Material World

A rich contrast of textures brings cosiness and warmth to a stylish couple’s elegant, monochromatic abode

Architology Interiors designs a sophisticated home for a fashionable couple in Singapore

An exquisite mosaic mural is one of the unexpected highlights of this apartment in central Singapore. While the owners—a fashionable couple who divide their time between Hong Kong, Singapore and the Us—did not emphasise a preference for any specific interior design style, they knew they wanted a mural wall in their home.

The owners’ request for mosaic art certainly stood out to Terrence Quah, co-founder of Architology Interiors, when he was tasked to transform the apartment into an elegant sanctuary for two. Mosaic feature walls are commonly found in opulent Italian villas rather than urban apartments, and his goal was to incorporate this detail into a contemporary interior suited to the couple’s lifestyle.

The request for a f loral mosaic mural was also ref lective of their unconventional fashion sense. “The starting point for the home’s design was our well-dressed clients,” says Quah.

“Fashion is quite a big focus for the couple; I see them in different stylish outfits every time we meet! They are among my most fashionable clients, who are able to pull off an unconventional juxtaposition of styles, patterns and colours effortlessly.”

This observation inspired the use of contrasting elements throughout the apartment to create an interesting, layered interior—essentially a home that’s a stylish complement to the couple’s eclectic wardrobe.

SARTORIAL INFLUENCES

In the main entryway, the basketweave pattern of the mosaic f looring matches the surrounding beige marble f loor, as well as the dark timber detailing in the living room and kitchen. Its textured appearance is also subtly reminiscent of the classic look of tweed and bouclé jackets.

This emphasis on craft extends to the openplan living area, where a grey marble feature wall is f lanked by a pair of custom-made shelves with marble-clad drawer fronts at their base. Held together by heavy-duty tracks, these drawers conceal audio equipment, a function that is shared by a recessed area below the TV. “The black niche mimics a fireplace effect, which leads your eye to the centre of the living area,” explains Quah, commenting on the home’s subtle nod to Italian villas.

The understated, neutral scheme is livened up by layering a tactile mix of materials that makes these shades of grey and off-white tones anything but boring. The living area also features curtains and carpeting with a subtle pattern, while a Minotti sofa with linen upholstery and a marble-topped coffee table with light grey veins similarly contribute to the layered look. In the dining area is a set of six Knoll Platner dining chairs with curved steel frames that inject visual interest.

One particularly challenging area to design was the dry kitchen, which connects to the living area. The galley kitchen featured a pair of long counters that terminated awkwardly in the living room; the owners specifically wanted to install a central island here to face the latter space. To fit the island into the culinary zone, the team installed it along the breadth of the juncture between the living area and the dry kitchen. Now, this island is where the couple enjoy starting and ending their day with breakfast or a drink.

FLORAL FLOURISH

Instead of installing the botanical mosaic feature wall in the living room, where it might look too

“The starting point for the home’s design was our welldressed clients”

ostentatious, the designer positioned the mural in the master bathroom where it could make a dramatic impact, while staying true to the home’s elegant look. The mural’s f loral design is handcrafted using mosaic pieces individually laid in a curved design. These light-catching mosaic tiles also shine with a pearlescent sheen in the day.

In the master bathroom, the f loor, walls and vanity counter are clad in white and black marble to complement the mural’s greyscale palette. These elements are grounded by wooden shelves and cabinetry, which add warmth to the monochromatic space.

“Being able to see the trees in a space that’s awash in natural light which also highlights the details of the mosaic mural really exudes a feeling of luxury,” says the designer. For

Quah, the master bathroom is an especially stunning space as it functions as an idyllic extension of a walk-in wardrobe and boasts unblocked views of the city.

Clockwise from top left: Accent cushions and maroon armchairs add pops of colour to the living room’s elegant design; the couple enjoy having breakfast together at the kitchen island installed at the juncture between the entryway and the living area; the kitchen is fitted with sleek cabinetry from Poliform Previous spread: A large mirror from Fiam Italia expands the sense of space in the open-plan living and dining areas

This page: A pair of shelves and the set of six Knoll Platner dining chairs contribute to the pleasing symmetry in the dining area Opposite page: The mix of leather and wood on furnishings such as the Poltrona Frau Fred desk by Roberto Lazzeroni and the Cassina LC4 chaise longue by Charlotte Perriand contribute to the study’s cocooning ambience; the gold finishes on the wall sconces, faucets and mirror add an opulent touch to the powder room

This page: This floral mosaic feature wall is the centrepiece of the lightfilled master bathroom Opposite page, from top: The master bedroom features the Poliform Rever bed and Minotti Morrison sideboard by Rodolfo Dordoni and Poltrona Frau Ginger armchair by Roberto Lazzeroni; the marble feature wall and a geometric rug from Kyle Bunting bring visual interest to the bedroom; the grey bench and rug add a plush touch to the wardrobe area