Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2021 i Home & Decor

Ikea x Livspace Traditionally, Ikea is all about DIY, but its Singapore consumers love paying professionals for holistic services. Seeing the opportunity, Ikea Singapore has launched the Ikea x Livspace Planning & Renovation Studio at Jurong Point. Modelled after a three-room HDB flat, the 65 sq m studio offers a range of packages with renovation and construction services, Ikea furniture, furnishings and In-store technology for personalised interiors, changing products and styles to bring their dream homes to life. The studio is located at Jurong Point, #01-29C/D. Visit www.ikea.com for more information. Courts at The Heeren Courts Singapore will be opening a six-storey flagship store at The Heeren ormerly occupied by Robinsons. Slated for Q1 of 2022, the flagship will be Courts’ larges. It will introduce new retail concepts and deliver…

Founded in 1955 in Aarhus, Danish furniture label Wendelbo is one of those boutique brands that is prestigiously Scandinavian and affordable. Currently managed by the third generation of its founding family, Wendelbo has long preferred to distribute its products globally via a network of trusted retailers. So, it says something when it trusts local furniture retailer Made & Make to open a mono-brand showroom late last year. Occupying a 250 sq m retail space at a mid-century industrial building in Genting Road, Wendelbo by Made & Make is the brand’s first dedicated store outside Denmark. “We like the space because it has great natural light coming in through large glass windows on its two sides,” says Made & Make founder Erricson Wong, whose Made & Make store is on level…

There are few places on earth where you immediately feel a sense of wonder from exposure to the natural landscape. Designated a Unesco Global Geopark in 2015, Blue Lagoon in Iceland is one of them. And now it has another attraction. Located 45 minutes from Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital on Reykjanes Peninsula, The Retreat at Blue Lagoon Iceland opened its doors in 2018. It has an underground spa, a geothermal lagoon, three restaurants, including one focusing on Iceland’s culinary traditions, and a 62-suite hotel. Designed by Sigriour Sigþorsdottir, the founder and lead architect of Basalt Architects, who spent time exploring the lava fields before determining the best site, it highlights the fascinating landscape and the revitalising powers of geothermal seawater, renowned for its healing and rejuvenating properties. One of the main…

“LIVING DIVANI’S PERSONALITY CAN BE SUMMED UP AS QUIET ELEGANCE. OUR GOAL IS TO CREATE A HIGH-QUALITY LIVING ENVIRONMENT, OPEN TO CUSTOMISATION AND CLOSE TO EACH CUSTOMER’S DESIRES.”– CAROLA BESTETTI, LIVING DIVANI Last year, Space Furniture unveiled a showcase curated by Italian furniture brand Living Divani called The Architects Apartment that presents its extensive furniture offerings in aspirational settings. Founded in 1969, the brand has grown from a humble family business into an award-winning global name. Creatively directed by design maestro Piero Lissoni since 1988, Living Divani is most proud of its timeless designs that exude a quiet elegance. Its products can be harmoniously mixed and matched regardless of when individual pieces were produced. It also boasts a large number of products designed by Singaporean designers. We ask Carola Bestetti…

BRAVE GROUND “BRAVE GROUND FITS ALL AREAS OF THE HOUSE AND CHANGES APPEARANCE ACCORDING TO THE LIGHT AND THE COLOUR IT IS COMBINED WITH.” – OSCAR WEZENBEEK, AKZONOBEL Described as a warm, natural and neutral shade that reconnects us to nature and the simple things, Brave Ground from Dulux’s Colour Futures 2021 is its Colour of the Year. It chose this shade after months of working with paint company AkzoNobel, trend forecasters, design specialists, editors and architects from across the globe. “Empowering and earthy, the colour provides a firm foundation for living,” says Oscar Wezenbeek, managing director of AkzoNobel Decorative Paints in South-East & South Asia, about the psychological effect of the colour. “Evoking a sense of security, growth and potential, it helps create environments that give us the courage…

Singaporeans sleep on average 6.7 hours on weekdays and 7.5 hours on weekends, says a study released in March 2020 by health technology company Royal Philips. While the combined average of 6.9 hours a day almost hit the universally recommended sleep time of 7 to 9 hours per day, the study also revealed that 49 per cent of the respondents are not satisfied with the quality of their sleep, and only 6 out of 10 understand what prevents them from getting a good night’s sleep. Insomnia has also emerged as one of the pandemic’s prevalent side effects, thanks to the changing structure of our workday, which we imagine would considerably influence the 2021 sleep quality statistics. Approaching a better sleep via your five senses – sight, smell, sound, touch and…

