The Joys of A New Home Again

For Jo and Angie, their new home in Bishan checked all the boxes for their family. It was close to the Bishan Town Centre, a stone’s throw from their preferred school (Catholic High), and had a beautiful park right at their doorstep.

As soon as they found the flat of their dreams, the couple was determined to make it their new home. Juggling their hectic work schedules as university lecturers, they saw through the sale of their previous flat in Bukit Batok, and the renovation of their new home – all in two months.

Thankfully, their interior designer was able to make it all happen, and the final design was exactly the way they envisioned their home to be.

“We met our interior designer through an online renovation portal. She was prompt in responding to all our queries, and made sure that everything was ready by the agreed deadlines,” said Angie.

The design process was also a breeze: They picked their favourite colours, and their interior designer ran with it. “While we initially toyed with the idea of a Scandinavian theme, we eventually settled on a more colourful palette, which turned out to be a great choice,” said Jo.

Beige and white form the base palette of this home, while each room adopts a different colour. The floor finishing, which is a new type of vinyl imported from Belgium, extends seamlessly throughout the flat, complementing the rooms’ wall colours and giving the home a spacious feel. Other plus points: it’s very comfortable to walk on, easy to clean, and durable!

The couple also loves their open kitchen: “Having lived abroad for a while, we prefer to have an island kitchen. The counter in the open kitchen is useful when we bake!”

Angie shared a renovation tip: “Always think through the appliances that you will need to use, and where you want to place the switches and power outlets. If they’re not well-placed, it will be very inconvenient later, and you’ll have ugly cords running all around!”

Blending in well – the storeroom is hidden behind this feature wall, which doubles up as a chalkboard.

Add a touch of class and colour to the bathroom, with modern geometry in a single colour family.

Wall decaling is a simple way to inject fun into the kids’ room; they can be replaced or removed as they grow up.

Source: mynicehome.gov.sg

An Artsy, Urban Hideaway

Hygge vibes are strong in Zi Kai’s and Deborah’s 5-room Clementi flat. For the uninitiated, hygge is a Danish concept that encompasses a feeling of coziness and well-being through enjoying the simple things in life.

In the day, sunlight floods into their home through large windows framed by gauzy curtains. By night, the large wooden dining table serves as the focal point for family gatherings, as does the cosy cushion sofa.

“A bright home makes us instantly happy,” the couple says.

Organic Chic

The flat’s mash-up of Scandinavian, cottage, and country is a departure from the distinctly Nordic look the couple had initially envisioned. But the current iteration turned out even better, offering a perfect balance of bright and minimalistic, yet homely and warm.

The wall panelling, cornices, and brass accents look surprisingly modern, luxurious even, when paired with large wooden furniture pieces and the herringbone floor. Built-in fittings were kept to a minimum for layout flexibility and to rein in the costs.

A growing collection of handmade weavings adorn the walls, each handpicked by the handicraft-loving Deborah from places as far off as the United States and Australia. Equally talented herself, Deborah’s water colour paintings and crochet pieces take pride of place in the home.

Beauty is found all around the home

From Home Office to Nursery

A set of French doors at the start of the hallway lends an unexpected touch, opening up to a nursery that matches the home’s elegant aesthetic appeal. While originally intended as a study, the couple said that the room’s regular layout made it easy to convert it into a cosy, calming space that meets the needs of their littlest family member.

“We stuck on this whimsical wall decal about a week before our daughter was born. Even now, looking at it reminds of us of the anticipation and excitement we felt, as we awaited her arrival,” the couple said.

A space to dream, love, and laugh

Soft, neutral tones for a soothing ambience

A Home to Love

“We bought this flat when I was still in school, and were initially worried about how to finance it,” Zi Kai said. “However, the housing grants that we received helped, and as we waited for our flat to be completed, our financial situation also improved.”

The proud home owners love the amenities in the area, and their neighbours have become friends— they attend one another’s housewarming parties and their babies’ first month celebrations.

“We know we found a great place to live and for that I feel lucky every day,” Deborah added.

