Homes that double as private cafes and event spaces — we meet two homeowners with flexible home spaces
By Home & Decor Team -
For some homeowners, their homes are not only a space to rest and unwind, but a workspace or event space to host strangers as well. Bella Koh (@catslavery), a food, design and wellness stylist, and her husband, Terence Yeung, transformed their 1,700sqf Tiong Bahru shophouse apartment into a twofold workshop and event space. They even christened it the Slow House.
Bella holds intimate workshops (for between five and 10 people) to educate time-strapped folks who still want to maintain a healthy diet (earlier workshops have focused on Japanese-style broths and plant-based milk formulas).
External brands can also rent the space for their own events – but with a #slowlife twist. She has worked with Chantecaille and Innisfree; Bella served pomegranate balsamic dressing on sustainable barramundi for Innisfree when the Korean skincare label was introducing an antioxidant-heavy range.
During these events, Koh also conducts workshops in conjunction with the brands. The space is (at print time) all booked for events, but Koh plans to conduct additional workshops (her last round of workshops was in January) for the public later in the year.
In the meantime, there’s the option of taking private, one-on-one sessions with her, but you’ll have to e-mail her (love@theslowhouse.co) for more details.
Another homeowner who partakes in this concept is Jerome Chee, the marketing manager of independent cinema The Projector. This home, which he shares with the rest of The Projector crew, has been dubbed the "sullen cafe" -- a dining concept that’s like a indie alternative to the world’s most exclusive restaurants.
The shabby-chic space – a terrace house along a quiet residential lane on Joo Chiat Place – is filled with vintage furniture. The cafe derives its name from Jerome's musician persona, sullen (@sullen_official), and Chee’s been known to play live upon request for guests – think pensive atmospheric tunes along the lines of Sigur Ros.
Potential guests are to complete a questionnaire that checks on their allergies (food and animals – there are two dogs on the premises) and interests (preferably mutual). On the ever-changing menu: a variety of dishes ranging from moussaka and shepherd’s pie to tempura dons, kebabs and an assortment of pretty desserts.
The cafe is inspired by Chee’s extensive travels; ditto the exotic-sounding fare he dishes out. “My most memorable travel experiences were when I was the only person in a cafe or restaurant, having a leisurely meal. I guess the cafe is me trying to share these experiences with others – a quiet time that I feel is valuable, yet hard to attain in most busy cities,” he says.
You’re also free to borrow his bike, take the pooches out for a walk, or simply chat with the 27-year-old. Sounds idyllic? Little wonder that visitors have largely been made up of those from the creative crowd.
This story was first published on Female magazine.