“Singapore residential property market remains resilient despite downturn.” “HDB resale prices up for the fifth straight month in November 2020.” “Number of HDB resale flats sold for at least $1m hits new high, 72 in first 11 months of 2020.” Never mind the pandemic. Judging from these online news headlines, the local property market seems to be buzzing. It defies all logic. Isn’t the global economic crisis causing companies to close and people to lose their jobs or take pay cuts? If you’re a homebuyer hoping for HDB resale flat prices to head south, here are three reasons why this may not happen any time soon. 1. COVID-19 MAY HAVE UNWITTINGLY PUSHED SOME OF THE DEMAND FROM BTO TO THE RESALE MARKET Covid-19 brought all construction projects to a temporary…

STONE STACKS What: A solo exhibition of Stefanie Hauger When: Until 15 February 2021 Where: APS Building level 4, 9 Muthuraman Chetty Road Presented by Miaja Art Collections, Stone Stacks is a solo exhibition of Stefanie Hauger, artist and founder of lifestyle emporium Vanilla Home. The exhibition showcases Stefanie’s oil paintings that reflect the artist’s tumultuous 10 years, featuring energetic colours and intertwining brushstrokes that express emotional intoxication, aiming to visualise fragility and inspire a catharsis.…

Bali-based Tjokorda Bagus Wiratmaja is known for bold paintings with fearless colour exploration. His canvases are textured, as he layers colour on colour and sometimes uses elements such as sand and pigment powder to achieve uniquely dense surfaces. His pieces are inspired by daily lives, and explore the complexities and simplicity of nature by creating abstract works where animals seem to appear or disappear. Visit www.odetoart.comfor more information.…

Occupying a 550 sq ft unit in B2 at 313@ somerset, homegrown fragrance brand SIX’s new boutique could be mistaken for a chic restaurant, thanks to its sandstone-pink interior, sculptural tables and hip bar stools. While it doesn’t serve food, it does offer a rich, multisensorial experience that soothes our other senses. Designed by multidisciplinary artists Clara Yee and Gerald Low of creative studio In The Wild, its interior promotes wellness through a combination of scents, artworks, textures and colours that give it a spa-like ambience that serves as a sanctuary away from the mall. SIX founder Jason Lee says, “We invite guests to escape the mall, to unwind and to just be in the moment.” “It is meant to soothe the senses,” adds Clara. “The space references the contours…

Running from mid-December 2020 to early January 2021, Visions of The Future: Design in a Pandemic State of Mind was the first live exhibition held at the National Design Centre since the Covid-19 restrictions were eased. Eight emerging local talents presented design concepts that thoughtfully reimagined the new normal and addressed how design can help us thrive in a challenging time. One of these concepts was Mass Production of Happiness, a curious glass apparatus multidisciplinary designer Yingxuan Teo invented to produce soap at home. HOW DID MASS PRODUCTION OF HAPPINESS COME TO BE? It was my graduation project at Design Academy Eindhoven in 2018. The school gave me the freedom to shape my design brief and to express who I was as a designer. My project addresses three issues: a…

Mention a seaside home, and one might think of a little cottage by the beach. Well, the stately Naples Residence, an oceanside vacation home in Florida, is a far cry from that rustic image. Built by the homeowners, the sprawling 30,000 sq ft home exudes coastal charm while retaining a sense of regal grandeur. Before New York-based Champalimaud Design took over, the residence had been cluttered with a jumble of colours that distracted the eye and took attention away from important design elements. In its redesign, the goal was to create a streamlined, single narrative that would unify the character of the Mediterranean-inspired architectural elements and the cherished objects the owners have gathered over the years. The entire home enjoys sweeping panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico from generous…

Does feng shui in the bedroom really matter? We’ve all had varying advice, including sleeping in a particular direction or placing different objects in the room, to ensure the smooth flow of qi or material energy. Some even believe this has far-reaching consequences on our lives and even marriage. We consulted Joey Yap, a renowned feng shui master and founder of the Mastery Academy of Chinese Metaphysics, for his advice and most of his answers surprised us. For instance, most of what we think we know about bedroom feng shui is outdated and even a touch pedantic. According to Joey, “Not every little thing requires a feng shui element.” Instead, he offers sensible, practical tips rooted in common sense and the psychology of rest. KEEP YOUR BEDROOM TIDY “It’s not…

We all know the importance of investing in a quality mattress and the right bedtime routine. But what about smart products that promise better sleep? With a soothing, restful ambience created with the right lighting cleaner air, an adjustable bed and more, you won’t need to count sheep anymore. You can even control everything via your smartphone, so leaving the warmth and comfort of your bed to switch off the lights is no longer necessary. INVEST IN A GREAT BED Since one size doesn’t necessarily fit everyone, some of the newer beds allow you to adjust your sleeping or resting position for maximum comfort. WOOSA ADJUSTABLE BED BASE Designed for convenience and powered by silent German-made motors, the Woosa Adjustable Bed Base not only reclines and adjusts to angles but…

