A modern eclectic redesign breathes new life into this post-retirement home, blending cherished cultural heritage with contemporary style.
In a delightful melding of past and present, a recently retired couple has undertaken a significant transformation of their four- bedroom condominium at The Interlace, a return to their roots after years abroad. Their story, infused with the challenge of modernising while maintaining sentimental pieces of traditional Chinese furniture, epitomises the balance many seek in their living spaces today.
The couple, both former banking professionals and parents to two adult daughters who visit often, wanted their home to reflect their rich history and well-travelled backgrounds. They chose Studio Oxley for the renovation, drawn to Creative Director Srishti Aggarwal’s “modern eclectic” ethos. Studio Oxley specializes in a contemporary yet layered aesthetic—a refreshing pivot from the minimalist trends dominating Singapore’s interior design scene.
Srishti Aggarwal Creative Director, Studio Oxley
The project encompassed a complete overhaul of the living and dining areas, four bedrooms, and two bathrooms, including custom furniture and fittings. The design brief was clear: infuse the home with personality reflective of the couple’s global travels while maintaining a neutral, timeless ambiance in the core living spaces and master bedroom.
Transformation with warmth and texture
The renovation tackled spaces that had not been updated since the condominium’s purchase nearly a decade ago. Dated bathrooms and stark, white-themed bedrooms gave way to a design that emphasised warmth and texture. The large, square- shaped living room posed a particular challenge, but Aggarwal skillfully defined the space with textured linen wallpaper and a custom-built TV unit featuring rattan cabinetry, enhancing the room’s warmth.
The transformation continued with the conversion of a former storage cabinet into a sideboard/home bar in the dining area, now a favourite feature of the homeowners. Classic English wallpaper and a marble countertop merge functionality with style, providing a splendid backdrop for hosting.
Bedrooms and offices: A personal touch
The master bedroom received a similarly thoughtful redesign, achieving a timeless look through custom wainscoting and textured grasscloth wallpaper. A plush, curved king-size headboard in denim velvet adds a luxurious touch, anchored by newly revamped cane doors on the wardrobe.
One risk the couple took was asking their designers to modernise the guest bedroom to suit their children’s tastes rather than their own. This serene bedroom features custom sage green wallpaper accented with rust and pink tones. The design was so well-received that it almost became the choice for the master bedroom.
The dual home offices for the couple, designed to double as family lounges, showcase individual tastes: one evokes a cosy English sitting room with tropical wallpaper and traditional brass fittings, while the other features a modern aesthetic with rust-toned geometric wallpaper, providing a striking backdrop for walnut wood furniture.
Embracing the unexpected
The renovation, though initially daunting without a set theme, ultimately delighted the homeowners. Their willingness to trust their instincts and Studio Oxley’s creative process led to a home that not only resonates with their personal history and aesthetic preferences but also welcomes the new generation more frequently and eagerly.
This transformation story, much like the textured layers of its design elements, reveals the profound impact of thoughtful interior design in crafting spaces that are not only visually appealing but also deeply personal and functional. It stands as a testament to the power of embracing modern eclecticism in redefining post- retirement living.
This post was adapted from an article first published in the July 2024 issue of SquareRooms.
