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Houzz Tour: Modern Luxe is Celebrated in a Swanky Flat
Layering of rich textures and a mature colour palette give high style to a couple's dream home
Verlaine Marquez
21 March 2018
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
Designer Joey Khu of Joey Khu Interior Design is known for his preference for the modern luxe style, and it was the very reason the owners commissioned him to revamp this four-room HDB flat. “The owners gave me so much freedom in doing their place, as they know my style well, and they have confidence in my ideas,” Khu says.
The owners wanted their home to exude a sense of calm and luxury, as well as be entertaining-ready. Khu then focused on creating a harmonious look throughout the home by injecting depth and texture. “We paid attention to details that could instantly make the design more interesting,” he says.
The owners wanted their home to exude a sense of calm and luxury, as well as be entertaining-ready. Khu then focused on creating a harmonious look throughout the home by injecting depth and texture. “We paid attention to details that could instantly make the design more interesting,” he says.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A young professional couple in their 30s
Location: McNair Road
Size: Approx. 93 square metres (1,001 square feet)
Project duration: 3 months
Guests immediately get a sense of the modern luxe theme from the main entrance. Pronounced woodgrain and strong marble veining make for a sleek, welcoming statement.
Who lives here: A young professional couple in their 30s
Location: McNair Road
Size: Approx. 93 square metres (1,001 square feet)
Project duration: 3 months
Guests immediately get a sense of the modern luxe theme from the main entrance. Pronounced woodgrain and strong marble veining make for a sleek, welcoming statement.
“We configured the living, dining and open kitchen areas to segue into each other, in order to facilitate social gatherings,” says Khu. A marble-look wall cladding is juxtaposed against painted walls and cabinetry finished in varied wood laminates and timber strip door handles.
Minimal colours were introduced in the living area through accent pieces and artwork. The neutral-toned sofa from King Living is paired with a turquoise Magis Traffic armchair and Track coffee table by Nathan Yong. The sculptural Taliesin floor lamp reiterate the coffee table’s staggered layers.
Aside from the thoughtfully-designed wall for the TV, Khu also ensured that the console works efficiently for storage. It has box-like drawers and vertical slots that provide storage for differently-sized items.
A few steps away is the dining area, which is seamlessly connected to the kitchen. The dining table abuts the half-height wall that screens the wash and prep space. A reflective surface on the upper part of the wall imparts a touch of glam, and helps create an illusion of bigger space. Sharing meals becomes a stylish affair, as they are enjoyed on the quartz tabletop resembling Calacatta marble and Philippe Starck’s Zartan Raw dining chairs.
The kitchen is also an elegant and well-organised space. The backsplash shows how to make a striking statement, while remaining tone-on-tone with the rest of the cabinetry.
The kitchen is also an elegant and well-organised space. The backsplash shows how to make a striking statement, while remaining tone-on-tone with the rest of the cabinetry.
Another interesting feature in the kitchen is the divider with tinted glass that partly encloses the space. It is a practical way to ensure that natural light can still filter through the kitchen to the foyer and, at the same time, help keep cooking aromas from being the first thing that welcome guests as they are ushered in.
The floors mark the transition from public to private spaces – from Italian silver-grey marble to dark teak wood strips in the master suite.
The master bedroom features a full-height upholstered headboard, and bedside tables with gold tubular pendant lamps integrated within the wall detailing. Drawer fronts are also in matte gold. “Together, they give a posh, hotel-inspired look to the room,” says Khu.
The master suite echoes the layering of neutral colours and linear detailing in the communal areas. For example, the access to the master bathroom stands out against the light grey walls. This sliding door has timber strips that function as door handle, and a slender glass panel for a peek-a-boo effect.
In the bathroom, Italian marble tiles deck the walls, while a mirrored cabinet draws light in. To maintain the streamlined look, Khu chose wall-mount fixtures and fittings from Hansgrohe and Axor.
Merging the original master bedroom and another bedroom gave the couple a spacious walk-in wardrobe and dressing area. To create a luxurious mood, the designer chose a dark palette for the space, with a jolt of colour via a bright red chair. The full-height wardrobes have glass door fronts and interior lighting, so that the dark tones don’t look make the room look cramped.
There is a balance between luxury and functionality in every room, as exemplified in this space. “The owners love reading, so they wanted to have a library to keep their books and CDs,” says Khu. He responded by converting one of the common rooms into a lounge and library.
The custom-built cabinetry finished in matte grey and deep blue laminates brings a sophisticated feel to the library. There is a subtle play of colour for the lounge, too – the combination of earthy and metallic shades set off by the two-toned area rug makes it an inviting place to enjoy a good book.
The custom-built cabinetry finished in matte grey and deep blue laminates brings a sophisticated feel to the library. There is a subtle play of colour for the lounge, too – the combination of earthy and metallic shades set off by the two-toned area rug makes it an inviting place to enjoy a good book.
This project was recently recognised with a gold award for Best Residential Design, Apartment 1001 – 2001 sqft (Singapore) at the Interior Design Excellence Awards (I-DEA) 2017.
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.
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.
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