A Fashionable Life: Inside Interior Designer Andrea Savage’s Art Deco-Fuelled Penthouse
It exudes playful sophistication and innovatively challenges what a home should be.
By Shermin Ng - published
Stepping into interior designer Andrea Savage’s two-storey, 5,700 sq ft penthouse can only be described as entering an Art Deco dream. The foyer, with its mirrored panels decorated with lacquered crimson strips, gold finishes and black agate stone, is a wondrous primer for the rest of the apartment. One is first greeted by a spacious, kaleidoscopic living room—flanked by the children’s bedrooms, a guest room and playroom on one side, and the master bedroom and another guest room on the other. Expansive windows are filled with an arresting view of verdant greenery against the backdrop of skyscrapers in the distance.
A thoughtful assortment of furniture decorates the living room. An angled sofa with a zebra print splashed on its back and base, enlivened by African tribal print pillows, sits in the middle; mixed with an orthogonal glass-and-gold coffee table, a corner bar featuring a hyper-realistic artwork (composed of nothing but nails and one continuous thread) by Dutch artist Nemo Jantzen, and other bespoke pieces that blur the lines between art and décor. Elsewhere, perfectly proportioned wingback chairs shipped from her aunt’s home in England, elegant bergère chairs originating from France in the 18th century modernised with coral fabric and Inca tribal prints, and a bronze statue of a Kiku lady by British sculptor Jonathan Kenworthy gifted by her uncle, all evoke a sense of comfort and familiarity for Savage. “The emotional impact of the space is just as important as the aesthetic impact. It speaks to us and energises us,” says Savage.
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Wingback chairs from Savage’s aunt’s home in England.
A true testament to the transformative power of design, the interior is striking and unexpected. “This is my life by design; the apartment is the perfect expression of my well-honed aesthetic, clean-lined yet maximalist, Art Deco yet exotic,” she shares. The result is a warm, unapologetically eclectic abode bedecked with bold colours and playful details like the monkey wallpaper in the powder room, a plush wall-to-wall headboard in the guest room, and even feng shui elements in the form of stone fountains and poker-themed wallpaper that collectively make the home feel layered. “Maximalism provides an energy and a vibrancy. I live life in full colour and love to layer art, texture, fabrics and wallpaper.”
A poker-themed wallpaper in the living room supports communication and abundance, according to feng shui principles.
Savage lives with her husband Cameron Richards, her children—six-year-old Allegra and nine-year-old Julian—two helpers and Snowy, the family cat. “We love the condominium community and being close to the local neighbourhood. I grew up in a house where family’s very important, and wanted an apartment that could house anyone who chose to visit,” she says. “We loved seeing our children ride their scooters on the balcony when they were younger. I said to my husband, ‘I want to sit out here and watch my children grow and blossom. I want to have spaces that bear witness to life’.”
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Allegra’s dreamy bedroom spotlights a rug that references The Fairies at the Bottom of the Garden, a children’s book.
Her love for her children is reflected in the careful design of their bedrooms—Julian’s is characterised by a nautical theme while Allegra’s is decked out in powder-pink hues. Along the corridor outside their rooms lies a rug specially designed by Savage. A boy and girl, perched on ladders, represent her children. “It’s a reinterpretation of snakes-and-ladders I played as a child. I included the all-seeing eye housed in rays of sunshine to protect my children,” she smiles. At the end of the corridor, a door opens to the playroom with storage for gaming equipment, toys, and a miniature kitchen modelled after the actual one upstairs.
Savage designed a miniature version of the actual kitchen for her children.
Savage stripped the apartment back to its concrete shell in order to create the perfect home. It took a few years to get it to where she envisioned it to be, juggling life with then-baby Allegra. “I wanted a relaxing oasis, a home in the city that gets us out of the city. We moved the kitchen, dining and helpers’ quarters upstairs and created multiple seating and play areas,” she explains. “The family home is designed so we can spend time together and the children can play wherever they like, so we don’t have to be precious about materials or furnishings.”
A gallery-like display of artworks, including a photograph of Savage as a model, on the staircase wall.
A monochromatic staircase with gold and marble elements, a nod to the Art Deco era, takes you upstairs—the heart of the home. Along the way, a gallery-like display of cherished artworks—from a stunning portrayal of the Maasai way of life by African wildlife artist Daniel Njoroge to a black-and-white oil painting purchased at a garage sale—showcases the couple’s love of art. “The only piece I would question is this one of myself. It was my husband’s choice,” laughs Savage, gesturing to a photograph of herself as a model. The couple have been together for 24 years. A skylight on the second storey lets in abundant sunlight and moonshine, bringing to focus the Sur Le Nil wallpaper from Pierre Frey that wraps the staircase landing. “I’m really into ancient Egyptian motifs. I call it a past life. With all that history behind them and how they have been reinterpreted, they are still symbolic and relevant.”
