Home Tour: A young couple’s 3-bedroom condominium in Sentosa
In prime position on the lush waterfront of Sentosa island, this condo unit celebrates the warmth and beauty of natural textures.
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Who lives here: A young couple and their two cats
Home: A 3-bedroom condominium in Sentosa
Size: 1,900 sq ft
Architect: Asami Takahashi, YUME Architects
Tucked away within the serene and secluded berth of Sentosa, this 3-bedroom condominium once existed as a generic and slightly dated 1,900 sq ft space lacking both warmth and personality. The homeowner couple who purchased the property loved the sanctuary it proffered from the hustle and bustle of city life - but they didn't particularly love the drabness of its interiors. That was when they approached the team at award-winning, Singapore-based firm YUME Architects, seeking an overhaul for their home which they share with two beloved cats.
2 Month renovation
From the very beginning, the homeowners knew exactly what they wanted for their space. The directive included remodelling for the entire house, except for the bedrooms. The remodel, which took 2 months, entailed extensive work on the entrance, living and dining areas, terrace, guest and master bathrooms, and various shelves, doors, wardrobes, and lighting fixtures. Director and Principal Architect of YUME Architects Asami Takahashi shares, "The client had a clear preference on the look of the house, which was contemporary, yet rustic, with raw materials such as wood, concrete, and stone."
Living room in a 1,900 sq ft 3-bedroom condominium in Sentosa for a young couple and their two cats.
Warm wood interior design
In meeting the brief, the interior design team brought to life a peacefully rustic seaside oasis, incorporating the warmth of wood and marrying that with the sleekness of natural stone. The resultant aesthetic echoes contemporary luxe that is equal measures welcoming and elegant, yet imbued with the bracing breezes and sunlit vibes of its locale.
"The challenge was to infuse personal identity to the space, so that the owners could instantly feel connected, and at home," architect Asami adds.
Wood sliding doors open to reveal a balcony and view of the neighbouring condominium units in this 1,900 sq ft 3-bedroom condominium in Sentosa.
To achieve the desired aesthetic and anchor the identity of the space, the team introduced raw concrete walls, bookending the open living and dining spaces. On one end rests a custom-made dining bench, a live edge dining table, and rattan chairs, setting the scene for intimate meals with family and friends.
A custom dining bench, live edge dining table, and rattan chairs make the dining area in this 1,900 sq ft 3-bedroom condominium in Sentosa.
Wooden screen sliding doors
Directly opposite, a russet leather sofa softens the hard edges of an inbuilt wooden console, above which sits a sleek television. To tie the space together, large floor-to-ceiling wooden screens were installed as sliding doors facing the balcony, a modest nod to Japanese design featuring narrow vertical stripes that are subtly mirrored in carpentry and accessories scattered throughout the home.
A russet leather sofa softens the hard wooden edges found in the living room of this 1,900 sq ft 3-bedroom condominium in Sentosa.
All wood TV console feature wall in a 1,900 sq ft 3-bedroom condominium in Sentosa for a young couple and their two cats.
Certainly an interesting visual cue, these screens also provide protection, keeping the homeowners' feline companions safely indoors and away from the terrace, whilst gently suffusing the home in golden Sentosa sunlight. "This adds warmth and character to the space," architect Asami says, "And these elements came together to create a unifying language that we carried through the entire house as a consistent theme."
All wood kitchen cabinets matched with slate grey countertops and floor tiles in a 1,900 sq ft 3-bedroom condominium in Sentosa.
All wood kitchen design
The warmth of wood extends into the sunlit kitchen, where coastal influences come into play courtesy of slate grey countertops and floor tiles, and an eggshell blue backsplash. Reflecting the firm's dedication to creating spaces that are highly efficient, functional, and yet inspiring, the kitchen wants for no storage space nor style, boasting both in multitudes.
All wood kitchen cabinets with eggshell blue backsplash in this 1,900 sq ft 3-bedroom condominium in Sentosa.
Close up look at the grey slate kitchen countertops and eggshell blue backsplash in this 1,900 sq ft 3-bedroom condominium in Sentosa.
Close up of jars of condiments sitting on an open wood shelf in the kitchen of this 1,900 sq ft 3-bedroom condominium in Sentosa.
Bathroom
The bathrooms are likewise adorned, herringbone-tiled walls adding a hint of interest whilst freestanding sinks showcase the beauty of natural stone.
Natural stone freestanding sink in the bathroom of a 1,900 sq ft 3-bedroom condominium in Sentosa.
While some custom carpentry was required to bring the space together, the homeowners also wanted to incorporate their existing collection of furnishings and decor, which were happily in line with their desired interior atmosphere and the interior design team's proposals. To this end, the interior designers worked alongside the homeowners in selecting new pieces, which included the dining table, chairs, and sofas.
Additionally, the selected furnishings were incorporated into realistic renderings, helping with the visualisation of the completed space and easing the decision-making process. "They fit in like they were all meant to be there, from the very beginning," architect Asami shares. "It was wonderful to see their collections fit in so perfectly. I feel like this proved that our work was successful."