Room Tour: Indoor-Outdoor Living in the Balcony
Capitalising on its quayside view, this balcony is a relaxing extension of the apartment's living and dining rooms
When you have a balcony that’s spacious enough to accommodate full-sized furniture and offers the luxurious view of boats docking in by their owners’ homes, you bring the living and dining rooms outside. That’s what the owners of this three-bedroom condominium had in mind when they called in interior decorator Caroline Chin-Geyler to turn their home and curvilinear balcony into their indoor-outdoor paradise.
Taking inspiration from the location – Sentosa Cove’s sea, sand and forest – Chin-Geyler came up with a colour palette of coastal hues and soft neutrals (eg. taupe and sand) and a tactile palette of organic materials.
To supplement the owners’ existing dining set, Chin-Geyler worked with them to select a new lounge set with UV-resistant outdoor upholstery, sourced from Teak & Mahogany.
“Lighting was also very important to the space,” Chin-Geyler says. “We had to bring in ambient lighting to create that tranquil, peaceful atmosphere the owners were looking for. In outdoor spaces this means using lots of scented candles, hurricane lanterns, and outdoor lanterns. Using these light sources gives the space a soft and warm glow that’s very reminiscent of villa getaways.”
To supplement the owners’ existing dining set, Chin-Geyler worked with them to select a new lounge set with UV-resistant outdoor upholstery, sourced from Teak & Mahogany.
“Lighting was also very important to the space,” Chin-Geyler says. “We had to bring in ambient lighting to create that tranquil, peaceful atmosphere the owners were looking for. In outdoor spaces this means using lots of scented candles, hurricane lanterns, and outdoor lanterns. Using these light sources gives the space a soft and warm glow that’s very reminiscent of villa getaways.”
To enhance the indoor-outdoor concept, Chin-Geyler brought in some lush greens for the balcony. “The plants were purchased from Corona Nursery (Clementi) and Hawaii Landscape (Thomson Road). We used a mixture of bamboo, orchids, and green leafy plants,” she says.
“We brought in the bamboo primarily because it is tall and sculptural, which heightens the area and emphasises the openness of the space. I also like bamboo because it is a symbol of strength but there is also a softness to its structure, and it’s often seen in Japanese gardens because of its association with zen spaces,” Chin-Geyler says.
“We brought in the bamboo primarily because it is tall and sculptural, which heightens the area and emphasises the openness of the space. I also like bamboo because it is a symbol of strength but there is also a softness to its structure, and it’s often seen in Japanese gardens because of its association with zen spaces,” Chin-Geyler says.
She adds: “I’m always drawn to orchids and I use it a lot in my projects. It works in this space because the owners wanted the elegance of hotel rooms, which an orchid provides, but it’s also a low-maintenance plant that is at once simple, sophisticated, and still a statement piece. We finished the place off with smaller leafy plants (of a different height – lower than the bamboo) to help create the lush botanic environment of the balcony. I really wanted something that would play up the contrast between the raw hardness of the concrete planters and the softer, organic feel of the space.”
Bringing in the blues of the ocean and adding pops of pattern, Chin-Geyler added indoor/outdoor cushions from Arete Culture.
“The main thing is that this space was integral to the indoor-outdoor feel the owners wanted to create in their home,” Chin-Geyler shares. “We had to make sure the outdoor space continued the feel and flow of the indoor space and there was this seamless transition between both spaces, which is why so much thought went into the textures and colours of the area.”
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Do you enjoy indoor-outdoor living? Let us know in the Comments section how you’re bringing nature into your space.
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See more of this project
TELL US
Do you enjoy indoor-outdoor living? Let us know in the Comments section how you’re bringing nature into your space.
MORE
Browse more balcony and deck ideas
Who lives here: A couple, both professionals, in their late 40s and early 50s
Location: Sentosa Cove
Size of the room: Estimated 37 square metres (400 square feet)
Designer: Caroline Chin-Geyler of Arete Culture
Chin-Geyler shares: “The owners were looking for a tranquil, open-plan space. They wanted a home that was zen and peaceful but still maintained an inviting and cosy atmosphere.”