Home & Decor Singapore - June 2013

SINGAPORE’S NO.1 INTERIOR DESIGN MAGAZINE NIELSEN MEDIA INDEX 2012
SINGAPORE
JUNE 2013
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Y E AR S O F S T Y L I S H L I V I N G
LUXE, FUN & RESORT-STYLE
PAGE 196
DIVIDE&CONQUER DIVIDE&CONQUER HOW TO ZONE YOUR OPEN-CONCEPT SPACEHOW TO ZONE YOUR OPEN-CONCEPT SPACE
www.homeanddecor.com.sg
The only authorized authentic
456 River Valley Road Singapore 248 342 Tel. +65 6 235 0220
[email protected] www.dream-int.com
“Man needs colour to live” (Le Corbusier). The iconic LC2 armchair is a piece of design history and it is made even more extraordinary by its availability in a wide palette of colours. The three renowned architects entrusted the visionary LC2 exclusively worldwide to Cassina’s craftsmen, the only experts authorized to produce it. Each LC2 is accompanied by a ten-year guarantee.
“LC2” by Le Corbusier, Jeanneret, Perriand and Cassina. Design first.
space planning
IN THE ZONE
It’s possible to define different spaces within a home without using walls – just make use of
furniture, accessories and even lighting.
124
GAME PLAN
Setting space boundaries is a cinch with these trendy yet versatile storage and flooring pieces.
the new outdoors
COME OUT & PLAY
With today’s outdoor accessories rising in the style stakes, even the smallest balcony can be
as classy as you want it to be.
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EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Here are three outdoor furniture styles to breathe new life into your private alfresco area.
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128
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FULL OF SURPRISES
Not settling for the usual furnishings, this couple sourced bold and edgy decor accessories.
142
SETTLING IN
After years of renting, these homeowners tailored their own home to their precise needs.
160
FAMILY DAYS
When this family reunites, it’s in a home filled with the parents’ art-and-antique collection.
170
LIVING WITH THE PAST
A couple with a penchant for the vintage mounted a global search for the real deal.
182
COUNTRY LIVING
Building a “country” home in modern Singapore required the homeowners and the
designer to be extremely resourceful.
150
AN ASIAN AFFAIR
This penthouse’s astounding art collection comes from the owner’s long romance with the Orient.
76
EYE ON BEAUTY
A luxurious interplay of textures and materials transforms an old Parisian townhouse into
a stunning modern home.
W Atelier Pte Ltd
Level One, 75 Bukit Timah Road I T 65 6270 8828 I F 65 6270 0020
Opening Hours 10am - 6pm Mondays to Saturdays I watelier.com
Find us on
CLOSE TO YOU
Direct from Italy – our Milan Furniture Fair report details the latest design trends, which
include soft hues and comforting shapes.
68
MADE BY HAND
Ceramic art and handmade pottery pieces are making their way into homes as
functional, everyday pieces. 96
THE MILLION-DOLLAR QUESTION
Jaws dropped when an HDB flat was sold for more than a million dollars last September.
Will this be the new normal?
{ property }
62
9
THE TRUTH ABOUT LEDS
LEDs save energy and last longer, but they’re also more expensive – so, get to know them
better before you buy.
MAKE THIS MUTT
Unleash your creativity by bringing this dog- shaped magazine rack to “life”.
6
WIRE THIS UP
Contemporary craftsmanship and technology is used to conjure up wire forms.
8
HOT SEAT - LA MARIE
The La Marie by Kartell is the world’s first transparent chair made from a single mould.
3
WHAT’S NEW
The latest in design and decor to dress up your home.
38
5 QUESTIONS - NILS GUNNAR
Read what the CEO of specialist recliner brand IMG has to say about ergonomics.
4
TREND - BOTANICALS
Plant designs are popular this season, with details that make you take notice.
4
PEOPLE - JEAN-BAPTISTE OUDEA
This Frenchman wants to inculcate an appreciation of fine European antiques here.
44
JOSHUA COMAROFF
The owners of Strangelets have published an architecture book with a twist.
46
The Australian horticulturalist has just launched his first interior furniture line.
48
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COVER PHOTOGRAPHY: WINSTON CHUANG
ART DIRECTION: NONIE CHEN
JUNE GIV E AW AY S
H O M E & D E C O R SUBSC R IP T IO N GIF T S JUST F O R Y O U!F IV E LUC K Y S UBS C R IBER S W ILL W IN A H O M E & D E C O R GIF T H AMP ER W O R T H MO R E T H AN $ 300!
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H O M E & D E C O R T UR NS 25! W E AR E LO O K ING F O R LO Y AL R E AD ER S AND R EW AR D ING T HEM W IT H AT T R AC T IV E P R IZ ES !
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E D I T O R I A L
editor REBECKKA WONG ([email protected])
writer MAVIS ANG ([email protected])
C R E A T I V E
creative director MAUREEN CHENG ([email protected])
senior art director NONIE CHEN ([email protected])
associate art director NICCO LIM ([email protected])
graphic designers LEYNA POH ( [email protected]) K AFFY TAN ([email protected])
chief photographer AIK CHEN ([email protected])
executive photographer FRENCHESCAR LIM ([email protected])
photographers WONG WEI LIANG ([email protected])
WINSTON CHUANG ([email protected]) DARREN CHANG ([email protected])
senior photo administrator COCO PANG ([email protected])
E D I T O R I A L S U P P O R T
senior manager, administration and editorial support unit JULIANA CHONG ( [email protected])
manager ALICE HAN ([email protected])
Visit at www.homeanddecor.com.sg
I N T E R N A T I O N A L E D I T I O N S
HOME & DECOR INDONESIA
editor-in-chief FERRY TANOK
PT KINGPIN MEDIA Jl. Hang Tuah II, No. 2 Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta 12120, Indonesia
tel: (62 21) 2555-4450, fax: (62 21) 2555-4452, e-mail: [email protected]
AD SALES ENQUIRIES EDWIN AROFAH e-mail: [email protected]
HOME & DECOR MALAYSIA editor ELAINE DONG
WRITEON MEDIA SDN BHD Lot 30, Jalan Kartunis, U1/47, Temasya Industrial Park Phase 2
Seksyen U1, 40150 Glenmarie, Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
tel: (603) 5569 6800, fax: (603) 5569-6810, e-mail: [email protected]
AD SALES ENQUIRIES MICHELLE YOW e-mail: [email protected]

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MILAN MADNESS The biggest event on the international design calendar has to be the Milan Furniture Fair. Thousands of design aficionados make the pilgrimage every year to the fashionable Italian city to be dazzled by the latest offerings from the (mainly European) furniture design community – from bright-eyed young talents to hallowed marquee brands. The whole city also moves to the same stylish beat as hundreds of satellite events outside the fairgrounds show us innovative new ways of interacting with our living spaces. How could we be absent?
This month, Home & Decor spots the trends from the event in Close to You (page 56), but watch out in the months ahead for more exclusive Milan Fair content. However, before you start making up your furniture wish list, explore the basics of planning a space. After all, our homes aren’t getting any bigger. Having an open-concept layout is a great solution to dealing with the space crunch, but how do you “zone” your home if you have no walls? Use furniture, flooring and even lighting as “invisible” space markers. In The Zone on page 116 will show you how (these tips apply to large spaces, too!)
If you have a decent-sized balcony or yard area, look at taking your indoor spaces outside. Retailers are making this easy to do with all-weather furniture and accessories which up the style quotient no matter where they are placed. Lounge fashionably with the latest luxe, fun and resort looks in External Affairs on page 96 and Come Out & Play on page 106. As the weather heats up, we say
embrace it and take the party outdoors (don’t forget the sunscreen)
P H O T O
D A R R E N
C H A N G
S T Y L I N G
N I C C O
L I M
REBECKKA WONG EDITOR
PG 56
Dscvr t igigts of t Ml Fr!
PG 96

Home & Decor, June 1988
What a difference 25 years make! To chuckle at how far we’ve come design-wise in a quarter of a century, we pick some noteworthy highlights from the issue of the magazine 25 years ago to the month.
eco text REBECKKA WONG
Y E A RS O F S T Y L I S H
L I V I N G
25
It was consulting editor’s Sophie Kho’s first edition
of Home & Decor as contributing editor, and
she penned this story on the English country
cottage look of a Yio Chu Kang apartment.
home
OLD IS GOLD Antique furniture, from precious blackwood pieces to the trendy colonial teak styles we see today, were already on our radar in a special feature.
MODERN CONVENIENCES Singer’s Miracle range of sewing machines was touted as its “ultra modern miracles”, designed to meet different sewing skills and budgets.
advertisement

