Singapore Shophouse Gets A Lively Makeover

This Singapore shophouse gets a lively makeover that reflects a couple’s love of art and design

Hong Xinying.

Having lived in Singapore for seven years now, former gallerist Susanne Weber had long been enchanted by the beauty of shophouses. So when she and her husband spotted this centrally located historical property, they called the agent the moment they saw the “to rent” sign on the lawn.

“It has always been a dream of ours to live in a shophouse,” says Weber, who recalls “falling in love” with the unit during the couple’s first and only viewing of the house. As it was a rental unit and a conserved building, the expatriate couple could only make minimal alterations to the property. But with clever styling and a thoughtful curation of art and furniture sourced locally and from around the world, they made it work; and the result shows in the space they now call home.

A NATURAL FIT

It was important to the couple to celebrate the tropical context and Asian heritage of their home, although Weber’s husband also left most of the decorating decisions up to her. House plants add a lush layer to the entrance and afford a sense of privacy; the area is also furnished with custom outdoor sofas and tables dressed in a striped fabric. The entryway leads to a spacious foyer with wooden beams and ornate cornices, which is adjacent to an airwell and inner courtyard that bring abundant natural light into the abode; here, the sound of gentle splashes from the koi pond contributes to the tranquil mood in the home.

Connected by folding doors to the foyer and dining room, the lofty height of the airwell blurs the boundaries between the indoors and outdoors. A playful mix of Asian and European influences comes together in the foyer, where three black-and-white works by Indonesian photographer and artist Agan Harahap catch the eye; these are paired with Italian sofas from Bonacina Pierantonio and table lamps from British brands Habitat and Established & Sons.