Sandy Tan: Designing showflats that resonate with homebuyers

Sandy Tan, founder of interior design firm Chalked, describes her journey into the world of design as accidental. “I never imagined I would be here, about to celebrate my 18th year in the industry,” she tells EdgeProp Singapore. Tan has had a diverse career, including roles in F&B, sales and advertising. However, things changed when a former employer noticed her passion for interior design and suggested she explore it as a career. “It felt like a huge leap into the unknown, and I was unsure I had the skills to pursue it. But curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to give it a shot,” Tan recalls. Her leap of faith has turned into a fruitful career in interior design across multiple spaces, from private homes of ultra-high-net-worth clientele to show suites and galleries for residential and commercial projects. In 2017, Tan founded Chalked. Its list of clients includes developers such as City Developments Limited (CDL), GuocoLand and UOL Group. Advertisement Advertisement While Tan has worked on projects that have garnered recognition at EdgeProp Singapore Excellence Awards 2024, this year marks her first time participating in a different capacity: as a judge. She is one of six industry experts who made up the judging panel, bringing her hands-on approach and extensive experience in interior design to the table. For months, Tan went through the extensive judging process, which included evaluating submission materials, conducting site visits, deliberating with her fellow judges, and scoring the various projects. While tiring, the experience was immensely rewarding, she says. One of Tan’s favourite aspects of the judging process was meeting people and exchanging ideas with those in the industry who share the same passion. In addition, being a judge granted her a deeper look into the planning and execution behind innovative and creative projects. “It is a fantastic way to stay inspired, discover fresh ideas, and even learn new approaches to things within the design industry,” she shares. One of the projects that stood out to her was Guoco Midtown, the integrated development by GuocoLand in the BugisBeach Road area. Comprising residences, offices, retail and lifestyle spaces, the project scored the People’s Choice and Top Commercial Property awards. “The master plan for the entire project and the thought process behind how space and connectivity were utilised was highly impressive,” Tan remarks. The Singapore Edition was another highlight for her. The 204-key hotel on Cuscaden Road by Hong Leong Holdings, CDL and Lea Investments scooped up the People’s Choice award for Best Luxury Hotel. Tan lauded the attention to detail that shone through the hotel’s design features, such as the sunken garden that separates the hotel from the adjacent Boulevard 88 residential towers. It also has a sky bridge on the ninth story with a swimming pool that has an underwater acrylic oculus, giving swimmers a one-of-a-kind view of the garden below. TMW Maxwell, the 324-unit residential development by SingHaiyi Group and Chuan Investments on Tras Street, was also memorable for Tan. In addition to praising the innovative space-saving features incorporated into the residences, she was impressed by the development’s sales gallery, which includes a terraced indoor garden that pays tribute to the project’s vertically stacked gardens. Advertisement Advertisement TMW Maxwell, alongside GuocoLand and Hong Leong Holdings’ Lentor Mansion and CDL and MCL Land’s Tembusu Grand, are among the projects that achieved the Showflat Excellence award at this year’s awards. While the overall concepts of the projects differ, the showflats at all three developments bear elegant and functional designs that cater to the needs of consumers, says Tan. In her view, a good sales gallery creates an emotional connection with buyers. “The design should help buyers envision how they will live in the space, making them feel a sense of belonging,” Tan elaborates. Beyond showcasing what a development offers, showflats should illustrate how to make the most of the space. “Buyers need to visualise how they can live comfortably, so demonstrating smart design, like multifunctional furniture or storage solutions, can be very compelling,” Tan continues. Showflat design must also be realistic. “People want to know what they are getting, so the finishes and materials used in the showflat should be of high quality and representative of what buyers will receive in the actual development,” she says. Understanding home design trends is an important part of Tan’s work as preferences evolve. For example, in recent years, she has noticed a shift in colour preferences from an industrial palette of greys and whites to warm, earthy tones like terracotta, mustard yellow, olive green and soft browns. “This trend connects to the desire for cosiness, comfort, and an inviting atmosphere,” Tan observes. Sustainable materials like reclaimed wood, recycled glass, and eco-friendly paints have also become a common choice in residential projects, along with the wider use of energy-efficient appliances and smart home systems. Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately, Tan believes that good interior design is not just about producing beautiful spaces but understanding how it can have an emotional and functional impact on people’s lives. “Whether it is creating a serene home environment or a dynamic workplace, the goal remains the same: to make spaces that inspire, comfort, and uplift,” she says.