One of the priorities in the design brief was to have a large, bright space for entertaining friends. A dramatic overhaul was needed, so Molina reconfigured the space entirely, taking out the two common bedrooms and transforming them into a large communal area for living and dining purposes. The original living room was walled up to create a bedroom for the couple, while the wife’s mother has her quarters in the master bedroom.

The new and expanded communal area is, without a doubt, the heart of the home. With natural light flooding in from two sets of windows, the space is bright and appears much larger. A deep blue Wendelbo Lilin sofa by Made&Make takes centrestage, complemented by earthy hues of burnt orange, tan and sienna in the other furnishings.

All these pieces had been chosen by the design-savvy homeowners themselves, with Molina providing advice on the dimensions. In the dining room, an expansive marble table by designers Alessandro Andreucci and Christian Hoisl sits under a series of &Tradition pendant lights. A custom-built banquette runs the length of the wall, providing extra seating for when they have larger gatherings.

The living and dining space is also where the couple displays their cherished mementoes. One of their shared interests is collecting pottery on their travels, so having sufficient display shelves was a must. Their collection comprises one-of-a-kind shigaraki cups from Japan, cha wan (tea cup) pieces from a local potter they had befriended, and other interesting bits they had amassed over the years.

These are lovingly displayed on the shelves, together with framed snapshots of their travels taken by the husband, who is a photography enthusiast.

This isn’t the only space they can hang out in, though – the foyer has also been transformed into a miniature lounge with the addition of a peninsula counter and cocktail cabinet. Clad in marble and walnut, this lounge area is used as a standing bar where friends can enjoy a casual tipple before dinner.

A subtle but impactful design element that was introduced is the curves that Molina added throughout the home. These lend a graceful architectural touch and help to prevent the apartment from looking too boxy. Another visual accent is the extension of the ceiling’s grey colour partway down the walls, creating the illusion of a higher ceiling. “This also helps to conceal any beams,” says Molina.

To balance out the strong colour palette, Molina decided on a subtle wash of white as the main canvas for the apartment, but took care to add detailing so it would not be too plain. These include fluted panelling for the custom TV console and air-conditioner covers, textured wallpaper, as well as custom-made headboards and divans in the bedrooms. “We wanted to keep it sleek but still add interest and contrast,” says Molina.