Houzz Tour: Vintage Dreaming in a Filmmaker's Modern Apartment
Singaporean director Royston Tan's home (including every piece in it) speaks of a hundred different stories
Bernice Calupas
22 February 2017
Houzz Singapore contributor. History nerd, occasional voracious reader, fan of YouTube baking videos
Houzz Singapore contributor. History nerd, occasional voracious reader, fan of YouTube... More
“I’ve known Roy for about seven to eight years now,” says Raymond Seow, principal designer of interior design firm Free Space Intent. He’s referring to award-winning filmmaker Royston Tan, who gained acclaim for his gritty movie 15, and for his succeeding films (4:30, 881, 12 Lotus, 3688). Recently, Tan won the award for Best Short Film (Bunga Sayang) at the 2016 Sapporo International Film Festival.
Just as making a film is a collaborative artistic effort, so too was designing Tan’s double-storey condo. Seow, who also designed Tan’s previous home, describes the chemistry between the two artists: “He kind of knows what I can do and I kind of know what he likes.”
Just as making a film is a collaborative artistic effort, so too was designing Tan’s double-storey condo. Seow, who also designed Tan’s previous home, describes the chemistry between the two artists: “He kind of knows what I can do and I kind of know what he likes.”
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Royston Tan, award-winning Singaporean filmmaker
Location: Kovan
Size: 124 square metres (1337 square feet)
The entryway of the director’s home leads into the dining area. “The only built-in fixture installed in the whole house is the concrete bench for the dining area. It’s a practical design feature that makes the most of the space’s narrow width,” Seow points out. Across the bench are a couple of vintage chairs from Tan’s collection.
Lending character and texture to the space, a weathered door – originally from Shandong, China – was installed along sliding tracks, to close off the kitchen.
Who lives here: Royston Tan, award-winning Singaporean filmmaker
Location: Kovan
Size: 124 square metres (1337 square feet)
The entryway of the director’s home leads into the dining area. “The only built-in fixture installed in the whole house is the concrete bench for the dining area. It’s a practical design feature that makes the most of the space’s narrow width,” Seow points out. Across the bench are a couple of vintage chairs from Tan’s collection.
Lending character and texture to the space, a weathered door – originally from Shandong, China – was installed along sliding tracks, to close off the kitchen.
The entryway is a study in stark, clean lines, accentuated only by the vivid koi artwork which welcomes guests. “I removed the false ceiling to expose the roof structure beyond,” says Seow. The result is a greater sense of space in what could have been a cramped area.
What lay beneath also served its purpose in a home that takes inspiration from industrial design elements. “One can see the brickwork, concrete beams, cable trays and ducting – a very bold move for me and Royston,” Seow adds.
What lay beneath also served its purpose in a home that takes inspiration from industrial design elements. “One can see the brickwork, concrete beams, cable trays and ducting – a very bold move for me and Royston,” Seow adds.
“The nature of Royston’s work involves working with lots of props and he’s used to being able to move loose furniture around so the look of the interior is always changing,” says Seow. “So I decided to go for a clean, industrial-Zen look, with concrete screed finished wall and floors, and minimal built-in fixtures.”
Seow describes the space as an “uncluttered, bare structural canvas” which allows his client to “have free play in styling the place with his collection of vintage furniture and décor pieces – of which he has about two huge rental storage rooms’ worth.”
Seow describes the space as an “uncluttered, bare structural canvas” which allows his client to “have free play in styling the place with his collection of vintage furniture and décor pieces – of which he has about two huge rental storage rooms’ worth.”
Old and new sit cosily side by side in the living area. Above the modern Danish sofa hangs a beauty parlour signboard of a hair salon which has been around since the 1960s. “As a student, Royston used to walk by it every day,” says Seow. The signboard was a gift from the salon owner to Tan, who ended up filming his documentary Old Romances there a few years ago.
A pink rotary pay phone on the side table adds to the retro vibe.
A pink rotary pay phone on the side table adds to the retro vibe.
Picture windows let an abundance of light into the home. To the right of the living area, a poster of one of Tan’s movies takes pride of place alongside some favourites from his vintage collection – reupholstered original seats from Singapore’s old Capitol Theatre.
An old TV console serves as divider between the living area and study. The neutral monochromatic walls act as both canvas and backdrop to the many interesting and quirky decorative pieces.
Seow says they even had to replace the flooring in order to achieve the clean, industrial look that both he and client wanted. “The existing compressed marble floor was demolished and replaced with huge concrete-look homogenous tiles.”
Seow says they even had to replace the flooring in order to achieve the clean, industrial look that both he and client wanted. “The existing compressed marble floor was demolished and replaced with huge concrete-look homogenous tiles.”
In the study, an antique glass and wood cabinet stores various knickknacks including some of the owner’s old toys. A vintage radio and electric fan round up the space’s nostalgic feel.
Retro floor tiles and an old mirror are pleasing contrasts to the otherwise contemporary bathroom.
The master bedroom is a room with a view. The outdoor pool’s bright blue tiles add a pop of colour that’s echoed by the weathered window frame that hangs over the bed.
Timber flooring complements cement screed walls to create a cosy space in the bedroom. A movie poster and one of Tan’s vintage folding chairs adorn one side of the room.
Designer and director: Raymond Seow and Royston Tan in the study of Tan’s home
TELL US
What do you think is this home’s best feature? Share in the Comments below.
TELL US
What do you think is this home’s best feature? Share in the Comments below.
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Removing the ceiling, the old door, the bathroom tiles, the vintage pieces, love it all. I however agree with someone who said that the all concrete grey floor and walls make it feel a bit stark (not the bedroom because it has wood floor). To add warmth and coziness, I would add plants .... a large banana tree would look great in there. And also some fabrics to add softness. A large padded egg chair, cushions to sit by the window for example.
Agree with adding fabric to soften the cool look. On the other hand, if you grew up in Singapore in the 60s & 70s, you may agree with me that the designer achieved the look of that era with concrete grey on floors and walls.
It's unique and interesting and I could get used to it. I rather like it. Such detail in a large space. Yum.