Enhance Your Home Decor With A Sense Of Playfulness
SquareRooms|August 2019

Thanks to a considered pairing of crisp whites with bold, refined colours, this family home boasts a minimalist aesthetic that is enhanced with a sense of playfulness

Germaine Cheah
Enhance Your Home Decor With A Sense Of Playfulness

Home to a pair of married creatives and their 10-year-old daughter, this five-room point block HDB apartment nestled between the Bukit Ho Swee and Tiong Bahru estates was destined to be unique right from the get-go of the overhaul. As designer-in-charge Clarence Lee of The Merry Men Interiors recalls, “With a deep appreciation for art and graphics, our clients sought a home that would be a colorful and playful backdrop to their creative work.”

Employing a theme that Clarence best describes as “a variation on soft minimalism with Muuto influences”, the new home now boasts a sophisticated yet playful interior that juxtaposes tailored furnishings and a carefully curated material palette set against a soft industrial backdrop.

For the living room, although quite unconventional, the owners requested not to have any downlights installed on the ceiling. Instead, they preferred the shadowy yet romantic ambiance that floor and table lamps bring to the evenings. This led Clarence to envision the idea of using polycarbonate sheets to create a partition wall for the television area, which also serves as a cozy lightbox at night. And seeing as both the entrance to the bomb shelter and a stretch of built-in cabinets are hidden behind it, the sliding screen also helps to soften the sharp edges of the fixtures while adding both textural layers and depth to space.

Denne historien er fra August 2019-utgaven av SquareRooms.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra August 2019-utgaven av SquareRooms.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA SQUAREROOMSSe alt
Transform your laundry routine
SquareRooms

Transform your laundry routine

Designed for the demands of modern urban living, Samsung’s Bespoke AI Laundry Combo redefines convenience by combining washing and drying in a single, space-saving unit.

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
Personal moments and timeless design
SquareRooms

Personal moments and timeless design

In a cosy flat filled with curated art and travel mementos, Amirul and Clarice's home tells a story of love, inspiration, and evolving tastes. From mid-century elements to modular classics, the couple shares how they shaped a space that reflects their journeys-and how it's still growing with them.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
Old meets bold
SquareRooms

Old meets bold

Tim and Nicole were so enamoured with their Tiong Bahru rental that they bought it, preserving its midcentury charm while personalising the pre-war unit.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
Branching out
SquareRooms

Branching out

With a tree at its centre and a mix of global influences across the ages, this home feels more like a living art gallery than a typical apartment.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
Minimalist marvel
SquareRooms

Minimalist marvel

Thoughtfully designed by Ray Seah and Kate Sitchon, the space combines sleek aesthetics with practical solutions, offering the perfect balance of style and comfort.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
Petite Paris
SquareRooms

Petite Paris

Channelling Parisian charm with a touch of Peranakan flair, this 4-room HDB flat looks like it belongs on the set of Emily in Paris.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
Across the ages
SquareRooms

Across the ages

In this one-of-a-kind home, the tastes of three generations— Baby Boomer, millennial, and Gen Z-converge.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
Living artfully
SquareRooms

Living artfully

Explore how Kave Home's Gala, Aiguablava, and Jondal collections bring together comfort, craftsmanship, and timeless style to transform any space into a haven of modern living.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
A new chapter
SquareRooms

A new chapter

Caesarstone adds 9 styles to its Porcelain Collection

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
The natural balance
SquareRooms

The natural balance

Inspired by the serene beauty of dewdrops, the Antao Collection by Villeroy & Boch transforms bathrooms into wellness sanctuaries, combining sustainability with timeless elegance.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024