Away From It All

With the right design approach, a downtown home can be transformed into a relaxing retreat in the heart of the city.

When homeowner Tony Tan first met Tommy Lai from TLDesigns, he gave a very clear brief: a modern interior that’s luxurious yet understated, with a hint of “Asian-ness” to reflect his Peranakan roots. As an avid art collector, the banker asked for as many blank walls as possible so he could hang up his art pieces, with a well-planned lighting scheme designed to showcase them.

“Although the unit was well-maintained, I wanted some massive changes – to create an open-concept kitchen and an open-concept study that is versatile enough to serve as a guest room,” Tony adds.

To achieve the client’s requirements, Tommy reconfigured some of the spaces within the unit, starting with the existing study adjacent to the main entrance, which has been converted into a wet kitchen and yard. “The demolition of the original kitchen walls to create an open area for lounging also allows more light into the living room,” Tommy points out.