Sanctuary in Simplicity

Alicia and Gabriel’s 4-room flat in Bedok is a modern minimalist haven. From the clever crafting of space to the mindful choice of statement furniture, their home perfectly exemplifies the concept of “less is more”.

Stepping into the bright and airy flat makes one feel at ease instantly. The peaceful atmosphere is enhanced by the vibrant green of the tree canopy outside the windows, echoed by the pleasing hints of green woven throughout the interiors.

Marrying their love for different design styles, the couple achieved a clutter-free and clean look for their home. “I like the Scandinavian style, while Gabriel is fond of the Japanese look, so we tried to mirror both of them in our overall concept,” Alicia said.

They also selected or customised furniture made of natural materials, including wood, to complete the appeal. Their sofa, for instance, is custom-made by a friend, as Gabriel wanted a sofa with a deeper seat. Gifts from friends and travel mementos decorate small corners of their home, breathing life and personality into their minimalist home.

As the co-founder of an e-commerce business and a freelance writer, Alicia works from home most of the time. “We wanted our flat to be functional and spacious, and also a comfortable working space,” they explained.

The couple roped in another friend who works as an architect to come up with the plans for their home. By hacking a wall from the rooms, they divided their flat into two key spaces – the living and dining areas, and the couple’s bedroom and walk-in wardrobe.

The couple’s bedroom reflects the same pared down aesthetic. A seamless combination of simple lines and neutral colours evokes a sense of balance. The antique green chest which is used as a bedside table adds a fun pop of colour that goes well with the quiet colour palette of whites and greys.

Having moved into their flat only a few months ago, Alicia and Gabriel will be spending their first Chinese New Year in their new home. We wish them all the festive best!

Source: mynicehome.gov.sg

A Nordic Haven in Anchorvale

As creative professionals, Ben and Melly had a clear vision of their ideal home. Luckily, both share the same sense of aesthetics. Looking at their flat, decorated in a monochromatic colour palette, it is clear what that style is.

Late morning light filtering through the curtains paints the flat in a soft glow

“I originally wanted a flat that was all white,” Melly said. “Both of us do not really like colours, which is why black, white and grey feature strongly within the design,” Ben added.

Art prints that reveal Melly’s love for New York

Open shelving showcases the couple’s favourite ornaments and travel souvenirs

A pleasing ensemble of grey and wood elements evokes warmth and consistency in the design. From light fixtures to floor finishes and tiles, the couple were heavily involved throughout the design process. The exposed wiring and pipes in their flat are a nod to the industrial theme, adding a chic and edgy touch to their Scandinavian interiors.

Exposed black painted pipes in the kitchen are a unique focal point

Being an app developer and artist respectively, Ben and Melly work primarily from home. A comfortable work space was definitely on the top of their priorities – their glass panelled office embodies the balance of functionality and style that Nordic design is famous for.

In carving out a specific spot to work, they also wanted the space to be open. “We had to knock down some walls, but it is great to see what is happening outside of the room instead of just staring at walls,” said Ben.

The use of glass panels makes Ben and Melly’s workspace feel airy and open

By choosing a flat in a non-mature estate, the couple was able to buy their flat at a relatively lower price. This allowed them to spend more on their flat renovation, which came up to about $60,000.

Houseplants and leaf cuttings bring nature into the home

Since moving into their new home in 2014, Ben and Melly have caught up with old friends and found new friends in their neighbours living in the same estate. “The car park is a great place to meet new people,” Melly joked. They are also fond of the Sengkang Riverside Park near their home, where they often head to for exercise.

Ben and Melly shared that they are currently expecting a baby and will be transforming one of the rooms into a nursery. We wish the lovely couple and the newest addition to their family every happiness!

Source: mynicehome.gov.sg

Industrial Loft Chic

If you thought industrial is all about dull greys and blacks, here is a home that might get you to fall in love with the style. Hong Yang and Shu Yan’s 5-room flat at Fernvale Riverbow is designed around the industrial loft concept. They have taken it to a new level of chic with injections of their personality and art.

Straight out of a home decor magazine!

Curated art pieces and decor make for interesting details around the home

Both of them graduated with a degree in visual communications so they put their artistic skills to good use and painted some cool artworks for their home. “That was before we moved in, not much time now,” laughed Hong Yang.

