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Houzz Tour: Odd Corners Are Turned into Assets In This Condo
The homeowners loved the quirky layout – kinks, corners and all – but needed help putting them to good use
“This home is designed to showcase the owners’ artistic aesthetics and their love for natural stone, unique and colourful soft furnishings and furniture pieces,” say designers Charmaine Wong and Jacob Ishak of Chark. The unit was showing its age when the owners purchased it, with outdated finishes and a low false ceiling. But what they liked about the apartment is its unique character and layout not seen in newer condos, not to mention its central location.
“The concept revolved around reinterpreting traditional elements and making them contemporary,” says Wong. They also optimised every inch of usable space, including odd-shaped corners, which this unit had plenty of.
“The concept revolved around reinterpreting traditional elements and making them contemporary,” says Wong. They also optimised every inch of usable space, including odd-shaped corners, which this unit had plenty of.
Balancing out the marble wall’s busy and striking veining is the coffered wall across it. “It is polyurethane-coated in beige to match with the existing desert beige marble flooring. The polyurethane coating gives a seamless finish which conceals the panel joints,” she says. The lines on the coffered wall also help visually lengthen the space.
Splashes of colours comes in the form of the carpet, royal green velvet dining chairs, and cushions. The TV console, coffee table and dining table all have a touch of brass and gold for an extra touch of modern luxe.
Splashes of colours comes in the form of the carpet, royal green velvet dining chairs, and cushions. The TV console, coffee table and dining table all have a touch of brass and gold for an extra touch of modern luxe.
The original ceiling height was reclaimed by ripping out the entire false ceiling and redesigning it to maximise the allowable height.
“We coordinated closely with the contractor to ensure all M&E (mechanical and engineering) services were pushed as high as technically possible to free up space for a higher floor to ceiling height. Unforeseen issues such as a rainwater down pipe at the dining area, previously hidden in the false ceiling space, had to be carefully integrated back into the design. Renovating an older unit requires greater attention to details to ensure the inherited conditions can be fully integrated into the new,” says Wong.
Downlights serve as the main lighting for the living space, while a multi-tier brass pendant lamp adds drama to the dining area.
Marble wall: Hafary; dining set: GUBI; coffee table: Etch&Bolts; Sofa: King Living; rug: The Rug Maker; cushions: Affordable Style Files
“We coordinated closely with the contractor to ensure all M&E (mechanical and engineering) services were pushed as high as technically possible to free up space for a higher floor to ceiling height. Unforeseen issues such as a rainwater down pipe at the dining area, previously hidden in the false ceiling space, had to be carefully integrated back into the design. Renovating an older unit requires greater attention to details to ensure the inherited conditions can be fully integrated into the new,” says Wong.
Downlights serve as the main lighting for the living space, while a multi-tier brass pendant lamp adds drama to the dining area.
Marble wall: Hafary; dining set: GUBI; coffee table: Etch&Bolts; Sofa: King Living; rug: The Rug Maker; cushions: Affordable Style Files
The designers played up the awkwardly-shaped kitchen with a display of Viscount white granite that stretches from the backsplash to the countertop. The granite’s grey veining and speckling of black and white gives the right dose of dramatic effect against the white and wood cabinetry.
Granite: Hong Lee
Granite: Hong Lee
The second bedroom functions as a study. “A long and deep study table was customised to suit the nature of the homeowners’ work,” says Wong. “The U-shaped open shelf was also customised to occupy the semi-circular niche which previously was a tight and dark study area.”
Office chair: Herman Miller
Office chair: Herman Miller
The master bedroom has its own share of the odd-shaped layout – the window end sticks out to form a V-shaped corner. The designers played it down by creating a focal point behind the bed utilising the same coffered wall panelling as the living space. They also added a lounge chair to turn the acute corner of the room into a cosy nook not only for the couple, but also for their dog, Jay.
“The curved extent is deliberately designed to cover the full extent of the V-shaped corner, and create a line of mirrored symmetry in an irregularly-shaped room. The curved curtain track is also used to visually soften the sharp corner,” Wong says.
Bed: King Living; lounge chair: Bo Concept; mirror: GUBI
“The curved extent is deliberately designed to cover the full extent of the V-shaped corner, and create a line of mirrored symmetry in an irregularly-shaped room. The curved curtain track is also used to visually soften the sharp corner,” Wong says.
Bed: King Living; lounge chair: Bo Concept; mirror: GUBI
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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: Working executive couple and their schnauzer, Jay
Location: River Valley Road
Size: Approx 1,110 square feet (102 square metres)
Project duration: Around 3 months
Big and bold wall treatments, highlight the length and openness of the living space. On one side is a heavily-veined marble wall feature. “Stone slabs were arranged randomly (not bookmatched) as a way to make the stone wall look contemporary,” explains Wong.