Home & Decor - September 2023

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HOMEANDDECOR.COM.SG
HOW TO
RECOGNISE
ITALIAN ICONS
PROPERTY
Hidden costs
to property
purchase
THE KITCHEN EDITION
ON TREND OPEN KITCHEN
DESIGNS & WHY THEY WORK
GUIDE TO SINK +
COOKTOP SELECTION
PROS & CONS OF
MICROCEMENT FLOORING
HEART OF
THE HOME
ON TREND OPEN KITCHEN
DESIGNS & WHY THEY WORK
GUIDE TO SINK +
COOKTOP SELECTION
PROS & CONS OF
MICROCEMENT FLOORING
HEART OF
THE HOME

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S E P T E M B E R
CONTENTS
FEATURES
S P E C I AL C OV E R A G E F O R
T H I S D E S I G N E D I T I O N
10
MICRO BUT MIGHTY
In search of
functionality and
aesthetic versatility in
the kitchen? Micro-
cement may be the
solution you’ve been
looking for.
14
POWER-UP THE
KITCHEN SINK
All you need to know
when shopping for
the right kitchen sink,
from installation to
the various chic and
functional options
available.
20
CABINET LAYOUT
IDEAS FOR AN
OPEN-CONCEPT
KITCHEN
Breaking away from
traditional enclosed
cabinetry, these
cabinet ideas offer a
unique and refreshing
approach that blends
openness with
functionality.
26
TOP HOBS
Check out our
round-up of 10 classy
cooktops to make
cooking easier and
more enjoyable.
30
RECIPES FOR
SUCCESS
Yearning to put
your cooking
appliances and
skills to the test?
Have a go at
these popular
local delights
and surprise your
family and guests
at the next home
gathering.
15
SHOPPING
34
THE EDIT
Take a look at
the latest home
accessories and
appliances on the
market.
39
YOGIBO
SHOWROOM
The brand’s ﬁrst store
here, dedicated to its
beads sofas, opens in
Suntec City.
40
YANBAI VILLA
Step into a world
where time stands
still and your vision of
the world is
deﬁned by bold
strokes of colour
and graceful layered
waves of texture, all
inspired by a seminal
Chinese painting from
the 12th-Century.
21
34
2

45
HANS TAN
Proﬁle of a Singaporean
industrial designer.
50
STRENGTH IN
SOFTNESS
Marcus Wong, Business
Development Director
of local custom
furniture and upholstery
specialist Danovel, on
the evolution of soft
furnishing in Singapore
and reasons to opt for
custom-made furniture.
52
PROPERTY
Find out what the
hidden costs are when
purchasing a new
property.
56
ITALIAN ICONS
Get acquainted with
these iconic Italian
furniture brands and
designs they are
renowned for.
7
EDITOR’S NOTE
8
H&D.COM.SG
116
FINISHING NOTE
45
Hans Solo
gĢäġÁĢΎŉƈúĂőùĩŅ
ĢäūàäŉĆúĢŉÁĢà
őäÚĂĢĆńŖäŉ͠
DESIGN
I D E A S AN D I N S P I R AT I O N F R O M
T H O S E I N T H E K N OW
40
35
3

96
SING YOUR
WAY HOME
Lynn Tan gets up
close and personal
with Singapore Idol
runner-up Jonathan
Leong, and digital
marketer, Jeneen
Goh, in their cosy,
modern luxe home.
108
WHERE TIME
STYLES COLLIDE
Lynn Tan takes a
peek inside this
quintessentially
Parisian apartment
whose design is
inspired by various
design movements
with a modern
interpretation.
68
A BEAUTIFUL
RESPITE
This home,
transformed with
fluid lines and
woodgrain finishes,
is designed for a
purposeful and
balanced life. Rossara
Jamil finds out more.
72
UNIQUELY ME
This bachelor
pad reflects the
homeowner’s unique
personality with its
distinct design that
stands out without
being ostentatious.
78
ALL IN
GOOD TIME
This homeowner
waited 18 years to
renovate her flat, but
as they say, better
late than never.
88
PERFECT MATCH
The clients’ extensive
brief, the placement
of existing columns
and the age of the
flat made this project
a challenging one.
S E P T E M B E R
HOMES
T H E N E W M O D E R N
CONTENTS
on the
cover
96
`ĩàäŅĢěĆŪĆĢúŉłÁÚäŉƈěěäà
with personality.
PHOTOGRAPHY
VERONICA TAY
ART DIRECTION
KRISTY QUAH
88
78
108

OPERATIONS
MANAGER
Lim Kim Yim
(limky@sph.com.sg)
ASSISTANT MANAGER
Lin Feng
(fenglin@sph.com.sg)
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, LIFESTYLE
ENTERTAINMENT MEDIA
GROUP
Ignatius Low
HEAD, LIFESTYLE MEDIA
CONTENT MARKETING
Phin Wong
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Raymond Goh
PUBLISHING DIRECTOR
Eileen Chia
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Teo Lay Lim
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Andy Hui
CHIEF TECHNOLOGY
OFFICER
Kaythaya Maw
CHIEF TRANSFORMATION
OFFICER
David Pang
CHIEF COMMERCIAL
OFFICER
Joanna Ho
HEAD, CORPORATE
MARKETING
COMMUNICATIONS
Fen Peh
HEAD, HUMAN RESOURCES
Maureen Wee
EDITORIAL
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Young Lim
(younglim@sph.com.sg)
DIGITAL EDITOR
Tan Guan Lin
(guanlint@sph.com.sg)
WRITER
Teo Jing Yuan
(jynteo@sph.com.sg)
CREATIVE
SENIOR ART DIRECTOR
Nonie Chen
(noniec@sph.com.sg)
ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR
Kristy Quah
(krisquah@sph.com.sg)
PHOTOGRAPHY
CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
/ VIDEOGRAPHER
Veronica Tay
(verontay@sph.com.sg)
SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
/ VIDEOGRAPHER
Phyllicia Wang
(wanglx@sph.com.sg)
PHOTOGRAPHER
/ VIDEOGRAPHER
Athirah Annissa
(athannissaj@sph.com.sg)
Lawrence Teo
(lawrenceteo@sph.com.sg)
ADMINISTRATION
EDITORIAL
SUPPORT
SENIOR MANAGER
Juliana Chong
(julianac@sph.com.sg)
ASSISTANT MANAGER
Cynthia Lee
(hhclee@sph.com.sg)
Wendy Wong
(wwong@sph.com.sg)
MARKETING MEDIA
SOLUTIONS
HEAD, SALES
Christopher Chan
(cwochris@sph.com.sg)
LUXURY RETAIL (FASHION,
WATCHES, JEWELLERY)
Irene Tan
(itan@sph.com.sg)
BANKING, TECH TELCO
Ellen Lee
(leekhe@sph.com.sg)
GOVERNMENT EDUCATION
Yvonne Wong
(yvonnew@sph.com.sg)
HOME ESSENTIALS
(PROPERTY, FMCG
RECREATION)
Stella Yeo
(steyeo@sph.com.sg)
GROWTH (BEAUTY
NEW PARTNERSHIPS)
Josephine Lee
(leebc@sph.com.sg)
Martin Boey
(boeyckm@sph.com.sg)
For sales enquiries,
please contact Maggie at
magadpromo@sph.com.sg
MARKETING
BRAND MARKETING LEAD
Lin Shao Mei
(smlin@sph.com.sg)
MANAGER
Chloe Chow
(chloecsy@sph.com.sg)
Home Decor is published by SPH
Lifestyle Media, a division of SPH
Media Limited, 1000 Toa Payoh
North, S318994, Tel: 6319-6319
Distributed by Circulation
Department, SPH Media Limited,
Singapore registration no.:
202120748H
Printed by Times Printers.
Copyright@2022 SPH Media Limited.
All rights reserved. No part of this
publication may be reproduced in
any form or by any means without
the written permission of the
publisher. The views and opinions
expressed or implied in Home
Decor are those of the authors or
contributors and do not necessarily
reﬂect those of the publisher.
MCI (P) 060/12/2021
Expiry date: 30/11/2022.
For back issues, e-mail:
circs@sph.com.sg
Subscribe online:
www.homeanddecor.com.sg
6

EDITOR’S NOTE
LOVE FOR THE HEARTH
I had a heart-to-heart talk
with my mother last weekend,
while we were working on
perfecting my grandmother’s
chicken stew. The stew warmed
the proverbial cockles of our
hearts, alas, it was also one
of those recipes she kept
close to her heart and on to
her grave. None of us knew
exactly how or what went into
her secret recipe and to date,
neither of us have successfully
recreated that unique taste.
At our wits end, we decided
to band together to crack our
heads into decoding grandma’s
time-honoured stew.
It was in between the
swapping of ingredients and
discussions on how best to
mince the garlic, that I felt
compelled to open up to my
mother about living on my own
in a house of my own. You see
leaving the family home had
always seemed to be a natural
progression of my life, but it
was one that my parents were
in denial over. For them, family
was about living under the
same roof and both worked
hard to be able to purchase
a landed property that could
provide space for them, as well
as their three sons and any in-
laws that happen to come later.
Yet having all three
ÚĂĆěàŅäĢƉűőĂäÚĩĩłÁŉŉĩĩĢ
as they were entitled to buying
their own homes meant my
łÁŅäĢőŉŉŖƅäŅäàùŅĩġőĂä
empty-nest syndrome.
Over our cooking session,
I told my mother than no
matter how far we were
apart, I’m always thinking
of mom and dad. I’m not
sure if she knew how much
I meant it, but I think with
more bonding sessions in my
kitchen, she may just come
round to understanding
my point of view.
YOUNG LIM
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF photography
ANGELA
GUO
art
direction
NONIE
CHEN

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9
B
O
S
C
H
S
P
E
C
I
A
L
WHO’S THE
BOSCH
Enhance your culinary
pursuits with Bosch’s Series
8 Induction Hob with an
integrated ventilation system.
In the modern kitchen,
innovation takes centre
stage, transforming how
we cook, interact, and
create culinary delights.
One innovation that will
thrill home cooks of all skill
levels is the Bosch Series
8 Induction Hob with an
integrated ventilation
system (model
PXX875D67E) that requires
7400W. This engineering
marvel is more than just
a cooking appliance, it’s
a culinary innovation
that combines precision,
flexibility, and convenience
like never before.
FREEDOM FRIES
Imagine a cooking surface
that adapts to your every
culinary whim, regardless of
pot size or placement. The
Bosch Series 8 Induction Hob
offers an expansive 80cm
cooking area, simultaneously
accommodating up to 4 pots
or pans. It also boasts two
Flex zones, each spanning
40cm, providing a versatile
canvas for your cookware.
Say goodbye to the
rigid confines of traditional
burners; with FlexInduction,
you have the freedom to
place pots of any shape or
size anywhere within the
zone. Wherever you prefer
to place your pots, the
induction heats the bottom
of the pots, which means
you can cook anywhere on
the surface. You can also
use it as a regular induction
hob with separate zones or
combine zones with a simple
touch to create more
space.
PRESENT PERFECT
The Series 8 Induction Hob
is not just about space; it’s
about precision cooking.
With PerfectCook Ready
technology, you can bid
adieu to overboiled pots
and undercooked dishes.
This intelligent sensor
monitors and adjusts the
temperature automatically,
ensuring each dish is
cooked to perfection.
The innovation
continues with PerfectFry,
a sensor that monitors
your pan’s temperature,
preventing scorching and
delivering flawless results.
With five predefined
temperature levels, your
culinary creations will not
just be superb, they will
always be consistent.
BREATHE EASY
Cooking elicits tantalising
aromas, but the lingering
odours can sometimes be
overwhelming. Bosch’s
PerfectAir is the ingenious
technology that mitigates
this by monitoring the
air and adapting the
extraction power to vapour
and odours, effortlessly
clearing the air before they
even ascend.
And it’s not just about
effectiveness; it’s about
tranquillity too. The system
operates at minimal
extraction levels, reducing
noise and allowing you to
savour the cooking process
without disturbance.
HDB-FRIENDLY HOBS
While the Series 8 Induction
Hob with integrated
ventilation is a culinary
superstar, Bosch recognises
the diverse needs of its
customers with these
HDB-ready induction hob
options that perfectly
blend performance with
practicality.
From the sleek and
compact Series 4 Induction
Hob (PUE611BB5J) to the
versatile Series 6 Domino
Induction Hob (PIB375FB1E),
not to mention the larger
Series 8 Induction hob
(PPI82560MS) with two
side-by-side zones, Bosch
has a solution for every
kitchen size and style.
Like the Series 8, these
three models are packed
with innovation to make
your culinary journey as
smooth as possible. Starting
with the PowerBoost
feature, which makes
heating up things ultra-fast.
This function allows you to
boil a big pot of water up to
35% quicker than the regular
highest power level.
You’ll have complete
control of the power
settings with nine different
power levels for each
cooking zone. Some
models take it even further
with 17 stages of power
settings (nine main levels
and eight intermediate
levels) for each zone.
MORE THAN COOKING
From 1-30 September 2023,
receive a complimentary
gift worth up to $349 with
purchase of an induction
hob. Choose between a
food processor (MultiTalent
3 - MCM3100WGB),
hand blender (ErgoMixx
MS6CA4150), or a powerful
blender (VitaPower Serie |
4 - MMB6141B).
Participating outlets include Best
Denki, COURTS, Gain City, Harvey
Norman, HoeKee, Mega Discount
Store and Parisilk.

