SINGAPORE — Educators Keng and Si Yi, who declined to reveal their full names, see each home as a new adventure.

Along with their two young children, aged four and one, and their pet dog Mika, the couple in their thirties moved into their new residence — a four-bedroom, 1,108-square-foot executive condominium unit in Anchorvale — in December 2020.

Since they see every move as a chance for them to create something unique, they asked Ms. Carmen Tang, design director of interior design studio Wolf Woof, to create a dramatic all-black look for this one. this.

The result is luxurious and functional. Due to Ms. Tang’s clever use of textures, lighting, and greenery, black is the main focus, but it’s far from boring.

A platform delimits the living room in the common space. Lift-up doors and drawers under the platform not only set it apart as a cozy corner, but also provide additional storage space. That way, Ms. Tang says, “it becomes part of the floor, giving the space a different feel while maintaining an unobstructed view.”

The living room can also be converted into a guest bedroom by lowering the roller shutters, hidden out of sight, separating the area for more privacy when friends or relatives are staying.

Adding furniture like a tan leather sofa, rug, and artificial greenery softens the look. For texture, she used grooved laminate on the millwork and walls.

When the family wants to hang out in a semi-outdoor setting, they congregate on the large balcony off the living room, which has another seating area and a small bar with a hanging wine glass rack . Having different seats gives the family a variety of options for entertaining.

The four-year-old’s bedroom has the same dark palette – they wanted to keep it timeless, Ms. Tang says – but with a Super Mario-themed wall. Toys and figurines are arranged on each “level”.

Like the living room, the bed is on a platform and there is plenty of room for clothes, books and other necessities.

Both a designer and a stylist, Ms. Tang advises her clients on the choice and placement of art in their homes.

“One of my favorites is Ruben Ireland, and he specializes in black and white portraits with strong imagery and refreshing angles,” she says.

Her style matched the design of this house so well that she presented her work to the owners, who also appreciated it. Works by the artist now adorn the master bedroom and hallway.