Houzz Tour: A Bold Renovation Through Blue and Black 'Boxes'
With walls removed and new insertions, a two-storey apartment becomes an airy, relaxed space perfect for mingling with friends
After having lived in many cities across the world, Darren Sabom and Sharon Siah decided to finally settle in a place where they could call their own. They chose this two-storey, three-bedroom apartment in Tanjong Pagar, and collaborated with William Ng, founder and principal architect of Studio Wills + Architects, to create the perfect space that reflects their penchant for entertaining and lifestyle of frequent traveling.
In the living room, the original light oak wood flooring is retained, sanded down and varnished back to its former sheen. It exudes a Mid-Century Modern charm, with furniture showing clean lines and organic curves.
“In the original zone, the fitments barely ‘touch’ the wall, floor and ceiling. They are either cantilevered or supported by steel frames. The expression is tectonic; joints and joinery are expressed,” says Ng. This is exemplified in the detailing of the new storage additions, namely the shoe cabinet, TV console, and display ledges.
Placed on the wall is a reproduction Rothko canvas, who is Sharon’s favourite artist. “Seen at museum in Washington DC, the Ochre Red on Red was the first and only Rothko print she purchased. It traveled with her across many cities, and she had it for over 10 years. Shortly after they moved to Singapore, there was a little accident at home and the artwork was destroyed. Darren knew that she really liked it and was quite upset at losing it. So for her birthday that year, he had it reproduced on canvas and hung it up on a wall in their apartment to surprise her,” shares Ng.
Sofa: Second Charm
“In the original zone, the fitments barely ‘touch’ the wall, floor and ceiling. They are either cantilevered or supported by steel frames. The expression is tectonic; joints and joinery are expressed,” says Ng. This is exemplified in the detailing of the new storage additions, namely the shoe cabinet, TV console, and display ledges.
Placed on the wall is a reproduction Rothko canvas, who is Sharon’s favourite artist. “Seen at museum in Washington DC, the Ochre Red on Red was the first and only Rothko print she purchased. It traveled with her across many cities, and she had it for over 10 years. Shortly after they moved to Singapore, there was a little accident at home and the artwork was destroyed. Darren knew that she really liked it and was quite upset at losing it. So for her birthday that year, he had it reproduced on canvas and hung it up on a wall in their apartment to surprise her,” shares Ng.
Sofa: Second Charm
The living room segues into the kitchen – the heart of the Blue Box and the social zone. “The owners, particularly Sharon, are avid cooks, which explains the well-equipped kitchen that is ducted and vented to the exterior for some serious cooking,” says Ng. To allow easy entertaining and to enhance the relaxed atmosphere, the dining area is built around the kitchen island, whose shape follows the angled side of the kitchen. Custom-made mid-height stools, which have solid wood seat and back, and black steel legs, are used as dining chairs. Breaking off the monotony of the deep blue walls and cabinetry are Peranakan-inspired cement tiles from Vietnam. “This is one of the materials in the homeowners’ wishlist,” he says.
There is more eye-catching artwork on display in the kitchen. By the main entrance, is a large black and white painting of an angel. It is a gift from Darren’s sister, Jena Anne, who is an artist based in Pittsburgh. “She painted four of the same work and gave one to each sibling and their parents. This is definitely one of Darren and Sharon’s favourite pieces not just because of how dramatic it looks, but also the personal connection to the artist, which makes it so much more meaningful,” says Ng.
Wall paint in Ebony Blue: Nippon Paint; Stools: Second Charm; Cement tiles: An Huat Trading; Brass pendant lights: Schoolhouse Electric
There is more eye-catching artwork on display in the kitchen. By the main entrance, is a large black and white painting of an angel. It is a gift from Darren’s sister, Jena Anne, who is an artist based in Pittsburgh. “She painted four of the same work and gave one to each sibling and their parents. This is definitely one of Darren and Sharon’s favourite pieces not just because of how dramatic it looks, but also the personal connection to the artist, which makes it so much more meaningful,” says Ng.