FEATURE
MICRO BUT MIGHTY
M
any believe that the
kitchen is the heart of
the home. A space where
families and friends congregate
over food and drink to enjoy the
convivial joys of fellowship, the
ėĆőÚĂäĢġŖŉőŅäƉäÚőūÁŅġőĂÁĢà
radiate with welcoming qualities.
Where longevity is concerned, it is
a matter of great importance that
the kitchen is built to endure. After
all, it literally has to take the heat!
Chief among important
considerations for kitchen surfaces
is the aspect of durability. Some
may even argue that a surface
that lasts is more important than
a surface that is pretty! But, what
if we told you that you could have
your cake and eat it too?
What Is Micro-Cement?
Micro-cement, also known
as micro-topping or micro-
concrete is a building material
that combines the strength of
cement with added polymers and
aggregates. While most of us may
be familiar with concrete screed,
which is primarily used for leveling
ŉŖŅùÁÚäŉ͡ūÁőäŅłŅĩĩƈĢú͡łŅäłÁŅĆĢú
ŉŖÙƉĩĩŅŉ͡ÁĢàÚŅäÁőĆĢúäŰőäŅĆĩŅ
facades, micro-cement is a newer
addition to local material options.
©ĂäŅäőĂäőūĩàĆƅäŅ͡ĂĩūäŪäŅ͡
is in thickness and application;
the former usually comes up to a
thickness of 20 to 50 millimeters,
while micro-cement generally
clocks in at 2 to 3 millimeters thick!
Kingsley, Co-founder of
WŅÁƆőͿÁěĩÚÁěÚĩġłÁĢűőĂÁő
transforms spaces with the
captivating beauty of micro-
cement and other surface
materials, shares: “It provides
remarkable durability for its
In search of functionality and aesthetic versatility
in the kitchen? Micro-cement may be the solution
you’ve been looking for.
ƈĢÁěőĂĆÚėĢäŉŉ͠ĂĆŉĆŉäŉłäÚĆÁěěű
advantageous in the kitchen,
ÁŉĆőĆŉÁĂĆúĂͿőŅÁƆÚÁŅäÁ
prone to spills, heat, and daily
wear. Because of this, we can
assure our clients that micro-
cement surfaces are resistant
to scratches, stains, and light
impact, ensuring elegance and
functionality for years to come.”
Principal Architect of Kaizen
Architecture Melvin Keng
agrees. “Natural cement screed
ƈĢĆŉĂőäĢàŉőĩÚŅÁÚėäÁŉĆěűÁĢà
deteriorate fast in our climate and
ūäÁőĂäŅ͡ūĆőĂäŰłÁĢŉĆĩĢàŖŅĆĢú
hot days and contraction during
ÚĩĩěĢĆúĂőŉ͠ĩÚĆŅÚŖġŪäĢőőĂĆŉ͡
micro-cement can be employed
ĆĢŉőäÁà͠ĂäġÁőäŅĆÁěĂÁŉÁ
ƈĢäŅÚĩġłĩŉĆőĆĩĢÁĢàĆŉġĩŅä
malleable. It’s also more moisture
and heat resistant, and so is
less susceptible to cracks as it
innately helps to regulate material
ÚĩĢőŅÁÚőĆĩĢÁĢàäŰłÁĢŉĆĩĢ͠Ăä
ƈĢÁěƈĢĆŉĂĆĢúĆŉÁěŉĩġŖÚĂĢĆÚäŅ
as an end aesthetic.”
Why Choose Micro-Cement?
If you’re looking to imbue your
kitchen with functionality and
aesthetic versatility, micro-
cement is a wonderful solution.
Because it is a coating, it can be
ÁłłěĆäàĩĢÁŪÁŅĆäőűĩùäŰĆŉőĆĢú
surfaces including countertops,
ÙÁÚėŉłěÁŉĂäŉ͡ƉĩĩŅŉ͡ūÁěěŉ͡
úěÁŉŉ͡ÁĢàäŪäĢùŖŅĢĆőŖŅä͠ĂĆŉ
allows homeowners a wide
berth when designing the
interiors of their kitchen; there
is little to no demolition during
installation, which means no risk
of structural integrity.
Environmentally, micro-
cement also stands out as a
Melvin incorporated micro-
cement in this kitchen space
as a means of demarcating
between activity and
circulation, resulting in this
sleek and linear design.
10

sustainable choice. Because
minimal material waste happens,
homeowners can lower their
renovation carbon footprint.
Additionally, micro-cement has
the added bonus of being able to
ŉłŅŖÚäŖłĩěàŉŖŅùÁÚäŉ͡äŰőäĢàäà
life whilst negating the need to
rebuild with fresh materials.
In line with Singapore’s
national agenda to reduce carbon
footprint in architecture, Melvin
put micro-cement to good use
ĆĢĂĆŉäŅŅÁÚä;ěÁőłŅĩĔäÚő͠΋HĢ
Singapore, the construction
industry is one of the highest
carbon emitting activities. We
decided to play our small part
by reducing the utilisation of
ŖĢĢäÚäŉŉÁŅűƈĢĆŉĂĆĢúġÁőäŅĆÁěŉ
like tiles, paint, laminates, and
so on.”
A Case For Style
Aesthetically, micro-cement
also allows homeowners to
create sleek, sophisticated, and
ŉäÁġěäŉŉěűƈĢĆŉĂäàĆĢőäŅĆĩŅ
spaces. Available in a wide range of
őäŰőŖŅäŉ͡ÚĩěĩŖŅŉ͡ÁĢàƈĢĆŉĂäŉ͡őĂä
coating also eliminates the need
for grout lines, giving way to an
ĩłäĢÁĢàŪĆŉŖÁěěűäŰłÁĢàäàŉłÁÚä͠
ĂĆŉĆŉłÁŅőĆÚŖěÁŅěűÁàŪÁĢőÁúäĩŖŉ
in small spaces like kitchens,
where the slightest illusion of
space can make a huge impact!
Micro-cement is versatile in
more ways than one! Depending
on the manner in which it is
applied, homeowners can also
ÚŅäÁőäőäŰőŖŅäàłÁőőäŅĢŉÁĢà
designs on their surfaces as
desired. Kingsley goes on to add,
“Micro-cement provides a canvas
for personalised design. Whether
it is a minimalist monochrome
“IT PROVIDES REMARKABLE DURABILITY
FOR ITS FINAL THICKNESS. THIS IS
ESPECIALLY ADVANTAGEOUS IN THE KITCHEN,
AS IT IS A HIGH-TRAFFIC AREA PRONE TO
SPILLS, HEAT, AND DAILY WEAR.”
-KINGSLEY, CO-FOUNDER OF KRAFFIT
photo
KHOO
GUO
JIE
11

UNCERTAIN IF
MICRO-CEMENT IS
THE MATERIAL FOR
YOU? HERE ARE SOME
THINGS TO CONSIDER
BEFORE MAKING
YOUR DECISION!
THE CONDITION OF YOUR
SURFACE
Because micro-cement cannot
be used as a levelling material,
it is important for you to prep
your surfaces beforehand. Take
this into consideration when
factoring in your costs.
YOUR CHOSEN SURFACE EXPERT
Micro-cement may be fairly new
to the renovation game, but
most surface service providers
will be more than happy to
answer your questions. Set up
a meeting, show them your
space, and get talking!
DESIGN AND STYLE
Because micro-cement can be
applied several ways to create
different textures and designs,
it’s important for you to think
of how this can jive with your
existing space.
COMPATIBILITY WITH OTHER
MATERIALS
Similarly, consider your pre-
existing space, its furnishings,
and their design. Consider
how they might play off micro-
cement surfaces to give you the
home aesthetic you want.
For more information on
micro-cement and its uses,
visit www.kraffit.co
12

ID
EDGE
INTERIOR
look, industrial-inspired
aesthetics, warm and cosy Japandi
or wabi-sabi, or something bold
and artistic, micro-cement can
ÙäőÁĆěĩŅäàőĩƈőőĂäĂĩġäĩūĢäŅΎŉ
ŉőűěä͠ĂĆŉÁěěĩūŉőĂäÚŅäÁőĆĩĢ
ĩùÚŖěĆĢÁŅűŉłÁÚäŉőĂÁőŅäƉäÚő
the homeowner’s personality
and vision.”
;ĩŅĂĆŉäŅŅÁÚä;ěÁőłŅĩĔäÚő͡
Melvin took full advantage
of micro-cement’s aesthetic
ƉäŰĆÙĆěĆőű͠DäŉĂÁŅäŉ͡΋©äŖŉäà
the material to colour block the
space as a form of demarcation
between activity and circulation.
Micro-cement was used to
demarcate circulation, whilst
terracotta tiles were used to
demarcate kitchen activity.”
Is Micro-Cement Expensive?
Kingsley shares that micro-
cement is priced in the mid-
range in comparison to tiles
and vinyl. “Large-format tiles
ÚÁĢäÁŉĆěűÙäġĩŅääŰłäĢŉĆŪä͡
ÁĢàőĂÁőΎŉäŰÚěŖàĆĢúàäġĩěĆőĆĩĢ͡
waste haulage, rebuilding, and
ŉäěùͿěäŪäěĆĢúĩùűĩŖŅƉĩĩŅĆĢúőĩ
accommodate the tiles.” As a
ūĂĩěä͡ĆőłÁűŉĩƅùĩŅĂĩġäĩūĢäŅŉ
to consider the cost of redoing
their space in an all-inclusive
way, factoring in not just the
material, but also time, additional
preparations, work, clean-up,
ÁĢàěĩĢúäŪĆőű͠ĂäÚĩġÙĆĢÁőĆĩĢ
of these elements brings us to the
conclusion that micro-cement
is well worth its cost for all the
äÁŉä͡ƉäŰĆÙĆěĆőű͡ÁĢààŖŅÁÙĆěĆőűĆő
provides.
ENVIRONMENTALLY,
MICRO-CEMENT ALSO STANDS
OUT AS A SUSTAINABLE
CHOICE. BECAUSE MINIMAL
MATERIAL WASTE HAPPENS,
HOMEOWNERS CAN
LOWER THEIR RENOVATION
CARBON FOOTPRINT.
ID
EIGHTYTWO

14
FEATURE
POWER-UP THE
KITCHEN SINK
All you need to know when shopping for the right kitchen sink,
from installation to the various chic and functional options available.

