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Houzz Tour: Old and New Meet in This 20-year-old Apartment
Existing furniture, artwork and books find a comfortable home in a new character-filled setting
Having lived in a rental unit next to this condo unit for two years, couple Sheraine and Matthias didn’t think twice about making an offer immediately upon hearing it was on the market. “They really loved the condo development for its spacious units, and its quiet, green and sought-after location,” shares Chlöe Elkerton, founder and director of E&A Interiors, who helmed the renovation. “They were desperate for a similar unit to come onto the market. When it did, they didn’t even look at the place, knowing it had good structure, as it is a ground floor unit with a huge outdoor terrace and a wonderful tropical view.”
The couple wasted no time looking for an interior designer upon purchasing. “It was 10 days before Christmas and we were super busy. I received a rather frantic call from the owner who was overseas, saying they urgently needed to get started in January and asked if we could take on the job. He even joked that I would have to cancel my Christmas plans to get the job done by April as their lease was up by end of March,” Elkerton shares. She knew that completing design, planning and construction by the deadline would be a challenge, but after meeting Sheraine the following day and looking around the rental place and the new apartment, the designer felt an instant connection with the owner. The next day, Matthias called Elkerton to confirm the deal. The rest, as they say, is history.
The couple wasted no time looking for an interior designer upon purchasing. “It was 10 days before Christmas and we were super busy. I received a rather frantic call from the owner who was overseas, saying they urgently needed to get started in January and asked if we could take on the job. He even joked that I would have to cancel my Christmas plans to get the job done by April as their lease was up by end of March,” Elkerton shares. She knew that completing design, planning and construction by the deadline would be a challenge, but after meeting Sheraine the following day and looking around the rental place and the new apartment, the designer felt an instant connection with the owner. The next day, Matthias called Elkerton to confirm the deal. The rest, as they say, is history.
Layers of textures give the living room the eclectic and understated luxe feel that the clients wanted. “The combination of brass, mirror and marble works well with natural finishes, such as the wood with linens and silk,” says Elkerton. Cushions in burnt orange Fez fabric by Guy Goodfellow enliven the chesterfield sofa. Custom cross-leg ottomans in woven silk from George Spencer and a vintage Moroccan Berber rug also add richness.
The previous owners had lowered the ceiling height considerably and Elkerton wanted to reinstate the original height. “To add an element of grandness, we proposed an interesting stepped ceiling design inspired by a Parisian apartment I love featured in a Vogue Living magazine.”
Existing sliding doors were replaced with white bifold doors, to bring in more light and enhance the spaciousness. This naturally led to the outdoor terrace becoming the dining area. The owners’ existing teak dining table has been paired with new Wishbone chairs.
The previous owners had lowered the ceiling height considerably and Elkerton wanted to reinstate the original height. “To add an element of grandness, we proposed an interesting stepped ceiling design inspired by a Parisian apartment I love featured in a Vogue Living magazine.”
Existing sliding doors were replaced with white bifold doors, to bring in more light and enhance the spaciousness. This naturally led to the outdoor terrace becoming the dining area. The owners’ existing teak dining table has been paired with new Wishbone chairs.
“As the family mainly use the outdoor terrace for dining, they wanted to create a breakfast counter and a bar area for entertaining, with a library space to display all their books and accessories,” says Elkerton. The designer found the perfect place for it in the former dining area.
A Mao portrait makes a dramatic statement against the built-in bookcase in the library. The custom cabinet displays the owners’ travel knick-knacks and book collection, and conceals their files and paperwork in the lower cabinets. “Again, the ceiling detail and sculptural bookcase lights add interest and character to what was a dark, lifeless and boring corner of the house,” says Elkerton.
“We designed a striking yet practical bar area wrapped in a stunning Breccia Capraia marble with outstanding purple veining. This is where we had some fun and made the space feel chic and glamorous with the addition of luxe mirror, brass pendant light, and marble finishes,” shares Elkerton.
The bar stools’ emerald green velvet contrasts stunningly against the purple tones of the marble counter.
A few steps away from the bar area is the enclosed kitchen. “Although the client likes to cook on weekends, she wanted to concentrate the budget on the main areas the family would be spending more time in, such as the living, outdoors, bedrooms and bathrooms,” says Elkerton.
