Blog

Transitional designs are trending in the interior design scene, characterised by home designs that meld interior styles to reflect both modern and traditional elements. For many, transitional homes are refreshing to look at as they offer fresh perspectives on a space.

In this home, modern meets classic in a way that is bold and uplifting. Upon stepping into the home, one is instantly greeted by high ceilings, statement lightings and an inspiring shade of pale blue against light wood flooring. Here, the designer ingeniously puts together striking, whimsical decor with classic solutions to add punch and conjure a look that is sensual and revealing of contemporary interest.

A quaint French window – where it is least expected – pops out as a surprising element, instantly drawing one’s attention upwards to accentuate high ceilings. It also provides a soft, romantic mien. Clusters of low-hanging pendant lights complete this composition, giving the space a nuanced, muted glow that adds to the overall ambience. A loft overlooks the living area, spotting a stunning setup with star-shaped lights and an indoor swing chair.

Furniture is kept clean, almost to offset the details on blue walls clad with beautiful trims. The result is gorgeous and elegant. Since transitional designs converge clean lines and curves, there is also an emphasis on repeated circles to provide a coordinated and playful note against purity of lines.

Wood is an important element in transitional designs. Here, a pale blue is discerning against a gradation of wood, used generously in the bedroom and study. Both rooms are styled immaculately to impress the senses. By paying attention to textures, outlines, lighting and home accents, the designer succeeds in creating tailored rooms that stand out in their own right.

Away in the bedroom, for instance, a galactic theme featuring recurring stars turns the space into a wondrous sanctuary, while an eye-catching bunny-shaped headboard adds to the note of play – creating an informal look that invigorates. Away in the en-suite bathroom, timeless black and white patterns dress the floor. It is details like these that make this home extraordinary, with pockets of surprise everywhere you turn.

We all love the idea of stepping into a luxe bathroom at the end of the day for some pampering me-time. Make this a reality by giving your bathroom the design upgrade it deserves. Here are some bathroom designs that stand out as modern retreats and a private sanctuary for sought-after bubble baths.

Natural stones stand out as the feature here. This gorgeous bathroom is beautifully laid with natural stones on floor and walls, converging black and dark grey slabs, complete with contrasting white veins, adding dimension and character. The product reads high-end and gratifying. A free-standing bathtub emerges as a centerpiece, lending sculptural beauty to the decor. The designer gives this space a side table – and why not?

This bathroom does not read excessive, but possesses an understated sophistry. A reigning white is infused with textured wood in the shower area, giving the space an inviting feel. Black is echoed on bathroom fittings, vanity top and mirrors to provide continuity and flow. A glass-enclosed walk-in shower door gives this space a transparent quality, making the bathroom appear larger.

Mix things up a little. Here, patterned flooring in the space commands instant attention, with the chic black-and-white assemble lending graphical appeal, while geometrical tiles on one wall further accenting this composition. Here, the deliberate setup of unfinished concrete walls, a wood vanity top and a modish gold pendant light catapults this space into a stylish haven with a hint of modern rusticity.

Go for a zen-inspired bathroom when you bring in traditional influences into your space. Here, beautiful Japanese sliding doors open up to a spacious bathroom that does away without modern frills to reveal a minimal, yet restful perimeter that offers the Japanese onsen experience. A generous view of the outside adds to the luxe factor of this bathroom.

Wood is undoubtedly a well-loved material in homes. This modern staple lends a visually-warming effect, immediately infusing a space with an inviting vibe. Whether you have a penchant for dark or light wood, distressed or glossy, here are some ways you can effortlessly incorporate wood to create your nature-inspired, beautiful abode.

Wall panelling

Bring attention to the walls with beautiful wood paneling. Given how versatile wood can be in a space, panelling can be designed to complete the decor of your modern classic or Scandinavian home.

Ceilings

Ceilings are often neglected. But using elements like wood on your ceiling can dramatically lift the interior. It immediately creates a focal point that draws one’s attention upward, providing the optical illusion of a taller ceiling. Applying wood on a ceiling can also help to visually separate a space.

Decorative accents

Apply wood creatively to your interior to accent your space. Use wood decorative accents to pick up wood used elsewhere for continuity, or add character to a room. In this dining area, for instance, wood is used to frame a wall and ceiling with a striking lattice design. Another way to introduce wood as a decorative accent – and a more inexpensive one – is using wooden frames for artwork or photos to dress a wall.

Wall Tiles

Usher wood into your bathroom with wall tiles bearing a wood effect. Easy to maintain, water-resistant and durable, wood effect wall tiles are a great way to enliven an otherwise unassuming bathroom and inject character. Lay the tiles in a herringbone pattern to claim a classic look always in style.

