Singapore Interior Designers Recognised by Peers for Great Work
These residential projects came out tops for interior design at the annual Interior Design Excellence Awards 2017
On November 21, the Interior Design Confederation Singapore (IDCS) recognised excellence in the industry by awarding 54 design projects, across 28 categories, from Singapore and the region with the Interior Design Excellence Awards (I-DEA) 2017. There were two new categories that were the highlights this year – the AkzoNobel Colour Award and Top 3 ID Firms of the Year. A student competition track, Spatial Design Awards (SPADE) had 36 winners over nine categories. In its 5th edition, the Design Excellence Awards received 180 entries from interior design firms from Singapore and the Asia-Pacific region.
Here are the winning residential projects from Singapore in the designers’ own words:
Here are the winning residential projects from Singapore in the designers’ own words:
Silver, Best Residential Design | Apartment ≤ 1,000 square feet
Project: A Timeless Affair
Designer: Design NEU
Designer’s Description:
“Monochromatic colours are sophisticated yet comfortable, popular yet distinctive and always on trend. This stylish home combines an eclectic theme into a bold contemporary setting. The design approach was to fuse the refined simplicity of black, white and grey with the sophisticated elegance of wood. Most corners of the interior have a unique feature with emphasis on detailing of colour gradient, distinctive texture and clean geometrical patterns. The nature of contemporary eclectic style is diverse, and the furniture, light fittings and accessories bear similar pattern, distinct embellishment and comparable colour scheme to achieve elegance and connection of spaces.”
Project: A Timeless Affair
Designer: Design NEU
Designer’s Description:
“Monochromatic colours are sophisticated yet comfortable, popular yet distinctive and always on trend. This stylish home combines an eclectic theme into a bold contemporary setting. The design approach was to fuse the refined simplicity of black, white and grey with the sophisticated elegance of wood. Most corners of the interior have a unique feature with emphasis on detailing of colour gradient, distinctive texture and clean geometrical patterns. The nature of contemporary eclectic style is diverse, and the furniture, light fittings and accessories bear similar pattern, distinct embellishment and comparable colour scheme to achieve elegance and connection of spaces.”
Bronze, Best Residential Design | Apartment ≤ 1,000 square feet
Project: Apartment at Kim Tian
Designer: Department of Design
Designer’s Description:
“We managed to create a hidden dry kitchen in the space. With that, we even managed to make the entire existing wet kitchen disappear when not in use. Guests see no kitchen as both the wet and dry kitchens are separated from the living space. We find it exciting to create a brand new living space for our clients and are extremely satisfied with the result.”
Project: Apartment at Kim Tian
Designer: Department of Design
Designer’s Description:
“We managed to create a hidden dry kitchen in the space. With that, we even managed to make the entire existing wet kitchen disappear when not in use. Guests see no kitchen as both the wet and dry kitchens are separated from the living space. We find it exciting to create a brand new living space for our clients and are extremely satisfied with the result.”
Gold, Best Residential Design | Apartment 1,001 – 2,000 square feet
Project: Wee Residence
Designer: Wee Studio
Designer’s Description:
“The space is an experiment in materials and design details for a young designer couple’s home. We wanted a sleek, sexy look for the apartment while maintaining a cosy and homely vibe. It is important to be able to unwind at home in an environment that is aesthetically pleasing and imbued with good design qualities. We maximised the space by introducing concealed storage to keep it neat. An island doubles as dining table and TV console, and we installed a mirrored ceiling to make the space appear larger and to add glamour. To inject some energy, we used patterned tiles to break up the monochrome colour palette. All of the wood accents are natural veneer stained with a beautiful oak hue for a more organic feel.”
Wee Studio also won in the Top 3 ID Firm of the Year category.
Project: Wee Residence
Designer: Wee Studio
Designer’s Description:
“The space is an experiment in materials and design details for a young designer couple’s home. We wanted a sleek, sexy look for the apartment while maintaining a cosy and homely vibe. It is important to be able to unwind at home in an environment that is aesthetically pleasing and imbued with good design qualities. We maximised the space by introducing concealed storage to keep it neat. An island doubles as dining table and TV console, and we installed a mirrored ceiling to make the space appear larger and to add glamour. To inject some energy, we used patterned tiles to break up the monochrome colour palette. All of the wood accents are natural veneer stained with a beautiful oak hue for a more organic feel.”
Wee Studio also won in the Top 3 ID Firm of the Year category.
