Ed Ong’s work for a Belgian client at Laguna 88 sets a new standard for East-meets-West interior design.
Ed Ong’s design work has so impressed The Business Times that the newspaper ran a feature on his project at Laguna 88 condominium, located in the East.
The founder and creative director of Dwell Interior Design blended Asian antiques with modern details, creating a modern, warm home that positions its owner’s prized antique collection to full effect.
Owner Carl Schelfhaut chose Ong to design his 2013-sq ft, three-bedroom home because Ong “understood what I was trying to achieve”.
Ong has over seven years’ experience in interior design, executing over 100 projects ranging from retail to residential spaces. His team’s design philosophy — working closely with clients “with an emphasis on fostering a close and long-term working relationship with them” — is apparent in this instance.
Schelfhaut prizes his antiques not just for their value, but for the way they “look nice and exude warmth”. To him, this is the most essential feature of any home. To him, many Asian homes lack this essential warmth. Mismatched, ill-considered furniture and lighting are his pet peeves, along with a lack of storage space.
Given these design cues, Ong created design highlights like a texture wall to show off these antique pieces to their fullest. His blending of antiques with modern amenities is subtle yet practical. In the bedroom, an antique cabinet stands between a walk—in wardrobe and a bathroom, both of which are hidden behind paneled sliding doors; in the study, specially — constructed bookcases incorporate an antique rosewood table. These details wrap Schelfhaut in what he describes as “a welcoming warmth” the moment he enters his home.
Schelfhaut’s open — concept kitchen reflects both his love for cooking Asian cuisine and his “conservative and timeless” taste. It is dominated by a black granite counter top, with white cupboards and bright lighting.
The project’s extraordinary success is the result of the marriage of Schelfhaut’s vision and Ong’s creativity in interpreting that vision. The tasteful blend of influences, old and new, East and West, is a rarity that’s more than welcome in Singapore’s interior design industry.