Eclecticism is the new home mantra

Jerry Hansin

27 March 2008

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Eclecticism is the new home mantra
The new aesthetic in interior design dictates that the next time you buy a table, it doesn’t have to match your chairs, learns SARA LIM

HOMES these days are displaying an intriguing mixture of influences from different cultures and time periods, instead of sticking to a rigid theme like Zen minimalism or European classicism.

Mr Ong: What drives and inspires design is the homeowner’s lifestyle – what he owns, how he wishes to live
‘We’re moving towards eclecticism,’ declared William Ong, executive director of Axis.ID, the firm that has designed showflats for high-end property like St Regis Residences, The Pier at Robertson and Oceanfront @ Sentosa Cove.

The St Regis showflat, for instance, was a blend of Eastern and Western influences in a classic setting, accented by artworks, both modern and period. According to Mr Ong, different materials, lighting and accessories were combined in perfect proportions for the right feel.

Eclecticism is a trend that has been gathering steam all over the world. The next time you visit a posh Manhattan apartment, don’t be surprised to find an Asian-inspired lamp or Colombian priest statue alongside an intricate classical mirror from Spain.

As Singaporeans become increasingly well-travelled and exposed to different cultures, their homes are also reflecting more global tastes.

Describing his recent work on local bungalows and penthouses, Jason Ang, managing director of Oser Design, offered: ‘When you come through the door, you might see a set of Oriental-style armchairs, since we’re Asian. But in the living room, the sofas are always Italian – plush and comfortable. In the dining area, the console or sideboard can be in Indian or even Mongolian style.’

The new aesthetic dictates that the next time you buy a table, it doesn’t have to match your chairs.

‘In the past, everything had to match. If you had a piece in cherry (wood), everything had to be cherry, cherry, cherry. If it was oak, then oak, oak, oak. But nowadays, the focus is on relating, not matching,’ said Mr Ang.

Designers now ask themselves if individual pieces can ‘relate’ to each other. Traditional, squarish sofas are paired with armchairs in organic shapes and textures, while Ming dynasty chairs are tucked into a modern lacquered table.

As designers throw the rules out the window, homeowners are also trying to create an individual statement. Many personalise their living spaces by installing artworks like paintings and sculptures. Needless to say, these pieces are often cultural artefacts culled from their travels.

‘Everyone is a collector now. It’s fashionable to collect, be it furniture, artworks or antiques,’ said Mr Ong, who often places artwork from his private collections on loan at showflats.

He ventures that there are no boundaries in interior design nowadays. What drives and inspires design is the homeowner’s lifestyle – what he owns and how he wishes to live.

Homeowners who do a lot of entertaining, for instance, request for open-concept kitchens which double up as showpieces. As the kitchen is separated from the dining area only by a low bar counter, it allows the host to chat with guests while preparing meals or uncorking a wine bottle.

The latest material to grace kitchen counters is silestone, a quartz- based surface with anti-bacterial features. ‘Its high resistance to scratches and heat outperforms any solid surface or granite top. Such a revolutionary material certainly has a huge potential in the 21st century home,’ said Tan Kay Sing, director of The Builder’s Shop.

Other homeowners may want the sanctuary of a spa or wellness centre in their homes, elevating the status of the humble bathroom.

‘People want their bathrooms to be spacious and full of natural light. It’s a norm now to install raindrop showers, knock down walls to create large ensuite walk-in wardrobes and room-sized bathrooms,’ said Mr Ang, who once converted a courtyard into a spa room with a $15,000 bathtub and a skylight that could be opened to reveal the stars at night.

Fortunately for those looking to spruce up their homes, you need not empty your wallets for a fresh new look. Advising those on a tight budget, Mr Ong said: ‘All it takes is to re-arrange your furniture, change some of the accessories, place them at different angles – all these can work wonders in making your place feel new.’

Jay Wee of Anthropology Homeware pointed out that accessories are a lot cheaper and easier to source compared to furniture. He recommends practical, flexible items like shelving units which can be used as a side table or a feature wall with plenty of display space for art pieces.

Those with slightly bigger budgets could consider investing in designer lighting to infuse new life into a space.

‘You may have a very rundown, industrial-looking place but once you install the right designer lights, the spatial quality is completely transformed,’ said Mr Ang.

High-end Italian furniture and lightings store Le Mercier’s reports that the luxurious chandelier is seeing a strong comeback.

‘We have been telling clients for years that chandeliers are a very important statement in a home. We deal with the top lighting companies in Italy and we are very excited by the way they have reinvented their designs and use of materials,’ said Leon Le Mercier, director of Le Mercier’s Fine Furnishings.

To make spaces appear bigger, stick to simple designs and monochromatic colour schemes, rather than pattern-filled ones. Pieces with clean lines and a glossy finish, such as the Louis Ghost armchair by celebrity designer Philippe Starck, might fit the bill.

For a modern tropical look, consider incorporating live plants and pieces in tropical woods or woods with strong grains. As warmer tones become fashionable again, dark wenge wood, popular in the late 1990s, has given way to grey oak and teak as the material of choice.

Those concerned about sustainability and environmental issues can now enjoy eco-friendly living with furniture made of recycled weave at local furniture brand The Life Shop.

When faced with today’s plethora of choices, designing your dream home may seem like a daunting task. Ultimately, homeowners should design their house the way they like, rather than look to trends, according to furniture specialist Andrew Pang, vice-chairman of the design development committee of the Singapore Furniture Industries Council.

‘After all, today’s trend is tomorrow’s history. Buy things which reflect your personality. It’s a matter of personal taste.’

Singapore Property – Buy, Sell, Rent and Invest
Jerry Hansin (+65)9027 5537
email: jerry@assetomgt.com
website: www.assetomgt.com