H&D30: A modern flat... with a bit of history, Dec-Jan 1987/88 issue of Home & Decor
By Home & Decor Team -
Home & Decor Singapore pays tribute to three decades of design with a look back on its most interesting features over the years.
This week we look at how this couple transformed the husband's once bare bachelor pad to accommodate their new married life together.
As soon as they decided to get married about a year ago, Julinda Chia and Jon Morgan changed Jon’s spartan bachelor’s pad into a delightful, sophisticated home.
One thing they fully agreed on, was that they should furnish their apartment with things “that had a bit of history. Definitely not one of those sparkling new pieces for us.”
Julinda, the marketing manager of SEA Consortium Pte Ltd, and Jon, the associate creative director of Leo Burnett, met at a health club and “clicked right away. We had so much to talk about,” says Julinda.
“I think we’re so compatible because he’s a Taurus and I’m Capricorn. We agree on most major issues, the only things we disagree on are minor ones like going shopping… Jon hates to shop.”
As it happened, a friend introduced them to the owner of 'Art Legacy' who specialises in colonial furniture of the 1920s, now lovingly restored by expert craftsmen. The couple knew right away they had found the furniture style they wanted to live with forever.
The dressing table in the bedroom is 1920s colonial art deco. The bed's headboard has unusual sunray maquetry.
Julinda and Jon have also been careful to restrict themselves to one furniture style, with the emphasis on severely simple pieces made interesting with intricate marquetry. Jon is a collector of Southeast Asian artifacts and has acquired some rare Banchuan pottery, some from as far back as 300BC.
The small writing desk is colonial art deco of the 1920s, with very clean, fluted legs. The chair is of the 1910 period, the only modern touch being its upholstered seat. Under the table, a Thai elephant bell and on top of the table, late Banchuan pots and a silver holy water ladle.
What's remarkable about the couple's tastefully furnished apartment is that it is not large. Most people would hesitate to use antique furniture in a 1,200sqf apartment, or else they would end up with an overstuffed museum.
However, their apartment is very pleasing and not at all cluttered. Set at an angle is a mirror with Peranakan frame and next to it, a cane chest with blue and white Kraak porcelain and an unusual limestone lamp from Thailand. At the base of the plant are Banchuan earthenware pots, from around 300BC.