Cabinetry and furniture

Wood is such a go-to material for cabinetry, with many modern homes counting on wood to warm up an otherwise sterile space. With expanses of wooden cabinetry in the home, you have a solution that is both beautiful and practical. With an array of veneers in wood tones, you can opt for easy-to-care finishing to seek out distressed, sleek or rustic appeals, depending on the chosen on the wood’s tone and grains.

Flooring

Wooden flooring like parquet or vinyl is a popular and affordable flooring solution among homeowners. Wood grains on floors soften a space, fit into any design theme and give the interior a calming vibe. Engineered wood flooring is great for homeowners with pets who are after durable, scratch-resistant flooring, yet not letting up on a wooden appeal.

Fancy starting your day to meet the world in a designer-approved walk-in wardrobe? We’ve put together a walk-in wardrobe wish list to guide you in creating your stylish space for dressing up.

Glass doors

Instead of opting for opaque doors, keep your doors visually open by choosing transparent glass ones. They allows you to easily scan your clothes in the morning. After all, out of sight, out of mind. Having your clothes in plain sight means you are more likely to don them. It will also probably keep you motivated to keep your closet space tidy.

Open shelves

This is in line with the notion of keeping things open and in plain sight. Open shelves are great for displaying your handbags. They will create the optical illusion of a larger space, perfect for solidifying a stylish walk-in wardrobe. Opt for adjustable wardrobe systems with racks and shelves that can be easily tweaked to for allow the flexibility of changing from time to time to suit your storage needs.

Display island

Your beautiful and functional walk-in wardrobe deserves a display island for your collection of fashion accessories. It also serves as a visual anchor that brings everything together. And if you have a long, narrow, space flanked with wardrobes on both lengths of the room, consider adding an ottoman and rug in the middle to give it a boutique look and feel.

Under-cabinet lights

Proper organisation would mean nothing without proper lighting to help you pick out what you want. Functional and also stylish, under-cabinet lights are task lights you’ll need. To elevate your space further, hang a statement pendant light or chandelier to add character and a luxurious mien.

Accessorise

Give your walk-in wardrobe the same decorative treatments as you would other rooms in your house by hanging artwork or introducing nature. This would instantly add to the appeal of the space and even awake your senses in the morning.

Dresser

Complete your walk-in wardrobe with a dressing table for dolling up. Considering this is one of few pieces in the space, bring in an ornate stool or bench to accent your interior – a character-filled space brimming with elegance and allure.

Finally, don’t be disheartened if you do not have a room to convert into a walk-in wardrobe. Visually demarcate a walk-in wardrobe space with shelves or a wall to divide your bedroom space and accommodate your dressing needs.

This abode exudes industrial chic from every conceivable angle. Visually-warming wood is juxtaposed against expanses of black to create a modern style that is both raw and edgy. In doing so, the designer succeeds in conjuring a modish charm that resonates with young, urban homeowners.

Throughout, an industrial charm permeates the air – relying on elements such as wood, metal, concrete screed and leather, and the convergence of vintage and new. Walls are dressed to exhibit an industrial tone, complete with exposed bricks and even a centrepiece bicycle affixed to a wall in the living room. This look is further reinforced with bespoke furniture and an industrial-styled light pendant.

There is no doubt that nothing reads boring in this home, where style-appropriate elements and trendy accessorising are so cleverly put together to seal a tailored look befitting a city lifestyle.

Captivating artwork lifts the mood and adds character. Here, contrast is created by converging a wood-black palette with bold, vibrant colours and patterns to create multiple interest points that give the eye plenty to take in without overwhelming. Meanwhile, cold, seemingly unfinished concrete screed flooring is combined with rich textiles and metallic accents to create a varied look.

Even the doors emerge as points of interest, with barnyard doors for the bathroom and beautiful black-frame glass-panel partitions in the room. In the bathroom, using tiles that are white with grey grout is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. This way, not only will dirt not show up easily, it also brings out an industrial feel.

Are you a coffee enthusiast who simply love being immersed in a relaxed cafe or bistro environment? Do you relish the aroma of coffee and the laidback charm of cafes?

There must be something about cafes that make many want to hang out in one all day. Given how cosy most cafes are styled, it’s no wonder many Singaporeans can’t resist the thought of returning to a home that is a reminder of their favourite coffee haunt. Here, we outline the broad strokes to help you achieve this look effortlessly.

Infuse wood

Wood instantly adds warmth to any interior. If you’re after a casual charm, opt for distressed wood to give your space an aged appeal and character. Apply black generously to provide contrast. This combination can read industrial or rustic, or even both, depending on how you accessorise further. Essentially, it’s all in the details.

Incorporate counter seats

Introduce a counter, along with bar stools, to mimic what it’s like sitting in a cafe and watch a barista make your brew. This is also where you and your partner can enjoy a late-night cuppa.