B
eyond just a plain practical
fixture, the kitchen sink
holds the vital task of
upkeeping the kitchen in a clean
and functional state on a daily
basis for food preparation and
cooking. A right-sized kitchen
sink is one that meets the
household’s expected usage, as
you would want to avoid having
a sink that is too small to fit the
pots and dishes. Aside from the
myriad material, colour, and
configuration choices of a kitchen
sink, it is also important to
consider durability, functionality,
and the accompanying sink
accessories to best maximise the
possibilities of the sink. Here are
10 different types of kitchen sinks
to scrub the dishes in style.
I N STALLI N G TH E K ITCH E N S I N K
There are multiple installation options when
it comes to a regular kitchen sink, where
you can choose between a top-mount
sink, under-mount sink, or ﬂush-mount
sink. Consider how the type of kitchen sink
installation will go with the worktop, as well
as how it matches the kitchen’s overall style.
Top-mount sinks
Top-mount sinks, also known
as built-in sinks or drop-in
sinks are installed with the bordered edges
resting on the kitchen countertop. Any type of
counter can be compatible with a top-mount
sink, from laminates to stainless steel. The
accentuated rim adds to the stylish design of the
kitchen, however, it can also potentially cause
nasty debris to be accumulated at the edges if
you are not meticulous with cleaning.
Under-mount sink
Unlike top-mount sinks, an under-mount sink
is installed under the kitchen countertop, giving
the kitchen a seamless and visually spacious
look. Without any protruding bordered edges, an
under-mount sink enhances the ease of cleaning,
ūĂäŅäÁĢűőŅÁÚäĩùùĩĩàÙĆőŉÚÁĢÙäŉūäłőĩƅőĂä
countertop and into the sink conveniently. If you
are installing an under-mount sink, make sure
that your countertop is made of water-resistant
and heavyweight material such as stone, quartz,
or granite.
Flush-mount sink
©ĆőĂłŅäÚĆŉäĆĢŉőÁěěÁőĆĩĢ͡ÁƉŖŉĂͿġĩŖĢőŉĆĢė
is nicely integrated with the borders completely
leveled with the countertop. Flush-mount sinks
get the best of both top-mount and under-
mount sinks, with the sink and worktop
coming together as one in bringing more
countertop space to make full use of the
accompanying sink accessories like a
drainboard or colander. Similar to under-
ġĩŖĢőŉĆĢėŉ͡ƉŖŉĂͿġĩŖĢőŉĆĢėŉÁěŉĩŅäńŖĆŅä
a waterproof countertop like granite, stone,
ceran, glass, or mineral materials.
SINK WITH DISHWASHER
FRANKE Sink Dishwasher
Double Bowl FSDW50-01BG
Dishwashers are a dream come
true for modern kitchens and
having an integrated dishwasher
next to your sink enables you
to clean up without breaking
a sweat. With the Franke Sink
Dishwasher, you are able to level
up your multitask game with
the help of the dishwasher and
the stainless steel sink. Just a
single touch and you can bring
your cutlery, dishes, or fruits and
vegetables to wash with up to
70 deg C high-temperature wash
and a 99.99% sterilisation rate.
The Franke Sink Dishwasher is
suitable for families with up to
six persons.
Retails for $3,000 from Franke, www.
frankehomesolutionssg.store
15

KITCHENETTE SINK
IKEA ÄSPINGE Kitchenette
If you are working with a tight
space in your kitchen, you can
go for an all-in-one kitchenette
like the IKEA ÄSPINGE that
provides a good amount of
versatile storage options and
even a ready built-in single bowl
FYNDIG kitchen sink. As both the
sink and worktop are in stainless
steel, it is a hygienic material that
is safe for food preparation and
easy to maintain.
Retails for $719 from IKEA, www.ikea.
com/sg
16

WORKSTATION SINK
KOHLER€ŅĩěĆƈÚWĆőÚĂäĢ‡ĆĢė
Now you can do everything on your kitchen sink,
with the highly functional workstation kitchen
sink, such as the Kohler Prolific Kitchen Sink. The
stainless steel sink is fabricated in a Kohler Satin
Finish for anti-scratch properties, along with the
cone-shaped drain to empty any food waste
efficiently and the SilentShield technology that is
sound absorbing. There are also three graduated
ledges in the large sink bowl to place the
accessories like the cutting board, multipurpose
grated racks, colander, and washbin on varying
heights to maximise the sink’s functionality as a
full-on workstation.
Retails for $930 onwards from Kohler Experience Centre
wand Lazada.
MODERN FARMHOUSE SINK
Zuhne Prato 30
Have a look at this unique modern
farmhouse kitchen sink, the Zuhne
Prato 30 is constructed with a
thicker and sturdier industrial
grade stainless steel that perfectly
blends the benefits of an apron
sink with the durability of
stainless steel sinks. On top of the
soft and natural glow that comes
with the premium satin finish,
Zuhne’s sinks are also resistant
to scratch, heat, and rust, where
they are guaranteed to not rust
nor lose their sheen.
Retail for $619 from Zuhne, www.zuhne.sg
MULTI-LEVEL SINK
Blanco Etagon Sink
For kitchens with a smaller footprint, maximising
vertical space is key, and that meant having a
deep, multi-level sink like the Blanco Etagon.
Having a large and deep kitchen sink to fit bulky
pots and pans is great, but having an ingenious
tiered surface concept is even better for added
functionality and versatility, such as with the
Etagon sliding rails. Food preparation and
washing up is easier with space for hot pots or
baking trays. Available in stainless steel, Silgranit,
and ceramic, the Blanco Etagon also comes in
two sizes, along with three installation options of
mourning it on top, under, or even flush-mounted.
Retails for $599
onwards from
Blanco’s authorised
retailers.
17

LARGE BOWL SINK
Teka Tegranite+ Sink
Made with a blend of 80 per
cent quartz and acrylic resins,
the Teka Tegranite+ Sink is a
durable and highly resistant
material against heat, scratches,
odours, and stains. Sleek and
stylish looks aside, the large
and deep bowl design makes
washing and cleaning dishes of
all sizes a breeze. As Tegranite+
sinks feature an ultra-thin
and non-porous surface, it
is hygienic and food-safe
while effectively eliminating
any harmful germs and
bacteria with antimicrobial
silver ions.
Retails from $860 onwards, from
Teka, www.teka-sg.com
APRON SINK
IKEA ÄHAVSEN Sink
Enjoy the elegant and timeless
appeal of a ceramic sink in the
kitchen, with the IKEA HAVSEN’s
soft-rounded corners, a visible
apron front, and a double bowl
sink design. The unique exposed
front exudes a rustic charm while
adding a sense of nostalgia to
both traditional and modern
kitchens. Functionally an apron
sink, also known as a farmhouse
sink, it provides an ergonomic
and comfortable experience of
washing the dishes or preparing
food, as you stand closer to the
sink bowl while minimising strains
on your back and arm.
Retails for $370 from IKEA,
www.ikea.com/sg
Retail for $879,
from Blanco’s
authorised retailers.
DRAINBOARD SINK
Blanco Faron XL 6 S Sink
A country-house kitchen with shaker-style cabinets goes well
with the Blanco Faron XL 6 S kitchen sink, designed with modern
classic grooves on the drainboard and tap ledge that brings to
mind the look of traditional wall panelling. With a harmonious
blend of functionality and visual appeal, the Blanco Faron sink is
made up of durable Silgranit material and comes in an array of up
to 10 neutral colour options, along with an option solid ash cutting
board to complete the charming country-house mood.
18

text JYN TEO
STORAGE SINK
Franke Sink Box Center
Keep your kitchen essentials close
by and organised with a storage
sink, such as the Franke Sink Box
Center. The second stainless steel
sink bowl is transformed into a
fully-accessorised box center that
holds a covered draining rack,
coupled with kitchen accessories
including two chopping boards,
a knife holder and three knives,
as well as a colander. Both the
wood and sanitised chopping
boards ﬁt perfectly over the sink
while extending the countertop
space, with the addition of a useful
colander for drying and draining
purposes.
Retails for $4,548 from Franke,
https://frankehomesolutionssg.store
Retail for $908
onwards, from
hansgrohe official
online stores
on Shopee and
Lazada.
SINK WITH DUAL MIXER
hansgrohe SilicaTec Granite Sinks
Sophisticated and convenient, the SilicaTec Granite Sink by
hansgrohe features a unique two-hole mixer for greater comfort
of use. In addition to the usual kitchen tap in the middle, you also
get a lever handle control positioned on the front of the sink,
where your right elbow can reach with ease to turn the water
on or off when your hands are full or dirty. With the various sink
combination options, you can easily choose between a single or
double bowl with the ideal size in graphite black, stone grey, or
cement grey to ﬁt in your kitchen perfectly.
19

FEATURE
20
CABINET LAYOUT
IDEAS FOR AN
HSBʐHBSa
KITCHEN
Breaking away from traditional enclosed
cabinetry, these cabinet ideas offer a
unique and refreshing approach that
blends openness with functionality.
DESIGN
CHIA
CHING
KAI
BARE ESSENTIALS
Do you really need extra
storage space above your head
in the kitchen? Think about it,
because overhead storage is
seldom accessed and things
you put there are barely used.
When planning a kitchen,
sometimes less is more when
it comes to usable storage
compartments.
Homeowner
Chia Ching Kai
maintains a
minimalist-
themed kitchen
with all-white
cabinets.

SHOW TELL
Having bulky storage cabinets
overhead your sink area blocks out
the light and makes your counter
look darker. Instead, consider
transforming the space into a
simple display space for enhancing
the ambiance of a room.
21
DESING
HOME
PHILOSOPHY
Matte black cabinets with white marble-veined porcelain stone countertops now ﬁll the kitchen.
Because the kitchen also has a high ceiling, the design team considered the accessibility
of the kitchen cabinets. Instead of installing upper cabinets, the lower kitchen cabinets are
complemented with ﬂuted panels on the wall and an easy-to-access shelf.
DESING
MONOCOT
STUDIO
MONOCOT STUDIO
Instead of creating a long stretch
of cabinets along the counter, the
team from Monocot Studio created
a hanging shelf and ledge in this
kitchen, allowing the other design
elements to stand out. You can do
the same if you are planning for a
standout backsplash design.
The farmhouse
sink and plain
mouldings
along the
cabinetry bring
the look of the
kitchen
together.

22
PHOTO
FRANCIS
AMIAND
DEPTH OF FEEL
When you have a strong colour
theme in the home, it is important
to ensure that there is ample
depth of feel in order to make
the space feel cosy and full of
character. In this white-themed
kitchen, the space interjected with
spots of blue and architectural
lines so it doesn’t feel plain or
one-dimensional.
The kitchen
was given
more of a
living room
feel as it
doubles as
the main
workspace
and is
where the
homeowner
lays out his
sketches,
making
the space
functional and
chic at the
same time.
The sink area
is ﬁnished in
bookmatched
Calacatta
marble.
Elsewhere, the
curated decor
is a mix of the
classical and
contemporary.
The kitchen
table doubles
as the
homeowner’s
workshop
table.

23
BOLD SIMPLE
“The kitchen is my favourite space. I am very much taken by the
HőÁěĆÁĢłĩŅÚäěÁĆĢőĆěäŉūĆőĂÁĢĩŅúÁĢĆÚƈĢĆŉĂ͡ΌŉÁűŉĂĩġäĩūĢäŅ
Christian Lam, “They were very reasonably-priced because
ġĩŉőĂĩġäĩūĢäŅŉłŅäùäŅÁūĂĆőäŅÁĢàÚěäÁĢäŅƈĢĆŉĂ͡ūĂĆÚĂĆŉ
ÁŉĂÁġäÙäÚÁŖŉäőĂäĩƅͿūĂĆőäÚĩěĩŖŅÁĢàĆŅŅäúŖěÁŅŉŖŅùÁÚäĆŉ
what makes it special and natural. Each tile gives the impression
őĂÁőĆőĆŉĂÁĢàƈĢĆŉĂäà͠ĩúäőĂäŅūĆőĂőĂäÙěÁÚėúŅĩŖő͡ĆőÚŅäÁőäŉ
ÁúŅĆààäàŉłÁÚäūĂäŅääŪäŅűőĂĆĢúĆŉùŅÁġäàÁĢàƉĩūŉőĩúäőĂäŅ
in a very organic fashion. It turned out surprisingly better than
what I had imagined. One of the most shocking things to most
of my visitors is that the kitchen has no built-in cabinetry, just
a standalone La Germania cooker as the centrepiece. This is
consistent with my approach that all furniture pieces should be
ÁÙěäőĩƈőĆĢőĩÁĢűŉłÁÚäŅÁőĂäŅőĂÁĢÙäÚŖŉőĩġͿġÁàäùĩŅĆő͠Hő
is not easy keeping the kitchen clutter-free without any built-in
ÚÁÙĆĢäőŉ͡ÙŖőĆőūĩŅėŉùĩŅġä͠Ό
UNLEASH YOUR STYLE
Not sure if you want to do a complete overhaul of
the kitchen? You can still give it a totally new look
with some simple touches. By removing the doors
of the top cabinets and refreshing the bottom ones
with new laminates, the couple were able to save
cost by reusing the previous owner’s cabinetry.
Herringbone-patterned marble tiles replace the
old backsplash, complementing the pastel pink
ÁĢàúŅääĢƈőőĆĢúŉÁĢààäőÁĆěŉĆĢőĂäŉłÁÚä͠HùűĩŖ
are on a budget, you can also attempt to give your
cabinets a new coat of paint to give it a refreshing
new look. Repaint the grout in a new colour to give
it additional detail, and pick out some statement
pieces from your servingware so you have a
story to tell when guests step into this otherwise
functional zone.
DESIGN
ADRIEN
KENT
CREATIVE
STUDIO
PHOTO
FINBARR
FALLON
“ONE OF THE MOST SHOCKING THINGS TO
MOST OF MY VISITORS IS THAT THE KITCHEN
HAS NO BUILT-IN CABINETRY, JUST A
STANDALONE LA GERMANIA COOKER.”
The terrazzo
ﬂooring ﬂows
from the living
room to the
dining and
kitchen area.

