Above:
In the living room with wood as the primary theme, Ron was careful to
use an assortment of wood grains to enhance the woodiness of the
apartment.
Above: The smooth blend of wood colors and lighting effects create a sense of calmness in this living and dining area.
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As
far as first impressions go, you will be struck by the simplicity and
modernity of this 5-bedroom apartment. Away from the bustling city
life, the Masihs decided to bring a slice of resort sanctuary into
suburban Bishan. Contemporary and sensible, nothing is overly
complicated.
It all started with a wooden display cabinet. With a vision to
encapsulate the woodiness of the cabinet, the combination of subtlety
and tranquillity of a resort and simplicity of modernity resulted.
Interior designer Ron Leow of ID Emboss explained that the last thing
the Masihs wanted was a stereotypical Indian abode with billowing Roman
columns and psychedelic intricacies. “The couple came to me with a
myriad of ideas,” Ron explains. “It is my job to help them in
developing a concept that not only serves its functions but also takes
into account the needs of the owners.”
It is no wonder that the balcony is what ties everything together.
While your feet are greeted by the rustic pebbled flooring, the soft
trickling of water from earthen pottery immediately soothes the soul.
Greenery from the miniature landscaping enhances the serene ambience as
you look over the metal railings which have been covered with wood.
With
wood as the primary theme, Ron was careful to use an assortment of wood
grains to enhance the woodiness of the apartment. Alternating between
veneer and laminates, carpentry around the house is conscientiously
attuned to the purity of modernity and rudimentary aura of the resort.
Lighting is basic, comprising of spotlights and concealed light
sources. With lights hidden within false ceiling and cabinetry, there
is no clutter and unnecessary draping of lamp shades to complicate.
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One of Ron’s first jobs was to enlarge living spaces. A wall was
knocked down to incorporate the service balcony into today’s kitchen.
Lined with stainless steel appliances, the sleek kitchen is separated
from the dining area with glass panels to expand the space. Laminates
on the kitchen cabinets involve little maintenance and are long-lasting
while resistant olid surfaces are used for bench tops.
  
The
custom-made veneer dining booth sits on a platform to add an extra
dimension to an otherwise flat plane. In order to facilitate the
openness of space, line curtains were used to separate the dining from
the lounge areas instead of cumbersome dividers. Cleverly tucked into a
corner so as not to disrupt the flow of unfussiness, lights at the
sides of the platform create an alluring passage way into the lounge
room.
  
Where the resort theme continues into the master bedroom’s bathroom,
you would be excused if you’d thought you had been teleported to an
actual resort. In keeping to an understated sophistication, glass
panels that divide the shower from the toilet add sleek touches to the
bathroom’s earthly tones and minimalist fittings. Using a solid surface
for the vanity counter, veneer cabinets conceal pipes to remove clutter.
For
the Masihs, the home as a safe haven and refuge has been taken one step
further. By bringing the calmness and soothe of the resort into the
suburbia, a holiday is never too far away. Who would have thought that
such a serene and clean home would be derived from the good ol’ display
cabinet?
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