An elegant and minimalist apartment by Summerhaus D’zign in Singapore’s District 10

The client desired a design scheme that was “minimalistic in nature, but with a touch of classical elements”, reveals Jenno Misa, partner at Summerhaus D’zign. The homeowner also requested that the spaces should be well illuminated and benefit from adequate natural light, and be good looking as well as functional.

An appealing mix of light and creamy hues dominates the 1,396 sq ft home, eliciting a restful air and lifting the spirits. Natural light washes over the common areas, bathing them in a soft glow and highlighting the textural nuances and details in these spaces.

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Among these interesting textural elements is the natural woodgrain patterns on the whitewashed wainscoting and white veneered wood panels on the walls. Acting as a counterpoint to these raw textural highlights is the smoothness of the subtly opulent Volakas Gold slab from Antolini behind the TV console, with a separate Tundra Grey application on the opposite wall also serving to visually enrich this space. Metal trims and leather, along with diaphanous as well as heavier fabrics, augment the interplay of textures further.

Overhead, the coved ceiling brings another dimension in the form of soft ambient lighting into play. The gently rounded curves of this fixture mirror those of the dining chairs and the form of the coffee table, tempering the sharp angles and hard lines by creating a sense of flow and fluidity. The ornate lines and curves of the wainscoting on the walls are delicately balanced by the minimalism of the furniture, which were deliberately handpicked to add depth and character to the individual spaces, explains Misa.

The addition of the textured walls and ceilings also had to be carefully considered as they might effectively depose the overall design if added haphazardly, adds the designer.

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Realising the client’s directives also entailed overcoming various design challenges. These included coupling conflicting elements so they would become happy bedfellows. One instance of this was the dining area, which was next to a bar counter with an “extremely aggressive texture”, says Misa. “Changing it was not an option, so we had to decide how to carefully bridge the gap between textures so the overall design did not collapse.”

The designers decided to introduce another stone with a similar tone, but sporting a more muted texture. “We had that stone recessed away from the wall panelling which had wainscotting on it, and illuminated it with hidden lights,” explains Misa. “The result is a feature wall that whispers classical, with an undertone of opulence.”

Lending a personalised touch are a selection of paintings and other artworks installed throughout the home, which add colour and life to the neutral-hued spaces, reflect the homeowner’s heritage, and give the whole apartment a sense of identity.

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The apartment’s more personal zones also benefit from the same soothing hues that are employed elsewhere in the home. In the master bedroom, a cushioned, ceiling-high bedhead feature draws the gaze upwards and adds to the plush, cosy feel in this space, while shades of taupe and dark wood veneer serve as compelling visual counterpoints to the overall light scheme. Shelves house a curated selection of accessories, bringing a personalised, engaging feel to this private area. Bedside tables, a console, TV and reading corner round off this private sanctuary.

The other three bedrooms serve new purposes as a guest room, a multipurpose room and a home office respectively. The guest room houses a queen-size bed to accommodate visitors, along with the whitewashed wainscoting of the apartment’s common zones. The multipurpose room features a customised Murphy bed along a wall with storage space above it for when additional guests come calling, while the home office is eminently suited to productive work-from-home days with a neatly arranged desk and monitor, concealed power points and even a wine fridge for a quick pick-me-up during work breaks.

Completed in three months, the interior exercise has resulted in a cohesive, thoughtfully composed abode its owner always looks forward to coming home to. Misa was glad to have been able to strike a successful balance between the modern and classical elements. “It’s easy to let one overpower the other, so it requires a highly disciplined eye and unbiased judgment to be able to come up with what we designed,” he says.

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Founded by Larry Lim and Jess Koh in 2012, Summerhaus D’zign is an award-winning firm that has worked on homes in some of the most exclusive addresses in Singapore as well as numerous landed properties throughout the country. The interior firm adopts a bespoke approach to creating liveable and elegant residences that are inspired by their owners’ personalities and lifestyles, and which meet their specific needs and preferences.

120 Lower Delta Road, #15-16 Cendex Centre, Tel: 6352 9118, summerhaus.com.sg

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