Home Tours: A Japanese-Inspired Woody Home in Tampines

The home of Matthew Lee and Alee Wee is exactly what their Instagram handle, @thewoodyhome, describes – a cosy space dressed in warm, woody elements.

“We love teak wood as it is hardy and looks so raw,” the couple said. “Interestingly, both of us grew up surrounded by teak furniture – so this is also our way of bringing a piece of our childhood into our new home!”

Japanese Influences

When designing their 5-room HDB flat, Matthew and Alee took inspiration from Japanese architecture. “During our trips to Japan, we noticed that glass and wood are frequently used as the main interior design elements. The result is a rustic yet contemporary look – something we wanted to replicate for our home.”

Wood and glass elements are used throughout the flat

The kitchen and home office carry the strongest Japanese-inspired influences. In the kitchen for example, the couple opted for wooden shelves to mimic the minimalism of Japanese home kitchens.

Across the room, the wood-framed glass windows of the home office recreate the look of Japanese cafés. “We hacked the top half of the wall to incorporate windows. Beyond aesthetics, the windows also brighten up the space by letting in more natural light—it’s a win-win,” Matthew explained.

The couple mainly opted for loose pieces in their home to highlight the spaciousness of the flat. Besides the teak furnishings that they love, they also added rattan pieces to the mix. “Rattan is a common element in Japanese homes. Plus, the varying texture of rattan furniture also helps with creating dimension within the space,” Alee says.

Mix and All Match

With shades of brown and white making up the primary colour palette of the flat, pops of colour are used to liven up the space. The living room for instance, is decorated with rugs and cushions of different textures and tones.

Colour is also added in the form of a shoe display that features the home owners’ sneaker collection. “The sneakers add a dash of personality to the space and frankly, serve as reminders of what we already own,” laughs Alee.

The mix and match design also extends to the bathrooms. While the walls of the common bathroom feature a mixture of terracotta and white tiles, the couple took a different design approach in the master bath by combining different wall finishes.

“We were planning for a combination of green and white tiles for our ensuite bathroom,” Matthew explains. “However, we were unable to find the exact shade of green we wanted, so we decided to paint the upper half of the wall instead!”

Maximise Space, Minimise Built-Ins

While built-ins in the home were kept to a minimum, the key ones that Matthew and Alee opted for—the kitchen island and wardrobe—were meant to add storage space.

“The kitchen island provides more countertop space for cooking prep, and acts as an extended dining table for when we have guests over. It also triples up as a storage space where we keep our tableware,” the couple says.

In the master bedroom, the couple pushed back a wall into the adjoining room, to enlarge the wardrobe space.

To maximise space, the depth of the wardrobe was extended by pushing the wall into the adjoining room

On her favourite spot in the flat, Alee says, “I love the dining area. Now that we’re working from home, I spend even more time here. This spot is spacious and allows me a panoramic view of the house.”

While Matthew’s go-to spot is also in the communal area, he shares why the living room is his favourite. “I like hanging out in the living room – especially on the sofa,” he grins. “Since I grew up with a teak couch, I really appreciate having a cushioned resting spot.”

Photos by Adrian Tan

Source: mynicehome.gov.sg

Home Tours: Designing a Modern Minimalistic HDB Flat

Within two months of collecting the keys to their new home, Adora Liang, Francisco Loi and their two sons were settled in their new 4-room HDB flat at Alkaff Court – making them one of the first few residents to move into the new Bidadari estate.

Francisco has a background in interior design, which helped with the speedy move-in process. From space planning to colour-matching, he and his wife went through most of the renovation journey on their own and only engaged contractors for carpentry works.

Contemporary Vibes

The home owners went to great lengths to ensure thematic consistency, incorporating light tones, marble accents and geometrical shapes throughout the space.

Upon stepping into the flat, the statement pendant light hanging above the dining table is difficult to miss. Strip lights that are carefully concealed by a false ceiling complement the light fixture lending a polished look to the dining area.

The classy, contemporary vibe continues to the living area, which features marble accents and herringbone tiles as the primary design elements. To create a seamless flow between spaces, herringbone tiles are used for the flooring of the entire flat, including the bedrooms.

