Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: New England Style Resonates in This New Flat
For a jet-setting couple, an American-inspired design suited for tropical climate was the way to go
“The couple travels a lot, both for work and pleasure. The pilot husband sees the world, while the wife did her PhD in the United States. They were quite precise about the design aesthetics, and were looking for a designer with experience in the New England style, a style they became accustomed to during their time spent overseas,” says Arjan Nijen Twilhaar, principal designer of Aiden T.
The couple and the designer were a perfect fit, as Twilhaar, who lived and worked in Boston, was quite familiar with the design direction and over the years has developed ways to incorporate these design features to suit Singapore’s humid weather. “The design is inspired by coastal homes found in Cape Cod, with warm wood floors and white furniture that are contrasted with light walls and blue hues. The design aesthetic references Federal style, with more streamlined detailing and pared back ornamental features,” he says.
The couple and the designer were a perfect fit, as Twilhaar, who lived and worked in Boston, was quite familiar with the design direction and over the years has developed ways to incorporate these design features to suit Singapore’s humid weather. “The design is inspired by coastal homes found in Cape Cod, with warm wood floors and white furniture that are contrasted with light walls and blue hues. The design aesthetic references Federal style, with more streamlined detailing and pared back ornamental features,” he says.
The first thing that Twilhaar did was to create a foyer, to serve as a transitional area between the public area and the main living space. He opted for decorative floor tiles in keystone pattern, which adds vintage charm and sets the space apart from the rest of the house that features vinyl flooring.
“The foyer gives a bit of privacy and allowed me to add more storage, especially for their luggage,” he said. Mirrors and recessed lights give the illusion of more space.
Tiles: Hafary
“The foyer gives a bit of privacy and allowed me to add more storage, especially for their luggage,” he said. Mirrors and recessed lights give the illusion of more space.
Tiles: Hafary
“With a new direction into the home, I created rooms that are interconnected through large cased openings. There is a framed opening between the foyer and dining space, and another between the dining and living space,” he explains.
To create a much larger living space, the owners proposed making the kitchen smaller to allow more space for the dining area. Twilhaar heeded their request, and proceeded to integrate all built-in appliances in the dining area. “It creates a casual dining space that feels like an open kitchen,” he says.
One drawback, though, that the team encountered with the merging of the dining and kitchen is the beam that runs across the room. They worked around it by sandwiching it between pendant lights. To help bounce light around the area, a mirror panel was also placed in the middle of the kitchen cabinetry.
To create a much larger living space, the owners proposed making the kitchen smaller to allow more space for the dining area. Twilhaar heeded their request, and proceeded to integrate all built-in appliances in the dining area. “It creates a casual dining space that feels like an open kitchen,” he says.
One drawback, though, that the team encountered with the merging of the dining and kitchen is the beam that runs across the room. They worked around it by sandwiching it between pendant lights. To help bounce light around the area, a mirror panel was also placed in the middle of the kitchen cabinetry.
Sliding French doors enclose the equally well-equipped wet kitchen. “Keeping the carpentry white adds to the coastal feel. We also integrated a Shaker style panel door with some wood detail for a layered effect,” says Twilhaar. The laminate cabinet doors and quartz countertops make for easy maintenance, while marble-like subway tiles for the backsplash add a touch of elegance.
Laminate: EDL; countertops: iQuartz, carpentry hardware: Blum; tiles: Hafary
Laminate: EDL; countertops: iQuartz, carpentry hardware: Blum; tiles: Hafary
Entertaining is a breeze in the large living space. The seating area is anchored by the sofa placed in the middle of the room. Behind it is a credenza accentuated by a pair of lamps with aqua bases on brass feet. “The added height from the table lamps defines the room and helps break up the large space,” Twilhaar says.
What also keeps you drawn to the spacious room is the coffered ceiling, a key element of the Federal-inspired style. “I love adding feature elements to the ceiling, as I feel that is a wonderful canvas to add a layer of depth and detail. It also helped keep the ceiling higher, as we placed lights and conduits in the beam areas and maintained the recesses as high as possible,” he says.
Lamps: Hock Siong & Co.
What also keeps you drawn to the spacious room is the coffered ceiling, a key element of the Federal-inspired style. “I love adding feature elements to the ceiling, as I feel that is a wonderful canvas to add a layer of depth and detail. It also helped keep the ceiling higher, as we placed lights and conduits in the beam areas and maintained the recesses as high as possible,” he says.
Lamps: Hock Siong & Co.
The couple has a sizeable book collection, which the designer decided to integrate around the TV area. “The TV cabinet is actually from Ikea, and the style works really well with the overall theme of the home,” says Twilhaar.
Furniture-wise, they opted for pieces that are store-bought – like the sofa and dining set from Ikea, and the credenza and ottoman bought online – to keep the budget on track. “The dining chairs and table, in particular, are a temporary purchase until something more suitable can replace them,” he adds.
Furniture-wise, they opted for pieces that are store-bought – like the sofa and dining set from Ikea, and the credenza and ottoman bought online – to keep the budget on track. “The dining chairs and table, in particular, are a temporary purchase until something more suitable can replace them,” he adds.
The passageway to the private spaces, which repeats the same cased opening, is a visual extension of the living space. Rather than adding an extra layer to the shelter door (first door on the left in this photo), the designer simply added trimming to it. This way, the metal door is incorporated into the overall design. “Additional arch trim to the frames and a classic patterned door complement the look,” he says.
Since the team relocated the entrance to the master suite, they were able to create a focal point at the end of the passage. A vignette consisting of an heirloom table, a burnished mirror, and a lamp with quatrefoil details add warmth to the hallway.
The team had to work with the existing bathroom tiles. “They were dark and make the bathrooms a tad gloomy. Integrating them to feel like part of the home was not easy,” shares Twilhaar. To give the common bathroom some stylish flair, the designer simply added a vanity cabinet and an off-the-rack mirror.
The master suite was reconfigured, combining two rooms to create a larger, more seamless space. The relocated entrance opens to the study area, and double sliding doors lead to the bedroom.
The wall behind the headboard was finished in laminate that mimics a tweed pattern. More storage was created along this wall.
Laminate: EDL
The wall behind the headboard was finished in laminate that mimics a tweed pattern. More storage was created along this wall.
Laminate: EDL
Another sliding door opens to the walk-in wardrobe and master bathroom. White Shaker style doors were used for the wardrobe, which make for a clean complement to the warm-toned vinyl flooring.
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Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple in their 30s
Location: Punggol
Size: 1,200 square feet (111 square metres)
Project duration: 4 months