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Houzz Tour: This Family Home Went From Blah to Beautiful Within A Day
Rich textures and a tight colour palette make the best of existing furniture and features
Having previously resided in Hong Kong and leading very busy lives in Singapore, it was important for the owners that their high-rise home remains uncluttered and relaxing. Their design brief was straightforward: “They wanted to create a tranquil, open space, sort of like an urban oasis,” says Caroline Chin-Geyler, head stylist of Arete Culture. “They really liked the Turquoise Sentosa makeover in our portfolio and wanted their home to look and feel the same way – light and bright using soft, sophisticated colours and rich textures.” The home enjoys a great vantage point from the balcony looking out to Takashimaya Department Store. Hence, the owners wanted this area to be a focal point. The team set out to create a dwelling that is understated but luxurious, one that is very clean, bright and open, in a matter of 28 hours.
AFTER: To achieve the vision of a tranquil, Zen-inspired home, an open-plan layout was maintained using the owners’ existing investment pieces. “What we did was to use a lot of neutrals like sand and taupe, which served as the foundational palette for us to set off these furniture pieces. At the same time, the colours also shave off visual weight around the room to create the illusion of a light and airy space,” says Chin-Geyler. A dainty chaise lounge adds another element of elegance to the living area.
Teal was selected as the accent colour throughout the home. “The reason behind this is that the clients came to our showroom and fell in love with these teal-based art panels by The Designer Boys that we carry,” she shares. Opting for only one accent colour keeps things clean while ensuring that the place still feels cosy and welcoming. The team also layered different textures, such as marble, glass, wood, leather and velvet, for the accent pieces.
Teal was selected as the accent colour throughout the home. “The reason behind this is that the clients came to our showroom and fell in love with these teal-based art panels by The Designer Boys that we carry,” she shares. Opting for only one accent colour keeps things clean while ensuring that the place still feels cosy and welcoming. The team also layered different textures, such as marble, glass, wood, leather and velvet, for the accent pieces.
While the red massage chair was moved elsewhere, they pulled out the wavy open cabinet tucked away in the kids’ play area and brought it to the living area. It now serves as a beautiful display shelf for the family’s keepsakes and collectibles.
The wife, who plays the piano, chose a fitting wallpaper for the piano nook – one that has sheet music as the motif.
The wife, who plays the piano, chose a fitting wallpaper for the piano nook – one that has sheet music as the motif.
“We also opted to keep the silhouette of the pieces very distinct, so we looked for pieces that could hold their own,” says Chin-Geyler. The existing petrified wood dining table is complemented by a wood and glass console. A mosaic mirror hangs above it. “If you look closely at the mirror, you’ll see this copper, bronzy detail, which we used to tie in with the browns of the room,” says Chin-Geyler.
“When creating an open space it’s also important to utilise the height of a room, so we custom-made a tall bar cabinet to let them entertain in style while keeping the visual clutter of bottles and labels behind closed doors,” she says.
“When creating an open space it’s also important to utilise the height of a room, so we custom-made a tall bar cabinet to let them entertain in style while keeping the visual clutter of bottles and labels behind closed doors,” she says.
At the other end of the living space is this cosy spot, which serves as the kids’ play area and the TV area where the couple hang out with their kids. “It’s an extension of the open-plan space and is zoned especially for the kids,” she says.
BEFORE: The balcony closest to the entertaining spaces was empty too, but had good timber decking.
AFTER: To bring the outdoors in and create an open entertainment area, the team brought in outdoor furniture made of teak and rattan. Cushions in soft teals and greys soften the boxy, structured frame of the seating. Tall potted plants were also introduced to frame the space.
“The only sources of light in this area come from lanterns and candles. We chose to keep it this way because we wanted to create a cosy and intimate space conducive for entertaining and unwinding. The warm glow and flickering light from candles and lanterns help to create and maintain that romantic mood,” she adds.
“The only sources of light in this area come from lanterns and candles. We chose to keep it this way because we wanted to create a cosy and intimate space conducive for entertaining and unwinding. The warm glow and flickering light from candles and lanterns help to create and maintain that romantic mood,” she adds.
The powder room was cleared of clutter and styled for sophistication. The faux greenery creates an organic feel, while the metallic vase adds height to the compact space. Matching reeds and toiletries also gives an extra touch of luxury.
BEFORE: “The master bedroom had obviously been lived in before we started work and the homeowners had great bones for us to work with, but it was all very mixed up,” says Chin-Geyler. The room has damask wallpaper and a bed with tall headboard, but it also had clashing prints and lacked texture.
AFTER: “When we looked at the room it was clear the homeowners were looking for an almost baroque look: everything was ornate and grand, but the elements had not been properly tied together,” she says. To achieve a more cohesive look, they toned down the clashing prints with texture through rich velvet cushions, silk sheets, and suede accents.
BEFORE: Another under utilised space is the balcony in the master bedroom.
AFTER: To complement the bedroom, they used a simple, unadorned garden set to create a Parisian-inspired balcony.
The set actually belongs to the owners and they were about to throw it out, but the team rescued it. “I am a big believer in repurposing furniture around the home. Many a time, there’s no need to buy new furniture when you can just move pieces around or refurbish it for a new look,” says Chin-Geyler.
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The set actually belongs to the owners and they were about to throw it out, but the team rescued it. “I am a big believer in repurposing furniture around the home. Many a time, there’s no need to buy new furniture when you can just move pieces around or refurbish it for a new look,” says Chin-Geyler.
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What do you think of this makeover? Share in the Comments below.
Who lives here: Cedric (French husband) and Evangeline (Hong Kongese wife), their two young kids and a helper
Location: Orchard
Size: 209 square metres (2,250 square feet)
BEFORE: The living and dining areas were pretty bare and only had key pieces, including an Italian leather sofa, a red massage chair, grand piano, a dining table, and dining chairs.