Tatler Homes Singapore October 2021

“A thing of beauty is a joy forever”, wrote the Romantic poet John Keats in the poem, Endymion. And indeed, the happiness that a cherished painting or vintage chair can bring certainly fuels the growth of our personal collections, with these beloved creations often taking pride of place in our homes. In this issue, we celebrate the intersection of art, architecture and interior design, and see how it informs and elevates our spaces. Our Style section features interviews with multi-hyphenates including Japanese architect Naoto Fukasawa, Vancouver-based talent Omer Arbel, as well as Belgian hotel designer Jean-Michel Gathy; we also offer practical tips on how to make art the focal point of your abode (page 76). One of my favourite stories in this issue discusses the built legacy of Singapore’s modern…

MELISSA TWIGG Melissa is a freelance journalist who returned to London after years of geographical commitment phobia, moving between Paris, Cape Town and Hong Kong. She has written guidebooks on Cape Town and Hong Kong, and is currently working on her first novel; she also enjoys speaking to designers about the beautiful interiors they have crafted. Recently, she interviewed Cape Town-based practice SAOTA on a striking house in Moscow (page 164); she also discusses the design of a summery holiday abode by SBP Homes and Pembrooke & Ives (page 174). DAN STAPLETON Dan is an accomplished journalist who has lived in Oxford, New York and Melbourne. Now based in Sydney, he uses the networks he has developed around the world to report on the latest developments in design, art, fashion…

BALANCING ACT Add artistic flair to your abode with the Natuzzi Italia Frost table collection by Claudio Bellini, which features striking, sculptural forms loosely inspired by the sight of dew drops on the petals of flowers in bloom. Comprising a playful mix of geometric shapes, the tables are crafted with super-clear tempered glass and Fossena stone. Available at Da Vinci; davincilifestyle.com INSTANT CLASSICS The Gubi Private collection by Space Copenhagen epitomises simplicity. “We found inspiration in the beauty of vintage Japanese storage and display furniture—the defining detail for each piece is a Japanese wood joint,” say Space Copenhagen co-founders Peter Bundgaard Rützou and Signe Bindslev Henriksen. The Private Vitrine is an elegant example of this; the glass cabinet features a wooden frame in either a dark or light oak veneer…

DECO DRAMA “Small entryways can look stylish, but keep them free of clutter,” says Boh. Ensure a chic yet neat foyer with cabinets such as the Quant sideboard. With a depth of 40cm and an art deco-influenced design on its doors, it makes a beautifully functional addition to compact spaces. “The textured geometric motifs make the overall look of the sideboard more interesting,” says Boh. PETITE WONDER A small side table is perfect for foyers with very tight corners. Crafted with electroplated stainless steel, the Zest table features a sculptural form and is available in various sizes and finishes. Choose from a gold, rose gold, silver or gunmetal finish to match the look of your interior scheme. BETWEEN THE LINES A sleek console such as the Davey is another top…

“I’ve always liked American painter Chuck Close’s saying: ‘Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just show up and get to work’,” quips Frank Leung, the founder of Hong Kong-based studio Via. Founded in 2009, the firm’s name signifies “a process, journey and transition”, as well as its collaborative culture with creative types and craftsmen across disciplines. Via has since amassed an extensive portfolio of commercial, hospitality and residential clients, and clinched multiple awards and global recognition along the way. Here, the arbiter of taste picks out the pieces that have caught his eye recently. YUET TUNG TABLEWARE “Yuet Tung is the only surviving ceramics factory in Hong Kong specialising in hand-painted porcelain ware; it has been around since 1928,” says Leung. “One of my favourites is the plum…

“Designers must constantly imagine the future—having a passion for design means being able to be constantly drawn towards an endless future of possibilities that can make life better and more exciting,” says Terrence Quah, co-founder of design firm Architology Interiors. Quah and fellow co-founder Bu Shu Kun lead the local design firm with a creative philosophy that celebrates “boldness, purity, elegance, and liveability”; the practice works on hospitality and other commercial projects as well as luxurious private homes. Architology Interiors is currently working on several projects, including a house with a lighting concept influenced by the work of American artist James Turrell. Here, Quah shares more about how to improve your home office. What are some of the essential elements in designing a workspace? Make sure you have access to…