24
DESIGN
CHOO
CHIN
NIAN
WHOLE NEW WORLD
By relocating the dining area
to the former balcony, this
kitchen, designed by Three-D
Conceptwerke, is no longer
hemmed in and does not feel cut
ĩƅùŅĩġőĂäŅäŉőĩùőĂäĂĩġä͠Ăä
addition of a peninsula island
gives the kitchen a more open feel
that allows it to connect better
with the other spaces. Apart from
serving as a food preparation area,
the island is also perfect meals.
DESIGN
THREE-D
CONCEPTWERKE
PRIDE OF PLACE
Those who seldom cook or have
few kitchen appliances can take
a leaf out of homeowner Choo
Chin Nian’s book. The modern
homeowner keeps his kitchen
counters and walls clean, without
any cabinets or shelves. The hooks
ÁĢàěäàúäŉĂäĆĢŉőÁěěŉŉĂĩūĩƅĆŉ
key appliances, giving the kitchen
a streamlined but nonetheless
homely feel. With less storage,
Chin Nian also won’t have to worry
about hoarding in the long run.
As he does
not cook
often, Chin
Nian only has
an induction
stove. “I
don’t have
a storeroom
so every
item, from
appliances
to kitchen
hooks, must
look good
enough to be
displayed,”

25
GO INDUSTRIAL
Yearning for something bold, daring and almost
ĩƅäĢŉĆŪäőĩőĂäūŅĩĢúͳĩŅŅĆúĂőʹÚŅĩūàͧÁėä
the Industrial look to the extreme by building
you counters out of bricks and leaving the walls
ŖĢƈĢĆŉĂäà͠©äΎŅäĢĩőŉŖŅäĂĩūűĩŖŅŅäěÁőĆŪäŉĩŅ
family members might feel but this look is not
just edgy on its style, it is just as easy to maintain
and grows even more breathtaking with age.
Of course, there is a way to go about achieving
a stylish industrial look, and that’s by pairing
it with sleek stainless steel accompaniments.
The contrasting smooth and rough textures is
sure to create a look that’s unforgettable and
absolutely head-turningly beautiful.
DESIGN
ERSTUDIO
To
complement
the industrial
look in the
kitchen, the
couple chose
stainless steel
counters.
A CLASSICAL NUMBER
Give an open kitchen a classical
look with materials that hark
back to more formal times. By
incorporating thicker marble
ŉěÁÙŉ͡ÁĢàƈŰőŖŅäŉĆĢġÁőőä
ġäőÁěěĆÚƈĢĆŉĂ͡űĩŖÚÁĢÁÚĂĆäŪä
a stately look without worrying
about the lack of space. This
ġäőĂĩàÙäĢäƈőŉùŅĩġőĂä
availability of natural light, so
make sure your home gets plenty
of sunny daylight to give your
classic kitchen look a refreshing
twist.
DESIGN
HUMBERT

POYET
text YOUNG LIM concept NONIE CHEN

26
FEATURE
TOP HOBS
Check out our round-up of 10 classy cooktops
to make cooking easier and more enjoyable.

A
cooking hob, also known as cooktop,
is an essential built-in kitchen
appliance used for various cooking
methods from boiling to frying. With the
different types and configurations between
a gas stove, induction hob, or an innovative
combination of both, homeowners today
are spoilt for choice in selecting the ideal
cooking hob to serve up compliments and
conversations over the dining table.
FUJIOH HYBRID HOB
WITH INDUCTION CERAMIC
ZONES FH-IC6020
Speciﬁc cookware like the ones
with magnetic bases or made
of stainless steel are required
on induction cooking hobs.
However, you do not have to
be limited with the cookware
options when you have both
induction and ceramic cooking
zones on the Fujioh Hybrid Hob.
A wider range of cookware,
including the ones made of glass,
copper, and aluminum can be
used on ceramic cooktops.
Retails for $858 from Fujioh’s authorised
retailers and its official Shopee and Lazada
stores.
GREATER FLEXIBILITY
There are more combination cooking hobs
designed with more flexibility in mind, where
you can readily mix and match a gas and
induction domino hob. This is also great for
future-proofing, especially when you want to
upgrade or replace a particular module, rather
than having to purchase the entire cooktop.
GAGGENAU VARIO FLEX INDUCTION COOKTOP
400 SERIES
There is no limit to what you can cook with the
modular Gaggenau Vario Flex 400 Series, equipped
with professional-standard technology. Accompanied
with stainless steel knob, the Vario Flex induction
cooktop is also designed with stainless steel frame
and comes with frying sensor. Customise and create
the cooktop of your dreams by adding the different
sizes and modules of induction, gas, teppanyaki,
electric grill, and also downdraft ventilation for a
cohesive cooking experience.
Retails for $4,950 from UnserHaus Customer Care Centre.
27

TECNO GAS-INDUCTION HYBRID
GLASS HOB T 788GI
No need to choose your sides deciding
between a gas or induction hob when you
have a happy marriage of both in the Tecno
hybrid hob to get the best of both worlds.
With the induction hob on the left, you
can ensure a safer cooking experience as
it comes with an automatic shut-off timer
function and greater energy efficiency. The
gas burner on the right provides you with
greater culinary options since it is suitable
across any cookware including a round
bottom wok.
BERTAZZONI DOMINO
GAS HOB P301CPROGNE
Domino hobs come with iconic
slim and sleek characteristics
that are designed to be
compact and modular, where
they are perfect for small
to larger kitchens. Like the
Bertazzoni 30cm Domino gas
hob which features a 4.5kW
wok ring with the single-wok
design on a stylish black glass
hob and its metal control
knob. It is perfect for Asian
households for wok-hey
dishes, while also giving you
an option to add on a separate
induction hob to expand the
cooking capabilities.
OPEN FLAME
If you are an avid home
cook that loves trying out
new dishes, or if you are an
aspiring chef that wants to
master the art of cooking,
go for gas hobs that
allow you to have a sense
of professional cooking
experience from home with
a visible open flame.
KÜCHE SMART GAS HOB
KGH320GW
No more leaving the flame
unattended when you have a
smart gas hob by Küche. Beyond
the regular timer controls for
each individual burner, you can
also set notifications on the
dedicated app for prolonged
usage that reminds you to check
on the hob. With the smart
controls, you can turn off the
gas hob remotely on the app or
even with your voice, great for
those with elderly parents or
multitasking in the kitchen.
FUJIOH 3-BURNERS GAS HOB
WITH 1 DOUBLE INNER FLAME BURNER
FH-GS7030 SVGL
Uneven cooking is a thing of the past with
a double inner flame burner design that
improves heat distribution while ensuring
that your food gets cooked in a shorter time.
Additionally, the Fujioh three-burner gas hob
also comes with external flame burners and a
heat deflector included to have better control
over the flame while diffusing the heat at the
same time. A heat deflector also provides
a layer of protection to keep your premium
cookware in good condition.
Retails for $708
from Fujioh’s
authorised retailers
and its official
Shopee and Lazada
stores.
Retails for $625
from Life by City
Energy, www.
cityenergylife.com.sg
Retails for $878 from Tecno, www.techno.com.sg
Retails for $1,488 from
Bertazzoni’s authorised retailers -
Courts, Harvey Norman, Best Denki.
28

INDUCTION COOKING
Modern and stylish looks
aside, the flat induction
surface is easy to clean,
where spills and splatters
can be removed with a
quick wipe. Safety is one
of the key benefits of
induction cooking as it does
not require any open flame
and reduces the risk of
getting burns.
MIELE SMARTLINE CS 7612 FL
Elevate induction cooking with
the elegant and multifacted Miele
SmartLine induction hob. On the
frameless glass ceramic, you will
find the PowerFlex cooking zones
with permanent pan recognition for
an easier and more intuitive setup,
eliminating manual activation. Aside
from large pans, you can also fit
in the induction wok module that
allows you to do your favourite stir-
frying with a wok.
Retails for $4,900 from Miele, www.miele.sg
TEKA INFINITY G1 HOB
Uniquely designed with an exclusive matte
black finish and a copper accent, the Teka
Infinity G1 Hob adds a touch of understated
elegance and a one-of-a-kind velvet-like
texture to the kitchen. Beyond the richness of
its aesthetics, you can also whip up perfectly
cooked meals with built-in sensors that adjust
to the right cooking temperature for you,
along with the large FlexiZone where you can
conveniently position pots of varying sizes for
simultaneous cooking.
SMEG HOBD VENTING INDUCTION HOB
HOBD682R1
Meet Smeg’s Hobd, the perfect combination
of a hood and a hob for seamless cooking and
extraction process. Made with a single piece of
ceramic glass, the induction hob features four
cooking zones that can be flushed completely
for a pure and minimal look. In the integrated
extractor fan, you will find an AquaProof Engine
and liquid collectors that help to ensure that
everything is still functioning, even in the event
of spills and overflow of water or other liquids.
Retails for
$8,080 from Smeg,
www.smegshop.sg
Retails for
$3,300 from Teka,
www.teka-sg.com
RINNAI 2 ZONE INDUCTION HOB RB-7032H
Having touchscreen buttons on induction hobs ensures its
seamless and sleek operation. Amping up a notch, the smart
wheel control on Rinnai’s new induction hob is designed for
more precise heat and timer settings while enjoying improved
usability. On top of the induction hob, you will find two cooking
zones with auto pan recognition sensors and anti-overflow
protection. Available in both grey and black glass designs.
Retails for $1,290 from Rinnai, www.rinnai.sg
text JYN TEO
29

FEATURE
RECIPES FOR SUCCESS
Yearning to put your cooking appliances and
skills to the test? Have a go at these popular local
delights and surprise your family and guests at
the next home gathering.
M
ost, if not all Singaporeans
grow up with a very
distinct sense of food and
cuisine. From a very young age,
we’re exposed to the cornucopia of
cultures in our beautiful country,
and nothing showcases this happy
marriage more than the food of
our people.
From curries to sambal, to
stir-fries in our Lonely Planet-
worthy hawker centres, we’ve got
it all, and boy, are we proud of it.
While homemakers from
the older generations may be
well-versed in preparing these
delectable dishes, many younger
ones are intimidated by the
amount of prepwork and labour
required of the recipes. However,
with practise and patience, it
is easy to master some local
delicacies worthy of a weekend
lunch or dinner spread.
With the right kitchen
appliances and cooking essentials
in place, this is the opportune
ġĩġäĢőőĩƈĢàĩŖőĂĩūūäěě
your home kitchen can handle the
task of whipping up some tasty
local recipes.
Commonly found in most
hawker centres, dishes like satay
and nasi ulam are well loved by
the locals because of its robust
ƉÁŪĩŖŅŉ͠DäŅä͡ūäΎŪäŉĆġłěĆƈäà
the steps required to create those
traditional favourites. Use the
following recipes to see how well
your cooking skills stack up too.
30

NASI ULAM AYAM BAKAR
Ingredients
FOR ULAM
ͪ͛úĆĢúäŅƉĩūäŅ͡ġĆĢÚäà
• One onion, minced
• ½ cucumber, julienned
• 20 g mint leaves, julienned
• 20 g Vietnamese mint leaves,
julienned
• 20 g local basil leaves, julienned
• 20 g cabbage, julienned
• 10 g beansprouts
FOR CHICKEN
• 2 chicken Maryland cuts
• 3 cm ginger
• 3 cm galangal
• ½ tsp turmeric powder
• 2 stalks lemongrass
• ½ tsp coriander powder
• 1 ½ tsp kicap manis
• Salt
• Sugar
FOR KICAP SAUCE
• 10 birds eye chilli, deseeded
• 5 cloves garlic, sliced
• One red onion, sliced
• One calamansi, juice only
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 10 Tbsp kicap manis
Ingredients
• 1 kg oxtail, washed and
cleaned
• 4 inch piece of ginger
• 15 cloves garlic
• 20 shallots
• 7 onions
• 6 stalks lemongrass,
white part only
• 3 piece x 2 inch galangal
̟̞ͪėÁƆŅěĆġäěäÁŪäŉ
• 20 dried chillies. seeds
removed, soaked in hot
water for 15 minutes,
then blended
• ½ cup tamarind paste
• ½ cup candlenuts.
ground with a bit of
water to form a paste
• Cooking oil
• Water
Method
1. For rice: mix ulam
ingredients with cooked rice
before portioning to serve.
2. Pound ginger and galangal
to a paste. Combine with the
rest of the ingredients, season
to taste with salt and sugar,
then marinate chicken for at
least two hours in chiller.
3. Spread oil on griller before
placing chicken over. Baste
with oil when grilling.
4. Make kicap sauce: Heat
a tablespoon of oil. Add
chillies, garlic, and onion.
Saute until fragrant. Remove
from heat and allow to cool
before blending together. Add
calamansi juice, sugar, kicap
manis, then salt to taste.
Method
1. Blend together ginger,
garlic, shallots, and onion.
Bruise lemongrass and
úÁěÁúÁě͡ÁĢàőäÁŅėÁƆŅ
lime leaves apart to release
fragrance.
2. Heat half a cup of cooking
oil in a large pot, add blended
ingredients, lemongrass,
úÁěÁúÁěÁĢàėÁƆŅěĆġäěäÁŪäŉ͡
and stir fry till fragrant. Add
in blended dried chillies.
3. Add 3 tablespoons water
and tamarind paste and stir
to combine. Simmer over
medium heat. Add in oxtail,
then pour in water until
it covers oxtail. Simmer
until water reduces. Add in
candlenut paste.
4. Simmer until gravy has
thickened, and oxtail is
tender. You may discard the
excess oil that will appear on
the surface.
OXTAIL ASAM PEDAS
31