Wall paint in Ebony Blue: Nippon Paint; Stools: Second Charm; Cement tiles: An Huat Trading; Brass pendant lights: Schoolhouse Electric
Adjacent to the kitchen (behind the blue wall) are the study and powder room, which are nestled into their own ‘boxes’. Standing against the staircase, meanwhile, are display niches and shelves with steel frame support. The backlit boxes and long counter serve as a makeshift bar.
Countertop in London Grey: Caesarstone
Countertop in London Grey: Caesarstone
It’s a blue and white affair in the powder room, which also sits within the ‘Blue Box’. The lower part of the walls is finished in hexagonal mosaic tiles, creating a brightening effect and a textural contrast against the dark upper walls.
Mosaic tiles: An Huat Trading; Countertop in London Grey: Caesarstone; Brass wall sconce: Schoolhouse Electric
Mosaic tiles: An Huat Trading; Countertop in London Grey: Caesarstone; Brass wall sconce: Schoolhouse Electric
The original timber staircase winds up to the upper level. A globe, which is the lone accessory here, serves as a meaningful reminder of the couple’s extensive travels.
The common bath echoes the black and white theme on the second level. Although the white and black subway tiles are laid out in the same classic running bond pattern, the difference in size gives a sense of height and depth to the tight space. The black bathroom fittings and brass wall sconce also add a vintage-industrial vibe.
Countertop in Piatra Grey: Caesarstone; Subway tiles: An Huat Trading; Wall sconce: Schoolhouse Electric
Countertop in Piatra Grey: Caesarstone; Subway tiles: An Huat Trading; Wall sconce: Schoolhouse Electric
The ‘Black Box’ is nestled within the original bedroom. It also serves as a backdrop for the bed, which has been re-positioned to take in the view of the city. The uncomplicated colour scheme, along with natural daylight filling the space, makes the bedroom a modern, tranquil haven.
Bed: Pomelo; Bedside table: EOMM; Brass wall lamps: Schoolhouse Electric
Bed: Pomelo; Bedside table: EOMM; Brass wall lamps: Schoolhouse Electric
Aside from merging the original interior with the new bold space, “there is also an economy of means,” says Ng. “The walk-in wardrobe, for instance, is also an enclosure for the en-suite bath.” Ng also made sure to continue the elements on this level that Darren and Sharon wanted, particularly metal-framed wired-glass doors.
In the master bath, the toilet and shower are separated from the lavatory by a sliding wired frosted glass door. Warm lighting makes this private space more inviting.
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Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Darren Sabom, an American who is an associate director at Invesco, a US investment management company, and wife Sharon Siah, a Malaysian Chinese who is the Asia-Pacific finance head for Swiss baked goods company ARYZTA, and their cat
Location: Yan Kit Road in Tanjong Pagar
Size: 1,464 sqft
Project duration: Design took 3 months, and renovation took 5 months
“The owners started a mood board of their favourite materials and things they hoped to have in their new home. It accumulated to more than 100 images over the entire course of the design, which were distilled to fit the overall ‘look and feel’ by Studio Wills + Architects,” Ng says. The original, pared-down interior design was also a stark contrast to the eclectic exterior environment of mostly colourful shophouses. “The (new) interior design took elements found within the context, distilled and contained them within two ‘boxes’: one Blue and the other Black, and strategically inserted them within the original interior.” The result is a duality in the renovated space: the “original” quiet, pared down interior, and the “new” bold and eclectic spaces.
“The original apartment had little pockets of spaces. There was a dedicated dining area and an enclosed kitchen. The owners requested that the design open up the apartment – this was the starting point of the project,” Ng shares. At the ground level, walls were taken down to minimise enclosures, and to combine the dining and kitchen into one open space.
The open concept gave the owners more breathing space and more leeway to work around the spaces, whether for lounging or entertaining. While there is a clear distinction between the old and the new – the original living area on the left, and the new ‘Blue Box’ containing the open kitchen and dining on the right – a seamless connection is established through the sharing of the same colour palette and metal finishes.