Removing some walls let the couple design their dream home and install a breakfast counte rtop. “The open-kitchen concept is great for us as we often have friends over for drinks.”

Could pass off as a cafe wall!

By using a glass wall and door for their study, they have also cleverly managed to make the space look airier. The study houses their Lego mini figurine collection and is where Hong Yang pursues his other hobby of leather crafting.

(From left) Dining area has a clear view of the study, and Hong Yang’s leather crafting tools

Trading the usual table legs for pipe stands to stay true to the industrial theme

Pops of colour and fun!

Even with wide open spaces, they have managed to conceal the storage spaces – plenty of them in fact! The entire TV console is a cabinet that spots the concrete screed finishing. We also like how the breakfast counter top extends all the way to the TV console – elongating the space and uniting the different areas of the home.

Shades of greys and browns get an uplift with clever use of textures, materials and finishes

For their feature wall, they opted to use vinyl floor finishes to achieve a totally different look, which also matches the rest of their wood decor elements and furniture for seamless continuity.

Industrial pipes make a functional appearance in the bedroom as well

A low wood storage box seat near the entrance fits right in with the raw and edgy theme

With careful research and a clear vision of their design, the couple spent about $48,000 on renovations back in 2015 when they did up their home. The results speak for themselves.

Source: mynicehome.gov.sg

Going Gaga over Zakka

When it comes to interior decor, sometimes it is good to keep things simple and free. No, we do not mean going minimalist.

Zakka, meaning ‘many things’ in Japanese, is a design trend where you place attractive and meaningful items together to improve the appearance of your home and life. Just like any design trend, there are various ‘schools’ of the Zakka style – some purists would only gather handmade items and group them with neutral-tone, usually wooden, accessories for that cosy, homely feel. Others mix and match an assortment of everyday objects to bring about a sense of calm in their homes.

We stepped into Raihana and Shafiqs’ 4-room crib in Punggol for a taste of a simple Zakka experience that is easily achievable.

Going basic with major surfaces, such as walls and large furniture, will never go wrong. You can always add some colour with decorative objects

“We did not specially buy these items for our home. When we see something we really like, we would likely buy it without thinking too much about how they go together with a theme,” said Raihana.

Rooms can be kept relatively simple, with just a few memorable items that spark joy as Kondo Marie had famously put it

“I have always believed that if you love it enough, it will all work out with everything in the end,” Raihana quipped.

The well-travelled couple had their share of exciting adventures, and their home brims with items that reflect the journeys they covered. Now, they are in a brave new chapter in life: being young parents!

Let that metal bomb shelter door become a home for your souvenirs and magnets

The couple lugged this rug with a rare design, all the way from a vacation in Australia

Not just pretty: This biscuit tin from London also plays a soothing melody to keep young kids happy

Books can be placed (in stacks, and not shelved) around the house

Check out local or overseas art markets to find gems to decorate your home

Source: mynicehome.gov.sg

A Masterpiece in Grey

Designing your first home can be an overwhelming mission – but not if you already have a clear idea of what you want. With the help of their interior designer, home owners Shawn and Angel perfectly fused the defining traits of the industrial concept with minimalist decor style for their home.

Custom floor-to-ceiling cabinetry frames the TV and provides both closed and open shelves for storage and display

The glass-encased study room beside their living room effectively separates the 2 rooms while opening up the space. Installing full glass walls makes the whole living area feel even airier, while the positioning of the study entrance is strategically angled for greater visual impact.

For Shawn who runs a graphic design agency, this bright room is his ideal workspace

The couple’s vision is discernible in the bedroom as well, from the same shade of wood elements to the use of exposed black pipes and light bulbs as accessories. They also removed the wall between the master bedroom and the adjacent room to convert the latter into a spacious walk-in closet and dressing area. “It was a challenge to source for the right furniture and furnishings to complete the design as well.” Angel said.

Statement red accents such as the unique hanging bedside lamps offer contrast to the neutral colours of the space

Similar black fittings and lighting fixtures anchor the theme across all the rooms

Shawn and Angel had jumped at the chance to apply for their 4-room flat in Hougang to stay close to family. Angel’s parents live only a few blocks away, making it convenient for them to visit and share meals often.