32
SATAY
Ingredients
• 400 g chicken meat ,
cut into 1 inch cubes
• 400 gm beef tenderloin,
cut into 1 inch cubes
• 20 shallots
• 10 cloves garlic
• 3 cm galangal
• 4 cm ginger
• 5 stalks lemongrass,
only white part
FOR PEANUT SAUCE
• 1 kg peanuts
• 14 shallots, sliced
• 7 cloves garlic, sliced
• 2 inch ginger, sliced
• 2 inch galacal, sliced
• 2 stalks lemongrass, sliced
• 15 dried chillies, seeds
removed and soaked in hot
water for 15 minutes, then
blended
• 2 pieces palm sugar
• 5 Tbsp tamarind juice
• Salt to taste
Method
1. Blend together shallots,
garlic, galangal, ginger, and
lemongrass.
2. Add all other ingredients.
3. Mix well with beef and
chicken. Marinate in the chiller
for at least 3 hours.
4. Use bamboo sticks to skewer
meat cubes. Barbeque over a
ÚĂÁŅÚĩÁěƈŅä͠#ŅĆŹŹěäūĆőĂĩĆě
using a bruised lemongrass
ŉőÁěėùĩŅÁààäàƉÁŪĩŖŅ͠
5. Make peanut sauce: Fry
peanuts in oil until nice and
tanned. Remove and allow to
cool, then blend coarsely.
6. Fry sliced ingredients in oil
until fragrant. Remove, then
blend with 2 tablespoons water.
7. Heat 5 tablespoons oil, add
blended sliced ingredients and
dried chilli and stir fry until oil
has split.
8. Add blended peanuts and
enough water to cover all the
ingredients. Simmer for 5-7
minutes.
9. Add palm sugar and
tamarind juice. Season to taste
with salt and simmer until
thickened.
• 1 Tbsp brown sugar
• 1 Tbsp turmeric powder
• 2 tsp aniseed powder
• 2 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp belacan
• Bamboo sticks for skewers,
soaked in water before
skewering
TIP
There’s no need to remove the
peanut skins before frying. Fry on
low fire and stir to avoid overfrying
or burning, as burnt peanuts are
bitter and will affect the overall
taste of the satay sauce.
text and art direction EMMELYN CINDY MAH photos ROBIN YONG

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3. Charcoal Grill
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5. ENTUSIASM
Side plate,
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GAMER BARBIE DREAMS
The world is abuzz with
candyﬂoss pink following
the incredible success of
Greta Gerwig’s iconic Barbie
movie! Bring your very own
Barbie dreams to life with
Secretlab’s tasteful designs.
The TITAN Evo Plush Pink
Chair is the perfect addition,
be it to a chic workspace or an
unapologetically blush-hued
gaming rig. Imbued
with ergonomic design, the
chair marries a proprietary
pebble seat base with
SoftWeave Plus Fabric for
optimal support, durability, and
comfort - with unique style.
The TITAN Evo Plush Pink
Chair starts from $649. Orders
can be placed on www.
secretlab.sg
TRENDING
Beautiful plates are to well-
cooked food what a well-cut suit
is to a gentleman. Don’t let hours
of slaving over the stove go to
waste by presenting your meals
on plain or chipped servingware.
Give your diners something to
remember with a unique
platter that speaks volumes
about not just the food, but the
chef as well.
SERVING GRACE
1
2
3
4
5
34

SCULPTED TO SUSTAIN
Humanity’s charge towards protecting
endangered fauna takes pewter form in
Royal Selangor’s Sculptura collection.
Elegance and esteem incarnate, each
carefully derived species takes centre
stage with ease, inspiring respect whilst
remaining true to life. The collection is
headed by a 24K gilded Malayan Tiger (and
its cub) and is mounted on a walnut-stained
ŅŖÙÙäŅūĩĩà͠gőĂäŅĩƅäŅĆĢúŉĆĢÚěŖàäőĂä
Orangutan, Leatherback Sea Turtle, and
black-tinged Malayan Tapir - key species in
championing protection and sustainability.
A CHANGE
OF SEASONS
Ushering in a change of seasons
and colours, French luxury design
house Hermès has launched its
Autumn-Winter collection of
fashion, accessories, and home and
living objects. Jacquard woven of
soft cashmere and embellished
with hand-embroidered beads,
the Avalon Néon jacquard
cushion embodies the spirit of
artisanal expertise and exquisite
craftsmanship. Reinvented by
Nicola Aguzzi, the motif springs
to life in vibrant colouring, striking
stripes accentuating the colours of
the Hermès signature.
Ikea’s new Tabberas collection is set to bring sunshine
and cheerfulness into your kitchen! From magical
colour-changing oven gloves and coasters to playfully-
designed cotton tea towels, the collection lends
fabulous, fruity ﬂavour to your space whilst entertaining
little ones and guests alike. If you’re constantly
congregating in the kitchen, this limited collection is
sure to add an element of quirky fun.
The Sculptura Collection is available at Royal
Selangor stores, authorised dealers, and online
at royalselangor.com.
A MAGICAL CULINARY
ADVENTURE
The Avalon Néon jacquard cushion
retails at $3,950, and is available at
Hermès Marina Bay Sands, Liat Towers,
Takashimaya, and Changi Airport.
Ikea’s limited
Tabberas collection
starts from $4.
Shop online at
www.ikea.com/sg or
at Ikea Tampines.
35

WISH UPON A STAR
To commemorate 100 years of Disney’s enchanting
storytelling, Swarovski has brought together renowned
talents, each contributing Disney-inspired art with
proceeds to the Make-A-Wish foundation. Among these
contributions is Cinderella’s iconic crystal slipper,
a bespoke piece contributed by Swarovski’s Global
Creative Director Giovanna Engelbert. Crafted for the
ȾȼȽɁÂ°ùœʌ†’é°ÐÉ°É˜œÞœÂÂ†ĝÂÈʣéœȾȾȽʌ¦†’œéœ˜âÂ°ÛÛœÞ
°â’Ð†éœ˜°ÉÂ°§éʌÞœĞœ’é°É§îÞÐÞ† ÐÞœ†Â°ââ°ÈÈœÞʣ
showcasing exquisite craftsmanship. More celebrations
are to follow later this year, with Swarovski also set to
launch its Disney100xSwarovski collection of jewellery
and home decor products.
Created in partnership with interior
designer Matteo Nunziati, KARL
LAGERFELD MAISON’s brand-new
collection draws inspiration from the
designer’s passion for art, marrying
Þéœ’Ð†É˜ †î†îâ°ÉĞîœÉ’œâʨ
The furniture groups are named
for the designer’s favourite Parisian
neighbourhoods, including the sleek
Quai Voltaire kitchen. Imbued with
precious materials like Nero Antico
marble, glossy black lacquered steel,
and Zimbabwe black marble, the
kitchen and dining collection perfectly
captures the dichotomy of tradition
and modernity.
LAGERFELD LUXE
The Karl Lagerfeld Maison Quai Voltaire
Kitchen and Dining collection is now available
for order. Prices and distribution information
are available upon request from info@
karllagerfeldmaison.com.
For more information on Swarovski’s Create100 with Disney,
visit www.swarovski.com/en-SG/s-disney-create-100/
EDITOR’S
CHOICE
36

The Baccarat Eye Vase retails at $2,000, with the Faunacrystopolis Bird,
Papillon Lucky Butterfly, and Bloom Fowers retailing at $430, $300, and
$260 respectively. They are available at Baccarat Boutiques at The Shoppes
at Marina Bay Sands and at Takashimaya Department Store.
The Red Terra retails at $189. Make an
appointment to visit the SodaStream Singapore
HQ at Oxley Bizhub, or order yours online at www.
sodastream.sg
Bring the sparkle back into your life
and water, with SodaStream’s brand
new Terra, now available in bold red.
The perfect addition to any modern
kitchen, this cherry-hued device will
add a cheerful pop of colour; yet, it isn’t
all form with no function. The Quick
Connect technology makes refilling the
CO2 cylinder easy and hassle-free, so
you can enjoy fresh sparkling water in
mere seconds. Chin chin!
SODA SO GOOD
PINK PERFECTION
S°É¿°âéœ’ÐÂÐîÞÐ¦Û†ââ°ÐÉ†É˜ †’’†Þ†é°â°Éù°é°É§ĀÐî
to partake. Echoing vivacity, innocence, playfulness, and
joy, pink takes centre stage in the brand’s Think Pink
capsule collection. The collection features delicately
dreamy home decorations: a vibrant and luminous Eye
ù†âœʣ†îÉ†’ÞĀâéÐÛÐÂ°â‘°Þ˜ʣS†Û°ÂÂÐÉ;î’¿Ā‘îééœÞĞĀʣ†É˜
†’’†Þ†é‘ÂÐÐÈ’ÐÂÂœ’é°ÐÉĞÐúœÞâʣ†ÂÂÛ°É¿ʣ†ÂÂÛÂ†Ā¦îÂÉœââʣ
and all perfection. Free-fall into romanticism and view the
world through rose-tinted glasses!
The Shark FlexStyle retails at
$499 from Best Denki, Tangs, Metro,
Harvey Norman, Courts, Lazada,
and Shopee.
NEVER A HAIRY MOMENT
Say goodbye to frizzy hair with
Shark Ninja’s inaugural introduction
to Singapore! The Shark FlexStyle
dries, curls, volumises, and smoothes
hair with low, consistent heat,
ensuring damage-free, salon-
quality polish with ease. A single
twist converts the Shark FlexStyle
from a dryer to a multi-styling
tool, and accessories like a styling
concentrator, a curl-defining diffuser,
brushes, and two auto-wrap curlers
allow for a convenient and time-
savvy routine.
37

Master of temperature control
Thermos recently launched its
inaugural non-stick cookware
collection. The functional,
lightweight, and abrasion-resistant
designs are of Japanese origin
and include non-stick frying pans,
cooking pots, and a nylon-slotted
turner accessory. Compatible with
both electric and gas hobs, this
striking collection makes the perfect
aV,BaVfV;, ,;,ax
Conceived to answer the call for
durable, solid wood furniture without
felling centuries-old timber trees, The
Table Guy x Onewood’s Ki Dining Set
delivers quality and class. Symmetry
and simplicity make up the lines
of the outdoor dining set, which is
made of Onewood’s Homogenous
Reconstituted Timber (HRT). The
set maintains the polish of natural
wood while mitigating its structural
weakness, lending versatility and
longevity for today and for many
years to come.
TABLE FOR TOMORROW
The Thermos Non-Stick Cookware
Collection retails between $39 to $63
and is available from official Thermos
E-commerce stores on Shopee, Lazada,
and Qoo10.
The Ki Dining Table retails at $1,500,
not including an accompanying bench
($850) and stool ($500). It is now
available for order at www.tableguy.sg
kitchen companion for cooks of
all levels. Released in conjunction
with Singapore’s national day,
this iconic series is available only
in red and wine red hues.
38

