Material World

A rich contrast of textures brings cosiness and warmth to a stylish couple’s elegant, monochromatic abode

- Chelsia Tan

An exquisite mosaic mural is one of the unexpected highlights of this apartment in central Singapore. While the owners—a fashionable couple who divide their time between Hong Kong, Singapore and the US—did not emphasise a preference for any specific interior design style, they knew they wanted a mural wall in their home.

The owners’ request for mosaic art certainly stood out to Terrence Quah, co-founder of Architology Interiors, when he was tasked to transform the apartment into an elegant sanctuary for two. Mosaic feature walls are commonly found in opulent Italian villas rather than urban apartments, and his goal was to incorporate this detail into a contemporary interior suited to the couple’s lifestyle.

The request for a floral mosaic mural was also reflective of their unconventional fashion sense. “The starting point for the home’s design was our well-dressed clients,” says Quah. “Fashion is quite a big focus for the couple; I see them in different stylish outfits every time we meet! They are among my most fashionable clients, who are able to pull off an unconventional juxtaposition of styles, patterns and colours effortlessly.”

This observation inspired the use of contrasting elements throughout the apartment to create an interesting, layered interior—essentially a home that’s a stylish complement to the couple’s eclectic wardrobe.

SARTORIAL INFLUENCES