Here’s a list of smart devices that will come in handy for your new home!
From robot vacuums to apps that can control lighting, it seems that almost every household has a smart device these days. While such gadgets can provide us with a lot of convenience, planning your own Smart Home can be daunting. Here’s a list of easy-to-use devices to get you started on living smart!
1. Smart Locks
Smart locks can be installed on your front door, metal gate, or even letterbox. Depending on your needs, you can unlock your door in seconds with a passcode, fingerprint, RFID-enabled tokens, and/ or voice recognition.
Say goodbye to fumbling for keys when in a hurry, or having to replace an entire lock due to misplaced keys! You do have to rememberto change the batteries when they run low, though, or you’ll risk getting locked in (or out) of your own home.
2. Robot Vacuum Cleaners
A robot vacuum can sweep, clean, and even mop to free up more time for you to work, hang out with the family, or simply binge on your favourite TV series. Unlike us, this gadget doesn’t tire and can be programmed to vacuum every day of the week to give you sparkly clean floors.
3. Smart Lights
Beyond turning the lights on/ off, the mobile app for smart lights lets you adjust the bulb brightness and colour to cater to the activity or occasion. Having a romantic home cooked dinner? Simply switch the setting to get warm lighting. Need a bright working space on a gloomy day? White lights will do the trick.
Smart lights are available as lightbulbs, LED strips and ceiling lights, making them a versatile option for all households.
4. Smart Speakers
More than just audio devices, smart speakers come integrated with a Digital Assistant i.e. voice command feature that enables you to play music, set reminders, timers, conduct Internet searches and manage your calendar – all with one device! To top it off, these can also give you access to all your smart devices. From activating your robot vacuum cleaner to unlocking the door for your visitors while you’re attending to another task, the possibilities are endless.
What are your must-have smart devices? Let us know in the comments section.
Make the best out of your bathroom renovation with these tips
Nothing quite beats a relaxing hot shower after a hectic day, and a well-designed bathroom can definitely add to the experience. Below are some bathroom makeover suggestions for every budget.
For the Budget Conscious
Not only is it stylishly timeless, the minimalist theme also invokes a feeling of calm. More importantly, you can achieve this without extensive hacking, tiling and plumping works, which means cost savings.
Working with the bathroom fittings that come with your flat can cut costs. Additionally, opt for off-the-shelf fixtures such as mirrors and vanity units instead of customised carpentry to save on the bill!
Off-the-shelf bathroom mirrors and vanity cabinets, some of which come with wash basins and taps, are readily available in the market
Imbue the space with your personality by decorating with quirky ornaments from your previous travels or paintings from art jamming sessions. Adding a dash of green with potted plants can also make the space come alive. This works particularly well in a predominately white bathroom.
For Those Willing to Spend A Little
It might cost more but changing the bathroom tiling can bump its aesthetic up to the next level. No matter your design theme, a bathroom could benefit from interesting tiling. Looking for a luxury look? Faux marble tiles will give you that much-needed sophistication. Making a bold statement? Some octagon tiles will do the trick.
Together with some customised furnishes, the overall look will definitely leave your guests (and yourself) impressed.
Off-the-shelf bathroom mirrors and vanity cabinets, some of which come with wash basins and taps, are readily available in the market
If you’re looking for the ultimate bathroom, consider including a bath tub (yes, it’s possible!) for that ultra-luxurious experience in your very own HDB flat. This however, requires good planning to maximise space in your bathroom. Here are some HDB guidelines on installing a bathtub to help you get started:
Bathtubs must be installed within the bathroom area, and no extension is allowed.
There must be a void beneath the bathtub, and the void area cannot be filled with cement mortar or other materials.
There should be an inspection opening for future maintenance.
Weep holes must be provided.
The floor slab and waterproof layer must not be tampered with, to prevent leakage to the lower floor.
Be sure to also check out other HDBguidelines on bathroom renovation at HDB InfoWEB, and discuss your plan early with your designer or contractor to ensure a smooth renovation journey.
A space-saving soak tub still allows your body to be fully immersed
Consider getting a smaller-sized bathtub or even a soak tub. While soak tubs are deeper and shorter than conventional bathtubs, they require less space while still giving you the five-star-hotel experience.
Now that you have heard from us, do share with us any other money-saving tips or ideas to add that oomph to your bathroom design.
Quartz, Tiles & More: Kitchen Backsplash Materials to Consider
Kitchen backsplash – the hero piece all kitchens deserve.
