Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2023 i Home & Decor

I had a heart-to-heart talk with my mother last weekend, while we were working on perfecting my grandmother’s chicken stew. The stew warmed the proverbial cockles of our hearts, alas, it was also one of those recipes she kept close to her heart and on to her grave. None of us knew exactly how or what went into her secret recipe and to date, neither of us have successfully recreated that unique taste. At our wits end, we decided to band together to crack our heads into decoding grandma’s time-honoured stew. It was in between the swapping of ingredients and discussions on how best to mince the garlic, that I felt compelled to open up to my mother about living on my own in a house of my own. You…

Many believe that the kitchen is the heart of the home. A space where families and friends congregate over food and drink to enjoy the convivial joys of fellowship, the kitchen must reflect warmth and radiate with welcoming qualities. Where longevity is concerned, it is a matter of great importance that the kitchen is built to endure. After all, it literally has to take the heat! Chief among important considerations for kitchen surfaces is the aspect of durability. Some may even argue that a surface that lasts is more important than a surface that is pretty! But, what if we told you that you could have your cake and eat it too? What Is Micro-Cement? Micro-cement, also known as micro-topping or microconcrete is a building material that combines the strength…

The perfect slow Sunday afternoon is one where you drift off into a delightful snooze with the help of cloud-like support from a soft, mochi-like lounger. Now you can look forward to experiencing such an ultimate relaxation with the Yogibo beads sofa, also known as “the magic sofa that’s too comfortable to move”, at its first ever showroom located at the Suntec City shopping mall. The concept of the beads sofa was created and founded by Eyal Levy, in his attempt to help his pregnant wife to have a better sleep at night as she was unable to lie on her belly with her bump. With the beads sofa prototype, his wife was able to have a comfortable sleep, alleviating her pains and eliminating all pressure points. Since its launch…

STUDIOS, ARCHITECTS, AND DESIGNERS: Tarcisio Colzani, Marconato & Zappa, Opera Design, Giovanna Azzarello, Marelli&Molteni, Giuseppe Viganò, Gino Carollo, and Stefano Bigi. Porada has also recently welcomed David Dolcini into the design family. PORADA 2023 is a milestone for this Italian brand that marks its 75th anniversary. Porada, an internationally-known family-run brand is known for their enduring love for wood, excellent craftsmanship, and the quality of their products. They have since welcomed numerous designers into their family to design pieces that are unmistakably Porada. CIERRE Born in 1972 of Romano and Cesarina Conficconi’s vision for creating products of their own, the Cierre brand is one that has seen global renown through the years. The desire to design each piece to perfection has been passed down from one generation to another. It…

Social worker, Miss Chew, has been living in this four-room flat since 2004. She decided to do a major renovation as the 40-year-old flat was starting to show its age and timed it with HDB’s Home Improvement Programme. Ovon Design came highly-recommended by her brother and a good friend, whose homes were also designed by the home-grown practice. “There was actually no need to look any further for an interior designer, but just to satisfy myself, I scouted around for a bit and still ended up deciding to engage them,” she shares. Creative director, Raymond Soh, and interior architect, Max, approached the project by understanding the client’s lifestyle and preferences. As she lives with her SPCA rescue dog, they only require one bedroom, so a decision had to be made…

Located in the Parisian neighbourhood of Marais in the third arrondissement is an apartment belonging to a design entrepreneur and his family. Housed in a 17th century building, the project involved the combination of two apartments on the first and second storeys into one, with the first storey housing the reception and entertainment spaces and the bedrooms located on the second storey for greater privacy. Undertaken by the Monaco- and Paris-based design firm, Humbert & Poyet, co-founders Emil Humbert and Christophe Poyet wanted to create a timeless and elegant family home with a convivial ambience that is ideal for both family life and for entertaining guests. “For a family of design entrepreneurs, we also wanted it to be a place where art and design are part of the lifestyle,” say…

THE CONDITION OF YOUR SURFACE Because micro-cement cannot be used as a levelling material, it is important for you to prep your surfaces beforehand. Take this into consideration when factoring in your costs. YOUR CHOSEN SURFACE EXPERT Micro-cement may be fairly new to the renovation game, but most surface service providers will be more than happy to answer your questions. Set up a meeting, show them your space, and get talking! DESIGN AND STYLE Because micro-cement can be applied several ways to create different textures and designs, it’s important for you to think of how this can jive with your existing space. COMPATIBILITY WITH OTHER MATERIALS Similarly, consider your preexisting space, its furnishings, and their design. Consider how they might play off microcement surfaces to give you the home aesthetic…

BARE ESSENTIALS Do you really need extra storage space above your head in the kitchen? Think about it, because overhead storage is seldom accessed and things you put there are barely used. When planning a kitchen, sometimes less is more when it comes to usable storage compartments. SHOW & TELL Having bulky storage cabinets overhead your sink area blocks out the light and makes your counter look darker. Instead, consider transforming the space into a simple display space for enhancing the ambiance of a room. MONOCOT STUDIO Instead of creating a long stretch of cabinets along the counter, the team from Monocot Studio created a hanging shelf and ledge in this kitchen, allowing the other design elements to stand out. You can do the same if you are planning for…

