Palette of Dreams

A Singapore penthouse apartment receives a vibrant makeover that takes a cue from the family's vivacious personalities and love of entertaining

- Hong Xinying

"0ne can speak poetry just by arranging colours well, just as one can say comforting things in music," wrote Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh, in one of his many letters to his sister. This sentiment is certainly embraced by this colourful penthouse in Singapore. Situated in The Grange condominium in the River Valley district, the rich and lively palette of this 4,500 sq ft apartment also embodies its owners' spirited way of life.

The three-storey property is home to a family of four who enjoy hosting friends and relatives in their abode; the couple are known to frequently cook up a storm for their guests. When the owners chanced upon the work of Summerhaus D'zign in an issue of Tatler Homes Singapore, they were charmed enough by its impressive portfolio to promptly enlist the firm to give their abode a makeover.

Design director Larry Lim, who founded the studio with his wife Jess Koh, takes great pride in creating memorable homes tailored to each client's way of life. For this project, the design team visited the family in their previous property to observe their daily habits and lifestyle. These minute yet thoughtful details informed the new home's overall spatial planning. At the same time, the team was able to identify the most intuitive spots to keep daily items within easy reach, while selecting the focal areas to highlight the family's most cherished objects and artworks.

Next, the design team aimed to enhance the sense of loftiness in the home. "When we first went to the site, we were awed by the full-length windows across level one, which not only brought in a lot of light but also a panoramic view that was mostly unblocked. It was quite clear that we wanted to keep the airy, open and bright feel of the space," shares Lim, the lead designer on this project.