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High Drama

With an unrivalled view of the city skyline and the indulgence of a private pool, this 10th-storey penthouse apartment demanded a distinctive decor. At the urging of New Zealand-born interior designer Marlaine Collins, tenant Anand Aithal opted for vivid jewel hues that celebrate life in the tropics.

It was a daring deviation from the neutral colours in his last two homes in Hong Kong, on which Marlaine had also worked. But it suited the strong personality and determination of the Cambridge-educated managing director at a major US investment bank. "I wanted a sanctuary from the pressures of my work," says Anand. "This apartment was perfect because it had light, high ceilings and lots of space."

Custom-made furnishings merge with minimalist and ethnic accessories including a modern mixed media painting by Chinese artist Liu Jian to create a series of striking vistas in the open-plan living area. "Nothing is too ostentatious or high-maintenance; the emphasis is on comfort and simplicity," notes Marlaine of Tantrum Interiors International, Singapore. "I like to combine the sumptuousness of fabrics, as in the curtains, with solid clean lines."