While their home is dressed predominantly in lighter colours, the common bathroom stands in stark contrast to the rest of the space.

The bathroom’s grey, washed-out tiles emit an industrial vibe – a look that Francisco wanted to achieve. “I wanted a darker aesthetic for our home but Adora preferred a brighter living environment. We compromised, and the bathroom became a space for my artistic expression,” he laughs.

Francisco shares how additional features were incorporated to create a more luxurious bathroom. “We love the look and feel of hotel bathrooms and wanted the same for our own. So, we opted for a false wall to conceal the exposed pipes and created a niche for our shower essentials. We also incorporated a rain shower to amp up the luxe factor.”

Reconfiguring the Space

The couple’s home renovation was also meant to reconfigure the space to cater to their lifestyle needs. As a family who enjoys cooking, Adora and Francisco decided to not only expand their kitchen area, but also make layout adjustments.

For instance, the stovetop and sink were repositioned to the extended countertop for more preparation space, while built-in storage house appliances such as the dishwasher and water filter system.

The kitchen is also designed to flow seamlessly into the dining area. Beyond a space for meals, the dining table also serves as a demarcation between the kitchen/dining area and the living room.

Similar to the kitchen, the home owners incorporated customised carpentry works in the living room, such as TV console and shelves to maximise storage space. The glossy feature wall there also serves dual purpose—it has a hidden door to separate the communal area from the bedrooms.

While the design and renovation process wasn’t easy, Francisco and Adora enjoyed every step of the way. For home owners looking to embark on their renovation journey without engaging the help of interior designers, the couple’s advice is to focus on space planning., “Before diving into the design, it’s important to first have an idea of what the space is to be utilised for. This will then determine the level of carpentry works that needs to be done,” they say.

For more interior design inspiration, check out our Home Tours!

Photos by Adrian Tan

Source: mynicehome.gov.sg

Home Tours: A Little Slice of Morocco

Decked in rich prints and patterns, the home of Syazana, Izat and their daughter Inaya is reminiscent of a Moroccan café.

The 4-room HDB flat is located in Woodlands, where both Syazana and Izat grew up. “We first met in secondary school– in fact, some of our dating spots are a few minutes walk away from our current home,” the couple laughs while reminiscing. “We are very familiar with the area, and also wanted to remain close to our family and friends. So when we saw this flat being offered during a Sales of Balance exercise, we decided to go for it!”

From left: Izat, Syazana, Inaya and Wati, their helper

Minimal Renovation Works

The couple engaged a contractor to only carry out basic works such as re-flooring, painting and tiling. Most of the flat’s carpentry works were also limited to the kitchen where only the cabinets and worktop are built-ins.

Instead of hacking and replacing the original backsplash tiles, Syazana used DIY tile stickers to give the kitchen a fresh look.

To add a dash of personality to the space, Syazana used DIY tile stickers for the kitchen backsplash

While the renovation works may be minimal, the results are anything but. For instance, when deciding on the paint colours, Izat shares how he wanted something unique. “I love pink and have always wanted to incorporate the colour in my home,” he grins. “What better way to do so than a centrepiece in the living room?”

Sustainable Home Styling

For Syazana and Izat, home styling is an ongoing process which explains why the look of their home only came together two years after moving in. Doing away with an interior theme also gave them the flexibility to include whatever caught their eye. The result is a synthesis of vibrant prints and textures, that complements the black, gold and wood accents.

While most home living centrepieces tend to be in the form of a sofa or TV console, Syazana and Izat’s home was designed around the dining table.

Starting from the dining table (left), the home owners began to incorporate more wood furnishings such as the sideboard, also a vintage piece (right)

“The dining table is from my childhood home,” Syazana shares. “We really like the texture and shade of the wood and decided to build the space around the table – the table also marked the beginning of our wood furnishing collection!”

Most of the furnishings and décor pieces are also sourced online. Not only are they more affordable, the couple says, purchasing items from different platforms provides them with greater choices. One of the home owners’ go-to platform is Carousell, an online marketplace for users to buy or sell new and pre-loved items. Some of the couple’s Carousell finds are the sofa and coffee table.

