99 S ĆĢÚä äġäŅúĆĢú Áʼn őĂä ƈŅʼnő runner-up in the second season of Singapore Idol in 2006, Jonathan Leong has been leading quite the exciting life. He graduated from university, played the lead role in the original theatre production, Voyage De La Vie, released a solo album, embarked on a ÚÁŅääŅ ĆĢ ƈĢÁĢÚä ÁĢà őĆäà őĂä knot with digital marketer, Jeneen Goh. After living in their ġÁőŅĆġĩĢĆÁě Ăĩġä ùĩŅ ƈŪä years, the couple, both 41 years old, moved into their new home in August 2021 after renovations that took ÁÙĩŖő ƈŪä őĩ ʼnĆŰ ġĩĢőĂʼn ÁĢà cost between $200,000 and $250,000 including furniture and furnishings. Jeneen self-designed the interior and engaged a good friend, who is a contractor, to manage the renovation works. “I have always been very into design. I have a collection of images that I save whenever I come across good and nice designs,” she says. She laments that if it was not because she had not known about LEFT With Jeneen being more design-oriented and Jonathan more pragmatic, the couple complement each other when putting together their new home. OPPOSITE The Moooi Meshmatics chandelier in the dining room elevates humble wire netting into a work of art. W H O L I V E S H E R E A couple in their 40s HOME A three-bedroom condominium at Kim Tian Road SIZE 1,421 sq ft
100 architecture as a profession until it was too late, she might have ended up pursuing a career in architecture instead of digital marketing. That is how big on design she is, so designing their own home was almost a given. The existing layout was retained, along with the ÙäàŅĩĩġ łÁŅńŖäő ƉĩĩŅĆĢú͡ which they stained to a dark ūĩĩà͠ Ăä Ņäʼnő ĩù őĂä ƉĩĩŅĆĢú͡ built-in carpentry, sanitary ƈőőĆĢúʼn ÁĢà àĩĩŅʼn ūäŅä Áěě replaced. From an all-black ĆĢőäŅĆĩŅ ĆĢ őĂäĆŅ ƈŅʼnő Ăĩġä͡ őĂä couple has transitioned to a grey ÚĩěĩŖŅ łÁěäőőä Áʼn őĂäű ƈĢà őĂä muted tones soothing. In terms of both aesthetics and functional aspects, Jeneen drew inspiration ABOVE LEFT Jeneen paid attention to every single detail, even the selection of cabinet and door handles that reinforce the circular theme. LEFT The openconcept kitchen located adjacent to the dining area provides a conducive environment for interacting with friends and guests over food preparation. from hotels, even down to the lighting, to create calming spaces that they can come home to after a day at work. Unlike most typical apartment layouts, the main entrance opens into a semiopen balcony that overlooks the Tiong Bahru enclave. Jonathan associates the experience of entering the home through the balcony as a symbolic gesture of leaving their work stresses at the door. They have their meals out on the balcony sometimes. It is also a chill-out space with friends over food, drinks and even hot pot. Sliding glass doors separate the living room ABOVE The kitchen sink was relocated to optimise the work flow according to the couple’s needs. OPPOSITE A closelymatching marble peninsula island countertop and sintered stone kitchen countertop achieve a cohesive look when juxtaposed together.
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103 “I HAVE A COLLECTION OF IMAGES THAT I SAVE WHENEVER I COME ACROSS GOOD AND NICE DESIGNS.” – JENEEN GOH, HOMEOWNER and the rest of the interior from the main entrance and balcony. The living room was designed around a marble that the couple picked out, which has been used on the feature ūÁěě͡ őäěäŪĆʼnĆĩĢ ÚĩĢʼnĩěä͡ Úĩƅää table and bedside tables. The marble for the feature wall was originally one large piece, but the painful decision was made to have it cut into three smaller pieces in order őĩ Ùä ÁÙěä őĩ ƈő ĆĢőĩ őĂä ěĆùő when transporting the stone up to the apartment. “I did the next best thing, which was to align the marble joints with the drawers of the television console below,” Jeneen explains. ABOVE LEFT Apart from music, Jonathan also enjoys collecting figurines. ABOVE The art pieces in Jonathan’s study and music room are on theme. LEFT The artworks around the home reflect the couple’s respective preferencesJeneen is more into abstract art, while Jonathan goes for pieces with a rocker vibe. Jonathan’s study and music room is his sanctuary for indulging in the things that he loves.
