Building on the homeowners’ vision of a ‘chic loft’, the interior designer made full use of the high ceilings to add a new room and even a glass bridge.
1 November 2017
Home Type: 3-storey inter-terrace house
Floor Area: 3,600sqft
Text by Lookbox Living
With an eight-metre high ceiling, this house has the perfect build for a bright and airy atmosphere. The new owners, Guillaume and Yvonne, knew that with the right designer, this place could become the space that they envision it to be.
“A ‘chic loft’ may have been the term I used to describe what we were looking for,” Guillaume recalls. The couple met interior designer Alvin Ling of The Scientist, whom they felt understood what they wanted. Through further conversations, Alvin discovered that the couple not only loves art, culture and music, but that they are also collectors.
“They have a huge art collection,” says Alvin, “Some are antique pieces that were collected from all over the world.” As Alvin designed the interiors, he made sure to include these pieces, including vintage posters and vinyl records, as part of the overall design.
Instead of plain white walls, the decision was made to go bold with colours and patterns. From the living room on the ground level to the communal spaces on the second floor, each space is infused with character and a quirky sense of wonderment.
“Guillaume lived in Spain previously,” explains Alvin. “He likes how it feels in Spain – eclectic, creative and full of surprises, so we tried to re-create a bit of that.” This is best exemplified with the colourful tiles that clad the bar counter and the vibrant orange tiles used for the flooring in the dining area. The deep blue wall also adds to the charm.
Alvin also helped the homeowners explore the variety of materials to use in the home. “We started by expressing what we did not like in terms of design and material palette,” Guillaume says. “What we liked then became rather obvious – noble materials such as wood, cement, steel and glass.”
Noting their preferences, Alvin made use of these specific materials for the renovation. These materials were also put to great use in the largest addition to the house – the study room. Suspended across the main entrance hallway, the study room was created to meet Guillaume’s need for a private area where he could work. Instead of walls, the study room is enclosed in a clear glass panel, creating a space that feels unrestrained and bathed in natural light.
“The fixed glass panel for the study room is a single piece of glass without any joints,” Alvin says “It weighs approximately 200kg and we required a mini crane to suspend it and assist with the installation process.”
The result was definitely worth the effort, as the study room is now a light-filled space that allows Guillaume to enjoy the sunlight as he works. A bridge was then built to connect the existing floor to the newly created room. Constructed using steel with a structural glass floor, the bridge looks like an extension of the room, helping to physically and visually connect the new structure to the existing one.
The other existing rooms were, of course, not left out from the makeover. The master bedroom was transformed into a French-inspired boudoir dressed in black and white while the bedroom belonging to the couple’s son was done up to be conducive for rest and study time.
Combining practical aspects and good looks, this home fulfils what Alvin set out to do for this family – a chic loft that is both functional and aesthetically beautiful.
See more at The Scientist.
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