WWW.DWELL.COM.SG
RIVER VALLEY | 11 KIM YAM ROAD | T 6883 1005 | BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
DOG MAGAZINE RACK BY KELVIN TEO OF SPACE
SENSE COMES IN SOLID YELLOW, GREEN, BLACK OR
RED VERSIONS, ALONG WITH SOME FUN STICKERS.
UNLEASH YOUR CREATIVITY BY BRINGING YOUR
‘PUP’ TO CHEEKY LIFE – OR KNOCKING HIM OUT –
BY USING DIFFERENT DECALS.
text MAVIS ANG photo WONG WEI LIANG art direction NONIE CHEN
thisMUTT

This sculptural magazine rack (price unavailable), along with Kelvin’s other designs, are available at Space Sense.
MAKE
text SHWETA PARIDA
Malleable metallic wire is being hailed as the new wood. Its rustic vintage-meets-industrial appeal makes it a popular material for almost everything from furniture to lighting to accessories.
LA-based manufacturer Artecnica recently collaborated with Swiss designer Julie Richoz to produce Thalie – a container made of flat sheet metal held together by a fine wire thread running though the strips. Richoz says that she was inspired by “craft techniques such as crochet and knitting”. Available in a silver finish, the container can be used as a fruit bowl or a bread basket.
Introducing it to interiors in the form of smaller accessories is a more subtle approach to the trend. American homeware retailer CB2 stocks many such pieces, including the intertwined wire mesh ornamental vase good enough to display as it is.
A NEW BLEND OF
WIRE FORMS.
The Thalie bowl by Artecnica highlights the sculptural traits of its material. Available at www.artecnicainc.com.
WIRE IT UP

Recently launched at the Salone del Mobile, the Cloud mobile by Benedetta Mori Ubaldini from the Magis Me Too children’s collection also conjures soft curves from a material resembling chicken wire.
Instead of creating volume with wire, the Small Black Vase Series by Japan-based Nendo studio features wire frames of glassware such as wine glasses, carafes, beakers, and tea and coffee mugs that can be made to function as vases by adding a real glass object inside it.
Other possibilities of wired-up design include rigid forms such as the Pizza Table by Naoto Fukasawa for Magis, which has more sculptural leanings, and the Wireframe chair by Dutch designer duo Guido Ooms and Karin van Lieshout. The “transparency” of the structure is inspired by the wire-frame structures of the 3-D modelling phase of the design process.
These wire vases (left) from CB2 and the Cloud mobile by Magis are statement- making pieces in their own right. Magis is available at Xtra.
Dutch design studio Oooms was inspired by 3-D computer modelling for the Wireframe chair, www.oooms.nl. left The Black Vase series presents only the outline of everyday objects.
WIRE IS INDEED VERSATILE.
USED TO CONVEY RIGIDITY
Get Kartell from Lifestorey #02-15 Great World City, tel: 6732-7362,
and Space Asia Hub, 77 Bencoolen Street, tel: 6415-0000.
This Merlion Louis Ghost chair was the winning design during the Space and Kartell Student Design Competition in 2011. right The limited edition Louis Ghost Barbie chair is eye- catching in any room.
French designer Philippe Starck, who is widely known for his product designs,
from furniture for Kartell and lighting for Flos, to toothbrushes for Alessi and
watches for Fossil. His stellar career started when he designed the interiors for
the private apartment of French president Francois Mitterrand in 1982. He has
designed hotels, restaurants, yachts and even windmills.
WHO DESIGNED IT
WHY WE LOVE IT
Introduced in 1998, the La Marie (made by Kartell) is the world’s first completely
transparent chair made from a single polycarbonate mould. It looks almost weightless,
but is extraordinarily strong and durable. The material also allows it to be resistant to
bumps and scratches. It is stackable (up to seven chairs) and also easy to clean.
Aside from the transparent version, it also comes in four fluorescent shades: violet,
light yellow, pinky orange, and light orange. Its apparent lightness and refreshing
colours make it a versatile seat for both indoors and outdoors – the transparent model
bringing airiness to a clean, modern space, or the vibrant versions adding a pop of
colour to a minimalist scheme.
WHAT IT INSPIRED
After La Marie, Starck expanded the series of polycarbonate pieces
with the Ghost chairs, named after European monarchs whose period
styles inspired his designs. The Louis Ghost, a reinvention of the
classic Louis XV armchair, recently celebrated its tenth anniversary.
Other iconic designs in the Ghost family are the baroque-style
Victoria chair, the 19th century-inspired Charles stool, and the
“baby” version of Louis Ghost, the Lou Lou children’s armchair.
La Marie is an ingenious combination of lightness and strength, with fun colours to suit any setting.
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www.novamobili.sg
W. Atelier Pte Ltd I Level One, 75 Bukit Timah Road I T +65 6270 8828
Opening Hours 10am - 6pm Mondays to Saturdays
WAVE. Designed by Luca Tormena
TRENDS
LI HT MI HT EVERYONE – AND NOT JUST STUDENTS – NEEDS
A PROPER DESK LIGHT. THE EYE CARE RANGE OF LED DESK LIGHTS FROM
PHILIPS OFFERS BOTH FORM AND FUNCTION IN A READING LIGHT. THEY
PROVIDE ZERO-FLICKER AND GLARE-FREE ILLUMINATION WITH DIMMING
CONTROLS TO REDUCE EYE FATIGUE AND LOOK SUPER SLEEK TOO.
JEWEL CAFE + BAR Besides serving up designer coffee, Jewel Coffee’s new outlet at Rangoon Road also provides customers with an industrial-style setting to savour their cup of java in. Local design practice Farm gave the space a shell of bare concrete and subway tiles dressed with cut-crystal light bulb pendants from British designer Lee Broom and brass and copper ceiling features for a touch of refinement.
Jewel Cafe + Bar is located at 129 Rangoon Road, tel: 6298-9216.
Philips LED desk lights are available at selected electrical outlets.
T H I S M O N T H,
C H E C K O U T...
Visit www.fourandtwenty.sg to purchase or simply admire these artisanal pieces.
Almost every item on new online store four&twenty’s website is an object of handcrafted beauty. Offering a curated selection of products from Denmark, Japan, the US and Thailand, these items possess a quiet, natural beauty from materials such as wood, ceramic and brass. We find the delicate handcrafted wooden drinking vessels from Japan particularly alluring.
made with love
TRENDS
Visit Atomi at #04-26/27 Mandarin Gallery, 333 Orchard Road, tel: 6887-4138.
TAKE IT LIGHTLY CREATED BY BRITISH
DESIGNER JASPER MORRISON FOR JAPANESE FURNITURE
COMPANY MARUNI, THE LIGHTWOOD CHAIR IN BIRCH HAS
A SIMPLE SILHOUETTE THAT STANDS OUT WITH THE SLIGHT
ARCH OF ITS BACK LEGS. IT IS AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY AT
ATOMI, WITH PRICES STARTING FROM $1,500.
With vintage-inspired decor being the design du jour these days, the best complements to your interiors are
accessories that bring out your theme. We love the new series of “vintage” clocks from Comfort Design. They feature quirky verses
that are sure to put a smile on your face whenever you check the time.
PAST TIME
Get your reproduction vintage clocks at $99 each from Comfort Design at 110 Eunos Avenue 7,
Comfort Design Building, tel: 6747-4809
THE ART OF TEA Inspired by bamboo, Chinese designer Jamy Yang has
created the Serenity collection of tea accessories for Royal
Selangor along the lines of the Chinese idiom (“the
virtue of contentment”). The pewter has a ridged surface
that simulates the texture of bamboo fibre, and bamboo is
incorporated in the teapot’s base, finial, and handle.
The Serenity collection, comprising a teapot, tea caddy, snack plate, tea whisk and teacups, is available at all Royal Selangor retail stores and online at www.royalselangor.com.
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TRENDS
Thanks to the creative chemistry between American high-end contemporary furnishings manufacturer Phillips Collection and local design firm HC Design, the award- winning Square Root Wall Sculpture is now available locally. This striking work of art is cast from artisan-grade resin and fiberglass, then hand-painted and silver-leafed.
natural bling
The Phillips Collection is displayed at HC Design Centre 21, Tampines St 92, tel: 6272-2000.
FOR DIV S ONLY AS PRECIOUS AS THE
JEWELLERY YOU MIGHT PLACE IN IT, CARTIER’S LUXURIOUS
TRINKET TRAY FEATURES ITS TRADEMARK PANTHER PROWLING
THROUGH THE SAVANNA. THIS LUST WORTHY PIECE IS MADE
WITH FINE LIMOGES PORCELAIN, WITH A PLATINUM FINISH.
Available at all Cartier boutiques, www.cartier.com.
SOOTHE OPERATOR Domicil’s newest sofa certainly lives up to its name, Soothe. Sporting rounded armrests on a contemporary profile, Soothe ($6,250) pays homage to the historic Chesterfield sofa. Upholstered in luxurious tan leather, this 3.5-seater is also available in four other brown hues as well as black.
Try out Soothe at Domicil’s showroom, #02-01/02, 56 Tanglin Road, tel: 6735-0511.
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A new way to make your home beautiful
Customer Care Center Hotline: 6484 7877
©2012 Schneider Electric. All Rights Reserved.
Schneider Electric Singapore Pte Ltd
10 Ang Mo Kio Street 65 #02-17/20 TechPoint Singapore 569059 Tel: 6484 7877 Fax: 6484 7800
Email: [email protected] Website: www.schneider-electric.com.sg
control. Exquisite. Exclusive.
the forward switch for forward people
ZENcelo
A Bauhaus expression.
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Receive a complimentary award-winning ZENcelo switch and
download “Jeu de Lumiere - The Art of Fine Lighting” brochure now.
1. Go to www.SEreply.com
2. Entre keycode 52511M
TIME TO SHINE
To give young design talents a leg up, Star Furniture Group has launched
the D’Star Design Award. Calling for entries from full-time design students
from local educational institutions, the award will give budding designers
the chance to take their furniture concepts from drawing to reality.
Get details of the D’Star Award at www.starfurn.com and on the official
Facebook page at www.facebook. com/D’StarDesignAward.
JU NE 13
THE RAFFLES HOTEL ARCADE, 328 NORTH BRIDGE ROAD Soak up the work of the art galleries located at the Raffles Hotel Arcade – Artesan Gallery + Studio (above), Chan Hampe Galleries, Element Art Space, Nikei Fine Art (below) and Yunlore Gallery, all d isplayed at the hotel’s garden courtyard, and join in the hubbub over light snacks and drinks at this casual event.
SOIREE @ THE RAFFLES ARCADE

