Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2020 i Home & Decor

If anything can be said about the last 11 months, it is that 2020 will not be a year local homeowners will find easy to forget. For the first time since its independence, Singapore experienced what the government referred to as a Circuit Breaker, while those from other countries would call a lockdown. Shops were closed, entertainment venues were shut and everyone was homebound over a two-month period. Yet while many lamented over the wasted time the lockdown has caused, others found it refreshing to be working from home. The more diligent among us also took this opportunity to cherish their abode, by devoting their time to sprucing it up with mini-makeovers and even trying their hand at indoor gardening or urban farming. Disastrous as the pandemic may be, it…

Founded by Valerio and Monica Mazzei in 1987, Edra may have come a long way from its Tuscan roots, but it is still synonymous with comfort, beauty and quality. Its name is derived from a Greek word meaning a place for philosophical discussion – an apt symbolism that manifests in the uniquely flexible, comfortable and contemporary seating options the company has produced over the years. Today, fans in Singapore can view Edra products at Spazio Edra at Space Furniture’s showroom. We sit down with co-founder and vice-president Monica to find out more about the brand. HOW HAS EDRA EVOLVED OVER THE YEARS? We have charted a well-defined path based on clear principles that have us working towards maximum quality in terms of projects, products, materials and comfort. At the heart…

4 PLUS 8 223 Kaki Bukit Avenue 1 Shun Li Industrial Park Tel: 6748-0048 www.4plus8.com ARTEMIDE Million Lighting 203 Kallang Bahru Tel: 6743-2033 www.millionlighting.com ART FRIEND #B1-10/13, 68 Orchard Road, arches-papers.com BYND ARTISAN 37 Jalan Pemimpin #08-13 Mapex Tel: 6267-5066 www.byndartisan.com BENTLEY HOME, FENDI CASA, TRUSSARDI CASA #06-07/08/09, #05-05 Royal Interiors 315 Outram Rd, Tan Boon Liat Building Tel: 6299-0701 www.royalinteriors.com.sg CHIN GIAP SOON TRADING #03-18 Kinex 11 Tanjong Katong Road Tel: 6297-0075 CRATE AND BARREL #04-21/22 Ion Orchard www.crateandbarrel.com.sg DACO MARKETING. #03-11/12/13 11 Tanjong Katong Road Tel: 6291-7622 www.daco.com.sg DAISO www.daisosingapore.com.sg DURABLINDS #01-14/15/16 i-Biz Centre 32 Old Toh Tuck Rd Tel: 6912-4016 www.sg.ziptrak.com GF+A GLOBAL 88 Lor 23 Geylang www.gfaglobal.com GRAFUNKT #04-01 to 06 Funan Mall 107 North Bridge Road Tel: 6336-6046 www.grafunkt.com HERMES www.hermes.com IKEA www.ikea.com JOURNEY EAST…

We are in the last few weeks of 2020 – where hath the year gone? The last months have been both too fast and too slow. Days bled into one another as we lost that work-life and home-life routine subconsciously depended on to mark the passing of time. The year 2020 has been raging water that tossing everyone’s proverbial boat and, no, we haven’t all been in the same boat. The sampans have been more in peril than the catamarans. Can you remember the few weeks leading up to the circuit breaker, when Instagram and Facebook were flooded with bingo cards of the things one does during a pandemic? From making Dalgona coffee and sourdough bread to hoarding plants and joining TikTok, you were supposed to be productive during the…

Concrete has long been associated with brutalism – not so much with softness and poetry. British lighting brand Astro has achieved the feat of creating poetically minimalist lighting objects using concrete! The Eclipse wall light collection comprises a smooth disc or a square that appears to float, eclipsing the LED light bulb and creating a soft glow that blends into its surrounding just like its celestial event namesake. Each Eclipse product is made of concrete that’s been combined with weatherproof additives, resulting in a durable and robust product with natural imperfections that lends an artisanal dimension. To clean the disc, rinse with water and gently brush. Astro products are distributed in Singapore by Genesis Lighting, Lim Kim Hai, Koizumi, Lightimage, Luxlight and Made & Make, price upon request. Visit www.astrolightingcom…

