Vivienne Shen, wearing her own Cult Gaia dress, vintage earrings, Bvlgari necklace, vintage rings and Nicholas Kirkwood heels, in front of her 18th‑century‑inspired faux fireplace.When energy trader and interiors influencer Vivienne Shen and her Dutch husband went house hunting in Singapore, they fell in love with a Joo Chiat conservation shophouse the moment they set foot in it.
''As such, she decided that her home would be designed as a melting pot of influences, housing “an assembly of my fondest memories in life”, and featuring “a mixture and balance of texture, materials, periods and patina”. The disparate themes are unified by a calming palette of neutral hues — mostly white, with touches of grey, beige and black — and the use of timeless, natural materials such as brass, marble, wood and rattan, accented by the placement of tropical greenery throughout.
A pair of palm trees and lush Monstera plants soar majestically towards the sunlight that illuminates the indoor courtyard, with its roc garden and a Moorish-style wishing fountain that brings back fond memories of past trips to Italy. Must-haves when the couple entertains? “Organic ceramic tableware with French linen napkins, complemented by arrangements of wild flowers,” says Shen. “My husband is a wine lover, so we always enjoy sharing our wine collection.”
Olivia’s room, with its dusty pink and white walls, adjustable Stokke crib, Ligne Roset sofa, and wall-mounted Fiona Walker stuffed toy animal heads evoking a subtle safari theme, is proof that a baby’s room can be a calm, elegant space.