Like a feature wall, a backsplash can go a long way to add character and colour to your kitchen – but its purpose extends far beyond making cooking look fashionable. Kitchen backsplashes add longevity to your kitchen walls by protecting them from unwanted spills, splatters, and grease stains.
Here’s a quick guide on some of the more popular kitchen backsplash materials.
Given the wide range of styles and design finishes, tiles are an easy favourite. Easy to install, non-porous, scratch and heat-resistant, tiles are an affordable option that are both durable and splash-friendly. However, be mindful that regular cleaning and maintenance is needed to ensure grout surfaces stay pristine. The good news is, a mixture of vinegar and baking soda should do the trick!
2. Stainless Steel
Photos: Pinterest
A statement feature for industrial-chic homes, stainless steel backsplashes are a practical option because they are easy to clean, as well as resistant to stain, heat, and water damage. Its homogenous surface also makes it tough on bacteria and mould. While stainless steel can reflect light to brighten up cooking spaces, care needs to be taken to prevent scratches and dents over time. Acidic residues from food splatters could also damage the steel surface if left uncleaned for long periods.
Tempered glass is a low-maintenance option that can weather all types of cooking, from soup boiling to wok hey storms. Its smooth surface means grease and spills can be cleaned up almost effortlessly. Naturally water and heat resistant, tempered glass backsplashes make for highly-durable surfaces that have the added bonus of being scratch-proof. Repairing or changing a glass backsplash, however, is not an easy feat so make sure you choose a design you’ll love for a long time.
Made with compressed layers of kraft papers and resin, KompacPlus backsplashes are resistant to wear-and-tear, steam and water. It is also non-porous which makes for a hygienic surface that is simple to clean. KompacPlus surfaces come in a variety of stone and wood-like finishes to complement your Scandinavian home. While heat resistant, direct contact with hot items could cause surface damage.
5. Quartz
Photos: Pinterest
Elegant and modern, quartz backsplashes have a non-porous finish which makes for fuss-free cleaning. Although quartz is heat-resistant, it is important to note that high temperatures that come into direct contact with the surface could do some serious damage.
While aesthetics are important, homeowners Grace and Josh prefer functionality over form.
Like the bright yellow door to their home, the exuberance of Grace and Josh is hard to miss.
“I’ve always liked the colour yellow,” Grace smiles. “It makes for a happy welcome whenever we return home.”
Home owners Josh and Grace
The “east side best side” couple always wanted to live in the eastern part of Singapore. “Both of us grew up in Katong and our parents are living in the east. So there’s a sense of familiarity and we wanted to be close to our families,” 33-year-old Josh shares.
After house-hunting for 3 weeks, the couple feel in love with their current 4-room resale flat in Mountbatten. “I think we were really lucky to have found our home in such a short period of time,” Josh laughs.
“This neighbourhood is amazing! It’s quiet and in fact, Josh’s workplace is just a 20-minute bus ride away,” says Grace, founder of LunchMoney, a local fashion label.
The refurbished open concept kitchen
The living room
Grace’s workspace
Mix and Match
Featuring pops of colour and wooden accents, the cosy flat is an eclectic mix with hints of Scandinavian and minimalist influences. “We didn’t have a specific theme,” 28-year-old Grace laughs, “But we took what we liked about the different house themes and put them together.”
Hanging plants in the living room
From potted herbs to hanging ferns, plant lover Grace shares the importance of having greenery in the house.
“They really liven up the place,” she smiles and continues, “Plus, herbs in supermarkets are almost always sold in large quantities – so growing our own gives us access to fresh ingredients while avoiding food wastage!”
While Josh wasn’t previously a big fan of plants, he has grown to appreciate them.
“Josh actually does most of the watering,” Grace smiles approvingly as Josh nods proudly.
The service yard
To the couple, the functionality of the space was of utmost importance. For instance, in the living room, a large wooden cabinet containing utensils and cutlery is placed next to the dining table. “As we have guests over regularly, storing the cutlery in the living room will save us having to walk back and forth the kitchen,” Grace explains.
The couple enjoying an afternoon coffee
Upon closer look, one will notice that the lights in the kitchen are intentionally misaligned. “While having the lights evenly spaced out makes aesthetic sense, they wouldn’t be able to fully light our kitchen cabinets – we decided that functionality was more important and went ahead with the light placement that best suits our needs.”
The bedroom
The bathroom
No Place like Home
While their renovation journey was mostly smooth, Grace and Josh share some of the lessons learnt. “Some installations took place after we’d moved the new furniture in and we had to shift and clean them repeatedly. Admittedly, this was a little frustrating.”
