When British expat Davina Stanley and her family first set their eyes on this 5,000 sqf, two-storey colonial bungalow in the Harbourfront area, it was a ramshackle mess with a tree even growing out of its roof. However, its resemblance to native English houses convinced the founder of interior design and event styling studio Paper & White to breathe new life into it. The end result is a relaxed resort look, with clean and modern lines.
In the master bedroom, the combination of white-painted wood, wicker pendant lights and mahogany touches, makes for a refined spin on tropical aesthetics.
The main door is framed by black outlines, a design feature that's unique to the facades of colonial black and white bungalows.
The first room by the main entrance is a formal yet relaxed living room that's centred by pendant lamps designed by Davina and made in Bali.
Mr Clarence Chua and Ms Candice Li were so inspired by their honeymoon in Africa two years ago that they decided to decorate their five-room executive condominium in Bukit Panjang in the tropical- colonial style. The couple, both 33, were influenced by the Macushla House, a guesthouse in Nairobi, Kenya; the world-famous Victoria Falls Hotel in Zimbabwe; and a few restaurants in Cape Town, South Africa.
The living and dining areas of the 1,050 sq ft apartment are filled with lush potted plants that tower above a person of average height and antique-looking wooden furniture.
Written by Alyssa Woo for The Straits Times. Photos by The Straits Times.
Themed chess sets that the couple collected as travel souvenirs dot a wall in the guest room. They moved in in October 2014 - three months after returning from their trip. They did not renovate the apartment, but have spent about $25,000 so far on furnishings.
After they returned from a vacation in Bali last year, they were inspired by the outdoor showers there and decided to adopt a similar look for the guest bathroom, which they completed three months ago.
The floor is covered with loose gravel, stepping stones and moss balls, and the sink is decorated with pebbles. Mr Chua says: "It's a relaxing retreat for me to enjoy some quiet time in the morning and a welcome respite at the end of the day. People usually treat their bathroom time and space very functionally, which is a waste as we spend more time in there than we realise."
The nature-loving couples have 20 small animal figurines such as rabbits, guinea pigs and parrots placed around the home. The couple had used them as table markers in place of numbers during their wedding dinner banquet.
Spotting one in the flat - for instance, a cute rabbit "hiding" in a potted plant - can be a delight.