The open-plan living and dining areas are furnished with a Wendelbo sofa from Made & Make, and Lambert & Fils pendant lights that draw the eye inwards towards the dining area
Cover The open-plan living and dining areas are furnished with a Wendelbo sofa from Made & Make, and Lambert & Fils pendant lights that draw the eye inwards towards the dining area

With its elegant and wonderfully layered monochromatic look, this home belonging to Joan Chang and her husband Ngiam Juyong is a calming space that also celebrates its owners’ love of the outdoors

Modern, minimalist, and utterly calming: these are some of the descriptors that spring to mind when you enter the home of Joan Chang and Ngiam Juyong. Indeed, those very words also encapsulate the look and feel of Lloyd’s Inn, the hospitality brand Chang helms as its director and co-founder.

The eldest daughter of Herman Chang, founder of property developer Macly Group, the formidable 31-year-old was never pressured into following in her father’s footsteps. But she has always had her eye on design; she professes a passion for modern architecture as well as beautiful handmade objects. Even during her childhood, Chang was busy redecorating her room, and as she grew older, she was roped into helping to furnish her parents’ home.

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A view of the facade from the lawn
Above A view of the facade from the lawn
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Joan Chang, co-founder of Lloyd’s Inn, pictured in her home
Above Joan Chang, co-founder of Lloyd’s Inn, pictured in her home

It thus comes as no surprise that she’s as invested in the design of her own abode. Located in central Singapore, the 6,500sqft property stands conveniently beside her husband’s family home, while offering the couple the convenience and privacy they sought. They were also taken with the rustic, cottage-inspired look of the house, and sought to modernise its dated interior while preserving its most unique elements.

“I love the ceiling profile and the roof; we definitely wanted to keep that instead of doing a false ceiling underneath it,” says Chang. “I also liked the existing pond and planter box, so we decided to turn it into a water feature and add a mini garden next to the powder room so we’d have a bathroom that overlooks greenery.”

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We wanted to create a sense of zen in our home with a mix of Japanese and Danish minimalist influences

- Joan Chang, co-founder of Lloyd's Inn -

Deciding which design studio to enlist for their home renovation was easy—the couple looked to local firm Farm, a frequent collaborator that has worked on hotel properties for Lloyd’s Inn in Singapore, Bali and a new hotel in Kuala Lumpur, scheduled to open next year. The Singapore-based studio is led by Selwyn Low, Peter Sim, Tiah Nan Chyuan and Torrance Goh. 

“We wanted to create a sense of zen in our home with a mix of Japanese and Danish minimalist influences,” says Chang. “We were looking to incorporate a bit of the wellness aspect into our home; having worked with Farm on Lloyd’s Inn, they understand my taste and style.”

Read more: Home Tour: A Stylish Apartment with a Surprising Mix of Pink Accents

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The open-plan living and dining areas are furnished with a Wendelbo sofa from Made & Make, and Lambert & Fils pendant lights that draw the eye inwards towards the dining area
Above The open-plan living and dining areas are furnished with a Wendelbo sofa from Made & Make, and Lambert & Fils pendant lights that draw the eye inwards towards the dining area

The couple looked to Farm to design a light-filled, family-friendly house with beautifully concealed storage to keep the home clutter-free and easy to maintain. The owners are consummate hosts who enjoy entertaining, as well as outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy hiking daily together, so they wanted their interiors to be suffused with elements of nature. “We both love nature, and it is meaningful to be able to incorporate it into our home,” says Chang.

The designers’ first task was to improve the home’s natural illumination and ventilation. “Although the site enjoys the quietness of a small park in front of it, the existing house did not relate much to the exterior and the outdoors,” says Gareth Low, the lead designer on this project. “As the plot is rectilinear, many of the interior spaces enjoy the privacy of being away from the street. We saw this as a chance to open up the living spaces to more natural light, ventilation and greenery.”

