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Finishing the bathroom’s Zen feel are a lava stone sink and a bamboo faucet. Little details like these set the tranquil tone for this charming home.TELL USWhat did you find most striking in this home? Share in the Comments below.
The designers picked out wood-grained tiles to mimic the wood these tubs are traditionally made of. “We also set one side of the tub at a 45-degree angle for more comfort,” she says. Textured tiles that run up the ceiling add visual interest. Tiles: Hafary; vanity countertop: 3S Solid Surfaces; spotlights: My Lighthouse; fixtures: Crizto and Lucky Khoon
The owner’s younger sibling told the team that her sister had always wanted to have a tub. “So we put in a soaking tub as a surprise for the couple,” says Deng.The limited footprint of the bathroom, though, made it almost impossible to fit in a standard bathtub. The team opted instead for a soaking tub, which is also popular in the Japanese culture. “However, we found that soaking tubs are very expensive, so we decided to build one ourselves. We actually took inspiration from some Houzz ideabooks!” shares Deng.
Rather than squeeze in a dedicated dining area, the design team went for a kitchen peninsula. Not only does it suit the casual dining lifestyle of the couple, it also occupies less floor space, which is a plus for a compact home.
An open-plan concept for the kitchen keeps the seamless flow of spaces. The cook space has a wet area and a dry area. “We still wanted natural light to come in through the yard’s window. We then opted for a sliding glass door to separate the two areas without blocking off the light,” Deng says. Wood-grained laminated cabinetry and KompacPlus countertops tie the look together. The owners also mentioned that they would be growing chilli plants, so the team mounted rectangular planters by the window.Bar chairs: Ikea; laminate: EDL and Jennings
On the altar table by the yoga area are the couple’s prized collections: their Dharma book, an old wooden scripture, and an incense holder.
The yoga area is defined by a canopy-like structure clad in light beech wallpaper. A mini Japanese garden – complete with a stone lantern, artificial turf and bamboo poles – accentuates one corner. Although this area is mainly devoted to yoga practice and quiet tea sessions, it can easily be turned into a dining area when guests are over. “The tea set up can be stashed away easily by stacking the seat cushions under the table, and the owners can bring out their foldable dining table, which is kept in the guest room,” says Deng.
All the furniture in the living area are lightweight and very mobile to enable the owners to turn the space into a resting area for family and guests. To keep clutter at bay further without taking away precious floor area from the entertaining space, a tall storage unit was built beneath the end of the structural beam near the main entrance. It acts as both media storage and shoe cabinet. Sofa bed: Ikea; lighting: My Lighthouse
Houzz at a GlanceWho lives here: Newlyweds Joo Yee and You WeiLocation: Jurong WestSize: 1,370 square feet (127 square metres) Project duration: 8 weeksFulfilling the couple’s key requirements meant that the communal spaces had to be as open and sparsely furnished as possible. The team had to design without the usual TV feature wall in the living area, and leave the wall completely empty so that the owners can use it as a projector screen. Moreover, the space meant for the dining area had to serve as both yoga studio and tea room.“We had to pick the right items and colours to style the open spaces, otherwise the Zen look could just end up being empty,” says Deng. Colours were strictly kept to light but warm tones, and natural elements such as wood, rattan, stone and bamboo add textural interest and enhance the relaxing Zen feel.
The vanity area was kept minimal, too. “We customised a flip-up mirror, which can transform into a simple table top when not in use,” says Deng. The other side of the dresser was also made into a display space for the wife’s jewellery.Laminate for vanity: EDL; standing mirror: Ikea
It is all Zen in the master bedroom as well. The designers chose a simple yet practical bed frame with an easy-to-lift mattress platform that reveals spacious storage underneath for luggage and bed linen. “For the bedhead, we customised a divider that resembles a Japanese shoji sliding door,” says Deng.Enhancing the Japanese sensibility are custom-made long tatami blinds, which separate the sleeping area from the wardrobe and dresser area. Paper lanterns enhance the Japanese aesthetic.Bed frame: Blafink; spotlights: My Lighthouse
The cushions are put away on rainy days, but the couch itself is designed for outdoor use and made out of water-resistant material. At the center of the deck are a table made by Horiuchi himself and a patio umbrella. When the weather is nice, the family comes together to eat here. In the summer, they set up a kiddie pool as well.
The house has a particular advantage over their old condo: a spacious, about 16½-by-16½-foot (5-by-5-metre) deck off the living room. The couple designed it to provide one big space for everyone, so that family, friends and guests can gather and enjoy each other’s company.
This light fixture above the circular dining table seems ordinary. However, a closer look reveals a red carp, which shows the couple’s artistic sense. These round, curvy Juuyo light fixtures, by Lorenza Bozzoli for Moooi, purchased from Idée, were chosen to keep the mood light and upbeat.
The folding door next to the bathroom hides the washing machine. Laundry detergent and other items are stored on the shelf above it, to keep the area tidy. The couple also came up with a unique, convenient way to hang-dry their laundry: After the clothes are washed, they’re placed on hangers suspended from the ceiling on a bar. Then, once everything is done, the whole thing is taken outside.
The family find the extra-long countertop to be very useful: When the owner and her friends have held baking classes here, the countertop proved large enough for each participant to have their own space for kneading dough.This also holds true in the family’s everyday life. On any given day, the couple and Mrs. Horiuchi’s mother – along with friends – are in the kitchen together. This was, of course, part of the plan: They had even allowed enough space between the countertop and the back shelves so no one would be in anyone’s way. The approximately 43-inch (110-centimetre) passage is almost double Japanese kitchen manufacturers’ suggested size of about 24 to 30 inches (60 to 75 centimetres).
To start with, walls were removed, creating a smoother flow from the foyer past the kitchen and towards both dining and living spaces. The design team also reconfigured the kitchen so that it features an open-concept, eat-in element.
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