Source: mynicehome.gov.sg

A Colourful Art House

Behind the unassuming doors of a 5-room Pasir Ris flat is an art house!

Stepping into this home, we encountered Vincent Van Gogh’s Vue d’Arles avec Irisés (View of Irises) on a wall of the living room.

Who is the artist behind the works that pay homage to the great Impressionist painter? Belinda Low is the secret admirer of Van Gogh. Looking at her living room, strewn with books on the artist, an easel, acrylic paint, and canvases, her passion is palpable.

“Painting brings much joy to my life – which otherwise can be quite boring,” she says with a laugh. She also shared that it helps her to de-stress.

Neatly stacked up are portraits that she painted of friends and even famous personalities like Michael Jackson.

Her mural can also be spotted in her son’s room which she painted to combine his 2 loves – for Sweden and coffee. The wall spots a scene from Stockholm, where her son is on a boat, sipping coffee and enjoying the scenery.

Belinda’s home is truly unique and showcases her family’s love for the arts (everyone in the family has some arts background). She is also a muralist who has decorated some HDB void decks with her paint brush.

Source: mynicehome.gov.sg

‘Appt’ Touch

“The concept of our home came from a marriage of our jobs,” Desiree said. A UX designer and an engineer respectively, Desiree and Melvin shared how they used a free app called ‘Homebyme’ to design their home together. “The app allows you to work with your floor plan and decide on the layout you want,” Melvin explained.

New home owners Melvin and Desiree checked out over 30 flats before deciding on their cosy resale flat in Bishan. The couple was keen on Bishan as they had family living nearby, but had also considered other towns including Bedok.

A harmonious mix of multiple wood finishes with neutral tones

Taking a similar focused approach, they eventually picked an interior designer only after visiting 8 to 10 interior design firms. Their chosen designer was one they had the best chemistry with to refine and execute the plans.

The breakfast bar is one of the couple’s favourite spots at home

The dining area settee offers extra storage space beneath the cushions

The study houses a variety of musical instruments including Melvin’s drum set.

The sociable couple hosts friends regularly for gatherings, and the flat was designed to offer ample seating space for everyone. Forgoing a traditional television console, Desiree and Melvin installed a full sound system and projector that beams up to a 130-inch image onto one of the flat’s walls. “We actually did the cabling ourselves,” Melvin laughed.

A unique home theatre experience

Renovations for their flat cost approximately $80,000, including the hacking of non-structural walls and carpentry to create storage space. To trim costs, the couple purchased most of their furniture from Castlery, HipVan and IKEA.

Source: mynicehome.gov.sg

Sleek and Classic

Jiamei and Winston had a clear idea of what their first home should look like – clean and modern, yet have a timeless appeal. So this young couple chose a mix of Scandinavian and Industrial themes to create a fusion look for their 4-room flat.

After collecting their keys to their home at Waterway Terraces I in Punggol, they engaged an ID to bring to life their ideas. As Winston works for a tile supplier, he was up to date with the design trends as well, and this helped them plan their interior design. In total, they spent about $40,000 on renovations.

For their living room, the couple created a unique marble feature wall to give the area a classy finish. To soften the strong look, the couple added some ‘planter boxes’ and plants next to their TV console. The living room is also Winston’s favourite place in their home and where they unwind after a long day at work. Their dining area is a cosy space tucked in the living room and also doubles up as a family bonding space. The use of lights that look straight out of some medieval castle lends an interesting dimension to the place.

The couple removed a portion of their living room wall to create a study area that doubles up as play area for their bubbly daughter, Zerlinda. The dark wood frames in the study area complement the home’s overall colour palette.

The wood theme continues in the master bedroom. The sleek wardrobe spans the length of the room with unique detailing. The frosted glass portion looks like the window panels of older HDB flats.

Zerlinda’s room is a fun mix of pink and purple, something which she picked out herself, shared Jiamei. The little one also loves to spend time playing with her grandfather in her room.

Jiamei and Winston added that they are happy that they made their home at Waterway Terraces I as their neighbours are great folks. It started with chats in a Whatsapp group, and now the friendship and bonds have grown stronger and, they have become close friends. Their neighbours even threw Jiamei a surprise on her birthday – almost 20 of them gathered at her home to celebrate the occasion. Their community of neighbours is always giving a helping hand to tend to sick neighbours even at 2am, buy breakfast at the market, and run simple errands for each other. Their children too, hang out to play or go swimming together.

