House of exhibits

 

Tay Suan Chiang

The Business Times

Sunday, Aug 24, 2014

DESIGNER and architect Kee Wei Hui describes her clients' home as a "gallery shophouse". Except that the shophouse off East Coast Road doesn't have a single piece of artwork hanging in it.

But gallery it is - to showcase old Chinese cupboards, Peranakan artifacts, and even an old cast-iron fire hydrant from New York, which David Chua and his fiancee Jeannie Ong have collected over the years. "I've turned different areas of the home into exhibit spaces," says Ms Kee. Her client, portfolio manager Mr Chua, concurs.

Right by the entrance is a little Chinese antique gallery, where an intricately carved timber screen with two wooden chairs takes pride of space. "It becomes a privacy screen should the couple decide to leave their main door open," says Ms Kee.

On the pedestal in between the two chairs is an antique Chinese pot, which was a gift from Ms Ong's parents. "My father is a big collector of antiques, and he was very pleased to it displayed right up front," she says.

In the next section of the gallery is the sitting area, dominated by a plain sofa. Behind it is the wall - framed in gold.

"The idea is that people on the sofa become the art," says Ms Kee. In the dining room beyond, hanging lights above the Sua wood dining table are the artworks. The transparent lights come in different shapes, and the best way to show them off is by using naked bulbs. "Hanging them at different heights makes it more interesting," says Ms Kee.

The art then moves onto the floor, which Ms Kee has turned into a geometric art piece using black and gold mosaic tiles. The tiles extend out into the back yard, which "helps bring some of the outdoors into the home". The black mosaic tiles are laid against white floor tiles. "The black and white theme gives the shophouse a timeless look while the gold accents tie in with the antique gallery feel on this floor."

Young couple fill house with antiques and timeless pieces

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The couple spent nearly a year finding their marital home. "I grew up in a shophouse and liked the feel of a five-foot way," says Mr Chua. Ms Ong, who works in treasury sales, adds: "We wanted a home that would be spacious enough to meet our future needs."

Much of the shophouse was gutted out. Only the windows were kept, and a door grille which now stands near the kitchen. "We like the design of the grille, and we are keeping it as it serves as a memory of the old house," says Ms Ong. Next to the grille is an old, rusty fire hydrant that Mr Chua bought on eBay which was shipped from New York. "It weighs 90kg and is incredibly heavy, but I knew I had to have it, as it reminded me of the time when I was working in New York," says Mr Chua.

Ms Kee created a modern gallery for the couple on the second storey. This floor houses a guest room, as well as another bedroom, which is currently empty for now. "That could work as a nursery in the future," says Ms Ong.

The main highlight on this second floor is the bespoke Mondrian-inspired shelf. The shelf comes with different sized niches, some to display books, and photographs, and in one niche, to house a standing lamp. The niches themselves are coloured in shades of red and yellow, making them conversation pieces as well.

The couple are frequent travellers and on a visit to Myanmar, they bought a collection of Buddhist monk statues carved of Burmese teak. "The shop we bought from only accepted cash. We had to empty out all our pockets to buy these," recalls Mr Chua.

Up on the third floor is the couple's private space, which comes with its own foyer. A room on the right, which is naturally lit, serves as a walk-in wardrobe. Just by the entrance is an abstract piece of wall art, which Ms Kee reveals to be made of several clothes racks put together.

The couple's bedroom is opposite, up a short flight of steps. The bathroom has a natural skylight, and to add even more light into the bedroom, one of the bathroom walls is replaced with a glass panel. Shy homeowners may feel uncomfortable that the bathroom can be clearly seen from the bed, but not the couple.

Special mention goes to the bathroom door, which is made from cast concrete, with studs on it. "The studs not only give the door an edgy look, but they are great for hanging clothes too," quips Mr Chua.

Friends who have been to the home wonder why the couple, who are in their 30s, have so much old stuff. "Jeannie grew up in a home with lots of antiques, and for me, I'm amazed at how the items made years ago are so well made," says Mr Chua.

He adds: "It is still too early to think whether or not our future kids will like these items, but we hope to pass it down to them some day."

This article was first published on August 16, 2014.