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Houzz Tour: Designer's Home Breaks All Small Space Design Rules
He dared to say no to an all-white colour scheme and open plan and went the opposite
Most designers swear by a signature style and for interior designer Joey Khu, he favours the enduring appeal of the modern luxe style. It shows in his portfolio of sophisticated urban living spaces. For his own home, a tiny one-bedder apartment, he was able to fully explore his favourite style on his own terms.
Design symmetry is another thing that Khu considers important. For his bedroom, he designed a series of white shelves which are highlighted by black groove lines and dividers. He says: “These black accents break the length of the white shelving and add a dimensionality to the otherwise flat-looking storage.” The wall behind the shelves are clad in KD veneer panels to carry a silk-like wood pattern that softens the ambience.
A slight change to the bedroom and bathroom entrances created a better configuration that improves the space for Khu’s storage needs. He has carved out a nook to serve as his laundry spot. Located next to the bathroom entrance, this compact laundry compartment houses his ironing board, laundry baskets and even a hand-held Dyson vacuum cleaner. The other side of the wall features a row of wardrobes and a standalone vanity sink.
Mosaic tiles for the backsplash set just the right amount of visual intensity amidst the sleek monochromatic backdrop. Khu wanted his vanity sink separated from the ensuite bathroom as it reminds him of being in a boutique hotel room.
Mixer: Hansgrohe
Mixer: Hansgrohe
The boutique hotel appeal carries its magic over to the wet area with the same mosaic tiles. Slimline fixtures like the tank-less WC, towel ladder and recessed storage compartment with a tinted mirror finish add to the expanse of space.
A well-curated mix of furnishings fills the apartment with modern élan. Khu was very selective about every tiny detail and the final results speak for themselves. He says: “I like to use small details like artwork or decorative objects as a talking point. With a small space like mine, you can’t afford to inject colour through bigger fixtures. It would be too overwhelming.”
Bed: Grafunkt
Bed: Grafunkt
Most designers wouldn’t hesitate to take away walls to create an open plan space but Khu reckoned the traditional layout would work better in his apartment. “With walls, the rooms always feel cosier,” explains Khu. “Besides, we can always use reflective alternatives like tinted mirrors to visually upsize the space.”
That is exactly what he did. The kitchen and main communal zone remain divided, and Khu employed bronze-tinted mirrors for the folding doors to close off the cook space when in use.
That is exactly what he did. The kitchen and main communal zone remain divided, and Khu employed bronze-tinted mirrors for the folding doors to close off the cook space when in use.
Lighting is another thing that Khu does differently. The standard approach to a tiny apartment is to enhance light to give the feel of spaciousness but he felt that too much light would be glaring and feel uncomfortable. “I only used basic downlights in the corners and wherever needs to be illuminated,” he says. “Other options like floor lamps and table lamps can be used when additional light is needed.”
Downlights: Solluminaire
Downlights: Solluminaire
Khu’s favourite piece in his living room is the Taliesin 2 Floor Lamp. It is easy to see why this piece by the iconic architect Frank Lloyd Wright stole his heart – this sculptural fixture is captivating to look at lit or unlit. Khu’s other furniture follows suit with their streamlined, clean and modern lines. Even the automated timber blinds fall in place effortlessly.
Taliesin 2 Floor Lamp by Frank Lloyd Wright: P5; Autoban sofa and Le Corbusier armchair: Dream
Taliesin 2 Floor Lamp by Frank Lloyd Wright: P5; Autoban sofa and Le Corbusier armchair: Dream
Also on the petite side, the galley kitchen is a modernist’s dream come true with its polished monochromatic colour scheme. The dark hues do not diminish the space as expected but instead, the reflective surfaces preserve the light in the room.
Two years on and this designer’s home still looks as good as new and relevant today. Khu has definitely managed to create a home large on style and space without being limited by its floor area.
Quartz counterop & shelving: Caesarstone SEA; Mixer: Hansgrohe
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Two years on and this designer’s home still looks as good as new and relevant today. Khu has definitely managed to create a home large on style and space without being limited by its floor area.
Quartz counterop & shelving: Caesarstone SEA; Mixer: Hansgrohe
TELL US
What did you find most striking about this home? Share in the Comments below.
Who lives here: An interior designer
Location: 1-bedroom condo
Size: 45 square metres (484 square feet)
“I’m not a fan of white walls,” declares Khu. “I find that it tends to make a space look like a pharmacy.” True enough, his apartment is devoid of blank white walls. Instead, he adorns most walls with KD veneer panels sporting beautiful woodgrain. His other go-to wall covering is the classic wallpaper. Striped wallpaper with a subtle texture makes appearances in the bedroom and living room, and are essential in tempering the moodiness of the darker woodgrain finish.