Silver, Best Residential Design | Apartment 1,001 – 2,000 square feet
Project: Modern Classical
Designer: D’Marvel Scale
Designer’s Description:
“We made use of different concepts to help reiterate a modern classical theme throughout the space. Through the subtle use of framing and moulding, we changed the overall feel of the house to align with our modern classical concept. Our clients work in education and are used to their enclosed workspaces. To create a distinction between their home and work, we decided to utilise the concept of openness by opening up spaces. We kept to a neutral, minimalistic colour scheme throughout. There was a lot of emphasis on flow. Colours were kept consistent and flow through all rooms. Track, recessed and wall-mounted lights were all applied carefully to complement each other.”
Project: Modern Classical
Designer: D’Marvel Scale
Designer’s Description:
“We made use of different concepts to help reiterate a modern classical theme throughout the space. Through the subtle use of framing and moulding, we changed the overall feel of the house to align with our modern classical concept. Our clients work in education and are used to their enclosed workspaces. To create a distinction between their home and work, we decided to utilise the concept of openness by opening up spaces. We kept to a neutral, minimalistic colour scheme throughout. There was a lot of emphasis on flow. Colours were kept consistent and flow through all rooms. Track, recessed and wall-mounted lights were all applied carefully to complement each other.”
Bronze, Best Residential Design | Apartment 1,001 – 2,000 square feet
Project: The Venue Residence
Designer: D’Marvel Scale
Designer’s Description:
“We created contrasting spaces that helped to create an illusion of a wider space by using a monochromatic colour scheme. The apartment is small so we visually lengthened the space. We redefined the existing view of the spaces and framed it such that it looks longer. We utilised existing elements in the space, and repeated them in our designs resulting in the enhancement of the overall flow in the home.”
Project: The Venue Residence
Designer: D’Marvel Scale
Designer’s Description:
“We created contrasting spaces that helped to create an illusion of a wider space by using a monochromatic colour scheme. The apartment is small so we visually lengthened the space. We redefined the existing view of the spaces and framed it such that it looks longer. We utilised existing elements in the space, and repeated them in our designs resulting in the enhancement of the overall flow in the home.”
Gold, Best Residential Design | Apartment ≥ 2,001 square feet
Project: Penthouse @ Newton
Designer: Studiogoto
Designer’s Description:
“Confined to the three-winged layout of the penthouse, much of the design thoughts were focused on lessening the rigid effect of the existing plan. Hence, the solution was to go with a consistent interior palette throughout the three wings. Feature walls were introduced at strategic areas, coupled with an extensive use of fabric cladding, wood panelling and screens along the main circulation paths that link the three wings so as to enhance both the visual flow and harmony. Only the micro detailing of the fit-outs were differentiated. The material choice, together with the emphasis on micro detailing, have resulted in a harmonious softness to the interior against the existing monochromatic curtain wall and extensive glass façade.”
Project: Penthouse @ Newton
Designer: Studiogoto
Designer’s Description:
“Confined to the three-winged layout of the penthouse, much of the design thoughts were focused on lessening the rigid effect of the existing plan. Hence, the solution was to go with a consistent interior palette throughout the three wings. Feature walls were introduced at strategic areas, coupled with an extensive use of fabric cladding, wood panelling and screens along the main circulation paths that link the three wings so as to enhance both the visual flow and harmony. Only the micro detailing of the fit-outs were differentiated. The material choice, together with the emphasis on micro detailing, have resulted in a harmonious softness to the interior against the existing monochromatic curtain wall and extensive glass façade.”
Silver, Best Residential Design | Apartment ≥ 2,001 square feet
Project: Valley Park
Designer: Metaphor Studio
Designer’s Description:
“This four-bedroom apartment consisted of cramped rooms with an oversized kitchen and yard. The homeowner’s main priority was to maximise storage spaces for the family and provide a greater sense of connectivity between rooms. We converted the oversized service yard with the kitchen by having an open kitchen. Transparency between spaces has been sensitively organised so that family members are able to visually connect with each other. The homeowner is blessed with twin toddlers, so we ensured that the design would allow the parents to supervise the children even when they are in the kitchen. A large full-height sliding glass panel prevents undesired cooking aromas from the kitchen from invading the private areas. We also treated the finishes and proportions of the cabinetry in order to translate these components to be part of the interior design element.”
Metaphor Studio also won in the Top 3 ID Firm of the Year category.
Project: Valley Park
Designer: Metaphor Studio
Designer’s Description:
“This four-bedroom apartment consisted of cramped rooms with an oversized kitchen and yard. The homeowner’s main priority was to maximise storage spaces for the family and provide a greater sense of connectivity between rooms. We converted the oversized service yard with the kitchen by having an open kitchen. Transparency between spaces has been sensitively organised so that family members are able to visually connect with each other. The homeowner is blessed with twin toddlers, so we ensured that the design would allow the parents to supervise the children even when they are in the kitchen. A large full-height sliding glass panel prevents undesired cooking aromas from the kitchen from invading the private areas. We also treated the finishes and proportions of the cabinetry in order to translate these components to be part of the interior design element.”
