Settled in a quiet and cosy nook along Holland Road, this freehold condo just five minutes from Orchard is a dream. The owners – two lawyers who live here with their toddler and helper – loved the three sizeable bedrooms and the living and kitchen area which could be merged to further enlarge the space. So with their dream home settled, the next step was engaging a designer.
Picking Alex Kwan from Museum Homes was a no-brainer for the duo. They liked his design philosophy of using metal in strategic spots and also liked how he incorporated wood into spaces.
As the owners’ first matrimonial home, the couple requested for a family-friendly spacious flat that incorporated the industrial feel, complete with glass and brick walls and metal accents. This iconic style tends to look cold, but with his generous and daring use of wood, Alex managed to effectively introduce warmth throughout the space.
The space wows from the moment you step in, with a dramatic foyer wrapped with coffee-hued oak. Discreetly hidden behind the panelling are floor-to-ceiling shoe cabinets cleverly made with sleek black handles that look like part of the wall design.
In the living room, several design features continue to stun. There’s that bold feature plywood shelving in the back, designed to disguise an altar as well as hold souvenirs from the couple’s travels, fengshui peripherals and their daughter’s playthings.
Walls initially divided the kitchen from the living and dining space, but those were brought down to create a more open area. Now, the stylish kitchen sits quietly to the side, subtly sectioning itself with a long island – one of Alex’s signature design elements.
The study is the husband’s favourite room, rife with the industrial touches the couple likes. They’d originally wanted brick walls and full-height shelving in the study, but to create more table space and break away from the conventional look, Alex recommended half-height shelves suspended from the ceiling instead.
Hidden at the back of the flat is the serene master bedroom. Cement screed covers the walls, perfectly complemented by the luxurious touch of marble lining the bay window.
Ultimately, it’s this impeccably balanced aesthetic throughout that makes this cool place feel like a warm hug welcoming you home.