After receiving a warm welcome in the lobby on the mainland, guests of Six Senses Krabey Island, which opened in March this year, take a boat to their final destination. Located on a 12-ha property on Krabey Island, a Cambodian escape in the Gulf of Thailand, the hotel offers sublime views as the coast and tropical landscape invite visitors to relax in a peaceful atmosphere. Sustainable materials and modern technology were used at the resort to provide comfort while focusing on preserving the exceptional surroundings. Ranging from 77 sq m to 118 sq m, the resort’s 40 villas feature green roofs, private pools, outdoor showers and terraces ideal for sunbathing and dining while enjoying the beautiful panorama. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows, timber floors and furniture, as well as concrete walls are…

SKY FORESTS Architect and urban planner Stefano Boeri, the mastermind behind Milan’s famous forested high-rise Bosco Verticale, is tackling climate change via sustainable skyscrapers that invite nature into the heart of the city. Writer Y-JEAN MUN-DELSALLE finds out how his works represent the development of a new generation of urban architecture to combat the pressing issue of climate change in a revolutionary manner. Stefano Boeri wants to bring living nature into the homes of city dwellers. “It’s different concept altogether,” the Italian architect says. “We have to imagine a kind of double simultaneous movement: one being the movement of citizens in the direction of the forest because it needs us to protect and maintain it, and the second, the movement of trees in the direction of the city.” He elaborates:…

The story of how homeowners find their dream home is like a romance. Some are a torrid, love at first sight affair, while others are a slow burn, multi-volume series where love is cultivated through the process of getting to know one another and uncovering each other’s potential. Well, it wasn’t love at first sight when Francis Dorai and Michele Minjoot saw this 22-year-old condominium apartment unit in the East Coast area. “The size was right, but the layout was just bizarre,” shares Michele. It had four bedrooms and five bathrooms, one of which cut into the living space. “And the kitchen was this small, sad triangular space, which was a let-down since we both cook and I had a massive kitchen in our previous home,” adds Francis. They lived…

Festivities may be limited this season, but that doesn’t mean we have to forego gift-giving. This year, why not consider doing your gift shopping with local artisans? These not only make for unique and thoughtful presents, but also help to support the local economy and arts scene, which have been hit hard by the pandemic this year. We’ve rounded up 12 of our favourite artisans to shop from. There’s something for everyone, whether your intended recipient is a foodie, nature lover, or crafter. Most of these gifts can be easily mailed or delivered, so you can make sure your recipient gets them even if you can’t meet them in person. PERSONALISED HOME DECOR For personalised decor, look no further than Urban Li’l. They’re able to craft just about anything from…

The end-of-year festive season in 2020 might look a little different to the previous years, thanks to the pandemic. It will be smaller, more intimate and more well-considered, as spending moments with your loved ones becomes an event in and of itself. So this December, we’ve selected the rich maroon shade to spice your interior and inject some warmth. “This bold colour would suit designs leaning towards the classic contemporary look,” says Wong Liangyuan, colour specialist at Haven Lifestyle. “As wine red or maroon is a deeper colour that can feel overwhelming, I would use it in larger interiors like the living room or the kitchen, and for parts of the home where there is much activity because this is a stimulating colour. If you want this colour in smaller…

In a world where interaction and sensory play have been severely curtailed by the pandemic, office furniture brand Okamura’s new showroom in Cecil Street is indeed a refreshing experience. More of a communal playground than a traditional showroom, it invites visitors to rethink their relationship with furniture via imaginative installations. The most striking, of course, is the 7m-high multi-storey chair vending machine that greets visitors at the entrance. The concept cleverly utilises vertical space to display Okamura’s award-winning products as well as embodies an essential aspect of modern Japanese culture where vending machines are part of daily living. Visitors simply select a product to view and it’s brought to them, recreating joy from the anticipatory childhood experience of buying something from a vending machine. Here’s your chance to also check…

Liuzhou Forest City Housing 30,000 inhabitants, the 175ha city in southern China proposes offices, houses, hotels, hospitals and schools covered by 40,000 trees and 1 million plants of more than 100 different species. Tirana 2030 Stefano is developing the most far-reaching national and territorial urban reform in Albania of the last 25 years that aims to redefine its capital as a new metropolitan city. The general local and master plans include a continuous orbital forest system around the city, ecological corridors, a redesigned urban mobility system, a vertical forest, a mixed-use building in the Blloku district and a school. Cairo Vertical Forest Stefano’s first in Africa will comprise three green cubes – a hotel and two apartment blocks. The project aims to make Cairo the first North African metropolis to…