Samsung’s F68 LED TV may be the most basic of
its smart TV lineup in terms of functionality; but it will impress guests even before it’s switched on with its gorgeous transparent frame. Starts at $1,599 for a 40-inch model.
The features of the 3-D Smart TVs that LG presented for this year include an easy-to-use interface, seamless content streaming from Android smartphones, and motion and voice control with the help of the fun Magic Remote. The top-of-the-line LA8600 model starts at $4,899 for a 55-inch set.
THANKS TO NEW OFFERINGS THAT PROPEL HOME
ENTERTAINMENT TO THE NEXT DIMENSION, THIS IS
THE BEST TIME TO UPDATE YOUR TELEVISION SET.
Launched last year in the 84-inch format, the 4K LED TV by Sony now comes in 65-inch and 55-inch models, too. Besides projecting home theatre-quality sound with its integrated speakers, this model can also upscale content from any source to deliver a crisp image with life-like colours.
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art direction LEYNA POH
TRENDS
IMG recliners are available at Harvey Norman, #02-57 to 62 Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Boulevard, tel: 6311-9988
NILS GUNNAR
Furniture has been in his family’s blood for three generations since 1941. Nils Gunnar grew up without any expectations to join the family business, but stepped up to the challenge in 1996 to lend his expertise in corporate finance. He now heads IMG Norway, which spun off from the family business.
CEO AND PRESIDENT OF NORWEGIAN SPECIALIST RECLINER BRAND IMG
What was it like growing up in a
family that runs a furniture business?
Ergonomic chairs is the core family business, so I was often reminded to sit properly. I didn’t listen then. But now, after years of carrying my kids around, I can only sit comfortably on a recliner. Younger people prefer more stylish designs and will not appreciate the comfort of a recliner, but I feel that it’s never too early to get acquainted with one.
What makes IMG’s recliners different?
Since the late ‘70s, Norwegian manufacturers have mastered the technology behind cold cure moulded foam. Foam, in a liquid state, is injected into a closed mould, and then creams up to form a shape. This creates slimmer, more ergonomic structures. Cold cure moulded foam, the common denominator in all of IMG’s products, also has a higher density that makes it more durable. The conventional technique, commonly used even today, is to cut a block of foam and glue it together to form a shape.
How does the family’s Scandinavian
roots influence your products?
The typical Scandinavian thinking, “less is more”, is what we believe in. We try to make our designs as clean and functional as possible and avoid any gimmicks as I believe design should be purposeful. In Norway, it’s common to open your home to friends and family, and that’s why Norwegians have a culture of spending on their interiors. We uphold quality and comfort in our homes.
Style versus comfort at home – what
are your thoughts on this?
When we build a recliner, it needs to be, above all else, durable, comfortable, and ergonomic. For recliners, we will never compromise quality or comfort for style. For sofas though, we offer slightly more stylish, but not-so-ergonomically perfect models for customers. That said, our sofas have shorter seats which provide better body support. Sofas with deeper seats might look better, but they’re not ergonomic.
Any tips on choosing the right
recliner? The size is important. Most IMG recliners have two to three sizes, and some also come in different heights. Different designs also sit differently. So, test it out properly by trying it for 10 to 15 minutes.
Questions with...
5

text SHWETA PARIDA
Nature-inspired themes remain an eternal favourite among designers: Botanical motifs such as plants, flowers, leaves and even creatures closely associated with flora such as butterflies, find their way into our homes, season after season. For nature lovers, this is an easy way to bring the outdoors indoors. For extra dimension, patterns and textures are either more realistic than ever, or exaggerated. Bright floral patterns used as accents by way of soft furnishings can add a burst of colour to the interiors. You can never go wrong with Nature.
BOTANICAL DESIGNS ARE POPULAR
MAKE YOU TAKE NOTICE.
N TURE
right Lladro’s Chandelier Niagara brings the outdoors in with an artistic approach. bottom The limited-edition White, Red and Pink Camellia rug by Paola Lenti sports various textures. From Dream Interiors.
LARGER-THAN-LIFE BOTANICAL
FOCUS OF YOUR HOME.
MOTIFS MAKE NATURE THE
The Oxley wool rug from Missoni Home’s new 2013 collection. Available at Miles & Theodore. left The laser-cut floral motifs of the Fiore room divider by Zanotta are delicate but not overly feminine. From Proof Living.
4 0
art direction KAFFY TAN
We never thought we’d stumble upon a charming store stocking fine European and Asian antiques from the late 18th and early 19th centuries among the shophouses of sleepy Tiong Bahru. Jean-Baptiste Oudea started Aphorism Antiques earlier this year, and the affable Frenchman chose to site the shop in this area precisely because “it’s one of the few places in Singapore where you have a feel of history.”
Having lived in Singapore for 23 years (he’s married to a Singaporean), the ex-banker is now living the life he would have if he had gone into his family’s antique business instead of banking. This passion was never lost, however, but simply kept on the back burner (he started buying small Asian collectibles when he was 13).
Now, his mission with the store is to stimulate people’s curiosity about classical antiques. Although the collection displayed is impressive – a huge six-panel 1700s Japanese screen is displayed at one end of the shop, together with stately 18th-to-early-20th century French mahogany furniture, an architect’s table from the 1800s, and smaller curios clustered in display showcases – Jean-Baptiste says he doesn’t want the space to be a museum. He hand- picks pieces he feels have a style (and size) that would go with contemporary interiors, and keeps prices affordable for the more common pieces of that time (for example, an early 20th-century revolving library is going for $2,800 and original black-and-white framed photography prints for $90). “I do everything myself, so customers pay for the value of the piece and not for extras such as logistics,” he explains, saying that his prices are similar to what you would pay if you were to buy the piece in Paris or London.
And when a buyer finds something they love or when he finds the item for them, Jean-Baptiste feels satisfied, too. “There aren’t many jobs that give you this sense of joy – and certainly not banking!” he smiles.
who JEAN-BAPTISTE OUDEA
ANTIQUES, HE WANTS TO BRING AN
APPRECIATION OF FINE EUROPEAN AND
ASIAN ANTIQUITIES TO EVERYONE
what gets him out of bed in the morning “SO MANY BEAUTIFUL WORKS OF
ART TO FIND IN THE WORLD, SO LITTLE TIME!”
Aphorism Antiques is located at #01-51,
Blk 72 Seng Poh Road, www.aphorism.com.sg.
above Get an instant education in classical antiques by popping in to chat with Jean- Baptiste. right This French architect’s table from the 1800s allows the user to work while standing, too.
4 2
More nuances. More elegance. More versatility: The Starck bathroom series with the coordinating furniture programme. Just one example from the comprehensive
Duravit range – sanitary ceramics, bathroom furniture, accessories, bathtubs, wellness products and saunas. Free brochure available from Duravit Asia Limited
(Singapore Branch), 63 Tras street Singapore 079002, Phone +65 6238 6353, Fax + 65 6238 6359, [email protected]; Econflo Systems Pte Ltd, 263/265 Beach
Road, Singapore 199544, Phone + 65 6396 3738, Fax + 65 6396 3736, [email protected], www.econflo.com; Ferrara Asiapac Pte Ltd, 83 Clemenceau Avenue,
#01-35 & 36 UE Square, Singapore 239920, Phone +65 6235 0020, Fax + 65 6235 8344, [email protected]; Sansei Singapura Pte Ltd, 462 Tagore Industrial
Avenue, Singapore 737831, Phone +65 6292 8321, Fax +65 6292 4520, [email protected], www.sanseionline.com; Wan Tai & Co (Pte) Ltd , 25 Changi South
Avenue 2, Singapore 486594, Phone +65 6546 5900, Fax +65 6546 6388, [email protected], www.wantai.com, www.duravit.com
A genuine Starck.
“Talking about buildings in architectural jargon just isn’t as fun as comparing them to something more familiar,
such as monsters,” says Joshua Comaroff of Horror
in Architecture , a book he co-wrote with his wife and
business partner, Ong Ker-Shing. “That’s the whole idea behind the book – we wanted to help ourselves better
articulate what we saw.” Having known each other
for almost 15 years, the couple, who also head design
firm Lekker Design and quirky concept store Strangelets together, spend a lot of time discussing their architectural
interpretations – which eventually became the backbone
of this paperback.
The “horror” in this book refers not to the distasteful
elements of buildings, but rather, how both famous and obscure architectural works mirror the themes
common in horror movies. While the couple is backed
by an academic background in architecture (they met
at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design), this book isn’t just for the learned few. Ker-Shing explains that
who ONG KER-SHING AND JOSHUA COMAROFF
why THE OWNERS OF LIFESTYLE STORE STR NGELETS H VE JUST PUBLISHED
AN ARCHITECTURE BOOK WITH A POP-CULTURE TWIST
what gets them out of bed in the morning “THE DESIRE TO BE SURPRISED.”
Horror in Architecture is available for $24.93 at
Books Actually and Kinokuniya.
it doesn’t even have to be read in a linear way. “The introduction is quite academic. But you can skip that and
go into the chapters, which teach visual thinking but are
entertaining, too,” she says. So, expect to be amused by
the well-known works of architects Frank Furness, Louis Kahn and Mies van der Rohe (as well as local structures)
with the help of zombies, freaks, and other characters in
B-grade horror flicks.
As first-time authors, Joshua and Ker-Shing both learnt that publishing a book involves a lot more than
just writing it. “Hunting for the photos was the biggest
challenge,” recalls Joshua. The multi-tasking couple
have been simultaneously working on a few other books, and the next one to be published (hopefully before the
end of the year, says Joshua) touches on small space
living in Shanghai.
B
O
O
K

