PERANAKAN SHOPHOUSE INSPIRED STYLE TIPS (March 2024/Issue 166)

Late last year, our design team went on a walking tour along Joo Chiat to visit and understand more about the iconic designs and history of Peranakan shophouses which was an enjoyable and informative excursion that will further enhance our future theme requests. Much like Colonial Black and White, Peranakan is another distinct theme that is uniquely Singapore and a trend that gets requested especially among our homeowners in the East. This issue we'll breakdown some distinct styling tips to keep in mind if you are looking to incorporate a hint of Peranakan flavour to your home.

Ornamental

If it's hard to keep up with minimalistic interiors, fret not! Peranakan theme embraces boldness as it does maximalism. It's all about detailing. Peranakan shophouses are ornate with mouldings and colourful decorative tiles that usually held a form of symbolism representing longevity, wealth and prosperity just to name a few. This similar style of adornment is present within its interiors as well.

Applying it in your home:

Pay homage to ornamental style by opting for decorative tiles that can act as a feature space of the home. Not only is it eye-catching but it'll add a nice touch of pizazz to the space.

Light and Ventilation

Since shop houses at that time did not have air-conditioning or window provision on the sides, air-wells and transom windows helped keep the home ventilated, cool and lit. Air-wells were usually situated within the middle of the home and served the bottom as well as upper-floors.

Applying it in your home:

An air-well does not have to be just a wasted space in your home, integrate the area into a tranquil indoor garden space, an al-fresco spot or a towering water feature which rooms can look into and enjoy. If there isn't space for an air-well, transom windows make a gorgeous decorative accompaniment to your windows aside from its functional purpose.

Wood

If there is one material that is present in most if not all Peranakan style shophouses, it is wood. Wood can be seen in the floor, ceiling, decorative dividers and/or furniture.

Applying it in your home:

Probably the easiest way to inject a touch of Peranakan-ness into your home, adding dark stained or rosewood furniture is just one way to do it. Another is to turn a wood and stained glass cabinet into a sink countertop for your bathroom.

Eclecticism

The Peranakan culture is the mix of two cultures and with that brings a beautiful combination that is unique and eclectic. Wood furniture, gilded wooden carvings, hand painted ceramic pieces, heirlooms, these are things that reflect the family.

Applying in in your home:

It's a theme that you can showcase different pieces of décor within your home that tells a story. Your collection of family heirlooms can blend in together with vintage finds from your travels. The home should reflect you and your family with stories to tell and that is what makes a house a home.

There are many more ways which one can really inject that Peranakan feel including colour palettes, but these four ways will give you a general and easy-to-apply first steps to steering your home towards that nostalgic and beloved theme.