a multigenerational family. The current homeowners lived with the interiors chosen by the previous owner for a few years before deciding to embark on a major renovation. The family looked to William Chan, founder and chief designer of Spacedge Designs to reinvent the interiors of the twostorey house. “While I am better known for my minimalist style and unconventional approach to design, taking on a brief for a luxurious and grand home was both a challenge and a chance to try something new,” shares Chan. “I combined my preference for clean-cut aesthetics with my clients’ preference for grand palatial design, to create a look of modern luxury for this family home.” The family is made up of eight adults and two toddlers and all had distinct requirements for their rooms. As such, a considerable amount of time was spent looking into their varying tastes. Chan roped in Wendy Kho of FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment) to customise furniture, decorative lighting and soft furnishings throughout the home.
GRAND PLANS
To visually pull together the common spaces of the house, the designer created a graphic motif inspired by Roman architecture. “The Neo Classical look of the two-storey bungalow inspired the Roman-style decorative concept,” explains Chan. “The key motif is a graphic interlinking pattern in the common areas of the home, giving the spaces a stately grandeur.” This interlocking design can be found on the front gate, the stairway railings and on the walls and ceilings of living and dining areas. The grand staircase with curved Roman motif railings leads the eye up, creating an effect that is modern yet striking. The formerly dark, outdated interiors have also been replaced with shimmering, shining surfaces. Polished gold lattice and gold rectangle borders throughout the home add structure to an opulent decor theme.
RAISING THE ROOF
The ceilings of the basement and first storey were relatively low. To give a sense of height, the designer integrated backlights into the suspended ceiling, while adding a golden geometric motif into the void. The result is an interior with a sense of extravagance and expanse. The first floor is a rectangular space that is sectioned into two living areas by beautifully appointed floor-to-ceiling display shelves. Grey and white marble-clad walls overlaid with polished brass frames, and Calacatta marble flooring give the space an added touch of luxury. The lady of the house, an avid cook, often has friends over in the kitchen while she whips up the dishes. To cater to these gatherings, William designed an open-plan kitchen with upholstered seating at the wall alcove, as well as a round table attached to the island counter. Two large integrated fridges from Italian brand Fhiaba fit seamlessly next to the cabinets. Beside the cabinet is a door that leads to the wet kitchen, where Asian-style cooking is done.
GOLDEN VISION
Each bedroom in the house is subtly different, personalised to suit the occupants. All the doors in the home are designed and clad with different materials and feature hidden hinges.
“The Neo Classical look of the two-storey bungalow inspired the Roman-style decorative concept”
The 900sqft master bedroom is the grandest, with high-gloss mahogany panels and 22K gold-leaf detailing on the borders of its walls. The ensuite master bathroom continues the gilded look with yellow onyx marble, gold-leaf highlights and polished frames for the glass shower enclosure. The space is furnished with a bathtub from Italian brand Treesee, washbasins and the high-tech Numi intelligent toilet from Kohler as well as Grohe fixtures. In contrast, the daughter’s bedroom is feminine with a geometric floral pattern applied onto the wardrobe gold mirror and the inlaid marble floor design. The leaf patterns on the rug design are customised, while the frame-like detailing behind the leather headboard conceal actual cabinets.
The vaulted ceiling with the specially designed chandelier complete the look. The youngest son’s room has a more subdued, monochromatic palette. The pitched roof ceiling allowed for the creation of a mezzanine level where the bed is situated. The ensuite bathroom features dramatic-looking materials such as marble with exotic veining on the floor as well as on the illuminated vanity countertop. The custom shower enclosure and the ceiling suspended mirror, ceiling strips and the mirrored wardrobe all use blackened PVD material in a polished finish.
SOCIAL CENTRE
The basement entertainment area is a new addition to the house. It boasts a state-of-theart entertainment room, living quarters for the family’s helpers, a common bathroom, pantry and air-conditioned parking space for six cars, in addition to the home’s existing three-car garage. The family enjoys using the dry kitchen and living areas the most—these have become the social hub of the house, where the owners host their guests. “Food brings the family together, and these areas are always filled with laughter and happiness, especially now that the homeowners have grandchildren,” says Chan.