Hidden potential

The bay windows in a resale condo thwarted the plans of its new owners, until they met an interior designer who saw them as a silver lining.

Surely you would've already heard that Singapore has some of the fastest walkers on the planet. Life on the red dot rarely stops to catch its breath, so when Celine and Ruiwen - both lawyers by profession - landed their new home, they dreamt up a space where time could move more slowly.

"The primary objective was to slow down their pace of living, instil a sense of order, and create a welcoming ambience for family and friends," said Samatha, their interior designer from And Studio.

"We wanted to ensure that the space contributes to work-life balance and increases the overall quality of life for them." While the busy professionals were drawn to the condominium unit for its freehold status, proximity to amenities, and rectangular layout, what captivated Samantha was its high-floor location, offering breathtaking views and a sense of serenity.

"We were quite heartened the first time we saw the space as the unit was seated on the 18th floor of the condominium. It was almost as if the weight on your shoulders was lifted off as the elevator brought us up," she recalled.

The fact that it was a glorious vantage point at golden hour inspired Samantha, who made lighting a central component that mirrored the sunset.

"The project is designed to embrace the aesthetics of different times throughout the day, such as maximising the bay windows and creating arches," she added.

"Arches are a signifier of time - they have been around and in different contexts for a long time. Expressing arches in interiors is a joy because it tells of the time and era."

Calm and communion