Designers, store owners, parents and now authors, multi- tasking is Ker-Shing and Joshua’s way of life. below Their book is a fun approach to observing architecture.
4 4
Jamie Durie is known internationally for his landscape designs – his projects include The
Lantern at Fullerton Bay Hotel and the Collyer Quay
boardwalk in Singapore as well as the Al Barari
luxury resort development in Dubai – and in his home country for his outdoor furniture designs and
being a television show host.
From large-scale resort and hotel landscapes
to product and interior design projects, and TV shows and books, the award-winning designer has
successfully applied his philosophy of “bringing
the outdoors in, and treating the outside as a
living space”. Now, he’s tapping into this wealth of experience for his second season as host of and
mentor on The Apartment: Style Edition, a reality show where couples from Singapore and Malaysia
compete in design challenges to win an apartment.
“On The Apartment , I don’t teach the
contestants my philosophy and design process. Imposing your own style and process on others
won’t work. Instead, I try to ‘hold their hand’
through their own design process – they’ve got
to tap into their own creativity. What I do is give them courage and confidence, to empower them
to come up with fresh designs,” Jamie explains.
He adds: “I do want to infuse a consciousness of
the environment and sustainability in their design
choices, too.” He should know about fresh designs. Prolific
enough in his own (outdoors) niche, he’s just
ventured into interior furniture in collaboration with
Italian manufacturer Riva 1920. Called the Jamie Durie for Riva 1920 collection, it was launched at
this year’s Milan Furniture Fair. It features modular
pieces such as the Tubular Shelves and Table that,
Jamie shares, “enable the homeowner to design the end-piece themselves, by manipulating the
modular components – similar to what I do on
The Apartment ”. That’s not all. Jamie enthuses:
“I just met Karim Rashid at the Milan Furniture Fair,
and we’re talking about working on projects!”
Watch Jamie on The Apartment: Style Edition ,
sponsored by Dulux, on AXN. Riva 1920 is available
at Proof Living.
above Jamie designed a collection for Riva 1920 made of reforested timber. left The Bungalow stool was launched with the Jamie Durie for Riva 1920 collection at the Milan Furniture Fair.
who JAMIE DURIE
INTERIOR DESIGN SHOW
what gets him out of bed in the morning ”BEING ABLE TO CREATE AN
EMOTIONAL CHANGE IN SOMEBODY THROUGH
ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN”.
Most of the wood-
of rugged and fine
finishes. 3 This table
( 580) has an industrial
is height-adjustable.
( 290) with a leather
seat and backrest.
5. Imhomm also features a selection of lively canvases. 6. Nesting tables that come in a set of three, $390.
1
Where it is #02-18 The Vertex, 33 Ubi Ave 3, tel: 6509-9575
IMHOMM INDUSTRIAL-STYLE FURNITURE AND
What’s in store Packed haphazardly like a treasure-filled junk
store, the 1,400sqf Imhomm (pronounced “I’m home”) houses a
charismatic assortment of industrial-style furniture, sophisticated
table lamps, and contemporary paintings. “There really isn’t one single concept,” says owner Maena Ong. The first batch of
items is made up of shelves, side tables, and consoles imported
from India, and incorporates materials such as recycled teak
(which comes in either a raw or sanded and lacquered finish) and weathered steel. An interesting contrast is also created when
elegant table lamps, and graceful glass and porcelain tableware
are placed on the raw, rough surfaces. On the walls, vibrant oil
paintings by artists from China, Thailand and Vietnam serve as a colourful backdrop to the shop’s unique assortment of items.
Keep an eye out for subsequent collections as “surprise” is the
only concept Imhomm will adhere to.
Who’s behind it Imhomm was built upon Maena’s boredom with
what the stores here have to offer. As the art director of interior
design firm Mong Design Studio, she found it difficult to get
offbeat accent furniture pieces to work into her projects. “It started with sourcing for wall lamps and artwork overseas for my clients’
homes. As my orders increased, we just decided to start a store,”
she explains. With 15 years of industry experience, Maena has an
eye for piece with an edge – in terms of prices and aesthetics – over the usual products in town.
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6
5
3
art direction LEYNA POH
1. Modern and exotic accents blend seamlessly here. 2. The “Guru” by American architect Carl J. Myers ($3,800) is made up of nails. 3. Dali console by In Situ founder Eric Ledoigt, $960. 4. The nature-inspired home accessories make great gifts, too. 5. Love the styling? You can tap into the store’s interior design services.
1
In Situ HANDCRAFTED FURNITURE
AND ART FROM GUATEMALA
What’s in store While most of the pieces in the 1,400sqf In Situ
showroom are designed by Frenchman Eric Ledoigt, the shop also
includes made-in-Guatemala pieces by American, Canadian, and Mexican artists who crossed paths with Eric in the Central American
nation. Wood, in its raw and natural forms, features prominently
in the furniture here, ranging from hand-carved conacaste (South
American tropical wood) tables to mangrove root lamps. The refined pieces, along with the glitzy ceiling lights, earth-toned
soft furnishings, and peculiar wall ornaments, evoke the calming
warmth of a cosy holiday villa. While there are passing similarities
to a Balinese aesthetic, the exotic items within In Situ have a latent grandeur that sets them apart. The space embodies what won
over In Situ creative director Isabelle Persenda when she lived in
Guatemala. “The mix of culture and tradition there is amazing.
Between the Mayan culture, which has been preserved, as well as
the Spanish culture, century-old traditions are still alive, be they in textiles, superstitions, architecture, food or craftsmanship,” she says.
Who’s behind it Inspired by the unspoilt natural beauty of
Guatemala and its rich culture of craftsmanship, French designer Eric
Ledoigt started In Situ there 12 years ago. Isabelle says: “Eric and I have known each other for over 20 years. In all the years he has been
designing furniture, I must have been his number one fan.” So, when
she moved to Singapore three years ago and saw that “there was a
thirst for art and beauty here”, she finally realised her long-awaited
dream of bringing In Situ to the country. Backed with experience in her family business as well as a graphic design and photography
background, Isabelle was the perfect partner-in-crime for Eric, who
admits he is more of a creative rather than business person.
1
When cash is short, you have to think creatively.
Great decorative pieces for your walls don’t have to be art per se. They can also be found objects such
as a shapely tree branch or a piece of bleached
driftwood. You can also create your own “art”
by using large graphic letters to spell out catchy,
whimsical words such as “Eat” or “Inspire”. In this streamlined house by Project File, the owner has
created a graphic message board-and-artwork out
of a picture frame and wires. Metal clips hold photos
and postcards from recent holidays. It’s a flexible concept that lets you add or subtract according to
your fancy. Hang it in your dining area, or any other
public space where this eye-catching piece can start
a conversation.
the advice of experts to help
you. E-mail questions to [email protected].
YOUR RENO & DECOR QUESTIONS ANSWERED ask
5 2
A
WE DON’T HAVE MUCH MONEY LEFT OVER AFTER OUR RENO. WHAT’S A WALLET- FRIENDLY WAY TO D-I-Y INTERESTING ART FOR OUR BLANK WALLS?
p h o t o g r a p
h y
d e s
i g n
P R O J E C T F I L E
p h o t o g r a p
h y
i g n
E H K A S T U D I O
A R C H I T E C T U R E +
I N T E R I O R S
Q
Exposed and suspended pipes are easily dislodged or damaged. This is a dangerous situation,
especially if they are gas or water pipes. Don’t
try temporary solutions like placing a table by
the pipes. The only safe way to handle them is to conceal the pipes inside a wall or built-in cabinetry.
As these pipes run between the kitchen and living
area, ask your contractor for a breakfast counter
with an access door that will allow you access to the pipes in case of leaks. The counter will take up less
space than a table and provide storage, too.
A
WE HACKED A WALL TO COMBINE THE KITCHEN AND LIVING ROOM, AND FOUND TWO PIPES CROSSING THE SPACE ABOUT A METRE ABOVE THE FLOOR. HOW CAN WE HIDE THE PIPES?
A Decor trends have been heading towards a freer, more
casual and eclectic look. Plus, mixing dining chairs of different styles and hues gives the dining space a more
dynamic, funky vibe. It also provides more flexibility in a
small home – with such an eclectic theme, you can bring
out the study and kitchen chairs for a big party, and the whole look will gel.
Stick to a theme for coherence: For instance, three
styles of Scandinavian-inspired chairs such as the Panton
S-Chair, and the Tulip or Eames moulded chairs. You can also use local finds such as kopitiam and cane chairs. Do
watch the scale and detailing, however. The table should
not be too bulky or have old-fashioned or fussy detailing if
you are using streamlined, modern seating.
Q
INTERIOR DESIGNERS HAVE DINING TABLES WITH
MISMATCHED CHAIRS. WHY IS THIS?
A
walk through to get from the living room
to the bedrooms or kitchen. As such,
they need to be open spaces that are easy to walk through and not cluttered
with bulky objects. Make sure you
maintain a minimum corridor width of
1.5m so you won’t feel claustrophobic. Determine whether you need storage
more than a display area. You could
also combine the two aims by getting
a cabinet with open shelves above and cupboards beneath. A bookshelf would
also be ideal as it can both store and
display objects as well as books, while
taking up little depth of space. If storage
is important, consider maximising the whole length of corridor space with
built-in cabinetry. The result would be
streamlined and efficient.
ABOUT THREE METRES ALONG THE
CORRIDOR TO THE BEDROOMS.
NICE THERE?
p h o t o g r a p h y D A R R E N C H A N G d e s i g n T H R E E - D
C O N C E P T W E R K E
The cleaner you used must be highly
corrosive as it appears to have eaten
away the tiles’ glossy, glazed surface. Do
be careful with such cleaners as they can also burn your flesh.
There is really nothing you can do to
restore the tiles’ finish as glaze needs
to be fired or baked onto the ceramic.
If you know where to find similar tiles, you can ask your contractor to hack out
and replace the damaged section. It will
cost you more to do a small section as
it’s a specialist job, but worth it if your bathroom is fairly new.
If you don’t fancy doing an expensive
renovation, just get an extra-big bath rug
and simply cover up the splotchy tiles.
A
TILES ARE NOW ROUGH AND THE
SURFACE FADED. PLEASE HELP.

