When a shadow is cast, you will see varying shades of black. The darkest part of the shadow is called umbra, whereas the lighter, greyer area is known as the penumbra. This play on light and darkness is central to this three-bedroom condominium apartment designed by Kelvin Lim of Atelier Here.
He started with the main element, black walls, before softening it with layers of off-black and grey marble, tiles and soft furnishings. “I also alternated between dark and bright areas throughout the 1,300sqf space; when lighting is designed this way, it can visually stretch the space and help signify different zones,” he shares.
Pictured: Krypton sofa from Danish Design Co
The home belongs to 30-something professionals Mr and Mrs Yuen, who requested a large communal space that they could eat, work and entertain in. As a result, the space formerly occupied by a bedroom is now the living room. Black feature shelves, which conceal the television with a folding screen, separate the communal and private spaces of the home. “We wanted a contemporary design that is more serious and subdued, made up of furniture in simpler and touches of marble,” says Mrs Yuen.
Pictured: Swoon lounge chair and TS coffee table from Danish Design Co
“I don’t cook much, but the kitchen is my favourite space of the home. I just love looking at it,” Mrs Yuen says, with a laugh. Occupying the open kitchen is a 2.6m-long island clad in Fantasy Black, a strikingly beautiful marble that stands out against the dark kitchen cabinets.
Pictured: Krypton sofa from Danish Design Co
Kelvin paired this with the glossy surfaces of brass and stainless steel, such as stainless steel open shelvings and a powder-coated steel box encasing the hood, for a more high-end materials took up most of the $80,000 renovation budget.
“The private lift opens to a small and dark foyer, in which you can get a sea view if you turn to the side. Opening the door to a bright and spacious room makes quite the entrance,” shares Kelvin. The living room is even brighter after expanding the communal space – which was why Mr and Mrs Yuen wanted a bold, dark interior. Wood pieces, like Bolia Bird dining chairs from Danish Design Co, as well as plants throughout the home, give the home pops of colour.
Pictured: Less is More dining table from Danish Design Co
The bedroom was designed to feature a soothing and cool colour scheme. It has ash laminate for the platform bed and a blue-grey hue for the bedroom wall. Mrs Yuen didn’t want a typical platform bed, so Kelvin customised a built-in bedframe, with a detachable headboard pillow to match. An open shelf at the foot of the bed space, while ambient to the intimate ambience.