Home Tour: A 5-bedroom luxury detached house with private lap pool in Singapore

Home is the heart is so eloquently expressed through the stylish spaces of ‘The Duchess’ - a 5,880 sq ft, 2-storey, 5-bedroom detached house in Singapore. Not their first buy or renovation rodeo, the homeowners are typically drawn to houses illuminated by light and bright spaces that naturally bring family together.

One of the key features that drew the owners to this particular property was its “chalet-style [and] Modernist aesthetic.”

Tasking the interior designer to create a balanced combination of modernism coupled with a spacious interior, yet not cold and exuding warmth, the home was destined as a retreat for family time, where their life is reflected…A home to wine, appreciate art, and gaze out into a harmonic garden.

The outcome? A serene space with monochromatic design flecked in touches of browns, beiges, whites, and greys (both furniture and finishings-wise). With ample living space and an inviting colour palette, the clients’ desire to create a family home is echoed throughout.

However, one of the biggest “obstacles” was perhaps the timeline for this project. Collaborating before, the LATCH design team and their homeowner clients had already formed a great working relationship. Understanding the clients’ wants, needs, and family personality helped with the momentous task of completing a seven-week renovation (garden included).

Who Lives Here: A family
Home: A 2-storey, 5-bedroom detached house
Size: 5,880 sq ft
Interior designer: LATCH Designs

“Find the right design team — they are the key to your happy home reno!”, advises the Duchess’ owner.

Fortunately, there wasn’t too much demolition in terms of foundation structures and spaces, which, of course, helped with achieving the timeline. (This and a few weeks of heads-up prior, meticulous planning from LATCH.) Some of the home’s standout features, such as floor-to-ceiling windows, were (luckily) already there. Capitalising on the existing space and truly understanding what the homeowners wanted is what led to this elegant home renovation.

2-Storey Detached House

The 2-storey detached house grandly christened ‘Duchess’ is a 5-bedroom home including four en suite bathrooms, two living rooms, a dining area, lounge, kitchen, wine cellar, yard, full-house gardens, and a lap pool. A third level comprises an attic transformed into a studio office. The ground floor is dedicated to the common living spaces, whilst the upper half is reserved for the family.

Home Art Collection

As art aficionados, the clients’ art collection played a major role in envisioning the home design and how the overall look would appear. With the need for lots of wall space to display their art collection, the home’s muted/natural tones are purposely chosen so that the two elements don’t clash. This allows the art to truly shine.

“We came up with an art plan to place the art pieces along certain walls, then we reviewed them. So we walked on the side with them…we eventually got their own art curator to actually do the hanging of the artworks,” says interior designer Matthew from LATCH.

Not just limited to one section or room of the house, as you walk up the staircase, parts of the collection decorate the walls. Further upstairs, an entire room was converted by the LATCH design team into an in-house art gallery.

Windows and Shutters

One can’t help but notice the floor-to-ceiling windows the moment you enter the foyer. Providing gorgeous natural light, the garden greenery also filters through into the home, adding pops of nature and a sense of calm. The timber-framed windows and shutters are both original features of the house, and there was much deliberation between the homeowners and the interior designers on whether to keep the shutters or replace them.

Ultimately, the right decision was made, and you can’t imagine the home without either. This is further emphasised by the double volume ceiling. Dark shutters match the design and furniture tones. Windows and shutters are the same on the ground and the upper level.

“The large windows bring in a lot of light and certainly accentuate the spaciousness of the house,” informs the homeowner. “The windows next to the library always frame a view of the tops of our neighbour’s trees against the sky and never fail to evoke a sense of serenity.”

Living Room Design

The ground floor and upper level boast separate living rooms — the owner’s favourite spaces. Starting with the ground floor, the living room is the first room guests notice when entering through the front door.

Designed open-plan style, the downstairs living room leads into the dining area, and is divided by a display cabinet — a structural column cleverly camouflaged. This reminds me of a Japanese pagoda with multiple tiers.

On the living room side, a large flat screen TV decorates part of the cabinet, as well as bits from the art collection. The other side, partitioning the entertainment space (dining room and kitchen), showcases more art and other quirky decor collected over the years.

The homeowners were adamant about opening up the ground floor to seamless living and entertainment areas.

“We always try to create a space to provide a nexus for the family to gather for meals, games or to watch TV on both floors of the house,” the homeowners reveal.

In the downstairs living room, a large L-shaped sofa sits parallel against the windows, wispy trees gazing back at you. When the television is off, the room is utilised to relax. The silver monochrome arch floor lamp is a gorgeous contrasting feature.

Floating Staircase

The floating staircase is part of the original design. Most certainly a noticeable feature, the homeowners loved its industrial steel makeup. Fitting the overall aesthetics and feelings of the new owners like a glove, it’s as if this staircase was always meant to be for them.

The design team thought it a great idea to line the staircase with pieces from the art collection, carrying this from the ground floor to the second floor, wrapping around until the art room. Sections of the stairs’ balustrade are glass panels. This juxtaposes the art.

22m Lap Swimming Pool

Considered a rarity in Singapore, the private 22-metre lap pool was another selling point for all family members. Already equipped with a wrap-around pool deck and a terrace to the side, the design team still made their A&As. Steps were added to the pool, creating a sort of diving board to jump in.

A gravel pathway leading to the pool area was landscaped, blending with the deck’s material. The designers also replaced many of the original plant and tree species, not only around the pool (removing tall trees with loads of shedding leaves for shorter bushes), but also around the property, driveway included.

“We also liked the 22m lap pool and that there was a large enough backyard for the dog to run around in,” says the homeowners.

Whilst the interior of the home was extremely important, so was the exterior.

“We love the location of the house being on a quiet tree-lined street close to a park, public transport for the kids, schools and some of our favourite F&B establishments,” notifies the homeowners, reiterating their desire to create the perfect family home that ticks all boxes in terms of interiors, exteriors, and location.

Latch Design Singapore

The LATCH designers were given a very specific timeline for this home renovation as the clients planned to move in immediately after. With a planning head start of a couple of weeks, the actual physical renovation process was complete in a whopping 10 weeks. Considering its size (5,880 sq ft), as well as the fact that it’s a 2-storey, 5-bedroom home, the entire process by LATCH was very impressive to say the least, and both parties were left smiling.

The Duchess showcases how a more monochromatic colour scheme can be enhanced by details such as artwork, natural lighting and your exterior spaces.

“The fact that a sizeable wine cellar came with the house was also a bonus!” Says the homeowner.

A sophisticated, charming and classy abode, this home is a welcoming reflection of its owners: well-traveled, refined and cultured.