Coastal vibes for Tanjong Rhu condominium

SINGAPORE – Natural light, river views and a sense of belonging. This Singaporean home owner wanted all these elements in her apartment, which she shares with a pet golden retriever.

Amelia – who is 51, works in corporate furniture sales and did not give her surname – renovated her 800 sq ft Tanjong Rhu condominium unit with the help of interior design firm Homely Matters’ director Dominic Leong.

“My sister knows Dom’s wife. I love his personality, I’ve been to his place and I love the style: nice and cosy,” she says.

Amelia and her former husband, a Briton, have travelled extensively, especially in Europe. She therefore wanted to create her own space in a way that reminded her of the lifestyle.

She initially wanted deep, rich jewel tones, but decided on a coastal vibe and the American Hamptons style after completing an online quiz.

Given her field of work, she sourced the furniture herself. New appliances and furnishings sit comfortably side by side with collectibles of sentimental value.

In the foyer, wainscoting connects the space with the dining and living areas. Footwear and other items are stored in a set of 2.9m-tall white laminated cupboards, with a custom settee for Amelia to sit when putting on and removing shoes.

Nearby is an art piece, which she bought in Hanoi more than a decade ago, depicting a girl from a Hmong tribe in Vietnam.

In the living room, a collection of family photos and a wine fridge offer a glimpse into the owner’s passions – as does a wooden console table from Singapore brand Castlery. It houses keepsakes like a Buddha figure bought in Cambodia, a transparent lamp from Kartell and a bronze Chinese vase from Amelia’s mother.

Also in the space is a pottery set which Amelia made with her daughter as a Mother’s Day activity in 2020.

Above the sofa is a mirror Amelia has owned for eight years, and in front of that is a solid wood coffee table from Castlery, complete with two Kartell chairs. A reindeer skin, which she brought back from Iceland in 2022, is draped over one.

The television set is kept out of sight, but is rolled out on a portable stand when her daughter and son-in-law visit.

In the kitchen is a series of pocket door cabinets, which slide open to reveal pots, pans and other appliances. The fridge is a Mitsubishi Electric model made in Japan, with individual doors and compartments instead of the typical one or two doors.

The counters and backsplash are sintered stone, while the cabinets are in a warm laminate with backlights for ambience.

The master bedroom is decked out in more wainscoting and a palette of relaxed neutrals. Illuminated by natural light, the bedroom also has a view of the river. Her queen-size bed is paired with a custom-built headboard and a large duvet.

A standout feature of the bedroom is the bar counter, which overlooks the river and was built to hide a structural element. The countertop’s sintered stone matches the material in the kitchen.

A custom-made sliding door leads to the bathroom, which is done up in a French style. The walls are painted powder blue, with ceramic tiles and paintings enhancing the European vibe. The shower is lined with marble tiles from supplier Hafary, while the gold fixtures are from Grohe.

The vanity’s sintered-stone countertop is the same material as the kitchen’s. Completing the area are two wall sconces and a round mirror.

Amelia spent $100,000 on the renovation, which took six months to design and about three for construction.