When it comes to engaging and communicating with interior designers, the couple advises: “Don’t be afraid to speak candidly! It’s important to hold an open and honest communication with each other about the house, so find an interior designer that you’re comfortable working with.”
When asked if they’ve a favourite spot within the house, the couple laughed and responded, “We love every part of the house. You won’t believe it but when we were on our honeymoon, we couldn’t wait to come back to the comfort of our home! That’s how much we love our new home.”
Home Tours: A Japanese-Inspired Woody Home in Tampines
Go wild with wood and glass for that Japanese café-inspired look.
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.
Half-height cabinets and open wooden shelving are main features of the Japanese-inspired kitchen
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.
Apart from making a design statement, the wood-framed windows also help to brighten the space by letting in natural light
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.
Rattan furniture such as the TV console and armchairs help to create variety within the flat
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.”
Home Tours: Designing a Modern Minimalistic HDB Flat
Looking for interior design inspiration for a minimalist home? Find out more in this edition of home tours!
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.
Home owners Francisco and Adora in their brand new flat
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 kitchen and 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.
Like the rest of the home, the living room features neutral shades such as ivory, brown and greyThe master bedroom
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.
The kitchen is fitted with full top and bottom row cabinets to maximise storage
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.
Customised carpentry works house appliances such as the dishwasher, for a clean look
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.
Built-ins such as the TV console and shelves were adopted to maximise storage (left). The extended feature wall comprises a hidden door that leads to the bedrooms (right)
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.
Reno Journey: An Architect’s Home – Planning (Pt. 1)
Journey with us into the homes of HDB residents in this 3-part series, and witness the transformation of their flats into beautiful homes!
Journey with us into the homes of HDB residents in this 3-part series and witness the transformation of their flats into beautiful homes.
Homeowners: Geoffrey and Sian Ching
Town: Tampines
Flat type: 5-room BTO
As an architect, Geoffrey is no stranger to designing homes. When it came to his own flat, the decision to manage the entire renovation process himself was thus a no-brainer, and it was a personal project that he had been looking forward to.
The flat looks really airy and bright! What is the plan for this space?
Sian Ching: We wanted a big communal area because I love hosting. We are planning for an open kitchen and also hacked the walls of the first bedroom to create a larger living area. For privacy, we will add a feature wall with a concealed door to separate the bedrooms from the rest of the house.
How did you start planning your home?
Geoff: As we intend for this flat to be our forever home, we plannedfor our future needs right from the start. The layout and design must be versatile enough to suit us at different life stages, without the need for major rework in future. We went ahead with the hacking works after we were confident that we could rebuild the walls if needed. For the bedroom in particular, we ensured that the placement of the air-con unit and lighting, for example, would still be ideal even after sealing the space.
Sian Ching: Layout aside, Geoff and I browsed Pinterest and Instagram for design and décor inspiration.
What advice would you give home owners who intend to take the DIY route?
Geoff: If you plan to engage contractors without the help of interior designers, it’s important to understand the contractor’s working style. Source for a contractor who understands your needs and is willing to communicate.
After doing so, set a timeline and agree on the milestones and responsibilities, such as whose role it is to source for supplies. In our case, we conducted extensive research on materials that best suit our needs. While this may help reduce costs, these tasks are time-consuming and there might be hiccups, such as things you have overlooked, y as your renovation journey progresses.
Homeowners looking to design their flats can consider using SketchUp, a complimentary software that can draw up 3D renders.
Geoffrey’s 3D renders of the living room, and feature wall that separates it from the private areasFull height cupboards that help to maximise storage space. Sketch by Geoffrey
Let’s talk about renovation expenses—how does one stay on track?
Sian Ching: We started with a budget in mind and listed what we wanted before shortlisting the essentials. That said, we were willing to spend more on our renovation as we consider it a long-term investment. We also tracked our expenses using an excel sheet.
Geoff: When renovating, it’s easy to neglect the cost of furniture. It’s important to factor the furnishing cost into the total renovation budget to avoid settling for furniture you don’t fancy. This is especially so for theme-heavy houses, where furniture can play a big role in tying the entire look together.
In part 2 of the series, find out more about Sian Ching and Geoffrey’s renovation works and how they, like many homeowners, had to take on the challenges brought about by the pandemic.
Reno Journey: An Architect’s Home – Transforming (Pt. 2)
Journey with us into the homes of HDB residents in this 3-part series, and witness the transformation of their flats into beautiful homes.
