Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Come Home to This Cafe-Industrial Look Flat
A 'Scan-dustrial' theme blends modern and cosy together in this one-look-fits-all home for five adults
“The couple used to live in Tiong Bahru, perhaps the hippest neighbourhood in Singapore, as it is filled with cafés and hangout places. Consequently, café-hopping has become their weekend leisure activity,” says designer Kuay Mei Yee of Distinct Identity. The owners wanted to bring that café concept into their new home located in the quieter area of Bukit Batok.
Five adults live in this three-bedroom flat – Malaysian couple Daniel and Shu Hui, as well as Daniel’s sisters Ju Ann and Ju Lin, and Shu Hui’s brother Tyler. “Daniel and his sisters are my close cousins and we grew up together, so I’m glad that I can be the designer for their first house in Singapore,” says Kuay. The designer chose to mix the Scandinavian and industrial styles to make this home feel much like a café where they would gladly hang out in.
Five adults live in this three-bedroom flat – Malaysian couple Daniel and Shu Hui, as well as Daniel’s sisters Ju Ann and Ju Lin, and Shu Hui’s brother Tyler. “Daniel and his sisters are my close cousins and we grew up together, so I’m glad that I can be the designer for their first house in Singapore,” says Kuay. The designer chose to mix the Scandinavian and industrial styles to make this home feel much like a café where they would gladly hang out in.
The matte black grille and wire mesh door with the cutout house number, and the café signage give the main entrance a cool, industrial vibe.
An overall modern, cosy atmosphere is felt throughout the unit, mainly because of the streamlined furniture, and the grey and wood tones. Instead of going for an accent wall, the designer opted to have most of the walls painted in two tones for visual interest.
Dining table, chairs and bench: Comfort Furniture
Dining table, chairs and bench: Comfort Furniture
A storeroom was removed to allow for a larger kitchen and to create an open-plan kitchen and dining area. Different flooring materials were laid to demarcate the two spaces: vinyl flooring for the dining area, and homogenous tiles for the kitchen. The wood-grained patterns unify the look.
Vinyl flooring: Evorich; tiles: Hafary
Vinyl flooring: Evorich; tiles: Hafary
To also maintain a visual and spatial connection with the living area, a black powder-coated aluminium-framed glass sliding door was installed in place of a wall. It is divided into four panels to enable the owners to adjust the size of the opening as needed.
Lights make a stylish statement in these spaces. “The hanging lights make for a unique vine-like design in the dining area. They match the rose gold wired pendant lights over the breakfast counter, creating a striking industrial feel,” says Kuay.
Kalle spider hanging lights: Screed
Lights make a stylish statement in these spaces. “The hanging lights make for a unique vine-like design in the dining area. They match the rose gold wired pendant lights over the breakfast counter, creating a striking industrial feel,” says Kuay.
Kalle spider hanging lights: Screed
Bar stools: Comfort Furniture; countertops: KompacPlus
In the kitchen, marble-look subway tiles subtly tone down the pronounced black and wood palette.
Various accessories, from a Star Wars stormtrooper print to black and rose gold microphones, add whimsy to the communal space.
Metal shelving: Ikea
Metal shelving: Ikea
“Putting a built-in wooden table on the bay window is a practical way to utilise the space since it is a brightly lit nook. It turned something that many see as a waste of space into a design feature,” says Kuay. It also reinforces the café concept, where the residents can work or study together, or bask in the daylight that streams in.
Visual continuity is carried out in the private spaces. “Concrete screed is essential to the industrial theme, but to avoid inevitable crack lines due to expansion and contraction, we opted for large homogeneous tiles that give a cement screed effect to achieve the same grunge look,” says Kuay. White honeycomb tiles soften the look in the common bath.
Tiles: Hafary; countertop: KompacPlus
Tiles: Hafary; countertop: KompacPlus
In the master bedroom, the existing full-height wardrobe was removed. “We wanted to celebrate the height of the window but still give the owners sufficient storage. Hence, we custom-built a low cabinet by the window for more storage,” shares Kuay.
The new full-height wardrobe was relocated to create a division between the sleeping and dressing areas, as well as a walkway to the master bath. “The leaf-opening doors embrace the use of thin metal frames in anodised aluminium and clear glass, which allows the closet interior to be lit by natural light,” Kuay adds.
The master bathroom features the same cement screed-like tiles as the common bathroom with painted exposed pipes, and a streamlined vanity. But instead of white tiles for the shower area, the designer chose black honeycomb tiles. A niche was also carved out behind the toilet to make way for extra display area.
Tiles: Hafary; countertop: KompacPlus
Tiles: Hafary; countertop: KompacPlus
TELL US
What feature did you like best in this home? Share in the Comments below.
What feature did you like best in this home? Share in the Comments below.
Who lives here: Young married Malaysian couple Daniel and Shu Hui, and their siblings
Location: Bukit Batok West
Size: 1,076 square feet (100 square metres)
Project duration: 3 months
“The project title ‘Hus of Kinsfolk’ is actually in reference to the individuals living in this house. Despite the differences in their backgrounds and personalities, they developed an affinity for each other,” explains Kuay.
Sofa: Comfort Furniture; TV console: Castlery