When I was first appointed to direct the Singapore Archifest 2020, I envisioned a lot of parties at which I would shake hands with some of my architecture idols from around the world and mingle with old-time colleagues and new friends over the buffet table during a coffee break. Then, everything that we took for granted in a typical festival suddenly became so distant since February. Indeed, the biggest challenge was the constantly evolving situation and the ever-changing rules from the authorities. With so many uncertainties during the first half of the year, we were unable to plan how many people could gather physically and how we could pull off a virtual festival for the first time (Zoom was almost unheard of earlier this year!). And what if we planned…

GREYSCALE HACK While the trend in previous years was about evoking a sense of wellbeing and fulfillment, also known as the Danish term Hygge, the decorating style this year takes on a darker tone albeit still injecting the same sense of cosiness. You can perfect a greyscale colour theme by layering the hues, and adding hints of other warm notes for greater impact. “THIS IS THE POWER OF GATHERING: IT INSPIRES US, DELIGHTFULLY, TO BE MORE HOPEFUL, MORE JOYFUL, MORE THOUGHTFUL: IN A WORD, MORE ALIVE.” ALICE WATERS, CHEF & RESTAURATEUR MAKE IT INTIMATE A small gathering of family and friends can be more meaningful than inviting everyone over at the same time. Have fun setting the table for a group of four or five by making use of the…

Potluck parties and house gatherings are definitely the call of this festive season. If just thinking of how you’re going to feed your guests is proving to be unnerving, chances are you’ll be as thankful as we are for the variety of smart kitchen appliances these days. And the best part? You don’t need the latest cooking range or state-of-the-art oven to show off those culinary skills. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned chef, here’s our round-up of plug and play cooking appliances to help you get the job done – no installation required. BOSCH ERGOMIXX VACUUM HAND BLENDER (MS6CB61V5) Helping to make Christmas food prep easier is the ErgoMixx Vacuum Hand Blender as chop up and blends even the toughest of ingredients with its 1,000-watt motor and QuattroBlade.…

There’s no denying that the year of 2020 has wrought several changes in our lifestyle and general outlook. While some of these changes have limited our movement and freedom to a certain extent, let’s look on the bright side: they’ve also forced us to focus on the things that really matter. And that’s what we’re going into 2021 with – an emphasis on sustainability, hygiene, and an appreciation of simple beauty. Here’s our take on what’s going to be hot in the upcoming year. STONE COMPOSITE SURFACES Also called engineered stone, composite stone countertops look very much like their natural counterparts, but are in fact compressed slabs. These usually stand up well to the test of time, since their non-porosity makes them stain- and mould-resistant (read: easier cleanups). We like…

Great news for all HDB flat landlords! Currently, flat owners applying to rent out their flat or bedroom(s) to non-Malaysian foreigners or non-Singaporeans can only do so for a maximum of 18 months. From Jan 1, 2019, this was increased to 2 years, to give flat owners greater flexibility in securing a longer tenancy period. The current maximum tenancy period for tenants who are Singapore citizens and/or Malaysians remains unchanged at three years.…

ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS ACORN #02-09 512 Chai Chee Lane Tel: 6445-6144 www.acornceilingfan.com BRANDT ASIA #02-51/52 Oxley Bizhub 65 Ubi Road One Tel: 6508-4639 www.brandt.sg EFENZ CEILING FAN #06-01 1 Kallang Way 2A Tel: 6747-2742 www.efenz.com.sg ELECTROLUX S.E.A. #07-10 Galaxis 1 Fusionopolis Place Tel: 6727-3699 www.electrolux.com.sg FISHER & PAYKEL #03-01A Ubi Biz Hub 150 Ubi Avenue 4 Tel: 6547-0100 www.fisherpaykel.com/sg FURNITURE, APPLIANCES & FURNISHINGS HARVEY NORMAN #01-59 to 63 Millenia Walk Tel: 6311-9988 www.harveynorman.com.sg FURNITURE & FURNISHINGS HOME 2 U GALLERY #02-719/720 Suntec City Tower 4 Tel: 6737-7838 MUJI #02-198 Vivocity Tel: 6376-8023 www.muji.com/sg ROCHE BOBOIS #01-02 Boon Siew Building 75 Bukit Timah Tel: 6513-1918 www.roche-bobois.com SCANTEAK 60 Sungei Kadut Drive www.scanteak.com.sg SPACE FURNITURE 77 Bencoolen Street www.spacefurniture.com.sg STAR LIVING 1 Pasir Panjang Road Tel: 6273-2522 www.starliving.com.sg XZQT #01-05 8 Pandan…