Metaphor Studio also won in the Top 3 ID Firm of the Year category.
Bronze, Best Residential Design | Apartment ≥ 2,001 square feet
Project: ‘Lofty Ideals’ Apartment
Designer: Lim Ai Tiong (Lato) Design
Designer’s Description:
“The interior project is a two-storey, 5,000 square feet, five-bedroom condominium with a private pool at Leedon Residence. A 12-metre long, 5-metre wide and 8-metre high loft at the living/dining in the apartment inspired the design concept. The strategy was to enhance this loft. Walnut veneer was clad over the two 8-metre high unfinished columns to enhance the height. Wall lights were installed to throw accented glow at the mid level. Two huge FontanaArte Avico suspension lamps (1.6 metres in diameter) were hung 4 metres above the living/dining. The second storey protruding corridor into the loft was clad in wallpaper to highlight the space. A Misura Emme television wall unit was mounted against the 8-metre high wall. The interior was kept simple and classy without unnecessary decoration so as to not conflict with the ‘lofty ideals’ concept. Colour tones and furniture finishes were also kept simple and consistent.”
Project: ‘Lofty Ideals’ Apartment
Designer: Lim Ai Tiong (Lato) Design
Designer’s Description:
“The interior project is a two-storey, 5,000 square feet, five-bedroom condominium with a private pool at Leedon Residence. A 12-metre long, 5-metre wide and 8-metre high loft at the living/dining in the apartment inspired the design concept. The strategy was to enhance this loft. Walnut veneer was clad over the two 8-metre high unfinished columns to enhance the height. Wall lights were installed to throw accented glow at the mid level. Two huge FontanaArte Avico suspension lamps (1.6 metres in diameter) were hung 4 metres above the living/dining. The second storey protruding corridor into the loft was clad in wallpaper to highlight the space. A Misura Emme television wall unit was mounted against the 8-metre high wall. The interior was kept simple and classy without unnecessary decoration so as to not conflict with the ‘lofty ideals’ concept. Colour tones and furniture finishes were also kept simple and consistent.”
Silver, AkzoNobel Colour Award
Project: Apartment
Designer: Index Design
Designer’s Description:
“Because of the open yet compact plan, we choreographed the visual progression of spaces by layering materials, colours, textures and careful grouping of furniture. To allow for visual connectivity, the wall between the living and bedroom was replaced by shelving. This aids in showcasing the idea of flexible living within small spaces.
A warm and calm ambience was created with the use of natural maple, perforated copper and bronze tinted mirror. The perforated copper wall was also used to demonstrate flexible hanging storage (for e.g. master bedroom hanging mirrors). The use of fabric panels helped to exude a soft and plush feel to the master bedroom. The headboard, with false perspective, was designed to give an exaggerated depth of space.”
The Gold and Bronze winners of the AkzoNobel Colour Awards are commercial projects.
Look out for the Houzz Tours of these winning projects in the weeks to come.
Project: Apartment
Designer: Index Design
Designer’s Description:
“Because of the open yet compact plan, we choreographed the visual progression of spaces by layering materials, colours, textures and careful grouping of furniture. To allow for visual connectivity, the wall between the living and bedroom was replaced by shelving. This aids in showcasing the idea of flexible living within small spaces.
A warm and calm ambience was created with the use of natural maple, perforated copper and bronze tinted mirror. The perforated copper wall was also used to demonstrate flexible hanging storage (for e.g. master bedroom hanging mirrors). The use of fabric panels helped to exude a soft and plush feel to the master bedroom. The headboard, with false perspective, was designed to give an exaggerated depth of space.”
The Gold and Bronze winners of the AkzoNobel Colour Awards are commercial projects.
Look out for the Houzz Tours of these winning projects in the weeks to come.
Project: Lofty Living 0228
Designer: Joey Khu Interior Design
Designer’s Description:
“An industrial chic concept that’s strong on personality features raw materials and colours for this 5-room HDB BTO flat. Home to a married couple, the design takes inspiration from well-worn industrial warehouses, applied with a controlled use of raw materials, colours and details. We capitalised on the natural light source, neutral grey walls and large-scale tiles to create a spacious urban loft feel in the living area. Colour was introduced in the form of furniture and custom-built cabinetry. The walk-in wardrobe was created by merging the spare room with the master bedroom. The Muuto doorknobs add a sense of playfulness and also serve a dual function as both clothing hooks and door handles. A walk down the corridor lets one appreciate the balance between the industrial details and sleek modern touches. The grey walls stand in beautiful contrast to the exposed trunking, and on one side of the wall, a mirrored-finish concealed door lightens up the industrial setting.”