The Chic Home
Beachy Bali-inspired Sentosa condo unit with a sea view
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Designer Carmen Tang describes the lower level’s layout as that of a beach boulevard flanked by glass pavilions.
PHOTO: WOLF WOOF
Home & Decor
SINGAPORE – Every corner of this five-bedroom Sentosa Cove apartment evokes a stay in a five-star beach resort.
The owners – who have a son and two daughters but declined to reveal other personal information – love resort holidays and wanted to replicate that feeling in their home.
They hunted for the perfect place for three years, eventually settling on this Sentosa resale property because, assessed per square foot, it was cheaper than similar-sized apartments elsewhere in Singapore. They declined to state the size of their residence.
Singaporean studio Wolf Woof, led by design director Carmen Tang, was chosen to bring the owners’ vision to life across the expansive two-storey condominium unit.
Given the space’s size, the biggest design challenge was reconfiguring the two levels to suit the family’s needs.
The master bedroom was moved from the upper floor to the lower level, which was then rearranged to include a wet kitchen by the entrance and a guest room that also doubles as the wife’s guzheng practice room.
The wet kitchen is next to the foyer on the first level.
PHOTO: WOLF WOOF
The wet kitchen has an open-concept layout with a sliding glass door, pendant lights and high stools by Singapore brand Son & Bear at the kitchen island.
Opposite the master bedroom is the music room, which can be converted into a guest room.
PHOTO: WOLF WOOF
Meanwhile, what looks like tropical wallpaper in the guest room is in fact a series of stickers applied to cabinet doors. Italian-style occasional chairs from the owners’ previous home add elegance.
Certain design elements recur throughout the home.
Floor-to-ceiling glass walls and mirrors let in light and offer sea views, while light wood carpentry, curves and subtle arches add softness. Mediterranean-inspired faux rock walls evoke a cave by the sea.
The master bedroom has glass walls, with Roman blinds that can be lowered for privacy.
PHOTO: WOLF WOOF
In the master bedroom, Roman blinds block out harsh sunlight and provide privacy as needed. The king-size storage bed was a custom job, as well as the plywood vanity behind the bed. A Castlery settee, herringbone flooring and rattan lampshades complete the picture.
A glass door separates the vanity from the shower.
PHOTO: WOLF WOOF
In the en-suite bathroom are a quartz counter and Modeste sink with a customised floating mirror and stonelike tiles, along with large wood-look shower tiles and brass finishes.
On the lower level’s layout, Tang said: “Whichever angle you’re standing at, you should be able to look right into the sea. Hence, I came up with this pavilion concept.
“It’s as though you are on a walkway towards the beach and you have glass pavilions on your left and on your right. The left being the master bedroom, the right being the guest room.”
The “boulevard” was created by building a platform from composite decking in the middle, lined with pebble trenches and artificial succulents.
The open-plan living room on the second level is adjacent to the dry kitchen and patio.
PHOTO: WOLF WOOF
In the living room on the second level, which used to be the master bedroom, full beams were added to accentuate the vaulted ceiling shape. The television doubles as a fake fireplace with a chimney-style backdrop. Above it is a painting by Malaysian artist Lee Sin Bee and a gingko-leaf chandelier painstakingly adjusted by the Wolf Woof team until it achieved perfect balance.
A piano in the corner completes the dining area.
PHOTO: WOLF WOOF
Full-height glass panels at one end of the large space open to the patio. At the other end are the dry kitchen and dining area, with a Son & Bear dining set. Tree branch-inspired lighting hangs above the kitchen island, which is equipped with an induction stove. A curved display cabinet near the dining area houses the family’s travel souvenirs.
One daughter’s bed sits atop a storage platform.
PHOTO: WOLF WOOF
The three children’s bedrooms are divided between the levels. On the lower level is one daughter’s bedroom. All the carpentry in this bedroom is custom-built, with a storage platform bed and softly arched cabinetry.
The navy blue walls of the son’s bedroom are emblazoned with virtues he values.
PHOTO: WOLF WOOF
On the same floor is her brother’s room, which is painted navy blue and has a small balcony, plus herringbone vinyl floors like the rest of the home.
The second daughter’s bedroom has a planter wall with faux greenery.
PHOTO: WOLF WOOF
The second daughter’s bedroom on the upper level also has a storage bed, along with other unique touches: a planter wall with faux greenery and a ceiling lamp that doubles as a fan.
The common bathroom has an artificial skylight with settings for different times of the day.
PHOTO: WOLF WOOF
The common bathroom has an artificial skylight with settings for different times of the day.
Wolf Woof’s design process took 1½ months, and the construction work took six months. The home owners declined to state the cost.
This article first appeared in Home & Decor Singapore. For more beautiful homes, space hacks and interior inspiration, go to homeanddecor.com.sg/interior-design
