This Modern Garden Home Is the Ultimate Cosy Cabin | Singapore

Discover Carl Hansen & Søn at 28 Ann Siang Road, where the legacy of Danish woodworking masters like Hans J. Wegner and Kaare Klint come alive, right here in the heart of Singapore.

Be inspired by Danish Design
M: +65 8939 2381
E: singapore@carlhansen.com

In this week’s episode, we explore a multi-storey detached home for a family of five on the eastern side of Singapore. The house is situated near East Coast Park and designed to reflect a quiet, refined sense of luxury, using stone and timber as the main materials throughout.

Camera Partner: Sony (https://www.sony.com.sg)

Website: https://design-anthology.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/design.anthology/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/designanthologymag/

For advertising inquiries or partnership opportunities with Design Anthology, please contact us at partnership@design-anthology.com.

– This house is for a family of five located on the eastern side of Singapore. The homeowner wanted the interior to have a sense of
refined and serene feel, a quiet, restrained kind of luxury. His request was also to create spaces to house his collection of objects and to create a home that
is based on how I feel that suits his taste
according to his collection. The architecture was
designed by William Lao who integrated plenty of
greenery and kept the spaces open for natural ventilation
and ample sunlight in with the intent of fostering
a connection to the outdoors. This led to the two main
natural material choices, stone and wood, very much like a garden. The owner enjoy collecting
Danish furniture, particularly pieces
from Carl Hansen & Son. Most are crafted in oak
wood with an oil finish that naturally creates
a warm and intimate feel that really blends gently and beautifully with the overall aesthetic. We chose not to install a sliding window or door at the entrance due
to the harsh Western sun. Granite is used for facade. It may seem simple at first, but once you get closer, you can feel the weight and
texture of the natural stone, which leaves a strong
impression as you step inside. It also gives a better sense of privacy. To minimize the use of
materials as much as possible, we repeated both materials and automated them within the house to avoid having typical
white walls or a marble look. The living room is fully clad in oak wood that extends into the dry kitchen, which kind of evokes the
warm and charm of a cabin somewhere in Europe. As the owner values good
craftsmanship and timeless design, we work together to choose a selection of well-made Danish furniture. The sliding glass door at the side can be fully concealed within
the full high oak panels, opening up the space for
movement and ventilation and a better connection to the outdoors. We change from oak timber
to textured granite flooring as a way to transition
from the living room to the dining area. It’s a simple way to
separate the two spaces and the shift from smooth
timber to rougher granite almost feels like stepping into a garden as granite is usually seen
more as an outdoor material. We really love this dining
table made of solid timber. It ages beautifully over time, developing unique patina and character. We needed to find the right dining chairs, and we came across this all wood chair from Carl Hansen & Son, designed by Hans Wegner. It features a steam bend back rest that highlights traditional
woodworking techniques crafted from a single piece of solid oak. The golden tone on the
wood also pairs beautifully with the brown leather seat, which completes the whole dining area. The owner likes the view of the high wall and the trees that he finds calming and beautiful to look at. So he decided to have
an outdoor dining table where he can have close
conversation over meals here. Since it’s an outdoor space, we chose a table made
from untreated thick wood as is naturally durable and resistant to moisture and decay, making it ideal for Singapore’s climate. Altogether, the space feel cohesive with a raw earthy vibe
that ties everything. The corridors are mainly used to showcase the owner’s art and
Danish furniture collection. He likes indigo so I suggested this artwork
by Ricky Lee Gordon. This sideboard is designed by Hans Wegner. It has unique roller doors
that glide seamlessly and disappear into the cabinet. More than just a functional
storage for the homeowner is minimum yet refined
and deeply intentional like a piece of sculpture. We kept the main bedroom
simple and elegant with neutral palettes
layering with textures. We clad the entire room
in oak timber veneer with a simple bedhead and tried to have clean
lines throughout the room. The large day bed was in granite as well, just for the family to lounge
and relax during the weekends with the view outside. The bathroom continues
the same material palette of granite and timber. This timber tiles evoke a
Japanese onset aesthetic, something rarely seen in tropical climates when natural timber isn’t
suitable for wet areas. The idea was to create
a quiet, luxurious space featuring a custom vanity, a large tub, and a dresser that overlooks the bath area from the walking wardrobe, creating a sense of connection
between both spaces. At the top of the house, the attic is divided into three areas, a foyer, a lounge that
opens to an outdoor terrace, and a study. The foyer is intended to be quiet and calm with granite floors and textured walls framed by two full height sliding doors. Since this part of the house
is mostly used for work, we chose walnut over oak to give it a more serious
and masculine look. We applied the same cabin concept of cladding all surfaces
in the same walnut veneer. A simple pantry with
a built-in wine fridge is created for them to host their family and friends at ease. It is also a space where
he will come and unwind and reflect after a full day of work. The lounge opens up to a
spacious outdoor terrace, perfect for hosting gatherings or just unwinding while
watching the sunset. For this space, they wanted
something light and versatile, so they chose the Embrace
Outdoor Lounge Series and the Cuba chairs by
Carl Hansen and Son. Both pieces are sturdy
and weather-resistant, with an earthy palette that compliments the rest
of the home beautifully. The brief from the owner was
refreshingly straightforward. Most of the internal planning
had already been done. And my role was mainly
to refine the spaces, finding ways to showcase his collection, and shape a home that reflects his taste. Our first meeting was casual, lunch over a Japanese grill meat and sake where I shared my ideas. From there on, everything
came together naturally.