NEW STORE
LEFT
Located on the
second floor
at Suntec City
West Wing, you
can find the
Yogibo store
near Don Don
Donki and Tokyu
Hands.
FAR LEFT
Meet Yogibo
Mates, the
cuddly plush
that children and
adults love.
BELOW
Yogibo
accessories,
such as Traybo,
Zipparoll, and
Yogibo Roll
Smile, lined up
on the shelves.
Yogibo is located at 3 Temasek
Boulevard, #02-368/369, Suntec
City West Wing. Visit www.yogibo.
sg for more information.
in its stretchy outer cover,
which are made with patented
technology using one-of-a-
kind manufacturing process.
Unlike regular slouchy
bean bags, the beads sofa are
sturdy and can be positioned
upright too. Lightly press
your body against the sofa
to create a perfect mold for a
tight embrace. Other creative
ways of interacting with the
sofa includes using it as a
recliner, armchair, and even
laying flat as a bed. With the
wide selection of outer cover
collection, homeowners
can mix and match with 10
different sofa sizes and 35
colourways.
Aside from being machine
washable, the durable covers
are also able to return to
its original elasticity with
proper care and maintenance,
making the beads sofa safe and
enjoyable for all ages including
children.
the Suntec City shopping mall.
The concept of the beads
sofa was created and founded
by Eyal Levy, in his attempt
to help his pregnant wife to
have a better sleep at night as
she was unable to lie on her
belly with her bump. With the
beads sofa prototype, his wife
was able to have a comfortable
sleep, alleviating her pains
and eliminating all pressure
points. Since its launch in
2009, Yogibo has expanded to
over 120 retail stores globally.
Modular, functional, and
sensorial, the Yogibo beads
sofa is touted to be a game-
changing bean bag-slash-
sofa combi. Instead of foam
padding found in standard sofa
furniture, Yogibo’s versions
are filled with beads, allowing
one to sink into its embrace
while still enjoying ample
back support. The magic lies
T
he perfect slow Sunday
afternoon is one where
you drift off into a
delightful snooze with the help
of cloud-like support from
a soft, mochi-like lounger.
Now you can look forward to
experiencing such an ultimate
relaxation with the Yogibo
beads sofa, also known as
“the magic sofa that’s too
comfortable to move”, at its
first ever showroom located at
YOGIBO SHOWROOM
The brand’s first store here, dedicated
to its beads sofas, opens in Suntec City.
text JYN TEO photos YOGIBO BEADS SOFA 39

HOT SPOT
C
onsidered by art
historians as the
finest example of
Chinese blue-green landscape
painting, A Thousand Li of
Rivers and Mountains by 12th-
Century artist Wang Ximeng
is considered to be one of
the nation’s prized cultural
treasures.
While the painting may be
the artist’s only surviving work,
Ximeng’s legacy can now find an
extension through Yanbai Villa,
which boasts a unique design
inspired by Ximeng’s creation.
Designed by Singapore-
YANBAI VILLA
Step into a world where time stands
still and your vision of the world is
deﬁned by bold strokes of colour and
graceful layered waves of texture, all
inspired by a seminal Chinese painting
from the 12th-Century.
based Wimberly Interiors
(the interior design studio of
the global, industry-leading
hospitality and destination
design firm WATG), Yanbai
Villa in Beijing offers the
perfect spot for those in search
of solace, a luxurious sanctuary
of peace and immersive one-of-
a-kind experiences.
Working alongside renowned
Chinese architect and Pritzker
Architecture Prize winner, Wang
Shu of Amateur Architecture
Studio, the team studied Wang
Ximeng’s unique ability to mimic
three-dimensional forms within
40

ABOVE
Coloured tiles
resemble a
pixelated form
of the artwork.
ABOVE LEFT
Bamboo screens
allow light to
ﬁlter through to
the interiors.
LEFT
Oriental in
design, the
villa also
features some
chic Western
inﬂuences.
OPPOSITE
The ceiling
beams were
constructed
according to
the ancient
technique,
without the use
of any glue or
nails.
good to
know
The 12-Century artist
Wang Ximeng was
18 when he painted
his most famous
work, passing away
shortly after at the
tender age of 20.
2D paintings and took cues from
the artist’s prevalent use of vivid
blues and greens against an
ochre background – an artistic
style called blue-green Shan
Shui. The interior designers
also tapped into Wang Shu’s
noteworthy transformation
of materials from demolished
buildings and landscapes into
architectural masterpieces.
Merging these two influences
into a spectacular statement
piece, the feature wall within
Yanbai Villa’s reception lobby
is a striking, tapestry-like
mosaic of stones and tiles
recycled from the original
site that flows through the
gallery and draws guests into a
memorable arrival experience.
“To ensure an all-
encompassing sensory
experience, each space is
carefully curated through
a balanced play of visuals,
41

THE NATURAL PALETTE CONTINUES
IN THE GUESTROOMS, WITH
BRUSHED TIMBER, TEXTURAL
GRANITE TONE, AND, OF COURSE,
BREATH-TAKING VIEWS.
ABOVE
Clever use of
natural materials
helps to add a
sensual touch to
the interiors.
ABOVE LEFT
Full-length glass
panels allow
both interior
and exterior
to merge
harmoniously.
ABOVE RIGHT
The corridors
take on a cream
tone to create
a soft transition
from room to
room.
RIGHT
The villa’s
immersive
design create
ﬂuid spaces.
42

ABOVE
Straight lines
keep the
architecture of
the villa simple
yet enthralling.
BELOW
The interiors
also feature
plenty of
Chinese
artworks in
traditional and
contemporary
styles.
For more information, visit
https://slh.com/hotels/yanbai-villa
lighting, proportion, colour
and textural contrasts,” said
Deepu Mahboobani, Managing
Principal in Wimberly Interiors’
Singapore studio. “Beckoning
guests in, a grand wooden
ceiling structure is suspended
in the arrival area and connects
the stunning outdoor setting
to the dramatic interior.
Then, as they continue
from public spaces to their
private retreats, guests will
traverse winding corridors
and encounter pleasant
surprises as well as moments
of contemplation, all capturing
the essence of Yanbai Villa.”
Decorative elements like
starburst marquetry, handmade
glazed tiles, and highly curated
art make subtle appearances
but are approached with
refinement and elegance. Dim
intimate lighting evokes a
sense of mystery and softness,
in contrast with the bold,
geometric elements found
throughout the hotel. And in the
dining rooms, timber, marble,
and glass are accented by brass
and earthy tones, emphasizing
the sophistication of simplicity
and celebrating natural
materials. The natural palette
continues in the guestrooms,
with brushed timber, textural
granite tone, custom furniture,
generous bathtubs, and, of
course, breath-taking views.
43

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MAKE WWW.HOMEANDDECOR.COM.SG YOUR
ONE-STOP DESIGN DESTINATION TODAY!
AN ALL-NEW ONLINE EXPERIENCE!
AVAILABLE ON DESKTOPS
ALL MOBILE DEVICES.

THE SPIRIT OF EXPLORATION
A master of storytelling through
material experimentation,
designer, curator and educator
Hans Tan is not afraid to look at
everyday objects in new ways.
A three-time winner of the
President*s Design Award, widely
known for his works that blur
the boundary between design
and art, Hans Tan developed his
I D E A S AN D I N S P I R AT I O N F R O M T H O S E I N T H E K N O W
initial interest in design during his
ÛœÞîâ†ÂÐ¦’ÐîÞâœÐđœÞ°É§â†ééœ
National University of Singapore
(NUS). With his self-admitted
strength in business, Hans was
drawn to pursing industrial design
†â°éÐđœÞœ˜†‘†Â†É’œÐ¦˜œâ°§Éʣ
engineering and business, which
spurred him to give this unique
creative career path a chance.

T
he rest, as they say, was
history. Hans ended
up studying industrial
design at NUS for four years,
followed by a two-year master’s
degree at the prestigious
Design Academy Eindhoven
in The Netherlands, where
his design philosophy was
shaped by the likes of Joost
Grootens, an architect by
training but a book designer
by trade, and Barbara Visser,
a contemporary conceptual
artist, photographer, video
ÁŅőĆŉő͡ÁĢàέłäŅùĩŅġÁĢÚäÁŅőĆŉő͠
When Hans came back to
Singapore, he knew that he
ūÁĢőäàőĩŉőÁŅőĂĆŉĩūĢƈŅġ
immediately. “There was no
design company at the time
in Singapore that worked
adventurously with materials
and I knew that to do that I
ĂÁàőĩŪäĢőŖŅäĩƅĩĢġűĩūĢ͡Ό
he explains. “I wanted to be a
pioneer and a changemaker,
to work on projects that
were more conceptual and
äŰłěĩŅÁőĩŅű͠Ό
Craft with Story and Meaning
Through the years that followed,
Hans Tan’s eponymous practice
remained consistent in its
approach and dedication to
material exploration and
äŰłäŅĆġäĢőÁőĆĩĢūĆőĂàĆƅäŅäĢő
techniques. Speaking of the
1
SPOTLIGHT
“I WANTED TO BE A PIONEER
AND A CHANGEMAKER, TO WORK
ON PROJECTS THAT WERE MORE
CONCEPTUAL AND EXPLORATORY.”
photo
LUCA
ROTONDO
-
@LOOCAROUND
46

1. Hans Tan in his
studio.
2. Outside
In transforms
porcelain vessels
by removing
the original
glaze surface
and exposing
the underlying
porcelain bisque.
3. From a broken
camera to an
antique sewing
chest, R for Repair
breathes new
life into personal
possessions.
4. R for Repair -
object after repair.
5. Spotted Nonya
is a contemporary
industrial take on
traditional Chi-
nese-Peranakan
porcelain objects.
2 3
5
photo
STUDIOWONGS
photo
STUDIOWONGS
photo
STUDIOWONGS
4
evolution of his design process
as he sees it, Hans notes that he
has shifted his focus on works
that steer towards the material
exploration path and are a little
less conceptual. “Nevertheless,
for me, the concept is still
as important as exploring a
ġÁőäŅĆÁě͡ΌĂääěÁÙĩŅÁőäŉ͠΋
good design outcome to me is
the one that addresses the story
and the meaning, as well as
reveals a new interpretation of
a material – I try to hit that soft
ŉłĩőĆĢőĂäġĆààěä͠Ό
Beyond material
exploration, works produced
by Han’s studio weave in
threads of storytelling to
reveal and examine how
culture and tradition are
constantly changing and
are never stagnant. To him,
contemporarising tradition
is also a way of keeping and
moving it forward, as is the
case with his Spotted Nyonya
series, where traditional
Peranakan vessels are
reimagined and reworked
by Hans with the application
of new technical processes.
“Giving a new interpretation of
story and doing so by giving a
new interpretation of a material
is a very important element
that I carry on in my practice as
ÁàäŉĆúĢäŅ͡ΌŉÁűŉDÁĢŉ͠
Learning through Exploration
Resist blasting, a term
coined by Hans for one of his
signature techniques that
involves a removal of a material
strategically on the surface of a
glaze in a very skilled manner
to produce a new pattern on
47

“On a technical side, I
was experimenting with
àĆƅäŅäĢőőŅäÁőġäĢőŉĩù
porcelain and glaze and
approached the materials
with a question of how I
could work with readymade
objects (Peranakan vessels)
őĩÚŅäÁőäŉĩġäőĂĆĢúĢäū͡Ό
recalls Hans. He discovered
through exploration that
applying resist blasting
to a fully-coloured vessel
removed colour and exposed
the white glaze, thusly
revealing the underlying
beauty of each ware. Hans
used a dotted pattern for
his Spotted Nyonya series
to create a juxtaposition
between modern motifs and
traditional elements to create
àĆƅäŅäĢőěäŪäěŉĩùłäŅÚäłőĆĩĢ
of traditional wares.
In his studio, Hans
displays tons of his pieces at
various stages of material
exploration. Some of these
pieces might never see the
light of the day, and some
of them he will continue to
work on continuously. “If I see
that there is an interesting
ŅäŉĩěŖőĆĩĢ͡HūĆěěƈĢĆŉĂĆőÁŉ
ÁłĆäÚäĩùūĩŅė͡ΌĂäàĆŪŖěúäŉ͡
revealing his boundless spirit
of exploration.
It is precisely this
attention to details and focus
on materials, as well as the
exploratory nature of his
projects, that continues to
push him to reinvent and
add on to his collections and
take on new ground-breaking
projects, like his upcoming
series of interventions at
the new Changi Terminal
2 which will be unveiled
“I SEE MYSELF AS A CRAFTSMAN TRYING
TO PERFECT MY TECHNIQUES.”
6
6. For the
second edition
of R for Repair
exhibition,
designers from
the UK and
Singapore were
invited to repair
adored but
damaged objects
donated by
members of the
public.
7. A terracotta
series commis-
sioned by the
National Gallery
Singapore
an existing pattern, is a
skill that Tan has perfected
over the years through
rigorous experimentation
with materials, tools and
processes. Tan started
experimenting with resist
blasting while working on
his Spotted Nyonya series
that has garnered worldwide
attention and accolades since
its launch.
7
photo
STUDIOWONGS
photo
STUDIOWONGS
48

