Image: 123RF
Cover Image: 123RF

These stylish show apartments beautifully combine inspiring interiors with clever spatial planning ideas; vote for your favourite project for the Best Show Unit Readers’ Choice category at Tatler Design Awards 2022

Since the first edition of the signature event in 2017, the Tatler Homes Design Awards has celebrated the most innovative and creative luxury residential projects in the local design scene. This edition of the awards event is sponsored by Arova, Gallery 1819, Gaggenau, Hafary, Liaigre, and Synergraphic Design.

Recently rebranded in 2022 as the Tatler Homes Design Awards, the winners of the upcoming awards event will be announced this April. Three Readers’ Choice categories, including the Best Bespoke Project and the Best Showroom, will feature an online voting component; the winner will be selected based on the most number of votes amassed from now until February 11, 2022, at 5pm.

Don’t miss: Tatler Homes Design Awards 2022: Meet the Jury Panel

A well-designed show unit sells a dream. The Best Show Unit Readers’ Choice category thus highlights projects that adhere to the client's brief with thoughtful spatial planning and well designed interiors that create a memorable impression for prospective buyers.

Here, we present the nominees of the Best Show Unit:

Ki Residences by 2nd Edition

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Photo 1 of 3 This large open-plan living space within the four-bedroom apartment emanates tranquility with its Japanese aesthetics (Photography: Marc Tan/Studio Periphery)
Photo 2 of 3 This living and dining space boast a calming appeal with the combination of light and dark wood (Photography: Marc Tan/Studio Periphery)
Photo 3 of 3 The use of beige tones and brass accents elevate the restful atmosphere of this bedroom (Photography: Marc Tan/Studio Periphery)

Nestled within the exclusive District 21 enclave, the Ki Residences condominium complex emits tranquility with its surrounding lush greenery. 2nd Edition was tasked to dress the interiors of three show apartments as well as the main sales gallery. The whole development is to be based around four important keywords that all represent the Japanese word, ki. A word with multiple subtle nuances, ki is often used to represent energy, atmosphere, mind, spirit, or even feelings.

The show units that 2nd Edition have designed cater to the needs of different buyers. A common design thread that ties the units together is the monochromatic scheme, comprising a combination of dark-stained wood panels, light wood furnishings and an earthy palette, which evokes a sense of zen. The studio also incorporated decorative accents inspired by Japanese sensibilities and elevated them with brass details for a sophisticated and contemporary ambiance. 

Read more: Find Your Zen in These Japanese-Style Apartments at Ki Residences

South Beach Residences 'Day' and 'Night' units by 2nd Edition

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Photo 1 of 3 Blue tones on the rug and cushions add colour to the neutral scheme of the living area in the Day unit designed for South Beach Residences
Photo 2 of 3 The Night unit features a varied mix of textures to create a visually arresting space
Photo 3 of 3 The units are designed with an emphasis on details, such as the hand-carved wave patterns on the headboard of this master bedroom

With a prime location, panoramic views of the city and a plethora of amenities, South Beach Residences is an urban sanctuary designed to meet the needs of busy city dwellers. 2nd Edition was commissioned to do up two show units that each exude a distinct atmosphere, in order to best represent the remarkable qualities of the property. 

The firm conceptualised a dual-theme approach. “The theme for South Beach Residences is ‘city living from day to night’. To differentiate the two units, we adopted this concept to showcase how there can be two sides of the same coin,” Hilary Loh, design director of 2nd Edition, explains. “The ‘Day’ concept utilises a soft palette of colours, paired with elegant curves. The ‘Night’ concept highlights darker, bolder tones and plush materials.”

Read more: South Beach Residences: Get Home Design Ideas from Two Contrasting Show Apartments

Sujonohun

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Photo 1 of 3 Bronze-tinted mirrors enhance the sense of space in the show unit
Photo 2 of 3 The front of the sales gallery features an elongated entrance with low ceilings
Photo 3 of 3 Exposed brickwork and a wine shelf display take you back to European vineyard hotel

For the sales gallery of View at Kismis, a new luxury residential development in Bukit Timah, Sujonohun created an experiential concept with a countryside charm that underpins the development’s modern rustic appeal. As the client had selected an unusual spot for the new sales gallery—a unit on the third floor of the Beauty World Centre shopping mall—the design firm had to work with the site’s odd layout, which featured an elongated corridor at the entrance and low ceiling height.