For home owners looking to purchase pre-loved items online, Syazana advises, “It’s important to ask questions – some of the mandatory ones include the existing condition and material of the item. For wood furniture, I’ll ask about the specific type of wood, to make sure I’m comfortable with the material.”

A Passion for Plants

As plant enthusiasts, it’s no surprise that Syazana and Izat’s home is decorated with a wide variety of plants. This includes the home owners first plant, the fiddle-leaf plant, snake plant and the more exotic venus flytrap.

The entryway has been partially repurposed into a plant corner

“Plants are great for adding colour and brightening the space. Home owners who are first-time plant parents can consider the snake plant – a hardy, low-maintenance variety that is also aesthetic,” the couple advises.

From left: Venus flytrap and snake plant

“But once you introduce a plant into your home, it can be difficult to stop at just one,” they laugh.

Uncover more design inspirations from Home Tours and Design Ideas.

Source: mynicehome.gov.sg

Home Tours: A Monochrome Home of Black, White & Grey

Looking at the black, white and grey colour scheme of this Bukit Panjang HDB flat, it is hard to imagine that the monochrome aesthetic was the last thing on the home owners’ minds when they designed their home. Shu Xia had envisioned a colorful Bohemian theme, while her husband, Jian An, preferred an industrial-inspired home.

Home owners Shu Xia and Jian An

From Bohemian to Monochrome

“We couldn’t quite decide on an interior theme – so we ended up with a classy and timeless look that both of us are comfortable with,” Shu Xia smiles. “The minimalist look of the monochrome palette appealed to Jian An and we used wood furnishings and plants to add some colour to the space.”

In contrast to the common living space, the master bedroom sports a cosier vibe — “We wanted a cosy environment that’s conducive for resting, hence we opted for a more Scandinavian-inspired design with warmer tones.”

An Open Concept Home

Familiarity with the western part of Singapore was a large factor in their decision to set up home in Bukit Panjang. “While we considered different housing options, we chose this resale flat for its layout and location. Not only were we fortunate enough to find a flat near our parents, we also managed to enjoy the Proximity Grant for our flat purchase,” Jian An shares.

“Layout-wise, we had a rough sense of what we wanted, and having a straightforward, squarish layout definitely helped with space-planning,” he adds.

Unlike many other homes, the flat first opens up to the dining room and kitchen, before seamlessly connecting to the living room and the bedrooms. The dining room is also separated from the living room, which gives more space for hosting.

The open-concept kitchen features an extended bar counter, along with a built-in pantry. As home owners who spend a considerable amount of time in the kitchen, Shu Xia and Jian An had initially contemplated a sliding door, to compartmentalise the space and contain cooking fumes.

“However, we really liked the visual of an open-concept kitchen. We also thought the kitchen window could help ventilate the cooking area, so we did away with the sliding door,” they explain.

The black-coated kitchen bar counter easily makes a design statement, especially with its curved and fluted elements. The shiny stainless steel countertop is another distinguishing feature, seamlessly integrating with the kitchen sink and complemented by the grid-tiled backsplash.

Renovation Challenges and Advice for New Home Owners

Like most home owners conducting renovation works amidst the pandemic, Shu Xia and Jian An faced several challenges, including a delay in the supply of materials, as well as a shortage of material and manpower.

“We were in the midst of renovation when we were informed that the floor tiles we wanted were unavailable due to supply issues. We had to improvise and source for a different option with a similar design,” Shu Xia says.

“From our experience, it’s important to be flexible and to keep an open mind. The pandemic brings about many unforeseen challenges – patience is definitely a must-have,” the couple laughs.

Photos by Adrian Tan

Source: mynicehome.gov.sg

Home Tours: A Modern, Idyllic Paradise

From the earthy colour palette to the breezy, sheer curtains that bathe the flat in natural light, it’s almost hard to believe that Joey and Huang Peng’s flat is located in Toa Payoh, and not in a more exotic locale by the beach.

Channeling Resort Vibes

It was love at first sight for the first-time home owners, who were drawn to the resale flat’s spacious and squarish layout. “When we were viewing the flat, we could already envision what our home would look like,” they recall.

They combined the living and dining rooms, creating a villa-like open plan, and connected the open-concept kitchen seamlessly to this communal space. “The countertop is prep space and hangout spot all in one,” Joey says.

