Their labour of love is a testament to their razor-sharp, shared vision and meticulous planning.
Hosanna Swee, a photographer and creative director, and Tom Chng, the founder of Singapore Watch Club, are well-known names in the Singapore watch-collecting scene. Known for their impeccable taste and eye for detail, stepping into their 1,184sq ft apartment in the Queenstown area is akin to entering a different world.
The house has been christened IBOIS by the couple, with “bois” being French for wood, describing the woody tones of the apartment. It was a true labour of love that took nearly eight months to complete and is a testament to their razor-sharp, shared vision and meticulous planning. Visitors to the apartment are greeted by a darkened foyer area a detail not usually seen in Singapore homes. Says Chng, “We’ve always liked a more considered entrance to set the mood for the rest of the house, rather than having a guest open [the door] and see everything all at once. It looks the same, regardless if it’s day or at night, because the lighting is controlled and there’s no natural light that comes in,” shares Chng.
The fluted glass door opens up to a spacious living room that has a dining area carved out to the left, a sitting space, as well as a luxe, marble-topped counter that serves as a communal gathering area for guests. Behind the counter is a feature wall and display shelves that highlight some of the couple’s favourite watch and design book titles, Swee’s cameras and collectibles like a vintage Hermès desk compendium. The living room is also the main play area of the couple’s two adorable cats: Marie and Tiggy, preternaturally well-behaved felines who co-exist seamlessly with all the chic design elements in the home.
The couple settled on this home, the first of all the places they had viewed, because of its prime and convenient location near town, making it easier for them to go to and from appointments, and also because they liked the existing floor plan—there was not much tweaking required when it came to its layout. Swee and Chng also visited the apartment at different times of the day, in order to see what the environment was like at different points.
With a clear idea of what they did and did not want in their apartment, the duo sought out an interior designer that could meet the requirements for their exacting taste. Their search uncovered the work of Nikita Stephanie Yap, the design director of NN Studio, who is based in both Indonesia and Singapore. While Yap usually works on larger houses and resorts, she was the perfect choice for the couple to take on their project, thanks to her finesse, attention to detail and ability to customise furniture that worked for their vision.
Says Swee, “Being creatives, we find it vitally important to immerse ourselves in a space which continually inspires us. We seek to create an enduring space which fosters creativity… a space which exudes a sense of warmth and calm for contemplation. Nikita’s designs have a timeless quality, and it’s in all the subtle detailing. Her background as an architect plays a significant role, as architects approach space more abstractly and with a broader perspective than typical interior designers.” Yap also had a background in product design, which was an added bonus as many of the pieces in their home were custom-made.
Inspired by their love for Neo-classical design and natural stones like verde alpi and travertine, the couple wanted an apartment that was elegant but not too overdone. “The thing about natural stone is that if overused, it can become too ornate and opulent. However, Nikita skillfully balanced it with wood elements, creating a modern and inviting atmosphere,” says Swee. Other small but important design elements that stand out in the house include wood chamfer profiles that have been added to the wood walls of the dining and living area so that there is more depth, and exquisite tiled marquetry on the guest bathroom floors, that lend a luxurious Italian vibe.