TROPICAL HAVEN
INSPIRED BY THE QUIET LUXURY OF HOTEL DESIGN, THIS HOLIDAY HOME CELEBRATES ITS URBAN LOCATION WITH ELEGANT FURNISHINGS AND A CALMING PALETTE
Upon stepping out of the private lift lobby of this spacious penthouse, the eye is immediately drawn to the light-filled high-ceilinged living and dining space. With designer furnishings including a Walter Knoll dining set, Ralph Lauren wall sconces and a sofa by Living Divani, the subtle notes of cotton flower and musk from Culti’s Tessuto scent lingering in the air, the ambience feels similar to that of the lobby of a luxury hotel. This holiday home of a well-travelled family includes personal touches too, such as the framed family photos on the slim console in the foyer, that turn this elegant abode into a home. The owners tasked Tan Sze Ling, design director of Topic Studio, to create a hotel-inspired penthouse. “Many owners who bought units in this development expressed their liking for the linear landscape and the clean sleek lines of the architecture,” says the designer. “We felt strongly that the clean lines of the building should flow into the interior design, with a comfortable and luxurious ambience that embraces holistic living.”
KEEPING IT SOCIAL
To evoke the soothing vibe of an ultraexclusive hotel, Tan chose a warm palette of taupe and ivory tones for the marble floor and timber panels. The living and dining areas feature standout details such as a cascading 14-piece hand-blown glass lighting fixture by Studio Italia Design over the dining table. The lights not only emphasise the seven-metre tall double volume space of the penthouse, but also catches and diffuses the natural light for a diffused glow. In the living room, a L-shaped sofa frames the home’s unparalleled city view while the streamlined design of the Poltrona Frau side tables and a Walter Knoll coffee table emphasise the airiness of the common area while providing plenty of space for entertaining guests. Up on the roof is a lap pool and a six-seater outdoor dining table, ideal for hosting small groups of friends at sunset. The penthouse’s lift offers direct access to the roof, while bypassing the upper floor which is the family’s private space. The two guest rooms on the lower floor have also been furnished like hotel suites, complete with built-in TV walls. They have even been thoughtfully designed to suit different age groups. The larger junior suite features handsome textures of dark bronze and walnut for a more formal aura. The smaller guestroom incorporates turquoise accents of the art and cushions to give the room a more casual, dynamic vibe that its younger guests would appreciate.
PERSONAL SPACE
In contrast to the social areas on the lower level and roof, the upper floor is kept private for the family’s personal use, with each of the three rooms designed to suit specific requirements. The younger daughter’s room features a feminine pink and champagne scheme that incorporates blush wallpaper, a low upholstered bed frame and crystal table lamps. A customised hanging frame provides her with enough space to display her bags, scarves and other accessories. For the son, Tan installed open niches above the bed for him to display his prized possessions. “It is a mini library of favourite things,” she says. There is also a custom-built long drawer with pigeon hole compartments to stash and display precious items such as watches and fountain pens. No detail was too small to ignore for the master bedroom, which was designed for the couple who enjoys collecting art and reading. Details like the wine cabinet recessed in the alcove space allows the couple to keep prized bottles close. “The overall palette is more understated—the light coves behind the ribbed lacquered headboard of the Walter Knoll bed frame adds softness and depth to the room,” says Tan. The adjoining study where the couple spends time writing or reading over a relaxing cup of tea, is anchored by a framed calligraphy artwork on the wall behind the Poltrona Frau study table. With a harmonious balance between the elegant design reminiscent of hotel suites to the unique touches that cater to the owners’ requirements, it’s no wonder that they look forward to spending time here when they are in Singapore. “The family loves the modern design of the development, which has inspired the interior of their home,” says Tan.