104 RIGHT The couple each have their own space within the home. For Jonathan, it is his study and music room while Jeneen’s is her walk-in wardrobe that occupies one bedroom. BELOW Jeneen opted for marblelook tiles in the master bathroom to achieve the look that she wanted while being mindful of the budget. OPPOSITE The marble wardrobe handles were specially sourced from Australia and echo the circular motifs found in other parts of the home. The focal point of the dining room is a Moooi Meshmatics chandelier. Three layers of wire mesh cast interesting shadows on the ceiling that achieve an ephemeral, yet playful quality. An extendable dining table is useful for when the couple hosts guests. The open concept kitchen revolves around a peninsula island with counter seats that are right beside the dining table. This provides the perfect setting for interacting with friends while prepping food. The marble used for the counter top is the same as the feature ūÁěě ÁĢà Úĩƅää őÁÙěä͠ UäĢääĢ went to great lengths to select a sintered stone for the kitchen countertop that matches this marble in order to achieve a cohesive look. A bespoke headboard that Jeneen designed anchors the master bedroom space. Due to its unique design with a ÚĩĢŪäŰ łŅĩƈěä ÁĢà ġĩŪÁÙěä panels on either side, the fabrication took several attempts. “Fortunately, we worked with a local carpenter, so we could collaborate very closely during the fabrication process,” she comments. An L-shaped bay window wraps around two sides of the master bedroom. The addition of soft cushions and a movable table has transformed this into Jonathan’s favourite space within the home. “This is where I read, write, meditate, or even take a quick nap,” he shares. The starting point for the design of the master bath was a bespoke, backlit round mirror. It was particularly challenging because it involved coordination between multiple trades- mirror fabricator, carpenter and electrician, but the end result is stunning. One of the bedrooms is currently being used as
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106 The bedside tables were custom-made using the same marble as the living room feature wall and coffee table. LEFT The common bathroom reflects a similar colour palette as the master bathroom.
107 photography VERONICA TAY art direction KRISTY QUAH Jeneen’s walk-in wardrobe and it has been designed such that it can be converted into a nursery in future. This is Jeneen’s favourite space in the home, especially the bay window where she likes to spend some downtime to herself. The third bedroom is Jonathan’s study and music room, where he keeps his musical instruments and displays his collection ĩù ƈúŖŅĆĢäʼn͠ Jeneen recalls staying up late into the night to work on their home design using SketchUp, but it has all been worth it. Inevitably, they encountered some challenges and issues, some of which she attributes to perhaps not being as familiar with materials and detailing as a full-time interior designer would. Nevertheless, everything came together eventually. With her being more designoriented, while Jonathan is more practical, it was also about meeting each other halfway and ƈĢàĆĢú Á ġĆààěä úŅĩŖĢà őĂÁő both of them were happy with. The couple look forward to coming home after work and they really enjoy how the mood changes as night falls. “The perfect soundtrack to the home at night is the self-titled album from American band, Cigarettes After Sex. It calms ġä àĩūĢ ÁĢà őÁėäʼn ġű ġĆĢà ĩƅ work,” says Jonathan. In the day, őĂä Ăĩġä őÁėäʼn ĩĢ Á àĆƅäŅäĢő ambience due to the abundance of natural light. “The album that complements the home’s daytime vibes is most probably John Mayer’s ‘Battle Studies’,” he adds.
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. 108
The sofa is a fitting centrepiece within the living room with its curved form and rich blue colour. OPPOSITE The hallway is a carefully orchestrated composition comprising Le Corbusier Sling chairs (1950), a Jean Prouvé chest, Subway drawings by Keith Haring and ceramics by Georges Jouve and Olivier Gagnère against a terrazzo floor.
