At Maddy Barber’s home in Serangoon Gardens, you can enjoy ample daylight and see soothing greenery from any room in the house. That’s quite a feat, considering the 2,750 sq ft inter-terrace landed property is sandwiched between solid party walls. Bought by her parents in 2006 and refurbished by her brother—award-winning multidisciplinary designer Gabriel Tan—in 2021, the house is a charming mix of old and new that makes the most of our tropical climate.
“Our tastes are quite different,” says the jewellery brand owner and beloved former Kiss92 DJ. “His is more minimalist, influenced by Japanese and Scandinavian designs, and mine is more maximalist. I like the decorative and rustic elements you see in the sunny Mediterranean countries.” But the siblings could agree on one thing—updating the interior to suit their evolving lifestyles while honouring the original architectural shell that had witnessed some of the family’s happiest years.
Tan had done some intervention to the existing home when his parents had bought the house. Realising that the living room’s false ceiling had hidden a pitched roof, he had asked his parents to expose the original structure. This resulted in an airy space with a timber structure and exposed brick wall, two features that Barber decided to keep during the most recent refurbishment.
As its side elevations are closed off, the house relies on its inner courtyard to allow natural light and airflow in. Previously a forgotten dumping ground for random furniture and appliances, the courtyard is now a cheerful spot dressed with greenery and decorative tile—a worthy place to which all openings in the bedroom—bar her younger daughter Alicia’s—and bathrooms are oriented to.
Denne historien er fra December 2023-utgaven av Harper's BAZAAR Singapore.
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Denne historien er fra December 2023-utgaven av Harper's BAZAAR Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
The Great Unknown
It's a fresh chapter for Thai actress Nuttanicha "Nychaa" Dungwattanawanich as she strikes out on her own.
FINDING XANADU
Adventure, magic and freedom await in the land of the blue sky, Mongolia.
TALKING POINTS
From the worlds of Art, Culture, Travel and Design.
TIMELESS LUXURY
In Hosanna Swee and Tom Chng's stunning apartment, an eye for detail and love for horological collectibles reveals an elegant and minimalist escape.
PRIM FOR PRIMETIME
Chanikarn \"Prim\" Tangkabodee reminisces on her journey from a child actor to a superstar in-the-making.
INSPIRATION
The suave music artiste is no stranger to the world of fashion. In fact, he describes fashion as the forefront of his and his family's personal expression, as well as a form of manners.
WELL, SUITED?
As attitudes towards dress codes shift, is the suit about to exit our closets?
DARK HORSE
In his next role and what is easily his most challenging character to date―actor Brian Ng wants one thing from you: your hatred.
THE POWER OF PERETTI
In a hidden village of Sant Marti Vell in Spain, where Elsa Peretti lived, loved and created enduring symbols of design and beauty for Tiffany & Co., Kenneth Goh traces and marvels at her 50 years of legacy.
REDEFINING ROYALTY
Chaumet's Charles Leung talks to BAZAAR about the beauty and the resilience of the 244-year-old French jewellery brand in a new era.