A House Tour of Serene Tan and Benjamin Kim’s Stylish Abode in Singapore’s Sentosa Cove

Peek inside the Sentosa Cove abode of Benjamin Kim and Serene Tan, who relish living closer to nature in this exclusive neighbourhood in Singapore

For Benjamin Kim and his wife Serene Tan, it was the view that instantly won them over. The verdant sight of the golf green and the peaceful creek that runs along it creates an atmosphere of utmost tranquility for the couple’s new Singapore abode in Sentosa Cove.

The couple have even fully embraced their serendipitous encounters with wildlife—they welcome the frequent sightings of peacocks, otters, squirrels and other critters that occasionally wander into their property in the exclusive island enclave. “We’ve had a few families of peacocks living on our balcony,” notes Tan with some bemusement. “There’s been an interesting assortment of animals that would come and go as they please, especially through the garden,” quips Kim.

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Above Serene Tan and Benjamin Kim, pictured at the staircase of their home in Sentosa Cove

As the third renovation that the vivacious pair have taken on, they are well familiar with what it takes to craft a dream home. They previously lived in a modern house in central Singapore, and had moved to a three-storey house in Sentosa Cove, which faces the Sentosa Golf Club, about a year ago. The couple worked with The Interior Lab for their year-long home renovation of this property and shared photographs and co-selected materials with project’s lead designer Nic Chew to realise the home of their dreams.

They enlisted landscaping firm Midori Works to bring elements of the outdoors into their home, and local retailer Space Furniture to complement their selection of existing furnishings with new pieces that would stay true to their aesthetic and way of life. Shares Kim: “We wanted to make sure that the home revolved around our lifestyle. We spent quite a lot of time trying to envisage how we wanted our daily flow to be to a make it work for us.”

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Above A semi-concert grand piano adds an elegant touch to the entryway

Above The staircase is among the focal points of the house

Above The dining area leads out to a tranquil garden that faces the golf course

Above The home looks out to lush views of the golf green; a baby grand piano adds an elegant touch to the entryway

The goal was to create a comfortable, luxurious and contemporary space that also references the best of the hotel suite designs that the well-travelled couple admire. The house, which originally had Mediterranean influences, had its facade and interior modernised, while celebrating their diverse array of passions. He enjoys collecting watches, suits, and native American art; she loves reading and has a cherished shoe collection, and loves organising champagne sessions with her closest friends at home. Together, the couple are consummate hosts who have delighted in their coffee brewing experiments at home in the past year.

In terms of the overall material palette, the couple favour natural materials such as wood, marble, travertine, and other stone varieties. Kim also knew he wanted no walls left unadorned. “Painted walls can look a bit unfinished—we like to have the walls clad with some sort of material (stone), fluted panelling or wallpaper for texture,” he declares.

Clad in Portoro marble and tinted mirrored panels on the wooden steps, the sculptural staircase is the centrepiece of their home. A Bucida variegated tree sits beneath the skylight, emphasising the abode’s connection to the outdoors.

Above Furnished with the B&B Italia George and Charles sofas by Antonio Citterio, the curved living room is a handsome space that connects to the open-plan kitchen and dining area

Their open-plan living and dining room reflects their amicable entertaining style and the couple’s eye for detail. The ruby red B&B Italia George sofa by Antonio Citterio and matching ottoman—brought over from their previous abode—instantly makes their curved living area pop. These are paired with a pair of Charles sofas, also designed by Citterio, upholstered in an understated grey fabric.

Above Another view of the open-plan kitchen and dining area, where the Poliform Home Hotel table by Jean-Marie Massaud from Space Furniture provides a stylish spot for the couple’s frequent gatherings

Next to the stylish living area is a handsome ten-seater Poliform Home Hotel dining table that opens up to their cosy garden and outdoor terrace. The dining area faces a sleek Arclinea Convivium system clad in light wood and steel, which serves as their favourite breakfast spot—it comes with a built-in table and island that is where their recent coffee experiments come into play.

It was “love at first sight” when the couple saw the design in the Arclinea Singapore showroom. “It’s a clean look with modern industrial elements of stainless steel; we thought it’s the perfect fit for our home,” says Kim.

Above A cosy lounge within the master suite creates a space for rest and reading

Above The master bedroom looks out to verdant views of the golf course

Above Tan’s shoe collection is beautifully showcased in the backlit glass cabinets in the master suite

Above Kim’s remarkable suit collection is displayed here in the boutique-inspired wardrobe area in the master suite

Upstairs, the master suite is a space with spades of style, combining a tasteful blend of materials while providing a sense of restfulness. The lounge area faces her collection of shoes, showcased in a glass-front cabinet with backlit shelves. Here, one of Kim’s Native American wall tapestries is proudly displayed; it is among the cherished pieces that he collected during his time living abroad in Arizona.

It leads to an understated bed area and walk-in wardrobe, furnished with custom Poliform cabinetry with his-and-her zones to highlight his stylish suit collection and her considered array of cocktail dresses and gowns.

Above The glamorous master bathroom is clad in a luxurious mix of marble in contrasting hues, and features a sculptutral bathtub as its centrepiece

The master bathroom is the spot that Tan considers her ultimate retreat—it’s where she indulges in her “home spa” moments, listening to her favourite music while enjoying a leisurely soak in the bathtub. Kim on the other hand retreats to his “man cave” upstairs in the entertainment room during his downtime.

A year on, the couple have happily settled into their abode with their pet cat, embracing all these little quirks of island living. There’s no place like home for this couple. “I love the peacefulness here,” says Tan. Her husband concurs: “It’s quite peaceful and tranquil.”

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Credits

Art Direction

Charlene Lee

Photography

Wong Wei Liang

Hair

Lydia Thong / The Makeup Entourage

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