Home Tour: A Singaporean Penthouse with Californian-Inspired Touches

Designed by E&A Interiors, this apartment combines a Californian-inspired earthy palette with statement bathrooms. This project has also been nominated for the Best Luxury Concept, as part of the Readers' Choice categories at the Tatler Design Awards

Layering is at the heart of the creative ethos of E&A Interiors. “Pattern, light, materials and furniture all play a strong part in creating spaces with a fresh, exciting and upbeat vibe,” says Chloe Elkerton, the firm’s founder.

This studied mix comes together beautifully in the family home of Evangeline Tan and Clive Lee. The couple live in the 2,500sqft penthouse apartment with their two daughters; they looked to the firm to craft a dream abode that marries mid-century elements with an elegant yet unfussy aesthetic.

“The clients wanted an understated sense of luxury with Californian-inspired touches, layered with neutral tones and luxurious finishes to create a polished look,” shares Elkerton. “This was realised by combining materials such as linen with brass, wood, marble and rattan for a pared-down yet sophisticated feel.”

Above Engineered wood flooring is paired with rattan and a mix of fabrics to add tactile depth to the living room

The clients wanted an understated sense of luxury with Californian-inspired touches, layered with neutral tones and luxurious finishes to create a polished look

Above The family’s vibrant art collection lends a lively character to the apartment

Above This carefully curated corner showcases the family’s vases and objets d’art on display shelves

Led by Elkerton, the design team gave the home a complete overhaul, while integrating furniture from the family’s previous house into the four-bedroom apartment. These included dining chairs and a console, as well as a bed for the master bedroom. The couple’s art collection was to be incorporated into the interior, complemented with custom-made pieces selected and designed by E&A Interiors.

Above In the dry kitchen, blue cabinetry with brass grooves makes the culinary area pop

Above Blue cabinetry in the kitchen makes the space pop

An earthy palette creates visual continuity throughout the living and dining areas of the home. The design team clad the walls in grasscloth in a tanned shade, which adds depth and warmth to the space. Engineered wood flooring, selected for its practicality, is installed throughout the home. It creates a sense of cosiness and improves the visual flow of the interior.

In the dry kitchen, blue cabinetry with brass grooves makes the culinary area pop. The kitchen counter features an Arrabiata marble top for a luxurious touch.

Above Nature-inspired colour scheme in the bedrooms

Above A view of the geometric design on the doors that lead to the master bathroom

The nature-inspired colour scheme continues in the bedrooms, where a snug mix of upholstery fabrics in various patterns contributes to a restful look while keeping the understated palette visually intriguing; it includes collections from upholstery brands such as Fermoie, Zak+Fox, Walter G and Peter Fasano.

Above The daughters’ shared bathroom features chevron tiles on the walls and floor

Above A lively mix of patterns adds a playful touch to this powder room

For the bathrooms, the studio let loose its flair for pattern play to create statement spaces. In the powder room, emerald scalloped wall tiles are paired playfully with a Cole & Son wallpaper that features leopard motifs, while the daughters’ shared bathroom features chevron tiles on the walls and floor. In the master bathroom, a low-key mix of patterns is presented in a monochromatic scheme. Terrazzo tiles are applied to the walls and flooring; brass hardware and bathroom fittings complete the look.

Completed in nine months, the project exceeded the clients’ expectations. The firm is as pleased with the results and the owners’ openness to trying new ideas for their home design. “We love how the clients were willing to try materials such as terrazzo and custom-made tiles for the walls and floors of the bathrooms,” shares Elkerton. “The clients’ art collection was also an integral part of the design; it really brings the spaces to life.”

Above E&A Interiors founder Chloe Elkerton

Above The study is an understated space clad in a neutral palette

Topics

E&A Interiors Home Decor Chloe Elkerton

Tatler Asia

Home Tour: A Singaporean Penthouse with Californian-Inspired Touches