COSY ELEGANCE
A compact two-room apartment is transformed into a swanky, spacious suite under the masterful hands of RENAISSANCE PLANNERS & DESIGNERS
TO INTERIOR DESIGNERS KELVIN BING AND
Jasmine Chew of Renaissance Planners & Designers, this home seemed like any other two-bedroom studio apartment. It was only while removing the false ceiling boards from the common room that they uncovered a stunning double-volume void. This opened up possibilities for the firm to explore both functional and aesthetic additions to the home.
Through the Roof
One of the owners’ favourite pastimes is to entertain—hosting their friends and family frequently at home. But the 900sqft apartment with a throng of guests over made the space cramped and even claustrophobic. The homeowners, who are avid cooks, also wanted a sleek kitchen with customised compartments for everything from spices, utensils to cooking appliances that could be hidden away at a moment’s notice. To accommodate up to 20 guests for get-togethers, the designers devised an open-plan concept in the common areas. Partitions between the living, dining and kitchen spaces were pulled down, merging the areas into an open space for entertainment. The design was clean and clutter-free as well, with the introduction of storage units. The kitchen also features hidden countertops that can be opened or concealed when needed to create more functional counter space.
Elegant Touch
The double-volume void has been transformed to give the living area an immediate illusion of space. It also creates a sense of luxur y, which the designers magnified with a floor-to-ceiling feature wall that doubles as a display shelf for the couple’s collection of books and whisky bottles. Next to the bookshelf are charcoal oak wood veneer panels— their deep, rich tone adds a touch of classic refinement to the living space. More than just ornamental veneers, these fullheight panels also conceal storage compartments. While a neutral palette of white and beige makes for a classic backdrop, grey accents and wood finishes colour the interiors with understated luxur y. Likewise, walls clad in suede-like fabric by the dining table offer lavish details with a tactile interest. Despite the textural contrast, they complement the warmth of the timber walls in the adjacent dining area, and echo the modern design that the owners wanted.
Safe and Sound
The ensuite bedroom, an oasis of calm, is similarly decked in neutral shades and wood veneer. “We selected minimal and modern decor pieces for the bedroom to reflect the streamlined design elements featured throughout the apartment,” shares Bing. A ledge in the bedroom was also specially created for the homeowners to display their growing collection of artworks. The finishing touches came in the form of bespoke furniture, custom-made by the designers to enhance the sense of visual cohesiveness within the apartment. Although it proved a tall order to work within the timeline of two months, the firm pulled it off with finesse. In recognition of the abode's stunning design, the firm emerged as one of the winners of the SG Mark Award (Singapore Good Design Mark) in 2017.
We selected minimal and modern decor pieces for the bedroom to ref lect the streamlined design elements featured throughout the apartment