In the main entryway, the basketweave pattern of the mosaic flooring matches the surrounding beige marble floor, as well as the dark timber detailing in the living room and kitchen. Its textured appearance is also subtly reminiscent of the classic look of tweed and bouclé jackets.

This emphasis on craft extends to the open-plan living area, where a grey marble feature wall is flanked by a pair of custom-made shelves with marble-clad drawer fronts at their base. Held together by heavy-duty tracks, these drawers conceal audio equipment, a function that is shared by a recessed area below the TV.

“The black niche mimics a fireplace effect, which leads your eye to the centre of the living area,” explains Quah, commenting on the home’s subtle nod to Italian villas.

The understated, neutral scheme is livened up by layering a tactile mix of materials that makes these shades of grey and off-white tones anything but boring. The living area also features curtains and carpeting with a subtle pattern, while a Minotti sofa with linen upholstery and a marble-topped coffee table with light grey veins similarly contribute to the layered look. In the dining area is a set of six Knoll Platner dining chairs with curved steel frames that inject visual interest.

One particularly challenging area to design was the dry kitchen, which connects to the living area. The galley kitchen featured a pair of long counters that terminated awkwardly in the living room; the owners specifically wanted to install a central island here to face the latter space.

To fit the island into the culinary zone, the team installed it along the breadth of the juncture between the living area and the dry kitchen. Now, this island is where the couple enjoy starting and ending their day with breakfast or a drink.

Instead of installing the botanical mosaic feature wall in the living room, where it might look too ostentatious, the designer positioned the mural in the master bathroom where it could make a dramatic impact, while staying true to the home’s elegant look. The mural’s floral design is handcrafted using mosaic pieces individually laid in a curved design. These light-catching mosaic tiles also shine with a pearlescent sheen in the day.

In the master bathroom, the floor, walls and vanity counter are clad in white and black marble to complement the mural’s greyscale palette. These elements are grounded by wooden shelves and cabinetry, which add warmth to the monochromatic space. 

“Being able to see the trees in a space that’s awash in natural light which also highlights the details of the mosaic mural really exudes a feeling of luxury,” says the designer. For Quah, the master bathroom is an especially stunning space as it functions as an idyllic extension of a walk-in wardrobe and boasts unblocked views of the city.

Quah emphasises that the apartment’s overall scheme is “very modern” despite the rich juxtaposition of materials, patterns and textures. For instance, the master bedroom features the elegant Poliform Rever bed by Rodolfo Dordoni and cabinetry door panels dressed in an understated pale wallpaper, next to a dramatic Arabescato Orobico Grigio marble feature wall. A playful geometric rug by American designer Kyle Bunting adds extra pizzazz to the neutral palette.

“Some would say ‘there is no such thing as a colour that doesn’t work, or a material that is ugly’. I agree—fine-tuning the colour and material mix gives any interior extra finesse,” says Quah. “That was the main challenge in designing this apartment; being able to balance it all, from the furnishings to the luxurious materials and the fittings to create a clean-lined and stylish abode.”

This story was first published in the August 2021 issue of Tatler Homes Singapore, available on Magzter and newstands now.