Houzz Tour: HDB Maisonette is Turned Into 'British India' Haven
For this mixed race couple's home, the east-meets-west colonial style was perfect for blending their cultural influences
When designer Arjan Nijen Twilhaar of Aiden T was called upon to freshen up this executive maisonette, the owners had already been living here for 10 years. As the owners had renovated before moving in, they didn’t require any changes for the kitchen and bathrooms. This renovation, however, wasn’t simply for a fresh, new look; this was also about future-proofing the maisonette for the couple and the husband’s elderly mum.
The maisonette’s two-floor structure was perfect for this two-generation household, and Twilhaar’s signature enfilade layout (suites of rooms with doorways aligned with each other) made it even more ideal, separating public from private areas.
A large foyer at the entrance fulfils circulation and entertaining purposes. As the couple enjoys entertaining – they have had as much as 80 guests for Deepavali open house – this ‘receiving’ space is dressed up quite formally. At the centre of the floor is a marble cut medallion that pays homage to the mum’s ethnicity. The walls are lined with a low-maintenance sandstone tile chosen for its tactile effect. The centrepiece on this table changes per season, says Twilhaar. A carved shoe cabinet is placed under the window to keep the space clutter-free.
From here, Twilhaar’s enfilade layout branches into a common entertaining space – the dining room and kitchen – and the mum’s ‘apartment’.
A large foyer at the entrance fulfils circulation and entertaining purposes. As the couple enjoys entertaining – they have had as much as 80 guests for Deepavali open house – this ‘receiving’ space is dressed up quite formally. At the centre of the floor is a marble cut medallion that pays homage to the mum’s ethnicity. The walls are lined with a low-maintenance sandstone tile chosen for its tactile effect. The centrepiece on this table changes per season, says Twilhaar. A carved shoe cabinet is placed under the window to keep the space clutter-free.
From here, Twilhaar’s enfilade layout branches into a common entertaining space – the dining room and kitchen – and the mum’s ‘apartment’.
Off the foyer is the dining room, which has an adjacent kitchen that allows the owners to entertain more intimate dinner parties without crossing the mum’s space, so she maintains her own privacy as well.
This formal space has a more traditional European feel to it, with its bifold French doors framing the plush interiors, and Tiffany & Co., Baccarat and Swarovski crystal service gleaming from built-in display cabinets. Tropical print curtains add a resort ambience to the mix.
This formal space has a more traditional European feel to it, with its bifold French doors framing the plush interiors, and Tiffany & Co., Baccarat and Swarovski crystal service gleaming from built-in display cabinets. Tropical print curtains add a resort ambience to the mix.
Off the foyer as well, another large French door opens into the mum’s suite. She has her own living room, where the ‘British India’ theme is brought to life. Twilhaar had the wood-carved screens that act as fretwork for the windows made in Indonesia. He also designed the other custom-carved wood furniture such as the TV console and sideboard. This look was inspired by the Moghul palaces in India, he says.
“The screens give the illusion of larger windows. Between the windows and the curtains, I placed some lights – which helps with privacy at night, and creates a soft glow in the evening. A double layer of sheer curtains are placed here, and the top layer is pulled back by embroidered curtain hooks. A large area rug anchors the room, and for the furniture we opted for a white linen chesterfield sofa and side chair. For additional seating, I commissioned blue leather ottomans that don’t add too much bulk to the room, yet give occasional seating options should there be more guests,” says Twilhaar.
“The screens give the illusion of larger windows. Between the windows and the curtains, I placed some lights – which helps with privacy at night, and creates a soft glow in the evening. A double layer of sheer curtains are placed here, and the top layer is pulled back by embroidered curtain hooks. A large area rug anchors the room, and for the furniture we opted for a white linen chesterfield sofa and side chair. For additional seating, I commissioned blue leather ottomans that don’t add too much bulk to the room, yet give occasional seating options should there be more guests,” says Twilhaar.
