Mora’s love of colour and texture is in full display in the lanai
Cover Mora’s love of colour and texture is in full display in the lanai

Interior designer Ale Mora made this black and white house in Singapore a canvas for her eclectic aesthetic as well as an inspiring cocoon for her family

Finding a black and white house in Singapore requires patience, luck and timing, and landing the right one in the midst of a pandemic is certainly a feat. Colombian-born interior designer Ale Mora, who moved to Singapore in late 2020, was determined to live in one, and did just that. “Black and white houses are hidden gems—they celebrate the history of Singapore within their walls,” says Mora, who recently founded her eponymous studio Ale Mora Interiors.

Through a mutual friend, she chanced upon this spacious house in Holland Village complete with an expansive garden and a pool. With three young children, outdoor space was essential; storage was also a must as her business entails importing pieces from all over the globe. “I fell in love with the house though I knew there was a lot to do to imbue it with warmth,” she shares.

Don't miss: Home Tour: A Tropical House Designed for Outdoor Living

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Interior designer and homeowner Ale Mora
Above Interior designer and homeowner Ale Mora
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This intricate bench and cushions were designed by Ale Mora and made by various craftsmen
Above This intricate bench and cushions were designed by Ale Mora and made by various craftsmen

Having lived in New York, London, Shanghai, Florence and elsewhere, Mora and her family are no strangers to the complexities of moving countries and setting up a home from scratch. Still, it’s impressive to learn that it only took her two months to create such a beautifully layered and lived-in home. “My style is eclectic, craftsmanship-driven and Latin,” she says, an approach evident in the punchy colours, unexpected combinations, and plethora of textures she employs.

Arriving in Singapore with two shipping containers filled with beloved furniture, art and fabrics, decorating this home was a matter of placement and experimentation. “When I move house, I always revolve my new surroundings around my favourite furniture and heirlooms. I connect with the new space, then start imagining and sketching in order to incorporate the pieces I already have.”

In case you missed it: House Tour: A Black And White Bungalow With A Contemporary Interior

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Mora collects suzanis—embroidered decorative tribal textiles from Central Asia—and this example in the living room is one of her antique finds
Above Mora collects suzanis—embroidered decorative tribal textiles from Central Asia—and this example in the living room is one of her antique finds
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The bone-inlay table is a family heirloom, matched with a green lamp and silver candelabras from Mexico
Above The bone-inlay table is a family heirloom, matched with a green lamp and silver candelabras from Mexico

It’s understandable that Mora is attached to her belongings, as they’re mostly bespoke, handmade pieces sourced from all around the world. Her love of crafts stems from her childhood in Colombia and Mexico, where she grew up surrounded by makers. This interest was ignited by her mother, who brought her along on sourcing trips, and it has since become a lifelong passion. 

Adds Mora: “From a young age, I was able to witness skilled craftsmen. My mother would take me to Oaxacan markets to see embroidery or to Antigua in Guatemala to look at antiques, doors and benches. It was during such trips that I honed my style.”

Read more: Home Tour: A Black-and-White Singapore Shophouse with Art Deco Influences

'gallery right' 'gallery right'
'gallery right' 'gallery right'
Photo 1 of 3 Mora’s love of colour and texture is in full display in the lanai
Photo 2 of 3 he lanai is the epitome of indoor-outdoor living and the embodiment of Mora’s style
Photo 3 of 3 The dining area of the lanai features various rattan pieces

For this home, Mora wanted to reflect the surrounding greenery indoors as well as craft gorgeous al fresco spaces. One of most significant transformations was the lanai, which was created from the existing garage space. Commonly found in the Philippines, Hawaii and in Latin American countries, a lanai is a roofed veranda on the ground floor of a house that is the embodiment of indoor-outdoor living.

“Having spent the last few years in the Philippines, our living room is our lanai. I wanted to emulate that tropical lifestyle in Singapore,” says the designer. The lanai perfectly captures Mora’s effortless way of weaving various influences, patterns, colours, textures and materials. Handcrafted cane chairs and wooden benches serve as a platform for eye-catching cushions in an array of fabrics including ikat, linen, cotton, wool and more.

The adjacent outdoor dining area is anchored by an embroidered textile artwork from the Philippines, and the eight-seater dining table bears witness to ever-changing tablescapes featuring treasured personal finds. “It defines who I am as a designer. Everything has a story, and that’s very much me,” she says. 