At this year’s Salone Internazionale del Mobile (the Milan Furniture Fair to the English- speaking world), the industry responded to these troubled times by creating pieces that are comfortingly warm and familiar. Patrizia Moroso, the art director of renowned Italian furniture manufacturer Moroso, in fact, gave us a preview of things to come when she told us late last year in an interview that people now “want things that are very sweet, and help you to be happy”. And indeed, it was a sense of calm that permeated the stands; created by a palette of pastel, non-aggressive shades. Hues such as salmon, mint green and mustard dressed tables, chairs and sofas; with pink leading the pack while shapes were soft, round and welcoming. However, we did also spot pieces in screaming neon which gave the sea of muted shades just the right perk-me-up.
Marking the desire to retreat into privacy and solitude were the enclosed seating designs
E X C L U S I V E F R O M M I L A N !
launched at more than a few major brands, even for outdoor use. The tamer, friendlier designs of this edition also showcased the heightened touch-me textures that we’ve seen for a few years running – think sweaters and oversized knits for seats. Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola delivered her trademark play on textural weaves in a dizzying array of chairs for various brands, most notably Moroso.
We love that the classic Standard chair by Jean Prouve is now available in a lower price point (a new version by Vitra features a plastic seat and back in place of bent plywood), pointing the way to more democratic luxury perhaps, at the same time as Kartell proclaimed their stand the Luxury Gallery issue, with designs made of plastic exuding the captivating elegance of crystal and cut glass.
We retrace our steps to bring you the trends and highlights of this year’s Milan Furniture Fair.
1

