Earthy Connection - The Brown House
Designed & Styled by: Kae Khoo · Photography by Patrick Lau
Having lived in their home for more than 10 years, the family decided it was time to revamp their living room and kitchen to better suit their needs. After nearly two years of scrambling to finalize a design concept with various interior designers, we had the opportunity to meet with Peter and Amy to gain a deeper understanding of their requirements. The couple expressed their inspiration drawn from natural elements and their desire to create a space that aligns with the sustainability principles they advocate for at work. The warm-hearted family also graciously hosted us for dinner meetings, showcasing their love for sharing delicious food!
With this client brief in mind, we developed a design proposal aimed at bringing the outdoors inside by incorporating materials and décor elements that evoke a sense of nature. We placed a strong emphasis on materials such as wood, stone, jute, concrete, and ceramics to enhance the organic and earthy ambiance. As part of our sustainability efforts, we chose to repurpose select pieces of furniture, including the coffee table, dining console, outdoor furniture, and an ottoman.
Inspired by the concept of earthy living, our goal was to create a welcoming warm color palette. We opted for warm oak cabinetry, taking into consideration the limited amount of natural light due to the house's proximity to other cluster homes. The warm oak theme extended to the balcony, where we incorporated stained wood trellis below the glass panel. This design choice established a seamless connection between the living room and the balcony. To further enhance this indoor-outdoor connectivity, we intentionally replaced the sliding door with bifold doors, ensuring consistency in the color palette between the two spaces.
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To cater to the owner's penchant for hosting group gatherings, we've hacked away the kitchen walls and designed a spacious island that fosters seamless interaction among the kitchen, dining area, and living space. This configuration also provides improved movement flow within these ample areas.
