Cover Hilary Loh, design director of 2nd Edition, tries out the Cynara task chair in the Okamura showroom
Hilary Loh, design director of 2nd Edition, tries out the Cynara task chair in the Okamura showroom
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Design director Hilary Loh of 2nd Edition shares the essential elements of a stylish workspace
In special collaboration with Okamura
“I love how interior design is a discovery of new and wonderful things—whether it’s a journey of composition with various elements or the coming together of people and ideas to create spaces that live and breathe,” says Hilary Loh, design director of 2nd Edition.
Established in 2005, the local studio is known for crafting elegant show apartments for luxury residential developments. “Our design process strives to express the harmonious balance of authenticity, style and functionality while preserving the project’s intuitive essence,” says Loh.
2nd Edition is currently working on several show suites in luxury condominiums in Singapore that also address the growing demand for flexible spaces. They feature open-plan living and dining areas that make room for activities throughout the day as well as home offices that cater to telecommuting needs. Here, Loh shares more about the key things to remember when designing a home office.
See also: Home Office Design: Why An Ergonomic Chair Is So Important
Above Hilary Loh, design director of 2nd Edition, tries out the Cynara task chair in the Okamura showroom
Above Designed by Andreas Krob of Swiss firm B4K and engineer Joachim Brüske, the Okamura Cynara chair features a sleek form inspired by traditional Japanese archery bows
Hilary Loh, design director of 2nd Edition, tries out the Cynara task chair in the Okamura showroom
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How do you design a workspace that’s both conducive and inspiring?
Start with an analogous colour scheme and efficient space planning. Then bring personality into the room—create a gallery-wall display of your art collection, or showcase any collectibles you have from your travels. Don’t forget to include indoor greenery as well as task lighting from desk lamps.
Why is it important to choose the right chair for your study?
When clients look for a task chair for their home, they don’t want something that reminds them of the office in terms of its design. However, they do want a chair that provides the same level of comfort as well as ergonomic qualities that cater to their needs, such as having an adjustable height and recline angle.
Colour and size are the two other criteria to pay attention to. You can choose a chair that matches your space, or opt for one in your favourite hue. Of course, the size of the chair has to be compact enough to fit into your study.
See also: Tatler Talks: What Will the Future of Office Design Be Like?
When it comes to office chairs in a residential context, find a chair that departs from the corporate look, where you typically see grey tones, and materials such as steel and leather.
What other details should one look out for when selecting a task chair?
When it comes to office chairs in a residential context, find a chair that departs from the corporate look, where you typically see grey tones, and materials such as steel and leather. The colour choices that Japanese brand Okamura offers are refreshing, and it’s exciting to know we have such options. From an interior designer’s point of view, it’s great as we can express our clients’ personalities and match the interior styles that we wish to portray.
Which is your favourite design from Okamura?
I love the Cynara chair as it’s perfect for home offices or small meeting rooms, with its informal vibe. As a designer, I love it when colours match, and the Cynara comes with other hues besides the usual black and grey—I personally chose the dark green as it matches the look of my home office.
The body, armrests, fabric and even the wheels can be in a single colour. Combined with the ergonomic qualities from the research and development work they have put in, it’s a great chair. Okamura has shown that an office chair can be fun, personalised and vibrant.
See also: Home Office Designs: 5 Office Chairs that are Stylish and Ergonomic
Credits
Art Direction: Charlene Lee
Photography: Jasper Yu at Jyu Studio
Photography Assistant: Evan Kong
Stylist's Assistant: Cheryl Lai-Lim
Make-Up: LYDIA THONG OF THE MAKEUP ENTOURAGE, USING YSL BEAUTY
Hair: ANN LIN OF THE MAKEUP ENTOURAGE, USING KEUNE HAIRCOSMETICS
