Rustic Retreat

Tones and textures close to nature reign in this Balinese resort-inspired apartment.

- ISABELLE TOW

The Brief

Newlyweds Andre and Stacy had a good idea of the home of their dreams when they consulted Phelix Loh of Comfort Home Interior. The nature-loving couple described their instinctual draw towards organic textures like wood, stone, and rattan, and their desire to emulate the rustic vibe of Balinese resorts in their 1,400sq ft apartment. Beyond the aesthetics, their specific requests included the clear spatial division between the kitchen, living hall, and hidden bar storage.

With the extra space from the access balcony that was bought and added to the footprint of the flat, the entrance area was merged with the kitchen to create an alfresco-style kitchen-cum-bar. The resort atmosphere is imbued into the space through the wooden beams, cobblestone-like corridor near the windows, and a wood and concrete-effect island counter. The 2.5 by 1.2-metre island is a dynamic workhorse-besides being the main workspace, it also houses the sink, water dispenser, induction hub, and the couple's requested hidden bar cabinet. Seating space was also incorporated into the design the island functions as a bar counter.

Separating the kitchen from the living hall are custom wooden-framed glass doors, which swing both ways to ensure accessibility even when hands are full. This communal space has some distinct corners to accommodate a range of functions: the TV zone, dining area, and platform lounge by the windows.

The houseproud owners, who have an Instagram account documenting their domestic life (@pottedpaw), went the extra mile to source for one-of-a-kind furnishings to enhance the rugged sensibility of their home. These include the real stone basins found in their common and master bathrooms, which are complemented with wood and brass accents for a truly tropical feel.

Entrance