As the name implies, the living room is easily one of the most important rooms in our homes, it's where life happens. 

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THE CORE OF LIVING
As the name implies, the living room is easily one of the most important rooms in our homes, it's where life happens. 

As the name implies, the living room is easily one of the most important rooms in our homes, it's where life happens. 
Unlike kitchens or bathrooms, the living room is usually our first thought when it comes to decorating a new home. And, as most of us spend months sheltering in the place over the year, our living rooms have transformed into multifunctional spaces that balance work, entertainment and refuge.


“As the importance of both physical and mental health during the years of pandemic grows, interior design has been focusing on how the living environment can contribute to one’s wellbeing more than ever, with flexible space that can become a home gym, a Zen corner for sitting meditation and green house plants,” says Saul Smeding, partner and head of design at Hong Kong-based ALT-254.

1. INSPIRATION: BEAUTY IN IMPERFECTION

As we try to bring warmth into our homes during these restless times, the Japanese design aesthetic of wabi-sabi, which goes beyond just simple, cold minimalism, has found its place as a favourite among homeowners and designers.


Photography: Simon J Nicol 

“Wabi-sabi combines natural inspirations and a neutral palette with an acknowledgement of the beauty in the imperfection of daily life,” Smeding explains. “Unlike minimalism, which seeks to streamline and eliminate clutter, wabi-sabi celebrates the knot in the wood or the wrinkle in the linen.”
Such design also focuses on giving you a chance to loosen up at home, rather than just please an onlooker’s eye.
“Styles that require minimal built-ins and focus more on loose furniture that has more character are very versatile,” Shihan comments. “They can be styled up or down, depending on the homeowner’s needs.” Similar styles that the Singaporean designer has enjoyed doing include mid-century modern, bohemian and resort-inspired décor. 
Heah is an advocate of deriving true beauty from simplicity, authenticity and imperfection as well. 
“We don’t need excessive and pretentious decorations to make a space beautiful, sometimes keeping the decorations minimal allows the detail from the natural materials to speak for itself,” he says. 
Citing his heritage as one of his greatest inspirations, he defines his style as “the fusion of the old and the new, eastern meets western, the fluidity between different periods”.
“The essence of my work is carefully preserving elements of heritage while conceptualising contemporary living in a cultural context,” he adds. “The style of a home goes beyond aesthetics, but honouring both the past and the present.”

2. COLOUR & TEXTURE

While we seek to elevate our mental wellness, earthy tones – soothing colours that are rooted in nature – have stood their ground in our living rooms. 
“I gravitate towards earthly palettes and I seek tranquillity in natural tactile materials that translate into a timeless elegance,” Heah says.


Photography: BuildBuilt

“For example, the use of reclaimed wood that ages artistically with time; natural fabrics that add warmth to a space; leather that softens; and the imperfection of natural stone or floorboards that reveal more of a home soul’s every year.”
Smeding agrees on using natural materials in neutral earthy tones for the majority of the space to create a welcoming and cosy atmosphere, layering on accents in fine decorative items for more character.
Contrary to popular belief, earthy tones are not limited to muddy brown colours. Shihan has been introducing colours such as terracotta, burnt sienna, and other browns with red undertones in the material palette for versatility, before carefully adding textures and patterns through accessories or feature surfaces.
“Be mindful of detailing such as metal accents on handles and trims,” Shihan continues. “Consider your existing furniture and furnishings and those that you already have your eyes on – do they pair well with your chosen palette?”

3. FIXTURES & FURNISHINGS

Just as a beautiful garden design is built upon strong foundation plantings, an alluring living room is created by layering accessories and smaller furnishings around a few classic, versatile pieces. To start, investing in a set of sofas you can melt into, and an area rug to go with it, as Smeding suggests, provides a solid base to your living room.


Photography: Warren Heath/ Bureaux

When it comes to adding layers, Heah recommends mixing and matching key statement pieces.
“I find beauty in different periods and I love mixing furniture and objects,” says the Penang-born designer. 
“For example, a piece of mid-century furniture would blend in a Japanese concept interior or a piece of Chinese furniture in a contemporary setting. Investing in some designer pieces or antiques such as a Jean Royère couch or Ming Dynasty furniture would not only be a statement piece, but it can be passed down to the next generation as a family heirloom.”
Last, but not least, Shihan reminds us not to forget the importance of lighting. 
“Finding the right lighting can make or break a space,” he stresses. “For a space with changing functions over the time of the day, consider smart dimmers and switches to adjust the lux level and lighting temperature.”

Products
BoConcept

Go big in style with BoConcept’s loft-style Hampton sofa in neutral hues. With adjustable backrests and built-in storage in the armrest, the Hampton range is as visually pleasing as it is ergonomic. The deep seats, large modules and low base make this sofa perfect for lounging and napping.

Natuzzi italia

Inspired by water and its fluid nature, Natuzzi’s Deep collection boasts voluptuous lines that are reminiscent of the ebb and flow of the tide. The sofa, which comes in a variety of shapes and depths, is designed to fit harmoniously and convey a constant sense of calm and balance. 

Roche Bobois

This Temps Calme sofa by Roche Bobois boasts deep seats upholstered in ONDEA padded and plain fabrics, making it both spacious and inviting. With generous proportions, the Temps Calme sofa comfortably fits everyone in the family. 

COLOURLIVING

The iconic Camaleonda sofa debuted in 1970 makes a remarkable comeback with refined upholstery and generous padding. The reissue stays true to its roots with the bulk of originals features thoughtfully retained - from the geometric cutting pattern, 90 x90c seat module to polyurethane padding. Camaleonda is available at COLOURLIVING and B&B Italia Hong Kong showroom.

OVO

The KULU Collection by OVO celebrates craft with modern aesthetics. Inspired by the surrealist sculptures of the Giacometti brothers, the sofa comes with hand-sculpted legs that feature textured surfaces, which are captured during the casting process

Expert Advice
NADIA SHIHAN
BUILDBUILT

• Maintenance is always a crucial consideration, as things do not stay in the same state as when you first move in. Take note to select materials that will suit your needs and lifestyle, not just aesthetics. If you have pets, consider more water and scratch-resistant fabrics. If you are fussy on cleaning, textured surfaces such as rattan or slats might not be for you.

SAUL SMEDING
ALT-254

• When it comes to decorations, dry flowers have become one of our favourites. They can be found quite easily in most of the flower shops, and they are just as beautiful as fresh flowers, but will last for much longer.

ADA WONG AND ERIC LIU
LITTLEMORE INTERIOR DESIGN

Let the space evolve with your living style, and keep your space flexible to work with, in case of any new habits or interests that you have.

Make your home special with matching storage gadgets to showcase your unique characters without hiding them.


Room By Room Guide Filled With Expert Advice