SG.ID Seen is a regular column on Home & Decor, where we pick out some of the most interesting home interior projects completed by designers in Singapore and share what we like about them.
You know what they say: Good design doesn’t have to be complicated. That’s certainly the case for this recently completed BTO project by Lab 73.
The homeowner of this cosy nest also uses the space for her home-based nail salon business. Some customers might be apprehensive about visiting home-based salons, and that’s why this homeower decided to go the extra mile for her clients by creating an utterly comforting zone so they wouldn’t feel uneasy when dropping in for their manicure. Scroll to find out why we think this project’s worthy of being our SG:ID Seen of the day.
Gentle earth tones greet you as soon as you enter the home, which evokes a really soothing atmosphere. The ID team paid extra attention when coming to the selection of the colours for the walls and curtains, ensuring they complement each other perfectly. That’s something to take note of when renovating your space, because various hues within the same colour can complement or contrast each other in terms of its warmth/coolness. When in doubt, try to get swatches and put them together into a mood board to ensure the outcome is what you envisioned.
We also like that details, such as the cat tree, has also been thoughtfully worked into the design of the living area. The use of natural textures, like the wood and rattan, make the common area feel stylish and sophisticated.
The recurring use of fluted panels for the statement wall in the entrance and the TV wall helps to bring both spaces together seamlessly. The consistent design language used throughout gives the interior a polished and professional finish. In this living area, we also see accents lights used instead of a ceiling light. By castling light onto the walls and letting it deflect into the space, you get this soft ambient glow, which is relaxing to the eye. In order to open up the space, the ID also used a glass panel to partition the living area from the workroom. This helps to maintain visual continuity between the rooms without compromising on their functionality.
The TV console is simply designed, allowing the straight lines to dominate. A flatscreen TV with a thin bezel was chosen to match the theme. When not in use, the TV screen becomes a digital artpiece too.
The black frame around the partition helps to balance out the earthy brown tones and anchors the look of the room. Without it, one would feel a bit lost among all the soft hues. We like the level of attention paid to the details, such as ensuring the fan blades come in a wooden design too.
The other side of the living area is where the nail salon is located. Here the lighting is brighter, but with the right ceiling lamp design it maintains a relaxing atmosphere. The custom-designed drawers with oxidised metallic handles are beautifully done and provide just the right amount of detailing in this area even without the use of any artworks on the walls. See how at times like this, less is definitely more!
The ID team even thought about how the homeowner’s ginger cat will use the space! They created a cosy nook in the cupboard, where the feline can retreat to when clients are around.
Earth tones continue into the kitchen area, where white is used as the base to help bring out the woodgrains of the cabinetry. The ID team also used the same countertop material to create a cover for the sink area, turning it into additional worktop space. Very clever!
An arched doorway leads into the bedroom, giving the home a rustic yet inviting feel. Although we’re not so sure about the choice of the white bedstead (it probably would have looked even more consistent if the same wood laminate was used), it’s not a big issue in this case.
Wood-look tiles in the bathroom and the black frame around the glass partition makes it feel like a naturally-flowing part of the whole home.
Again, the careful choice of toilet paper-holder in a woodgrain finish adds a perfect touch to the WC area. Nicely done, simple design but with lots of thought put into the details.