Run the show

Who: Royston Tan, local film-maker.

Royston Tan - known for his art cinema feature and short films, such as Sons, Mother, 881 and 15 - is one of Singapore's most promising young film-makers. The 39 year-old is a graduate from Temasek Polytechnic, and has to his name over 60 international and local film awards. With a huge cult following around the world, his films have been shown in the US, Europe and Asia.

Size: 1,337sqf

Home: Double-storey two-plus one-bedroom condominium unit in Serangoon.

"The nature of my work involves working with lots of props, and I'm used to being able to move loose furniture around so the look can always change," says film-maker Royston Tan, on his home's design.

To this end, interior designer Raymond Seow of Free Space Intent gave the apartment a "clean, industrial-zen look", with concrete screedfinished walls and floors, and minimal built-in fixtures.

This uncluttered, bare structural canvas allows Royston to have free play in styling the place with his huge collection of vintage furniture and decor pieces - two huge storage rental rooms' worth!

"My friends say I'm a hoarder! So I have to do justice to every single piece I've collected, and rotate them in the space," he says.

He has been collecting vintage pieces since he was just 17. "I grew up in the 1980s in a kampung, among furniture you can no longer find now. Singapore is moving too quickly and I see the need to hold on to bits and pieces of the charming past," he continues.

From gadgets such as a 1961 Sony transistor radio and rotary dial phones, to furniture and accessories like the retro TV and record player console, old-school Formica chairs and the framed mirror with Chinese characters from the 1960s, Royston collects them all, but has one requirement - "Everything has to be in working condition!"

To match his vintage "props", basic furniture pieces, such as an extendable dining table, sofa, bed and desk, all with a "retro-modern" look, from furniture shop Commune were selected. As for artwork to dress up the walls, there is nothing more apt than posters of Royston's own films, plus some commissioned paintings.

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

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