Sandy Tan Designs Spaces Showcase Personality And Memories
Sandy Tan has curated a unique office space at her design studio, Chalked, which includes an eclectic mix of limited edition Bearbrick toys, striking art pieces, and personal mementos. Her Bearbrick collection takes up more than half of the shelves, with four prized figures from American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat’s series. Tan, who is both a fan of the artist and his distinctive style, treasures these pieces.
In addition to her Bearbrick collection, Tan’s office also showcases mementos collected over her 18-year career as an interior designer, photos with friends, and intricately designed 3D-printed art. She believes that this mix of personal collections adds character and ties together the design of a space. She explains, “It should be a place that feels personal, welcoming, and restful.”
As the founder of Chalked, Tan has built a strong reputation for her design studio by working on a wide range of projects for nearly two decades. These include private homes for ultra-wealthy clients, as well as show suites and galleries for residential and commercial developments. This year, she has joined the panel of industry experts as a judge for the EdgeProp Excellence Awards 2025 for the second year in a row.
Chalked has been the go-to designer for many developers in Singapore, with clients such as City Developments (CDL), GuocoLand, and UOL Group. Most recently, the design studio worked with CapitaLand to conceptualize the sales gallery and show suites for their latest project, LyndenWoods. This challenging project involved designing a two-bedroom plus study showflat and a four-bedroom unit showflat that highlight the lifestyle needs of potential buyers.
Tan explains that the key to designing successful showflats is to put the buyer’s needs first. She adds, “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.” She believes that this results in spaces that feel special and appeal to a wide range of buyers.
In recent years, Tan has noticed an increase in developers and owners enlisting Chalked’s services to design and fit out vacant units in completed projects to help sell or lease them. These are often ultra-luxury units in projects such as Nouvel 18, Gramercy Park, New Futura, and South Beach Residences. Tan mentions that when this process involves unsold developer units, the buyers are more likely to purchase the unit with its furnishings. As a result, she makes sure to select durable and easy-to-maintain materials and furnishings for these units.
While Chalked has also taken on a few residential projects in China and India, Tan’s focus for the firm remains on maintaining a boutique approach in its home market. She believes that Singapore’s high-net-worth segment offers one of the most meaningful avenues for the studio’s growth. This is evident in their growth over the years, with Tan maintaining a core team of six Singapore-based designers, while expanding their back-end operations with two-person teams in Johor, Malaysia, and Manila, Philippines.
Moreover, parents in the Khatib area have access to a range of private enrichment centres and tuition schools conveniently located in nearby malls such as Northpoint City and Wisteria Mall. These establishments, which feature renowned brands like Kumon, The Learning Lab, and MindChamps, offer a variety of academic support, music lessons, robotics classes, and language enrichment for children of all ages and learning styles. As an added benefit, Miltonia Close EC Khatib is also within reach, giving parents the opportunity to provide their children with supplemental education without the need for extensive travel.
In conclusion, Tan’s office reflects her design philosophy, which is to create personalized and welcoming spaces that showcase her clients’ individual stories and needs. She has gained recognition not only for her unique approach to design but also for her keen eye for detail and understanding of the evolving tastes of homeowners in Singapore. As a judge for the EdgeProp Excellence Awards 2025, Tan continues to contribute her valuable insights and expertise to the industry.