Rooted in the past and present

Andrew invited us into his cosy studio apartment to reveal his stylistic preferences and how he keeps his home uncluttered. (Spoiler: It involves his trusty Dyson vacuum!)

You were holding down a corporate job before UFM100.3. Tell us more about this unconventional career pivot.

It’s a cliché, it’s over-said, but it’s true – the pivot is essentially a result of a quarter-life crisis. I have always been a theatre kid. Back in secondary school, I was very active in my drama club, and I was surrounded by peers who were just so enthusiastic about the craft. Life kind of moved in a different direction when I majored in Business at Singapore Management University. It just seemed like I was primed for the corporate ladder climb.

As I muddled through the grind, an opportunity came up. A friend was looking for a part-time DJ and asked if I was keen. I don’t think I ever said “yes” that fast before. And I just learnt so much from the stint, having met so many new people I wouldn’t have otherwise encountered and feeling as comfortable as I was in the radio station. Three-and-a half years later, a full-time position opened up and I gladly took that leap of faith.

In retrospect, it really was my drama teacher from secondary school who inspired me to venture beyond that safety bubble. During one of our catch-up sessions, she simply asked, “Is this a job that you feel will provide the greatest value and happiness to a life that you foresee yourself having in the future?

Your bachelor pad is really unique: It’s not every day that you see a home with its own private elevator.

The lift actually has a door on both sides, with the other facing my neighbour’s apartment. So, it can be awkward when we share a lift, as I get to see his entire home when he enters the elevator. Of course, I try to look away but the last thing I want is for him to think of me as aloof. That said, it’s always great to see the look of awe on first-time visitors as they go, “Woah.”

Your bachelor pad is really unique: It’s not every day that you see a home with its own private elevator.

The lift actually has a door on both sides, with the other facing my neighbour’s apartment. So, it can be awkward when we share a lift, as I get to see his entire home when he enters the elevator. Of course, I try to look away but the last thing I want is for him to think of me as aloof. That said, it’s always great to see the look of awe on first-time visitors as they go, “Woah.”

If your home was a person, what would their personality be like?

Warm, open and fully at one with the present moment. They’ll probably be very into the whole “zen” vibe as well.

What are some key themes that you wanted your home to embody?

I really wanted it to exude modernity while still preserving traces of its origin story. During my discussion with my interior designer, I recall throwing words like “modern” and “retro” into the conversation, only for him to respond, “So, mid-century modern.” And it was like a eureka moment for me where I went, “Exactly!”

Did this inspire the home’s primary colour scheme?

The house itself actually inspired this colour palette. Sage Green was the apartment’s original hue, and I felt that it fits into the whole concept of “contemporary rustic”. I needed a colour that echoes earthy and warm undertones to complement the various wooden fittings I had, so Sage Green was a great natural starting point. We ultimately decided on Walnut Brown to contrast the muted quality of green, inducing this artful balance between timeless serenity and inviting warmth.

How do you manage clutter?

With the compact size of my apartment, I have to get really creative when it comes to managing clutter. See those two columns at each corner of the lift? I had them installed to act as the home’s main storage cabinets. Not only do they go well with the home’s thematic layout, but they also store my shoe collection, travel knick-knacks and bulky household items. I also make it a point not to make needless purchases.

It is shocking how quickly clutter can accumulate when left unchecked. Now, when I see dirt or mess, I clean it immediately. Thankfully, my trusty Dyson vacuum cleaner makes the cleaning process so effortless. Not only does it eradicate the toughest stains, it also has a self-cleaning function that makes home maintenance hassle-free.

How did you design your home to accommodate your hobbies?

This question comes at a good time as I’m currently exploring my more inquisitive side. I have been taking callisthenics classes purely for fun, so I actively put aside unnecessary obstructions in the living room for my practice sessions. (Hopefully, I’ll get to master a proper handstand soon!) I’m also trying to meditate more, so it is important that my space is unburdened by trivial distractions.

Oh! I can’t forget my turntable. It’s fascinating how vinyl records produce a richness in quality that conventional music just cannot replicate. I could spend hours just browsing through vinyl catalogues to hear music as intended by my favourite artists.

The Dyson WashG1 eradicates tough stains on varied surfaces, including vinyl, laminate and sealed wooden floors. It also doubles as a mop with a built-in water tank. With self-cleaning capabilities, the vacuum is ever-ready for use.

Share with us some insights that you’ve gained as a first-time homeowner.

I think the term that best encapsulates my learning journey is “wabi-sabi” (a Japanese concept that translates as “finding beauty in imperfection”). All of us, me included, want a home that is immaculate. But the reality is that every home comes with its fair share of blemishes. And it is these little imperfections that make the home feel ever more unique. I love my perfectly imperfect home!

Remember KonMari’s lifechanging rule – Ask yourself if it sparks joy? Well, she expounds on this concept with kintsugi, a Japanese art that is centred around the restoration of broken items. It considers defects and imperfections as natural opportunities to grow and improve, and as we mend and reconstruct what is broken, we cultivate a unique affinity with our belongings. They then become a part of us as much as we are of them. Once, I inadvertently left a crack on the wall. I remembered googling “wall plastering”, to learn how to sand, prime and paint over the gap. Admittedly, it doesn’t look good even after my feeble attempts, but the home now carries a bit of me that otherwise wouldn’t be there.

Name one thing you wish you could have done differently in relation to your living space.

It isn’t so much a particularly poor aesthetic choice as a misguided approach to homemaking. I went into the whole process wanting the home to be perfect. Took a while for me to realise that a home can never be fully complete, as even until today, I’m still changing my furniture and fittings. It’s always a work in progress, but that means the home can accommodate new ideas and inspirations whenever they come!

Let’s circle back to your career. Are there any unfinished items on your checklist?

There were a few creative ideas I had for a morning show that I was eager to try out. I’m thrilled to say that I can now check those off my list! Every Monday to Friday, from 6am to 10am, I host The PLAY Show, where we not only play games with our listeners, but also exchange banter on an array of subjects! The show has always been light-heated and fun, but we really wanted to double down on the moniker “PLAY” by spotlighting the interactions that we have with our listeners!

Andrew’s choice of Sage Green and Walnut Brown gives his home a serene and warm ambience.