Blissful and contented at home

Source: mynicehome.gov.sg

Beauty in Simplicity

‘Simple and neat’ is how Muhammad Izzat describes his family abode at Woodlands Rise. Now, do not mistake simple for boring, because this 4-room flat is far from it.

Izzat and his wife knew exactly how they wanted their new home to look – soft, inviting, and neat. They had spent approximately $28,000 on their renovation, a sum that they both agreed was very reasonable given the scope of work.

“We went into Qanvast and 3 interior design companies contacted us,” Izzat explained. “We decided to go with Space Factor, because they offered us a simple design that we really_­ liked”. Their renovation journey was a relatively smooth one, except for a few last minute changes to the furniture laminates.

The shoe cabinet spans an entire wall, and conceals the bomb shelter door

The geometric motif makes a subtle appearance on the feature wall too

Their interior designer was tasked to design the cabinets, wardrobe, TV console and feature wall. It took about 3 rounds of changes before the couple finally decided on the geometric design for the laminate finishing.

“It was hard for us to visualise the design. Most of the design changes were last-minute, because that was when we could see the final product in the actual space.”

The floor tiles offered under HDB’s Optional Component Scheme matched Izzat’s design concept perfectly

The couple went for an open kitchen concept, and hacked half of the wall to create visual continuity. They kept the kitchen clean and uncluttered – much like the other parts of their home.

The herringbone-patterned backsplash in the kitchen added a unique twist to their otherwise minimalistic kitchen, while the wooden-textured cabinets lent a cosy feel to the space.

Wood textures were also used for the wardrobe laminate in their bedroom

Adding the finishing touches to their flat took up much time, as the couple were not big on online shopping. They visited a range of shops, from Castlery and Prestige Affair, to IKEA, to find the perfect décor items that would complement their immaculate home. And the end results were certainly worth it!

Source: mynicehome.gov.sg

A Cosy Nest for Two

Eugene and Vanessa are content and settled into their new flat in Ang Mo Kio. “I knew I wanted to stay in Ang Mo Kio if possible, as I have lived here all my life,” Vanessa explained.

The couple had selected the 3-room unit at Teck Ghee Parkview during the Sale of Balance Flats exercise, as the flat suited their budget and needs. “A smaller flat also means less housework,” Eugene joked.

Having moved in a year ago, Eugene and Vanessa had the chance to meet Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during a recent welcome party for Teck Ghee Parkview residents. “He visited the homes of several residents, including ours,” Eugene recounted.

The couple wanted their flat to feel spacious and airy, and had looked around for an interior designer with good space solutions. They eventually went with Authors Interior & Styling, as they felt an instant connection with the interior designer. “It was like working with a friend, and the constant communication made the 3-month renovation process a breeze,” said Vanessa. They spent $33,000 on their flat’s renovation.

Design marries function in this wardrobe integrated with the door to the adjoining study

The flat has classic Scandinavian touches, from the light-toned wood to black fixtures. Clutter is kept to a minimum, as Eugene and Vanessa embrace a minimalist lifestyle. Both own capsule wardrobes comprising staple pieces, and cited the Japanese 5S philosophy as their inspiration when organising their home.

An open kitchen makes the flat feel more spacious

Photos and personal mementos are neatly arranged in a display corner

Vanessa described their shopping for tiles and lighting as a hassle-free experience. “We are both decisive people, and we selected all the items in one day at Lucky Khoon,” she shared.

Track lighting with an ergonomic design enables lighting heads to be adjusted easily

They had converted one of the bedrooms into a study with individual workspaces. “We generally avoid bringing work home, but we enjoy gaming during our free time,” Vanessa said.

Eugene and Vanessa stay close while working or playing games

The couple with their affectionate pet cockatiel

The happy home owners are satisfied with the amenities around their area, especially the food options such as the nearby Chong Boon Food Centre. Their flat also has a great view of the rooftop gardens atop the multi-storey carpark, where residents often gather for their morning exercise.