Come journey with us into the homes of HDB residents in this 3-part series, and witness the transformation of their flats into beautiful homes.
Homeowners: Geoffrey and Sian Ching
Town: Tampines
Flat type: 5-room BTO
In the second part of this series, we continue with Sian Ching and Geoffrey’s renovation journey and how they are slowly turning their plans into reality. Get acquainted with the couple in part 1 here.
Home owners Sian Ching and Geoffrey
We heard that you faced an unexpected challenge soon after renovations began?
SianChing: Our renovations began in January 2020, but everything ground to a halt during the circuit breaker period. We could only resume works in July – 5 months after we first started renovating!
Geoff: Our Malaysia-based carpenter also had difficulties entering the country. As such, we couldn’t proceed with the furniture installation even though our furniture was ready. Customised furnishings and fittings are a main feature of the flat, so our renovation completion date was highly dependent on when we could get our carpentry installed.
Sian Ching: As we both work in the construction industry, we are familiar with the process and know that there’s little we can do to hasten it. We also preferred not to engage another worker to assist with the installation, so we just had to wait it out.
Customised furniture designed and built for the couple’s houseDue to the challenges brought about by the pandemic, renovations ground to a halt
Did you have to tweak your original plans and designs?
Sian Ching: As we progressed,we ended up choosing different materials – such as the laminate for the carpentry. Geoff originally wanted the cabinets in the living room to be black, but I thought the colour was too overwhelming for the space. Instead, we opted for a dark brown laminate which complemented the colour of our sofa.
Geoff: Sourcing for materials and samples was quite a feat. We needed to examine and feel the sample physically before making the final decision. Home owners should research the materials and not limit themselves to those presented by the interior designer. Don’t be afraid to engage your interior designer in a discussion!
Were there other design changes?
Sian Ching: We were looking for a unique bed frame design that would complement the overall interior theme. We couldn’t find it in any store, so we decided to design it ourselves and have it built!
Geoff: We chose a mixture of leather and wood paneling for the headboard, and had it seamlessly integrated with the switches to avoid visual clutter.
A draft render of the bedroom, designed by Geoffrey
Next in this series, we’ll bring you on a tour of Sian Ching and Geoffrey’s fully renovated flat!
Reno Journey: An Architect’s Home – Big Reveal (Pt. 3)
Journey with us into the homes of HDB residents in this 3-part series, and witness the transformation of their flats into beautiful homes!
Come journey with us into the homes of HDB residents in this 3-part series, and witness the transformation of their flats into beautiful homes!
Homeowners: Geoffrey and Sian Ching
Town: Tampines
Flat type: 5-room BTO
In the final part of this series, Sian Ching and Geoffrey bring us on a tour of their recently-completed home.Get acquainted with the couple and their design process in part 1, and find out more about their renovations in part 2.
Before and after: Homeowners Sian Ching and Geoffrey unveil their cosy abode
“We don’t have a specific interior theme – it’s a modern and timeless look that comprises black and wood accents,” Geoffrey and Sian Ching explains the look and feel they were aiming for in their new home.
Your house looks great! How did you achieve such a spacious living area?
Sian Ching: We hacked the wall of the first bedroom to create a bigger communal space. As we like having friends over, we made this design decision from the get-go.
The wall of the first bedroom was hacked to create a larger living area
Sian Ching: We have different hangout spots to cater to different groups of guests and it’s interesting to see them gathering at the sofa, the dining area, and of course, the bar counter. The dynamic communal area enables guests to move around the house, which is what we had in mind.
It sounds like your house is the perfect place for a gathering (within the allowed group size, of course).
Geoff: Sian Ching enjoys hosting so we decided to extend the bar counter for more dining space. In the kitchen, the sink is also designed to be a little wider, to accommodate more dishes for washing-up sessions after playing host.
Before (top) and after (bottom): The open kitchen concept in the couple’s homeThe bar counter is deliberately positioned further away from kitchen cabinets so that the cooking area is largerQuartz is used for the kitchen and bar counter tops, backsplash and sink, as the material is known to be hardy
Can you tell us more about your customised carpentry works?
Sian Ching: To maximise the space, we opted for lots of full-height features – including the TV area. Instead of just a console, we created more storage space via nooks built into the wall.
Photo: @khoogj_
Geoff: Another key feature of our home is the wooden wall that leads to the bedrooms. We concealed a door in the design, which separates the communal and private spaces while enabling a seamless transition between the two.
