Cover Iroshini and Aiyana Chua, pictured in their TV room (Photography: Jasper Yu)

Iroshini and Aiyana Chua let us in on the finer details that make their house a home, while taking inspiration from Aman Resorts and other glamorous hotels that they love

“I wake up every morning to birdsong, it’s so beautiful,” shares Iroshini Chua. The gracious host and her daughter Aiyana are chatting with us over an afternoon tea session with them in their garden-facing living room, which is among the family’s most cherished spaces in their home. 

The bright and airy living area is where the mother-daughter pair often hold impromptu “indoor picnics”, chatting and nibbling on snacks while enjoying sunset views from this spot. The family instantly took to this hilltop home; they love its calming proximity to Singapore’s Clementi Forest and Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. Iroshini adds: “I love nature and so does the rest of the family. Nature is a really important aspect for us. That sunset view and the garden, and the fact that it’s on top of the hill—all these are big attractions for us.”

In case you missed it: Kevin and Iroshini Chua Celebrate The Opening Of Their New Medical Aesthetics Clinic

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Photo 1 of 2 The spacious living area features a Jasper sofa from King Living and porcelain floor tiles from Atlas Concorde’s Marvel Stone collection, purchased from Hafary
Photo 2 of 2 The custom bar counter is clad in a Amazonite Top quartzite surface from Antolini, available at Hafary

The remarkable renovation was completed in six weeks by Chris Ong, founder of Kinsman Builders, a close friend of Iroshini and her husband Kevin. The family moved into their newly-renovated house in February this year, sparked by a burning desire to be closer to nature after a long homebound period during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Iroshini and her husband Kevin Chua jointly run Dr Kevin Chua Medical & Aesthetics Clinic and also work as general practitioners; they began offering telehealth consultations in 2020. Although the couple were initially swept up by the bustle of their hectic schedules, once they accustomed themselves to it, they felt a change of environment was needed to accommodate their new way of working from home.

The growing need for change culminated in one fateful morning. “One day, I woke up and decided we’re moving house,” declared Iroshini, noting that the family quickly purchased this property in Bukit Timah last November. “The pandemic made us realise that our home is a space that needs to be comfortable. I felt that we spent so much time indoors during the pandemic that our home has to be a place that’s spacious and devoid of clutter. While the existing house was liveable and move-in ready but for us, we wanted our own personality and something that matches our lifestyle.”

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Above Another view of the TV room, which was designed in the style of a Dior boutique
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Above Iroshini and Aiyana Chua, pictured in their TV room with a glass-block feature that they have kept

The swift two-month renovation was also made achievable because their teenage daughter’s close involvement in the decoration process. “She chose everything from the colour scheme to the styling and finishes,” recalls Iroshini, admiring her sixteen-year-old daughter’s keen aesethetic sense and decisiveness. Aiyana intuitively knew what the family wanted, and often could make the call quickly on everything from the fabric selected for the curtains, accent cushions and rugs to custom pieces made for their abode.

“For my mum, textures are very important. Her style is luxurious but not ostentatious; the kind of fabrics chosen should not be too bold or too heavy,” says Aiyana. She would veto finishes and colours that she felt were too over-the-top, and picked out furnishings in a tasteful mix of textures to convey the sense of cosiness that the family desired.

Aiyana, on the other hand, preferred a light minimalist scheme, while her brother wanted a fuss-free space almost devoid of decoration. “Jorim said, ‘don’t touch my room’; he could live in a plain room,” she quips. These contrasts in their personal styles meant a delicate balance of glamour and functional style, which the teenager managed with much aplomb. 

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Photo 1 of 2 The curved glass-block wall adds to the seventies feel of the TV room, which is furnished with side tables and a velvet sofa from Finn Avenue
Photo 2 of 2 A framed photo of the aurora borealis, taken by Kevin during one of the family’s past vacations

Iroshini and Kevin, who are usually among the best-dressed at soirees and gala events, lean towards a glamorous look that marries the elegance and comfort of the luxury hotels and resorts that they have visited. “I wanted to live in a boutique hotel; I’m an Aman junkie,” shares Iroshini with a laugh, citing the Aman Group as one of her favourite hotel brands.

The essence of a relaxed and elegant lounge area is conveyed in the living room, where the gold chandelier picks up the metallic edge of the custom bar counter; the latter also features a bold green marble front that makes it the centrepiece of the space. Beside the custom bar is the plush Jasper sofa from King Living, and a glass coffee table decorated with a tasteful array of design tomes and magazines. 

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Photo 1 of 2 The colourful glass chandelier in the dining room is among the family’s favourite pieces in their abode
Photo 2 of 2 The glamorous bar area in the kitchen

Like a well-designed hotel suite, the master bedroom features a visual narrative that continues throughout from the bed area to the master bathroom; the latter is accessed via the dressing area. The walk-in wardrobe is fully carpeted and features pale pink cabinetry and brushed gold trimmings, with a crystal chandelier overhead. It leads to a glamorous bathroom while a marble feature wall is an appropriate backdrop for the freestanding bathtub and the crystal pendant lights from Million Lighting.

“Every night that I’m walking into my bedroom, it’s like I’m in a hotel,” gushes Iroshini. “I have Frette sheets [for the bed] because I love the comfort; once you get into the sheets, the way it feels; they’re amazing to sleep in.” Quips Aiyana: “It’s like anaesthetia [slipping into the sheets]; I don’t want to wake up.”

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Photo 1 of 3 The master bedroom of Kevin and Iroshini Chua
Photo 2 of 3 Aiyana helped hand-pick the tones and finishes for her parents’ master wardrobe
Photo 3 of 3 Aiyana’s bedroom is a calming space that shows her love of modern minimalist designs

Even months after the family has moved in, they’re still happily surprised by the simple joys that their home brings them, be it the sunset scenes add a soft glow to their living room, or the myriad details throughout the interior that make their abode feel so thoughtfully personalised. “I like bright and uplifting spaces; I love the sunlight coming into the living area,” smiles Iroshini. “Every now and then, Kevin will gush, ‘I love our house’; he’s really enjoying it.”

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Photo 1 of 2 In the master bathroom, the glamorous chandelier and glazed porcelain tile forms a formidable backdrop for the freestanding bathtub
Photo 2 of 2 A botanical wallpaper enlivens the guest room

Credits

Photography  

Jasper Yu, assisted by Tang Jun Wen

Art Direction  

Charlene Lee, assisted by Margaux Levy

Make-Up  

Lydia Thong of The Makeup Entourage using Charlotte Tilbury

Hair  

Zhou Aiyi of The Makeup Entourage, using Keune Haircosmetics

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