Looking back at one’s childhood, it’s typically filled with exciting memories of exploring, learning and growth. For the creative director of B P de Silva’s Shanya Amarasuriya, it’s no different—the fifth-generation scion had her fair share of colourful childhood memories with friends and family.

On top of visiting the zoo, baking cookies and rollerblading at East Coast Park, some of Amarasuriya’s fondest childhood memories include taking trips to the family’s jewellery boutique and workshop with her father. During her trips there, she became fascinated with witnessing how 2D sketches would turn into reality.

Despite growing up in a family whose business has been passed down for generations, Amarasuriya had no pressures to join the B P de Silva. Quoting her second eldest brother Rehan, she says: “There was no pressure, but there was definitely an undercurrent. In hindsight, I believe all of us innately knew how happy it would make my dad for us to join the family business even though he has never explicitly said so.” While it was never her dream to take over, she always had a dream to create—something that has followed her since her days of visiting her father’s workshop. 

Amarasuriya’s interest in the company began early on when she was doing research into the luxury brand. Its history of valuing “slow and intentional creations and relationships” was something that spoke to her. “Whether it was during the time of the founder or today, there’s a soulfulness to the brand that showed me how jewellery could carry our stories and remind us of the beauty in life,” she says, adding that there is something intimate and poetic about designing jewels for her.

When it comes to creating, Amarasuriya is inspired by everything around her, especially “stories the heart wants to remember”.

As creative director, she continues to create bespoke pieces inspired by “design codes of our collections”—but adds her own modern twist. For example, the bespoke Old World Charm Diamond Necklace features a pendant with its brand’s signature hexagon silhouette and her client’s initials. It’s paired with an adjustable chain converting the piece into a wax seal.

When it comes to working with family, Amarasuriya describes her time as “exciting, challenging and meaningful”. Some of her most memorable experiences were discovering an artisanal Blue Sheen Moonstone mine on the south coast of Sri Lanka with her father, and admiring natural Royal and Cornflower blue Sapphires while on a gem-sourcing trip with her brother in Ratnapura, Sri Lanka. She explains how she enjoys these times when she gets to bond with her family over shared passions and “learn from and through each other”.

Whether it be creating jewellery or relationships with her loved ones and clients, Amarasuriya constantly looks for meaningful connections. Through these connections, she hopes B P de Silva can grow and “take on the world, in its own way”.

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Very little rivals the joy of putting the words “champagne” and “brunch” together. This New Year’s Day, you have extra reason to kick back in an afternoon of indulgence with a wide range of champagne brunches to ring in 2024. There are some exceptional pours out there to accompany a sumptuous spread of delights, including premium labels like Dom Pérignon and Cristal, so make sure you book a table at these restaurants before they run out. Pop the cork, and welcome 2024 in style. 

Colony is bringing its iconic vintage champagne brunch to New Year’s Day, making even the seasoned connoisseur blush in excitement. There is Baron de Rothschild Ritz Réserve Millésime 2015 and Rosé NV, Dom Pérignon 2013, and even the premium Cristal 2014 to accompany a luxurious spread of seafood, grill and rotisserie delights, and New Year’s Day specials like king prawn with a sea urchin mayonnaise. 

For Italian fare, visit Luce by Davide Giacomelli and can find a range of delectable Italian antipasti, roasts, and seafood. The pasta station is not to be forgotten, with a butternut squash risotto served in a parmesan wheel, as is the pinsa (a type of hand-rolled pizza) station in a range of classic flavours. Accompanied by free-flow Bauget-Jouette champagne for an optional top up, this is not to be missed.

Enjoy brunch with spectacular views of the Marina Bay skyline at La Brasserie. Fresh seafood like Boston lobster and Alaskan king crab are available of course, as well as a succulent Kurobuta pork belly and a fragrant beef bourguignon. Make sure to get your fill of Asian specialities too, like the lobster laksa, the lamb rogan josh, and baby Chinese cabbage.

