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Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: A Staycation Experience Cosies Up This New Condo
A couple's home gets its monochrome inspiration from colonial black-and-white bungalows
Having a clear vision and design brief from the owners made the design process for this condo project smooth-sailing. “They requested for a ‘staycation home’ where they can come back to unwind, work, and entertain,” say designers Charmaine Wong and Jacob Ishak of Chark. “They wanted to recreate the Capella Singapore and PS Cafe experience at home – to have a holiday staycation right at home.”
The PS Cafe aesthetic is about lush greens and contemporary-tropical elements. It was fitting then for the designers to go for a modern luxe colonial tropical design, with a monochromatic scheme largely inspired by black-and-white bungalows.
The PS Cafe aesthetic is about lush greens and contemporary-tropical elements. It was fitting then for the designers to go for a modern luxe colonial tropical design, with a monochromatic scheme largely inspired by black-and-white bungalows.
The marble look complements the monochrome inspiration. “As designers we prefer natural materials, but the owners were keen to use marble-like laminate and floor tiles to control the renovation budget,” shares Wong.
They came up with technical solutions to work within the owners’ budget while achieving the expensive look desired. “Our design solution was to detail the marble-like laminate feature wall with deliberate groove lines to prevent having laminate butt joints which easily give away. As for the flooring, the colour of the floor grout was chosen after physical mock-ups to ensure the tile joint lines are kept subtle,” she says.
The white sofa, black and white rug, black leather ottoman, and walnut brown timber blinds also work together to emphasise the mod-colonial look.
Sofa: Furniture Club: area rug: For the Common Goods; ceiling fan: Haiku
They came up with technical solutions to work within the owners’ budget while achieving the expensive look desired. “Our design solution was to detail the marble-like laminate feature wall with deliberate groove lines to prevent having laminate butt joints which easily give away. As for the flooring, the colour of the floor grout was chosen after physical mock-ups to ensure the tile joint lines are kept subtle,” she says.
The white sofa, black and white rug, black leather ottoman, and walnut brown timber blinds also work together to emphasise the mod-colonial look.
Sofa: Furniture Club: area rug: For the Common Goods; ceiling fan: Haiku
“One bedroom’s walls were hacked away to create the new open dining/study area right next to the living space,” says Wong.
Black metal-framed glass sliding and bifold panels form the enclosure, giving the owners the flexibility of combining the entertaining spaces or closing off the study as needed. The study table is integrated into the customised bookshelf, which also conceals the door to the common bathroom.
To make the space more functional and clutter-free, the designers installed stainless steel plate floor-mounted power points under the marble dining table, “for the occasional social gathering over hot pot, or for the option of working directly on the dining table,” explains Wong.
Dining table: Martlewood; dining chairs: Danish Design Co
Black metal-framed glass sliding and bifold panels form the enclosure, giving the owners the flexibility of combining the entertaining spaces or closing off the study as needed. The study table is integrated into the customised bookshelf, which also conceals the door to the common bathroom.
To make the space more functional and clutter-free, the designers installed stainless steel plate floor-mounted power points under the marble dining table, “for the occasional social gathering over hot pot, or for the option of working directly on the dining table,” explains Wong.
Dining table: Martlewood; dining chairs: Danish Design Co
Its ground floor location affords this home instant lush surrounds. Thus, making the balcony into a cosy al fresco sitting area was a must. The outdoor furniture chosen aligns with the “luxe tropical colonial experience”.
Despite the openness, privacy is maintained. “All the glass panels fronting the balcony are screened with timber blinds, which allow considerable sunlight to stream in during the day and give full privacy at night. The balcony is further lined with roller blinds on the external,” says Wong.
Outdoor furniture: Crate and Barrel
Despite the openness, privacy is maintained. “All the glass panels fronting the balcony are screened with timber blinds, which allow considerable sunlight to stream in during the day and give full privacy at night. The balcony is further lined with roller blinds on the external,” says Wong.
Outdoor furniture: Crate and Barrel
The other bedroom was designated as the guest room. The designers had versatility in mind, opting for a sofa bed for this space. This way, the room can easily transform from a lounging space into a sleeping area, and vice versa.
A circular rug in a geometric monochrome pattern softens the dark timber flooring.
Sofa bed: Crate and Barrel; area rug: For The Common Goods; ceiling fan: Haiku
A circular rug in a geometric monochrome pattern softens the dark timber flooring.
Sofa bed: Crate and Barrel; area rug: For The Common Goods; ceiling fan: Haiku
The elegant master bedroom also stays true to the black-and-white scheme, with hotel-style white bed linen, dark-stained timber flooring, walnut laminate wardrobe, and frosted tinted glass doors. The textured wallpaper on its bedhead wall gives it a dash of glamour.
Bed: Simmons; ceiling fan: Haiku
Bed: Simmons; ceiling fan: Haiku
A close look at the feature wall reveals black metal inserts in between the wallpaper panels. “This is to break the monotony of the graphics. Linear accent is also a characteristic of colonial-style architecture,” says Wong. Large filament bulb lamps suspended from the ceiling also add a touch of warmth and old-world charm to the bedside tables.
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TELL US
What do you love about this home? Tell us 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 married couple who are busy executives
Location: Upper Serangoon
Size: Approx 107 square metres (1,152 square feet)
Project duration: 6 months
One of the major changes made to the floor plan was turning the enclosed kitchen into an entertaining-ready open-concept kitchen. “The couple loves to whip up dishes during weekends and have family and friends over for gatherings,” says Wong.
Everything in the kitchen is kept neat and streamlined, from the Dekton countertop and backsplash and customised storage compartments, to the integrated appliances and the recessed pop-up power point installed at the island counter.
Appliances: Electrolux; Dekton surface: Cosentino