The study was also demolished and subsumed into the common areas to better suit the family’s lifestyle. “To compensate, a work desk is placed in each bedroom, facing windows overlooking the greenery outside,” Long highlights. This manoeuvre also allowed for a larger kitchen, which Long segmented into a wet and dry zone where “the residents prepare their coffee and breakfast in the morning. The counter seating also serves as a breakfast nook,” he shares.

The neutral material palette contributes to the composed interior. The common areas are finished with amber-hued marble tiles, matched with warm-toned, fabric textured wall panels in the living room framed in brushed oak wood. The same brushed oak wood reappears in a wall panelling and rafters in the dining area, giving the space a sense of cohesion and rhythm.

In the bedrooms, earthy tones and rich textures were chosen “to create a calm and intimate refuge,” says Long. “Honed sandstone tiles cover the floor, while fixtures and feature walls are clad in brushed oak. Accent chairs and wardrobes are finished in black metal and rust leather, intended to stand out in the rooms otherwise filled with muted tones,” he adds.

In contrast, the ensuite bathrooms are clad in cool grey stone and vanities clad with dark grey quartz embellished with criss-crossing gold veins; a sleek composition balanced by warm ambient lighting and timber wardrobes.  

The abundance of wooden textures continues to the furniture, featuring an eclectic mix of modern contemporary furniture and mid-century modern pieces. The dining table itself is a grand piece with a sculptural base. “Made using a thick natural teak wood over two wooden stumps, it is designed to reflect the owner’s affinity for wood,” shares Long.

Surrounding it are restored 1960s Kai Kristiansen Model 42 dining chairs, with frames crafted from rare Brazilian Rosewood. Upholstered in premium aniline leather, the chairs both have a pared-back quality and luxurious touch. 

Taking advantage of the split levels between the dining and living, Long cast an L-shaped concrete slab in between that functions as a console below the television and seating at the perpendicular side. It is raised at the dining room side to become a row of cabinetry, finished in timber to harmonise with the rest of the space.

“While this difference in floor levels is slight, it allows for the demarcation of spaces within the open common area without disrupting the flow of movement from one part to the other,” Long explains. The concrete seat’s rectilinear form is countered with a pair of mid-century classics—the Knitting Chairs designed by Ib Kofod-Larsen that was first launched as limited editions in 1951 and is now reissued by Danish furniture brand Menu. 

Behind the dining table, Long created a built-in black metal shelf with concealed lighting. The aim was to create “a simple yet stark background against which the owner’s collection of antiques will stand out,” says Long. This tableaux of antique Chinese porcelain plates and vases in white and blue behind the dining table is yet another aspect of luxury according to Long, where “residents should be able to add their own personal touches to make the house their home”.

NOW READ

Home tour: A minimalist house in Singapore inspired by the rugged beauty of metal and stone

Home tour: How Farm designed a concrete house in Singapore in the style of a doll’s house

Home tour: How Stephanie Er designed a cosy Singapore apartment inspired by houses in Los Angeles