Cover A wide view of the apartment's living room with a generous view of The Arcadia’s surrounding lush greenery
A wide view of the apartment's living room with a generous view of The Arcadia’s surrounding lush greenery
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Antone by D transforms an apartment in The Arcadia into a vibrant sanctuary that expresses the owners’ heritage and their love of colours and patterns
A home is an ever-changing physical manifestation of its occupants’ stories, backgrounds, and preferences. Boutique interior design studio Antone by D revamped this apartment in Singapore’s The Arcadia condominium into a vibrantly decorated oasis that marries studio creative founder Divya Anthony’s experimental spirit with her clients’ desire for the home to be an ever-evolving canvas of their lives.
Designed by WATG and completed in 1983, The Arcadia at Bukit Timah’s District 11 features a lush interplay “between indoor and outdoor garden spaces”. This biophilic architecture inspired the 3,500 sq ft 4-bedroom apartment’s interiors, which incorporate bold colours, textures, and prints that pay tribute to nature’s liveliness.
Don’t miss: Inside Pan Pacific Orchard, a luxurious biophilic hotel in the heart of Singapore
Above A closer look at the mural in the living room, along with an artwork from the family’s collection
A closer look at the mural in the living room, along with an artwork from the family’s collection
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The biggest challenges in the project included the apartment’s ageing fixtures and tight two-month working timeline. As the principal design consultant, Anthony took on the role of being a creative director and assembled the appropriate team of contractors. She knew they needed to have an “understanding of the [desired] design aesthetics” and the right attitude towards materialising her vision. The clients’ openness to recommendations when resolving problems was helpful, too.
The clients envisioned a space that is uniquely theirs, reflecting their heritage and love for patterns and colours. They also wanted it to evolve with them as they enjoyed collecting artefacts and art for their homes from their travels.
Throughout the home, custom botanical wallpaper livens up the ambience, honouring The Arcadia’s lush gardens while serving as a backdrop to an eclectic mix of furniture pieces crafted by some of India’s most talented artisans.
Read more: 5 luxury heritage hotels in Asia with enchanting designs and fascinating histories
Above A closer look at the custom screen crafted by a local artisan in India
A closer look at the custom screen crafted by a local artisan in India
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The apartment’s original layout included three bathrooms, living and dining spaces, a family room, a kitchen, and yard facilities. Anthony reconfigured this layout to fit the family’s lifestyle, turning a bathroom into a powder room and inserting a walk-in wardrobe into the master suite.
In the living room, the lady of the house, Richa Tiwari, wanted unique accent chairs and extended her search abroad. On her Instagram account, she shared about the customisation process with Indian artisans. The neutral-coloured key furniture items allowed the accent pieces to pop. Tiwari also curated the accessories in complementary hues.
The master bedroom features a custom-made lattice screen as a bed headboard. Its dark-stained wood panels with geometric carvings lend a certain gravitas, while a pendant lamp above the console bathes the room in a soft glow. The furnishings’ shades of orange and blue reflect the owners’ aesthetics, contributing to the project’s distinct look.
Above The powder room featuring a striking peacock motif wallpaper and gold accents
The powder room featuring a striking peacock motif wallpaper and gold accents
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For Anthony, the powder rooms are a personal favourite to work on. Their relatively small, enclosed space allows for the creative use of wallpaper, countertops, and other finishes. In this powder room, a custom wallpaper with a striking peacock motif is paired with a serendipitously found oriental vintage console that has been modified to fit a basin and tap. Meanwhile, a combination of cove lighting, a cobalt backdrop, and gold accents throughout the space evokes a sense of grandeur.
In case you missed it: Beautiful bathrooms: 8 small and inspiring powder room designs we love
Above A closer look at the mural in the living room, along with an artwork from the family’s collection
A closer look at the mural in the living room, along with an artwork from the family’s collection
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Anthony believes a home should consist of personalised spaces that reflect its owner’s aesthetic. “We need to be [storytellers]. [We] take a client’s brief and weave it into beautiful spaces that speak about the lives they have led.” She also believes that open dialogue, trust, and an appetite for taking creative risks can lead to gratifying results.
Anthony completed the project within the allocated two months in March 2024. During the design and development stages, both the clients and designers took great care in executing the design with restraint and precision. The result is definitely worth the effort, as Anthony shares: “When the client steps in and you can feel their joy of being in the space—then you realise that you had a role to play in that.” That must be the best feeling for an interior designer indeed.
Antone by D
Above Divya Anthony, founder of Antone by D
Divya Anthony, founder of Antone by D
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Divya Anthony developed an interest in design as a child witnessing her family’s business in home décor items. Her first foray into design influenced her perception of spatial usage and design, and the blurring and evolving relations between spaces.
Antone by D was incorporated in May 2020. Amidst the chaos of the pandemic, she leveraged the time to reevaluate what constituted design for her. After the circuit breaker ended, she received opportunities to work on projects aligning with her ethos.
Antone by D
Address: 1 Kallang Junction Level 6 Vanguard Campus, Tel: 90091345
