Hooked on Industrial Style

Simple hooks are ingeniously turned into ceiling features in this industrial-themed home.

Homeowners Thong Chew Fatt and Eileen See had in mind a minimalist, industrial theme for their corner-unit maisonette. "We liked a colour scheme of grey, black and white, and clean details," says Chew Fatt, who has a background in graphic design and works in advertising.

To help realise this, they engaged designer Raymond Seow of Free Space Intent, who went a step further in creating a more "personality-suited" home for the couple.

In order to achieve a more spacious layout on the first floor, he removed the kitchen wall and reduced the size of the adjacent bedroom (now a store room). This gives the feel of a larger kitchen and dining area and, in turn, enhances the sense of minimalism.

When it came to materials, things were kept as simple as possible. "Eighty per cent of the surface finishes are concrete and cement screed," Raymond says, on the bare and raw look of the living areas. Laminated flooring was installed in the bedrooms upstairs, while wood-lookalike tiles adorn the kitchen and bathrooms.

One edgy element of this home involves hooks that were used to create "feature ceilings". Installed in a grid-like fashion, the hooks allow the homeowners to personalise how their light fixtures are hung and displayed. Another eye-catching example is the "web" of long, black cables and an assortment of glass light fixtures above the staircase that extends into the adjacent dining room. This draws attention towards the high ceiling, turning the double-volume stairwell into more than just a transitional space.

The finishing touch that really makes the home come to life is the many plants, which were added as Raymond kept in mind the pair's love for greenery. Ferns, creepers and potted leafy plants are in almost every corner of the two-storey abode, providing a refreshing and complementary contrast to its industrial-style canvas.

The couple spent about $90,000 on the renovation (excluding furnishings), an amount well-spent for the understated, nature-infused sanctuary they call home.

Where to go
Free Space Intent, TEL: 6392-8885

To read the rest of this article, get a copy of the January 2015 issue of Home & Decor.

Home & Décor, published by SPH Magazines, is available in print and digital editions. Log on to www.homeanddecor.com.sg/magazine to subscribe now! Check out more stories at Home & Decor online, www.homeanddecor.com.sg. Also, check out the January 2015 issue for these stories: Home for the Holidays Fill the homes of your loved ones with our selection of gift ideas that are as tasteful as they are useful. Something in the Air Learn all about home fragrances, which not only imbue a space with pleasant scents, but can also lift moods and evoke memories of places.