Curated with Care
DESIGN INTERVENTION CREATES A LUXURIOUS PENTHOUSE THAT CELEBRATES THE HOMEOWNERS’ EXTENSIVE ART COLLECTION
For a cosmopolitan couple with a passion for art and travel, their collection tells the colourful story of their lives. So it seemed only natural to have these prized paintings and objets d’art take centre stage in their new home. Home to a family of five, this penthouse apartment is filled with a lifetime’s worth of lovingly curated treasures, which include artworks by celebrated artists such as Salvador Dali, MF Husain, Joan Miro, Pablo Picasso and Yayoi Kusama, as well as paintings by their talented daughter, who is studying art and music abroad. The owners also wanted home-automation features and state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment for entertaining guests. The couple then gave Design Intervention free rein to design a warm and friendly space that would integrate their precious collections. The Design Intervention team worked tirelessly to create a haven that the family would love.
ROOM FOR ART
At the husband’s request, three MF Husain pieces—including one that was purchased as a surprise anniversary gift for his wife—take pride of place in the living room. Based on the mantra of “less is more”, Design Intervention used a minimal number of furniture pieces in warm, soothing tones to offset the exuberance of the surrounding art. To pull the individual artworks together to create a cohesive space, the team chose a L-shaped sofa in tones that echoed the colours found on the artwork. A heritage rug adds textural contrast against the modern look of the room. Having the facilities to enjoy fine wine and gourmet meals was another key consideration. Instead of keeping the owner’s extensive range of vintage wines hidden in a cellar, the firm installed a floor-to-ceiling wine chiller to showcase the collection. With a marble-clad bar and seating placed in front of the showcase, this is where oenophiles gather to enjoy their drinks. The centrepiece of the dining area is a specially commissioned table made from a 3.4m-long piece of Monkeypod timber sourced from the US. It’s paired with the Eoos leather dining chairs from Knoll and the bellshaped Caravaggio pendant lights from Fritz Hansen. The kitchen, on the other hand, was designed to become a chef’s haven with ample countertop space and cutting-edge appliances. The kitchen counter was custom-built to make room for a juicer and coffee machine; a Fisher & Paykel fridge drawer was also installed under the counter next to the food preparation zone.
PERSONAL PURSUITS
The husband wanted to integrate an office space within the living room. To achieve this, the designers created a custom-made glass display for the couple’s unique knife collection, which also separates the study from the living area. The elegant console for his collection of knives forms a transparent wall between the workspace and the dining area while doubling as an elegant feature wall, thus creating a talking point while vividly displaying these treasured items. Encased in soundproof glass for privacy, the home office
features ample wood on the floor, custom-built shelving and a desk. A pair of hand-made vintage armchairs provides a comforting seat on which to nurse a drink or read a book. For the wife, who is an avid pianist, a baby grand piano was strategically placed on the mezzanine level. The glass balustrade gives the audience an unobstructed view from the living room below.
PRIVATE RETREAT
The couple also wanted to provide a welcoming retreat for their three children, who are studying overseas, with each room personalised to suit the occupants. Their daughter’s room features wallpaper with painterly brushstrokes and curtain fabric by Jessica Zoob. In one of the son’s rooms, the design scheme is kept deliberately minimalist and sophisticated with the use of dark wood furnishings and a neutral colour scheme. It features the Spoon chairs from Kartell, a pair of PH 4/3 bedside lamps from Louis Poulsen; a pair of still-life paintings by his sister takes pride of place here. For the master bedroom, the clients wanted a suite reminiscent of their vacations in Bali. Warm materials, textures of wood, leather and intricate tapestries in subtle colours contribute to the calm ambience.
The master bathroom is a tranquil space with a spacious vanity and an integrated openconcept wardrobe that combines form with function; key pieces include the Kao leather bed from Giorgetti and a framed sketch by Pablo Picasso. After eight months of remodelling, the family was beyond satisfied with the final result, as the interior has captured their personal style and taste while becoming an urban sanctuary for the family. To sweeten the moment, this stunning abode also won praise from a celebrated panel of judges at the International Property Awards 2019; the design firm received the accolades for Best Architecture and Best Interior Design in Singapore in the residential categories. “Andrea and I are so pleased that this Singapore residence is representing the region on the world stage,” says Nikki Hunt, principal of Design Intervention. “I was delighted how the project turned out and so proud of what the team has accomplished.”