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The concrete feature wall adds a modern touch to the living room’s calming, neutral palette
Above The concrete feature wall adds a modern touch to the living room’s calming, neutral palette
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This curved staircase is among the original architectural elements preserved in the house
Above This curved staircase is among the original architectural elements preserved in the house

A monochromatic material palette was chosen to create an elegant atmosphere. “Our aesthetic is minimalist and classic, with a preference for neutral tones and a palette that would be more timeless,” says Chang. “We prefer a raw and textured material palette that does not look too overdone.” 

Existing elements such as the herringbone parquet flooring were retained and stained with a matte varnish for a contemporary look, while new materials such as textured concrete give the space a rugged appeal. 

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Lambert & Fils lamps float elegantly above the 10-seater Deod dining table from Sovet Italia
Above Lambert & Fils lamps float elegantly above the 10-seater Deod dining table from Sovet Italia
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A herringbone pattern on the kitchen island creates visual interest
Above A herringbone pattern on the kitchen island creates visual interest

Adjacent to the open-plan common areas is a bar counter that faces the garden, as well as a kitchen island; the latter is also the perfect space for Chang’s work-from-home days. “I enjoy both working and chilling out here as I can see our garden from this area, and have easy access to the kitchen for snacks.”

In case you missed it: Home Tour: An Elegant House with an Indoor Pool and Stylish Rooms

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A leather sofa and grey rug invite lounging in the family room
Above A leather sofa and grey rug invite lounging in the family room
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This map of the world in the family room is playfully decorated with the couple’s souvenir magnets
Above This map of the world in the family room is playfully decorated with the couple’s souvenir magnets
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The walk-in wardrobe sports a boutique-inspired design that incorporates backlit open shelves and a bench to rest on
Above The walk-in wardrobe sports a boutique-inspired design that incorporates backlit open shelves and a bench to rest on
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The master bathroom features his-and-hers vanities
Above The master bathroom features his-and-hers vanities

A curved staircase leads up to the second storey where a family room, master bedroom, guest room and art studio are located. The master bedroom underwent significant layout changes to incorporate an ensuite wardrobe, study and a spacious master bathroom. A series of glass sliding doors separates the workspace from the other areas of the master bedroom.

Adjacent to the master bedroom is the family room, which can be enclosed to function as a secondary workspace. Here, a magnetic wall with a map of the world is decorated with souvenir magnets the couple had amassed on their past trips. “We love to travel together and have been collecting magnets for our fridge; gradually the magnets started to outgrow the fridge; so we agreed that we would one day have a giant wall map for these magnets in our home,” laughs Chang.

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The couple and their guests often gather for karaoke sessions and movie marathons in the entertainment den located in the attic
Above The couple and their guests often gather for karaoke sessions and movie marathons in the entertainment den located in the attic
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A mix of Hermès accent cushions adds energy and life to the understated tableau
Above A mix of Hermès accent cushions adds energy and life to the understated tableau

In the attic, the gallery is among Chang’s favourite nooks in the home; its striking triangulated roof instantly grabs one’s attention. The attic also features a stylish entertainment den with a similarly pitched roof that creates a lofty, light-filled space.

The designers also thoughtfully incorporated niches throughout the interior that display Chang’s handmade objects and floral arrangements. “Our design for this home refreshes the look and feel of an existing house, with the clients’ needs and preferences in mind. It was very much made with them, for them,” says Low commenting on the project, which took two years to complete.

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The attic gallery is furnished with a concrete bench from which Chang can contemplate her various creative endeavours
Above The attic gallery is furnished with a concrete bench from which Chang can contemplate her various creative endeavours

As much as she loves her home, Chang still considers the space a work in progress. “I am looking to spruce up the entertainment room—the original plan was to incorporate a pool table. I’m waiting for the right opportunity and pieces when I come across them, so I can jazz it up and improve the furniture and styling as well!”

Credits

Photography  

Jasper Yu

Art Direction  

Charlene Lee

Photographer's Assistant  

TANG JUN WEN

Make-Up  

ZHOU AIYI OF MAKEUP ENTOURAGE, USING CHARLOTTE TILBURY

Hair  

ZHOU AIYI OF MAKEUP ENTOURAGE, USING KEUNE

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