KEY ARTWORKS
1. COPYTIAM CHAIR
One of the important
early projects for Hans
Tan was his response
to the brief posed by
the Singapore Funiture
Industries Council for
SingaPlural 2012 to
reinterpret a furniture
item in any way that the
designer saw fit. “For
my reinterpretation, I
did a drawing of the
kopitiam chair instead
of doing something
to it physically. To
me it was important
because I found out
that the chair was not
original to Singapore;
it was the copy of the
Thonet chair No.14
designed in 19th century
Europe,” discloses Tan.
By creating a detailed
drawing, Tan sought to
democratise the idea
of the chair, so the
drawing could be given
to any carpenter for
accurate reproduction.
‘This project made it
obvious to me that
there is a big difference
between originality and
authenticity. I came to
grips that the chair was
still very authentically
Singaporean, something
that made us who
we are and gave an
atmosphere to our
coffee shops and
hawker centres.”
later this year. “I see myself
as a craftsman trying to
łäŅùäÚőġűőäÚĂĢĆńŖäŉ͡Ό
says Hans. “In many of my
series, you can see my skill
getting extremely precise
and detailing very intricate,
which I may have not been
able to do before. Usually my
subsequent additions to my
series get more and more
complicated as I become
ġĩŅäÚĩĢƈàäĢőĆĢőĂäÚŅÁùő͠Ό
Hans Tan x National Gallery
Singapore
In 2016, Hans Tan was
commissioned by the
National Gallery Singapore to
reinterpret the motifs from
the paintings in the NGS
collection using the resist
blasting technique, for which
the designer has become so
known. “This commission
had put me in a very
interesting space as I had
to work with a potter who
ĂÁŉőĩƈĢàÁūÁűőĩƈŅä
terracotta pieces so that
when the surface of a stone
glaze would be blasted
away it would still look like
őäŅŅÁÚĩőőÁ΁ŉőĆěěŅäààĆŉĂ͡Ό
recalls Hans.
ĂĆŉūÁŉőĂäƈŅŉőłŅĩĔäÚő
where he had to work with
a potter to create wares
from scratch, rather than
working with readymade
or found objects. The
resulting terracotta series,
Terraformcotta, translated
the abstract forms of the
birds from Chen Wen
Hsi’s artwork Herons into
repeatable patterns applied
to a vase using the resist
blasting technique.
2. SPOTTED NYONYA
SERIES
The Spotted Nyonya
collection launched
by Hans Tan Studio in
2011 reinterpreted the
traditional domestic
wares attributed to the
Peranakan Chinese of
Southeast Asia by taking
on a contemporary
approach by applying
dotted patterns to the
surfaces of the wares
using the resist blasting
technique. The first
collection, a winner
of the President*s
Design Award Design
of the Year 2012,
comprised five items:
a candleholder, a
container without lid,
big and small containers
with lids and a platter
and subtly examined
the story of arts and a
notion of identity as it
related to Singaporeans
and people who live in
Singapore.
3. R FOR REPAIR
Originally debuting at
the National Design
Centre in January
2021, Hans Tan
Studio-initiated R
for Repair exhibition
explored how creative
repair could preserve
meaning and breathe
new life into people’s
possessions. As part
of the design process,
Hans and his team
arranged conversations
between commissioned
designers and
owners of the
donated objects to
create meaningful
reinterpretations of
stories behind the
items. “I wanted to work
with a notion that when
you repair something
creatively and with
ingenuity of materials,
you can come up with
something that is much
better than its original
state,” he explains.
After the success
of the first exhibition,
DesignSingapore
Council and Hans Tan
collaborated again on
the second edition at
the VA Museum in
London. Launching
a dynamic design
exchange between
the United Kingdom
and Singapore, the
exhibition featured a set
of 10 new commissions
as well as three objects
from the inaugural
edition of the exhibition.
1
3
2
text OLHA ROMANIUK photos ZUKETA FILM PRODUCTION
photo
STUDIOWONGS
49

PEOPLE
STRENGTH IN
SOFTNESS
Marcus Wong, Business Development Director
of local custom furniture and upholstery
specialist Danovel, on the evolution of soft
furnishing in Singapore and reasons to opt for
custom-made furniture.
D
ÁĢĩŪäěūÁŉƈŅŉő
established in the 1960s
by Marcus’ grandfather,
Koh Kee Khim, who founded
Hock Hin Furniture Company
and started producing sofas for
local homeowners. Back then,
the store was located at Jalan
Nanas (Sims Ave, presently
located opposite Eunos
MRT), in a rented zinc-roofed
kampong house.
According to Marcus, over
the years the company has
gone above and beyond to
meet the changing needs of
its customers, as a uniquely
custom-made furniture
manufacturer. “We are
proud to say that we have
been awarded the Made With
Passion Singapore mark by
the Singapore Tourism Board,
recognising our commitment
to delivering high-quality
products and services. We
go all out to source quality
and custom materials for our
ÚŖŉőĩġäŅŉūĂĩĂÁŪäŉłäÚĆƈÚ
requests,” he points out, “For
instance, some of them have
requested for Swarovski
crystals, or completely organic
materials, such as raw cotton
or linen fabrics, and we take
őĂäőĆġäÁĢàäƅĩŅőőĩġääő
őĂäĆŅŉłäÚĆƈÚĢääàŉ͠Ό
DO YOU SEE AN INCREASE
IN THE NUMBER OF
HOMEOWNERS ASKING FOR
CUSTOM UPHOLSTERED
FURNITURE IN SINGAPORE?
Yes, we do. While there is a
lot of ready-made furniture
in the market, we see that
customers are looking for
more personalised, bespoke
furniture nowadays. They
come to us with their unique
expectations and design
requirements, which cannot
ÙäùŖěƈěěäàÙűŅäÁàűͿġÁàäÁĢà
mass market furniture.
HOW HAS THE INDUSTRY
EVOLVED OVER THE LAST
TWO DECADES?
Initially, we saw mostly
expatriates who showed
appreciation for such custom-
made furniture and sofa
upholstery. But as Western
ĆĢƉŖäĢÚäĂÁŉÙäÚĩġäġĩŅä
prevalent in Singaporean
society, and Singaporeans
become more well-travelled
ÁĢàÁƇŖäĢő͡ġĩŅäÁŅäěĩĩėĆĢú
to bring that European touch
of bespoke quality into their
homes as well – including
custom upholstered furniture.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST
POPULAR HOME FABRICS
RIGHT NOW, AND WHY ARE
THEY TRENDING?
Aquaclean fabric is one of the
most popular fabrics right now.
It is pet-friendly, which means
it can withstand scratches, and
is more durable in terms of
the performance of the fabric.
Those with young children or
pets and want to avoid stains,
it can be easily washed away
with just clear water. So,
it’s very easy to maintain.
The fabric has antibacterial
properties as well, which was
timely during Covid-19. We get
two or three requests for such
fabrics every week.
AT WHICH STAGE OF THEIR
HOME-BUILDING JOURNEY
SHOULD HOMEOWNERS
CONSIDER DANOVEL’S
SERVICES?
I would suggest that they start
as early as possible (i.e. at the
ideation and planning stage)
1
1
50

as the process could take up
to a month. Most of the time
ĆŉŉłäĢőŉäěäÚőĆĢúÁĢàƈĢä
tuning the furniture to cater
to the customer’s personal
preferences. The design process
usually takes about a week, and
then three to four weeks for
manufacturing.
They can start by browsing
various living concepts online
or in their favourite magazine
to look for their preferred
designs, before coming down
to our showroom. At our
showroom, it would typically
take at least two hours for the
customer to discuss with our
interior designers and select
a fabric of their choice. We
would recommend suitable
fabrics based on the customer’s
budget, and the look and feel
they have in mind. Once the
design has been chosen, we will
úäőőĂäŉłäÚĆƈÚġäÁŉŖŅäġäĢőŉ
from the customer, and prepare
a CAD shop drawing mockup
of the design for the customer’s
approval. Since some of the
ùÁÙŅĆÚŉĂÁŪäőĩÙäƉĩūĢĆĢ
from overseas, that would take
additional time as well.
WHAT IS THE VALUE-ADD THAT
DANOVEL OFFERS COMPARED
TO OTHER FURNITURE
BRANDS?
Danovel is a heritage brand
that specialises in upholstered
handcrafted sofas and various
furniture and furnishings. Our
products are all crafted locally,
and made with high quality
materials to ensure that our
customers are getting the best
value for their money.
Additionally, Danovel is a non-
traditional furniture company
that adopts a progressive
outlook. What sets us apart
from other brands is our
commitment to invest in
cutting-edge technology,
such as machinery and
robotics, allowing us to blend
traditional craftsmanship
with modern technology. We
can say that we are the most
technologically advanced
upholstery company
in Singapore, and the
technology we have allows
us to produce more fanciful,
high-quality furniture for
our customers.
Visit www.danovel.com to
ﬁnd out more about how to
customise your own furniture.
1. Sofa
upholstered
in Aquaclean
fabric.
2. 3. Artisans
at work in
the factory.
4. Aquaclean
fabric swatches.
5.Designers
at Danovel are
able to provide
homeowners
with a CAD
rendering
of how their
customised
sofa will look
like prior to
production.
“OUR PRODUCTS ARE ALL CRAFTED
LOCALLY, AND MADE WITH HIGH
QUALITY MATERIALS TO ENSURE THAT
OUR CUSTOMERS ARE GETTING THE
BEST VALUE FOR THEIR MONEY.”
- MARCUS WONG, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
2
4
3
5
51

PROPERTY
NAVIGATING THE
HIDDEN COSTS OF
PROPERTY OWNERSHIP
In the process of aquiring a home, the
spotlight often shines on the immediate
costs required to secure the property. Yet,
lurking beneath the surface lies a multitude of
concealed expenses that may have escaped
your attention during the planning phase.
F
rom inconspicuous application fees to
renovation expenses, explore the aspects you
might have unwittingly disregarded in your
property procurement journey whether it is for
łŅĩÚŖŅĆĢúÁD#ƉÁőĩŅłŅĆŪÁőäłŅĩłäŅőűĆĢĩŅàäŅ
to safeguard your budget from unforeseen strain.
U P F RO NT COST S
“Upfront costs” refer to the initial expenses or
payments that are required at the beginning
of a process or transaction. In the context of
property purchase, upfront costs would include
the immediate expenses that need to be paid
when buying a property, such as the down
payment, stamp duties, legal fees, and other
initial charges. These costs are typically paid at
the outset of the transaction.
52

E S TI M AT E D CO S T D E P E N D E NT O N P R I C E O F
P RO P E R T Y A N D M O R E
OTP FOR PRIVATE PROPERTY
Agreement prepared by the
seller’s legal representative
Agreement signed by
both the buyer and the
seller subsequent to
reaching a mutual
agreement on the price.
Fee typically equivalent
to 1% of the purchase
price (nedotiable), paid
by the buyer.
Option Period typically
14 days (negotiable,
max 2 month).
OTP FOR HDB RESALE FLAT
Make use of
HDB’s OTP form
Agreement granted by seller
min 7 days after registering
intent to Sell on HDB Resale
Portal, signed by buyer.
Fee not exceeding $1,000,
paid by buyer.
Option Period of
21 calendar days.
•Ap plic ation Fee (H D B only)
The primary payment upon purchasing an HDB
ƉÁőĆŉőĂäÁłłěĆÚÁőĆĩĢùää͡ūĂĆÚĂŪÁŅĆäŉÙÁŉäàĩĢ
őĂäőűłäĩùƉÁő͢
HV f,;ʐaHʐHVVʈ aHʉ;aZʣa)
ZaBZaˏɇɆʨ
HĢőĂäÚÁŉäĩùŅäŉÁěäƉÁőŉ͡őĂäùääÁġĩŖĢőŉőĩα̢̞
ùĩŅ̟ͿÁĢà̠ͿŅĩĩġƉÁőŉ͡ÁĢàα̦̞ùĩŅ̡ͿŅĩĩġƉÁőŉ
and larger units.
You generally do not need to pay an
application fee when purchasing a condominium
ĆĢ‡ĆĢúÁłĩŅäěĆėäD#ƉÁőŉÁŉÚĩĢàĩŉÁŅä
typically private properties and are not subject
to the same application fee structure.
E S TI M AT E D CO S T $ 1 0 ~$ 8 0
•OTP
OTP (Option To Purchase) refers to a legal
document that gives you the exclusive right to
łŖŅÚĂÁŉäÁłŅĩłäŅőűùŅĩġőĂäŉäěěäŅÁőÁŉłäÚĆƈÚ
price within a predetermined period of time,
ŖŉŖÁěěű̢̟àÁűŉ͠¯ĩŖłÁűÁÚĩĢŉĆàäŅÁőĆĩĢùää͡
which is a small percentage of the property’s
purchase price, to the seller in exchange for this
option.
In the event you decide not to proceed with
the purchase, the seller retains the authority to
forfeit the option fees.
E S TI M AT E D CO S T (H D B) : $ 1 , 000
(CO N DO) : 1% O F P U RC H A S E P R I C E
•B S D, AB S D
Payment of Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD) is
mandatory for documents related to the transfer,
sale, and purchase of properties situated in
Singapore. BSD is calculated based on either
the purchase price indicated in the document
to be stamped or the property’s market value
(whichever amount is higher).
Purchase price or market
value of the property
Profile of Buyer
First $180,000
Singapore Citizens (SC) buying
first residential property1
SC buying second residential
property1
SC buying third and subsequent
residential property1
SPR buying second residential
property1
SPR buying third and
subsequent residential
property1
Foreigners (FR) buying any
residential property1
Singapore Permanent
Residents (SPR) buying
first residential property1
Next $180,000
Next $640,000
Next $500,000
Next $1,500,000
Remaining amount
BSD rates for
residential properties
ABSD Rates on or
after 27 Apr 2023
1%
Not applicable
20%
30%
30%
35%
60%
5%
2%
3%
4%
5%
6%
*For
property
purchases
on
or
after
15
Feb
2023,
rounded
down
to
the
nearest
dollar,
subject
to
a
minimum
duty
of
$1.
*ABSD
is
to
be
rounded
down
to
the
nearest
dollar,
subject
to
a
minimum
duty
of
$1.
Buyers who are subject to ABSD are obligated to
make payment in addition to the existing Buyer’s
Stamp Duty (BSD).
While the Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD) rates
ÁŅäúäĢäŅÁěěűőĂäŉÁġäùĩŅÙĩőĂD#ƉÁőŉ
and private properties such as condos, there
ġĆúĂőÙäŉĩġäàĆƅäŅäĢÚäŉĆĢőĂäÚÁěÚŖěÁőĆĩĢĩù
Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) for HDB
ƉÁőŉÁĢàÚĩĢàĩŉ͡Áŉ‡#ŅÁőäŉÚÁĢŪÁŅűÙÁŉäàĩĢ
factors like residency status and the number of
properties owned.
INFORMATION
BY
IRAS
INFORMATION
FROM
IRAS
53

