Houzz Tour: A Contemporary 'Cabin in the Woods' in the City
The peaceful view from this compact apartment is enhanced by its thoughtfully-designed interiors
Chiquit Brammall
18 December 2018
Design journalist and freelance editor. Dollhouse architect. Serial renter.
When the owners saw the view from this one-bedroom condo, they knew this would be home. Located close to the hustle and bustle of Orchard Road, they would enjoy lush, green surrounds that made the apartment feel like a cabin in the woods. This was the starting point for the interior design renovation they asked Kelvin Lim of Atelier Here to do.
House at a Glance
Who lives here: A young couple in their early 30s
Location: Orchard / River Valley
Type of property: One-bedroom condominium
Size: 550 square feet (51 square metres)
Duration of project: 4 months
Designer-in-charge: Kelvin Lim of Atelier Here
To maintain the serenity that the view provided, the interiors required organised and clutter-concealing storage. The owners also wanted their one-bedroom condo to be cosy and comfortable enough to host intimate gatherings of five to six guests, says Lim.
Who lives here: A young couple in their early 30s
Location: Orchard / River Valley
Type of property: One-bedroom condominium
Size: 550 square feet (51 square metres)
Duration of project: 4 months
Designer-in-charge: Kelvin Lim of Atelier Here
To maintain the serenity that the view provided, the interiors required organised and clutter-concealing storage. The owners also wanted their one-bedroom condo to be cosy and comfortable enough to host intimate gatherings of five to six guests, says Lim.
“The unit covers only 550 square feet, and with full-height glass windows that span the entire apartment width, we knew that the design needed to revolve around the windows and this view out,” Lim explains.
Customised furniture and built-ins were key to tackling the space constraints. The kitchen island, for example, has a mobile drawer unit on castors so that it can be moved out from under the island for the island to seat six. Customising “allows us to carve out additional storage spaces that may not be possible with off-the-rack pieces,” Lim says.
To optimise the lush, green view, important functions such as sofa seating, study desk/dresser and reading corner were pulled right up to the window to be near the foliage. Lim adds: “Scale-and view-wise, the design alludes to an intimate forest cabin nestled amongst the foliage”.
Customised furniture and built-ins were key to tackling the space constraints. The kitchen island, for example, has a mobile drawer unit on castors so that it can be moved out from under the island for the island to seat six. Customising “allows us to carve out additional storage spaces that may not be possible with off-the-rack pieces,” Lim says.
To optimise the lush, green view, important functions such as sofa seating, study desk/dresser and reading corner were pulled right up to the window to be near the foliage. Lim adds: “Scale-and view-wise, the design alludes to an intimate forest cabin nestled amongst the foliage”.
Timber-tone carpentry and oak flooring were chosen to give warmth to the space while a soft light grey finish lines one edge of the space to offer a neutral backdrop to the lush greenery just outside.
For a touch of luxe, brass and marble accentuate some of the detailing.
Lim says that the bedroom wall was removed and replaced with a glass wall to allow a more visually open plan.
For a touch of luxe, brass and marble accentuate some of the detailing.
Lim says that the bedroom wall was removed and replaced with a glass wall to allow a more visually open plan.
The bedhead cabinet was custom-built to create a cosy, sunken niche for the bed. The window desk features a flip-up mirror so the surface doubles as desk and dresser.
Tan leather (seen in the bedhead niche, island niche, armchair) and green velvet (sofa) were chosen to soften the surfaces while at the same time, complement the timber ‘cabin’ palette, says Lim.
TELL US
What do you love about this home? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
TELL US
What do you love about this home? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
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Like the color tone and the compactness of the living hall, very elegantly done. However dislike the bedhead cabinet; looks too bulky as if the 2 persons are being squeeze on both ends.