The home’s understated palette is complemented with textures of wood and various fabrics. “A light-grey cypress veneer replaces an existing facade on the foyer wall. Paired with the existing Statuario marble floor, the space feels airier and fresher,” says Chan. Opposite the lift, a Marquina marble-topped console displays mementos, softly lit by a curtained window behind.

To highlight the transition from the foyer to the living area, Chan clad the threshold in stainless steel and bronze panels, and engraved the unit number here. A backlit LED light is connected to a motion detector and coordinated with the ceiling light such that when the lift door opens, both are switched on. This subtle detail eradicates the need to reach for a switch when one returns home in the evening.

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The living room’s many symmetrical elements give it the calm ambience the owners sought. “Two panels of rough-cut paulownia wood veneer contrast against the white marble flooring to become a focal point in the living room,” says Chan. They are framed by light-coloured alabaster wall panels, within which two artworks with graceful lines hang.

The symmetrical nature of the living room is evident in the use of twin display shelves, the floor lamps by Joan Gaspar that flank the Lema sofa, as well as the pair of poufs and artworks. The taupe geometric rug is the accent piece amid this neutral composition. A large silver-leaf panel in the dining room adds shine to the space.

“The clean lines of the dining table and its bronze-coated legs, paired with curved- back dining chairs, exhibit a play of opposites—hard and soft, straight and curved lines, and light and dark hues— that co-exist in harmony,” says Chan.

The living and dining areas are connected to a generous balcony lined with planter boxes. A sofa and dining set take the entertainment to the balcony when there are guests, or for a nightcap under the stars. Carpets underfoot continue the plush feel from the enclosed spaces to the balcony.

In the lounge, Chan layered a hand-knotted Persian rug atop a pewter carpet. “The mirror panel enlarges the room visually and reflects some natural light from the other parts of the house as there is only a small window in the lounge,” says Chan.

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The daughters’ bedrooms and a guest room are located behind this area. In each, the designer created cosy spaces using plenty of fabrics. He also made the bay windows more usable.

In the daughters’ bedrooms, these serve as inviting alcoves for reading and family bonding. “In one of the daughter’s rooms, a study table and a platform for tea and snacks were incorporated into the bay window,” Chan highlights.

Upstairs, a handsome study provides a nook for reading and writing. “This serves as a home office for the husband when he is working from home. Visitors can access it directly through the private lift lobby without disturbing the other occupants in the apartment,” explains Chan.

A rattan chair and lightwood screen behind the bed are among the tropical accents in the master bedroom. This space also feels loftier as Chan removed the existing false ceilings.

The resort feel is amplified by the view of a Japanese zen garden on the terrace, which is surrounded by an abundance of seating. Boulders and a tall bonsai tree rise from a sea of white pebbles as a miniature of the condominium’s landscaping, designed by renowned Japanese landscape master Shunmyo Masuno, offering the occupants tranquillity in yet another guise.

This story was first published in the February 2021 issue of Tatler Homes Singapore, available with our compliments on Magzter.