Designer Samantha Soo manifests what she calls “silent luxury” in this custom Repulse Bay apartment.
Luxury lies in the details. In this Repulse Bay apartment, a discerning couple chose subtle sophistication over flashy displays, and the magic is all in the meticulously crafted details – down to the smallest cabinet knob.
The couple’s brief was specific: convert their three-bedroom apartment into a two-bedroom home with a dedicated music room and an elegant walk-in closet. Samantha Soo, founder of Studiossoo, approached the challenge by studying how they actually lived in the space.
“We prioritise understanding how clients interact with and navigate their environment before beginning the design process,” she explains. Spanning 2,000 square feet, the apartment strikes an elegant balance between masculine and feminine sensibilities while revealing the owner’s sophisticated material palette.
Upon entering, visitors are greeted by a Tiramisu travertine portal framed with a bush-hammered copper trim – a first glimpse of the client’s preference for raw, yet refined elements. The design draws inspiration from the surrounding greenery, with Soo’s team bringing the natural beauty of the outdoors inside, creating interiors that complement and enhance the breathtaking landscape beyond.
The communal spaces are governed by an off-white tone-on-tone palette that allows artwork and accessories to command the attention. Behind the sofa, a curved feature panel of the hand bush-hammered copper is inlaid with hand-painted wallcovering accented with mother-of-pearl insets.
The custom media cabinet seamlessly marries Ceppo Monet marble with rich wood veneer. “This subtle grandeur invites a sense of calm exclusivity, allowing the beauty of craftsmanship and thoughtful design to resonate without an overt display,” Soo explains.
This philosophy of muted beauty extends into the kitchen, where Poggenpohl cabinetry houses Gaggenau appliances in perfect harmony with the home’s restrained colour scheme. Handles and hardware are artfully concealed, maintaining clean lines while maximising functionality.
The music room showcases textural richness through an olive velvet wall panel that frames the seating area. Custom decorative hinges in hairline and bush-hammered copper finishes echo materials introduced throughout the home, while honed stone surfaces celebrate the natural imperfection. “This approach fosters a sense of warmth and organic connection within the space,” she says.
In the walk-in closet, a generous dressing island topped with Calacatta marble serves as both a functional centrepiece and visual anchor, expanding the perception of space. Metallic lacquer cabinet doors catch and reflect the room’s moody lighting, creating an almost spa-like ambience.
“What truly makes it unique is that everything is custom-made – from the intricately designed artwork patterns on the mosaic tiles to the bespoke accessories such as the cabinet knobs,” Soo says.
For Soo, whose practice specialises in luxury residential projects, inspiration flows from the intersection of the client vision and the character of the location. “Every detail is thoughtfully crafted to reflect the client’s lifestyle while harmonising beautifully with the surroundings – creating a space that is both deeply personal and effortlessly timeless,” she concludes.