Source: mynicehome.gov.sg

The ‘Hypebeast’ Home

This view was definitely a pull factor when Wilfred and his wife were debating whether to purchase the 4-room resale flat at Whampoa. “We decided to go ahead with it. I mean, where else can you get a such a view?” he shared.

Renovation took a long time, but the result was worth it. The couple did not engage an interior designer, and were adamant about being very hands-on in the process. Thus, they felt that hiring a contractor would suffice to translate their vision into a reality.

“During the process, I consulted my friend who does interior design for commercial spaces, and that helped a lot. I shared with her my ideas, and got her professional opinion on whether they would work,” Wilfred explained. Trained in architecture, it is no wonder that he had a knack for design and an eye for detail.

The built-in cabinets under the windows contain the couple’s massive shoe collection

Both Wilfred and his wife share a love for shoes, and to store their impressive shoe collection. they built cabinets along an entire stretch of the wall.

The furniture in the living room were sourced from various online and offline sources – namely, Crate and Barrel and Castlery. The couple enjoy having friends over, so they invested in a large dining table from Picket and Rail, that fitted right in with the industrial-themed décor of their home.

“My favourite part of the home? Definitely the kitchen. We don’t cook often enough though!” Wilfred explained with a laugh.

Blue mosaic tiles on the kitchen wall create a stunning backdrop for the dark-panelled cabinetry

They also replaced the concrete wall of one of the rooms with full glass panels to demarcate their working space. A highlight of this room is the impressive display of limited edition sneakers and Medicom Toys collected from the couple’s travels around the world.

Wilfred shows us some of his limited edition sneakers that he keeps in neat boxes in the study room.

Much like the rest of the house, the bedroom is also tastefully designed to fit the industrial theme. Furniture items have been kept to a minimum so that the bedroom remains clutter-free and neat.

Source: mynicehome.gov.sg

A Colourful Scandi Abode

Faqih and Lydia designed their 4-room flat in Punggol with their growing family in mind. Though they loosely define their interior décor style as modern Scandinavian, the couple shared that keeping to the theme was not their top priority when renovating their home.

A harmonious palette of blues and greys is quintessentially Scandinavian

“We wanted our home to be kids-friendly, clean, and homely.” Lydia said. “Having a design theme may not necessarily help us achieve that,” Faqih added.

Faqih and Lydia thought of their kids first when designing their home

Interesting pieces such as a carpet with a zig-zag pattern add personality to a room

A cosy reading corner

The couple had a pleasant renovation process with their interior designer from Facelift Design. “As we cook on a regular basis, we told our interior designer that we could compromise on everything except the kitchen,” Lydia quipped.

The couple opted for unique teal cabinets with gold handles

Nevertheless, Faqih and Lydia’s home is still a reflection of their personal tastes and preferences, such as in their choice of furniture. The couple had purchased the major furniture pieces from various stores, including Star Living, Prestige Affairs, Lush Furniture, and Nook and Cranny.

Their total renovation cost was about $30,000, as they did not require much carpentry works done for their home.

Mixing and matching patterns spice up a pastel-toned room

The children’s bedroom is decorated with fun furnishings and colourful prints

An expansive view of Waterway Terraces from the balcony

The couple shared that they had chosen the Punggol unit because of its convenient location, reasonable price, and attractive flat layout. “The best part is that we are within walking distance to most of the amenities we need,” Faqih said.

Source: mynicehome.gov.sg

Mediterranean Impressions

The Rijals’ 5-room flat in Pasir Ris is a gallery of memories from their travels. “My wife and I were especially inspired by our holidays in Morocco and Spain, when we were renovating our home,” Mr Rijal shared.

Mediterranean design elements are evident throughout the flat, particularly in the details. The couple had engaged their interior designer from PinkK upon a friend’s recommendation, and spent around $80,000 to transform their home.

They chose to take their time with the renovation, in order to curate the right furniture and accessories to fit the concept they had in mind. “We think it’s pretty much complete now, but we are always looking for small items to spruce up the house,” Mr Rijal said with a laugh.

