Comments
Houzz Tour: The Balance of Hard and Soft Creates a Stylish Home
Newlyweds combine hard Industrial and softer Scandinavian schemes for a super stylish new home
Niki Bruce
11 October 2018
Houzz Contributor. Editor and Journalist for over 20 years. This is where I let my inner-homeowner run free!
Houzz Contributor. Editor and Journalist for over 20 years. This is where I let my... More
Balancing the interior design preferences of two people with completely different styles – in this case, industrial and Scandinavian – can be tricky.
Industrial style is known for its rough, ‘hard’ aesthetic that features stronger colours, concrete and metal, while Scandinavian style is ‘soft’ focussing on natural, lighter coloured materials like pale timber and lots of white.
Luckily for this young newlywed couple, their interior design team from Mr Shopper Studio managed to not only keep both owners happy, but also create a stylish decor scheme at the same time.
Industrial style is known for its rough, ‘hard’ aesthetic that features stronger colours, concrete and metal, while Scandinavian style is ‘soft’ focussing on natural, lighter coloured materials like pale timber and lots of white.
Luckily for this young newlywed couple, their interior design team from Mr Shopper Studio managed to not only keep both owners happy, but also create a stylish decor scheme at the same time.
House at a glance
Who lives here: A newlywed couple
Location: Clementi
Type of property: 4-room BTO (Built-To-Order) HDB flat
Size: 970 square feet (90 square metres)
Project duration: 8 weeks
Designers: Kate Deng, Ken Lee and Ben Teo from Mr Shopper Studio
Creating the right balance between the “harsh and cold feeling” of industrial style and the warmer vibe of Scandinavian style meant that the design team had to pick the various elements carefully.
Who lives here: A newlywed couple
Location: Clementi
Type of property: 4-room BTO (Built-To-Order) HDB flat
Size: 970 square feet (90 square metres)
Project duration: 8 weeks
Designers: Kate Deng, Ken Lee and Ben Teo from Mr Shopper Studio
Creating the right balance between the “harsh and cold feeling” of industrial style and the warmer vibe of Scandinavian style meant that the design team had to pick the various elements carefully.
The rustic-looking light wood laminate for the living room built-in is Scandinavian-inspired.
“We used a light-coloured cement-look vinyl flooring throughout the flat and a cement stucco wall for the dining room wall with a mild variation in shade to bring in the industrial element without the harshness and rawness,” explains the team.
The use of linear black details is used with regularity – binding on the window blinds, handles on the cabinet and ceiling channels that house the lights. “We also sourced for furniture with black legs for consistency,” say the designers.
The young couple love to invite large groups of people over which is why the Blafink couch can be separated and pushed towards the walls, and the dining space has a timber banquette.
The kitchen is sexy and moody, in contrast to the lightness and airiness of the living and dining space. Black and charcoal with glints of stainless steel set this room apart.
Countertop: KompactPlus
Countertop: KompactPlus
“We advised the homeowners to get matching black kitchen equipment like the cooker hood, hob and oven if possible, and they did,” says the design team. The team retained the existing white tiles that came with the BTO flat.
The design team also kept the existing bathroom floor tiles in the common bathroom and added stone-look wall tiles, a black sink and a metal vanity.
The sombre shades continue in the master bedroom but because the wife doesn’t like the coldness of the industrial style, the team included warm timber elements.
Bed: Hipvan
The master bathroom is similarly dark with stone-look tiles, the same rustic wood laminate used in the living room and a frameless mirrored cabinet.
Although the young couple had only one image of a cafe that they both liked as a creative concept to share with the designers, the team were able to take the best of two opposing styles and blend them into a unique look that satisfies both parties.
Additional reporting by Verlaine Marquez
TELL US
What is your favourite feature in this home? Let us know in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
TELL US
What is your favourite feature in this home? Let us know in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
Related Stories
Kitchen Guides
10 Key Kitchen Dimensions You Need to Know
Here are key kitchen dimensions that will help you design like a pro
Full Story
More Room Guides
35 Serene Puja Room Designs
Take a leaf out of these elegantly designed, beautiful prayer rooms on Houzz
Full Story
Decorating Guides
What Are the Benefits of Hiring an Interior Designer?
From furnishing working drawings to beautifying the home, find out how an interior designer plays multifunctional roles
Full Story
More Room Guides
Turn One Room Into Two With These Genius Ideas
Carve out an extra room within your home with these fab room-splitting tips and tricks
Full Story
Bedroom Guides
What Are the Ideal Wardrobe Measurements?
Here are dimensions for different types of wardrobe designs that ensure maximum functionality and storage
Full Story
Architecture
These Indian Homes Know How To Combat Harsh Climate
See how these homes by SPASM, Kumar Moorthy & Associates and JPLUSDARCHITECTS mitigate the ramifications of harsh climate ahead of time
Full Story
Architecture
How to Find an Architect That's Right for You
Make the construction and renovation of your home a pleasant and memorable journey by selecting the right architect
Full Story
Bathroom Guides
Step-by-Step: A Guide to Renovating Your Bathroom
Planning to renovate your bathroom? Learn about the different stages involved in the remodelling process
Full Story
Living Rooms
30 Best Sofa Designs
This guide gives a rundown of sofa types that will leave you spoilt for choices
Full Story
Small Spaces
7 Stylish Ways to Dry Your Laundry In a Small Apartment
Has your drying rack become a perpetual eyesore in your home? These dapper laundry drying solutions have you covered
Full Story