The co-founders of Sunday Bedding apply similar philosophies in both the design of their home and their business.
The concept of sustainability takes on many facets – from the products that we buy and food choices that we make, to the spaces that we inhabit and more.
As co-founders of Sunday Bedding, a homegrown company that specialises in helping customers match their sleep preferences with the right bedding, in the same way that sommeliers pair food and wine, sustainability is close to the hearts of husband-and-wife team Alex Fan and Clara Teo, who are 34 and 35 respectively.
The company offers bedlinen that are produced ethically and sustainably without the use of harmful chemicals or synthetics. For their home, they also gravitated towards using natural materials such as linen, wood, marble and terrazzo.
Who A couple, their 10-month-old daughter and a cat
Home A three-plus-one-bedroom condominium at Anderson Road
Size 1,765 sqf
New Condo Along Anderson Road
As the development is only about eight years old, the unit was still in good condition and did not warrant a complete gutting.
This was something that interior designer, Barbara Fritschy, founder and managing director of Make Room Interior Design and Styling, was mindful of.
Renovation Budget: $75,000
“We did not want to be wasteful, so we did not renovate the bathrooms. We only hacked the kitchen and existing wardrobes, re-laminated the bar unit, changed the lighting and added some electrical outlets,” she says.
This sustainable approach not only helped to minimise wastage, but also kept the costs within a $75,000 budget (excluding furniture and furnishings).
Close attention was paid to the materials, textures and finishes when designing every nook and cranny
Light-Filled Open Spaces
Located adjacent to one another, the living and dining rooms are cosy, light-filled spaces with a view of the surroundings. Barbara incorporated a bespoke open shelving unit in between that serves as a spatial divider without impeding air flow or stifling the sense of spaciousness.
Curved & Asymmetrical Furniture
As a counterpoint to visually balance the straight lines of the shelves, the homeowners opted for a curved sofa and an asymmetrical dining table.
An existing pantry cum bar at one end of the dining room was cladded with new laminates topped with terrazzo that matches the kitchen counter. In the spirit of sustainability, the built-in coffee machines that came with the unit have been reinstalled, along with a new wine chiller.
Nature-Inspired Colours & Materials
The materials and colours of the existing kitchen cabinetry and counter top were not quite to Clara’s liking.
“I prefer natural materials like terrazzo and nature-inspired colours such as green,” she shares.
As she was advised that it was more cost-effective to redo the whole kitchen than make piecemeal modifications, the kitchen underwent a major overhaul. Like the coffee machines in the dining room, kitchen appliances such as the oven were salvaged as they were still in perfect working condition and re-integrated into the new kitchen.
Master Bedroom: Tempur Mattress, French Linens
Being in the bedding business, sleep and by association, the master bedroom was high on the couple’s priority list.
Their biggest investment, apart from the property, is their Tempur mattress. This is topped with their preferred choice of French linen sheets, which they like for their crinkled, rustic look.
“French linen is weightier than bamboo, but highly durable. It is an investment piece that can last up to 10 years or more,” Clara points out. “Our mattress, linen blackout curtains, and of course, our bedding help in putting us to sleep quickly,” she adds.
Walk-In Wardrobe
With the existing wardrobes removed, Barbara was able to create a separate walk-in wardrobe and bag storage area within the master bedroom.
“As the room is surrounded by many windows, we had to use what available wall there is to add a new wardrobe. We also changed the orientation of the bed,” she elaborates.
Husband’s Man Cave
Beside the master bedroom is the plus-one, which has been designed as Alex’s game room, or what the couple refers to as his “man cave”. Another bedroom is now a study shared by the couple who work from home most of the time unless they have team meetings.
The couple moved into their new home in July 2021 after a two-month renovation. Since then, they have welcomed a new addition to the family. When they were renovating the apartment, they did not include any baby-specific requirements in the brief, although they knew that having a child was a possibility.
“What we did do was to have Barbara keep the second bedroom flexible without any built-ins, as well as to allow provision for a helper’s room,” says Clara.
Baby Proofing the House
With a 10-month-old child sharing the home, they have had to make certain adjustments. Apart from baby-proofing sharp corners, the second bedroom has been converted into a nursery. The absence of built-ins made it easier for the couple to move furniture and other baby things around.
Bamboo Bedsheets for Their Toddler
The right bedding is important, regardless of age. For their daughter, they have chosen bamboo bedding as the fabric is cool to the touch and moisture-wicking. Like French linen, it is suitable for people with skin allergies as it tends to trap less dust versus cotton or polyester.
Wish They Had More Storage Space
Clara admits that storage was not something that they had prioritised in their brief to Barbara. Moving from a 700 sq ft apartment to one that is more than twice the size, they had assumed that there would be more than sufficient space.
However, with a bigger family, including a helper, they find themselves running out of storage space. “We will probably need to make some adjustments soon,” she says.
The couple share that the calming hues, furniture and paintings in the home are very reflective of who they are and inspires them in their work. This is precisely the belief upon which Barbara founded Make Room over a decade ago.
“Everyone should be happy at home and for that to happen, a home should reflect the people who live in it. We do not have a one-size-fits-all design and the results are always completely unique to our clients and their preferences,” she emphasises.
Text: Lynn Tan/Home & Decor