8 Elements for a ‘Crazy Rich Asians’-Style Home
The grand home details you see in the new hit movie are just as impressive in real-life Singapore
By now you may have seen Kevin Kwan’s book-turned-movie Crazy Rich Asians and marveled at the iconic Singapore sights it captures. You may have even wondered whether there really are Singaporeans who are as “crazy rich” as the characters played by Michelle Yeoh, Henry Golding and Gemma Chan.
To answer your question: There are. When Crazy Rich Asians, the first novel of Kwan’s trilogy, came out, I was an editor at SPH Magazines in Singapore and worked on the publishing group’s Peak luxury lifestyle magazine. I have been in some of those crazy-rich homes and have interviewed some of the most down-to-earth, incredibly cultured and well-traveled homeowners. Here are some elements those homes have in common — not only with one another but also with the movie’s Tyersall Park mansion.
To answer your question: There are. When Crazy Rich Asians, the first novel of Kwan’s trilogy, came out, I was an editor at SPH Magazines in Singapore and worked on the publishing group’s Peak luxury lifestyle magazine. I have been in some of those crazy-rich homes and have interviewed some of the most down-to-earth, incredibly cultured and well-traveled homeowners. Here are some elements those homes have in common — not only with one another but also with the movie’s Tyersall Park mansion.
Other similarly posh addresses include the elite residential district of Bukit Timah within the city’s Namly Avenue and Holland Village boundaries, the redeveloped Tanglin Village and the luxurious and growing Sentosa Cove enclave, where this home is located.
2. Water Features
Swimming pools and koi ponds are not only considered luxurious; these water features are also believed to be good for feng shui (if you’re into that) or creating a resort ambience.
Swimming pools and koi ponds are not only considered luxurious; these water features are also believed to be good for feng shui (if you’re into that) or creating a resort ambience.
3. A Grand Staircase
Whether it’s indoors or outdoors, a sweeping staircase creates the opportunity for grand entrances at lavish parties.
80 Stairways to Design Heaven
Whether it’s indoors or outdoors, a sweeping staircase creates the opportunity for grand entrances at lavish parties.
80 Stairways to Design Heaven
4. Plenty of Space for Entertaining
Dining tables that seat 10 may be more than what your family needs, but they wouldn’t be enough for celebrations such as those seen in Crazy Rich Asians. This house by Timur Designs has a dining room that opens up to a courtyard where more tables and chairs can easily be set up for a really big party.
Dining tables that seat 10 may be more than what your family needs, but they wouldn’t be enough for celebrations such as those seen in Crazy Rich Asians. This house by Timur Designs has a dining room that opens up to a courtyard where more tables and chairs can easily be set up for a really big party.
5. A Garage for Your Vintage Car Collection
You need space for those fancy toys!
You need space for those fancy toys!
6. Separate Wings
A house that sprawls wide means that you can choose not to see other family members for days — at least that’s what glass-half-empty people think of houses with separate wings! But separate wings also serve a positive purpose: Multiple generations with different style preferences can dwell harmoniously in one place while enjoying their personal spaces.
A house that sprawls wide means that you can choose not to see other family members for days — at least that’s what glass-half-empty people think of houses with separate wings! But separate wings also serve a positive purpose: Multiple generations with different style preferences can dwell harmoniously in one place while enjoying their personal spaces.
7. Asian Art
Architect TK Quek is renowned in the region for his extensive art collection; he collaborated with son Jonathan and business partner Rene Tan — both of RT+Q Architects — to design a home that showcases the art for everyone’s enjoyment.
Architect TK Quek is renowned in the region for his extensive art collection; he collaborated with son Jonathan and business partner Rene Tan — both of RT+Q Architects — to design a home that showcases the art for everyone’s enjoyment.
8. A Grandmother’s Antiques
Family heirlooms from various dynasties, tastefully mixed with contemporary selections, are proof of old money (like the Young family in the movie), whereas all-new, all-designer-labeled furniture can mark the nouveau riche.
Tell us: Which Singapore location in Crazy Rich Asians did you enjoy most? Let us know in the Comments.
More
See 90 of Singapore’s Best Designs on Houzz
Read about other homes around the world
Family heirlooms from various dynasties, tastefully mixed with contemporary selections, are proof of old money (like the Young family in the movie), whereas all-new, all-designer-labeled furniture can mark the nouveau riche.
Tell us: Which Singapore location in Crazy Rich Asians did you enjoy most? Let us know in the Comments.
More
See 90 of Singapore’s Best Designs on Houzz
Read about other homes around the world
As tiny as our dot on the map is — Singapore’s only about 278 square miles — we still have lush green residential estates where nice bungalows or historical homes like Tyersall Park stand.
This contemporary home by Aamer Architects hugs its hilly topography near Singapore’s Dempsey Hill neighborhood.