The world-famous Nobu is also putting on a super brunch that’s perfect for ringing in the new year. On January 1, the Japanese-Peruvian restaurant will offer optional beverage packages including free-flow Taittinger Prelude Grand Crus or Dom Pérignon champagnes to accompany a range of sashimi, ceviche, and sushi.

There is plenty to look forward to at Edge Restaurant in Pan Pacific Singapore. A grand spread of roasts, pizza, pasta and seafood rings in the new year with festive style on New Year’s Day. While the roasted beef tomahawk and Edge’s signature Nonya laksa with crayfish are outstanding, make sure to get your fill of the New Year’s Day brunch specials, which include pan-seared foie gras, pan-seared miso black cod, and a truffle risotto served in a parmesan wheel. Unlimited champagne is a must, of course.

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If you’re looking forward to renewing your abode in 2024, you may be wondering which glorious countertop surfaces to choose for your kitchen, which materials are going to impress your guests when they admire your home décor, or which colours to opt for when giving your walls a fresh coat of paint.

We were wondering all of those same things too, so we reached out to renowned designers, creative directors and brand experts in Singapore to find out what trends they envision for the year to come.

One surface we have grown increasingly fond of, and that will only be rising in popularity in 2024, is natural stone. Its organic beauty is unparalleled and something many homeowners will be striving for as they renovate next year.

However, some people may prefer the look of natural stone with more eye-catching tweaks. Valentin Tijeras, vice president of global product research, design and quality at Cosentino, seems to agree. “In terms of look and feel, I see hyperrealistic natural stone designs but with additions such as metallic accents or recycled aggregates,” he tells us.

When it comes to colours, Richard Tran, owner of Luxury Bed, the exclusive distributor of Savoir Beds, points out that Pantone Colour of the Year, Peach Fuzz, “has energising and healing qualities.” He envisions it as perfectly suitable for the bedroom due to this. “On a headboard, the soft tone will bring a warming luminosity into the bedroom whilst pairing well with neutrals.”

Hannah Cecil Gurney, director at de Gournay, similarly foresees tactile finishes and highly textured interiors to become more popular. “The trend for textile, upholstered walls shows no sign of slowing,” she shares. Lawrence Puah, design director of Akihaus shares: “Textures and details in interiors are likely to become more pronounced in the new year as materiality (think micro-cement and wallpaper) adds warmth to cold and clinical minimalist spaces.”

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Just like that, 2023 is almost over and whether you’re celebrating the end of the year or the start of a new one, there’s always a reason to party. Rather than watch the annual firework display from afar, welcome the New Year with a bang at a countdown party filled with dazzling light displays, energetic music, tantalising cocktails and more. From rooftop parties to poolside ones, the island is coming alive on December 31 to ring in the new year. 

For one, Mr Stork is celebrating 2024 with its annual New Year’s Eve party. Dance the night away with the live DJ entertainment set while shipping on unlimited champagne and spirits. It’s a la minute station and free flow canapés are also sure to keep the energy high all night long.

While Sand Bar is celebrating the new year with an exciting countdown party. Look forward to energetic hip-hop, EDM and R&B tracks by local and international DJs including Korea’s DJ BB, Singapore’s DJ BadGalDiDi and Sand Bar’s resident DJ The Partyman. On top of electrifying music, witness mesmerising fire dance performances and a show-stopping bubble display by Bubbleologist CJ the Bubble Girl.

Catch the Marina Bay fireworks display and welcome the new year with one of Kinki Restaurant + Bar’s Clink & Countdown boozy packages. Get to enjoy drinks and snacks with the stunning Marina Bay fireworks in the background. Opt for the Cosmic Countdown package which offers a mix of beverages including champagne and spirits. Drinks are complemented by Kinki’s addictive Snack Platter, comprising deep-fried wings, breaded prawns and cassava nachos topped with tomato miso beef.

Looking to start the party early? Head to Lavo and dance to some of the most popular dance floor hits helmed by the live DJ of the night while savouring tantalising signature cocktails, champagne and canapés. When the clock strikes midnight, a grand fireworks display is complemented by a mouthwatering spread of fresh Italian pizzas.

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