The rounded countertop offers a contemporary look

This layout creates a larger common space for hosting family and friends, and helps to keep the area cool through cross-ventilation, especially when the bi-fold balcony doors are open.

The balcony features a row of house plants, including an oversized banana tree that channels serious resort vibes. This cosy space is also furnished with a bar table and stools, where Joey and Huang Peng would occasionally spend their time unwinding after a long day.

Blending Old and New

The balcony isn’t the only place to have a meal. Indoors, a dining set featuring rattan—a classic material enjoying a revival— adds a laidback charm to the home.

In the kitchen, terrazzo—another material making a comeback— feature in the floor tiles. Considering that the Huangs’ flat is 37-years-old, the heritage elements are a fitting nod to the ‘retro-ness’ of the flat.

“We embarked on our flat-buying journey knowing that we wanted a home for life, one that could accommodate our current lifestyle and grow with our needs,” they say. “Since we’re planning to make this flat our forever home, we made sure that the lease could cover us up to the age of 95.”

Place for Privacy and Rest

Their forever home is as aesthetically pleasing as it is functional. To carve out a little privacy in an open plan home, Joey and Huang Peng incorporated a partition wall, to demarcate the space between the bedrooms and common living area.

A combination of function and form, the partition doubles up as a storage space too. It is a statement piece – one of the interior design ideas suggested by the couple’s architect consultant.

The private quarters of the home feel like a sanctuary. A darker shade of teal is used in the master bedroom to create a restful ambience, with the chic white sheets reminiscent of those in a resort. The bathroom sports a minimalist look, with grey subway tiles as its primary feature.

When recalling the renovation process, the couple emphasises, “It’s important to invest in quality materials, especially for built-ins and fixtures that are going to last you a long time. We always believe in putting functionality first – an important consideration we think home owners should take into account.”

Embark on more Home Tours or discover more interior design ideas here.

 

Source: mynicehome.gov.sg

Home Tours: A Santorini-Inspired Home in Potong Pasir

Jacqueline and Joey’s flat in Potong Pasir is inspired by their vacation to Greece, where they got engaged. “We adopted a Grecian colour palette in our home design to remind us of that special moment,” Joey smiles.

Purchasing Their First Home

In searching for the perfect first home, Jacqueline and Joey considered their budget and location. “We wanted to be near my parents who live in Mountbatten. We were also uncomfortable with taking up such a big loan. Fortunately, we came across this unit which fits our requirements,” Joey says.

“We even managed to enjoy the Proximity Housing Grant. The grants helped to provide us with more breathing room in terms of financial planning, considering we also had wedding and renovation expenses to pay for,” he adds.

A Complete Makeover

When deciding on the look and feel of their home, Jacqueline recalls the original idea was a Scandinavian, all-white look. However, after doing more research, they decided to go for something cosier and more colourful.

“The half-wall look is something I’ve always envisaged for our home because I like the idea of colour blocking. In addition to commemorating our time in Greece, blue is our favourite colour,” Joey says as he explains the inspiration behind the look.

In the kitchen, the home owners opted for tall kitchen cabinets and pull-out storage units, as opposed to the conventional design featuring full top-and-bottom cabinets. “Apart from storing our pantry items and homeware, we wanted to conceal the otherwise exposed pipes with the floor-to-ceiling cabinets,” Joey explains.

In fitting out their kitchen, Joey and Jacqueline were toying with the idea of either an island or a bar table. They eventually picked a dining table and incorporated into their design, a preparation counter that acts as a pseudo island.

To make the best of the irregular layout in the home office, the couple made use of partitions to create a more even profile, as well as installed an indoor window to brighten up the room.

In the master bedroom, a darker shade of blue was used to create a more restful ambience.

In parting, Jacqueline says that one of the biggest challenges was finding a balance between the couple’s layout preferences and having a home in an ideal location. “That said, we’re really happy with our find. Our home has become a unique space for us, and has a lot more character we thought it would,” she smiles.

This article was adapted from a version first published on Qanvast.

For more interior inspiration, check out more Home Tours.

