Houzz Tour: This Penthouse Redefines Minimal Luxury
The home highlights contrasting materials that celebrate vintage and modern design
“The design concept of this three-bedroom penthouse is minimalist, with a contrast of bold and warm details incorporated in the spaces,” says designer Syakirah Saleh of Distinct Identity. The owner is a busy executive who often travels for business so she looks forward to being able to relax when she’s home. “The design theme reflects the owner’s need for a space for relaxation, while empowering her in her work life.”
The designer and client worked closely in determining the design concept. They also decided to keep the original floor plan to focus on changing existing finishes to impart a modern, luxurious flair to the home that befits the owner’s personality and penchant for Peranakan and vintage designs.
The designer and client worked closely in determining the design concept. They also decided to keep the original floor plan to focus on changing existing finishes to impart a modern, luxurious flair to the home that befits the owner’s personality and penchant for Peranakan and vintage designs.
The owner loves to collect artworks from her business trips, and one special piece is displayed opposite the dining area. “It’s a three-dimensional collage artwork from Los Angeles. The art piece was put together using different materials (feathers, buttons, coloured parchment paper) used in PR events of the featured hotel and mid-century designer house. The lady in the art piece was one of the main models featured in the said events,” says Syakirah.
To complement the luxe feel of the brass details in the living room, the dining area is glammed up with gold-plated pendant lights. A mirror was also put in place to ‘expand’ the space.
To complement the luxe feel of the brass details in the living room, the dining area is glammed up with gold-plated pendant lights. A mirror was also put in place to ‘expand’ the space.
The streamlined and airy kitchen is behind the dining area. “I changed the existing kitchen finishes from compressed marble to Kompacplus worktop, and the existing glass backsplash to subway tiles laid in a herringbone pattern,” says Syakirah. Punctuating the whiteness with strong-grained wood finish and slim grey cabinet trim gives the space just the right dose of depth and contrast.
It is the opposite in the study room – dark, strong woodgrain finishes dominate the space. “The room has built-in cabinetry for file storage, and a tabletop resting on the open niche of the cabinetry. The emphasis is to provide practical storage solutions for the owner’s artwork and electronic devices, while creating a cosy space for her as she spends some time working from home,” Syakirah says.
Very minimal work was done in the bathrooms as designer and owner decided to keep the wall and floor finishes by the developer. “The feature wall decked in grey marble complements the luxe design intent of the home,” the designer explains.
To give the staircase some visual interest, the designer replaced the existing finish with matte homogeneous tiles for the treads and landing to contrast with the Peranakan-inspired patterned tiles for the riser.
Large windows and a glass balustrade permit natural light to bathe the spaces and highlight the clean palette.
The garden roof terrace is on the second floor is accessed through an intricately-designed metal gate. “The gate was inspired by Peranakan designs that were once popular. We fused this gate design into the modern look of the house as we wanted to bring across a vintage touch,” Syakirah says.
Decked in wood-look homogenous tiles and artificial turf, the space is clearly a place for resting and relaxing, and for entertaining friends.
Across the hall from the roof terrace is the master bedroom, where walls were painted blue-grey to give it a tranquil feel. Furnished with the essentials, it maintains the fuss-free and restful ambience that the owner can look forward to after a long day at work.
A notable feature in the bedroom is the full-height cabinetry that houses the TV console. It is fitted with sliding doors, so the owner can opt to conceal everything to tidy up in a flash. It also comes with drawers and shelves as additional wardrobe space (apart from the walk-in wardrobe a few steps away).
TELL US
What is your favourite feature in this home? Let us know in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
What is your favourite feature in this home? Let us know in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
Who lives here: A lady and her dog
Location: Upper Serangoon
Size: 1,700 square feet (158 square metres)
Project duration: 2 months
After some brainstorming, Syakirah and the owner agreed to have an overall clean palette to allow key features to be emphasised. In the open living-dining area, it is the TV wall feature that stands out against the custom-built wood-laminate console. “It is constructed with intensive U-groove details, and finished in a marble-look laminate with brass metal inserts to provide the luxurious touch,” Syakirah says.
The balcony, decked in artificial turf, makes for a refreshing hang-out. The sense of connection to the outdoors brings in more light and warmth.