living
s p a c e s
living
large A blend of ingenious space-enhancing ideas and classy addons are all it takes to transform this tiny studio apartment into a cosy abode of epic proportions text: bang wei-tin photography: alex heng
W
hen homeowner Jerry Soo first bought this swanky studio apartment, he had the intention of renting it out in order to capitalise on the bullish rental market. But months after, he’s having second thoughts. After all, how many people can boast of owning an apartment that’s perched high up on the 61st storey, and with the unparalleled beauty of the city’s skyline as company! Thanks to its uber hip locale in uptown Marina Bay, The Sails, this studio apartment is in a league of its own. Yet despite its magnificent backdrop, the flat is not without its shortcomings. At a mere 61-square metres, the boxy home borders on the petite side, and has the ability to induce a mild case of claustrophobia when one first enters. Unperturbed by the lack of space however, Jerry sought ways to visually expand the apartment with clever planning and an eye for detail. With his unerring taste in aesthetics as a trained architect, the full-time exhibition design lecturer at NAFA, took on the bulk of the task to rework little touches of design magic into the otherwise cramped apartment.
58
Home Studio apartment Size 61 sqm Renovation Cost $13,000 Designer Homeowner
Clean, white furnishings impart a sense of spaciousness to the otherwise boxy apartment
59
s p a c e s
60
The master bedroom is tastefully furnished with the owner’s own artwork, while sliding glass doors act as a privacy screen that separates private from public areas.
61
s p a c e s
UP CLOSE You can add a touch of whimsy to your home with a menagerie of sorts. Featured here, the owner’s collection of deer purchased from Tangs
62
Jerry retained the original kitchen units but played up the dining area instead. The mirror by the side of the customised island table helps to visually expand the space.
The design language is undoubtedly one of minimalist chic. Adhering to a mantra where “less is more”, Jerry opted to furnish it liberally with his favourite colour, white, in order to impart a sense of spaciousness. “I’ve always loved white. I wanted to keep the look simple and fill the home with clean sleek lines,” says Jerry. The spacious, clean appeal begins in the dining space, where stark ceramic flooring and bare walls are juxtaposed against mirrored surfaces. This is where, Jerry says, the most expensive household item can be found. Spending almost $2000 on the customised laminated table that also doubles up as an island in the kitchen, where the 45-year-old bachelor entertains guests who pop by for intimate gatherings. To save on space, sleek barstools were chosen to accompany; while a fancy menagerie of toy animals takes the place of honour atop a mirror-backed wall above. A large yet unassuming lamp affords ample lighting here while creating a welcomed break to the otherwise angular design language. In the living room, floor-to-ceiling windows afford an expansive view of the resplendent bay beyond, while flooding the flat with natural light. It is perhaps this ingenious outpouring of light and strategic placement of mirrors that helps to open up the petite pad and give it an unbelievably spacious feel. Unsurprisingly, Jerry’s favourite corner is by the window, where a custom-made veneer bay window dressed with a soft cushy seat in velvety champagne has been installed. He even sleeps there “occasionally”, when friends sleep over. Despite the obsession with keeping things
63
s p a c e s
“White is beautiful on everything! It’s simple, elegant and brightens up a tiny space instantly. I like the minimalist look.”
“I get inspired by art and nature. That’s why I’ve chosen to incorporate the tree branch motif into this home.”
“This is my favourite corner of the entire home. When friends come over, I let them have the bed. I would rather sleep here!”
