Houzz Tour: A Play of Lines and Curves Defines This New Home
Though the neutral palette and lines are the first thing that catches the eye, look closely for the subtle curves
Many consider the kitchen the heart of the home, as do the couple who owns this four-room Build-to-Order (BTO) HDB flat. “From time to time, the owners love to explore new dishes, so the kitchen was carefully designed to facilitate their cooking and experimenting habits. More importantly, the kitchen space is a backdrop for snapping and capturing photos of their dishes,” says Vandra Png of Studio FortyFour. She and co-designer Wilson Teng therefore created a cosy home where the owners can enjoy their creative pursuits together, and comfortably host their family and friends.
Consistent material and colour choices make for a seamless connection between the spaces. The designers chose a pale wood tone for the kitchen cabinetry, as well as the door that leads to the household shelter. Even the DB (electrical distribution board) box is hidden with cabinetry in the same laminate, with the bottom half turned into open shoe storage with pull-out drawers for easy retrieval of shoes.
“The beam that connects the living space and kitchen was also wrapped with [the same] laminate, drawing resemblance to an exposed beam, an architectural feature seen in houses,” Png says.
“The beam that connects the living space and kitchen was also wrapped with [the same] laminate, drawing resemblance to an exposed beam, an architectural feature seen in houses,” Png says.
As the owners required more working space for the kitchen, the walls enclosing the kitchen were removed. The designers then built an L-shaped counter that hugs the wall.
More curved details accentuate this space, such as the edges of the counter and the ledge. “Curves are needed to make the space between objects less ‘tense’ and more spacious. The space becomes friendlier and cosier,” says Png.
More curved details accentuate this space, such as the edges of the counter and the ledge. “Curves are needed to make the space between objects less ‘tense’ and more spacious. The space becomes friendlier and cosier,” says Png.
For a touch of glitz, and to make the black countertops stand out, the designers added a thin brass border to the kitchen cabinetry. This careful thought to detail brings a refined look to the space.
A dining table made of limestone-look laminate creates an impression and stays true to the raw and earthy colour scheme in the dining area. “The dining table was designed to look like a piece of sculpture. We took inspiration from the architectural lines which outline the dining space,” says Png.
Dining chairs: Excelsius; flooring: Hafary
Dining chairs: Excelsius; flooring: Hafary
The living area is kept simple and uncluttered. The gentle curvature of the grey Luna sofa balances the linear motif, while serving as comfortable seating.
Textures provide an added style factor. “The TV feature wall with cement screed-like laminate was the owners’ suggestion as they do not like the original TV wall which was short. They figured that a longer TV wall that would give their TV breathing space and make the room appear wider,” says Png.
Textures provide an added style factor. “The TV feature wall with cement screed-like laminate was the owners’ suggestion as they do not like the original TV wall which was short. They figured that a longer TV wall that would give their TV breathing space and make the room appear wider,” says Png.
Harmonising with the luxe detailing are the custom-made TV console with a brass laminate top, and the Rivet stainless steel-plated brass side table by local designer Jerry Low. “The owners love a touch of opulence in their material palette. These brass details give that luxurious look, thus we applied it intuitively,” says Png.
Sofa: Castlery; side table: JotterGoods
Sofa: Castlery; side table: JotterGoods
The owners also requested to have a workspace that is connected to the master bedroom. The designers responded by repositioning the bedroom entrance, to hem in the adjacent room. “We knocked down the wall between the two rooms, to connect the spaces to make way for a wardrobe, work desk and bay window,” says Png.
They fitted in a desk that accommodates two, featuring the same laminate used on the dining table.
They fitted in a desk that accommodates two, featuring the same laminate used on the dining table.
“The curved portion of the bay window seat is inspired by the couple’s seating posture,” says Png.
The new master suite entrance allows easy access to the master bathroom. The space combines the two elements the owners love: cement screed walls and well-defined wood grain. “We were glad to find the right wood-look tile size – 100 by 700 millimetres – as the slim dimensions elongate the floor area and made the feel of each tile more prominent,” says Png.
Basin: Art Ceram; mirror: Homlab
Basin: Art Ceram; mirror: Homlab
Strong wood grain create a cosy feel in the master bedroom. “The owners have fond memories of a platform bed from their travels and we fulfilled their wish,” says Png.
Vinyl for the platform bed: FloorXpert
Vinyl for the platform bed: FloorXpert
The platform bed is tucked behind a tall sideboard of drawers, where the owners store clothing.
A dark blue shelving is also appended above the sideboard, for a splash of sophisticated colour.
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TELL US
What do you like best about this home? Let us know in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Bendemeer Road
Size: 92 square meters (990 square feet)
Project duration: 12 weeks
One of the things that make this home interesting is its play of lines and curves. Subway tiles were laid out in a stacked arrangement, beginning at the entryway and proceeding into the kitchen. “This gives a visual effect that the kitchen is bigger and connects with the living space,” Png explains.
There is a rounded corner in the transition from the wood-look tiles that deck the whole living space to the cement-look tiles in the kitchen.