Led by the colour pink, sweet cotton candy shades such as mint green and pale yellow, and soft grey-blues dominated the offerings this year. These non-aggressive colours evoked a sense of familiarity and comfort. It was hard to resist having a go on the Dedon Swingrest hanging sofa, in a special edition colour. The specially dyed weave segues from a crimson down to a soft rosehip towards the base. Paola Lenti’s Cosmo rug is also pretty in pink and completely handmade from rope cord. The new Visu seating family by Mika Tolvanen for Muuto is classic Scandinavian, and comes in several tints including rose and soft grey. Inspired by chess pieces, the Pion sidetable by Sancal by French designer Ionna Vautrin plays with the contrast of shiny lacquer and matte wax finish of its surfaces, while the cool mint green of the Ikono lamp by Simon Legald for Normann Copenhagen makes it bang on trend.
4
2
pattern or by joining round
modules together.
Swingrest hanging sofa by
Daniel Pouzet for Dedon
goes through eleven different
shades of pink.
3 The new Visu seating family for Muuto includes chairs with
a wood or wire base and a
lounge version.
the other colours the Sancal
Pion table is available in.
5
and simple feel.
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2
3
Eschewing straight lines and rigid shapes for soft, rounded profiles, these pieces have a friendly countenance that makes them oh-so-approachable. The Standard sofa by Francesco Binare for Edra channels the soft puffy vibe of its Nuvola (cloud) fabric. At Moooi (which exhibited outside the fairgrounds), Marcel Wanders was similarly inspired by the cumulonimbus in his Cloud sofa adorned with soft white cushions. From Sancal, the Elephant seats by Italian design firm Nadadora have rounded edges to make them more “welcoming”. The addition of a handle on the Carry On stools by Mattias Stenberg for Offecct, effectively turns them into truly portable seating solutions.
The Standard sofa by Francesco Binare for Edra was named as it is intended to be the standard by which all sofas are to be judged.
2 Available in three sizes the Elephant from Sancal can be placed
anywhere. This version comes with a wooden tray.
3 Designer Mattias Stenberg says of his Carry On stool for Offecct
that it lets you sit down where you might not usually sit.
4 The Cloud sofa by Marcel Wanders for Moooi features invitingly
soft and puffy white cushions.
POWERPUFFS
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Find solitude in these enclosed seats that provide both comfort and privacy. The classic wing chair and what the French call a bergere (an upholstered, enclosed armchair) have been tweaked for modernity and adapted with new materials in this year’s hottest hues. For Cassina, Patrick Norguet designed the P22, a modern interpretation of the classic bergere armchair. Continuing his collaboration with Fritz Hansen, Jaime Hayon’s Ro easy chair – its concept is captured in its name, which means “tranquillity” in Danish, aims to encourage reflection and comfort. Find similar comfort in Hayon’s Gardenias armchair with pergola for BD Barcelona. Made of cast aluminium, its Dupont Alesta Cool finish coating reduces surface temperature by up to 20 deg C when it’s in the sun. For two to snuggle, Patricia Urquiola’s Mafalda collection for Moroso has a unique shell with a wave design created by new moulding technology.
INSIDE THE INSPIRATION OF THE P22 ARMCHAIR BY
PATRICK NORGUET
Your armchair for Cassina is called P22. What does the name stand for? Patrick Norguet: It’s just a code, there’s no story. The idea is to design a classic bergere, which in Europe, is a common type of old-school English armchair.
What was the challenge of designing this chair? PN: Every product is a challenge, here it is to marry the form with the aluminium injection (base and legs), to connect the two. You don’t see anything out of place – the look is very clean. My job is not just to sell a drawing, I travel a lot because every week I’m in the workshop with the engineering guy and we develop the product together. As a designer, it’s important to work with a good company and with a good engineer to develop a good product. Together with a good designer, these are the three elements to develop a great product. This armchair is like a new classic someone can use for a long time – a personal armchair; it’s like a cocoon.
How was the armchair updated from its traditional form? PN: The form is classic because of its “ears”, the big ears. I developed the architectural legs which look very contemporary and introduce modernity to the old shape. This product is classic, it’s not fashion. What is your style? PN: I don’t know. I like to take time to think and design good products. My designs are “clean”, I don’t like decoration. I try to have a good balance between emotion, industry and atemporel (French for timeless), things you can keep for a long time. I work with different brands and my job is to understand the brand. Every project I do I try to introduce my vision, but with the brand in mind. As a designer, it is very important for me to understand, when I start to design a product, who it is for. And to understand the DNA of the brand.
1 Spanish designer Jaime Hayon
was inspired by a romantic garden
for his Gardenias seating range for
BD Barcelona. 2 The beech-framed armchairs of the Mafalda collection by Patricia
Urquiola for Moroso have seats
and backs made from recycled
polyester fibre.
3 The Ro armchair by Jaime Hayon
for Fritz Hansen sports organic curves that invite the user to
approach and sink in.
that runs around the chair’s profile.
4

We’ll never look at plastic furniture the same way again. Fabulous creations were “crafted” from this synthetic material, making design more affordable for everyone. Inspired by the historic and beautiful Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping gallery in Milan, Kartell presented their new collection in La Galleria, “The luxury experience issue”. Designs were featured in “boutique” windows, and these included the Shine vases by Eugeni Quitllet, which we overheard one visitor comparing to Baccarat crystal, Christophe Pillet’s Shibuya containers and the Kartell by Laufen bathroom collection by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba. Their All Saints mirror and Rifly lamp, in particular, channel an Art Deco elegance for the bathroom. Updating Jean Prouve’s Standard chair by Vitra with a seat and backrest made of robust plastic, the Standard SP (Siege en Plastique) has also been given a new colour palette by Dutch designer Hella Jongerius. Prouve’s EM table will also be relaunched with an HPL (high-pressure laminate) table top.
1 Conceptualised as a luxurious shopping
boulevard by Ferruccio Laviani, the
Kartell showcase at the fair featured new
products in “shop windows”. 2 The I Shine, U Shine, He Shine and She
hin collection of exquisite transparent
vessels by Eugeni Quitllet for Kartell has
Art Deco influences.
Shibuya vessels by Christophe Pillet for
Kartell allow them to be turned into bowls as well.
4 The Standard chair by Jean Prouve and
m de by Vitra now also comes as the
Standard SP in new colour combinations
such as yellow and black.
5 Kartell’s collaboration with sanitaryware
brand Laufen includes the All Saints mirror in gold (pictured), silver, amber,
orange and clear versions.
2
5
1
It was not all business as usual at the fair – some designs stood out from the usual furniture typologies with their wit and irreverence. Known for their design art in museums around the world, Gufram presented the Jolly Roger armchair, a polyethylene armchair moulded like a skull (a homage to fearless pirates), by provocative designer Fabio Novembre. Casamania introduced a metal “deer”, Ruben, by Ilaria Marelli, a coat rack and coin tray while Swedish company Bla Station seems to have a penchant for the imperfect with their “crumpled” Dent chairs and upholstered Superkink sofa and armchair made from “dented and kinked” metal tubing. We also saw a giant clothes peg in the form of the Molletta bench by Baldessari & Baldessari at Riva 1920.
3
chair for Gufram references the skull and crossbones
symbol of pirates. Available in black and white.
2 special technique is applied to create the
“crumpled” surface of the Dent chair by Bla Station.
3 The Molletta bench from Riva 1920 is made from
cedar wood.
4 Ruben from Casamania is a coat rack fashioned into
the shape of a deer.
5
the seat frames, Bla Station left them intact on their
Superkink seats.

L A V A E A S T B E S P O K E C O N T E M P O R A R Y N A T U R A L

Reissues of past designs are ubiquitous every year, and at this edition, Swiss company Vitra displayed the first fruits of their collaboration with new art director for colours and surfaces Hella Jongerius. The Dutch designer developed a colour library which “is used to emphasise or refresh the special character of both the classic and contemporary designs in the collection”. Part of these tweaks included the new versions of the Eames’ Hang-it-all in colour families of red, green and white.
Not everything at the fair was soft and sweet – Stefan Diez’s This dining chair, That lounge chair (not pictured), and Other stool for e15 were presented in neon pink by the brand’s art director Farah Ebrahimi in contrast with other versions in grey tones and natural wood.
PLAYINGWITHCOLOUR
LOUD&PROUD
Heightened textures still feature strongly in this year’s offerings, most notably with the Mangas Space collection by Patricia Urquiola for Gandia Blasco. Large pop-out weaves in coral, yellow and pink define the touchable range of seats, pouffes and rugs. The Spanish designer was also behind the Biknit chair and chaise longue for Moroso which features a stocking stitch design blown up to become both the seat’s structure as well as its surface. We love the new partnership between Artifort and Italian fashion house Missoni, brokered by Dutch designer Jacco Bregonje. Wearing a knitted “sweater” with Missoni’s signature zig-zag weaves like a second skin, the seamless cover is a three-dimensional one-piece knit.
Artifort and Missoni Home joined
forces to create the Patch Knit One
and Patch Knit Two chairs, which
sport a snug “sweater” of Missoni’s signature knits.
2 versized weaves are a signature of
designer Patricia Urquiola, as seen on
her Biknit chair for Moroso.
3 Patricia expanded on herMangas
range for Gandia Blasco with more
rug designs plus modular seating.
1

Known for applying innovative technologies to manufacturing, Magis introduces their first-ever upholstered seating collection by longtime collaborator Konstantin Grcic. The Traffic range, which includes an armchair, sofa and chaise longue, has an urban edge thanks to the wire frames that enclose the cushioned surfaces. The contrasting colours of the soft and hard surfaces make the pieces fun, too.
Relating to the theme of retreating into one’s own personal space, Philippe Starck revolutionised living room furniture with the My World lounge system for Cassina. Most sofas offer modularity, but the My World sofa system lets you mix in screens (in two heights), side tables and box cupboards to create a truly customised solution. In addition, the built- in Duracell Powermat wireless charging solution, electrical recharging station and USB charger are within easy reach; all discreetly concealed within the box-cupboard. Above all, the seats promise comfort with feather padding.
WATCHFORTRAFFIC
KEEPINTOUCH
KONSTANTIN GRCIC
You actually trained in cabinet-making. Why did you choose to study that?
KG: This was after leaving school. I was 19 and I didn’t really know what to do. I knew I liked making things and I wanted to train towards that. The craft has made me discover the beauty of furniture and in a way, has led me to become a furniture designer.
You work very rarely with wood now. Why is that? KG: That’s true, but that’s not necessarily my choice. I have the opportunity of using many materials which I find fascinating. It is also quite difficult to find good companies working with wood. I also work with Mattiazzi, a company which specialises in wood and it is great working with them because they know exactly how to work with wood in the right way.
What did you learn from that training that you apply now?
KG: Through cabinet-making I really understood what work means. Work in a positive sense – not what you have to do, but what you want to do, because it makes you achieve something. I’ve learnt a lot about planning and organising; It has taught me to be precise in the details and precise in my own ideas, what I want.
You also designed the Magis booth this year. What’s the concept?
KG: The Milan fair is like a circus, we all come together and do our tricks. I wanted to create a central platform to showcase what is new. The racks on both sides display pieces that are not new but important as references. Each design has its own space while the Me Too collection is on the wall. There is also a crowd cheering in the background. The performers are the furniture.
How did Traffic come about? Konstantin Grcic: Alberto Perazza, who heads Magis, likes metal wire as a material. It’s basic, industrial and versatile. Magis has been working with designers to produce furniture made of wire, for example, the Pina chair. It has been kind of a theme. Alberto asked me if I was interested to work with the material. As a structure, wire feels cold against your skin, so I thought to do cushioned seats. Magis does not have an upholstery collection yet and this was new for the company. Naming it Traffic was Alberto’s idea. It feels modern, urban, metropolitan. I like the name.
6 6
HANDMADE POTTERY PIECES ARE MAKING
THEIR WAY INTO HOMES TODAY AS
FUNCTIONAL EVERYDAY PIECES.
by MADE HAND
Handcrafted ceramics like these pieces from Pot Potter Pottest are unique, stylish and practical, too.
6 8

