HOUSE 5
A modern townhouse in Singapore feels like a home with history after designer Elizabeth Hay introduced a distinctive decorative style
Having spent her childhood growing up in a 14th-century cottage in Devon, Englishborn interior designer Elizabeth Hay moved and set up her eponymous design firm in Singapore in 2013 and, for the past 10 years, has been developing her signature ‘quintessentially English and layered’ decorative style. It was this colour and pattern-rich aesthetic that the owners – an Australian and Korean couple – sought for their modern townhouse in East Singapore.
Describing it as having ‘typical architecture’ of the 1980s and 1990s Singapore housing development, Elizabeth says the property is ‘more functional rather than architecturally striking’. The owners had been following her work on Instagram for a while. ‘They travel a lot and they wanted to bring an international and multicultural feel, making it layered, bold and cosy.’ The project is smaller in scale compared with those Elizabeth normally works on, however, tasked with only a few key areas to design and decorate, it offered an opportunity to focus solely on soft furnishings and decorative finishes. ‘This means that you can be creative and you get to see everything you’ve suggested come to life much sooner!’
That creativity is certainly in full flow throughout the sitting room, as Elizabeth explains. ‘At the core of the project brief, the clients wanted the double-height sitting room to be a fun space to entertain in, and one that would make guests and visitors think “wow” when they first walked in.’
The statement Iksel wallpaper felt like the perfect answer. ‘It was quite a big commitment, so we did a 3D mock-up so the client could see what it would look like in the room – and they loved it. It looks incredible.’ It also brings a strong sense of decorative detail into the property.
‘Given the lack of internal architectural features, the Iksel paper gives the room structure and impact,’
Elizabeth continues. Describing the result as breathtaking, she also points out that it doesn’t feel overpowering when you’re living here on a day-to-day basis. ‘This is because we kept the colours quite so
