Holiday Homecoming

Dressed in finesse, this petite weekend home is the epitome of hotel luxe

Key Ideas

1. It’s common now for the dining, living and kitchen to share the same space so setting a consistent design lingo in this open-plan area is important. Use similar materials and fnishes but in different shades to introduce some visual distinction.

2. Aside from the tried-and-tested mirror trick to enhance the visual size of a space, shiny surfaces like marble fooring and glass can also accentuate the illusion.

3. Opt for sliding pocket doors for small spaces. It eats up less foor area when pulled open and can conjure a more airy feel.

4. Borrow some hotel-inspired elements such as the silver letterings to mark each room. It is sure to add some class!

Talk about a permanent staycation. The lucky occupant of this condominium unit gets the royal treatment every time he “checks in” into his weekend home along Orchard Road. Though petite considering its 635-square-foot stature, the designers from Ultimate Interior turned it into a spacious and tastefully done-up space which is exactly what the homeowner specifed for.

Based on the floor plan, the communal zones share the same area so the designers had to first set a consistency in design. Too many contrasting details, especially in such close vicinity, can cause the entire home to look cluttered so they settled for high pressure laminates (HPL) in brown to adorn the walls. It is paired with white marble fooring spread across all the public zones. The living and dining zones are then given a visual boost in size with strips of full-length clear mirrors ftted on the wall.

Adhering to the same design language is the custom-built cabinetry. Decked out in a grainy fnish, the cantilevered TV console and matching shelf are outftted in a darker shade of brown to offer subtle contrast within the entire setting. Adding to the hotel-like grandeur is metallic lines running across the next wall of HPLs. As the boundary wall enclosing the connecting bathroom, this wall is affxed with matching silver letterings which indicate the locations of the adjoining study and the only bedroom. 

The study, being a place for well, studious sessions, is labelled as the “knowledge room” while the bedroom is naturally branded as the “relaxation suite”. These sleek touches emulate the experience of staying in a prestigious hotel.

In the open-concept dining and cooking space, the designers adopted a simple and sophisticated design approach. Black granite caps the counters of the galley kitchen and it is matched with a stainless steel backsplash. Taking into account of the kitchen’s limited foor area, the major appliances such as the refrigerator are concealed within the custom-built cabinetry for a cleaner look.

Moving into the private zones, the designers swopped all the swing-out doors for sliding pocket doors with goodreason. As the home has an existing connecting bathroom which can be accessed from the bedroom and study situated on different ends, they decided that sliding doors would introduce an open and spacious feel.

More space-enhancing features are applied inside the rooms. In the study, one wall is lined with strips of tinted mirrors to offer a larger expanse of space. To carry on with the continuity in design, the bay window seat is topped with dark granite which glorifes the modern setting. The rest of the room is swathed in a muted shade which blends seamlessly with the pale-coloured cabinetry. For a touch of warmth, the foor is lined with polished oak parquet. All these materials, which pull together a well-appointed look, attribute to a space that is simplistic and cosy.

The mood switches from clean-cut to effortlessly cool in the bathroom. Blue glass mosaic tiles are laid on half a wall and amidst the white homogenous tile setting. The designers even incorporated a long ledge made of white solid surface as countertop space for toiletries and some greenery.

A dash of practicality runs through the sumptuous bedroom which is painted in a soothing, muted tone. Two full-height wardrobes stand on two ends of the room and are enclosed by sliding doors with a tinted mirror fnishing. Besides adding a hint of opulence with their sheen, the lustrous surface also helps to amplify the size of the room visually. On top, cove lighting is implemented to bathe the room with a soft and cosy vibe.

But, it’s not just the sophistication within the design details that treats the homeowner like a pampered guest during his every stay. It’s these thoughtful features that will serve him well for a long time.