If your friends came to tea and admired the stylish teacups their brew was served in, imagine being able to say you made them yourself, or that they are truly one-of-a-kind pieces. Part of the burgeoning handmade crafts movement, ceramic art is popping up at flea markets and pottery classes are sprouting in schools, community clubs and studios.
According to Michelle Lim, ceramic artist and co-producer of the Awaken the Dragon ceramics festival, people are starting to appreciate handmade products. “It’s not necessarily something you want to make yourself but you can appreciate someone else making it – the time and effort, level of skill and the whole process it involves,” she says.
The beauty of handmade ceramics is that unlike commercial pieces, each one is unique. Because of the unpredictable nature of how clay forms, how glaze melts and how kilns fire, no two pieces produced are ever alike. Want to get started either making or sussing out the sources for these functional works of art? Consider this your guide.
One way to find out what’s available is to attend pottery shows. Look out for different types of vessels, forms, textures and glazes from various artists. The good thing about ceramic art is that many pieces are priced at “entry level” so as a new buyer, you can slowly work your way up.
Flea markets, potters’ bazaars and galleries are great places to spot fabulous finds and learn about the work from the potters themselves. Loy Yan Ling – one of the ceramists behind I Spot a
Potter – creates affordable ceramic pieces that are sold at flea markets such as Public Garden, Handmade Movement and Chillax. Priced from $20 to $120, her pieces are popular with new collectors. According to Yan Ling, her customers usually also want to know how and where a piece was made.
For those who prefer more petite pieces,
WHERE TO BUY check out Mayke Me’s quirky hedgehogs, owls and yetis that also double up as planters, pots and cups. Potter Loo Jia Mayne painstakingly chisels and pinches the clay surface to create unique feather-like textures on her creations. With prices ranging from $10 to $75, her pieces can be bought at her Etsy store.
Another place to suss out wallet-friendly pieces is the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts
(NAFA). At its annual graduation show held on campus, you can buy ceramic sculptures at a fraction of art gallery prices. Some of the smaller pieces are on permanent display at its Cubic Concept corner, where a hand-sculpted teapot can go for as little as $30.
Over at Jalan Bahar Clay Studios – home to one of two remaining dragon kilns in Singapore – an airy gallery displays works by ceramic artists such as Iskandar Jalil, Sunsook
This handbuilt owl from Mayke Me can be used as a planter or even a teacup. right Serve starters and get the conversation started with this stoneware platter by Suan Ong.
P H O T O
M a y
S u a n

Roh, Suriani Suratman and Suan Ong. Nestled in rustic surroundings, the gallery is an informal place for visitors to chat with the affable creatives about their work. Prices start from $20 for a cup or bowl and can go up to $3,000 for large sculptures.
If you prefer a more contemporary spin on ceramics, take a look at ceramic artist Jessie
Lim’s work. Jessie makes distinctive urchin- like orbs and stalagmite-looking spires that resemble an odd coral seascape. While her large-scale work is installed at locations such as Marina Barrage, some of her smaller pieces are being increasingly spotted in homes. Those who buy her work are serious collectors as well as first-timers “who love the shapes, colours or forms”. With prices ranging from $50 for a bowl to a few thousand dollars for a large sculpture, she makes collecting ceramic art accessible to beginners. Jessie also runs a studio teaching pottery to those keen to make their own.
Interestingly, handcrafted ceramics are no longer purely decorative art. These pieces are showing up on the dining table, too – handmade tableware is used to serve meals in style. That is exactly what homegrown pottery collective Pot Potter Pottest hopes to promote. At culinary events at its gallery, guests partake of gourmet food and wine served out of cups, bowls and plates made by the potters. “Eating out of handmade crockery makes the dining experience more interesting. And because every piece is unique, they also serve as great conversation pieces,” says co-founder Mark Lee. Most of the handmade tableware is food-, microwave- and dishwasher-safe (although you may wish to check with the potter just to be sure).
below Besides her signature orbs and spires, ceramic artist Jessie Lim also makes functional pieces with a twist, like this wavy bowl and platter.
Pick from a wide range of handmade pieces at Goodman Ceramics Studios’ Potters Bazaar. below Another great place to find affordable ceramics is at flea markets.
P H O T O
I S p o t
A P o t t e r
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THESE TERMS WILL HELP YOU UN- DERSTAND THE POTTERY PROCESS.
Handbuilding Constructing pots from pre-made parts. The components might be moulded, coiled or even fashioned by hand.
Wheel throwing To make a pot on a potters’ wheel. The wheel revolves and maintains a fairly constant speed. The clay is thrown onto the centre of the wheel and the potter shapes it by hand to the desired form.
Bisque (or biscuit) Pots that have been given a pre- liminary firing to render them hard enough for further work such as decoration and glazing.
Glaze A vitreous substance used to decorate pottery and render it impermeable to moisture.
Kiln The oven in which pots are fired. Kilns can be fired by wood, coal, oil, gas or even electricity.
Reduction Firing in a reducing atmosphere deprives the kiln of oxygen and raises the carbon level. The result is a smoky atmosphere that causes metallic content in the glaze and clay to change colour.
Source: www.studiopottery.com
DIRECTORY Ceramic House www.ceramichousesg.com | Community Clubs (various) www.pa.gov.sg | Goodman Ceramic Studio 90 Goodman Road, www.goodmanceramicstudio.com | I Spot a Potter tel: 96970728, www.ispotapotter.com | Jalan Bahar Clay Studios 97L Lorong Tawas (off Jalan Bahar), tel: 6777-1812, www.jbcs.com.sg | Jessie Lim Ceramics [email protected], www.jessielim.com | Mayke Me www.etsy.com/ shop/Maykeme | Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts www.nafa.edu.sg | Pot Potter Pottest #01-01, 16 Mohamed Sultan Road, tel: 6440-4886, www.potpotterpottest.com | Sam Mui Kuang Pottery 22 Jalan Kelulut (off Yio Chu Kang Road), tel: 6482-2424, www.smkpottery.com | Thow Kwang Dragon Kiln 85 Lorong Tawas, tel: 6268-6121, www.facebook.com/groups/dragonkiln.
If you aspire to make your own ceramic pieces sign up for classes or
workshops conducted by master potters and ceramic artists. You will also gain a better appreciation of the process.
At Goodman Ceramics Studio, a wide range of pottery courses is available for adults and children. Make simple things such as mugs and plates, pick up handbuilding techniques or learn throwing at the potter’s wheel. Course fees vary from $35 to $550. Run by ceramic muralist Hazel Wong, the place also lets out studio space to artists. There is a certain bohemian vibe here, where artists and beginners mingle while mastering pottery techniques. “Some people come here feeling very stressed, but once they sit at the wheel, they start to calm down. It’s a form of therapy,” says Hazel. Look out too for the Potters Bazaar held here during school holidays where people can buy works and watch artists at the wheel.
You can also learn from master potters like Lim Kim Hui of Ceramic
House. Lim, who has been honing his art for over 30 years, has this piece of advice: “To be a good potter, you will need lots of patience and be prepared to make mistakes. What you make need not be perfect, but it has to have character.”
One of the more affordable ways to get started with ceramic-making is at Community Clubs. Those at Kampong Glam, Tampines Changkat, Tanjong Pagar, Toa Payoh West and Whampoa have well-established pottery clubs with course fees starting from $140.
Over at Sam Mui Kuang Pottery, a family of potters runs ceramic classes in addition to selling pottery equipment, clay, glazes and a full range of tools. Jalan Bahar Clay Studios conducts open house sessions on the first Saturday of every month and for $20, you can sculpt, glaze and fire your very own ceramic piece. At the recent ceramics festival held here, some 3,000 pieces of pottery made by people from all walks of life were fired in its dragon kiln. Next door at Thow Kwang Dragon Kiln, visitors can take part in regular wood-firing sessions, workshops and exhibitions. Resident artist Steven Low, who is known for his organic clay sculptures, also showcases his work and conducts classes here.
Handmade pottery is affordable art that is meaningful, too. Best of all, it’s easy to start a collection be it for your shelf or dining table – one that is truly unique to your home.
WHERE TO MAKE GOING TO POT
Learn to make your own unique pieces at the pottery classes that are conducted by Goodman Ceramic Studios.
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Petite in size, generous in features. The OSIM uAngel
is an exclusively designed armchair that transforms
into a powerful massage lounger with just one touch
of a button. The sleek metallic brushed upholstery
comes in five stylish colours, and will sit nicely in
any contemporary living room. It can easily replace
an armchair – or why not have two uAngels for a
truly pampering two-seater sofa? Enjoy a full-body
knead, from the intuitive shoulder and back massage
programmes to the Hyper-power foot massage – it’s the
perfect way to wind down in the comfort of your living
room after a hard day’s work.
OSIM SPECIAL
The OSIM uAngel is available at all OSIM outlets and roadshows. Find out more at www.OSIM.com
For over two decades, designer Selina Tay has
created beautiful and inspiring homes for clients. The
founder and principal designer of Collective Designs,
a Singapore-based boutique interior design company,
makes no compromises when it comes to aesthetics.
So when it came to looking for a massage chair,
Selina wanted something that was functional and
looked good, too. She found her match in the uAngel,
OSIM’s latest “sofa tranzformer”. This unique invention
has all the features of a full-sized massage chair, yet it
niftily transforms into a stylish little armchair. “I love
that it’s so compact,” enthuses Selina. “I was worried
at first that it would be bulky. But the uAngel fits nicely
in my living room, and isn’t an eyesore like most other
massage chairs.
Selina, “and I wish there was someone to massage the
ache.” Well, with the uAngel, Selina is pleased to report
that her aches and pains have found soothing relief.
“It’s quite accurate at detecting all the right spots,” she
says of the Neck and Shoulders massage programme.
“What a relief to be able to have a massage whenever
I want, after a long, stressful day at work!”
The OSIM uAngel combines good looks and an invigorating massage in a compact package – making it the perfect companion for interior designer Selina Tay.
PERFECTLY PETITE
It fits nicely in my living room, and isn’t
a bulky eyesore!”
beauty EYE ONEYE ON
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The lush cream and tan colours are accented with vivid turquoise armchairs and large black-and-white war photographs by Patrick Robert.
WHO LIVES HERE INTERIOR DESIGNER STEPHANIE COUTAS, HER HUSBAND AND
TWO CHILDREN HOME FOUR-STOREY TOWNHOUSE IN PARIS SIZE 4,300SQFthefacts