A patterned carpet adds to the warm and cosy vibe of the home

Guests are greeted by a mural wall featuring a photo of Alhambra shot by Mr Rijal

A collection of framed photos from the Rijals’ travels decorate their living space

An avid angler who has been rearing fish since young, Mr Rijal decided to set up an aquarium of his dreams as a centrepiece in the living room. “I believe our home should reflect our personalities, so that it is where we always want to return to,” he explained.

Mr Rijal with his collection of fishing rods

The custom-made aquarium is an ecosystem in itself, requiring minimal maintenance after the initial setup. Utility bills are kept low as the water is recycled, and the fish are fed only once a day.

A moving picture that provides a relaxing view

Another source of pride and joy is their predominantly white kitchen against a backdrop of distinctive tiles, which is complemented by white appliances and crockery for a consistent look. The space is filled with personal touches, including the travel mementos and cabinet door knobs chosen by Mrs Rijal.

The breakfast counter is the perfect spot for conversation over a pot of the Rijals’ favourite orange tea

The chairs were salvaged and repainted white

The couple chose the resale flat in Pasir Ris, due to its convenient location and proximity to family. Describing the town as peaceful with a kampung vibe, the Rijals are certainly content with their home.

Source: mynicehome.gov.sg

Vintage Vibes

Angelia’s 4-room flat in Whampoa is decidedly local and global at once. A bright and colourful space made up of an eclectic jumble of vintage furniture, plants, and knick-knacks from all over the world, every piece of item in her beautiful home comes with a story to tell.

Returning home to Singapore after spending 10 years working abroad, Angelia set out to fill her home with furniture that are 100% made in Singapore after inheriting a wooden cabinet from her late aunt.

This 55-year old wooden cabinet used to be a wardrobe of Angelia’s aunt

This modest wooden cabinet that sits right in front of the entrance to her bedroom was the first piece of furniture she had in her flat. In the era before fast fashion and furniture, it held all her aunt’s clothes when she was alive.

In fact, many of her furniture are vintage pieces made locally, and subsequently restored and given a new lease of life in her flat.

The centrepiece of her kitchen and dining area: a gorgeous table made in Singapore using Burmese teak, and no nails!

Restored wooden cabinets displaying crockery collected from all over the world

Angelia’s advice for home owners looking for vintage furniture is to start early. Identify the items and style that you are looking for, and ask around. She let vintage furniture sellers know the pieces that she was on the lookout for, and they contacted her once they had suitable pieces on hand.

She also suggests looking into dumpsters and sourcing from karang gunis (rag-and-bone men). Like they say, one man’s trash is another’s treasure.

Singapore-invented bathroom door system made for saving space

Besides vintage furniture, Angelia also proudly showed us the doors of her bathrooms — a Singapore invention too! The unique system takes up a significantly smaller swing area compared to conventional bathroom doors in the market, freeing up more space in the toilet.

Angelia’s living room is filled with colourful art pieces

In the living room, her colourful personality and zest for life shines through in the art pieces that were collected from her adventures all over the world.

She is especially pleased with the portrait of the girl looking defiantly into the space. It was bought for 1 yuan from the roadside in Beijing. That is 20 Singapore cents!

An enthusiast of plant-dyed textile arts, the colourful cloth that she proudly hangs in her living room is a hand-painted piece by the Sumba tribe in east Indonesia. Using only colours derived from 2 plants — Indigo and Moranda — the textile features motifs of horseshoe and crayfish, a nod to their headhunting heritage.

DIY macramé plant hanger made using recycled clothes

Wooden shelf featuring miniature white plastic chairs ubiquitous in Singapore

Plants can be found in every corner of her house

It is not hard to see why she describes her flat as an ‘urban jungle’. The plants breathe life into the space, making it more warm and inviting.

Source: mynicehome.gov.sg

The Eclectic Scandinavian Home

“I wanted to go for something scandi… but not too scandi!” Fizah said with a laugh, as she brought us around her family’s 5-room flat in Bukit Batok.

In principle, the flat’s neutral palette, which comprises a range of white, beige and grey, adheres to the ‘Scandinavian’ look. But it is the unique furniture and pops of colour interspersed throughout the flat that make it truly eclectic. Everything seemed to come together so effortlessly to exude a homely vibe, resulting in a bespoke home that the owners truly call their own.

