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Houzz Tour: This 1980s Condo Gets a Clean and Classic Update
A whisper of colour and classic, clean lines lend an air of quiet confidence to this old apartment
“Transitional; English; modern; clean; individualist; understated elegance” were the keywords given by the new homeowners of this 30-year-old condo to interior design firm Designed Design Associates (DDA), led by Joann Ang.
Ang says: “Whilst the client loved our [portfolio of] previous works, they had specifically requested that this house should have unique, unconventional details and furnishing that speak to their personalities and preferences.”
Ang says: “Whilst the client loved our [portfolio of] previous works, they had specifically requested that this house should have unique, unconventional details and furnishing that speak to their personalities and preferences.”
Straight from the foyer, the owners are greeted by fresh, open spaces, enhanced by the lovely balcony. Black-and-white bamboo blinds – a design characteristic of colonial Singapore architecture – shield the balcony from the harsh sun. The deck chairs are from Ikea, but Ang’s deft mix-and-match touch make them look as upmarket as the Gervasoni armchair in the living area.
To the right of the foyer, leading to the dining area and kitchen, is a wine cellar designed to house the husband’s collection.
“He just started the hobby of wine trading and is looking forward to building his collection in their new home,” Ang says.
“He just started the hobby of wine trading and is looking forward to building his collection in their new home,” Ang says.
“Having grown up in the US, the owner prefers the western way of using her kitchen where baking is the primary way of cooking,” says Ang.
Hence the kitchen was opened up as there are no cooking fumes from Asian-style cooking to contain. The open-concept kitchen also allows the owner to socialise with her guests even when she is cooking.
Hence the kitchen was opened up as there are no cooking fumes from Asian-style cooking to contain. The open-concept kitchen also allows the owner to socialise with her guests even when she is cooking.
“Clean, classic with a modern touch, uncluttered and bright-looking” was the owner’s request for the kitchen aesthetics. Ang used a Nero Absoluto granite top for the kitchen counters, contrasted with white painted cabinetry.
Sliding shutters hide the utility area and cabinets adjacent to this conceal the rubbish chute.
Sliding shutters hide the utility area and cabinets adjacent to this conceal the rubbish chute.
While the bedrooms were not included in the design and renovation works, the clean and classic aesthetic was followed through in the bathroom. “Hence, both the master and guest bathrooms are fitted with accessories that have a similar look and feel,” Ang says.
Mosaic tiles in ‘Random Cut Marble’ finish give the space an understated elegance. A subtle change in the the surface treatment of the marble in the shower cubicle creates a gentle contrast between the two spaces.
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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: A married couple – he is a Singaporean banker and she a Hong Kong banker-turned-decorator – who recently moved back to Singapore to start a family
Location: Tanglin/Holland area
Type of Property: Four-bedroom condo
Size: 2,500 square feet (Approx. 232 square metres)
Project Duration: 5 months (2 months for design, 3 months for fit-out)
With those words and that brief in mind, Ang and her design team looked to American designer Barbara Barry – known for her classic, elegant furniture and decor – or inspiration. Bringing together that clean-lined and timeless aesthetic with mid-century modern Danish pieces and some low-key Asian detailing resulted in a modern-transitional mix.
At the split level between the foyer and the living room – a characteristic of interior layout for all private apartments built in the mid-eighties in Singapore, says Ang – they’ve placed a beautiful piece of petrified raintree wood log as a table and demarcation between these split levels.