This Penthouse Apartment Oozes Santorini Holiday Charm
This penthouse apartment for a large family feels like a holiday home by the sea, thanks to its iconic palette and weathered details
When this family of five went on holiday to the Greek island Santorini, they liked it so much that they decided to recreate their own piece of idyllic island life back home in Singapore. It was quite a makeover for their condominium apartment – a penthouse unit with its own terrace – which had previously sported a Balinese theme.
AT A GLANCE
Who lives here: A family of five with their helper and cat
Home: Five-bedroom condominium apartment in Sunset Way
Size: 1,980 sq ft
ID: Watermark Design
The family approached Kenneth Ng of Watermark Design for the design and renovation. After a process that took two and a half months and cost $160k, the resulting look is light, white and airy, accentuated by the distinctive blue that typifies Santorini architecture and the sparkling Aegean Sea. It was also a happy coincidence that the exterior of the condominium building matches the blue-and-white palette perfectly, lending continuity to the design narrative.
Kenneth also added his own touches to enhance the space. The curved parapet on the lower floor and the display niches in the hallway have a distinctly hand-carved look, a detail that Kenneth spent a lot of time getting right. “I wanted to make sure the curve of the parapet was not too perfectly round,” he said. “It needs to look like weathered stone.” He did the same for the walls of the balcony, adding plaster to create texture that resembles the worn stone walls of the island.
Each of the display niches has its own spotlight and terracotta tiles, another detail that Kenneth had suggested. These house the family’s collection of ceramics. He also added fluted glass panelling to the main bathroom on the lower floor, which lets some light through and differentiates it from the other rooms.
Natural light from the balcony floods the communal space. As the homeowners love to entertain, special attention was given to the dining area. A long counter sits off to the side, stocked with glasses and tableware.
“This is for when we serve food buffet-style for our guests – they can just help themselves,” says the wife. The cabinets are clad in the same white timber veneers as those in the open kitchen, creating a seamless flow between the cooking and entertaining areas.
As the family has three children between the ages of 18 and 21, it was imperative that each had their own space.
As a result, all three bedrooms sport different shades on the walls (though equally soothing on the eyes) and unique configurations that suit each child’s personality.
Upstairs, the master bedroom is done all in white, with panelled wardrobes and timber ceiling beams for visual interest.
This backdrop of calming hues makes for a great canvas to display the family’s collection of vases and paintings, some of which are collected from overseas on their travels and some of which are gifts.
To add drama and detail, the homeowners also picked out abstract flora and fauna-patterned tiles from Mosaico SG for their bathrooms, lending a subtle quirky quality to the space.
Not everything is new, though – where possible, Kenneth tried to work with existing elements. The sand-coloured marble flooring on the lower level is entirely original, as is the iron balustrade on the stairs and the pale blue-green door on the upper level that leads to the terrace outside. After a bit of cleaning and polishing, these elements fit right into the décor with their vintage charm.
It’s hard not to feel relaxed in such a home, as though one has stepped through a portal into a different place altogether. The apartment has the right mix of old-world nostalgia, natural exuberance, and holiday charm.
This is also thanks to the close relationship between Kenneth and the homeowners, who worked together to choose the right furniture for the space. “I wanted the homeowners to be involved in the renovation,” says Kenneth. “Getting the feel and atmosphere right is very important.”
Art Direction: Nonie Chen
Photography: Veronica Tay
Text: Melody Bay/Home & Decor