Fizah and her husband Khairul’s renovation journey lasted all of 7 months. But they were really satisfied with the outcome. They found an interior designer on Instagram (@faceliftdesign) and were instantly convinced that the designer was the right match for them. “She understood perfectly what we wanted, and her sketches were so detailed. And because she was very involved in the home-styling, our home turned out exactly the way she sketched it!” Fizah shared.

The original sketch by their interior designer before the renovation began

The couple spent about $60,000 on renovations, and this includes the project management cost and home-styling services. The renovation was a collaborative effort, with Fizah and Khairul consulting their interior designer before they bought any piece of furniture. Some of their shopping haunts include ECO links, Commune, Taylor B, King’s Living, and Nook & Cranny.

To save cost, the couple sourced their lighting fixtures and fans from Johor Bahru (JB). “We wanted a specific kind of lighting, which is really expensive in Singapore. So we decided to go to JB, and found alternatives at a third of the price,” they shared. Hints of navy blue appear as accents throughout the home; it’s a colour Fizah says she will not get bored of.

A navy laminate for the kitchen island adds a pop of colour in the neutral-toned space

In their bedroom, a red patterned wall stands out as a stunning feature, adding colour and character to the room. “We originally wanted a brick feature wall, but that would have meant busting our budget,” shared Fizah. Working within their budget, their interior designer proposed using patterned wallpaper instead, and this turned out to be among the best decisions they made.

The couple opted for a red, patterned wallpaper for the feature wall in their bedroom

Meanwhile, things are kept simple, but no less striking, in their son’s bedroom. Black-and-white decals from IKEA adorn the walls, and a handy storage trolley keeps the area clutter-free.

A “Scandi” home with personal touches that make for a warm and cosy home they look forward to returning to every day.

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Source: mynicehome.gov.sg

Syafiq and Yati’s 4-room flat is more than just a place for them to unwind after work. As he is a freelance photographer, and she runs an online floral business (@fleursbyspoleczny), their home also doubles up as their office.

The couple carved out specific spaces in their home to work – one room to house all of Syafiq’s photography equipment and where he spends time editing photos, and another for Yati to assemble beautiful floral bouquets for her clients.

The room that Syafiq uses as his work space

Yati keeps all her floral arrangement materials in a neat corner in one of the rooms

Since they spend a large part of their day at home, they wanted it to be a versatile space. Yati, in particular, views their home as a canvas to express her creativity and love for beautiful things. “This is a ‘rojak home’,” she said with a laugh.  “We just buy what we think is nice! And I love to move things around, so our home never looks the same.”. Rojak is a traditional fruit and vegetable dish commonly found in Southeast Asia. It also refers to an ‘eclectic mix’ in colloquial Malay.

Before they started renovating their flat, interior-related videos on YouTube were their inspiration as they aimed to create a full-white minimalist home. But as their renovation began, they started adding subtle textures, patterns and colours into their home interior.

An example was the herringbone-patterned brick wall in their living room, that was from Performance Coating International, a company that specialises in interior surface paint. The special finishing traps less dust, as compared to the actual brick material, hence making it easier to clean and maintain. The couple entrusted contractor and designer  (@jamesmorispteltd) with the task of renovating their flat and were very happy with the result. Meanwhile, they sourced other furniture items from IKEA, Castlery, and Ezybuy.

Subtle textures and patterns in their home

Subtle textures and patterns in their home

Plants also make a consistent appearance throughout the home; olive plants, monsterra leaves, and fiddle plants to name a few. She bought them from @bobmubarak, who is famous in the Insta-realm for selling beautiful artificial flowers and plants.

Artificial olive plant used to decorate their dining table

The couple chose to have a teal feature wall in their master bedroom, to create a calming atmosphere for relaxation. In the ensuite bathroom,  a ‘resort-style’ theme was adopted  to complement the chill vibes of the room.

Source: mynicehome.gov.sg