Rugged Simplicity

Primary elements of loft houses are applied in small doses to create a cosy apartment with a raw edge

Inspired by the edgy industrial feel of loft apartments, the young couple of this four-room fat wanted to recreate that atmosphere in their new home. With that understanding in mind, the designer team from Exin went about to accomplish this task.

In one and a half months, this new apartment was transformed into a cosy and functional home for the pair of newlyweds. Whites, browns and textured surfaces have been cleverly applied in appropriate areas to create a warm, natural look that  can  easily  be  jazzed  up for entertaining.

Modest Allure

A simple combination of warm tones added with dashes of glamour create the perfect home for this family of four

At frst glance, this 1300-square-foot condominium unit appears to be a typical modern home. But take a closer look at the attention to detail put into this cosy space and you would notice subtle hints of luxury. Since this apartment located at Loyang is home to a married couple with two children, a welcoming atmosphere is defnitely in line. But above that, the family loves to entertain guests and wanted a distinctive touch, prompting designer Jesper Low from Arc Defne to throw in a unique mix of materials like mosaic tiles and glass. 

Introduced to Jesper by a friend, the homeowners were familiar with Jesper’s design capabilities and hence, confdently left the overhaul project in his hands. Upon entering the home, the subtle glamour is injected with textured wallpaper in a slight shimmer lining one end of the wall. On the other side, full-length black-tinted mirrors create visual space and interest for the dining area. A sparkling ceiling light is also chosen by Jesper to brighten up the space. 

Metropolitan Flair

Developer extraordinaire Bolton Berhard merges Manhattan chic and Scandinavian serenity in this apartment beauty, located in Puchong.

This spacious apartment starts off with a stunning view of the living and dining areas, from a sleek neutral sofa surrounded by chrome-finished tables, to a dining table sheathed in gleaming surfaces and flanked by siz crisp white designer chairs. We absolutely adore the stylish mid-century TV bench in a rich shade of honey, a perfect juxtaposition to the contemporary yet ethereal looking drapes which allows plenty of natural light in. But we must admit, the ultimate scene-stealer would be the striking feature wall, a 60's inspired medley of wood, black marble and mirrored surfaces, all placed randomly to create a lively artwork of colour and texture. 

Contemporary Hideout

A soothing Balinese vibe with a modern twist marks the style of this light-filled home

What makes a home a sanctuary for the soul? Is it the aura of calm that envelopes your senses as you relax into a plush sofa or is it the furnishings that evoke memories of a faraway holiday destination? To the owners of this three-bedroom condominium, it is a Balinese theme interspersed with modern design elements that provides a tranquil haven for them. Designer John Kow from Rhiss Interior gave this theme an eclectic twist which is most evident in the shared living and dining area. 

The walls are adorned with wallpaper with a coarse texture akin to that of natural pebbles and one of these wallpapered walls also serve as a living room feature after being fanked symmetrically by two veneer frames. Continuing the horizontal patterns of the frame, the area near the bay windows is installed with dark brown timber blinds to make it more conducive for relaxation. The base of the windows is deliberately left untouched, letting natural light pool at the bottom for a sense of lightness to the space. 

Double Vision

Decorating Ideas

No matter if your home-decorating budget is sky high or, well, limited to somewhere around the tree-tops, achieving a stylish home is never out of the question with these fabulous picks

Foyer 

Go for hardy decor in this high-traffic area; think heavy-duty yet easy-to-clean surfaces. 

Living Room

Start with neutral-coloured basics like couches and rugs. Then, flesh out the decor with accessories that are dear to your heart to create a room with soul and personality. 

Elemental Wonder

A contemporary touch for this executive apartment ties each space together to create a place called home for this family of three

Having worked on a number of homes that are designed according to Feng Shui standards, designer Cindy Fong from Darwin Interior is no stranger to the basics of this Chinese geomancy system. Thus, when the designer drew up the design proposal for this executive HDB fat, it happened to be in sync with the homeowners’ Feng Shui requirements and they were pleased to go along with it without major modifcations.

This naturally airy apartment is made spacious with the use of light-coloured tones and the integration of the balcony space into the living room. Since there was an additional study room to spare, of which the couple and their young daughter did not need, the designer decided to have its walls hacked to create even more space for the living area. Next to the living room, the dining area exudes an elegant atmosphere with its plush seats and chandelier lighting. Panels of mirror and laminate form a feature wall to conceal the entrance of the bomb shelter.

A Touch Of Class

Luxury beckons in this two-bedroom apartment unit which is decked out in simple yet sophisticated touches

For most people, the storage space within the home is just as important as any other aspects of a home. And so it came as no surprise when renovating their new home, the young owners of this two-bedroom apartment unit wanted to maximise the space. Designer Daniel Loi of Space Defne was tasked with the apartment’s design and unperturbed by the limited space, decorated the interior in accordance to their storage needs while accommodating to the owners’ style preferences. 

The style of the home is a  simple concept: modern, luxurious with artful arrangements of furnishings and a clever utilisation of colours. To create a bigger entertaining and relaxation area, the living and dining areas were combined into an open-plan space, while keeping the other areas of the home such as the sleeping quarters private. The owners wanted a neutral backdrop, thus walls were painted and wallpapered in white while the foors were laid in pale marble tiles. The background of white walls is complemented with a large TV console in black stucco fnish. 

Chic Sophistication

Classic meets experimental to create a country-styled home that surprises

A European favour marks this 4-room HDB fat unit even before you step foot into its premises. Wood decking lies at the doorway to welcome guests. It is reminiscent of a verandah and the proud owner of this Scandinavian-inspired haven is a bachelorette. Engaging the design team from Renozone, they spent seven weeks transforming the place into what it is now.

For a look that is more country, the fooring of the entire apartment is clad with a timber-like laminate fnish. The walls in the living room and bedrooms are plastered with foral-themed wallpaper to play up the element of countryside living. In the kitchen however, the design moves to one that stems from the raw industrial look.

Modern Artistry

These modern duplex condominium interiors designed by Nu Infinity unite classy, relaxing styles with a luxurious, upper-class feel.

Acquiring a well-executed modern interior design can result in a really exclusive and luxurious look in a home. This posh residence in Damansara Heights boasts of an array of neutral coloured designer furniture, with a mix of lavish materials and a touch of contemporary to achieve a really elegantly designed home. 

Expert Interior Lighting Tips

What kind of lighting does each room need?

There are two rules of thumb: You should have a mix of light sources at different levels to create a flatteringambience, and you need appropriate task lighting for whatever you do in that space (reading, sauteing, getting dressed). Here are tips for five key spots.

1. Living Room 

Light three of the four corners, focusing one of those lights on an object (art, a plant, a striking chair). Use a combinaiton of table lamps and floor lamps, some with a downward glow and some that shine upward. If you have an overhead fiture, put it on a dimmer. 

2. Dining Room 

To draw people in, make the table the brightest spot in the room. Use a chandelier or a pendant above the table, limiting the total wattage to 100. Elsewhere in the room, indirect lighting is best-it's relaxing and flattering. Give the space a subtle glow with a pair of small table lamps on a sideboard or matching sconces on the wall above. Battery-powered votives inside a glass-front china cabinet can be a nice touch.