Cover A view of the open-plan living and dining room in an apartment designed by Takenouchi Webb (Photography: Studio Periphery)
A view of the open-plan living and dining room in an apartment designed by Takenouchi Webb (Photography: Studio Periphery)
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Takenouchi Webb creates a restful haven for a young couple in Singapore to showcase their growing collection of art and plants
A successful collaboration often results from a close relationship. So when one of Takenouchi Webb’s regular clients acquired a new home, it felt natural for her and her partner to appoint the Singapore-based firm to design their new 1,797 sq ft apartment in the city.
“We had worked with the client on some commercial projects before and have known her for a number of years. She approached us to re-design the apartment once it was purchased,” shares Marc Webb, who founded the eponymous studio with his wife Naoko Takenouchi. The couple and their team are the creative minds behind a beautiful array of hotels, restaurants, offices in Singapore and around the world; they’ve also been designing a selection of stylish abodes in recent years.
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Above A view of the living area from the corridor
Above Marc Webb and Naoko Takenouchi of Takenouchi Webb
A view of the living area from the corridor
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The clients are a young couple; they’re plant lovers and ardent art admirers, and wanted a comfortable and relaxing home where they could entertain friends. For their home, they wanted a layered look and a warm mix of natural materials comprising marble, timber and tiles in neutral tones, and accentuated with soft hues to brighten the home. They acquired an apartment in a newly-built condominium and assigned Takenouchi Webb to work on its design even before the building was completed.
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Above The arched threshold demarcates the living area from the corridor that leads to the bedroom and other private areas
Above An arched display shelf with integrated lighting creates a focal point at the end of the corridor; the shelf is flanked by large sliding doors on both sides that each connect to the master bedroom and study
The arched threshold demarcates the living area from the corridor that leads to the bedroom and other private areas
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Although Takenouchi Webb started designing the interior based on images and information they could obtain from the developer, they felt they needed to restart the process after seeing the unit in person; it appeared smaller than the designers had anticipated. The team swiftly adapted by changing the floor plan and most of the finishes initially selected, in order to create the open and light-filled design that the owners wanted.
Explains Webb: “In terms of the spatial plan, we wanted to open up the apartment as much as possible and lighten the overall palette as well as maximise the ceiling heights. We also wanted to create quite different spaces, whilst retaining a uniformity in the design. The main living and dining area was surrounded on two sides with balconies and so we also wanted to bring these outdoor elements much more into the space, which we did with lots of plants.”
The living area is furnished with the B&B Italia Camaleonda sofa, Martinelli Luce Metafora coffee table, and House of Finn Juhl chairs
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The unit was reconfigured from a four-bedroom property to an apartment with a spacious master suite, a study and meditation room. “For the plan changes, we opened up the kitchen and living areas by removing a wall that separated the private lift area,” explains Webb. “Two of the existing bedrooms were combined to make the master bedroom. One of the bedrooms was converted to a meditation room where we added tatami mats and curved the wall and ceiling to give a calm aspect to the space.”
To cater to the vivacious couple’s love for entertaining, the open-plan living and dining room had to be suitably spacious to accommodate their guests. A free-edge solid teak table was specially custom made to seat up to eight, with a Lindsey Adelman pendant lamp floating above as an eye-catching detail. The dining table is paired with a marble island counter that incorporates a wine chiller below and induction hobs on top, so that the hosts could chat with their guests while cooking within the same space.
The master bedroom features the Living Divani Chemise bed and a pair of Antony wall lights from Serge Mouille
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Adds Webb: “The owners are very much into wellness and so light natural materials were selected, with the main areas having limestone floors and the walls in white plaster. We also looked to soften the feel of the space with some arched elements that repeat throughout the design.”
In the living area, the B&B Italia Camaleonda sofa is orientated to face the lush greenery and a wall where a ceiling-recessed screen and projector can be activated to play entertainment for the evening. The Moleanos limestone flooring underfoot unites the living and dining areas, and is complemented with plaster walls and built-in furnishings in oak. Arched elements in the space include the threshold that leads to the bedroom, as well as alcove displays in the open-plan social zone of the home.
Above The Gucci Heron wallpaper creates an element of surprise in this home
Above Next to the meditation room is a bathroom with a combination of pink
terracotta ceramic tiles and Bianco Carrara marble, and arch motifs in the shower area which are accented with brass sanitary hardware
The Gucci Heron wallpaper creates an element of surprise in this home
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To differentiate the private areas from the rest of the home, the designers opted for oak timber flooring from the corridor that leads into the bedrooms. “These areas were designed with sliding doors, so if no privacy was required, all the doors can be opened to make a single space and minimise the corridor area,” explains Webb.
A grooved oak timber wall is placed behind the bed in the master suite, and paired with a built-in oak veneer wardrobe. Like with the living area, a retractable screen and projector hides the entertainment devices from sight to create a calming tableau that’s conducive for slumber.
Sheer fabric Venetian blinds add to the cosy atmosphere. A sliding door leads to a walk-in wardrobe by Lema, while another sliding door connects to the master bathroom that’s luxuriously clad in Bianco Carrara marble.
Above The master bathroom was is clad in Bianco Carrara marble and has a custom sink installed
Above The master bathroom features an understated design to creating a calming environment
The master bathroom was is clad in Bianco Carrara marble and has a custom sink installed
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Above Takenouchi Webb worked with local botanical studio This Humid House on the placement and selection of house plants and landscaping
Above This cosy lounge area within the master bedroom features the Cassina
LC4 chaise lounge, Flos IC floor lamp and Kvadrat Slope rug
Takenouchi Webb worked with local botanical studio This Humid House on the placement and selection of house plants and landscaping
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While most of the interior leans towards a calming and understated look, the powder room packs a punch with its striking Gucci Heron wallpaper. “In an uncharacteristic flourish of decoration, [this wallpaper is] intentionally chosen as a counterpoint to the simple materials in the rest of the apartment; the vanity is a custom-made marble sink of Bianco Carrara marble,” adds Webb. “The client very much wanted to powder room to be an area different from the neutral tones in the rest of the house. We like the element of surprise with this room.”
Although the renovation was slowed by delays related to the Covid-19 pandemic, the team managed to work smoothly with the clients, who gave specific instructions on the incorporation of certain furniture and artworks, and worked closely with Takenouchi Webb to select art and furniture purchases for the home.
“Overall we are very happy with the plan changes made to the unit and the sense of space and light we brought into the design,” shares Webb. “The clients were very happy with the project and have been putting the apartment to good use in the direction of the brief as a space where they can entertain friends, so the dining, living and balcony areas seem to have been used extensively.”
Tatami mats and curved details on the walls and ceiling give a calming aspect to the meditation room; a recessed oval light feature was added to one of the walls based on the clients’ preferred design
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Credits
Photography: Studio Periphery
