Sandy Tan Designs Spaces Showcase Personality And Memories
Sandy Tan’s design studio, Chalked, is a treasure trove of limited edition Bearbrick toys, striking art pieces, and personal mementos, lining the wall behind her desk. The shelves are filled with her collection of Japanese designer toys, known for their minimalist bear-shaped form, with four prized figures from a series by American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. As a fan of both the artist and his distinctive style, Tan cherishes these pieces dearly.
Among the other objects on display in her office are mementos collected over her 18-year career as an interior designer, photos with friends, and intricately designed 3D-printed art – a technology she believes will shape future interior design trends. Her approach to designing spaces includes incorporating personal collections, as these are an essential element that ties together the design of a room. According to Tan, a space should feel personal, welcoming, and restful, with an intuitive layout that encourages conversation and movement. This is complemented by warm, layered lighting and comfortable materials.
In addition to private homes, Chalked has also designed public spaces, such as the lounge at The Residences at W Sentosa Cove. As the founder of Chalked, Tan has built a reputation for herself and her design studio by handling a wide range of projects for nearly two decades – from private homes of ultra-wealthy clients to show suites and galleries for residential and commercial developments. This year, she joined the panel of six industry experts as a judge for the EdgeProp Excellence Awards 2025 – marking her second year on the panel.
In Singapore, Chalked has been the go-to designer for many developers, who engage her team to design the sales galleries of new projects. Some of their clients include City Developments (CDL), GuocoLand, and UOL Group. Most recently, the design studio collaborated with CapitaLand to conceptualize the sales gallery and show suites for their latest project, LyndenWoods – a 343-unit residential development in Singapore Science Park. The challenge was to design a two-bedroom plus study showflat and a four-bedroom unit showflat that would highlight how each space could address the lifestyle needs of potential buyers.
“When we design such show flats, the key to a successful design is to put the buyer’s needs first. Developers carefully craft each design brief to make sure those needs are clearly demonstrated, and the design team’s approach adjusts the level of creativity accordingly,” says Tan. She adds that this results in spaces that feel special and appealing to a wide range of buyers. She was particularly satisfied with the design of the two-bedroom plus study unit at LyndenWoods, which explored the use of different materials like acrylics in new and interesting finishes – such as an acrylic bar and stool, as well as specific light decorations.
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In recent years, Tan says that more developers and owners have engaged her design studio to design and fit out vacant units in completed projects, to help sell or lease such units. These units tend to be in ultra-luxury projects such as Nouvel 18, Gramercy Park, New Futura, and South Beach Residences. When this process involves unsold developer units, the buyers are more likely to purchase the unit with its furnishings. As such, she has to ensure that the materials and furnishings selected are durable and easy to maintain.
Lately, Tan has observed that homeowners’ design tastes have shifted towards a pared-down, minimalist luxury in furniture and finishes. “This has been a gradual trend, striking a balance between elegance and understated sophistication, which I believe will continue to gain popularity over the next few years,” she says. Despite the growing number of private home clients and developer projects, Chalked has taken on in recent years. Tan has largely kept her Singapore-based team to around six. However, the studio has expanded its back-end operations, with two-person teams based in Johor, Malaysia, and Manila in the Philippines.
Although Chalked has taken on a handful of residential projects in China and India in recent years, Tan’s focus for the firm remains on maintaining a boutique, personalized approach in its home market. “While international opportunities are valuable, we believe that Singapore’s high-net-worth segment continues to offer one of the most meaningful avenues for the studio’s growth,” she adds. Chalked has also completed projects in The Residences at W Sentosa Cove and Marina One Residences – designed an apartment unit on the 32nd floor for a private client.