Cover LA Design Studio devices a niche that integrates shelving and a fold-out surface in this snug yet stylish East Coast apartment
LA Design Studio devices a niche that integrates shelving and a fold-out surface in this snug yet stylish East Coast apartment
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Tatler+
Proportion, material and light redefine a narrow East Coast apartment crafted by LA Design Studio, creating a home that feels open, practical, and distinctly personal
Apartment living has long been a catalyst for design innovation. Working within limited footprints has continually inspired designers to redefine the meaning of “small” and reimagine constrained spaces as ones that can be fully experienced and lived in.
From Le Corbusier’s modernist ideas on compact, efficient living to Charlotte Perriand’s post-war interiors defined by smart built-ins and adaptable furniture, constraints have consistently pushed designers to think differently. Chong Kwan Jun and Lim Lia of LA Design Studio took a cue from this approach in conceiving the interior of a 1,346 sq ft apartment at Costa Del Sol in East Coast Singapore.
Being set within a long, narrow footprint, the project came with various space and layout challenges, calling for a design that would not make the space feel either overly narrow or stretched.
The designer duo responded to the brief, which called for a home that felt luxurious yet practical, with a design concept that moves beyond constraint to create a space that feels balanced, open, and intuitively lived in.
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Above The full-height dark cabinetry features open shelving and lighting;
The full-height dark cabinetry features open shelving and lighting;
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Shaping Space
The apartment has a long, narrow layout, but rather than dividing the space, the design focuses on proportion and flow, allowing each area to feel connected without appearing stretched. This becomes even more important given the homeowner’s need for substantial storage, made more challenging by the conversion of the original storeroom into a helper’s room.
A key intervention is the introduction of a dry pantry, which supports the main kitchen while remaining visually discreet. It takes on preparation, storage and other more functional aspects of daily use, allowing the primary entertaining areas to stay clean and composed.
Above A dark green marble island with a timber dining table forms the centrepiece of the living-dining area
Above The dry pantry doubles as a display and coffee station, set against mirrored backing
A dark green marble island with a timber dining table forms the centrepiece of the living-dining area
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Storage is fully integrated into the architecture, with built-ins designed to be seamless and unobtrusive. The layout also responds to the needs of the client’s daughters, with a dedicated study room set apart from their bedrooms. It creates a focused, distraction-free space, while improving the overall flow of daily routines with ample, well-considered storage.
Above A framed Dior scarf lends a touch of fashionable opulence
A framed Dior scarf lends a touch of fashionable opulence
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Material Balance
The duo’s attention to material selection and colour strikes a balance between richness and restraint. Stone surfaces—especially at the island and key touchpoints—bring a sense of permanence through subtle veining and controlled detailing. This is softened with warmer elements such as timber cabinetry, soft upholstery and brushed metallic accents, adding depth through texture rather than contrast.
Above A streamlined study nook is set into full-height cabinetry;
Above This compact bedroom integrates a study and storage
A streamlined study nook is set into full-height cabinetry;
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Material shifts define key moments and introduce a sense of quiet luxury. Marble is used with intention—from the built-in dining table supports to the pantry, where Verde marble paired with a tinted mirror backing adds depth and creates a strong first impression. In the kitchen, acid glass cabinetry lends translucency while keeping the overall look clean.
Stronger expressions are introduced more selectively, notably in the main bathroom in the form of a bolder marble treatment. A durable Dekton surface is used at the bay window worktops, adding a contemporary layer while supporting the function. It also forms an integrated basin in one of the bathrooms, reinforcing the home’s clean, seamless aesthetic.
Above A niche integrates shelving and a fold-out surface
A niche integrates shelving and a fold-out surface
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Light & Depth
One of the most enjoyable aspects of the project was the owner’s openness to bold material choices and colour. This allowed the designers to shape the perception of space through light, particularly in balancing darker elements such as the wall cladding. Layered lighting adds depth and ensures the space feels open rather than enclosed.
Above Full-height marble surfaces wrap the shower
Above The bathroom’s vanity area uses two types of marble in contrasting colours
Full-height marble surfaces wrap the shower
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Elsewhere, lighting works more subtly. Along the corridor, textured panels add warmth and dimension, while integrated lighting softens the transitions between spaces. Together, light and material create depth without overwhelming the layout, reinforcing a sense of continuity throughout the home.
Careful consideration of the client’s needs, a mix of unique materials, and a bold approach give the home openness, ample storage, and a strong visual identity.
LA Design Studio
Above Designer Lim Lia of LA Design Studio
Above Designer Chong Kwan Jun of LA Design Studio
Designer Lim Lia of LA Design Studio
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Singapore-based interior design firm LA Design Studio’s ethos centres on precision and restraint in modern and luxurious interiors. The studio emphasises thoughtful material use and clear spatial planning. The result? Spaces that feel balanced, intentional, and opulent.
LA Design Studio, 22 Sin Ming Lane, #02-75 Midview City, Tel: 9853 6588. instagram.com/ladesignstudio.sg
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