After living in Denmark, this Singaporean couple recreated Scandinavian living in a Joo Chiat walk-up apartment. When Xander and his wife Lina returned to Singapore after spending two years near northern Germany, they realized they were not just leaving behind a place; they were leaving behind a way of living. The pair realized that the homes in the region offered a specific quality of light, material honesty, and spatial calm that was difficult to replicate locally.
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The decision to recreate that atmosphere rather than just mimic the style led to a massive logistical effort. They filled a shipping container with furniture before returning home, bringing back a majority of pieces from Denmark. The dining table is from Bolia, and the chairs are from Muuto. Some items still have to be shipped from Scandinavian countries, but the price difference is minimal compared to the value of the items.
In the open-plan living space, an eight-seater solid oak dining table sits beneath a Louis Poulsen pendant. Bespoke oak cabinetry, exposed roof trusses, and a soaring double-volume ceiling lend the area an airy sense of openness. Rather than treating the dining room as a formal entertaining space, the couple envisioned it as the heart of everyday life.
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The living, dining and kitchen were designed as an open space to encourage interaction and maximise natural light. Instead of using walls, they defined each area through furniture placement and built-in cabinetry. This approach creates a generous concealed storage space while allowing a curated collection of artworks and treasured objects to take centre stage.
The cabinetry itself tells a story. Xander drew inspiration from Vermland, a Copenhagen furniture maker whose understated oak pieces had become a favourite while living overseas. Because the Danish supplier’s pieces were too pricey, they took inspiration and had their interior designer fabricate similar finishes. The built-ins, including the wardrobe and kitchen cabinet, mimic the look and feel of that designer.
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Creating such an open yet clearly organised space required careful planning. Running almost the entire length of the wall, the bespoke oak cabinetry provides generous concealed storage while allowing a curated collection of artworks and treasured objects to take centre stage.