Use ambient lighting

Do not underestimate the effects of the right lighting to create the chillax ambience you so enjoy. Apart from having functional lights to allow you to perform your day-to-day tasks at home, incorporate ambient lightings to envelop the room with a nuanced, cosy look glow. To complete the industrial, cafe-inspired look, opt for tungsten lights and track lights.

Be bold

Some cafes are really attractive because of their bold decor. Maybe it’s their collection of in-the-face art or an interesting play of patterns. Or the way bright colours are put together to invigorate rather than overwhelm. Or, it could be interesting pieces and an even refresher layout that lends new perspective.

Exposed brick wall

Such walls give the space a textured, layered look that contributes to a laidback atmosphere. Reinforce this look with exposed light bulbs, industrial-style exposed piping shelves and concrete walls.

Introduce handwritten fonts

Dress a bare wall with a chalkboard bearing handwritten font to summon the beloved café look. Alternatively, clad your wall with off-the-shelf handwritten wall art to conjure the same appeal.

Dark green is a trending colour in homes and it’s easy to see why. When paired with gold accents, or contrasted with neutrals, dark green brings out a deep, rich feel that punctuates the space with a high-end luxe.

A contemporary haven, this home is regal when clad in a deep green and dressed deliberately in accented doses to lend consistency and continuity to this tailored decor.

Green symbolises renewal and vitality – contributing to a calm and collected air throughout. When outfitted with gold-finish pendant lights and wall shelves to break up the use of green, the space reads elegant and poised – every bit the designer space that home owners covet.

Flow is essential in open-concept homes. The designer makes room for breathing space by introducing large expanses of white. Here, dark green is offset by a long, upscale counter table, accompanied by counter chairs with gold rims to add drama and create a powerful aesthetic. The result is the perfect balance of calm and stylish.

The use of dark green is continued in the bedroom to build a look of deep sophistication, designed to appear sleek and modern with a hint of classical mien as apparent from the choice of a button-tufted bed frame and period artwork. Team this colour with elaborate light pendants and attention paid to the finer details. You don’t need a lot of colours, but just the right use of a few meaningful ones to make a lasting statement.

Tiles used whether on floors or walls must first and foremost be functional. They should be suitable for use for a particular area and preferably easy to maintain. Tiles can also beautify your space and adds to the visual vocabulary of your overall décor. In Singapore, most homes use ceramic or porcelain floor tiles. Here, we’ll discuss some tile options that you can look into when renovating your home.

Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic is the most commonly-used tile because it is affordable and durable. There are glazed and unglazed options and come in many designs. They are suitable for use in kitchens and bathrooms. Wood-looking ceramic tiles are perfect on walls and floors to give the space the warmth of wood, but yet more porous. Price ranges depending on the design.

 

 

Porcelain Tiles

Porcelain tiles, fabricated using natural clay, are sometimes preferred over ceramic owing to its appearance. They are also denser, less porous and hence more durable than ceramic tiles. Many like it because it can take on a stone-like look without the high maintenance of real stones like marble. This means the same elegant outlook, but easier upkeeping. Porcelain tiles can also mimic the industrial charm of cement flooring. Suited for use in bathrooms, kitchens and even outdoors, porcelain can be glazed or unglazed. Unglazed porcelain tiles are otherwise known as homogenous tiles.

 

Natural Stone Tiles

Natural stone tiles include marble, granite, slate and travertine. They are used in areas where there is not too much moisture, such as living room floors or bathroom walls.

While each slab of marble comes with its unique veins and is perfect for creating a high-end look owing to its elegant appearance, it can be expensive and not the most budget-friendly option.

Travertine tiles, formed from limestone, they possess a unique pattern and have a textured look to provide character.

 

Choosing the right type of lighting in your home is both an art and science. When done right, lightings can wondrously transform your space by creating the desired glow and mood. Lighting can also be used to accent your space and give it a decorative touch to enhance a design direction.

It is important to decide on the type of lights as it can influence the mood and tone of your space. If you prefer the ambience created by warm light, yet require white light when you perform an activity like reading, consider placing more than one light source in the room to serve various needs. In an open-concept kitchen for instance, you could use an overhead pendant with a warm glow above the kitchen counter where guests convene, but a white light above the stove when cooking. Depending on your needs, you can use a mix of lights.

It is also important to note that lights have a psychological effect on one. Too much or too little light is undesired. Having the right amount can have a positive effect on one’s mood.

Essentially, there are three types of lighting – ambient, task and accent lighting. Some light sources are a crossover of two types of lightings. For instance, an overhead pendant lamp can be both ambient and task lightings.