Glossy white laminate was selected for a sleek and cost-effective look. The tinted mirror finish backsplash echoes the reflective element from the bar area. A marble-like solid surface countertop and woodgrain tiles kept the cost down and add warmth to the space.
Glossy white laminate was selected for a sleek and cost-effective look. The tinted mirror finish backsplash echoes the reflective element from the bar area. A marble-like solid surface countertop and woodgrain tiles kept the cost down and add warmth to the space.
“The bedroom previously had a small single casement window looking out to the balcony. We took this wall down and installed bifold doors to extend the room to the outdoors, making the space look bigger and brighter,” says Elkerton. With the visual connection to the outdoors, the bedroom now exudes a calm and relaxed feel.
The outdoor lounge area by the master bedroom is a beauty in black and white. The client had seen a Moroccan-inspired outdoor area by English interior designer and TV personality Martyn Lawrence Bullard and loved it. “So we went with a classic black and white theme, which pops beautifully against the greenery and white built-in custom seating,” says Elkerton. The sculptural Malawi chairs were paired with a custom coffee table in a geometric design.
“This is the client’s favourite space and many evenings have been spent relaxing here,” she adds.
“This is the client’s favourite space and many evenings have been spent relaxing here,” she adds.
“The original bedroom itself was of a good size, so we were able to divide it and add a walk-in closet. We created a partition wall with modern panelling for the bed to sit against, which gave the room interest and character,” says Elkerton.
The walk-in closet includes a vanity area. The open clothes and shoe storage system, coupled with drawers, makes for a clean and crisp look.
The previously dark and dingy master bathroom was transformed into a luxurious haven. The owner wanted to incorporate a freestanding bathtub and double sinks, a request gladly heeded by the designer.
“We proposed a herringbone pattern for the flooring in classic black and white marble, which gave the space the wow factor she was after,” says Elkerton. Glossy white laminate carpentry and Volakas marble vanity highlight the pristine ambience. A statement vintage mirror and brass wall lights complete the look.
“We proposed a herringbone pattern for the flooring in classic black and white marble, which gave the space the wow factor she was after,” says Elkerton. Glossy white laminate carpentry and Volakas marble vanity highlight the pristine ambience. A statement vintage mirror and brass wall lights complete the look.
The teenage son’s room is a vibrant space that can grow with him. “His only requirement was a scheme of classic blue and white with pops of colour for accessories that could be changed as he grows, and a space to display his Lego,” says Elkerton.
Initially, the son wasn’t sold on the idea of wallpaper, so the design team decided to do just one wall. “Once installed, he loved it,” shares Elkerton. “This geometric pattern from Serena & Lily gives character to the plain walls of this boxy bedroom.”
To balance the array of patterns, his study area was kept clean in white laminate.
Initially, the son wasn’t sold on the idea of wallpaper, so the design team decided to do just one wall. “Once installed, he loved it,” shares Elkerton. “This geometric pattern from Serena & Lily gives character to the plain walls of this boxy bedroom.”
To balance the array of patterns, his study area was kept clean in white laminate.
Bold and playful elements – a vibrant Moroccan Berber rug, fabrics from Quercus and Missoni, and spray-painted Bamboo chair and side table – make fun yet sophisticated inclusions for the teen.
TELL US
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TELL US
What is your favourite feature in this home? Share in the Comments below.
Who lives here: Singaporean wife Sheraine and German husband Matthias, a professional and well-travelled couple in their 40s, and their teenage son
Location: Holland area
Size: 1,800 square feet (167 square metres)
Project duration: 6 months
The single-minded clients were very realistic and straightforward with a clear budget and targets. “They made well-informed decisions quickly and decisively and knew what they liked and what they didn’t, which definitely made the whole process easier and more seamless given their tight timeline,” says Elkerton. The couple travel extensively and hardly visited the apartment during the renovation, leaving the professionals to do their job.
The owners had amassed many pieces of furniture and artwork from their travels and previous homes which the designer had to curate for the new space. Among them: an antique Austrian cabinet that has been in Matthias’ family for years and a pair of Shanghai deco chairs from Hong Kong. The chairs were sprayed black and reupholstered in a Gaston y Daniela fabric. The Lady Portrait by Phuong Quoc blends seamlessly with the living area’s neutral palette.