L I F E .
E X T R A O R D I N A R Y
April 2016
ARt out
of africa
It’s not all masks
and wooden statues
that’s good
tucker, mate
Ho Ching Lin,
Karen Ong‑Tan
& Rosalynn Tay
join the style set
rise of the mod‑Oz
establishment
LIFE | design
Artistic Direction
Every space needs a statement piece or two.
These standouts bridge art and design
Sacred Veil
Whether it’s traditional
Indonesian figurines or
African tribal masks, there’s
something about having a
cultural treasure within the
home that brings a
different mood. With
the pair of wooden
masks by CB2, which
were carved then painted
by hand by artisans based
in Chichicastenango, a
town in the Guatemalan
highlands, the history of
the ancient Mayans come
to life in vibrant colours.
While the Venado (deer)
mask resembles those
historically worn during
spiritual dances, the Sol
(sun) mask takes the form of
a monkey’s face—the animal
deified as an artist. Available
at CB2
(tel: 6732 5333)
To Infinity
and Beyond
It looks like it could be a
hybrid of a Transformers
and a Star Wars robot.
But the stunning structure
of the Cygnus display
case by Portuguese
luxury bathroom fittings
brand Maison Valentina
is actually inspired by
one of the brightest and
largest constellations (thus
its name). The complex
arrangement of each
rectangle and square
forming its body and legs—
made of vintage brass
and finished in copper—
support a bronzed glass
top. maisonvalentina.net
HOT SEAT
Art-trained Sharyn Storrier Lyneham left
her job as editor-in-chief of Vogue Living
and Vogue Entertaining + Travel to go into
fabric design. With her brand Edit, she
takes cues from art, nature, wildlife and
all things happy, and translates them into
vivid visuals like this Giraffe print. They
are then digitally printed onto different
fabrics such as silk, linen and cotton drill.
Her collection of printed fabrics can work
as both showstopping decoration and
functional upholstery. Available exclusively
at E & A Interiors (tel: 6702 4850)
Words: chong seow wei
Pose For Me
Spanish designer rug maker
Nanimarquina honours
the renowned sculptor
Eduardo Chillida with a
collection that features his
abstract works. Looking at
the sensuous back-view
outline of a lady (Figura
Humana, 1948) that defines
one of the rugs in this series
feels almost like we’re
entering into Chillida’s mind.
So wherever you lay it or
hang it, the hand-knotted
wool rug brings a sense
of intimacy to your space.
Available at Space Furniture
(tel: 6415 0000)
Under the Skin
Leather interiors company Studioart looks to the fashion world for
its Rodeo collection of leather. Made with calf and cowhides, the
leathers can be used as upholstery, carpets and wall coverings.
Contrasting tones of dye can be used to create striking designs
as seen on the Rodeo Help Me Save the Fashion (above), with
hairs first removed at certain areas on the hide to allow for the
dyeing of the underlying full-grain leather with a colour like bright
pink. To finish, the remaining hairs of the hide are also dyed as
desired. Available at Tatum Company (tel: 6221 2524)
White Bloom
Viewed from below, it looks like a flower with
overlapping petals. From the side, you’ll notice
that this lampshade’s accordion-like folds can be
flattened for easy portability. Part of Louis Vuitton’s
Objets Nomades collection, the Concertina Light
Shade by design duo Raw Edges uses paper fabric for
lightness and a gentle glow when you switch the lights
on, and a thin metal structure for a tougher, industrial
feel. Available at Louis Vuitton (tel: 6788 3888)
Open Minds
Like knowledge in the mind,
books on the Golden Cage
will be a mix of order and
disarray. Conceived by
Milan-based architect and
designer Vincenzo De Cotiis
for Italian company Ceccotti
Collezioni, the towering
sculpture of brass bars
balances, lets through and
catches books, and evolves
with the years as its frame
has not been treated in
order to allow the natural
process of brass oxidation.
Available at Asiatique
Collections (tel: 6471 3146)