The Zen Life

LIKE MOST SINGAPOREANS, the owners of this apartment near River Valley Road love to travel. He works in advertising technology while she is a chemist.

Japan, naturally, is a popular holiday destination for them - so much so that they have been there four times in the last few years.

It's no surprise then, that the couple, who have been married for three years, were inspired by the Japanese aesthetic when deciding on the look for their first purchased home. They previously rented an apartment. But unlike other homeowners who prefer a hotel look, this couple didn't want that.

"We stayed in ryokans and visited onsens, and we liked how light wood was used a lot in the construction and that feeling of…