How this couple incorporated a mini-bar, display gallery, and full- height shoe rack into a two-bedder inspired by high-end hotels.
It’s no surprise that Singaporeans, with their love for travel, often get their interior design ideas from their holiday accommodations. Weicong and Una, both working in advertising, are no different. When dreaming up their new place in the North, they envisioned a lavish and sophisticated ambience, reminiscent of the hotels they stayed in.
“We wanted it to feel like a hotel so coming home every evening would feel like a relief. Almost like we’re on a perpetual holiday,” said Wei Cong.
“‘Atas’ is the word we keep hearing from guests. They’re amazed by how posh the design is, and many say the vibe is similar to Andaz, Sofitel and Alila hotels.”
While many homeowners in land- scarce Singapore aspire to bright and airy spaces, this couple chose a dark theme for their home. On work-from-home days, it offers a retreat from the harsh sun, which even day curtains can’t fully block. By night, it transforms into an intimate lounge, perfect for movie and karaoke nights.
However, designing a dark-themed home, especially in a compact space like their two-bedroom plus study resale condominium, requires skill. That’s where their interior designer, Lon, comes into the picture. To achieve the perfect balance, Lon focused on three key elements: finishing, lighting, and decor.
These are evident the moment you step into the foyer, greeted by the reflection of wall and ceiling mirrors.
“The entrance has a low ceiling height, so we used a mirror, extended with a magnetic track light, to create the illusion of openness and brighten the foyer,” said Lon.
Entering the cavern-like space, the cement screeded walls immediately capture your attention, adding a rugged touch to the polished design. Lon intentionally used this hallmark of industrial design as a backdrop for their modern furniture. The juxtaposition of the marble table against the textured wall creates visual intrigue, while the multi-ball chandelier suspended above bathes the dining area in an inviting glow.
The cool tones on one side of the room are contrasted by the warm hues on the other side, where a shoe cabinet with fluted panels extends to a mini-bar, complete with coffee machines and a wine chiller.
“This is Una’s favourite area,” said Wei Cong. “As she is a coffee lover, we took reference from hotels to create a cafe-like space within our limited space.”
Meanwhile, Wei Cong’s favourite area is the floor-to-ceiling display gallery right next to the mini-bar. His prized Bearbricks are showcased on a six-tier rack, illuminated by LED lights that highlight their beauty against the dark walnut background.
To some, dedicating this much space to a display in a two-bedroom condo might seem extravagant. However, the couple made no sacrifices, thanks to Lon’s expert design.
“As our place isn’t big, Lon chatted with us to understand our needs and came up with very precise measurements to create highly functional carpentry and avoid wasting space. This ensured that we made each and every inch work the hardest,” Wei Cong recounted.
Lon’s clever design places most of the living room’s elements against a single wall, a trick for optimising rectangular layouts. To visually expand the remaining living room space, he chose large tiles to minimise grout lines. The glossy finish of the tiles reflects light, brightening the area and giving it a classy yet cosy feel.
“The living room is almost like a lounge in a hotel’s lobby, and it’s the place where we spend the most time,” quipped Wei Cong.
The dark wood theme in the living room continues seamlessly into the kitchen cabinets, which Wei Cong describes as a “tiny but very functional area.” Hidden behind frosted glass sliding doors, the kitchen boasts a black marble backsplash and a gold gooseneck faucet, maintaining the sophisticated aesthetic.
Mirrored ceilings in the room corridor, similar to the foyer, create an illusion of double height. A concealed lighting strip and gold metal accents highlight the monochromatic walls and doors, building anticipation for the master bedroom.
“The master bedroom is where we rest or have a chat before the day ends, so we wanted no distractions, like a TV or projector, at all. We feel that the lighting in this space was really well designed, as its warmth actually helped us to wind down,” Wei Cong said.
Here, Lon made room for two bedside tables to keep essentials within reach and a long vanity across the room adorned with dark wood and gold accents. This opulence extends to the master bathroom, which Wei Cong humorously remarked might have spoiled public bathrooms for him forever.
We love our toilet as it just makes ‘business’ better,” he said.
As for those staycations they used to indulge in? It seems there’s no longer a need to splurge on them anymore.
“Finding hotels or Airbnb for our holidays has been so tough. Because we are totally spoiled by our new home, we can’t settle for anything less.”
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