UPHOLSTERED BED Ideally, we spend a third of our lives in bed, so it’s only prudent to invest in a well-designed bed. These beds feature beautifully upholstered bases that lend tactility to both the bedroom interior and the experience of sleeping. HIDDEN LUXURY Cosentino has collaborated with Dutch designer Remy Meijers to create freestanding sculptural sink Dekton Scondido. Inspired by the idea of water that springs forth from a block of stone, Scondido features a brushed brass spout from Dornbracht and two hidden side drawers. Its ribbed surface is finished with Dekton Laurent, which features a brown-grey base with striking copper veins. Dekton Scondido is available to custom order from $2,500 depending on the final specs. Call 6713 9543 or email csea@cosentino.com for more information. Shopping for a desk to…

No stranger to the local design scene, Air Furniture is back with two new showrooms at Tan Boon Liat Building following a three-year hiatus. The brand closed its former Sophia Road showroom in 2017 to focus on creating new designs and expanding into the international market. This time around, homeowners will be glad to know that its second incarnation is even bigger and better than before. Located on the second and fifth levels of Tan Boon Liat Building, the new showrooms have the same brightly-lit, minimalist-chic appeal as before. Set against brick and clay walls, the sleek lines and natural beauty of the furniture shine through. You’ll be able to check out the pieces in various settings as the floor, spanning more than 6,000 sq ft, is sectioned into intimate…

Located next to the picturesque village of La Garde-Freinet and 30 minutes from the stylish town of Saint-Tropez on the French Riviera, Ultimate Provence is much more than a 46ha vineyard known for its delicious Cote de Provence rose. Providing a complete experience, the wine estate also has a 15-room boutique hotel as well as vacation rentals in the form of six guest rooms, six studios and six family-style apartments that have all been designed by Monaco-based interior architecture firm Humbert & Poyet, founded by Paris-born Emil Humbert and Monaco-born Christophe Poyet in 2008. Tasked with creating a welcoming and refined urban setting far from the traditional style of a wine estate, the duo used their complementary skills to bring to life a timeless property while respecting the soul of…

ROPE RUG Old ship ropes are salvaged and blended with traditional weaving techniques to create a rug collection, thereby ensuring the livelihood of local recycling communities’ in Cebu in the Philippines. FAN LAMP Second-hand fans are purchased from junk shops and combined with traditional natural rattan hand-weaving techniques by local craftsmen to form an original table and hanging lamps. An initiative appropriated by its inhabitants, it counters Cebu’s large waste problem. WELL-DISTANCE-BEING In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Livable designed an hourglass-shaped rattan frame to be worn over the head and body to raise awareness for the need for social distancing. AYA COLLECTION A collaboration with furniture brand Vincent Sheppard, the graphic series of chairs, tables and shelves mixes age-old Indonesian craftsmanship with Belgian confection skills and uses sustainable rattan…

Homeowner Calvin Ho has moved places 10 times in the last 15 years. A businessman and a creative multi-hyphenate, he renovated the homes he lived in himself. ‘Quirky’, ‘unusual’ and ‘out-of-box’ are the words he uses to describe his design approach. “If someone walks into the space that I designed and doesn’t ask about or comment on it, I consider that a failure,” Calvin says. Calvin’s first home, which he designed himself, was an HDB flat fashioned in Antonio Gaudi’s style featured in Home & Decor more than a decade ago. “Everything was either angled, curved or decorated in that home. There was nothing that did not catch the eye,” he shares. It couldn’t be more different than his current home. Completed in February 2020, the two-bedroom HDB flat in…

For many of us, building a house in popular simulation game The Sims is a whimsical pursuit. For Night Owl Cinematics’ co-founder Ryan Tan, however, it was an exercise in practicality. He used the simulation and his floor plan to build his home to scale and walked his character through it to get a feel for the spatial flow. It was just one of several parts of the process that Ryan was involved in during the design and renovation of his two-storey penthouse near Seletar. Although he had engaged The Designer Inn to oversee the creative process, he firmly believes in being hands-on. “I decided to get the master bedroom done first so I could move in and be involved in the rest of renovation,” he shares. The finished look:…

“SOUNDPROOFING REFERS TO THE PREVENTION OF SOUND TRANSMISSION FROM ONE SPACE TO ANOTHER, LIKE THE DIN OF ROADWORKS WHILE YOU’RE INDOORS.”- EDRIC HWANG, EHKA F Sound isn’t something that often comes up when we talk about designing and renovating. We tend to focus on the aesthetics first, but it’s an essential element – especially when we’re living and working in the same place. Letting the sound of traffic disrupt your sleep or having neighbours complain about the volume of the TV while you’re watching Netflix late at night are not situations anyone looks forward to. That’s why it’s essential to plan for soundproofing and room acoustics – especially if you live near a busy road or close to others in a dense residential area. Yes, there is a difference between…