Cover A sculpture by Chinese artist Chen Wen Ling makes a compelling statement in the living room of this Sentosa apartment with its bright red hue
A sculpture by Chinese artist Chen Wen Ling makes a compelling statement in the living room of this Sentosa apartment with its bright red hue
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Livspace enhanced this Sentosa apartment’s breathtaking vistas with sublime artworks and calibrated layout tweaks that reflect its owner’s refined lifestyle
How does one take an abode with already enviable qualities to an even higher level of sophistication and user satisfaction? For Ricky Tay, design partner at interiors firm Livspace, this involved adopting an “inside out” approach to truly understanding the client first before proposing any concepts, however creative or visually impressive they might be. Such a meticulous approach ultimately paid off in the form of a fulfilling home perfectly tailored to the client, and also a fitting representation of their story.
This 2,500 sq ft Sentosa apartment, located in the Cape Royale condominium in Singapore’s coveted District 4, boasts gorgeous views of the ocean, which Tay used as a starting point for the home’s décor and aesthetics. The client, who works as a venture capitalist, also owns various prized artworks, which the designer installed at strategic spots throughout the home to act as visual highlights. A more intangible source of inspiration was the homeowner’s “zeal for life”, which Tay reveals also had some bearing on the home’s design. “A minimalist scheme where less is more, not constrained by specific themes or nuances, but a design and work from the heart,” he explains.
The first impression one gets from the overall look of the four-bedroom Sentosa apartment is that of a supremely comfortable, lived-in space dotted with resort-style touches. Light-hued walls, timber furnishings, wooden floors, plush upholstery, tropical motifs and an overarching airy feel evoke memories of balmy evenings spent nursing a drink on some faraway, sun-kissed island paradise.
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Large glass panes blur the line between the interior spaces and the breezy outdoor areas
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Natural light streams into the living area, which was oriented to face the spectacular views, through expansive, full-height glass doors; the light bounces off the white ceiling and walls to visually expand the dimensions of this space. The glass doors also lead to a breezy balcony on which a Kettal Bitta extendable dining table and rustic Tribu chairs form a setting perfect for leisurely outdoor meals.
The living room’s soothing, cool palette is a beautiful complement to its artworks and furnishings. The plush sofa from Originals and the 1970s Italian-designed daybed acquired from a Parisian flea market sport upholstery in refreshing off-white hues. Cushions in various shades of green and tropical foliage prints invite the colours of the outdoors in and channel the natural world. A selection of sculptures and artworks sparks this sedate space into life. These include a striking scarlet-hued sculpture from Chinese artist Chen Wen Ling’s Red Boys series, a 16th-century Buddha statue, a portrait of babies by Chinese artist Chen Yu, an oil painting by Indian artist Jitish Kallat, and a captivating surrealist work.
Following a redesign and a new paint job utilising grey and alabaster white tones, the adjoining kitchen now incorporates practical floor-to-ceiling pantry cabinets and dedicated storage space for the homeowner’s champagne flutes and other glassware. A wine chiller and marble-clad island round off the furnishings in this stylish, functional zone.
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The homeowner loves spending time in her calming study, which she considers her private sanctuary
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Navigating a passageway leads one to a secret corner of sorts—an utterly charming reading nook featuring a bookshelf stacked to the gills with tomes of all shapes and sizes, and the dramatic Mon Coeur armchair designed by Peter Harvey for La Cividina. A pair of metal crab sculptures is a nod to the Sentosa apartment's waterfront setting and adds a touch of playfulness. Just off this delightful space hangs local artist Kanchana Gupta’s Folded Pierced Stretched, an artwork that creatively reimagines tarpaulin sheets.
The nearby study, furnished primarily in white, blue and brown tones, features an abstract work by Korean artist Om Mee Ai, and a bay window that is creatively transformed into a desk.
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Above The kitchen’s practical layout is spiced up with luxurious materials such as marble
The kitchen’s practical layout is spiced up with luxurious materials such as marble
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The sleeping quarters are tailor-made for rest and rejuvenation with pale hues and crisp luxury bedlinen from Frette, grounded by elegant parquet flooring. Subtle artworks add visual appeal to the space. A dainty Provence-style dressing room houses a chandelier and a Marquise armchair from 19th-century France. Here, too, a bay window was reimagined and turned into a vanity table. Her shoes are neatly arranged in a mirror-fronted cabinet just outside.
Perhaps the biggest compliment to the designer was the fact that the client was so pleased with the completed home that she even named it: “Paradiso” because she considers this Sentosa apartment her very own “personal paradise”.
“Livspace helped me to build a home that is aesthetically pleasing as well as very comfortable and liveable,” she says of the seven-month project. “Ricky’s practical ideas cleverly expanded the use of space, which pleases me to no end. It was a great collaboration.”
Livspace, 3 Temasek Boulevard, #02-403/404 Suntec City West Wing, 6539 9437, livspace.com
Above Ricky Tay, design partner at Livspace
Ricky Tay, design partner at Livspace
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Credits
Images: Courtesy of Livspace
