Originally a dual-key unit, this two-storey condominium in Somerset has been beautifully reimagined into a restful family home and a casual chic place to host family and friends.
Multiple friends referred luxury interior design studio Architology to the married couple who owns this breezy two-storey condominium in Somerset. The husband and wife, who are in their 40s and 30s, respectively, work in the financial sector and wanted a home with a dual nature: a restful sanctuary and a casual chic place to host family and friends.
“The design brief was sharp and clear,” comments Architology design director Shukun Bu, who helmed the project.
The original unit was a dual-key apartment comprising a small, single-storey unit and a larger two-storey one that interlocked it. “We merged the two units into a sprawling sky villa with a huge hosting level on the lower floor and all the bedrooms on the upper level,” he shares.
A Home To Entertain
The couple’s wishlist for the first storey includes a place to entertain, a fully maximised terrace area, and a gentleman’s parlour-like TV area.
The Architology team turned the unit’s original tiled patio and its side planters into a spacious al fresco dining deck with a side lounge for whiskey and cigar nights.
Decked with a pale timber dining table and chairs and surrounded by thriving plants, this area is a lush oasis that sets a memorable welcome to visitors coming up from the elevator.
![home-_-decor-house-tour-architology-duplex-sky-villa-somerset_living_01-1024x618-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home-_-decor-house-tour-architology-duplex-sky-villa-somerset_living_01-1024x618-1.jpg)
An Al Fresco Deck
Curated by the lady of the house, the plant varieties include bird of paradise, monstera, calathea, philodendron and frangipani trees, creating a tropical sky garden
A cluster of oversized woven cane pendant lights completes the look.
“This area has proven to be the most significant hosting space with its constant breeze. It’s so breezy here that the pendant lights had to be weighted down to prevent them from swinging around during dinners,” shares Kun.
![home-_-decor-house-tour-architology-duplex-sky-villa-somerset_outdoor_01-1024x941-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home-_-decor-house-tour-architology-duplex-sky-villa-somerset_outdoor_01-1024x941-1.jpg)
Vertical Art Galleries
The Architology team has not only maximised the indoor-outdoor connection, but also exploited the unit’s double volume spaces, ensuring all spaces in the home enjoy the breezy and the view, as well as creating two vertical galleries to display the husband’s extensive art collection.
A big fan of Singaporean and Singapore-based artists, he has been a collector for many years. “I am particularly fond of Tay Bak Chiang and have many of his pieces,” he says.
![home-_-decor-house-tour-architology-duplex-sky-villa-somerset_dining_01-807x1024-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home-_-decor-house-tour-architology-duplex-sky-villa-somerset_dining_01-807x1024-1.jpg)
Muted, Natural Shades
The outdoor dining area segues seamlessly via sliding glass doors into a double-volume indoor dining-and-living area.
“We intentionally kept most of the materials in muted and natural shades. Colours were introduced via the furniture and art pieces,” explains Kun.
![home-_-decor-house-tour-architology-duplex-sky-villa-somerset_living_02-778x1024-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home-_-decor-house-tour-architology-duplex-sky-villa-somerset_living_02-778x1024-1.jpg)
The Anti-Void
One’s eyes are immediately drawn to the void, or as Shukun calls it: an “anti-void”, since the vertical space hosts so many eye-catching features.
These include the Orobico marble feature wall that serves as a backdrop to the dining room, warm-toned stairs with glass railings, and many large-format framed artworks.
![home-_-decor-house-tour-architology-duplex-sky-villa-somerset_skyline_01-1024x734-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home-_-decor-house-tour-architology-duplex-sky-villa-somerset_skyline_01-1024x734-1.jpg)
Bygone Era’s Gentlemen’s Club
The former dual unit’s smaller apartment also had a double-volume living room, which has been converted into a stylish entertainment lounge.
Sporting a state-of-the-art home theatre set, Arketipo leather furniture, a Vibia chandelier and midnight blue walls dotted with more artworks, it is a handsome homage to bygone era’s gentlemen’s club.
![home-_-decor-house-tour-architology-duplex-sky-villa-somerset_kitchen_01-1024x692-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home-_-decor-house-tour-architology-duplex-sky-villa-somerset_kitchen_01-1024x692-1.jpg)
Master Bedroom With A View
The master bedroom is contained within a white box that “floats” above the dark, wood-and-marble-clad kitchen. It enjoys a view of the interior and has its own outdoor seating area surrounded by planters.
![home-_-decor-house-tour-architology-duplex-sky-villa-somerset_bedroom_01-1024x733-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home-_-decor-house-tour-architology-duplex-sky-villa-somerset_bedroom_01-1024x733-1.jpg)
Custom SimreKids Baby Crib
The biophilic touch continues in the 15-month-old son’s nursery, which features a darling Hello Circus jungle-themed wallpaper. This room is designed to create a safe space and freedom to explore.
For instance, the custom baby crib from SimreKids is on the floor level to allow the baby to explore his room safely.
![home-_-decor-house-tour-architology-duplex-sky-villa-somerset_childrenroom_01-848x1024-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home-_-decor-house-tour-architology-duplex-sky-villa-somerset_childrenroom_01-848x1024-1.jpg)
Taking three months to design and another five to construct, this sky villa was completed in late 2019. It has fulfilled its owners’ requested dual nature as a sanctuary and a space to entertain with a flair.
![home-_-decor-house-tour-architology-duplex-sky-villa-somerset_walkway_01-700x1024-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home-_-decor-house-tour-architology-duplex-sky-villa-somerset_walkway_01-700x1024-1.jpg)