As founder of interior design studio Design Intervention, and a recent finalist in the Andrew Martin International Designer of the Year Awards 2013, it comes as no surprise that Nikki Hunt has her own home’s interior design and style down pat. Given that her house has also recently been granted the five star award for Best Interior Design for a Singapore private residence at the International Property Awards 2013.
The 745-square-metre Bukit Timah home is quite literally the house that Nikki built, six years ago in fact. Home to herself, husband Steve, two children Jamie (17) and Sasha (15), their helper and their dog, the property was renovated last year to keep up with the family’s changing needs and dynamics.
“We built the house from scratch, and I decided to go for a black-and-white style because it evokes a sense of permanence. This is a family home and I wanted the kids to feel that, wherever they may go in the world, this would be a refuge for them, a constant, that they could always return to and where they would feel safe and loved.”
Nikki studied historical houses to recreate the details reminiscent of colonial era homes, paying special attention to the architrave, window and door design, and adding panelling and ceiling details. The bulk of the furniture and furnishings are bespoke, created in-house by the Design Intervention team, and were created to give a unique signature to the home.
“My design brief was to recreate the grandeur and romance of life in colonial Singapore, while reinterpreting it in a fresh and contemporary way,” she explains.
This can be seen from corner to corner of her home. In the entrance hall, for example, the centrepiece is a traditional Chinese table, but it is flanked by zebra-hide chairs that add a more organic element to the black-and-white theme. Bold lime curtains create a dramatic and contemporary effect that is mirrored through the house.
The recent renovation has created more privacy for the children. “Teenagers need a bit more space, so I turned the attic into a den and bedroom for my son, and gave his old room over to my daughter as a fun room where she can hang out with her friends.” As Nikki and her husband both prefer to work remotely on their laptops, their old study had become redundant, so she knocked it through into the master bedroom to create a larger bathroom and gym.
For Nikki, her creation of a family home has been an integral part of creating happy memories for her children. This house is an enduring reflection of the importance she places on family and home.
Source: Expat Living
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