Room Tour: A Sizeable Living Space Pulls a Cohesive Act
Bright and refreshing colours create balance and sophistication in the open-plan layout
“As dual nationals (Australian and American), Niranjan and Deborah Arasaratnam who tenant this four-bedroom apartment, travel a lot and have moved many times, so they like to ensure that their house always feel like home wherever they are living,” says Caroline Chin-Geyler, head stylist of Arete Culture. Having lived in different places around the world also meant that they have acquired furniture, accessories and artwork. As the various items felt too disparate, the wife wanted a professional to come in to bring the family home together.
Chin-Geyler and co-stylist Dipti Mehta worked on the shared living spaces in this home. The space is very modern and open, with large windows and glass streaming in lots of natural light. Layering colours, materials, and textures was key in achieving the main design objective of a lived-in, homey feel. “There’s a lot going on so the eyes keep moving around the space, but the space doesn’t overwhelm because there is a cohesive colour palette,” Chin-Geyler says.
Chin-Geyler and co-stylist Dipti Mehta worked on the shared living spaces in this home. The space is very modern and open, with large windows and glass streaming in lots of natural light. Layering colours, materials, and textures was key in achieving the main design objective of a lived-in, homey feel. “There’s a lot going on so the eyes keep moving around the space, but the space doesn’t overwhelm because there is a cohesive colour palette,” Chin-Geyler says.
Since the space is open and free-flowing, the designers created different seating options to play up the generous footprint. The main seating in the living area is the new grey couch from Furniture Club. The two armchairs, which the clients initially wanted to throw out with their old couch, were retained because the designers felt their shape works well in the space. The chaise lounge is for Niranjan who loves to read, and the couch is for the kids who like to hang out while their dad relaxes.
“Bearing in mind that the home had to be family-friendly (with two teens and a dog), we kept most of the pieces very streamlined and simple,” says Chin-Geyler. For instance, the coffee table was built with a tiled top that resembles marble, so it looks as luxe as it is durable.
“Bearing in mind that the home had to be family-friendly (with two teens and a dog), we kept most of the pieces very streamlined and simple,” says Chin-Geyler. For instance, the coffee table was built with a tiled top that resembles marble, so it looks as luxe as it is durable.
“When working with many colours and patterns in a space, it’s essential to have some of your major pieces more neutral. And if you’re working with bright colours, balance that with darker wood,” she says. The dark wood media unit was finished with powder-coated steel legs in champagne – the same colour seen in the coffee and side tables as well.
“The teal and white palette also grounds the disparate pieces together, bringing cohesion to the room,” she adds.
“The teal and white palette also grounds the disparate pieces together, bringing cohesion to the room,” she adds.
The interior stylists also believe in giving a new lease of life to existing pieces. Next to the media unit is a Chinese cabinet, which used to be drab and heavy-looking in dark red. It was made more vibrant through a mix of teal and white with tangerine accents – “the brightest orange shade we could find in the Dulux colour palette,” shares Chin-Geyler.
They also created another small reading area opposite the media unit, pairing a tufted Butterfly chair with a modern floor lamp.
They also created another small reading area opposite the media unit, pairing a tufted Butterfly chair with a modern floor lamp.
“Because the apartment is so open, we wanted to do a feature wall with wallpaper to informally demarcate the space, while also giving the eye somewhere to rest on,” shares Chin-Geyler. They chose a midnight blue textured wallpaper to make a bold yet refreshing statement.
The team designed the dining area around the existing dining chairs, upholstered in tangerine with blue and white accents. Organic elements, in the form of wood and glass, ensured that the space isn’t too formal nor fussy. The custom-built console with variegated woodgrain ties in with the tone of the dining table, which is an existing piece. The white and champagne sunburst mirror adds sophistication to the setting.
The team designed the dining area around the existing dining chairs, upholstered in tangerine with blue and white accents. Organic elements, in the form of wood and glass, ensured that the space isn’t too formal nor fussy. The custom-built console with variegated woodgrain ties in with the tone of the dining table, which is an existing piece. The white and champagne sunburst mirror adds sophistication to the setting.
The dining area leads to the outdoor area and family room. “The outdoor area, which was completely bare when we started, was of particular importance to the owners as they miss their previous garden space in Australia,” says Chin-Geyler. The client picked out this set of white woven seating, and the designers incorporated texture and colour with tangerine and teal accent pieces. The indoor-outdoor area rug is a practical piece to have around the pool, and makes the space more homey.
Outdoor furniture: Archipelago, Arete Culture Outdoor Living
Outdoor furniture: Archipelago, Arete Culture Outdoor Living
To also make the outdoor area entertaining-ready, they brought in a high table with stools that conveniently tuck underneath the table when not in use.
Plants in crisp white pots enliven the space. Stylish flair meets cosy in this space, making it more inviting to take a dip into the pool.
“The main issue we had to work with in the family room is that it came with built-in shelving that dominated the entire area. It was impossible to create a different focal point, so we worked around it by playing up the shelving with keepsakes and mementos of home and family,” says Chin-Geyler.
The neutral and streamlined seating is layered with cushions in the same palette as the other seating areas, to keep the colours flowing throughout the house.
The neutral and streamlined seating is layered with cushions in the same palette as the other seating areas, to keep the colours flowing throughout the house.
The decorators also rearranged certain pieces to better suit the space. For example, the wooden console beneath the triptych used to be in the living area. It found its new sweet spot in the hallway that leads to the kitchen, anchoring the space and serving as additional display surface.
The clients have expressed their happiness and satisfaction with the team’s efforts. “Theirs was no ordinary, by-the-book, preconceived, interior remodel. Instead, Dipti and Caroline produced a beautiful home that reflects our family’s style and personality,” says Deborah. “The product of their efforts and vision has made our new place in Singapore a truly luxurious and welcoming home. Our entire family can look forward each day to spending time in the magnificent space they have so carefully crafted for us.”
TELL US
What did you like best about this space? Share in the Comments below.
TELL US
What did you like best about this space? Share in the Comments below.
Who lives here: A family of four and their small dog
Location: Orchard Road
Project duration: 30 hours
Designer: Caroline Chin-Geyler and Dipti Mehta of Arete Culture