The feature wall in this British India-themed living room is the hand-painted wallpaper print depicting a scene straight out of the British colonial era.
“Initially, I was looking at De Gourney wallpaper, which had a great mural of Views of India. The costs were too high, and [then] I chanced on Ananbo wallpaper browsing Houzz. The sizes were perfect for the feature wall, so that set the tone for the living room,” says Twilhaar. The rest of the walls are clad in a white textured wallpaper so as not to distract from the feature wallpaper.
“One thing I personally like a lot is the dark engineered wood flooring with the marble skirting. It is a design layer that might not be so obvious, but I think it adds to the overall experience,” says Twilhaar. “When people walk in, they will see the mural wallpaper and the carved screen. But once you sit down, the design should offer more details to entice. The pearl finish on the curtains is another example of a subtle detail that shows the attention and thought that went into the design. Interior design should always have a couple of layers – strokes of bold statements that are further enhanced with subtle details and unusual material applications. Also the lighting is all changeable in warmth – to help set different moods for different settings.”
Wallpaper by Ananbo (installed by V.GOS); Curtains by V.GOS; Ottomans: Blafink; Armchair: Taylor B.; Engineered wood flooring: Floorvision
Rug: iRugs; Lights: Sol Luminair and Zentarra
“Initially, I was looking at De Gourney wallpaper, which had a great mural of Views of India. The costs were too high, and [then] I chanced on Ananbo wallpaper browsing Houzz. The sizes were perfect for the feature wall, so that set the tone for the living room,” says Twilhaar. The rest of the walls are clad in a white textured wallpaper so as not to distract from the feature wallpaper.
“One thing I personally like a lot is the dark engineered wood flooring with the marble skirting. It is a design layer that might not be so obvious, but I think it adds to the overall experience,” says Twilhaar. “When people walk in, they will see the mural wallpaper and the carved screen. But once you sit down, the design should offer more details to entice. The pearl finish on the curtains is another example of a subtle detail that shows the attention and thought that went into the design. Interior design should always have a couple of layers – strokes of bold statements that are further enhanced with subtle details and unusual material applications. Also the lighting is all changeable in warmth – to help set different moods for different settings.”
Wallpaper by Ananbo (installed by V.GOS); Curtains by V.GOS; Ottomans: Blafink; Armchair: Taylor B.; Engineered wood flooring: Floorvision
Rug: iRugs; Lights: Sol Luminair and Zentarra
The living room leads into the mum’s bedroom with ensuite bathroom. Twilhaar used shades of light pink on the wall to give a softer feel to the room, carrying the Indian theme through with the embroidered curtains.
“The built-in wardrobe with brass handles are in a white Shaker style, so there is a layer of texture but not too much colour,” says Twilhaar. A hallway console is used as a vanity table, paired with a plush vanity chair.
Headboard: Blafink; Rug: iRugs
Headboard: Blafink; Rug: iRugs
On the second floor is the couple’s space. This part of the house loosely follows a modern resort theme, says Twilhaar, with a “subtle nod to Indian homes but with a more British Raj-style of furniture”. Here, too, Twilhaar used the enfilade layout to separate public from private areas. The couple has their own living room or sitting area within the master suite.
This sitting room features display nooks which the couple is filling with their wedding anniversary gifts. They have built up the collection over 12 years, Twilhaar shares.
Rug: iRugs
This sitting room features display nooks which the couple is filling with their wedding anniversary gifts. They have built up the collection over 12 years, Twilhaar shares.
Rug: iRugs
Double sliding doors open into the master bedroom, allowing public space to transition into private space.
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Tell us
What do you love about this home? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, save the story, and join in the conversation.
Who lives here: A married couple – Dutch and Singaporean-Indian – and the Singaporean-Indian husband’s mum, who is a first generation Singaporean
Location: Pasir Ris
Type of Property: Executive maisonette
Size: 1,670 square feet (Approx. 155 square metres)
Project Duration: 6 weeks