The client, who moved in in January 2022, asked for a conversation starter. He most definitely got one in the form of a life-sized, black horse sculpture in the dining room. Accommodating such a massive figure within a small apartment would be considered a tad extravagant in terms of space, even for the sake of creating a dramatic talking point. However, Carmen has cleverly incorporated a dining table in place of the horse’s torso and hind legs, which gives the ornamental piece a functional purpose too.   

Viewed head-on, the horse superimposes onto a pair of angel wings mounted on the bar’s wall behind the dining room, which visually transforms it into a Pegasus. Carmen refers to the wings as a “fallen angel,” aptly so. Set against a backdrop clad in black marble-look tiles with a “Bar” signage in an art deco typeface in-between the wings, the whole vibe is one of decadence befitting a bar. As the homeowner seldom cooks, only the very basic kitchen functions have been incorporated into the bar, such as a small hob and sink.

The most striking feature in the living room is the unique wall cladding on the two living room walls and the wall along the corridor leading to the master bedroom. “The client was hesitant at first, as the tin panels did not come cheap and required a long lead time, but I impressed him that some things are worth investing the money and time. When we saw the result, we were both in awe,” she shares. A pair of antique pendant lamps complement the tin panels, while a black-and-white rug breaks the monotony of the black-and-gold scheme.

Concealed behind a mirrored wall is the master bedroom. Carmen believes that although a bedroom is a private sanctuary, it does not mean that it has to be low-key. The wow element here involves yet another horse. This one appears to be leaping out from the wall behind the headboard, framed against a black-and-gold wallpaper that further heightens its dramatic effect.

The attached master bathroom is separated from the bedroom by a barn door with a translucent ribbed glass panel that lets in light while maintaining privacy. The black-and-white floor tiles echo the living room rug. The walls are all clad in glossy subway tiles to achieve a seamless effect that also visually expands the compact space.

Pint-sized this unit may be, but the effort put into its design is nothing short of enormous. Given the space crunch, Carmen feels it is crucial to create the biggest visual impact in the smartest way. Taking four months to complete, she admits to this being one of the craziest projects she has ever undertaken. “It is not every day that a designer gets to pull off a design like this, but I am glad that I managed to make it work,” she says. The cost amounted to $80,000, including furniture and furnishings, but in her books, “it looks like a million bucks”.

Carmen curated the decorative pieces to complement the interior, including this pendant lamp in the living room.