Cover The curved forms in the younger daughter’s room contribute to its cosy look. All Images: Studio Periphery

Joey Khu Interior Design taps into the elegant ethos of French icon Christian Liaigre to create a restful and beautiful home for a Singaporean family

Elegant, discreet and minimalistic—these are some of the defining traits of renowned French design maestro Christian Liaigre’s stellar work. The late designer and his eponymous brand Liaigre continue to be recognised worldwide for a signature look that is both polished as well as tastefully understated. A Singaporean couple who are ardent admirers of Liaigre’s work sought to incorporate some of the French brand’s most notable designs into their semi-detached house. They felt that their 4,600 sq ft property in Singapore’s Bukit Timah needed a major overhaul to meet their needs, and for the Liaigre furnishings and other designer pieces to fit beautifully within the interior.

The couple live with two daughters and the wife’s parents; the owners wanted ample storage for their family of six to keep their home neat. They were taken by the similarly elegant style of homegrown firm Joey Khu Interior Design, and enlisted the studio to make their dream home a reality. “We admire Christian Liaigre for his elegant and minimalist approach to design, as well as the brand’s attention to detail,” shares Joey Khu, the eponymous founder of his firm. “The clients mentioned that they love Liaigre furniture and its style. They wanted a harmonious interior, and highlighted that their furniture and accessories had to blend with the whole design scheme."

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Photo 1 of 4 The Liaigre Sumi table takes pride of place in the dining room
Photo 2 of 4 A pair of Mater bar stools from Made and Make carries on the dark hues of the custom cabinetry and counter in the dry kitchen
Photo 3 of 4 The living room features a full set of Liaigre furnishings including the Iliade coffee table, Nagato stool, Gueridon bronze trépied side table, Mandarin chair, and Chantecaille and Terral floor lamps
Photo 4 of 4 In the second-floor hallway is a Muuto Outline daybed from Grafunkt and an equestrian-themed art piece from P5 Studio

Khu teamed up with his designer colleague Jerry Tan for the extensive makeover of the abode, which took a total of 10 months to be realised. “The design philosophy for this home [revolves around] modernism and quiet luxury. We incorporated Liaigre furnishings into the interior in a way that is simple, sophisticated, luxurious and inviting,” shares Khu. “To ensure all elements in the space came harmoniously together, we paid attention to the use of space and light, and the choice of colours, textures, patterns, shapes and styles.”

This delicate balance of materials and proportions can be seen throughout the interior. From the entrance, visitors step into a long hallway clad with dark wood both on the ceiling and the full-height cabinetry; the latter houses the family’s impressive collection of shoes. This space leads to the welcoming living and dining areas, which are the pride and joy of the clients, who enjoy hosting friends and family in their abode.

In the living area, the olive-green Hunier sofa from Liaigre imbues the monochromatic space with a sense of visual richness, and is paired with a work by local artist Simon Wee that catches the eye with its dramatic brushstrokes. Here, a full set of Liaigre furniture can be found: these include the Iliade coffee table, Nagato stool and Gueridon bronze trépied side table, Mandarin chair, Chantecaille and Terral floor lamps, as well as a pair of Médicis wall sconces. With its light-wood finish, the Nagato stool lends a visual contrast to the dark wood and marble flooring.

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Above The olive-green Hunier sofa from Liaigre is paired with a work by local artist Simon Wee

“The design details and materials were selected to add depth to the living area,” elaborates Khu. “The wall was clad with off-white Fenix laminate with the sleek-profile timber-strip finishing in veneer. The design doesn’t feel too overwhelming, and it matches our furniture and accessories selection.”

The dining area is as delightful, and is where an eight-seater Liaigre Sumi dining table serves as the focal point. It is paired with the Robinson chairs, also from the French design brand. The striking veins of the panda white marble top of the table also loosely reference the brushstrokes of the artwork in the living area; it’s set against full-height dark-wood cabinetry that forms an understated backdrop to make this statement piece pop. The minimalist kitchen island sports a Dekton countertop surface in a similar hue, and is matched with dark-stained Mater high stools from Made & Make.

In between the living and dining zones of the home is a wood-veneer wall that faces the staircase. Here, the Liaigre Tangris light-wood cabinet and a bronze work by French artist Pierre Bonnefille stand out against the dark backdrop. These pieces face the stairway, where the wall is finished in a lime plaster effect; its burnished look brings to mind the wabi-sabi Japanese philosophy that celebrates the beauty in imperfection.

Read more: Ephemeral beauty: What is ‘Wabi Sabi’ and how to incorporate it into the home?

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Photo 1 of 3 The elder daughter’s room is designed as a sophisticated, minimalist space with its use of dark wood and contrasting light finishes
Photo 2 of 3 The master bedroom features linear elements on the wall that reference the piping on a well-made shirt
Photo 3 of 3 The family room on the third floor features the Muuto Outline sofa from Grafunkt, Cassina LC1 chair and the Yamagiwa Taliesin floor lamp

The second storey continues the home’s elegant narrative, and is where the daughters’ bedrooms, a study and a guest room are sited. The teenage daughter’s room features sombre shades and materials to create a cocooning environment. “We wanted softer details to give a quiet sophistication to the space, so a muted colour palette was chosen for the elder daughter’s room,” says Khu.

Her younger sister’s room bears a lighter countenance with its copious use of light wood and off-white hues. “Natural ash was used in the younger daughter’s room to achieve a chic and timeless design. We introduced a flexible design scheme that can evolve as she grows up,” adds Khu. The Driade Roly Poly chair by Faye Toogood brings a dose of fun to the space.

The master bedroom on the third floor continues the living room’s monochromatic scheme. Crafted in the style of a hotel suite, the space embodies the design credo of Christian Liaigre to convey both plush comforts and a timeless modern aesthetic. Black linear detailing on the walls recalls the look of the piping on a finely made shirt, and echoes the angular elements of the room.

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Photo 1 of 3 The Flos Coordinates Suspension 2 light by Michael Anastassiades echoes the straight lines of the walk-in wardrobe
Photo 2 of 3 The backlit glass wardrobe showcases the wife’s collection of bags and accessories
Photo 3 of 3 Every inch of the home exhibits a meticulous attention to detail on both the custom joinery and furniture selection, as seen in this handsome study

Adjacent to the bedroom are the ensuite bathroom and wardrobe areas, which are a study in contrasts. The dressing room is airy and bright with its full-height white cabinetry, while the bathroom is a space handsomely decked in large-format graphite tiles from Italy and features a Pacotuba Oro marble-clad vanity counter. “The crisp white wardrobe highlights the wife’s love of fashion and design, while the dark-stained timber floor introduces contrast and amps up the cosy factor.”

The final result is an interior that pleases the eye, with spaces fitted cohesively to soothe the soul. The calming sanctuary is one that both the homeowners and designers are proud of. “We enjoyed working with the clients; they gave us the freedom to explore new ideas, and we are always glad to work with clients who appreciate good design,” says Khu.

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Studio Periphery

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