Located at the southwest edge of central Singapore, the house was owned by a young couple who felt comfortable and relaxed when they entered the Home. The 108-square-metre apartment was designed by local studio TE-EL. The project is located in a leafy residential area surrounded by low-rise housing and foreign embassies. Te-el wanted to bring the calm and solitude of the community into the apartment, so neutral tones and materials were chosen to create a soft and intimate atmosphere.

The aim of the project was to keep the space minimal and complex -- satisfying the aesthetic needs of clean lines and tidiness. Full-height Windows on one side of the apartment bathe the spacious open-plan living space in natural light. This stems from the client's personality and their need for a large space to entertain family and friends. The design studio reconfigured the plans to combine living, dining and cooking areas to better suit their needs.

The home's defining feature is the cocoon effect of warm-toned lime-based stucco covering walls, floors and ceilings throughout the apartment. Te-el worked on a variety of surfaces over a period of six weeks, and the result is a textured monochrome background that gives both a cave-like feel and accentuates the various textures and materials such as wood, linen, wool and stone, which are the image of the family.

A few custom-designed pieces give the home an extra character. The coffee table, dining table and shelving are all made of oak, but are treated differently according to their function. Custom hand-woven carpets, the same colour as the stucco, anchor the lounge area, bringing subtle textural contrast while adding a monochrome scheme.