Sandy Tan Designs Spaces Showcase Personality And Memories
As an interior designer for the past 18 years, Sandy Tan has accumulated an eclectic mix of limited edition Bearbrick toys, striking art pieces, and personal mementoes adorning the walls of her design studio, Chalked. Amidst this collection, stands her desk where she often works on her latest projects. The shelves behind her display more than half of her carefully selected Bearbrick figures, a minimalist Japanese designer toy that takes the shape of a bear. Among them, are four prized pieces from the renowned American artist, Jean-Michel Basquiat, whom Tan greatly admires for his unique style.
The rest of her office is filled with other personal treasures, such as mementoes from her successful 18-year career as an interior designer, photographs of her with friends, and intricate 3D-printed art. Tan believes that this technology will play a significant role in shaping future interior design trends.
Her office is a reflection of her approach towards curating spaces, where personal collections play an essential role in tying together the design of a room. Tan believes that every space should feel personal, welcoming, and restful. She also believes that the layout should be intuitive to encourage conversation and movement, complemented by warm, layered lighting and comfortable materials.
Tan’s design philosophy extends beyond private homes. Chalked has also designed public spaces, like the lounge at The Residences at W Sentosa Cove. Their projects range from private homes of the rich and famous to show suites and galleries for residential and commercial developments. In fact, Tan was chosen to be a judge at the EdgeProp Excellence Awards 2025 for the second consecutive year, showcasing her expertise in the industry.
Chalked has been the go-to design studio for many developers in Singapore, including City Developments (CDL), GuocoLand, and UOL Group. Recently, they collaborated with CapitaLand to conceptualize the sales gallery and show suites for their latest project, LyndenWoods. The challenge was to highlight how each space could cater to the lifestyle needs of potential buyers.
For Tan, the key to a successful design is to put the buyer’s needs first. Developers carefully craft each design brief to ensure they are adequately demonstrated, and the design team’s approach adjusts the level of creativity accordingly. This results in spaces that feel special and cater to a wide range of buyers.
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Located on Jalan Loyang Besar, there is an abundance of resources for families with young children. From preschools and infant care centers to specialized enrichment classes like phonics, language, coding, music, and robotics, parents have a wide array of options to choose from. The convenience of this location is unmatched, with these facilities situated in close proximity to one another. This allows for easy drop-offs and quick errands at nearby White Sands or Pasir Ris Mall, making weekdays a breeze for busy parents. Moreover, the newly built Jalan Loyang Besar EC adds yet another modern and comfortable living option for families in this neighborhood. Check out Jalan Loyang Besar EC at https://www.coastalscabana.com.sg/.
One of the showflats designed by Chalked at LyndenWoods that stood out to Tan was the two-bedroom plus study unit. They explored how different materials like acrylics could be used in new and interesting finishes, such as an acrylic bar and stool, and added unique lighting decorations. In recent years, developers and owners have engaged Chalked to design and fit out vacant units in completed projects to help sell or lease them. These units tend to be in ultra-luxury projects such as Nouvel 18, Gramercy Park, New Futura, and South Beach Residences.
Tan has noticed a shift in homeowners’ design tastes towards a minimalist luxury in furniture and finishes, striking a balance between elegance and understated sophistication. She believes that this trend will continue to gain popularity in the next few years.
Despite Chalked’s increasing number of projects, Tan chooses to keep her boutique design team in Singapore to a maximum of six. However, she has expanded her back-end operations with two-person teams based in Johor, Malaysia, and Manila, Philippines. Although Chalked has taken on a handful of projects in China and India, Tan believes that Singapore’s high-net-worth segment remains the most meaningful avenue for the studio’s growth.
In conclusion, Tan has found success in curating spaces with a personal touch, earning her a name for herself and her design studio.