The designers used the long entrance corridor and its turns as the catalyst of their design strategy, painting the ceiling in a terracotta hue and dressing the area with wood panels in a criss-cross arrangement. The showflat itself communicates a rustic yet luxurious ambience, with the contemporary use of exposed brickwork, timber as well as walnut wood combining to form a warm and cosy ambience to the space. 

Read more: View at Kismis: Get Home Design Ideas From Show Units Inspired by European Vineyards

Nouvel 18 penthouse by SuMisura

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Photo 1 of 3 The living area is designed with a polished Noir Marquina marble feature wall, which adds an aura of elegance
Photo 2 of 3 Shelves decorated with objets d’art act as an elegant backdrop for the eight-seater dining table
Photo 3 of 3 The master bedroom is designed like a hotel suite with an ensuite bathroom

SuMisura was tasked to dress a penthouse show unit in the Nouvel 18 condominium, a striking residential tower designed by Pritzker Prize-winning French architect Jean Nouvel. “The client wanted a show unit that lets potential buyers envisage a luxurious lifestyle. The interior design should also befit the world-class architecture,” says Angela Lim, principal designer of SuMisura.

The 6,000sqft apartment already had enviable views and a generous floor plan; what it needed were thoughtful touches and bespoke elements to evoke the look and feel of a glamorous and comfortable home. Such customised features include the illuminated feature wall in the living room; constructed in polished Noir Marquina marble it houses the TV, and became one of the area's focal point. 

Read more: Nouvel 18: Get Decor Inspiration From A Stylish Penthouse Designed For Entertaining

Wallich Residence fashion-inspired apartment by Topic Studio

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Photo 1 of 3 The open-plan living and dining areas look out to spectacular city views
Photo 2 of 3 The glamorous dining area features a neutral colour scheme
Photo 3 of 3 This bedroom’s earthy scheme creates a restful setting

Situated in the Wallich Residence development in Guoco Tower, the tallest building in Singapore, Topic Studio crafted an interior that takes a cue from American fashion designer Ralph Lauren's effortlessly elegant aesthetic. “We created a design concept that is unique, attractive, and has a timeless character,” says Darrion Loo, the lead designer on the project.

One of the 2,013sqft apartment's most striking features is its skyline views, which are visible throughout the property. The designers capitalised on this asset by orientating the furnishings to face the panoramic views. In the open-plan living room, the sofa looks out towards the balcony. A rich mix of materials including velvet, leather and dark wood veneer creates a handsome look, accompanied by accent pieces in earthy, terracotta tones. Mirrored panels are paired with a high-gloss ebony finish for a sophisticated ambiance. This ebony finish is used on the walls, cabinetry and other furnishings in the bedrooms as well; it’s among the visual cues that contribute to the apartment’s cohesive design scheme.

Read more: A Stylish Show Apartment in Wallich Residence Inspired by Ralph Lauren

Wallich Residence dark-themed apartment by Topic Studio

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Photo 1 of 3 A tactile mix of leather, velvet and other fabrics creates a cosy ambience in the living and dining areas of the abode
Photo 2 of 3 The living room features dark wood and marble alongside contrasting gilded trims
Photo 3 of 3 An abstract artwork acts as a focal point within this bedroom

In a different show unit at GuocoLand’s Wallich Residence, Topic Studio crafted an interior that maximises the perception of space through the clever use of materials and colours, as well as natural light. The transformation of the four-bedroom, 1,658sqft show unit was led by a design approach geared towards functionality and form. Lead designer Jason Loh crafted a contemporary, clean-lined abode that is understated yet peppered with plush elements throughout.

The living area’s pale flooring and neutral colour scheme help to visually create space, and are given a classy lift with the generous use of dusky-hued wood and marble, and contrasting gilded trims. “We wanted to drive the idea of a dark-scheme unit that has a touch of elegance,” says Loh. “In terms of material finishes, we envisioned creating a warm and dynamic atmosphere.” The design team also also incorporated furnishings in light colours that evoke a sense of lightness and playfulness to balance out the elements in darker hues. 

Read more: These Are the Clever Space-Saving Ideas We Love in This Stylish Apartment

The voting process has closed and the winners will be announced on April 7; stay tuned to find out more about the winners.