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The spacious kitchen opens up to an unobstructed vista of the garden.
On the left is a well-stocked bar and dining area that doubles as a casual family space and to the right, a luxuriously large kitchen. “We entertain a lot and love the open-door policy where anyone can just pop in,” says Savage. Vistas are maximised in all areas, and both spaces house common elements, like gold finishes on cabinet doors and crisp black-and-white diamond patterns on the cowhide carpet that mirror the criss-cross detail in the ceiling. The same ceiling treatment can be found in the living room downstairs. “It acts as a decorative surface and brings drama to a room,” she comments. Bespoke bar cabinets bookended with a whimsical Christian Lacroix-designed Maison De
Jeu fabric quite literally depicts the house of cards, while a bespoke sculptural sofa—the perfect definition of form meets function—covered in washable velvet from Pierre Frey and adorned with Podevache x Christian Lacroix cushions lend luxe and artistic touches.
The Art Deco-inflected bar and dining area on the second storey is the heart of the home.
Outside, the balcony—complete with an edible garden, fountains, outdoor seating and furniture—serves as an open-air invitation to catch the sunrise or sunset. Formal topiaries and hedges give weight to the Art Deco architecture’s bold, dominant forms. “We wanted to bring the house to life with a garden in the sky; a haven for bees, birds, and butterflies. I landscaped the garden to include our ‘arc bar’ where we sit and reflect, dream, and are inspired by the world around us. You see the city from such a different perspective at night. It’s truly a sight to behold,” shares Savage.
Savage relaxes on her rooftop in a Tory Burch top, Prada hat, Miu Miu brogues and her own jeans.
Savage’s obsession with animal prints and eye-catching patterns stem from an innate connection with her birthplace in Nairobi, Kenya, which extends to monochromatic applications dominant in her home and wardrobe. “I’ve always been drawn to zebra prints. As for my outfits, it’s always black and white with pops of colour; I just love that contrast and juxtaposition. I often find myself buying and acquiring things with zebra prints,” she muses.
Zebra prints and African and Egyptian motifs are also apparent in her fashion choices.
When it comes to her aesthetic pursuits, the founder of A Life by Design—a branding, storytelling, design, and content creation agency—has long been influenced by her mother. “My mum always wanted to be an interior designer, but it wasn’t the ‘done’ thing in those days. She was always so creative; she hand-painted pineapples on the kitchen tiles in one of our homes,” recalls Savage. Having honed her architectural and interior design skills after more than a decade in modelling and entertainment, Savage has witnessed the transformative and emotive power of design. She has made it her mission to tailor spaces to her clients’ personalities without compromising on style. “To me, interior design is about embracing a growth-centred life that aligns to your values and aspirations—a life by design—and expressing it in a physical form.”
Overshirt; polo shirt; shorts, Miu Miu. Sneakers, New Balance x Miu Miu.
Andrea Savage’s 5 Design Tips
1. Choose personal over trendy
When decorating your home, prioritise designs and elements that evoke personal joy and comfort over fleeting trends. By focusing on what truly resonates with you, your decor will not only satisfy your aesthetic tastes, but also nourish your soul for years to come.
2. Embrace the simplicity of white
Never underestimate the impact of white walls and floors. This simple choice serves as a blank canvas, allowing you to breathe life into your space while maintaining an airy, crisp feel. White backgrounds provide the flexibility to layer different textures and colours, ensuring your personal style shines through.
3. Luxuriate with velvets
Velvet fabric adds an instant touch of luxury to any room, irrespective of the season. Opt for cotton velvet (not the polyester kind) to bring a soft, plush texture that feels comfortable and opulent. It’s a versatile choice that I personally adore for its comfort and elegance.
4. It’s always about the proportions
Good design hinges on the balance and proportion of elements within a space. Whether you’re arranging furniture or hanging art, consider how pieces relate to each other and the room’s overall layout. Proportionate design ensures a harmonious atmosphere that’s pleasing to the eye.
5. Design your life starting with your home
Create a list of essentials and a wish list of items you dream of incorporating. Collect images and inspirations that resonate with your vision. This preparatory step is crucial for crafting a space that truly reflects and enhances your life, and most of all, makes you feel good!
Photographer: Natsuko Teruya
Creative direction: Daphne Tso
Stylist: Windy Aulia
Makeup: Toni Tan using M.A.C Cosmetics
Hair: Winnie/35A
Stylist’s assistant: Raeanne Cheong