“Before we got to know each other better, some of us planned to move out after satisfying the Minimum Occupation Period (MOP), but now no one is keen to do so as we have all become such good friends!” said Jiamei with a laugh.

Source: mynicehome.gov.sg

Bohemian Love

Ferhana’s 5-room improved flat in Pasir Ris combines a few of their loves: beach holidays and colours. Visitors to their home will surely be blown away by how she and her husband, Hassan, have transformed their home into a perfect blend of fun for their beautiful family of 4.

Happy family in their boho chic home

With her children growing up fast, Ferhana was on the lookout for a bigger HDB flat but as she preferred the vibes of the eastern part of the island, she restricted her search to this area.

She was glad to find a suitable flat that met her family’s needs and with the help of her ID, transformed it into a unique home that sports a beach resort vibe.

The funky entrance with clever storage and double-duty furniture

Colours are cleverly incorporated in the home to draw attention to feature walls and detailing. The wall of the music/ study room was replaced with folding windows to give them the flexibility of opening up the space. Hassan said that the platform is also where the children love to have their mini performances.

An (almost) random curation of plants, toys and decor for some colour

With a natural interest and flair for styling and accessorising, Ferhana was only too happy to find any reason to shop for her home. “Sometimes when I check out stores, the items ‘choose’ me – I don’t need to search for them,” she laughs. Thus she buys items that she likes and sees how they can fit with the home decor thereafter.

In some homes, the children’s toys are stowed away out of sight in boxes – not this home. They are used to add colour and personality to the bare shelves in the living area. A detachable swing which both Naail, and Naima, love to hop onto, completes the mini play area.

Moroccan fish scale tiles for a unique detailing in the master bathroom

Chevron tiles which look like floor vinyl finishing for another bathroom

The dining table chairs were bought separately and reupholstered but complement the dining table perfectly!

Master bedroom that stays true to the hippie theme

Colour play in the children’s room

Kitchen goals: blue diamond tiles with a white and gold kitchen concept

Jamming room where Hassan, a musician, spends much of his time

Naail loves to ‘pretend’ jamming too!

Source: mynicehome.gov.sg

Doing It Right in Wood and White

Step through the entryway of Yan Liang and Annabelle’s 4-room flat in Shunfu, and a spacious living and dining area comes right into view.

Inspired by simple Scandi aesthetics, the couple chose a cohesive mix of medium-tone wood finishes and white detailing across their furnishings. The result is an airy and welcoming abode that anyone would love to come home to.

A chevron printed rug is a bold and stylish statement piece in the living room

Their 6-seater dining table is perfect for small gatherings

“We plan to host friends and family often, so we made sure to have ample seating,” Yan Liang said. In addition, the couple designed a large and fully equipped kitchen within their home, as Annabelle loves to cook.

The kitchen is cleverly divided by glass sliding doors, which help to contain the smell of oil and grease from permeating the rest of the flat. Doing so creates a semi-open concept kitchen, and enables Yan Liang and Annabelle to entertain their guests while preparing drinks and snacks.

Glass sliding doors divide the stove and wash areas

The living room features a wood-framed interior window that opens up into the study room and home gym. This design element ensures that the couple can interact constantly, even if Yan Liang is working in the study while Annabelle is busy in the kitchen.

Functional interior windows (on the left) let more light through

Framed photographs from Yan Liang and Annabelle’s travels adorn the master bedroom

Subtle details such as the white panelled wall in the master bedroom add texture and interest to the overall decor. The couple also opted for wood-look tiles for their flooring. “Compared to laminate wood flooring, these tiles are easier to clean and maintain over time,” Annabelle explained.

Like many home owners, Yan Liang and Annabelle did their research and checked out several interior design companies before picking one who had the best ideas for how to maximise their flat’s unique U-shaped layout. They spent around $80,000 for the entire renovation.

The couple shared that they enjoy living in the Shunfu estate, which is within walking distance to Marymount MRT station and Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park. Residents have access to plenty of amenities nearby, including a hawker centre and supermarket.

Source: mynicehome.gov.sg