Celebrated Melbourne-based interior decorator Simone Haag may have worked on Capella Sydney for the Singapore-owned luxury hotel brand, but it was only while working on Capella Singapore that she first visited the Southeast Asian island state. The flagship property of Capella Hotels and Resorts is housed in the sprawling lush grounds of Sentosa island, and comprises a mixed of restored colonial bungalows and newly built structures by Foster and Partners in collaboration with DP Architects. 

Aside from guestrooms and pool villas, the hotel also has a number of manors that are double-storey, standalone mansions for the modern world traveller. Recently, it completed the renovation of three manors. Australian-born, Singapore-based architect Matthew Shang of Matthew Shang Design Office (MSDO) refurbished two Colonial Manor buildings, while Haag refurbished the contemporary Capella Manor.

The two-storey, 576-square-metre building is located on sloped land. One enters from the upper floor, which contains the Reading Room and the master bedroom suite. A flight of steps leads down to the double-storey living area, dining, and two bedrooms flanking a lounge.

The living area’s two-storey windows look out to a swimming pool, fenced by a verdant curtain of greenery. This brings in ample daylight into the building, which highlights the splendid tapestry of texture, forms and pattern put together by Haag. In the large footprint, her choice of composition and objects draws the eye toward focal points and connects spaces and voids. Together, they also evoke the island context.   

A defining element is the fern-like Lure Lantern from Pelle Designs crowning the living area. The design of slim brass ‘twigs’ fanning out to cast cotton paper ‘leaves’ makes for a magnificent sculpture floating in the tall volume. It captures the sense of space, mimicking its bucolic surroundings but also projecting luxury and craft sensibilities. “It was perfect,” enthuses Haag, who shares that it was a serendipitous find. The team was looking out for a contemporary chandelier and found this piece, released in 2024. Through the day and at night, it throws feathery shadows across the walls and ceiling.

Another find is a pair of vintage Peanut chairs by New Zealand’s Stephane Rondel, made of copper-plated steel and hand-woven cane, and placed next to a potted plant whose fine foliage mirrors the silhouette of the Lure Lantern. In a corner, two rare 1930s, solid oak Swedish Carved Monk chairs with a unique triangular-shaped seat and distinctive etchings evoke the attitude of the Arts and Craft Movement.

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Contrasting these clean lines are two woven raffia armchairs with spiked backs. “We always like an element of whimsy in our work, with occasional pieces where aesthetics and form prevail over comfort and predictability,” says Haag, although after trying, one can attest that these seats still provide a good level of comfort.    

Haag collaborated with New York gallery Piscina to customise several pieces for Capella Manor. This includes a Ledoux shelving system in the master bedroom, composed of a timber totem-like central column with a combination of shelving, as well as a sliding door that discreetly hides a television set. In the neighbouring Reading Room is another customised piece from Piscina – a quirky magazine holder with knob-liked details and graphic cut outs combine function and sculpture. 

Haag’s ability to harness her growing network of artists, makers, antique specialists, vintage traders and designers across the world is crucial to creating this unique environments. “Drawing from this treasure trove, we can curate projects unlike anything seen before; projects that are entirely contextual and highly considerate of the end users’ experience,” says Haag, adding, “Within our studio, we are constantly sourcing and cataloguing pieces that have the power to pull a room together and tell a story. We love being early adopters of new design pieces that have resonated with us.”

Capella Manor’s lived-in feel comes from mixing vintage pieces with custom contemporary rugs, such as the one custom piece in the living room that is reminiscent of a topography map. In the master bedroom, a botanical-patterned carpet is matched with subtle prints in the textured curtains. Around the manor, a curated selection of objects in pewter, ceramics, rare timbers and glass add definitive character to the interiors in a way that is refined yet accessible. 

At this year’s Milan Design Week held from 8 to 13 April, visitors will be able to get a sense of Haag’s idiosyncratic ethos. “We’re excited to share that we will be part of the third edition of L’Appartamento by Artemest, in celebration of its 10^th anniversary. The exhibition celebrates the timeless allure of Italian craftsmanship and design through the lens of globally renowned design talents in an exclusive venue, Palazzo Donizetti,” shares Haag. The venue is a 19^th-century architectural masterpiece in Via Gaetano Donizetti 48 that will open its doors to the public for the first time.

Haag will be one of six reputed design firms (1508 London, Champalimaud Design, Meyer Davis, Nebras Aljoaib and Romanek Design Studio) exhibiting. Haag, being a keen collaborator, is clearly excited. “We’re in great company with an incredible line-up of internationally acclaimed design studios, each transforming a distinct room of the palazzo – Haag was designated the foyer – to showcase an extraordinary selection of furniture, lighting, home décor and art from 180 Italian artisans, brands and artists. Together, we will craft spaces that exemplify the beauty, uniqueness and creativity of Italian craftsmanship and design.”

Simone Haag
simonehaag.com

Next up: A closer look at Melbourne Place by Kennedy Nolan