Above: In the living room with wood as the primary theme, Ron was careful to use an assortment of wood grains to enhance the woodiness of the apartment.
Above: The smooth blend of wood colors and lighting effects create a sense of calmness in this living and dining area.
|
As far as first impressions go, you will be struck by the simplicity and modernity of this 5-bedroom apartment. Away from the bustling city life, the Masihs decided to bring a slice of resort sanctuary into suburban Bishan. Contemporary and sensible, nothing is overly complicated.
It all started with a wooden display cabinet. With a vision to encapsulate the woodiness of the cabinet, the combination of subtlety and tranquillity of a resort and simplicity of modernity resulted. Interior designer Ron Leow of ID Emboss explained that the last thing the Masihs wanted was a stereotypical Indian abode with billowing Roman columns and psychedelic intricacies. “The couple came to me with a myriad of ideas,” Ron explains. “It is my job to help them in developing a concept that not only serves its functions but also takes into account the needs of the owners.”
It is no wonder that the balcony is what ties everything together. While your feet are greeted by the rustic pebbled flooring, the soft trickling of water from earthen pottery immediately soothes the soul. Greenery from the miniature landscaping enhances the serene ambience as you look over the metal railings which have been covered with wood.
With wood as the primary theme, Ron was careful to use an assortment of wood grains to enhance the woodiness of the apartment. Alternating between veneer and laminates, carpentry around the house is conscientiously attuned to the purity of modernity and rudimentary aura of the resort. Lighting is basic, comprising of spotlights and concealed light sources. With lights hidden within false ceiling and cabinetry, there is no clutter and unnecessary draping of lamp shades to complicate.
|
|
One of Ron’s first jobs was to enlarge living spaces. A wall was knocked down to incorporate the service balcony into today’s kitchen. Lined with stainless steel appliances, the sleek kitchen is separated from the dining area with glass panels to expand the space. Laminates on the kitchen cabinets involve little maintenance and are long-lasting while resistant olid surfaces are used for bench tops.
  
The custom-made veneer dining booth sits on a platform to add an extra dimension to an otherwise flat plane. In order to facilitate the openness of space, line curtains were used to separate the dining from the lounge areas instead of cumbersome dividers. Cleverly tucked into a corner so as not to disrupt the flow of unfussiness, lights at the sides of the platform create an alluring passage way into the lounge room.
  
Where the resort theme continues into the master bedroom’s bathroom, you would be excused if you’d thought you had been teleported to an actual resort. In keeping to an understated sophistication, glass panels that divide the shower from the toilet add sleek touches to the bathroom’s earthly tones and minimalist fittings. Using a solid surface for the vanity counter, veneer cabinets conceal pipes to remove clutter.
For the Masihs, the home as a safe haven and refuge has been taken one step further. By bringing the calmness and soothe of the resort into the suburbia, a holiday is never too far away. Who would have thought that such a serene and clean home would be derived from the good ol’ display cabinet?
|
