Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Finally, a Scan-dustrial Home That is Different
Nothing is predictable or hackneyed in this HDB flat
Seen one, seen them all – from hipster to a common sight now, the Scan-dustrial style seems to have fallen into a rut with the same old design moves. Which is why this HDB flat stands out with a fresh new approach. Venturing beyond style staples of brick walls, cement screed or light wood finishes, senior designer Anna Leong from DISTINCTidENTITY derived a sleeker and more distinctive look from the high-contrast Scan-dustrial style. The design brief from the homeowners says it all. Leong explains: “They asked for a Scan-dustrial theme with cafe-style vibes.”
Leong worked on clutter-busting measures in the foyer by implementing hidden storage with custom-designed fixtures. The striking setup is certainly unconventional with a galvanised metal and wire mesh divider that integrates with a bench, and a walkway of honeycomb tiles that leads to the communal zones. Stealing the limelight is a triangular recessed focal point.
Leong explains: “I wanted to create an illusion of a shadow embedded within the pockets of space. Like a sense of virtual reality from the outside world.” Her intention was to incite intrigue and this triangular talking point does make one question why it was designed this way.
“Additionally, the triangular nook symbolises a beam of light projecting from the framed glass opening on the right,” she adds. “Light passes through the opening and casts the shadow at an angle.”
“Additionally, the triangular nook symbolises a beam of light projecting from the framed glass opening on the right,” she adds. “Light passes through the opening and casts the shadow at an angle.”
The small opening artistically frames and ‘captures’ the movement of people coming in and out of the home as it looks into the living room. A cafe-concept corner is created at this lookout point with some cosy poufs.
The dining set is positioned in an offbeat manner as Leong wanted it to follow the trail of multi-coloured trail of honeycomb tiles from Hafary. She adds: “The transition of these hexagonal tiles shifts into a more rhythmic manner towards the dining area and kitchen.” It also reinforces the cafe concept where an open and friendly setting encourages people to mingle and socialise over food and drink.
The homeowners might do some heavy cooking when company comes over, but most of the time, they only do light cooking. A semi open-concept kitchen with bifold windows offers them the flexibility to use their space as needed. Since the kitchen can be seen from the living and dining area, it was important for Leong to present a uniform style, and conceal all unsightly piping. Black iGalaxy quartz countertops from iQuartz and woodgrain laminate make up the cookspace and in a cohesive manner.
Bold design lines enclose the study and the rationale for the framing is similar to that for the small opening in the foyer. Leong says: “When seen from a particular position from the living room, the black frame sits on the slanted painted wall of the study to create a ‘photo frame’.” The door to the study is unique as well; it opens when the L-bar is pushed and this experience is meant to replicate the feeling of entering a cafe.
The study is also used for entertainment. A full-height storage unit with custom-designed compartments allows the homeowners to house their TV and entertainment devices, as well as showcase their toy collection. Casement door panels conceal the TV for a clutter-free look and can be tucked away neatly when opened. The room’s playful aesthetics is evident in the diagonal painted motif which highlighting the geometric forms of the shelving brackets and trio of pendant lights.
While the communal areas are clad in homogeneous tiles that look like wood planks, the rooms are laid with High End Resilient Flooring (HERF) flooring from Evorich Flooring for a warm underfoot feel. This guest room (or future kid’s bedroom) sports matching woodgrain textures for the flooring and wardrobe. Instead of handles, the wardrobe is accessed via recessed niches in a pastel yellow for subtle colour contrast.
To fulfil the homeowners’ request for a walk-in wardrobe, Leong separated the master bedroom into two areas: the wardrobe and the bed. The L-shaped wardrobe now stands as a dual-sided storage-cum-divider. To enhance their walk-in wardrobe experience, she installed a standing vanity which is concealed behind a cabinet door.
Seen from the sleeping area, the other side of the wardrobe serves as a divider and offers niches for storing books and daily essentials.
Decked in two homogenous wall tile patterns of Art Deco blue and monochrome motifs from Hafary, the previously dull BTO master bathroom has never looked better. These rich cosmetic touches and the installation of a new vanity counter, sanitary fittings and a shower screen create a boutique hotel-like bathroom.
After a mere eight-week renovation, a home with major Scan-dustrial swag has emerged from the dust. With its charming cafe elements, this home has certainly redefined this clean-lined and edgy style.
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After a mere eight-week renovation, a home with major Scan-dustrial swag has emerged from the dust. With its charming cafe elements, this home has certainly redefined this clean-lined and edgy style.
TELL US
What feature stood out for you in this home? Share in the Comments below.
Who lives here: Married couple in their late 20s
Location: 4-room HDB BTO (Build-to-order) flat at Circuit Road
Size: 93 square metres (1,001 square feet)
Like most urban couples, the homeowners enjoy cafe-hopping in their spare time. Accentuating the quaint cafe-inspired touches in their love nest are black graphic outlines that echo the industrial style. Leong says: “There weren’t many specific design requests from the homeowners but they did mention that they prefer sleek, explicit black frames and that they would like the space to appear as spacious as possible.”