Wealth of timber give couple's Orchard condo warm, cosy and intimate look

Who: A couple and their young son:

Home: Three-bedroom condominium unit in the Orchard area

Size: 3,200sqf

It isn't obvious that this spacious apartment, located in the heart of town, is merely a temporary home for a family of three. After all, the homeowner had engaged architectural firm RT+Q to give it a brand new look, spending around $350,000 on a thorough renovation.

Visible the moment you step into the entrance foyer, timber screens line almost all the walls of the apartment.

"Timber makes a space look warm, cosy and intimate," says architect Ploy Krittayapirom on the extensive use of the material in the home.

However, in order for the screens not to overpower the look, they have been designed to appear "light", with carefully proportioned, staggered horizontal strips.

"The screens are repeated so they become a strong design concept in the home, and are also used to tie the spaces together," explains Ploy.

Besides being ornamental, they conceal storage cabinets and entrances to the private areas, as well as zone the living area and semi-open kitchen, by means of pivoted and sliding panels.

The main space, which enjoys copious natural lighting thanks to the large windows and spacious floor plan, features a split-level that separates the living room from the dining area. Ploy adjusted the position of the change in floor level to make the dining area, which is anchored by a large stone-topped dining table, bigger and ideal for entertaining.

For its luxurious, contemporary look, materials used in the home include beautiful Volakas marble for the flooring in the common areas, and solid white oak timber with steel trimming for the screens.

This provides a subtle but elegant backdrop to the homeowner's collection of furniture and decor, which includes iconic Mid-Century Modern designer pieces, and antiques.

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