settling

h&d homes
text Mavis Ang
photography vernon wong
art direction kristy quah

After years of living in

rented apartments, this

in

couple wanted nothing more

than to tailor their own
home to their precise needs.

thefacts

who lives here A couple and their two pet cats home threebedroom condominium unit in Jervois Road size 1,700sqf

163

162

An inviting open-plan
kitchen and dining
area greets this homes
guests as they step
through the front door.

The idea behind the

living room, says the
designer, is to create
a warm and cosy
library-like den.

A six-seater dining
set was chosen as
the couple often host
guests for dinner.
below With removable
vertical columns, this
bookshelf can be
customised easily.

unpretentious style lend this

164

space a homely touch.

165

a neutral palet te and an

s Low and her husband have been

living rather nomadic lives for some
time. As he often gets posted to
foreign countries for work, it was important for
them, when they finally got a chance to live in
Singapore again, that their home should feel as
comfortable and personal as possible.
The couple chose a resale apartment that
is minutes away from town, yet enveloped by a
restful serenity. The original interiors, however,
were far from ideal. From a list of shortlisted
interior design firms, they approached Dwell first
simply because the companys office was nearest
to them. One designer was free to view the home
immediately, and Ms Low and her husband took
to his proposals rather quickly because his ideas
werent too crazy, she recalls. It took a threemonth renovation to create this relaxing abode,
which fit their specifications perfectly.

whatwelove
scr ib b l e b oa r d
To make better use of the
structural pillar in the
kitchen, the designer clad it
in glass so it could double
as a whiteboard.

The wife got used to

the standard American
kitchen counter height
after living there, so
the island was built
slightly higher.

Foodies Paradise

167

166

A big fan of baking and cooking, Ms Low

couldnt settle for anything less than a welldesigned kitchen. The original layout allocated
a narrow and dark space to the kitchen, so the
storeroom adjacent to it was brought down to
make way for more light and room. The only
hindrance was a support beam that couldnt be
removed. So Ed Ong, Dwells creative director,
proposed for the island to be built around it.
The result was a very open and social space
designed around the kitchen and the dining
area in front of it. Almost twice a week there
will be someone coming over to dine, and our
guests always end up hanging around this area
chit-chatting, Ms Low reveals.
Besides her skills in the kitchen, another
pride and joy of Ms Low is her 1,500-strong
cookbook collection. Thats why the well-made
floor-to-ceiling bookshelf that graces one wall of
the living room is her favourite feature of the
home. She appreciates the fine craftsmanship
and sturdiness of this customised piece as it
shows no signs of buckling under the weight of
all the books.

doing it their way

168

The couple also personalised their space by

eschewing the usual design elements no
feature walls for us! says Ms Low. While the
home has a refined shell bathed in a neutral
palette, it is filled with not just contemporary
furniture that would have represented a formulaic
style but also Timothy Oulton pieces that give
the interiors an elegant twist.
From the vintage-inspired British furniture
brand, the couple picked out a chest that features
riveted aluminium panels evocative of the finishes
on World War II planes, a coffee table made out
of recycled boat wood, as well as a settee in a
worn leather look (the cats scratches will look
less obvious, says Ms Low) to create the living
room setting. Peppered around the common
area are Chinese sideboards and antique pieces
passed down from the couples parents.

When it came to decorating, Ms Low

states her main aim was to make the place
look more like a home than a showroom, and
this approach is evident in the way the house
is adorned casually with art and collectibles.
Besides her husbands collection of model
airplanes and tanks, a couple of old maps he
acquired are also displayed such as the one of
Africa drawn in 1861, which is propped against
the wall at the reading corner. The couples
cats are also endearingly represented through
photographs and a painting done by their
friend. The best compliment I think we got
for this home so far is that it looks like weve
already been living here for a long time, Ms
Low proclaims with pride.

where to go
Dwell Interior Design tel: 6883-1005

above right The large

built-in wardrobe by
the bed keeps the
master bedroom free
from clutter. above
left Antique and
contemporary pieces
lie side by side to bring
out a sophisticated
juxtaposition.