New Home, New Chapter

For many newly-weds, happily-ever-after begins with a home where they can build a life and family together. LYNN TAN checks out this self-designed flat that reflects not just the couple’s tastes and aesthetic preferences, but also their philosophies in life.

- Lynn Tan

Newlyweds Daryl Yang and Candise Tee envisioned their matrimonial home to be one that is calming and restful, a tranquil sanctuary to call their own. It also has to be spacious and flexible as the sociable couple often hosts friends and relatives. The couple designed the interior themselves, with some advice from Candise’s brother who is an architect.

To achieve the aesthetics that they wanted, Daryl, who works in the building maintenance sector, and Candise, who is a freelance make-up artist, went for a natural palette comprising off-white colours and wood tones accompanied by clean lines and restrained geometries. Off-white, cream and ivory colours make the interior feel more cosy and intimate, while avoiding too stark a contrast between pure white colours and darker wood tones.

The decision also arose from a contextual factor- the dark blue glass facade of the residential block directly opposite theirs reflects a significant amount of blue light into the couple’s apartment. The choice of a warm colour scheme, along with densely woven blinds and appropriate lighting with a warmer colour temperature help mitigate the undesirable effects.

With some input from Candise’s brother, the original Muji-style concept involving mainly whites and light oak evolved into a more refreshing combination of a creamy beige juxtaposed against a multitude of wood tones. The layering of dark walnut laminates, light oak flooring, ceiling fans with a beech finish and walnut furniture enriches the scheme while also making it more flexible when mixing and matching pieces in the future.