For this newlywed couple, their dream home entailed having ample display units for their many collectables. “The husband loves collecting toys, poker sets and alcohol. As such, they needed a dedicated area to display these items without cluttering up the entire home,” explains the Ethereall interior design team, who was engaged to oversee the renovation of the 12th-floor unit.
In terms of the theme, the owners requested an industrial-meets-rustic aesthetic. To achieve the desired look, the designers then employed the use of a selection of materials ranging from metal rods to concrete-lookalike finishes throughout the home. However, the most notable feature from this material palette is the brick feature wall in the living room.
Backing the home’s entertainment system, the wall was first clad in a cement screed finish and then tacked on with real brick pieces – which were cut into slimmer variants to emulate a subway tile format. The television console area was then rounded off with the installation of a pair of metal structures that frame glass shelves which help keep the displayed collectables tidy.
Meanwhile, another request the owners had for the design team was to carve out a study area within the living area where they could handle all their work obligations from. “Situated behind the sofa set, they wanted the study area here so that they could maintain visual and verbal contact with each other even when they were in different parts of the communal zones,” explains the designers. In addition to a custom-made extended workstation that allows both occupants to work together, the study also plays host to a series of glass-fronted cabinets and cubbyholes that store decks of poker cards and other treasured collector’s items respectively.
With the homeowners indulging in the occasional cook, the designers fitted the kitchen with a plethora of durable materials that also offer easy maintenance, of which the most notable are the EDL Compact countertops, the KompacPlus backsplash, and the 600x600mm cement-effect tiles on the floor.
Meanwhile, instead of a standalone dining table that would have unnecessarily cluttered up the space, the designers customised an island unit that serves as a surface over which the owners can dine, as well as an area for food preparation when needed. Additionally, a bespoke glass-fronted cabinet at the end of the island helps keep the owners’ extensive alcohol collection tidy while proudly showcasing it to anyone who walks by.
When it came to the owners’ private living chambers, it was decided that two adjoining bedrooms would be hacked and merged to allow for a walk-in wardrobe to be incorporated into their sleeping zone.
Unlike the outer spaces that boast a moodier atmosphere, the newly expanded master suite pops with a deep sky blue hue on the main wall. This was then paired with a long headboard that features laminates arranged in both vertical and diagonal formats. “We did it as such to add some textural play into the fixture while still retaining industrial-inspired elements to match the outside decor,” shares the designers.
Opposite the sleeping zone, the walk-in wardrobe comes into view. Equipped with a series of floor-to-ceiling wardrobe units that offer plenty of storage solutions for the couple’s clothes and accessories, the built-in fixtures were also fitted with framed glass doors that allow the occupants to easily view the items they have on the inside without having to open the doors constantly.
Moving on, the en suite bathroom boasts an interior similar to that of bathrooms found in boutique hotels. At the request of the homeowners, the pre-existing standing shower was torn down to make way for the placement of a bathtub. Then, to draw further attention to the tub, the backing wall and flooring directly beneath were overlaid with multi-coloured patterned tiles from local tile manufacturer Hafary, while the rest of the space was overlaid with cement-effect tiles.
Where interior design is concerned, having a client who trusts in the designer’s process is a key component of any home renovation project. And it is clear that it is due to this trusted partnership between the owners of this home and the Ethereall design team, as well as the clever design sensibilities of everyone involved, that resulted in a home that shines with beauty and practicality.
This was adapted from an article originally published in the October 2019 issue of SquareRooms. Photo credits: Ethereall