 

Source: mynicehome.gov.sg

Home Tours: Pinterest-Worthy Farmhouse with Chic, Rustic Vibes

Inspired by the look of a contemporary farmhouse, home owners Cherylene and Vincent gave their Anchorvale flat an interior design makeover that is chic yet rustic.

Wood and White

The couple incorporated clever carpentry built-ins that helped bring the interior design farmhouse theme to life while still keeping the home functional. For example, white wall panels in the entryway not only  complement the overall aesthetics, they actually lead to hidden cabinets that keep the flat’s distribution box and wireless router hidden.

“Our home is mainly white as we wanted to brighten the space. We have some dark surfaces, mostly wood accents. Our flooring is porcelain tiles with wood prints. We also have a couple of overhead ‘wood’ beams to mimic the look of an actual barn,” Cherylene explains.

On the ‘wood beams’, Vincent shares: “One of the beams is actually a box that holds our lighting wires!”

Keeping Things Light and Bright

A half partition wall with indoor windows is used to demarcate the living room and home office. “Vincent wanted indoor windows to create the illusion of a bigger space. With these windows, we’re also able to ‘communicate’ despite being in different rooms,” Cherylene laughs.

The home office is Cherylene’s favourite space, as it also doubles up as a gaming sanctuary

Right outside the home office is the kitchen and dining area. “We opted for an open kitchen to accommodate a kitchen island. We also requested for open shelves, which are a common feature in American homes, to emulate the farmhouse look,” the couple say.

Panelling is done on the front of the island as well as the cabinets, with clean-lined Shaker-style doors. Shaker-style is a classic American design look which features a centre panel with an overlay around the edge.

Gold accents add a touch of chic to this urban farmhouse
Photo: Ethereall

The dining area features a white brick wall

Place for Rest

In contrast to the rest of the space, the master bedroom incorporates darker tones to create a more relaxing ambience. The couple also customised the headboard in the shiplap style – a prominent feature of the farmhouse theme. While shiplap is more commonly white, Cherylene and Vincent chose a darker, off-white colour to better blend with the grey wall.

Other carpentry works include the L-shaped wardrobe, that enables full utilisation of the corner space. An extendable table installed inside the wardrobe doubles up as a separate vanity area for Cherylene.

Advice to New Home Owners

On renovation costs, Vincent says, “Some have asked why we’d chosen to undergo such extensive renovation works, and my answer is always this – our home is our sanctuary, hence the effort is worthwhile.”

“It’s important to embark on some research before meeting with interior designers. This way, the discussions will be more productive. Do speak with different designers. You may have an idea of the interior design, but as you discuss more, these ideas may change or improve. Exploring your options is important,” he says.

Renovating your home? Embark on more Home Tours for interior design inspirations!

The article was adapted from a version first published on Qanvast.

 

Source: mynicehome.gov.sg

Home Tours: Heritage Home with a Contemporary Twist

With its local-inspired décor, Peranakan accents and mid-century modern furnishings, Ridzwan and Nadiah’s BTO flat in Kallang is reminiscent of a shophouse – but with a contemporary touch.

Purchasing Their First Home

“We opted for a 3-room flat as we wanted to be comfortable in terms of the space and budget,” Nadiah explains. “We applied for housing grants and made the downpayment with our CPF. This freed up our cash savings for other home-related costs such as renovation works and furnishings.”

“Our home reflects our modern take on a heritage shophouse – perfect for old souls,” laughs Ridzwan.

A Personality-Driven Home

Ridzwan and Nadiah wanted the space to incorporate their lifestyles and personalities. In the living room for instance, the couple demarcated a space for their book collection. “Both Nadiah and I love reading – one of the first things we talked about when we met was our shared love for Enid Blyton books when we were children,” Ridzwan smiles.

In addition to their book collection, the feature shelf also houses the couple’s collection of trinkets, including a vintage clock and tingkats. Family heirlooms such as a typewriter and sewing machine also double as home décor, adding to the nostalgic vibes that carry throughout the space.

When asked to describe the overall look and feel of their home, Ridzwan says, “It’s a combination of mid-century modern and influences from local heritage – in a way, our home design is our classy take on a traditional Singapore shophouse.”

