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Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: This Apartment is an Ode to Travel and Art
Material choice and space planning were inspired by the owner's art collection acquired during her overseas trips
This low-key yet luxurious apartment is nestled in a quieter area of Newton/Novena, just overlooking the bustle of Orchard Road. Designed by Edmund Liau, creative director of Blackrice Design Studio, it’s a carefully planned space with special attention paid to carving out extra storage and creating a timeless canvas for its owner’s art collection. “The idea was to create a space where she can showcase the art pieces she has acquired through the years, some from her travels”, Liau says.
A left turn from the entryway leads to the open-plan living and dining area, where many of the owner’s arty purchases reside. Mirrored cabinets help to visually widen the space, says Liau, and provide more storage per the owner’s request.
A pocket sliding door separates this space from the private lift lobby.
Many of the furniture pieces were from the owner’s previous homes, so Liau matched some contemporary designs to bring the new apartment up to date: a Ghost chair from Kartell, lamps from Artemide.
Many of the furniture pieces were from the owner’s previous homes, so Liau matched some contemporary designs to bring the new apartment up to date: a Ghost chair from Kartell, lamps from Artemide.
The highlight of the dining area is the winning combination of this stunning abstract painting and the paintbrush-inspired chandelier, hung just so that it appears to have just finished creating the masterpiece on the wall. The art-loving owner saw it in Bangkok and fell immediately in love with it, says Liau, as it looks exactly like paintbrushes.
Sleek cabinetry in the kitchen is paired with wood-looking KompacPlus countertops, patterned floor tiles and subway tiles on the wall. Even in the kitchen there’s plenty of the owner’s art collection on the walls, says Liau.
Floor tiles: Rice
Floor tiles: Rice
Liau says that the art tiles on the floor reminded the owner of flooring she saw in Turkey. “She wanted to recreate that, and reflect her love for patterns, colours and art”, he says.
In addition to the custom-designed wardrobe with white crystal glass doors, the bed in the master bedroom is bespoke. “It has been customised to be higher than regular beds – similar to beds in some luxury hotels”, Liau says. Wall sconces from Artemide were incorporated in this bespoke design; the owner likes to read every night before she sleeps, says Liau. New floor tiles with a timber finish are laid in a herringbone pattern for contrast.
Floor tiles: Rice
Floor tiles: Rice
Liau reworked the configuration of the master bathroom to provide a bigger shower space as well as create a seamless transition from the master bedroom to the bathroom (sliding glass doors replaced the dividing wall). Pale, patterned tiles add subtle detail whilst maintaining a bright look.
Tiles: Rice
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Tiles: Rice
See more of this project
TELL US
What is your favourite space in this home? Share in the Comments below.
Who lives here: A banker in her early 40s
Location: Newton/Novena
Size: 109 square metres (1,141 square feet)
Project duration: 3 months
Liau gave the private lift lobby a cosy, intimate feel by using darker tones – a custom-designed shoe cabinet made with vertical strips of veneer is framed by black cabinets and open shelves. The open shelves are for the display of the owner’s travel books and souvenirs bought on her trips.
Floor tiles: Rice