Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Pastel Perfection for an Art-Loving Couple
An artistic couple created a mini art gallery in cool Scandinavian hues for a chilled-out home
When it was time to redesign this HDB 4-room flat in Ang Mo Kio, the homeowners sought to create a space to display their beloved modern art pieces.
Reaching out to the design team of Wilson Teng and Vandra Png at Studio FortyFour, the homeowners ended up with flexible, pastel-toned spaces for their art and collectibles.
“The couple really wanted to showcase the art books and collectibles that they had accumulated over the years,” explains Png. “They also needed sufficient storage for their shoe collection and they really wanted to hide the household shelter door.”
Reaching out to the design team of Wilson Teng and Vandra Png at Studio FortyFour, the homeowners ended up with flexible, pastel-toned spaces for their art and collectibles.
“The couple really wanted to showcase the art books and collectibles that they had accumulated over the years,” explains Png. “They also needed sufficient storage for their shoe collection and they really wanted to hide the household shelter door.”
A picture ledge along the living room wall allows for a changing display of art and objects.
Helga Philana Stool: HipVan; POPek statue by Polish-born artist Sebastian Burdon: Whatshisname
Helga Philana Stool: HipVan; POPek statue by Polish-born artist Sebastian Burdon: Whatshisname
The design team overcame the spatial issue by extending the kitchen into the entrance area. By creating a row of tall cabinets beside the main door that flows into the kitchen cabinets, the foyer now looks more spacious. The first three tall built-ins are dedicated to the homeowners’ shoes.
While the shoe cabinet and kitchen cabinet are in one continuous bank, they are also separate entities distinguished by the different type of laminate. A blonde laminate for the front end and a muted blue for the kitchen.
The designers used the same flooring (Collettiva Tortona Bianco Nat in Rice) for both spaces, making the connection even stronger.
The designers used the same flooring (Collettiva Tortona Bianco Nat in Rice) for both spaces, making the connection even stronger.
Using a woodgrain finish for the backsplash and countertop reinforces the link with the foyer.
Oceanic laminate: Lamitak; Rovere Asburgo countertop: EDL
Oceanic laminate: Lamitak; Rovere Asburgo countertop: EDL
The aim in the living and dining space was to make the area feel light and bright and to have spota for the couple to display their art and collectibles.
Sofa: Homestolife
Sofa: Homestolife
Another of the owners’ concerns was the unfortunate placement of the household shelter door.
Png explains: “The door is in living room which they found a real eyesore as it marred the ambience they were aiming for.”
After much discussion, they designed a sliding timber screen to screen it. The timber was chosen specifically to contrast with the couch and the team took a while to work out exactly how wide to make the laminate slats.
“It was important to perfect the proportions of the door,” says Png, “since it’s quite a big screen and would impact the whole feel of the entire space.”
Png explains: “The door is in living room which they found a real eyesore as it marred the ambience they were aiming for.”
After much discussion, they designed a sliding timber screen to screen it. The timber was chosen specifically to contrast with the couch and the team took a while to work out exactly how wide to make the laminate slats.
“It was important to perfect the proportions of the door,” says Png, “since it’s quite a big screen and would impact the whole feel of the entire space.”
Dining table: Grafunkt; Colos Piazza dining chairs: Inhabitant; Normann Copenhagen Block Table (trolley): Lifestorey
The master bedroom is a awash with dreamy blues – subtle duck egg blue walls, powder blue bedhead, steely blue wardrobe doors and even an icy blue dipped side table.
Zhi Lappato Bianco tiles: Hafary; Connor Pashley laminate: Lamitak; Light Opal paint: Dulux; Zachary bed: Castlery;
Bloomingville: 3littlepicks
Zhi Lappato Bianco tiles: Hafary; Connor Pashley laminate: Lamitak; Light Opal paint: Dulux; Zachary bed: Castlery;
Bloomingville: 3littlepicks
A clever design trick of creating a curved end to the wardrobe makes the space softer and also hides an ugly air-conditioning window ledge.
In the master bedroom, The Dots wall hooks by Muuto create the perfect spot for displaying a special item of clothing or works of art.
In the master bedroom, The Dots wall hooks by Muuto create the perfect spot for displaying a special item of clothing or works of art.
The master bathroom features a soft colour used in an edgy way. Square dusty pink tiles are highlighted by dark grout and paired with black accents for a look that is both nostalgic and modern.
Rosa tiles: Soon Bee Huat; Art Ceram Millerighe basin: Bathroom Warehouse; countertop in Sanded Cornhusk: Evershine; Mood laminate: Lamitak; mirror: Ikea
Rosa tiles: Soon Bee Huat; Art Ceram Millerighe basin: Bathroom Warehouse; countertop in Sanded Cornhusk: Evershine; Mood laminate: Lamitak; mirror: Ikea
In a daring show of contrast, the shower is tiled with large-format marble-look tiles.
Forte Nat Ret tiles: Hafary
Forte Nat Ret tiles: Hafary
From the cool mix of modern colours to the clean furniture lines and touches of blonde wood, this mini art gallery of a home is a relaxing spot to come home to.
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What did you find most striking about this home? And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Ang Mo Kio
Type of property: HDB resale 4-room
Size: 968 square feet (90 square metres)
Project duration: 12 weeks
The entrance was one of the more difficult design issues for the team, says Png.
“Honestly, the interior architecture was a challenge to space plan,” she explains. “We had a very long discussion with the homeowners about how to insert the essentials of a dining space, a large shoe cabinet, a shoe changing area and a living space all into one tight area.
“The challenge was made worse because we couldn’t hack or remove any walls.”