The owners have been urban dwellers who lives in high-rise buildings for most of their adult lives. This condo unit is their first permanent place together, as they had been living together apart for work prior moving to the location.

Originally from the United States, they often found equatorial sun in the east-facing unit a bit harsh in the day. Darren Neo, senior designer at EightyTwo, suggested one of the simplest but most effective ways to cool things down, by using a strategic combination of colours, textures and shading.

“Architectural alterations were kept to a minimal; the approach was more on interior styling,” shares Darren. “They were very intentional about working with a designer that would honour the details and spirit of the original structure and builder.”

The furniture pieces, accessories and artworks are a mix of clients’ own collection from their college days and new pieces curated together with EightyTwo. The pieces include items from local brands such as Grafunkt and Onlewo, and various Asian and Euro brands like Paya Bangkok, Hay, and Santa & Cole.

“I encouraged the client to go for Morandi colour palette,” says Darren. Giorgio Morandi was a legendary Italian painter a printmaker. Hailed as one of frontrunners of minimalism in his time, he was famous for his still life paintings, which used subtle tonal colours.

Think of various shades of green with grey undertone and beige with blush undertone. Think of Scandinavian colours awash in sunlight.

Paired with Scandinavian furniture pieces like Danish brand Gubi’s Multi-Lite pendant lights and the Scandi staple Wishbone Chairs from Carl Hansen, the effect is no less hygge.

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The owners are avid readers with a sizeable book collection. This bookshelf serves to display the collection, acts as a space divider and adds texture the room with its woven material accent. The tonal whites are classic Morandi.

Timber floor brings warmth while white island and cabinets lend a sense of openness and lightness in the kitchen.

The dark green colour block on this kitchen wall is an excellent example of the use of colour blocking to (visually) cool down the heat in the kitchen.

The master bedroom is simple and free from distractions, featuring a textured rug that feels nice against your bare feet.

The guest bedroom pays tribute to Japanese design with its raised platform, which supports the mattress while leaving a room for the owners’ book collection.

The condo is also home to a Yorkshire Terrier named Friday. And soon, it will welcome a baby, whose room has been prepared with care.

The bathroom that the owners originally approached EightyTwo to consult with is inspired by their favourite hotel.

“The matte-white-seamlessness really helped to heighten a sense of tranquility. The client’s favourite hotel is a cosy hideaway in Barcelona called the Margot House,” shares Darren. Paying homage to the design concept are Strap Mirror from Hay, and the ladder-style towel rack.

“At Margot House, surfaces are white washed and mixed with light wood textures. Naturally we took some inspiration from this very Japandi space,” he adds.

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