Beyond the Tour: 8 Zen touches for a calmer home, inspired by this Penrose apartment
Simple, shoppable ways to bring calm home—one considered piece at a time.
By Gwyneth Goh -
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Zen in this Penrose condo unit doesn’t come from a single statement, but from a quiet accumulation of objects that slow down the space over time—art, stone-like forms, timber surfaces, and layered lighting.
For homeowners Walter and Melody, these choices weren’t about styling for effect, but about creating a home that feels calm, grounded, and restorative at the end of each day.
In this Beyond the Tour, we break down the key Zen-inspired interior design elements seen throughout the apartment and show how you can recreate the look with accessible, shoppable pieces.
A dark timber-lined ceiling gently lowers over the entry corridor, guiding the eye forward before opening out into the living and dining area of a 3-bedroom (1,098 sq ft) condo in Penrose.
1. Art that sets the tone at the threshold
In this home
The first thing you encounter is art. Two commissioned works by Singapore artist Tay Bak Chiang transform the entry corridor into a quiet gallery, signalling a deliberate shift away from the outside world.
“When I come back from work, the house has to be completely relaxing,” homeowner Walter says, “It must give off that artistic feel.” Rather than decorative filler, the artworks establish mood and meaning—one representing family, the other movement and possibility.
Recreate the look
Start with one large-scale artwork in a transitional space like the foyer or hallway. Look for abstract or nature-inspired pieces that invite pause rather than demand attention.
Shop similar styles
- Abstract wall art with organic forms: Framed Sage Green Abstract Wall Art, $112.15 from Amazon.sg
- Nature-inspired prints in muted palettes: Coastal Seascape Framed Canvas Wall Art (three-piece), $210.68 from Amazon.sg
- Oversized wood textured wall art: 3D Wood Textured Large Neutral Abstract Wall Art, $346.84 from Amazon.sg
Rock-like Serralunga Meteor stools in the living area mirror the green stone forms seen in Tian Lun Zhi Le at the entry, extending the artwork’s language into the living space of a 3-bedroom (1,098 sq ft) condo in Penrose.
2. Sculptural stools that resemble natural stone
In this home
Three rock-like stools sit casually within the living space, blurring the line between furniture and sculpture. Their softened, irregular forms echo the stone imagery in the entry artworks—one even appearing in green, reinforcing the home’s recurring colour thread.
The home’s interior designer, Woon Chung Yen of Metre Architects, points to this visual continuity as one of his favourite moments in the home, noting “the uncanny resemblance of Serralunga’s Meteor green stool to the green rock by Tay Bak Chiang.” He adds, “perhaps the rock form is more fundamental to all cultures than we are aware of.”
Recreate the look
Choose stools or side tables with organic textures or silhouettes. They work well as flexible seating, side tables, or sculptural accents.
Shop similar styles
- Minimal stone-look stools or side tables: Opie Travertine Hourglass Side Table, $179 from HipVan
- Natural wood-look stools or side tables: COSIEST Concrete Side Table, Set of 2 Round Outdoor Side Tables, $185.08 from Amazon.sg
- Sculptural stools or side tables: COSIEST Outdoor Side Table w Chessboard, $101.15 from Amazon.sg
Dark timber frames the open living and dining area, lending a quiet sense of calm and ease to this 3-bedroom (1,098 sq ft) condo in Penrose.
3. A long bench that supports multiple ways of living
In this home
Running along the living area is a long built-in bench that Walter uses regularly. “When you sit there and read, you feel differently from when you sit on the sofa on the opposite side,” Walter remarks.
When guests come over, the bench naturally becomes additional seating, adapting easily to different moments. Integrated into the carpentry, it reads as part of the architecture rather than standalone furniture—quiet, flexible, and always useful
Recreate the look
If built-ins aren’t an option, replicate the effect with a long, low bench in timber or stone-look finishes.
Shop similar styles
- Minimal wooden benches: Gili Bench, $276.50 from Island Living
- Upholstered benches with clean lines: Upholstered Bench with Faux Leather Cushion, $218 from Amazon.sg
- Stone-effect or stone benches: Stone Bench Granite, $287.90 from Shopee
The dining area sits between the living space and kitchen, conceived as a calm, open, shared zone for everyday meals.
4. A marble feature wall that reads like art
In this home
In the dining area, a wall of Shangri-La Green marble anchors the expanded width of the space, its expressive veining functioning almost like a natural artwork. Rather than treating marble as a purely luxurious finish, Metre Architects approached it as a visual focal point.
As Woon explains, the marble acts as a “natural painting,” grounding the dining area without the need for additional decoration. Used sparingly and allowed to speak on its own, the marble introduces depth, movement and colour, reinforcing the home’s art-led approach while remaining calm and restrained.
Recreate the look
If a full marble wall isn’t feasible, recreate the effect with a stone-look slab, large-format porcelain tiles, or even marble-effect laminates. The key is scale and placement—one uninterrupted surface works better than multiple smaller accents.