A tour around interior designer and decorator Stephanie Coutas’ home in
Paris will take a while. Not only because it
spans an enviable four storeys, but also because
the eye will linger on the multitude of rich and luscious details in every space.
“I like materials to be astonishing and
luxurious,” says the Paris-based designer in
her 40s, who runs interior design firm 1001 Maisons. “I’m always designing exotic new
textures and prints from marble, leather, metal,
mother-of-pearl and other materials. Real luxury
isn’t overwhelming, but lies in the details and unexpected combinations.”
MAKING AN IMPACT
the entrance area, which is dominated by a Big
Tree painting by Jean-Pierre Pincemin. “I knew I was going to place the painting here,” says
Stephanie who, inspired by its floral imagery, designed the wall-mounted metallic side tables
with bronze branch-like bases to match. The
verdant effect is completed with a breathtaking
glass and mosaic floor “rug” of elegant flowers, and a leaf-style Lalique chandelier overhead.
“I like to create a sense of surprise and
amazement,” Stephanie says, “so while a home
should always be comfortable and cosy, it should also be spectacular and sophisticated.” The
spacious living room shows this to good effect,
with a pair of luxe velvet and metal-backed sofas
sandwiching a back-lit Murano glass coffee table, both customised by Stephanie. As in the rest
of the home, eclectic art pieces dot the space,
adding a personalised creative vibe.
SHADES OF GREY
As the townhouse was originally built in a typical 19th-century style with at least six to
The customised wall- mounted side console sits below the Subway Drawing art piece by Keith Haring. left Eye- catching display items give the home a unique, personal touch.
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The brushed metal and nickel silver door designed by Stephanie is set off perfectly by a floral “rug” of glass and mirror mosaic framed in black.
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renovated the home to “open up” the space
on each floor, redesigning them to incorporate
fewer but larger spaces. The first floor now boasts a generous master
bedroom, his and her bathrooms, and an office.
The master bedroom, with its chrome-framed
leather and fabric headboard, slate grey sofa, mother-of-pearl coffee table and silk carpet,
carries the sleek platinum tone that forms the
colour core of the house. Incorporated into
unlikely materials such as velvet, chrome and leather, it is blended with other cool shades to
form “a perfect mix of whites, greys and bronzes,
which I like so much,” Stephanie enthuses.
FAMILY MATTERS
“The family knows that I am the designer in the house,” quips Stephanie, “but I listened to all of
them when planning the design, and worked with
their ideas.” Each family member was thus given
their own personality stamp, from the specially
A MEDLEY OF PLATINUM TONES AND
A PALPABLE SENSE OF GLAMOUR.
GLOSSY HUES GIVES THE HOME

designed and water-treated exotic wood flooring in her husband’s bathroom shower area (“he
loves boats,” says Stephanie, explaining the
wood and water theme), to the trendy furnishings
in her 18-year-old daughter Valentine’s room, and the lively Mario Brothers decals decorating
the walls of 10-year-old Arthur’s space.
GOING UNDERGROUND
In this home, the basement is hardly a neglected space. In fact, this lowest level probably speaks
most clearly of Stephanie’s exquisite taste with
its sparkling Swarovski-encrusted spotlights set
in the floor, marble flooring and luxurious spaces including a gym, steam room, home cinema,
guest room, pool area and massage room.
In the state-of-the-art home cinema,
Stephanie specially designed textured walls and
star-effect lighting for the ceiling to accentuate this room’s acoustic and aesthetic aspects. “I pay
extreme attention to textures and details,” she
comments, “and I like to play with lighting effects
so that the atmosphere at night can be changed on demand.”
While the home is replete with the latest
technological gadgets and systems, Stephanie
feels strongly that these should never take centre stage. “The challenge was to hide all these
elements of technology behind the ceilings or
walls,” she says. “In the end, all that the eye must
see is art!”
Carefully designed ceiling and wall features add to the home cinema’s acoustic effects.
The pool area gets a touch of opulence with an imposing crystal chandelier. right A red crocodile sculpture adds a hint of quirkiness to the daughter’s bedroom.
where to go 1001 MAISONS, WWW.STEPHANIECOUTAS.COM.
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FLOWER POWER Abstract floral imagery evoke a sense of elegance.
ACHIEVE HOMEY LUXURY WITH RICH
TEXTURES AND MATERIALS.
Sakka rug, $1,845.95, from Boconcept.
Escada armchair, price unavailable, from Abitex.
Hallaryd picture, $199, from Ikea.
Encircle dining table by Barbara Barry, price unavailable, from Proof Living.
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Damasco Oro Bianco mosaic by Carlo Dal Bianc, price unavailable, from GF+A Global.
W LL RT
Turn a feature wall into an art piece with metallic tiles.
Chess piece bookends, $280 per pair, from Asiatique.
– paris
Oval X-Back chair, price unavailable, by Barbara Barry for Baker, from Proof Living.
Container with coral topper, $322.43, from AF Home. Container with shell topper, $208, from Lifestorey.
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IDEA
A starter pack with one patterned paint roller and one applicator is $50; each additional interchangeable patterned roller costs $25. Buy from www. decorettestore.com.
Create a feature wall with just paint – and we’re not talking about the usual striped or sponged effects, either. Create intricate designs on any plain wall with a

Home & Decor Singapore - June 2013

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