64
Style file minimalist throughout the home, several stylish options have found their way into the décor mix. Jerry had the solid wood TV console (painted in white, of course) custom-made to house ugly wires and keep them out of sight. The practical and stylish use of full-length mirrors on certain walls in a bid to visually enlarge the tiny studio is also very much at play. In a singularly atypical move, Jerry adds a jolt of energy to the otherwise stark colour palette by sitting a single armchair in fire-engine red in the middle of the room. Throw cushions and a lowrise coffee table complement the space and lend functionality to the otherwise uncluttered look. Like every other nook and cranny in the home that has been lovingly
Key Ideas
Stash it away. Clever storage is especially important in a small studio apartment. Use built-in cupboards or streamlined shelves as much as possible to keep clutter to a minimum. Play with mirrors. Effortlessly enlarge a tight nook by placing oversized mirrors strategically. You can even mount them high up on beams, like what the homeowner did in the kitchen, to heighten low ceilings. Use indoor plants with flourish. To add a dash of colour and nature, try introducing potted plants in various sizes to the home. Not only are they versatile additions that liven up a room, they’re also the quickest and easiest way to incorporate eco-friendly features to the home. Versatile greenery. Instead of spending lots on flowering plants, opt for sprays of fresh leaves and greenery in vases for an earthfriendly appeal.
“I recreated my favourite works of art to inject a little of my own personality into the apartment!” furnished to perfection, the bedroom is no different. Because of space constraints, the room is demarcated by a sliding glass door that can be completely tucked into the wall so that both the living area and bedroom flow seamlessly. This basically affords Jerry with a privacy screen should the need to close up the bedroom arise. The inviting room is tastefully furnished with Jerry’s own work of art – a digitally reworked photograph of tree branches, mounted onto two separate frames lends an element of surprise and infuses a graphic touch of nature here. The art aficionado enthuses, “I recreated my favourite works of art to inject a little of my own personality into the apartment. However, by not permanently mounting them up on the wall, it means potential renters have the flexibility to choose either to put them up or stash them away.” How thoughtful! Fashioned with white bedside tables on either side of the kingsized bed, the lower ledges double up as miniature book shelves for before-bedtime reads. Storage wise, wardrobes are built into the walls so as not to clutter up the limited space. Even the bathroom is partially concealed – tucked away in the corner of the room; you might just miss it if you’re not looking hard enough!
1
2
3
4
1. A classic pendant lamp works perfectly in the dining area. 2. Frame up your favourite photograph which makes for an instant talking point for guests. 3. Get bold and inject splashes of colours with standout pieces like this armchair. 4. Dish out healthy treats in uniquely shaped bowls such as this fruit bowl from IKEA.
65
living
large A blend of ingenious space-enhancing ideas and classy addons are all it takes to transform this tiny studio apartment into a cosy abode of epic proportions text: bang wei-tin photography: alex heng
W
hen homeowner Jerry Soo first bought this swanky studio apartment, he had the intention of renting it out in order to capitalise on the bullish rental market. But months after, he’s having second thoughts. After all, how many people can boast of owning an apartment that’s perched high up on the 61st storey, and with the unparalleled beauty of the city’s skyline as company! Thanks to its uber hip locale in uptown Marina Bay, The Sails, this studio apartment is in a league of its own. Yet despite its magnificent backdrop, the flat is not without its shortcomings. At a mere 61-square metres, the boxy home borders on the petite side, and has the ability to induce a mild case of claustrophobia when one first enters. Unperturbed by the lack of space however, Jerry sought ways to visually expand the apartment with clever planning and an eye for detail. With his unerring taste in aesthetics as a trained architect, the full-time exhibition design lecturer at NAFA, took on the bulk of the task to rework little touches of design magic into the otherwise cramped apartment.
58
Home Studio apartment Size 61 sqm Renovation Cost $13,000 Designer Homeowner
Clean, white furnishings impart a sense of spaciousness to the otherwise boxy apartment
59
s p a c e s
60
The master bedroom is tastefully furnished with the owner’s own artwork, while sliding glass doors act as a privacy screen that separates private from public areas.
61
s p a c e s
UP CLOSE You can add a touch of whimsy to your home with a menagerie of sorts. Featured here, the owner’s collection of deer purchased from Tangs
62
Jerry retained the original kitchen units but played up the dining area instead. The mirror by the side of the customised island table helps to visually expand the space.
