Swedish Elegance with Global Accents

With a home as well travelled as himself, design influences from around the world can be seen in every corner of Wilson’s abode. What sets this space apart is his penchant for do-it-yourself customisations and his distinctive personal touches, a testament to his boundless creativity and ingenuity. The result is a home that feels alive and unique, accurately reflecting his passion for arts, design and beautiful objects.

“I run a small graphic design business, and outside of my work, I paint, sketch, dabble in carpentry, practice Ikebana, cook, and garden. I also enjoy reading and have a tiny collection of vintage, contemporary, or antique maps, as well as other prints and small artworks."

“I’m not sure how I can describe the style of my home entirely. There’s a lot of focus on Swedish design, with strong English, Mediterranean, Japanese, and Straits/South East Asian influences.”

“Perhaps it is a reflection of my inquisitive nature and a need to create, but I often find myself asking a lot of questions about how things are made in order to learn about them. That also precipitated quite a few DIY projects when I can’t find or bring myself to pay for what I wanted, especially in Singapore where imported things are so expensive, or unattainable. I like to manipulate the things I get, for example, the HEMNES bookcase from Ikea that is now the first thing you see as you step through the door.”

“Firstly, when designing, prioritise colour. I would recommend going to paint shops like Benjamin Moore as they have free samples. You can use these to create a colour mood board to understand what you actually like. Take them around and put them around furniture or things that you want to invite into your space. That way you will know exactly what you will get when shopping for your home.”

“Secondly, my motto is ‘touch everything you see’. With the loss of the tactile experience these days, no thanks to mobile phones and computers, people have forgotten how things actually feel.”

"Lastly, know how the light hits. I can’t emphasise this enough. Sometimes, a chair that looks dark could appear really light in your space, especially during the day. In a dark area, putting something that has metallic/glass accents or neutral whites would really lighten up that spot. Likewise, putting a lamp in the right place can make all the difference. Figure out how to contrast spaces that are too bright or too dark, and you will have a home that feels timeless and cozy."

“Bonus: Get flowers. They make you feel good on a really shitty day. And if you don’t know how to make your own arrangement, just pick up a bunch of the same flowers (9-11 stalks) and plonk them into a vase. Nature will work its magic.”

“My favourite spot at home is the sofa. It’s deep, it’s soft, and I sink completely into it. When shopping, I prefer natural materials. Wood ranks on top, followed by metals and stone. As much as possible, I try not to get plastics, unless, of course, there is a point to it like the Normann Copenhagen Bit Stool. I love Studio Kallang for obvious reasons, Castlery for solids, Gamar for custom pieces and Tanchen Studio for a very innovative take on stools.”

“For the finishing touches, New Market Road (Chinatown) and Textile Centre for fabrics, Smallable and Nordic Nest for strange-looking things, Studio Yono for art and Lavavella for brass fixtures. For homewares, Royal Copenhagen for porcelain, Matsuya Ginza for Japanese design goods, Aoon Pottery for well, pottery. And NK, Arket and H&M home for some fun homewares.”

“I believe that even if a brand is too expensive or out of reach, it doesn’t mean you can’t go visit and be a complete Kaypoh. I learnt a lot on my trips as a student then and it taught me a lot about choosing kitchenware and design.”

“I water and send vibes to my plants in the morning. It feels like one of those adult things I’ve always imagined when I was a kid and now I feel rather accomplished doing it. Absolutely sets the tone for the day.”

“As a homeowner living apart from my parents now, I also find myself cleaning a lot. I like a clean house and it is gratifying to live in one but on some days, when I’m running on fumes, it can be quite challenging.”

“On those challenging days, being able to stretch myself over a good set of sheets after a long day feels bloody good. The texture of the sheets makes for a truly restful sleep and the quality of the cotton matters."

“A house in our reality is just an extension of our minds. If you make the choice to intentionally act on your desires, you’ll act on the things you’ll need to shape the way your home looks and functions.”

"The physical space that you live in is always your second home because your first home really resides within your mind."