Located in the Parisian neighbourhood of Marais in the third arrondissement is an apartment belonging to a design entrepreneur and his family. Housed in a 17th century building, the project involved the combination of two apartments ĩĢ őĂä ƈŅʼnő ÁĢà ʼnäÚĩĢà ʼnőĩŅäűʼn ĆĢőĩ ĩĢä͡ ūĆőĂ őĂä ƈŅʼnő ʼnőĩŅäű housing the reception and entertainment spaces and the bedrooms located on the second storey for greater privacy. Undertaken by the Monacoand Paris-based design ƈŅġ͡ DŖġÙäŅő Ϟ ĩűäő͡ ÚĩͿ founders Emil Humbert and Christophe Poyet wanted to create a timeless and elegant family home with a convivial ambience that is ideal for both family life and for entertaining guests. “For a family of design entrepreneurs, we also wanted it to be a place where art and design are part of the lifestyle,” say the designers. The existing, identical apartments on both levels were gutted and entirely renovated, but Emil and Christophe were mindful about respecting the 110
TOP For Humbert & Poyet cofounders, Emil Humbert and Christophe Poyet, it is all about creating spaces that are elegant and bold. LEFT Art pieces inject a pop of colour into the spaces. OPPOSITE TOP A Le Corbusier recliner creates an inviting corner by the tall windows. OPPOSITE BOTTOM The dining table has a simple rectangular form and structure, but makes a statement with its reflective brass finish. ABOVE The interior is a blend of Modernist, Art Deco and Memphis movements, paired with classicism. 111
BELOW LEFT Elements from different style periods are juxtaposed to achieve just the right balance. BELOW RIGHT Arbescato marble lends a regal air to the bathroom. OPPOSITE The selective incorporation of colour to certain spaces creates visual interest. The original windows and mouldings were re-created to restore the apartment to its classic Parisian glory, while injecting the design with the duo’s modern interpretation. A terrazzo and brass combination make for a grand entrance. Ăä ūĩĩàäĢ ƉĩĩŅĆĢú ĆĢ őĂä living area and bedrooms infuse the interior with a sense of warmth. Laid in a chevron pattern, it also adds a retro vibe. The furniture is mainly mid-century and contemporary, and together with the incorporation of modern artworks, give the home a modern look that is in harmony with the classical architecture. history of the building and being sensitive to the original style and period. They were also inspired by elements from the Haussmann style that is synonymous with the French capital. Named after Georges-Eugéne Haussmann, who was tasked by Napoléon Bonaparte to re-envision the city, Haussmann proposed a network of boulevards lined with modern apartment buildings that had uniform stone facades and exteriors which conformed to strict guidelines on height and proportion. Draconian as it seemed, the charm of the city today, in all its grandeur and elegance can be attributed in part to Haussmann’s vision. 112
“WE ENJOY CREATING COMPOSITIONS IN THE SAME WAY A PLAYWRIGHT SETS THE STAGE, AND MARRYING DIFFERENT PERIODS TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE JUST THE RIGHT BALANCE.” – EMIL HUMBERT AND CHRISTOPHE POYET 113
A painting by Aaron Young makes for the perfect backdrop behind the bed complemented by a bespoke bedside table designed by Humbert & Poyet.
ABOVE LEFT A wall sconce by Serge Mouille is a piece of art in itself. A Pierre Paulin chair and art by Paul Stanley complete the ensemble in one corner of the bedroom. ABOVE RIGHT The timber flooring laid in a chevron pattern gives the home a sense of warmth. LEFT A brass door anchors the bedroom space with its height and finish. photos HUMBERT & POYET The project took one year őĩ Úĩġłěäőä ÁĢà Ćő ŅäƉäÚőʼn the internationally renowned architecture and interior design ƈŅġΎʼn łĂĆěĩʼnĩłĂű ĩù ÚĩĢÚäĆŪĆĢú spaces that are elegant and bold. “We enjoy creating compositions in the same way a playwright sets the stage, and marrying àĆƅäŅäĢő łäŅĆĩàʼn őĩúäőĂäŅ őĩ achieve just the right balance. We are particularly inspired by the Modernist, Art Deco and Memphis movements, paired with classicism. These are ŅäƉäÚőäà ĆĢ őĂä ÚĂĩĆÚä ĩù ùĩŅġʼn͡ ÚĩěĩŖŅʼn ÁĢà ƈĢĆʼnĂäʼn ĆĢ ĩŖŅ ūĩŅė͡ as well as in this apartment,” they point out. The result is a home made up of a series of rooms and spaces that are statements in themselves, strong űäő ŅäƈĢäà͠ 115
116 FINISHING NOTE Beautiful from every angle, the Aura sofa captivates with its organic curved shape, inviting fashion and art enthusiasts to indulge in the reimagining of a classic modular design. An island of relaxation, this innovative design promotes a contemporary way of living, designed to mould to one’s lifestyle. “The goal was to create a unique offering that integrates comfort while offering an entirely new shape and style,” says David King, founder of King Living. We couldn’t have said it better ourselves. Visit www.kingliving.com.sg for more information. SENSUAL RELEASE
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