Houzz Tour: Pastel-Pretty Flat Recalls a Fun Postmodern Aesthetic

The owners wanted something unconventional for their 5-room HDB – and the designers delivered with a flourish

Chiquit Brammall 25 March 2020

Design journalist and freelance editor. Dollhouse architect. Serial renter.

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Mr Shopper Studio

House at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of four
Location: Punggol Drive
Type of property: 5-room resale HDB
Size: 1,205 square feet
Project duration: 9 weeks
Designer: Mr Shopper Studio

When the owners of this resale flat commissioned Mr Shopper Studio to redesign and renovate it, their main concern was functionality. In terms of aesthetics, all they specified was a bright, airy and unconventional look. The design team drew inspiration from Postmodern architecture, which was a dynamic, joyful reaction to the austerity of Modernism. “We used ‘curve, line and shade’ – the very same elements that famous 20th-century Postmodern designers worked with,” the design team says. The designers referenced the works of Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill and Mexican architect Luis Barragan, both of whom were known for their exuberant use of colour.

Mr Shopper Studio

Curves appear on the TV feature wall in the form of a feature of dusty pink wood panels framing an arched cutout that is inset with grey fabric panels upholstered in low-maintenance Aquaclean. The feature wall includes concealed storage units to help the flat remain uncluttered.

Mr Shopper Studio

The living area flows into the dining space, which has a built-in settee upholstered in plush velvet with storage under the seats. Styled with an Art Deco-inspired dining table and chairs bought on Taobao, as well as a multi-globe chandelier, the dining area exudes a Miami Modern (MiMo) feel – one of the most lasting examples of Postmodern style.

Mr Shopper Studio

The designers opted for an open-plan layout for the kitchen, living and dining areas, but they had to deal with the flat’s odd configuration. Their solution, which looks like a broken-plan approach, turned out to be even better, as it gave the dining area a more intimate feel.

Pink is the unifying colour in this communal space and when combined with the fluid layout, feels “like a single, spacious area, just like what the owners wanted,” the design team says.

Mr Shopper Studio

An open kitchen was on order as the owners enjoy entertaining. Opening up the cookspace to the living and dining areas allowed the designers to build a large island with storage on either side.

Mr Shopper Studio

The study looks out to the living area through an opening that was create in the dividing wall. “Because of the visual link, we were careful about the colour treatment of the study. For example, we used light blue for the window’s frame so that it wouldn’t look out of place with the view outside,” they say.

Mr Shopper Studio

The kids’ room was customised with bunk beds and an additional pull-out bed (should there be a sleepover), and a slide. “Naturally, the home’s most whimsical feature is found in the children’s room, with the intent of making the room a playground and a sanctuary. The custom slide adds interactivity and a touch of childlike wonder to this inspiring space,” the designers say.

Mr Shopper Studio

The master bedroom has a darker palette, although it still reflects the Postmodern characteristics of curve, line and shade.

Mr Shopper Studio

The design team says: “Because it’s a space for rest, the master bedroom’s colour palette is slightly darker with more blues to create a more relaxed atmosphere. For the same reason, we incorporated cove lights to give the bedroom a cosier vibe. We included plenty of curves to keep the bedroom’s look consistent with the overall design language.”

Even the furniture and accessories are consistently curved: padded headboard, lighted mirror, vanity stool and bedside pendant lamps.

Mr Shopper Studio

The theme is carried into the shared bathroom as well, through the use of scalloped tiles and geometric fixtures.

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