Shop similar styles
- Large-format marble-look porcelain tiles: Sensi Signoria tile collection, Price upon enquiry from Hafary
- Marble-pattern decorative wall panels: LYSEKIL Wall panel, double sided white lively marble effect/white marble effect, $60/piece from IKEA Singapore
- Stone-effect laminate sheets: Livelynine Peel and Stick Brown Marble Laminate Sheets, $24.05/piece from Amazon.sg
A custom dining table made from Japanese zelkova and dyed with natural indigo grounds the dining area against dark timber joinery.
5. A statement tabletop inspired by nature
In this home
Set directly beneath the marble feature wall, the dining table becomes a second anchor—this time in timber. Crafted from Japanese zelkova and finished in a green gradation dye, the tabletop introduces warmth and texture without competing with the stone behind it.
For Walter, it was the piece that immediately stood out. “This table is unique because there’s no other piece in Singapore,” he shares.
“The colour comes from natural indigo dye.” Rather than acting as a conventional dining table, it reads almost like a surface to be appreciated—its grain and tonal shifts adding depth to the space.
Recreate the look
Look for tables where material takes centre stage. Solid wood slabs, expressive grain patterns, or stone-look surfaces with subtle colour variation can achieve a similar effect. The key is restraint: let one strong tabletop do the work, and keep the rest of the setting simple.
Shop similar styles
- Green marble-look or marble dining tables: WESLEY Modern Oval Marble Dining Table, $2,230 from Radical Homes
- Wood tables with expressive grain: Suar Wood Dining Table, from $1,829 from The Table Guy
- Stone-finish tabletops: Nord 180cm Sintered Stone Dining Table, $1,799 from Scanteak
Dark timber joinery and a blue upholstered headboard set a calm, restrained tone in the master bedroom.
6. Layered lighting for different moods
In this home
Lighting is used deliberately throughout the apartment to create different atmospheres—from ambient glows to focused task lighting. Rather than relying on a single overhead source, the home uses multiple light layers to soften the space.
In the bedroom, this also meant resisting symmetry. Although Walter initially preferred matching bedside lamps, Woon encouraged an asymmetrical approach to keep the space feeling softer and less rigid.
Recreate the look
Build lighting in layers. Combine ambient lighting with task lights and small accent lamps, and avoid switching everything on at once. Warm bulbs and dimmers make a noticeable difference.
Shop similar styles
- Compact bedside table lamps in neutral tones: NYRWANA LED Rechargeable Table Lamp, $48 from Amazon.sg
- Wall-mounted reading lights: Japanese Minimalist Style Wooden Wall Lamp, $71.45 from Amazon.sg
- Ambient floor lamps: luckystyle Dimmable Standing Lamp, $99.23 from Amazon.sg
The dining area sits between the living space and kitchen, conceived as a calm, open, shared zone for everyday meals.
7. A sculptural vase chosen for form, and family life
In this home
Placed beside the sofa, a sculptural vase introduces form and presence to the corner. Walter explains that the piece was chosen as much for practicality as form.
“This vase is actually from Space Furniture, from Brazil,” he says. “It’s made of cardboard, because we didn’t want a vase that could be broken—because of the children.”
Its unusual silhouette appealed immediately, and rather than styling it with florals, Walter added twigs he conveniently found downstairs. The result feels intentional but unprecious—an object that holds presence without requiring care.
Recreate the look
Look for vases with bold, sculptural shapes rather than delicate finishes. Lightweight or non-breakable materials are especially useful in family homes, and fallen branches or dried twigs from your neighbourhood can be just as effective as pricey florals.
Shop similar styles
- Sculptural vases in non-ceramic materials: Santa Barbara Design Studio Paper Mache Vase, $32.73 from Amazon.sg
- Matte-finish statement vases: Natural Wood Vase, $49.30 from Amazon.sg
- Organic-form decorative vessels: Bloomingville Decorative Vase, $175.51 from Amazon.sg
Ceramics and everyday objects from Japan and France are displayed with restraint, turning the shelf into a quiet vignette.
8. Everyday objects, curated like a still life
In this home
On the display shelf, small objects are arranged with the same care as artwork. Walter shares that many of the pieces were collected over time.
“Some of the vases are from Japan and France,” he says. “The two small blue vases are from France—Barbara Lormelle ceramics. The teacups are from one of the Japanese shops in Tanjong Pagar—also a unique piece.”
Rather than filling the shelf, the items are spaced out, allowing each to be seen clearly and appreciated on its own terms.
Recreate the look
Look for ceramic pieces with matte finishes and simple silhouettes. Group objects by tone or material rather than by theme, and resist the urge to fill every shelf.
Shop similar styles
- Textured sculptural vases in neutral tones: Whitewashed Terracotta Ceramic Vase, $162.93 from Amazon.sg
- Sculptural stoneware pieces: Lava Bowl, $48/piece from Eat & Sip
- Abstract-shaped ceramic décor: Kraftlik Handicrafts Ceramic Minimalist Flower Vase, $55 from Amazon.sg
Design Takeaway
Zen doesn’t have to come from grand gestures or expensive renovations. Introduced gradually—through art, material choices, lighting, and meaningful objects—it’s something that can be slowly created, one considered piece at a time.