The Catellani & Smith pendant light draws the eye upward to the full height of the ceiling;
Cover The Catellani & Smith pendant light draws the eye upward to the full height of the ceiling;

KGID transformed this holiday home into a private sanctuary with outdoor areas that celebrate its tropical setting

A penthouse with a private elevator, a rooftop swimming pool and skyline views sounds like a dream property. But it takes an interior designer’s deft touch to turn an empty shell into a home that flawlessly fits one’s lifestyle. This penthouse project by KGID is a stellar example.

See also: Home Tour: A Modern Penthouse With Brilliant Balconies

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Kelvin and Karen Gan, co-founders of KGID
Above Kelvin and Karen Gan, co-founders of KGID

Led by husband-and-wife team Kelvin and Karen Gan, KGID is no stranger to crafting bespoke penthouses. In fact, the owners of this penthouse approached the studio after visiting their neighbour’s unit, which was also designed by KGID.

The client bought the penthouse unit as a holiday home and an investment property. At 4,000sqft, the apartment is more than spacious, yet the clients found the existing spatial programming generic and lacking a few elements. “The brief was to create a warm, inviting and sophisticated look; the owners also wanted us to maximise the use of the outdoor spaces,” shares Kelvin.

See also: Home Tour: An Elegant Bungalow In Singapore Inspired By Luxury Hotel Suites

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The shoe cabinet features built-in lighting that transforms a storage area into an elegant showcase
Above The shoe cabinet features built-in lighting that transforms a storage area into an elegant showcase
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A round rug echoes the blue accent pieces found at the living area
Above A round rug echoes the blue accent pieces found at the living area

Aiming to exploit its view, the unit came with many outdoor areas. These include multiple balconies bracketing the bedrooms, living spaces spilling out outdoors, and an open roof terrace where one can enjoy an almost 360-degree panorama of the city. The owners knew right away that some of these spaces would go to waste because they would not use them. KGID’s solution? Convert the balconies into indoor spaces.

See also: 10 Decor Ideas That Will Elevate Your Balcony

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The tartan pattern on the dining chairs is a playful touch at the dining area; the upholstered headboard and the various accent cushions add to the cosy environment in the master bedroom
Above The tartan pattern on the dining chairs is a playful touch at the dining area; the upholstered headboard and the various accent cushions add to the cosy environment in the master bedroom
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The open-concept look of the wardrobe area is reminiscent of hotel-style suites; an outdoor sofa creates another entertaining area by the pool
Above The open-concept look of the wardrobe area is reminiscent of hotel-style suites; an outdoor sofa creates another entertaining area by the pool

The sprawling roof terrace of this penthouse that leads to the pool, while majestic, was underutilised. KGID turned this blank canvas into a well-rounded entertaining area by dividing it into smaller zones. Near the pool is the lounge with a generously cushioned sofa, next to it is the dining and barbeque area while a corner elsewhere is designated as a yoga area. One can enjoy the sweeping panorama from any spot. 

Existing snug space, on the other hand, can also be tweaked to feel more spacious with the right furnishings and material palette. This is apparent in the master bedroom’s walk-in closet. The original wardrobe area was deemed too small, so KGID redesigned the layout using as many glazed and mirrored surfaces as possible.

See also: Why These Designer Ceiling Fans Will Fit Right In Your Home

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Knitted fabrics and an earthy scheme contribute to the snug feel of this bedroom
Above Knitted fabrics and an earthy scheme contribute to the snug feel of this bedroom
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Plant life and a rug with palm frond prints liven up this balcony
Above Plant life and a rug with palm frond prints liven up this balcony

The existing junior bedroom had two large balconies, but no ensuite bathroom. KGID converted one of them into a bathroom, keeping the structure light by installing a fully-glazed wall with sliding aluminium louvre for privacy.

The existing upper floor master bedroom also came with two large balconies, one of which KGID converted into an air-conditioned and screened-off indoor study with a view. The other stretch of balcony was transformed into a cosy reading lounge.

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The open-concept look of the wardrobe area is reminiscent of hotel-style suites;
Above The open-concept look of the wardrobe area is reminiscent of hotel-style suites;
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Tawny accent cushions add pops of colour to the understated master bedroom;
Above Tawny accent cushions add pops of colour to the understated master bedroom;

The master bedroom and walk-in wardrobe are separated by glass doors that can be slid completely open, merging the two areas together.

Barring a few stacks of drawers, most of the cabinets and wardrobe systems are exposed or transparent, displaying their contents in their full glory, lit by flattering lights worthy of the most glamorous fashion boutiques on the island. This way, the room appears larger and the clients can find and admire their fashion and accessories collection. 

See also: Home Tour: This Romantic Open-Plan Apartment Makes A Dream Home For Two

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Hat shelves demarcate the bed area from the dressing zone
Above Hat shelves demarcate the bed area from the dressing zone

Warm, inviting and sophisticated are the three keywords that emerged from the design brief. Trusting the designers’ taste, the clients left the sourcing of the key furniture pieces to them. KGID pairs classically opulent materials and finishes with subtle textures and patterns to create a sophisticated yet approachable interior.

Cattelani & Smith’s Macchina Della Luce pendant light hangs stately at the living area, filling out the stately six-metre-high ceiling. Its tiered diffuser discs, finished with gold leaf, match the artwork on the feature wall. Below the artwork is a wall-to-floor custom display unit with LED strips that showcases books and more artworks. The floor is polished marble and the colour palette favours beige and warm white. A custom rug and watercolour Phillip Jeffries accent wallpaper lend some warmth to the pristine scheme.

Ipse Ipsa Ipsum’s sculptural sofa by Nathan Yong is a perfect addition to the space, pairing a metal frame with leather backrest, cowhide seat, a marble side table and a minimalist standing lamp.

See also: Welcome Home: Design Your Abode As A Sanctuary Attuned To Your Well Being

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The botanical influence continues in a guest bedroom with  a wallpaper covered with leaf motifs
Above The botanical influence continues in a guest bedroom with a wallpaper covered with leaf motifs
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The rug in this study is a beautiful tapestry of patterns
Above The rug in this study is a beautiful tapestry of patterns

Similar aesthetics apply in other rooms—timber floor meets quilted throw and intricate wallpaper in bedrooms, stark white furniture meets woven rugs and lush greenery outdoors.

The penthouse is an opulent abode that befits its status as the crown jewel of its building, yet it welcomes you home warmly. “The clients love the finished design,” shares Kelvin. “They don’t live in Singapore but they are always looking forward to spending some time here.”

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