“However, they did not want the apartment to look too chunky with too much built-in cabinetry,” says Chan, adding that the owner wanted the living, dining, and balcony to be the main talking points.     

Hence, in the living area, he customised a floating, ceiling-mounted television console finished in teak wood laminate. It hides away clutter while making a statement. This is matched with a cabinet below made from real stone powder, resulting in a rustic look that complements a cow skin ottoman in the space.

“This suspended console demarcates the living area and enhances the character of the room, [finished with light-toned] textured Lucio stone laminate. Beige sandstone porcelain floor tiles provide a durable, attractive [base] while contributing to the room’s elegance,” describes Chan.  

Plush fur rugs, wooden side tables, tribal-patterned ottomans and transparent-top coffee tables with opulent black wooden legs all add to the rich layers of material and pattern playing on the Australian theme, with the overriding beige tones evoking the desert.

On the other side of the floating console, the design team conceived a “contemporary Outback oasis” with Philippe Starck’s Kartell Ghost dining chairs. In the space, a giraffe lamp and chandelier with a twig-like form adhere to the nature theme. 

In these two spaces, the Australian Aboriginal artworks are the highlights on the walls. “Strategically placed wall art tells unique stories, represents the husband’s Australian heritage and reflects his interests. These art pieces serve both as decoration and give a personal touch to enrich the atmosphere,” Chia comments. 

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Facing the living and dining areas is the dry kitchen, which was redesigned from the original set that came with the home to be closed off for heavy cooking with a glass sliding door. It also now incorporates a larger sink and tall oven unit, among other additions. The air-conditioning system was also modified to enable the kitchen to be closed off.

“Since modifications needed to be made in the kitchen due to the air-conditioning changes, we strengthened and defined the architecture of the apartment by lowering the ceiling in the kitchen and then defining it with wood laminate that stretches to the corridor leading to the bedrooms,” says Chia.

“The strong, horizontal wooden statement emphasises the length of the space, as well as provides contrasting ceiling heights from the lift lobby to the living and dining areas leading up to the bedrooms.” The strategy helps demarcate the condominium apartment’s private and public spaces in a subtle way.

On the kitchen finishes, the design team chose a sintered stone island top and metallic laminate-finished cabinet and drawer panels. The grey-toned palette is refined and does not distract from the elements in the living and dining areas. A bar area hidden away with a pocket sliding door can be opened up when the owners wish to make drinks for guests. 

The spacious apartment has four bedrooms, which offer the design team a template for experimentation. “In one bedroom, a Murphy bunk bed effortlessly converts into a study desk during the day. In the home office, a tatami bed transitions seamlessly from a workspace to a guest room,” Chan highlights.  

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The master bedroom enjoys a large, king-sized four-poster bed and ample wardrobe space that incorporates pull-down racks and a dresser for the wife.

The design team modified the proportion of the bay window to incorporate motorised blinds by Hunter Douglas that provide privacy and shade. Bookshelves, storage, display niches, and a daybed are other functional features in the master bedroom, allowing the owners to read or rest comfortably.

The master bathroom features a black sintered stone countertop, Italian Silver Travertine marble walls, and a black-and-white stone bathtub.

The monochromatic theme continues to the his-and-hers washbasins. “Vertical mirrors with back-lit lights and a stained antique texture emphasise the high ceiling. Bevel-edged, black-tinted mirrored cabinets and drawers tuck away accessories and daily necessities,” Chan points out.    

The overall result is calming yet personalised. Most of all, it embodies the husband’s background and is well suited for easy everyday living. 

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