The design language is undoubtedly one of minimalist chic. Adhering to a mantra where “less is more”, Jerry opted to furnish it liberally with his favourite colour, white, in order to impart a sense of spaciousness. “I’ve always loved white. I wanted to keep the look simple and fill the home with clean sleek lines,” says Jerry. The spacious, clean appeal begins in the dining space, where stark ceramic flooring and bare walls are juxtaposed against mirrored surfaces. This is where, Jerry says, the most expensive household item can be found. Spending almost $2000 on the customised laminated table that also doubles up as an island in the kitchen, where the 45-year-old bachelor entertains guests who pop by for intimate gatherings. To save on space, sleek barstools were chosen to accompany; while a fancy menagerie of toy animals takes the place of honour atop a mirror-backed wall above. A large yet unassuming lamp affords ample lighting here while creating a welcomed break to the otherwise angular design language. In the living room, floor-to-ceiling windows afford an expansive view of the resplendent bay beyond, while flooding the flat with natural light. It is perhaps this ingenious outpouring of light and strategic placement of mirrors that helps to open up the petite pad and give it an unbelievably spacious feel. Unsurprisingly, Jerry’s favourite corner is by the window, where a custom-made veneer bay window dressed with a soft cushy seat in velvety champagne has been installed. He even sleeps there “occasionally”, when friends sleep over. Despite the obsession with keeping things
63
s p a c e s
“White is beautiful on everything! It’s simple, elegant and brightens up a tiny space instantly. I like the minimalist look.”
“I get inspired by art and nature. That’s why I’ve chosen to incorporate the tree branch motif into this home.”
“This is my favourite corner of the entire home. When friends come over, I let them have the bed. I would rather sleep here!”
64
Style file minimalist throughout the home, several stylish options have found their way into the décor mix. Jerry had the solid wood TV console (painted in white, of course) custom-made to house ugly wires and keep them out of sight. The practical and stylish use of full-length mirrors on certain walls in a bid to visually enlarge the tiny studio is also very much at play. In a singularly atypical move, Jerry adds a jolt of energy to the otherwise stark colour palette by sitting a single armchair in fire-engine red in the middle of the room. Throw cushions and a lowrise coffee table complement the space and lend functionality to the otherwise uncluttered look. Like every other nook and cranny in the home that has been lovingly
Key Ideas
Stash it away. Clever storage is especially important in a small studio apartment. Use built-in cupboards or streamlined shelves as much as possible to keep clutter to a minimum. Play with mirrors. Effortlessly enlarge a tight nook by placing oversized mirrors strategically. You can even mount them high up on beams, like what the homeowner did in the kitchen, to heighten low ceilings. Use indoor plants with flourish. To add a dash of colour and nature, try introducing potted plants in various sizes to the home. Not only are they versatile additions that liven up a room, they’re also the quickest and easiest way to incorporate eco-friendly features to the home. Versatile greenery. Instead of spending lots on flowering plants, opt for sprays of fresh leaves and greenery in vases for an earthfriendly appeal.
“I recreated my favourite works of art to inject a little of my own personality into the apartment!” furnished to perfection, the bedroom is no different. Because of space constraints, the room is demarcated by a sliding glass door that can be completely tucked into the wall so that both the living area and bedroom flow seamlessly. This basically affords Jerry with a privacy screen should the need to close up the bedroom arise. The inviting room is tastefully furnished with Jerry’s own work of art – a digitally reworked photograph of tree branches, mounted onto two separate frames lends an element of surprise and infuses a graphic touch of nature here. The art aficionado enthuses, “I recreated my favourite works of art to inject a little of my own personality into the apartment. However, by not permanently mounting them up on the wall, it means potential renters have the flexibility to choose either to put them up or stash them away.” How thoughtful! Fashioned with white bedside tables on either side of the kingsized bed, the lower ledges double up as miniature book shelves for before-bedtime reads. Storage wise, wardrobes are built into the walls so as not to clutter up the limited space. Even the bathroom is partially concealed – tucked away in the corner of the room; you might just miss it if you’re not looking hard enough!
1
2
3
4
1. A classic pendant lamp works perfectly in the dining area. 2. Frame up your favourite photograph which makes for an instant talking point for guests. 3. Get bold and inject splashes of colours with standout pieces like this armchair. 4. Dish out healthy treats in uniquely shaped bowls such as this fruit bowl from IKEA.
65