 

Light Colour and Temperature

The colour of your light influences how you perceive your surrounding and the appearance of light is known as colour temperature. A warm light for instance, is at the lower spectrum of the colour temperature scale – leaning towards an orange or amber to give a room an inviting, warm glow. On the opposite end of the spectrum is true daylight, which provides a pure white light, and in between the two is a bright, somewhat bluish cool-white.

 

A living room awash in warm light is welcoming. A modern industrial pendant light illuminate the space while serving as a decorative piece that seals a modish edge.

 

Ambient Lighting

This is the main source of illumination in your room. As the primary source of lighting, it can directly influence the ambience in your space. Examples of such lightings are multiple recessed lights installed in the ceiling or ceiling light at the centre of your dining area. When opting for ceiling light, choose one that matches the size of the room so that it does not appear out of proportion. Another option is hanging pendant lights or chandeliers.

 

his beautiful kitchen uses a combination of pendant lights, track lights and under-cabinet lights. Using multiple pendant lights is one way to infuse character while ensuring that the space beneath receives sufficient light. In this kitchen, a subtly-styled pendant is chosen so that it does not overwhelm the overall decor.

Task Lighting

Task lightings assist you in performing a certain task such as reading or cooking. Since the purpose of task lightings is providing adequate lighting to brighten your space, cool-toned LED or bulbs are preferred over warm lights. Examples include a table lamp on your study table, or a floor lamp beside your bed. Such lightings are versatile and convenient as they require no installation and can be moved about as desired.

Track lighting is another example of task lighting – though it can also double up as ambient lighting. It can be mounted or suspended from the ceiling to give attention to a gallery wall. When using task lights, it is important to limit shadows and avoid glares that would make performing a task difficult.

 

Wall-mounted sconces by the bedside are functional and beautiful, without taking up any table or floor space. Here, gold adds a hint of luxury to this bedroom.

 

Apart from wall-mounted sconces, decorative pendants make great accent lightings in the bathroom too. Perfect for adding extra glow when grooming after a bathe.

Bidadari is the up and coming residential precinct situated near the fringe of the city. With the development of this estate is the emergence of about 10,000 HDB BTO units. If you’re receiving your keys to one of these units, read on to get ideas or how you can potentially renovate your space to create you desired home.

Blk 106B Alkaff Vista

 

Minimalist Beauty

The next home seeks beauty in subtle designs that emphasis on purity of lines and style to claim an understated allure. Colours are kept to a minimal to create a soothing interior, intersecting both form and functionality. Clean-lined carpentry gives this space a minimal, pared-down look, to be offset by conscious layering to add texture. This means rugs and throw cushions, and an accent wall or two in dark grey to give the space depth.

A minimalist look is sealed with a well-calibrated wood-on-white palette to maintain a light and airy interior. Upon entering the home, one is greeted by expanses of visually-warming and welcoming wood. A wall of wood conceals the door to the bomb shelter to give the space a seamless, uninterrupted look.

 

 

A casual dining area is preferred over a formal one, hence a breakfast counter that looks into the open-concept kitchen.

If there is no need for 3 bedrooms, consider converting a bedroom into an en-suite dressing area. In this case, Bedroom 2 becomes the master bedroom, separated using sliding doors from the en-suite dressing area held in the original master bedroom. This gives the young couple the luxury of stepping out of the bathroom and getting dressed in style immediately.

 

Blk 106B Alkaff Vista

 

Modern Classic Glam

The first home spots a modern look with a classical nuance, perfect for homeowners who like a transitional look, where modern elements are combined with some classical interest to give the space a high-end appeal.

A near-black entrance to the unit lends a dramatic appeal that can elevate a space stylistically. This is why hotel lobbies are sometimes clad in dark, muted tones, to conjure an exquisite air. Behind these black high-gloss facade is ample storage space to hold an entire shoe collection. They flank both sides with a seamless finish – without no knobs or handles for a flushed look.

 

 

Neutral colours are offset using strong accents and patterns. The television console feature wall, coffee table and light pendants are where decorous gold lends glint of glamour. Glossy surfaces and tinted mirrors make the space visually bigger. They also add to the patina of this decorated interior.

Here, the master bedroom is converted into an en-suite dressing room to function better for a young couple. The en-suite dressing room is flanked by custom carpentry along the length of the room and a centrepiece display unit for accessories. In this home, the key is achieving a subtle glam look without overwhelming.

 

 

Blk 106B Alkaff Vista

 

Modern Sensibility

This home spots a modern look rooted in neutral tones and easy lines, accentuated with warm wood to create a calm, unified look pleasing to the eye. Here, an open-concept kitchen transits subtly to a dining area with an adjoining kitchen island-cum-counter, creating a large, extended area for prepping food and cooking. Here, statement lighting and wall art give the space an elevated feel.