Cover Warm timber accent and curved ceiling evoke a detached house ambient in this Upper Bukit Timah ground-floor apartment
Warm timber accent and curved ceiling evoke a detached house ambient in this Upper Bukit Timah ground-floor apartment
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AMP Design Co blends cultural influences with a nature-centric narrative that brings the tranquillity of a mountain resort into this ground-floor apartment in Upper Bukit Timah
Nestled amid lush greenery at Verdale condominium in Upper Bukit Timah, this home of a couple in their 40s with three school-going children evokes the serene atmosphere of a mountain retreat in China and strikes a balance between traditional Eastern influences and contemporary, pared-down luxury.
As requested by the homeowners, the primary task for the team from AMP Design Co was to infuse a strong sense of Chinese values and culture into the very fabric of the residence and integrate relevant design elements throughout the space, ensuring that the home reflects and celebrates their heritage.
“The clients gravitated toward an aesthetic that combines Eastern influences with understated luxury,” says Amanda Pang, founder and design director of AMP Design Co. “Based on their previous home and also their personal preferences, the design incorporates clean, linear elements that align with their taste.”
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Above Sheer full-height curtains and organic-shaped pendant lamps lend a serene, resort-like vibe to this space; t
Sheer full-height curtains and organic-shaped pendant lamps lend a serene, resort-like vibe to this space; t
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The advantageous location of the home in the Upper Bukit Timah estate, which is set on the ground floor, surrounded by verdant foliage and facing an outdoor waterscape, inspired a resort-like design that transports the homeowners to a serene mountain retreat in China.
Right from the entry into the unit, the welcoming foyer pulls visitors’ gaze in by framing the passage into the main spaces of the home with rich green wallpaper on one side and green-laminate cabinetry on the other, leading towards the peak of a metaphorical mountain.
Past the foyer, the open-plan living and dining area impresses with its remarkable four-metre ceiling and a set of full-height windows that opens up to the balcony and the greenery outside. To foster an environment conducive to family socialising, the living and dining areas have been reconfigured accordingly to create a spacious, open and airy setting for interaction.
Above Tropical-themed wallpaper and sage-green tones infuse this corridor with a biophilic atmosphere
Above Timber elements bring an organic feel to the living area
Tropical-themed wallpaper and sage-green tones infuse this corridor with a biophilic atmosphere
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“The homeowners rarely watch TV and prefer bonding through conversations with their children, particularly at the dining table or dry kitchen counter. The layout was adjusted to facilitate this,” explains Pang. “The sofa was positioned against the wall, creating an open flow between the living room, dining area, and balcony. This setup encourages interaction and fosters a warm, conversational environment in the home.”
Above The curved timber ceiling and lighting accent on the wall remind one of the scenery depicted in classic Chinese paintings
The curved timber ceiling and lighting accent on the wall remind one of the scenery depicted in classic Chinese paintings
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Within the open-plan setting of the living and dining room, a textured, backlit wall panel channels the soothing flow of a mountain stream, while wall lights, designed to resemble tree trunks, also function as plant perches—deepening the home’s tranquil, nature-inspired atmosphere. Delicate pendant lights suspended in mid-air cast a gentle glow in this space in the evenings, emulating the effect of stars dancing in the night sky.
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Above A creamy, neutral palette turns the kitchen into a cosy hangout zone
A creamy, neutral palette turns the kitchen into a cosy hangout zone
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Nature-inspired touches are woven throughout the home, with green accents fostering a biophilic vibe and energising every space. In the kitchen, a striking green-stone backsplash breaks up the neutral tones, adding an earthy vibrancy.
The study, painted in a calming shade of green, includes a mezzanine loft with a netted hammock (airmock), creating the sensation of lounging in a tree canopy for the homeowners’ children. This open, airy design also invites more natural light to flood the lower level.
Each bedroom features expansive, mural-like mountain layers that rise toward the high ceilings, enhancing the sense of openness and tranquillity. Large windows frame views of lush greenery in the planters outside, filling the rooms with a calming, restful ambience—ideal for relaxing in nature.
Above The study area beneath the staircase showcases subtle textures and a fresh colour palette
Above The abstract mountain motifs found throughout the home, such as in this bedroom, were inspired by the movie Seven Years in Tibet
The study area beneath the staircase showcases subtle textures and a fresh colour palette
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The material palette for this residence thoughtfully blends natural luxury with Eastern influences, all while ensuring practicality for everyday living.
Pang’s subtle design touches that imbue the spaces with the Eastern thread include brass and bronze accents to evoke a sense of understated elegance, fibre-straw wallpaper offering a modern twist on resort-inspired rattan textures, and textured walls in the bedrooms, designed to resemble mountainscapes.
Above The green accent in the Upper Bukit Timah home's study lends a biophilic touch
Above The Upper Bukit Timah home's study has direct view of the garden outside
The green accent in the Upper Bukit Timah home's study lends a biophilic touch
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Sheer curtains with a subtle shimmer are installed in the living room, casting an elegant, understated glow, while velvet Roman blinds featuring Eastern patterns add cultural depth to the study.
The kitchen backsplash, with its marble-patterned stone, ties in seamlessly with the overall theme of natural luxury, while the patterned strip panels—mounted on the existing kitchen glass doors—complement the Eastern-inspired theme.
Above This children’s bedroom features a delicate mountainous silhouette on the wall, encouraging a sense of adventure
Above A deceptively simple combination of paint colours in shades of cream and lighting effectively evoke mountainous view
This children’s bedroom features a delicate mountainous silhouette on the wall, encouraging a sense of adventure
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Leather details on furniture—such as the sofa, bed frame and study chairs—invoke the refined elegance of a bygone era of travel and adventure, reminiscent of a train journey on the Orient Express.
By mindfully combining Eastern influences with contemporary luxury, Pang strikes a harmonious balance between cultural elements and modern simplicity, emphasising a strong sense of familial connection and tranquillity. The result is a calming, resort-like home that celebrates the beauty of Upper Bukit Timah nature as well as the homeowners’ respect for their cultural roots.
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Credits
Photography: Wong Weiliang
