Once outdated in style, this resale condo unit now brims with refreshed modernity accentuated through a well-executed floor plan and understated textures.
Daylight plays a big role in the visual expanse and aesthetics of a living space and it has done tremendous wonders for this resale condo in the East. Previously decked in an Oriental style, the elaborate look did not sit well with its current homeowners—a married couple with their three daughters. “Their preferences leaned towards a modern contemporary style,” says Jerry Lee, a designer from Salt Studio who helmed their renovation.
To fulfil their design aspirations, he proposed a bold move to open up different areas in the communal zones. The previously enclosed kitchen is now split into two zones—dry and wet. With the dry kitchen now hosting a peninsula island counter, this new arrangement offers the family a lounge-worthy and spacious area to entertain guests and enjoy casual meals.
Tucked at the back is the wet kitchen which is intended to endure heavy cooking on a long-term basis. Dramatic-looking textures depicting wood and stone awash this cooking space with a gorgeous yet resilient finish. This hardworking kitchen features large homogeneous tiles spotlighting marble patterns that outline the backsplash with a rugged and striking look. The random match of the marble-effect tiles plays up the visual contrast of the wood-like chevron details of the cabinetry in a laminate finish.
Returning to the light-filled communal areas, the study piques interest with its half-glass enclosure in aluminium and glass. A new build, this semi-open-concept room was constructed as a shared study for the homeowners’ three daughters. “Having the study in a semi-open format not only infuses a light and airy feel,” says Jerry, “but these paned windows allow the homeowners to check in on their kids easily.”
A visual connection has been made through the use of a warm neutral paint colour which links the study to the shared living and dining zones. “We wanted to project a more inviting atmosphere and chose to highlight the ceiling with a warm accent colour,” says Jerry. Scaling the ceiling is an elongated trail of colour which embarks from the living area and ends at the study wall. This adds a relaxed Scandinavian flourish which helps to soften the mood of the modern lines in the communal area.
Speaking of relaxed, the feature wall of the living area has been decked with a calming palette of laminate finishes. Jerry introduced stone and wood-effect textures which pervade the scene with tranquillity. With these nature-inspired textures arranged with a modern flair, the whole setup exemplifies the perfect fusion of modern contemporary meets Scandinavian.
Heading into the private quarters, much thought has been put into dressing up the common and master bathrooms. The master bathroom is styled after a Nordic bathhouse and is clad with a lavish application of wood-effect tiles placed in its shower stall. For a bold textural contrast, the dry area has been laid with stone-like homogeneous tiles for the floor and walls.
Amplifying the beautiful juxtaposition of nature-inspired materials such as stone and wood impeccably in this abode, Jerry has created a modern contemporary setting with a relaxed Nordic vibe. This sense of sophisticated calm is made even more inviting by gorgeous daylight, all thanks to his suggestion to have a free-flowing floor plan.
This post was adapted from an article originally published in the February 2021 issue of SquareRooms.
