Cover The colours of the interior finishes were chosen to blur the distinction between the indoors and the outdoors
The colours of the interior finishes were chosen to blur the distinction between the indoors and the outdoors
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Social spaces, soothing hues and design elements that spark a sense of joy make this delightful home on Singapore’s Orchard Road by Nikki Hunt a salve for the soul
Beyond merely looking good, an effective interior design scheme can wield a powerful physiological effect. The potent combination of a thoughtful layout, appealing materials and textures, and attractive colours encourages positive emotions and cuts out stress, boosting one’s state of mind and overall well-being.
Nikki Hunt, the founder of award-winning interior design and architectural consultancy Nikki Hunt’s Design Intervention, had the opportunity to give this 5,500 sq ft landed property in the Orchard Road area a makeover that encompassed turning it into a “wellness retreat” for its owners, a fun-loving couple in their 50s who occupy the home with their helper and two pet dogs. They are both also passionate home cooks who enjoy entertaining.
In case you missed it: Award-winning interior designer Nikki Hunt on lifelong learning and crafting healthy, joyful spaces
Above The living room looks out to a lush vertical garden which also acts as a privacy screen
The living room looks out to a lush vertical garden which also acts as a privacy screen
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Hunt elaborates that the brief essentially involved creating an abode that would serve as a foundation for the happiness and wellness of its owners. “They challenged us to consider every design selection as an opportunity to enhance their well-being,” she adds. “Our task was not just to design an aesthetically pleasing home, but to evaluate the most impactful options and work to engineer a total wellness experience.”
Drawing on her experience in the application of neuro-aesthetics—the effect visual aesthetics has on people’s brains and physiology, a field the designer has been actively studying the past few years—Hunt tailored her design decisions, from the spatial layouts to the material choices, based on research on the brain’s response to its environment.
Throughout the home, biophilic elements, soothing colours, dynamic lighting and the use of natural materials such as wood and textural elements foster feelings of rest and relaxation.
Above Gold and crystal wall sculptures from Lalique bring a sense of wonder to the entryway
Above The couple’s pet dogs sitting pretty in the wife’s study
Gold and crystal wall sculptures from Lalique bring a sense of wonder to the entryway
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Newly purchased from a developer, the three-storey house had been designed as a family home with four bedrooms. Hunt reconfigured the floor plan to suit the needs of the couple; this involved adding a second kitchen, enlarging the wardrobe area and tweaking the ensuite bathroom on the third floor, and removing part of the wall between the corridor and the study to let more natural light in.
In the basement entry, LED strip lights on either side of the door frame cast a beguiling glow and create a sense of arrival. A colourful piece by Brazilian artist Romero Britto hangs directly in visitors’ line of sight and establishes a fun tone.
Above The basement has been turned into an entertainment hub, complete with a pool table, karaoke area and wine cellar
The basement has been turned into an entertainment hub, complete with a pool table, karaoke area and wine cellar
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The basement area itself fulfils various functional requirements in keeping with the abode’s wellness retreat concept, housing a games and karaoke area, wine cellar, pool table, sauna, bathroom and store room, making it a social hub and the nexus of many moments of happiness and mental stimulation.
The karaoke corner features a wall mural of James Bond and Marilyn Monroe, albeit with the homeowners’ facial likenesses for a fun touch. Hunt reveals that she incorporated this humorous element to trigger the release of endorphins, the brain’s natural feel-good chemicals. “The homeowners are fun people, and this specially commissioned mural is a bit of fun that elicits a smile,” says Hunt.
Above Inspired by classic movie posters, these customised wall murals feature the homeowners’ facial likenesses for a humorous touch
Inspired by classic movie posters, these customised wall murals feature the homeowners’ facial likenesses for a humorous touch
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On the first floor, a spacious new kitchen was fashioned by creating an extension at the rear of the house. The strategic placement of seating, lighting and open areas encourages communication and comfort, while yellow accents brighten the mood.
