A Home Between Journeys by Intheory Design
Both working for an airline, the clients sought a home that could anchor their lives and offer calm, warmth, and a sense of belonging whenever they returned from long stretches apart. The design draws inspiration from a memorable trip to Japan, capturing the serenity, simplicity, and emotional stillness they experienced together.
The home embraces a dark, cozy Japandi aesthetic, layering rich timber tones with soft limewash walls and tactile finishes. Light and materiality were central to shaping an environment that is both visually comforting and practical for clients often away from home. Matte carpentry and honed marble surfaces were selected to reduce glare and resist wear, ensuring the interiors maintain a lived-in quality without appearing overly polished.
In the living room, personal mementos were integrated into the design in a deliberate and refined manner. A matching pair of the couple’s designer luggages was repurposed as side tables, providing both functionality and a subtle narrative of their shared career and history. The coffee bar features a hand-textured feature wall with wave patterns inspired by Hokusai’s The Great Wave off Kanagawa, introducing movement and artistry that continues through the hallway and kitchen, uniting the home’s spaces. A muted terracotta rug beneath a low sofa and armchair anchors the room, softening the atmosphere and encouraging a relaxed, approachable ambience.
The kitchen maintains visual continuity through dark cabinetry, soft beige walls, and artisanal tiles that catch light in irregular, organic ways. Across the home, careful attention to detail ensures each material choice supports both aesthetics and usability, allowing the space to feel resilient to the practicalities of everyday life.
On Fernvale Link, Singapore, A Home Between Journeys by Intheory Design transforms a compact 113sqm residence into a grounded and intimate retreat for a young couple constantly in transit.
In the bedroom, Patagonia marble plinths echo the living room’s surfaces, running through bedside tables to create subtle visual connections. Textured plaster walls reference Hokusai’s Fine Wind, Clear Morning, extending the theme of Japanese-inspired calm and quiet reflection. The layering of materials and finishes throughout the home fosters an environment that is simultaneously tactile and restful.
The original layout of the apartment was largely retained, with minor interventions such as a see-through window connecting the living area to an adjacent room, improving spatial flow and light distribution. This approach allowed the design to feel cohesive while introducing elements that enhance both comfort and visual interest.
A Home Between Journeys prioritizes intimacy, comfort, and personal expression. Each surface, material, and design element was chosen to respond to the clients’ lifestyle, creating a space that welcomes them after time apart and embodies the calm, deliberate quality of their shared memories abroad.
