Music Inspires The Design Of This Executive Maisonette On Pipit Road
Both music lovers, lawyer Mark Cheng and his engineer wife Putri Wijaya wanted their matrimonial home to be designed around a classical music theme while incorporating some luxe and Scandinavian elements.
Also part-time piano teachers, they’re big on hosting soirees for friends and family, so the space planning and interior design had to accommodate these requirements.
They found Distinct Identity online and were impressed by its portfolio. “We looked through its past projects and shortlisted it because of some of the classical elements that we saw and wanted in our home,” says Mark.
AT A GLANCE
Who lives here: A couple in their 20s
Home: A Pipit Road executive maisonette
Who lives here: 1,616 sq ft
ID: Distinct Identity
One project they particularly liked was a black and white house in the Duxton area with a minimalist classical theme by senior design consultant Kuay Mei Yee, who also became the designer for their home.
Except for the parquet staircase, which was later stained black, and balustrades, most of the first storey, including the walls and floor and wall tiles, as well as the built-in cabinets, was hacked away.
For Mei Yee, demolishing the partitioning walls set the stage for an open-concept interior where the foyer, dining, kitchen, living and piano areas seamlessly connect, both physically and visually.
The foyer used to be part of the common corridor outside the apartment. The previous owner bought it over and it became part of the flat. It is now Mark and Putri’s “happy corner” for recreation where they can hang out with friends over a game of foosball.
To the right of the foyer is the integrated dining-kitchen space. “With the wall removed, the two areas are now one with an island joining the dining table to form a long surface,” says Mei Yee.
The two-tiered island is not just aesthetically pleasing; it is also convenient. The upper tier is just the right height for prepping food or baking while standing. Bar stools allow the flexibility for it to be used as a bar counter, too. The lower one is designed to accommodate a proper sit-down meal.
A bank of sockets built into the vertical drop between them makes it very convenient to use when the homeowners want to do a hotpot or plug in their laptops and use the dining table as a work desk.
The living room and piano area are also conceived as one large, open space, with the area under the staircase serving as a transition zone between the two. The lower headroom and a solitary bench create a cosy vibe for this in-between space where guests can partake in the activities in the living room and piano room on either side.
Surrounded by modern interpretations of classical details such as a faux fireplace, wall beadings and a crystal chandelier, a grand piano takes centre stage.
The living room and kitchen and dining areas have a modern style, while the piano room is more classical. The latter draws inspiration from Chopin’s home in Poland, which the couple visited.
One of the major changes here is the glass canopy introduced during the 12-week renovation
Together with the addition of a bar counter and stools against the window, pendant lights and some plants, the formerly nondescript balcony is now an inviting space with a cafe-like ambience, perfect for enjoying a cup of tea while enjoying a piano recital.
Details such as wainscoting on the wardrobe doors continue the classical theme.
The vanity table and cabinet are concealed in the wardrobe to minimise clutter.
The original master bathroom and adjacent common bathroom have been combined into a generous en suite master bathroom to accommodate Mark and Putri’s request for a large, free-standing tub.
Turning one of the bedrooms into a music room with specialist acoustics, including walls and a ceiling filled in with soundproofing material, a raised floor system and double doors.
These provisions ensure they are not disrupted by noise from the street and that they also do not disturb their neighbours when conducting lessons or making music after work.
Mark and Putri spent approximately $100,000 on the renovations (excluding furniture and furnishings). They consider this money well spent because the home is a realisation of their vision.
Having lived in it since September 2019, they are also very pleased with how easy it is to maintain. And they are looking forward to welcoming friends and family into their music haus (German for house) once restrictions ease.
Text by: Lynn Tan/Home & Decor