In case you missed it: Home Tour: An Art Deco-Inspired Home With Tropical Accents

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Cushions in an array of fabrics including mola, a handmade textile from Colombia and Panama
Above Cushions in an array of fabrics including mola, a handmade textile from Colombia and Panama
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This fascinating corner in the living room is filled with one-of-a-kind finds such as this brass palm tree
Above This fascinating corner in the living room is filled with one-of-a-kind finds such as this brass palm tree
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Pedro Friedeberg’s iconic Hand chair in gold takes pride of place in the second-floor sitting room
Above Pedro Friedeberg’s iconic Hand chair in gold takes pride of place in the second-floor sitting room
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A soothing blend of blue, green and white in the sitting room serves as a foil to the artwork, including the hand-drawn tiger by celebrated Spanish designer Jaime Parladé
Above A soothing blend of blue, green and white in the sitting room serves as a foil to the artwork, including the hand-drawn tiger by celebrated Spanish designer Jaime Parladé

As with her affinity for handmade crafts, Mora’s penchant for layering and details is also inspired by her mother. “My mother has the most special eye. From the flower arrangements to the table settings in our home, it is all about the details. Imagine, she used to serve tequila in carved cucumbers! I like it when items appeal to multiple senses.”

This approach is perfectly illustrated in the various rooms of the house, which are full of fascinating vignettes. Echoing the verdant scenery, the living room has bright green walls and holds a smattering of religious figurines, one-of-a-kind finds like a brass palm tree, and artworks such as a painting from Pedro Friedeberg, one of Mora’s favourite Mexican artists. The sitting room on the second floor, on the other hand, is an energising space swathed in white, dotted with wenge furniture and infused with a melange of green, blue and grey fabrics.

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The stylish pool house is full of colourful botanical and tropical prints
Above The stylish pool house is full of colourful botanical and tropical prints
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A chaise longue in the pool house
Above A chaise longue in the pool house

Though each room is different, Mora employed a sequence and material palette to create a sense of harmony. “Rattan plays a big role in this house. It’s perfect for the weather because it’s a cool material, but it also adds warmth. I also played with the layering of fabrics—they all work in their own way in the different rooms.”

Don't miss: Home Tour: A Tropical Themed House That’s Filled with Colour

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This four-poster rattan bed in the master bedroom was designed by Mora
Above This four-poster rattan bed in the master bedroom was designed by Mora
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The master bedroom features artisanal pieces such as a green-and-white bone-inlay chest paired with lamps designed by Mor
Above The master bedroom features artisanal pieces such as a green-and-white bone-inlay chest paired with lamps designed by Mor

The bedrooms each have a distinct personality to showcase a feeling that Mora hopes to impart. To create a serene escape, she painted the walls of the master bedroom in celadon green, which Mora calls a “peaceful hue”. Everything evolved from there: she designed a four-poster rattan bed and chose a bone-inlay chest of drawers to complete the look.

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The charming guest room is a visual delight anchored by a copper-plated bed, a family heirloom
Above The charming guest room is a visual delight anchored by a copper-plated bed, a family heirloom
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The bone-inlay table is a family heirloom, matched with a green lamp and silver candelabras from Mexico
Above The bone-inlay table is a family heirloom, matched with a green lamp and silver candelabras from Mexico
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The boys’ nautical-themed bedroom features a pair of rattan bedframes designed by Mora and made by the same artisans who crafted the bedframe in the master bedroom, along with Katalin Stripe wallpaper from Fabrics & Papers in the UK, Mora’s frequent source for wallcovering options
Above The boys’ nautical-themed bedroom features a pair of rattan bedframes designed by Mora and made by the same artisans who crafted the bedframe in the master bedroom, along with Katalin Stripe wallpaper from Fabrics & Papers in the UK, Mora’s frequent source for wallcovering options
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The daughter’s room is a dainty and elegant space that features an ornate rattan bed and wallpaper with a marigold motif
Above The daughter’s room is a dainty and elegant space that features an ornate rattan bed and wallpaper with a marigold motif

In the guest room, Mora aspired to create a positive mood; a place where her guests wake up and immediately feel like they’re on holiday. She painted the walls in a captivating mustard hue, hung woven baskets as decorative accents, and gave the copper-plated bedframe—her childhood bed—pride of place.

Perhaps what’s most notable is how the children’s bedrooms feature the same level of intention and intricacy as the rest of the house. With unique wallpaper, rattan bedframes, chairs upholstered in jacquard and ikat, as well as rugs and accessories in abaca, these are creative spaces made to spark curiosity. “With the pandemic and not being able to travel, this is a place I have poured my heart into. My goal was for all my children to be as happy as they can be here.”

 

Credits

Photography  

Lauryn Ishak

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