Cover A view of the minimalist kitchen with a picture window. Interior photography: Khoo Guo Jie

Sujonohun creates an ode to the slow life with a soothing minimalist interior in Singapore house

Home should be a place of sanctuary and a space that provides comfort, safety, and feelings of peace in equal measure. Even as one desires a simple design scheme, there is much to be done to make this effortless mix work. 

When homegrown firm Sujonohun was tasked to give a detached house in Singapore a complete interior makeover, the design team was clear that they needed to achieve these qualities and more within the 12,000 sq ft house. The abode is home to a family of six: a couple, their children and the husband’s parents. And one of the key challenges of this project was the need to reconfigure the floor plan to provide more privacy for the family. 

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Above Molina Hun and Sujono Lim of Sujonohun

One of the notable changes is seen in the entryway, where an elongated foyer puts sufficient distance between the interior and the main road. A row of trees provides shade and adds a verdant layer to this area. This long passage also helps to create a sense of arrival, as the owners start to relax and wind down as they make their way back home.

The living and dining areas look out towards this tranquil scene, which is beautifully framed by a pair of picture windows on the open-plan ground floor.

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Above The open-plan living and dining room. Photography: Khoo Guo Jie

The sight of whitewashed wood and soft furnishings in understated neutral hues presents a calming tableau in the open-plan living and dining room. In this same space, the darker tones on the marble island, dining table, and coffee tables form a pleasing contrast to the lighter shades in the space.

Sheer curtains offer another tactile touch while softening the brunt of the strong sunlight during the day. Off-white steps lead to the second and third levels, which echo the material palette of the ground floor.

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Photo 1 of 4 The neutral palette and light tones add to the feeling of restfulness in the living room
Photo 2 of 4 The open kitchen is the perfect spot for the family
Photo 3 of 4 Another view of the kitchen, looking up towards the staircase
Photo 4 of 4 A view of the dining room

The junior master bedroom for the grandparents and the children’s bedroom are both located on the second storey; the couple’s master suite is situated on the third floor. Each bedroom comes with its own ensuite bathroom, and the respective bedrooms for the grandparents and the couple are designed in such a way that they would enter the room via a concealed sliding door in the wardrobe area. This provides additional privacy and creates a transitional space for the users to start to wind down and relax, as they begin to get ready for slumber.

In comparison to the lighter tones of the public areas on the ground floor, these private spaces take on darker tones, expressed in the material mix of tinted glass, dark woodgrain, polished marble, and grey laminate.

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Photo 1 of 4 The liberal use of light wood creates a cocooning effect in the master bedroom
Photo 2 of 4 The master wardrobe features an island counter to display cherished objects and accessories
Photo 3 of 4 Mirrored doors expand the sense of space in the wardrobe area
Photo 4 of 4 Another view of the master suite

The Covid-19 pandemic influenced the brief specifically for the attic, which is tailored to provide work-from-home comfort and entertainment facilities for the whole family. It features a director’s office for the couple, a study for the children, and an entertainment den where the owners can host their guests.

Most significantly, this area can be reconfigured in the future to become a self-contained apartment when the children grow older. Also in contrast to the lower levels, the attic is clad in dark wood and black finishes to create spaces conducive to work and recreation.

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Photo 1 of 4 The den in the attic can be reconfigured into a self-contained apartment, to be used by the children when they grow older and need more personal space
Photo 2 of 4 Another view of the dining area in the attic
Photo 3 of 4 The study in the attic is crafted to be adaptable to both work and recreation purposes
Photo 4 of 4 A workspace created for the couple in the attic

The overall effect is one that represents the best qualities of modern minimalism, much to the delight of the clients, who can now enjoy a home that is specially tailored to their lifestyle. The understated interior design combines tactile qualities in ways that promote feelings of wellness and calm, creating a sanctuary that can easy adapt to the evolving needs of the family.

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Photo 1 of 2 Circular accents on the wall bring a touch of fun to the powder room
Photo 2 of 2 The minimalist master bathroom

Credits

Photography  

Khoo Guo Jie

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