Space Planning

One of the home owners’ priorities is to have a flexible space that can adapt to their changing lifestyle needs.

For example, a sliding glass door replaces the wall between one of the bedrooms and the living room, resulting in a semi-open space. While the space is currently being used as the dining area and (?) Ridzwan’s home office, the room can be converted into a nursery once the couple starts a family.

The kitchen and service yard were combined to accommodate an extended kitchen counter.

“We enjoy cooking together, so we wanted a spacious layout that allows us to move about freely as we do so,” says Nadiah. “We love how we could also fit a full-sized pantry while allowing sufficient space for our laundry area.”

One uncommon feature is that the couple did away with a wardrobe in the bedroom. On this decision, Nadia explains, “We wanted to place a vanity table, which is a family heirloom, in the bedroom instead. We figured that having a storage bed and large cabinets in the common areas will meet our storage needs.”

In the en suite, the sink was relocated to the right side of the bathroom, to accommodate an L-shaped counter. “With the fixtures and fittings flushed to the right, the space feels bigger.”

“With the current work-from-home arrangement, we have come to appreciate our home a lot more,” the couple laughs. “We usually work in the dining area, so during lunch time, we’d prepare and have our meals and get back to work. In the evenings, the communal area will be transformed to an exercise area for our workouts. We’re really happy with how our home is perfect for both work and play.”

The article was adapted from a version first published on Qanvast.

 

Source: mynicehome.gov.sg

Home Tours: A Playful, Bohemian Home

Full of colour, but with a hint of minimalism, Rina Raihana and Muhammed Fauzan’s home in Bukit Panjang is a representation of their individual styles.

“I wanted a colourful, playful space while Fauzan leans towards the Scandinavian aesthetic. So, we decided on a mainly white-and-wood theme that’s decorated with splashes of colours and playful elements,” Rina smiles. The 5-room flat is also adorned with wall paintings and rattan décor that add to its Bohemian charm.

Mixing Shapes and Patterns

Rina and Fauzan, who are second-time home owners, worked together to achieve the shared vision for their home. In the open plan communal area, the walls and most of the décor items, are primarily white. The herringbone pattern is weaved into the flooring, creating a seamless flow between the living, dining and kitchen areas. These aspects of the design are attributed to Fauzan, who explains, “I’m a minimalist who prefers consistency and continuity.”

The home is far from monotonous, however, as the couple incorporated arches and colourful wall paintings for a playful touch – a result of Rina’s bubbly personality. “With their round edges, the arches also help to soften the overall look,” she says.

The arch is also present in the kitchen pantry, albeit in a different style. A vintage-inspired wallpaper is used as the backdrop, to add a pop of colour in the area. This complements the white rattan chairs at the kitchen island, where Rina does most of her cooking preparations.

“The extra countertop space comes in handy, especially because I cook often. The kitchen island is also perfect for us, as it doubles up as a hosting area whenever we have friends and family over,” Rina shares.

The kitchen sports a minimalist look with its matching marble backsplash and countertop. The rustic look of the shaker-style cabinets and farmhouse sink further ties the kitchen’s aesthetic back the rest of the communal area.

Playing with Colours

In the children’s bedrooms, colours are used to liven up the space. “We didn’t plan to use vibrant colours in the bedrooms initially. However, after receiving a yellow playmat as a gift, we thought the décor for the children’s bedrooms could be brighter, especially since the rooms are also their play area,” Rina says.

In the adjacent bedroom, the couple chose a refreshing sage colour for the walls. White, rustic-inspired bedframes add a cosy vibe to the bedroom.

It is however, in the bathrooms where Rina’s vision for colourful spaces truly come to life. The common bathroom features a half-wall designed with green subway tiles paired with a mosaic-tile floor, while the ensuite bathroom stands out with a terrazzo wall and wood-inspired floor tiles. Both bathrooms are also adorned with gold fittings that further brighten up and add luxe to the intimate spaces.

“I really unleashed my creativity in the bathrooms,” Rina laughs. “Since the bathrooms are more ‘hidden’, I could add more colours without them looking too contrasting to the rest of the flat.”

Get inspired with more Home Tours or check out Design Ideas for more interior reads.

 

Source: mynicehome.gov.sg