A new island lets the wife interact with guests as she prepares meals, while a lap pool adds a new dimension to lazy weekends. A lush vertical garden reduces stress, improves the air quality and guards against prying eyes.
In the well-appointed living area, heavily textured soft furnishings, such as a large cowhide rug, stimulate the sense of touch and the release of oxytocin, the feel-good hormone. “The colour selections for the interior finishes were also carefully planned to blur the boundaries between the indoors and the outdoors, and bring in the healing power of nature,” reveals Hunt.
Above The addition of greenery overhead softens the look of the kitchen and provides shade against the harsh afternoon sun
The addition of greenery overhead softens the look of the kitchen and provides shade against the harsh afternoon sun
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Above A marble bar counter in a rich emerald hue anchors the open plan
Above The floral upholstery of the bar chairs lends a biophilic touch
A marble bar counter in a rich emerald hue anchors the open plan
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The spaces on the second level are the wife’s study, a gym, and a massage room that doubles as a guest bedroom when needed. The placement of each room was determined by the amount of natural light each receives, to capitalise on the effect of this light on hormones for well-being.
For instance, the gym is sited in the room that receives the most natural light, to trigger the release of adrenalin and maximise physical performance. Conversely, the massage room receives the least natural light, making for a dim, relaxing zone.
On its part, the wife’s study is demarcated as a distinct office zone, helping her distinguish work from leisure in her mind to maintain a healthy work-life balance. A vibrant wallpaper with a chinoiserie pattern brings a revitalising energy to this space, while a bespoke rug with a soft wave motif lends a cosy textural element to the room.
In one of the bathrooms on this level, a shower was also removed to make space for a new and enlarged vanity counter, installed to accommodate an integrated ice maker for cold therapy.
Above The wife's study enjoys plentiful natural light that highlights its floral theme
The wife's study enjoys plentiful natural light that highlights its floral theme
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Above The door to the bathroom is seamlessly integrated into the bookcase wall in the wife’s study
Above This petite powder room is a secret sparkling gem within the home
The door to the bathroom is seamlessly integrated into the bookcase wall in the wife’s study
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The third floor houses the master suite. “The position of the master bedroom was carefully considered so that it had an adjacent balcony,” says Hunt, adding that this would help the couple reap the benefits of the morning sunlight to maintain a balanced circadian rhythm and receive enough vitamin D to strengthen their immune system and support mental health.
The adjustable bed features two single mattresses for individual posture preferences, along with a mattress cover with integrated heating and cooling elements for temperature regulation to optimise sleep. Lavender and blue tones evoke feelings of calm and restfulness, facilitating restorative slumber.
Above The master bedroom features soothing hues, colour-adjustable light bulbs and blackout curtains for better sleep
The master bedroom features soothing hues, colour-adjustable light bulbs and blackout curtains for better sleep
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The bathroom was expanded onto the roof terrace, and features an outdoor bathing area with a bathtub and shower. A wall of plants lends a verdant touch and ensures privacy, as does a rustic bamboo wall and “roof”. The homeowners often look forward to bathtime in this stunning area; the soothing effect and sound of water and the invigorating sight of the greenery melt their daily stresses away.
Above The stunning outdoor bath area is fitted with rust-proof hardware
Above An impeccable table setting reinforces the biophilic feel
The stunning outdoor bath area is fitted with rust-proof hardware
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Besides resulting in eminently happy owners, the home also notably picked up two accolades: for Best Kitchen Design at the International Property Awards 2024, and for Best Residential Interior (Private Residence) Singapore at the Asia Pacific Property Awards 2024. Ultimately, however, Hunt derives the most satisfaction from the happiness the house affords its occupants.
“In this home, neuro-aesthetics is not an abstract concept but a lived reality, ensuring the couple’s habitat is a catalyst for a joyful, fulfilling and healthful life,” she says. “Indeed, all the good food, gym workouts or yoga sessions are not going to yield the results we want if the environment we live in is constantly undermining our efforts.”
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