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Considered by art historians as the finest example of Chinese blue-green landscape painting, A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains by 12th-Century artist Wang Ximeng is considered to be one of the nation’s prized cultural treasures. While the painting may be the artist’s only surviving work, Ximeng’s legacy can now find an extension through Yanbai Villa, which boasts a unique design inspired by Ximeng’s creation. Designed by Singapore-based Wimberly Interiors (the interior design studio of the global, industry-leading hospitality and destination design firm WATG), Yanbai Villa in Beijing offers the perfect spot for those in search of solace, a luxurious sanctuary of peace and immersive one-of-a-kind experiences. Working alongside renowned Chinese architect and Pritzker Architecture Prize winner, Wang Shu of Amateur Architecture Studio, the team studied Wang Ximeng’s unique ability…

The dining area "We opted for a vastly open concept in the living and kitchen areas," says Lynnie. The plan was for a light and airy ambience, and an open kitchen would serve that goal. By doing so, they were also to locate the dining table close to the kitchen so that the dining area and kitchen blend within one space. Storage units clad in the same woodgrain laminates surround the dining table in the middle. The kitchen Although the kitchen was in relatively good condition, one of the things they did was replace the finishes in the kitchen with neutral flooring and backsplash to accompany the kitchen cabinets in woodgrain laminates. All-wood kitchen cabinets run the risk of looking heavy. The design team installed a fluted glass door to…

Banker, Shaun Lee and eatery owner, Andrea Tang viewed 50 properties before purchasing this four-room resale unit at Bukit Purmei Road. The couple knew it was the one because of the Mount Faber views and interestingly, the original, 40-year-old pink marble flooring. They had some specific requirements in their brief. Apart from retaining the existing pink marble flooring, they wanted an open plan that would maximise natural lighting and cross-ventilation within the long and narrow flat. Other requirements included an enlarged master bedroom with separate sleeping and walk-in wardrobe areas, a bathtub in the master bathroom, a multi-purpose guest room that can also double up as a storage, exercise and mahjong area, an enclosed kitchen and a modern Guanyin altar. As Shaun is into pottery, Andrea is an avid reader…

In the modern kitchen, innovation takes centre stage, transforming how we cook, interact, and create culinary delights. One innovation that will thrill home cooks of all skill levels is the Bosch Series 8 Induction Hob with an integrated ventilation system (model PXX875D67E) that requires 7400W. This engineering marvel is more than just a cooking appliance, it’s a culinary innovation that combines precision, flexibility, and convenience like never before. FREEDOM FRIES Imagine a cooking surface that adapts to your every culinary whim, regardless of pot size or placement. The Bosch Series 8 Induction Hob offers an expansive 80cm cooking area, simultaneously accommodating up to 4 pots or pans. It also boasts two Flex zones, each spanning 40cm, providing a versatile canvas for your cookware. Say goodbye to the rigid confines of…

Beyond just a plain practical fixture, the kitchen sink holds the vital task of upkeeping the kitchen in a clean and functional state on a daily basis for food preparation and cooking. A right-sized kitchen sink is one that meets the household’s expected usage, as you would want to avoid having a sink that is too small to fit the pots and dishes. Aside from the myriad material, colour, and configuration choices of a kitchen sink, it is also important to consider durability, functionality, and the accompanying sink accessories to best maximise the possibilities of the sink. Here are 10 different types of kitchen sinks to scrub the dishes in style. SINK WITH DISHWASHER FRANKE Sink Dishwasher Double Bowl FSDW50-01BG Dishwashers are a dream come true for modern kitchens and…

GAMER BARBIE DREAMS The world is abuzz with candyfloss pink following the incredible success of Greta Gerwig’s iconic Barbie movie! Bring your very own Barbie dreams to life with Secretlab’s tasteful designs. The TITAN Evo Plush Pink Chair is the perfect addition, be it to a chic workspace or an unapologetically blush-hued gaming rig. Imbued with ergonomic design, the chair marries a proprietary pebble seat base with SoftWeave Plus Fabric for optimal support, durability, and comfort - with unique style. The TITAN Evo Plush Pink Chair starts from $649. Orders can be placed on www.secretlab.sg A MAGICAL CULINARY ADVENTURE Ikea’s new Tabberas collection is set to bring sunshine and cheerfulness into your kitchen! From magical colour-changing oven gloves and coasters to playfully-designed cotton tea towels, the collection lends fabulous, fruity…

From inconspicuous application fees to renovation expenses, explore the aspects you might have unwittingly disregarded in your property procurement journey whether it is for procuring a HDB flat or private property in order to safeguard your budget from unforeseen strain. UPFRONT COSTS “Upfront costs” refer to the initial expenses or payments that are required at the beginning of a process or transaction. In the context of property purchase, upfront costs would include the immediate expenses that need to be paid when buying a property, such as the down payment, stamp duties, legal fees, and other initial charges. These costs are typically paid at the outset of the transaction. • Application Fee (HDB only) The primary payment upon purchasing an HDB flat is the application fee, which varies based on the…

Since emerging as the first runner-up in the second season of Singapore Idol in 2006, Jonathan Leong has been leading quite the exciting life. He graduated from university, played the lead role in the original theatre production, Voyage De La Vie, released a solo album, embarked on a career in finance and tied the knot with digital marketer, Jeneen Goh. After living in their matrimonial home for five years, the couple, both 41 years old, moved into their new home in August 2021 after renovations that took about five to six months and cost between $200,000 and $250,000 including furniture and furnishings. Jeneen self-designed the interior and engaged a good friend, who is a contractor, to manage the renovation works. “I have always been very into design. I have a…