A feature wall with hidden doors separate the communal space from the bedrooms
How did you achieve such a stylish look for your bedroom?
Before (top) and after (bottom): The master bedroom before and after renovation
Sian Ching: We chose a darker colour palette for the bedroom as it provides a more relaxing environment. We used a combination of pendant lights, floor lamp and cove lights to keep the space cosy.
Geoff: You will notice that our toilet door and wardrobe are hardly distinguishable. We wanted everything to look flat, so the toilet door is on the same plane as the wardrobe. Both are also fabricated with the same material, to achieve a seamless look. We also shifted the position of our bedroom door to align it with the wardrobe.
Grace is a pro at pairing colours and textures. Check out how she designed her 5-room flat!
Stepping inside the five-room flat, one can’t help but marvel at the amalgamation of colours and textures. “I didn’t have a specific theme when I was designing the house because I couldn’t choose between them,” Grace laughed. “But I do know that I love to be stimulated by visual elements, so my home is really colourful.”
From deciding on the colour palette to picking out the furniture to painting the walls, Grace had put the house together from scratch. “My husband is really easy-going, so he leaves the décor to me,” she grinned.
Located in Bukit Batok, the flat is a stone throw’s away from the MRT station and amenities such as hawker centres and polyclinics – one of the primary reasons why she fell in love with the neighbourhood. “We got pretty lucky when purchasing our flat,” Grace shared and continued, “We opted for the Sale of Balance flats in Bukit Batok and had only two units in our block to choose from – one unit was booked on the flat selection day but we’re still very pleased with our unit.”
In addition to using more than 10 colours on the walls of her home, a variety of textures are found throughout the flat. “When browsing for home decor ideas, my main goal was to have an aesthetic space. This resulted in a carefully curated party of colours and textures that include glass, coarse stones, leather, metal and more!”
With sewing machines, materials and bags hanging off nearby racks, one can easily guess Grace’s line of work. The founder of GSEWS, a venture that specialises in customised bags, Grace was an architecture student at the National University of Singapore (NUS) when she uncovered her passion for sewing and in particular, bag making. 2 ½ years into the course, she made the life-changing decision of dropping her degree to pursue her passion.
“Honestly, the further I was into the course, the more I thought I was not suited to be an architect,” Grace said. “I was making and selling bags while in school, and it dawned on me that I am more of a craft maker than building designer. That was when I decided to make the switch.”
Considering the importance of her home workstation, Grace was extra meticulous when designing the space. “Having the option to hack the partition walls was very helpful as it resulted in a wide rectangular area that gave us ample layout possibilities,” Grace smiles.
“The workspace also features the only white walls in the house as I use them as the backdrop for product photoshoots.”
Putting the Pinterest-worthy home together however, did come with its fair share of challenges. Every piece of furniture complemented the overall aesthetic, something Grace was particularly mindful of. “Our renovation budget was tight and my design ideas such as the fluted glass sliding toilet door and marble kitchen wall were not easy to execute.”
“I had to look for cost-friendly alternatives like marble-printed tiles for the kitchen countertop that was more affordable than the regular quartz material, but with the same durability,” Grace explains.
“But I have to say that this made the renovation process more fulfilling. Take the glass sliding door for example – we had to source for the different components of the door (hinges, sliding track, rollers, glass, door handle, door lock) before assembling it ourselves. The process was rewarding as it helped widen my knowledge of materials and construction methods tremendously.” From the customised high table in the living room to the doorknobs, Grace’s home is a careful curation of both overseas and local furniture.
So what are some renovation tips Grace has for homeowners? “I find visualisation aids very useful, especially for those not intending to engage their interior designers or consultants. Personally, I recommend Home Design, an interior design mobile app that allowed me to visualise the furniture layout, wall colours and more to see what works and what doesn’t”, quips the homeowner.
She also shared that how, even after one and a half years, she’s still making tweaks to her home workspace. “The main objective is to keep it simple, neat and efficient for work,” Grace says. “I’d put a lot of thought into the placement of the sewing machines, tables and tools but I’m still constantly making changes in order to improve the workflow. For instance, in order to save on space, I’ve replaced a stand-alone clothes rack with knobs to hang my bags on.”
For aspiring home business owners looking to design their workspace, Grace highlights the importance of workflow visualisation. “Think about the space utilisation (especially if you’re working with many tools or constantly need to move around) before planning permanent fixtures such as storage spaces and doors. It’s helpful to keep your layout flexible with mobile shelves and tables as you’ll tend to move them around as you make adjustments to your workspace.”