WHEN DEALING WITH A CONDOMINIUM,
YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO ENLIST YOUR
PERSONAL CONVEYANCING LAWYER.
THE CONVEYANCING EXPENSES FOR CONDOS
TEND TO BE SLIGHTLY ELEVATED, RANGING
FROM AN AVERAGE OF $2,300 TO $3,200.
For those looking to purchase condominiums,
the payment for the survey fee is similarly
determined by the type of unit and is intended
to cover the expenses of hiring professional
surveyors. This payment is made to the lawyer
either through CPF or in cash, in addition to
the legal fees. The cost typically falls within
őĂäŅÁĢúäĩùα̠̣̞őĩα̢̣̞ÁĢàūĆěěÙäÚěäÁŅěű
indicated in your agreement.
ESTIMATED COST (HDB): $162~$405
(CONDO): $250~$450
AGENT COMMISSIONS
Homebuyers should also keep in mind the agent
commission expenses. The prevailing norm
in the market is for property agents to receive
ÁÚĩġġĆŉŉĆĩĢŅÁĢúĆĢúùŅĩġ̟όőĩ̡όĩùőĂä
transacted price. This payment must be made
in cash, and it’s important to note that CPF OA
funds cannot be used for this purpose.
ESTIMATED COST 1%-3% OF PRICE OF
PROPERTY
RENOVATION COSTS
Last but not least in our upfront costs, is a cost
that resides in the subconscious of many, yet its
magnitude might not always be thoroughly taken
ĆĢőĩÁÚÚĩŖĢő͢őĂääŰłäĢŉäŉùĩŅŅäĢĩŪÁőĆĩĢ͠
The expenses associated with home
ŅäĢĩŪÁőĆĩĢŉőűłĆÚÁěěűŅÁĢúäùŅĩġα̠̞̞̞̞͡
őĩα̥̞̞̞̞͡͡ÚĩĢőĆĢúäĢőŖłĩĢŪÁŅĆĩŖŉùÁÚőĩŅŉ
such as the size and type of the dwelling, the
materials employed, the existing condition of
LE GA L F E E S A N D CO N V E YA N CI N G
COST S
Conveyancing involves the legal procedure
of transferring the title deed into your
name from the seller’s. This necessitates
the engagement of a conveyancing lawyer;
for HDB purchases, you may engage HDB’s
solicitor to act for you.
Should you engage HDB’s services for the
ÁÚńŖĆŉĆőĆĩĢÁĢàͭĩŅġĩŅőúÁúäĩùűĩŖŅƉÁő͡űĩŖ
will be responsible for covering legal charges,
encompassing the HDB Conveyance fee and
Registration fees.
The HDB Conveyancing fee is calculated as
ùĩěěĩūŉ͢
• ;ĆŅŉőα̡̞̞̞̞͢͡α̧̞̞͠łäŅα̟̞̞̞͡
• aäŰőα̡̞̞̞̞͢͡α̞̥̠͠łäŅα̟̞̞̞͡
• ƒäġÁĆĢĆĢúġĩŖĢő͢α̞̤̞͠łäŅα̟̞̞̞͡
*The fee is rounded up to the next dollar, before applying
GST. The minimum legal fee chargeable is $21.60
(inclusive of GST).
This expense would generally amount to a
few hundred dollars. Opting for a private law
ƈŅġΎŉŉäŅŪĆÚäŉūĩŖěàŅäŉŖěőĆĢÁĢÁŪäŅÁúäùää
ĩùÁŅĩŖĢàα̠̣̞̞͡͠
When dealing with a condominium,
you will be required to enlist your personal
conveyancing lawyer. The conveyancing
expenses for condos tend to be slightly
elevated, ranging from an average of
α̡̠̞̞͡őĩα̡̠̞̞͡͠
E S TI M AT E D CO S T $ 2 ,000 O N WA R D S
HDB Flat Type
1-room
2-room
3-room
4-room
5-room
Executive
Survey Fee (Inclusive of GST)
$162
$162
$229.50
$297
$351
$405
S U RV E Y F E E
A survey fee is payable to the surveyor inspecting
the condition and value of your property. The
survey fee cost varies based on the type of
property you’ve acquired, with the anticipated
äŰłäĢŉäŉĩŖőěĆĢäàÙäěĩūùĩŅÙĩőĂD#ƉÁőŉÁĢà
ÚĩĢàĩġĆĢĆŖġŉ͢
54

text WENDY KER photos 123RF
the home, and other considerations. Naturally,
more lavish home remodeling endeavors can
äƅĩŅőěäŉŉěűäŰÚääàőĂäőĂŅäŉĂĩěàĩùα̟̞̞̞̞̞͡͠
Among the most favored home improvement
projects in Singapore is the process of
dismantling walls to establish an open-plan
living area, crafting fresh entrances and
windows, and other similar enhancements
aimed at markedly enhancing the home’s
aesthetics and ambiance. This type of project
ÚÁĢĆĢÚŖŅäŰłäĢŉäŉŅÁĢúĆĢúùŅĩġα̣̞̞őĩα̟̞̞̞͡
depending on several factors such as the size of
the wall.
ESTIMATED COST $20,000 ONWARDS
RECURRING COSTS
Next, let’s take a look at some of the
recurring costs you may expect. Recurring
costs are ongoing expenses that need to be paid
at regular intervals, typically associated with
the maintenance, operation, and use of various
services.
•Home Loan Interest
Although home loan interest rates might appear
inconsequential in certain instances due to their
seemingly modest percentages, it’s vital to bear
in mind that they can substantially contribute to
the overall cost of your home over an extended
period.
To lower the interest amount you incur, you
have the option of either striving to expedite
the repayment of your loan or considering loan
ŅäƈĢÁĢÚĆĢúàŖŅĆĢúłäŅĆĩàŉĩùěĩūäŅĆĢőäŅäŉő
ŅÁőäŉőĩúŖÁŅÁĢőääőĂÁőűĩŖÚĩĢŉĆŉőäĢőěűÙäĢäƈő
from the most competitive rates available in the
market.
ESTIMATED COST DEPENDENT ON PRICE OF
PROPERTY; CURRENT LOWEST INTEREST
RATE IS AROUND 3.4%
•Maintenance and Management Fees
(for Condos), Service and Conservancy
Charges (for HDBs)
If you purchase a condo, you’ll be responsible
for regular maintenance fees payable either
on a monthly or quarterly basis. These fees are
allocated for the maintenance and operation of
amenities within your housing estate, including
facilities like swimming pools and gyms.
These fees can amount to several hundred
dollars per month, regardless of whether you
utilize the provided amenities. Consider, for
ĆĢŉőÁĢÚä͡ÁġĩĢőĂěűŖłėääłùääĩùα̢̞̞͠©ĂĆěä
this might not impose a substantial burden on
űĩŖŅƈĢÁĢÚäŉłŅäŉäĢőěű͡ĩŪäŅőĂäÚĩŖŅŉäĩùÁ
àäÚÁàä͡őĂĆŉŉŖġūĩŖěàÁÚÚŖġŖěÁőäőĩα̢̦̞̞̞͡
(without accounting for potential increases in
maintenance fees).
Conservancy Charges are akin to HDB’s
version of maintenance fees. Aside from the
őűłäĩùƉÁőűĩŖłĩŉŉäŉŉ͡őĂäŉääŰłäĢŉäŉÁŅä
also contingent upon the area you reside in.
The funds collected are allocated for the overall
maintenance of your community, encompassing
tasks like lift upkeep, grounds fumigation, and
estate cleaning.
Based on Town Councils’ reduced rates for
̢ͿŅĩĩġD#ƉÁőŉ͡őĂĆŉƈúŖŅäÚÁĢŅÁĢúäùŅĩġα̤̟
őĩα̢̤łäŅġĩĢőĂ͠
ESTIMATED COST (HDB): DEPENDENT
ON TYPE OF FLAT AND AREA,
APPROXIMATELY $61~$64
(CONDO): DEPENDENT ON UNIT’S
SHARE VALUE, USUALLY $300
Lastly, let’s discuss a cost that some individuals
might overlook until they actually receive their
ėäűŉ͢;äĢú‡ĂŖĆÚĩĢŉŖěőÁőĆĩĢùĩŅłŅĩłäŅőĆäŉ͠
Although Feng Shui is a traditional practice
with historical roots, it remains extensively
embraced in Singapore.
The essence of Feng Shui revolves
around fostering positivity and harmony in one’s
surroundings. As we transition
beyond the challenging phases posed by
g¨H#Ϳ̧̟͡őĂäłŖŅŉŖĆőĩùäĢĂÁĢÚäàĂÁŅġĩĢűĆĢ
our lives is undoubtedly something we can all
appreciate.
Given the array of Feng Shui methodologies
ÁĢààĆŪäŅŉäłŅÁÚőĆőĆĩĢäŅŉĆĢőĂĆŉƈäěà͡őĂä
expenses associated with such consultations
ŪÁŅűŉĆúĢĆƈÚÁĢőěű͠ĂĆŉŪÁŅĆÁĢÚäĆŉłÁŅőĆÚŖěÁŅěű
ĆĢƉŖäĢÚäàÙűùÁÚőĩŅŉŉŖÚĂÁŉőĂäőűłäÁĢà
dimensions of your property. This expense
can span from the ‘relatively budget-friendly’
three-digit range to primarily four digits per
consultation.
ESTIMATED COST FROM $300
S U M M A RY
It’s crucial to bear in mind that the
expenditure on your new home extends
beyond the down payment. Thus, ensure
you possess adequate cash reserves and
CPF savings before embarking on your
ŉĆúĢĆƈÚÁĢőłŖŅÚĂÁŉäőĩÁÚÚĩġġĩàÁőäÁěě
the aforementioned hidden expenses.
ADDITIONAL NOTES/SOURCES
55

FEATURE
AN ITALIAN AFFAIR
There is always a story to be told in a
design; the traditions, techniques, and an
individual’s interpretation of a piece of
furniture. These established brands from
Italy present their latest, and their most
iconic works in history.
photos
PORADA
I
STUDIO
216
56

2023 is a milestone for
this Italian brand that
marks its 75th anniversary.
Porada, an internationally-
known family-run
brand is known for their
enduring love for wood,
excellent craftsmanship,
and the quality of their
products. They have since
welcomed numerous
designers into their family
to design pieces that are
unmistakably Porada.
STUDIOS, ARCHITECTS,
AND DESIGNERS:
Tarcisio Colzani, Marconato Zappa,
Opera Design, Giovanna Azzarello,
MarelliMolteni, Giuseppe Viganò,
Gino Carollo, and Stefano Bigi. Porada
has also recently welcomed David
Dolcini into the design family.
Timeless designs run in
Porada’s DNA. Sleek and
stylish take physical form
in the Argo couch by David
Dolcini (2018), Porada’s
latest seating solution that
flaunts the craftsmanship
of Brianza and the brand’s
artisanal woodwork.
PORADA
The combination of four C’s
make a stylish and stable base
for the Tondo table by Essetipi.
Customisable as necessary, the
table is available with round,
oval, or rectangular glass tops of
varying dimensions. The Tondo
table is one of three historical
design revisited by the brand for
their 70th anniversary.
57

Home & Decor - September 2023

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