Curves and a soothing palette bring a breeze of tranquillity to this Ontolo apartment by ABT Design Studio.
The homeowners, a family of three, wanted to preserve the original layout; and the developer-installed flooring, doors, and hardware, as they were all brand new.
The home is themed around “natural breeze”, aiming to bring gentle and airy vibes into the residence. Curves, symbolising the flow of a breeze, are a recurring motif throughout – from the light troughs to the wooden headboard wall in the bedroom. The project employs natural materials such as oak and marble to create a serene and minimalist look informed by Scandinavian design.
Without altering the layout or structural elements, the ABT Design Studio team made subtle adjustments to address certain architectural flaws, as well as defining different zoning by using disparate materials. For instance, wooden structures that envelop the air conditioning pipes have been distributed throughout the apartment, making the room feel visually confined.
Alice Cheung, founder of ABT Design Studio, explains: “To mitigate the visual impact of the wooden structure, we decorated them in several methods, such as adding a feature wall with wallpaper and an arched structure behind the sofa, seamlessly incorporating the wooden structure into a cohesive design element.”
“A breeze evokes calm and comfort,” Cheung adds, “and we aimed to encapsulate this tranquil beauty within the home, while echoing the views from outside.”
The homeowners preferred light, neutral tones, but an overuse of creams and plain colours could appear monotonous. One of the main challenges, therefore, was to introduce variety within this simple colour palette to enhance visual interest.
The answer was to make good use of various materials with subtle patterns such as wall coverings and natural stone to enhance the spatial depth. Although the living room featured oak cabinetry, bar cabinets, and side tables, all surfaces have been topped with matching marble to add a touch of refined elegance through a playful contrast of materials. The dining table, for instance, features a marble top paired with leather chairs.
