Aesthetically pleasing and minimal at heart, it comes as no surprise that Scandinavian-style interiors are becoming increasingly popular as the design of choice for family homes. Things are no different at this three-bedroom condominium apartment, which features subtle architectural elements that embody the warmth and comfort expected of Scandinavian homes.
However, beyond the humble appeal of this apartment, a series of seamless tweaks, made by designer Lance Goh and interior design firm Eightytwo, further enhance the overall functionality of various fittings without overcomplicating their usage. From the living room to the bedroom, each space is filled with clever but simple fixtures that do not detract from the uncomplicated look and design characteristic of the Scandinavian style.
Embodying this philosophy perfectly is the spacious living room, which features a light palette of beige, grey and light wooden shades. This combination of colours is made obvious by the choice of vinyl flooring that pairs well with the soft shades of the TV’s rear feature wall. The same applies for the feature wall, which is constructed of timber-coloured laminates that go well with the room’s warm colour scheme.
At the same time, various storage fittings feature clean silhouettes to keep the space visually and physically clean. These include a full height bookshelf that occupies the space to the right of the television, as well as a smaller stack of shelves placed near the living room’s expansive windows.
“The new shelves were installed as the owners are avid booklover, and this would provide them with ample storage space for their collection,” explains Lance. “As for the shelves near the window, they were requested by the owners’ as they wish to inculcate a love of reading in both of their children. Additionally, the low height of the shelves also allows it to function as a bench, effectively transforming the area into a mini reading corner.”
Keeping with the open-concept of the living room, the adjacent kitchen and dining area also exude a light and airy ambience. One way that this was achieved was through adopting an efficient storage system and neat layout for the entire space.
“As the owners requested for a more open feel for the (kitchen) area, we made the decision to knock down one of the kitchen’s partition wall and combining it with the dining space,” says Lance. “An L-shaped counter, along with a variety of storage options, were installed as they would help maximise available space and keep the area neater.”
In line with the Scandinavian look, light colours were chosen for the joint kitchen-cum-dining space. Aside from the white laminates of the kitchen cabinets, the space also features a backsplash of rough, grey subway tiles arranged in a herringbone pattern. Meanwhile, the dining table stands out against a primarily white background with its solid timber frame and smooth, black stone strip that runs across its centre.
Similarly, a collection of simple furnishings can be found in the master as well as children’s bedrooms. In the case of the former, the space’s miniature study comes equipped with a table as well as a white pendant lamp that are identical to their dining room’s counterparts, save for their smaller size.
As a way to keep things simple and sleek, the master bedroom’s wardrobe was also customised with a series of curved, thin-profile wooden handles, each accompanied by a simple finger-hole for easy access.
In the case of the children’s bedroom, the wardrobe’s original handles were swapped out with timber strips for a more streamlined look.
Despite being comparable spaces, the master en suite and common bathroom each features a distinctive look unlike both sleeping quarters.
The master en suite gives off a classy vibe with its back wall that is comprised entirely of matte black rectangular subway tiles; on which a contrasting bathroom vanity with light wood laminate doors and a white KompacPlus top is mounted. Rounding off the look is a single wood-framed mirror that breaks up the visual monotony of the space with its circular frame.
The common bathroom, on the other hand, sports a cosier look with its choice of stone-finish flooring and walls, as well as dark timber-lookalike tiles for its shower zone. In conjunction with a false ceiling box, which was built to conceal the heater’s piping, and a full-height cabinet, the shower’s unique tiles also serve to create a walled-off zone that frames the vanity and toilet bowl for a symmetrical, picture-perfect look.
This was adapted from an article originally published in the April 2017 issue of SquareRooms. Photo credits: Eightytwo
