Cover The furnishings were selected to match the dark tones of the stained wood flooring. Photography courtesy of Summerhaus D'zign
The furnishings were selected to match the dark tones of the stained wood flooring. Photography courtesy of Summerhaus D'zign
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Summerhaus D’zign gives a semi-detached house in Singapore a minimalist makeover that emphasises the innate charm of the property
Monochromatic, minimalist interiors may be easy on the eye, but with fewer embellishments acting as visual distractions, they can be a challenge to pull off without leaving a space cold and austere. So, to successfully achieve this elegant yet simple aesthetic for a semi-detached house located near Orchard Road, Summerhaus D’zign decided to draw inspiration from the abode’s neoclassical exterior architecture.
“We wanted to match the design of the interior to the facade, which bears elements of neoclassical design. We used a dark shade of walnut by staining the wood flooring. This complements the overall whites of the home to evoke a sense of living in a classic colonial house,” says co-founder Larry Lim.
Read more: 4 pro tips for updating your home as shared by Summerhaus D’zign
Above Larry Lim and Jess Koh, co-founders of Summerhaus D’zign
Larry Lim and Jess Koh, co-founders of Summerhaus D’zign
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It helped that the design studio had also designed this client’s first home back in 2014, and was also recommended as the designer of choice for the home renovation of the client’s parents and friends. “We have a good understanding of the style and textures that the client likes. Thus, the design process was very enjoyable and very much like friends embarking on a project together,” says Lim.
Above A glass partition makes the hallway feel more airy
and spacious
A glass partition makes the hallway feel more airy and spacious
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To open up and streamline the interior design of this 4,100 sq ft property, Lim and his team reworked the layout of the two-decades-old house by removing non-structural walls, which allowed natural light to illuminate the space. “The original interior looked tired and dark, with certain spaces not being fully utilised, so we reconfigured those spaces to fit the homeowner’s requirements,” shares the designer.
Above Spanish granite
was applied to
both the dining table and the kitchen island to create a unified look; the furnishings were selected to match the dark tones of the stained wood flooring
Spanish granite was applied to both the dining table and the kitchen island to create a unified look; the furnishings were selected to match the dark tones of the stained wood flooring
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In the cosy living room is an ingenious 180-degree rotatable TV wall which can be easily positioned to face the adjacent dining area. This eliminates the need for multiple screens on the first floor.
Taking pride of place in the dining area and dry kitchen are a generously sized 2.4m-long dining table and 1.7m-long island counter, both of which are movable to allow for maximum flexibility. To create visual contrast against the lighter-toned finishes, the firm selected the Sensa Black Beauty granite from Cosentino; this was applied to both the kitchen island and dining table. Elsewhere, a mosaic-tiled bathroom brings a subtle splash of texture to the monochromatic colour scheme.
Above Built-in cabinetry separates the beds from the wardrobe area, which also features a desk that looks out to the neighbourhood
Built-in cabinetry separates the beds from the wardrobe area, which also features a desk that looks out to the neighbourhood
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On the second floor, the children’s bedroom was transformed into a stylish suite complete with a study and storage for books and stationery as well as a wardrobe and attached bathroom. Up in the attic, which boasts a dramatic design feature in the form of its lofty vaulted ceiling, the entire space was turned into a private enclave for the homeowners by combining two rooms.
Above The dark-wood bed frame loosely references the neoclassical architectural elements of the semi-detached house
The dark-wood bed frame loosely references the neoclassical architectural elements of the semi-detached house
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Entering through newly designed double-leaf lattice doors, this private retreat is demarcated by a walk-in wardrobe and ensuite bathroom on the left, and the resting quarters on the right. To breathe new life into a treasured vintage sewing machine, the designers converted it into a dressing table for the wife.
The overall result is a home designed with a “less is more” ethos that is still filled with personalised touches. With satisfaction, Lim says: “With a design intent to create a fuss-free, minimalist interior, simplicity was key to achieving that quaint sense of elegance.”
A vintage sewing machine was converted into a dressing table for the lady of the house
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