COMMON THREAD

Filling his home with textiles and textures, Hong Yu Ran has fashioned a cohesive look that artfully weaves together the old and the new, as well as inspirations from all over the world.

- Renée Batchelor

In an age where the complete gutting of apartments seems to be a norm among new homeowners, it is rare to find a home that pays homage to the distinctive design features of the original property in a way that is charming yet tasteful. For Hong Yu Ran, a brand manager for a European fashion brand, part of the allure of his Bain Street apartment was that the previous owner-the first and only occupant of the flat-had preserved it so well.

For instance, the flooring with the original terrazzo tiles-a common sight in Singapore homes 40 or 50 years ago-were retained. Hong also kept part of the original tiling that covered one wall in the living room, but chose to cover half in cement so that the floral pattern would not be too overpowering. It is this fine balance of experimentation and restraint that characterises his approach to designing the home.

Hong, who shares this apartment with his partner, first laid eyes on the blocks peeking out of Bras Basah Complex when the couple were hanging out at The Great Escape rooftop bar at Shaw Towers. When they realised that they were residential blocks-they spotted clothes hanging outside the windows-they began searching the property listings the next day. Luck was on their side; not only did they find a top floor unit which was airy and awash with natural light, it was also in immaculate condition, with much of its original finishings intact.