Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: A Newlyweds' Nest Illustrates Modern Chic Charm
This new apartment gets personalised through a cool palette and an uncluttered aesthetic
Some homeowners know exactly what they want in their home renovation from the get-go, while there are those who struggle to pin down their preferred look. The couple who owns this HDB flat were part of the latter, so they sought the help of designers Ken Lee, Ben Teo and Kate Deng of Mr Shopper Studio to make their first home truly their own. “They had absolutely no idea what they wanted initially, so they trusted us completely from design conceptualisation to execution,” says Deng.
The design team relished the fact that the home was a blank canvas ready to be personalised. “We noticed that the owner’s clothes were mainly in pastel colours, hence we introduced those colours into the interior,” Deng says. With the pastel palette as a starting point, the team opted for a ‘Scan-dustrial’ theme, fusing elements from both popular Scandinavian and industrial styles to create a mixed yet harmonious look for this home.
The design team relished the fact that the home was a blank canvas ready to be personalised. “We noticed that the owner’s clothes were mainly in pastel colours, hence we introduced those colours into the interior,” Deng says. With the pastel palette as a starting point, the team opted for a ‘Scan-dustrial’ theme, fusing elements from both popular Scandinavian and industrial styles to create a mixed yet harmonious look for this home.
Pastel and bold colours are mixed with geometric patterns to inject vibrancy to the pale-hued living area. There is also emphasis on bringing in more natural light, that’s why half of the wall of the adjacent room was replaced with aluminium-framed clear glass panels. This allows daylight from the study-cum-guest room to spill into the entertaining space.
“We wanted to help the couple save on cost by doing away with the typical custom-made TV feature wall. We used wallpaper from Korea for the TV wall,” says Deng. The concrete-like texture, with Tadao Ando-esque lines and holes, adds subtle textural interest.
Sofa and TV console: Commune; deer table and decorative accessories: Taobao
“We wanted to help the couple save on cost by doing away with the typical custom-made TV feature wall. We used wallpaper from Korea for the TV wall,” says Deng. The concrete-like texture, with Tadao Ando-esque lines and holes, adds subtle textural interest.
Sofa and TV console: Commune; deer table and decorative accessories: Taobao
Aside from pattern and colour, quirky details, such as a deer-shaped table and Pop Art pieces, inject fun and whimsy into the space.
Light and ventilation flow freely into the open kitchen-dining space. A toned-down colour scheme and minimal furnishings were key to creating a clean-lined and laid-back space that has all the functional and easy-to-maintain features that the couple prefer.
Backsplash tiles: Hafary; countertop: KompacPlus
Backsplash tiles: Hafary; countertop: KompacPlus
Speaking of functionality, the designers ensured that the rooms serve practical purposes to maximise the limited space. One of the bedrooms was transformed into a study and guest room. Open shelves demarcate the two sections, while acting as extra display area.
Table: Taobao; sofa bed: HipVan; chair: Comfort Furniture
Geometric wallpaper also accentuates one side of this room.
The common bathroom is consistent with the white-and-pastel palette. To play up the space, the designers opted for tiles in different sizes.
Tiles: Hafary; fixtures: Lucky Khoon
Tiles: Hafary; fixtures: Lucky Khoon
The pre-planned master bedroom (in the original HDB floor plan) was turned into a walk-in wardrobe, and its adjacent room became the master bedroom. “The couple needed a lot of wardrobe space so swapping the rooms made more sense (for them),” says Deng.
The designers also wanted to create the look and feel of a clothing boutique. Hence, they chose open shelves and hanging spaces complemented by with a drawer system and stylish boxes. “We also used big track lights, used mainly in commercial spaces, to emphasise the boutique-style feel,” Deng says.
The designers also wanted to create the look and feel of a clothing boutique. Hence, they chose open shelves and hanging spaces complemented by with a drawer system and stylish boxes. “We also used big track lights, used mainly in commercial spaces, to emphasise the boutique-style feel,” Deng says.
Additionally, a vanity mirror with lights was customised for the lady of the house, to impart Hollywood glamour.
In keeping with the industrial theme, the doors to the master bedroom and master bath were replaced with a solid white barn-style wooden door.
The master bath is sleek and pristine, with predominantly white fixtures and tiles, as well as glass pendant lamps and shower enclosure.
Tiles: RICE
Tiles: RICE
With pared-back furnishings and muted colours, the master bedroom lives up to the cosy Scandinavian theme. It’s this no-frills style that makes this dwelling truly chic yet homely.
Bed: Taobao
TELL US
What feature did you like best in this home? Share in the Comments below.
Bed: Taobao
TELL US
What feature did you like best in this home? Share in the Comments below.
Sponsored
Who lives here: Newlywed couple Guang Wang and Shun Ying
Location: Joo Seng Road, MacPherson
Size: 93 square metres (1,001 square feet)
Project duration: 3 months
The design called for an open plan to make the common areas visually spacious. To achieve this, the walls that originally enclosed the kitchen were taken down, thus creating a seamless connection between the living, dining and kitchen areas. Vinyl flooring resembling wood planks add to the unified look.
The large and unsightly door to the bomb shelter, located by the entrance, was also masked using a false wall with hidden shoe storage. The pastel blue textured finish, using Nippon Momento paint, helps enliven the space further.