Houzz Tour: A Black-and-White House Gets a Quick, Contemporary Makeover
Vibrant colours, interesting prints and textured furnishings are interspersed with Asian art and antiques for a contemporary eclectic look
Verlaine Marquez
24 May 2016
Houzz Singapore Contributor. Former editor for a home and design magazine for five years, and now a full-time freelance writer for various online and print publications for the past decade and counting. Part-time crafter, wannabe gardener, and breast cancer thriver.
Houzz Singapore Contributor. Former editor for a home and design magazine for five... More
Nestled in quiet Berkshire Road, this black-and-white bungalow has been home to a British family for 12 years. More than a decade of living here meant that the interiors were due for a much-needed update. The owners “wanted their home to feel lighter and more contemporary. They had accumulated a lot of large, antiquated pieces from their travels, which felt imposing and dated in the space,” says Caroline Chin-Geyler, founder and head stylist of Arete Culture. She was given only 10 days to complete the project.
By creating a carefully considered furniture layout, adding modern and vibrant accessories, and introducing more ambient lighting, the interiors were brought up to date and now offers the dwellers more breathing space.
By creating a carefully considered furniture layout, adding modern and vibrant accessories, and introducing more ambient lighting, the interiors were brought up to date and now offers the dwellers more breathing space.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A British couple with three children and their two dogs
Location: Berkshire Road
Size: 316 square metres (total land area is 2,044 square metres)
Project duration: Five days, from the first consultation to the day of installation (the entire installation was completed within one afternoon)
Although there was a strict deadline, Chin-Geyler was given free reign on the revamp. One of the main improvements her team did was to reconfigure the owners’ collection of heavy-looking, solid wood Asian furniture around the house to break up the monotony and make each room feel lighter.
The entryway already had furniture when they began the project. In order to lighten up the area, they rearranged the existing pieces. They also “built that ‘first impression’ for visitors by introducing a welcoming scent,” Chin-Geyler says. Scented candles were placed on pillars by the staircase, and reed diffusers on tabletops.
Who lives here: A British couple with three children and their two dogs
Location: Berkshire Road
Size: 316 square metres (total land area is 2,044 square metres)
Project duration: Five days, from the first consultation to the day of installation (the entire installation was completed within one afternoon)
Although there was a strict deadline, Chin-Geyler was given free reign on the revamp. One of the main improvements her team did was to reconfigure the owners’ collection of heavy-looking, solid wood Asian furniture around the house to break up the monotony and make each room feel lighter.
The entryway already had furniture when they began the project. In order to lighten up the area, they rearranged the existing pieces. They also “built that ‘first impression’ for visitors by introducing a welcoming scent,” Chin-Geyler says. Scented candles were placed on pillars by the staircase, and reed diffusers on tabletops.
From the staircase, one of the first things that greet guests on the upper level is this two-toned wooden bookcase filled with keepsakes. It shows how carefully curated pieces and colours, as well as an orderly arrangement of books, can refresh a corner.
In the living room, Chin-Geyler retained the sofa but replaced the rug with one in a grey quatrefoil motif for a more contemporary feel. “Because the family loves to entertain, and the area is so large, we added extra seating in the living room. It’s handy during parties, but also cocooning during regular periods,” she says.
“The entire living room is set up to show off the family’s collection of sculptures and artwork. We made sure to inject modern accessories in these vignettes to lighten the feel of the collections. We were wary of creating too museum-like vignettes,” Chin-Geyler adds.
“The entire living room is set up to show off the family’s collection of sculptures and artwork. We made sure to inject modern accessories in these vignettes to lighten the feel of the collections. We were wary of creating too museum-like vignettes,” Chin-Geyler adds.
“The thing about black-and-white [houses] is they can be so large and demarcated (i.e., a separate room for a specific purpose) that it’s easy for design visions to get lost from room to room,” she explains.
Utilising a clear colour palette throughout the house ensured that all the different rooms came together. Since the interiors of black-and-white homes tend to be dark, she chose colours that can enliven the spaces. Pops of lime, teal and aqua were set against earthy tones of greys, sand and cream.
Utilising a clear colour palette throughout the house ensured that all the different rooms came together. Since the interiors of black-and-white homes tend to be dark, she chose colours that can enliven the spaces. Pops of lime, teal and aqua were set against earthy tones of greys, sand and cream.
To brighten up the dim dining room, new ambient lighting was installed. Modern shapes were favoured to balance the heavy look of the Asian furniture.
“As the dining room is quite a formal area, we played up that feel by creating a symmetrical arrangement in the room and using textural contrasts. The chairs were reupholstered in a printed fabric (not shown in the images) to further elevate the drama of the room,” Chin-Geyler says. Along the stretch of one wall are three large panels of family photo collages, adding a personal touch to the room.
“As the dining room is quite a formal area, we played up that feel by creating a symmetrical arrangement in the room and using textural contrasts. The chairs were reupholstered in a printed fabric (not shown in the images) to further elevate the drama of the room,” Chin-Geyler says. Along the stretch of one wall are three large panels of family photo collages, adding a personal touch to the room.
A striking teal-coloured wall is the focal point in the master bedroom.
Initially, the room looked too busy and lacked cohesion, says Chin-Geyler. As the room was quite spacious, the goal was to optimise the space. Soft furnishings were brought in to tie different ends of the room together, and collectibles were categorised in a visually cohesive manner. “We sought to create that eclectically interesting but still tranquil look in the master bedroom,” she says.
Symmetry and identical forms played a role in sprucing up the sleeping area – note how the round mirrors and the circular form of the artwork provide balance above the bed. The divan placed at the foot of the bed also serves as a soft contrast to the wooden bed and flooring.
Initially, the room looked too busy and lacked cohesion, says Chin-Geyler. As the room was quite spacious, the goal was to optimise the space. Soft furnishings were brought in to tie different ends of the room together, and collectibles were categorised in a visually cohesive manner. “We sought to create that eclectically interesting but still tranquil look in the master bedroom,” she says.
Symmetry and identical forms played a role in sprucing up the sleeping area – note how the round mirrors and the circular form of the artwork provide balance above the bed. The divan placed at the foot of the bed also serves as a soft contrast to the wooden bed and flooring.
Putting order into the bedroom also meant placing artworks and decorative objects into neat, stylish arrangements on tabletops. This pair of abstract paintings was used to frame the windows.
The outdoor terrace is pretty much an all-wood setting, so it needed perking up. “[It had] perfectly functional furniture already, but the look was disorganised because there was no clear colour palette,” Chin-Geyler says. New lighting and accessories in lime, orange and red were introduced to freshen up the space.
Furniture pieces were also moved around to create a conversation-friendly seating arrangement. Plenty of cushions and large floor pillows encourage laid-back lounging.
See more of this project
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What did you find most striking about this house? Share in the Comments section below!
See more of this project
TELL US
What did you find most striking about this house? Share in the Comments section below!
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Owners? I thought B&W colonial houses are strictly government owned.