For a couple whose work involves extensive socialising, the dream was to have a personal retreat where they could unwind and admire their cherished collectibles.
If you’re expecting a minimalist home feature, you might want to turn the page, because this project is more than just clean lines and neutral hues. For Anthony and his partner, minimalism is only “good on paper,” and their new one-bedroom condominium was always going to be about their prized possessions.
“We’ve collected a lot of things from our travels that we wanted to display, as opposed to hiding them away inside a cabinet. That alone told us this was not going to be a minimalist home,” said Anthony.
Their collection of textiles, for example, includes kilim rugs from Afghanistan and Pakistan, and woven table runners from Bhutan, Jordan, and Denmark. These items keep fond memories of their adventures close.
This approach meant that their interior designer, Wei Kai, had to design the space around the objects it would house, transforming the apartment into something of a gallery.
“The homeowners wanted to make it functional based on their lifestyles and avoid excessive built elements as they may clutter the place. The toughest part of the brief was bringing out their personalities while balancing their strong identities,” Wei Kai said.
They decided to boycott built-ins and use materials that complemented the homeowners’ collections. A muted colour palette was chosen—low- key enough for their items to stand out while adding visual interest throughout the apartment.
You might notice this the moment you walk through the door and find yourself in the “foyer,” carved out with a mild steel panel and wire mesh. It demarcates the entryway, and a dining nook on the other side, where the homeowners’ penchant for patina makes its first appearance.
“The homeowners value things that are worn and broken into, so they opted for vintage furniture such as the Louis Poulsen lamp and extendable dining table,” explained Wei Kai, adding that vintage pieces offer a “tactile sense of history” that newer items lack.
While dark wood flooring isn’t the most popular choice for small apartments, it came with this one, and the homeowners decided to embrace it.
“We had to work with the existing dark flooring, so we opted for an earthy colour scheme as it naturally brings warmth without overpowering the space, which is crucial in maintaining an open and light feel,” he said.
This is expressed in light grey full-height cabinets and natural tones that match the crafts, pottery, and wares throughout the living room. The furniture here is equally eclectic, the result of the homeowners’ painstaking sourcing efforts.
“We don’t enjoy buying everything from one place and call it a day, so we sourced our furniture from various places like Hock Siong, Arts & Antiquities, Noden, Taobao, Treasure at Home, Carousell, IKEA, etcetera. But our proudest find would be the Karimoku sofa and chair,” said Anthony.
The sofa set, in all its green glory, is the centrepiece of the living room. It exudes a mid-century modern vibe, matched only by a crockery cabinet Anthony calls a “love at first sight” purchase.
“We’ve always been on the lookout for a cabinet that could showcase our selection of plates and bowls because they’re all unique and deserve to be seen, not hidden away in a cupboard.”
Across the room, an open kitchen is cleverly demarcated with wooden strips on the ceilings and features a familiar colour and material combination. The green tiled backsplash adds depth to the counter by reflecting light, while the natural wood grain on the worktop and upper cabinets adds warmth and texture.
“We spend most of our time around the kitchen area and have our daily meals on the kitchen island, but quiet, early mornings are spent on the balcony with a cup of coffee,” said Anthony.
The bedroom, painted two shades darker to set the tone for slumber, is segregated by the same mild steel panel and wire mesh seen in the foyer. To create a sense of seamlessness, Wei Kai ditched the swing door for a sliding one and carved out a translucent panel at the bottom.
“It allows light to shine quietly into the bedroom and connects one partner with another even when theyré in different rooms,” he explained.
Reflecting on the project, Wei Kai takes pride in having created a space he calls “honest, comfortable, and intimate”—far from the sterile showroom archetype. From the sound of it, it seems he has succeeded not only in the eyes of the homeowners but also their guests.
“The consensus among visitors is that it’s a cosy, lived-in home. A lot of friends find it hard to believe that we’ve only been staying here for a few months,” said Anthony.
This post was adapted from an article originally published in the June 2024 issue of SquareRooms.
