Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Pops of Colour Perk Up a Scandi-Themed Apartment
Thoughtful use of colours in different rooms gives character to each space
Going for a Scandinavian theme was a no-brainer choice for the couple who owns this new four-room HDB flat, but they wanted to go one up through the use of colour. “They wanted vibrant colours that aren’t normally seen in homes,” shares Johnny Huang, design director of Urban Habitat Design. The owners showed Huang the colours they preferred, and he guided them to make the right colour selection that would tie the look together.
True to the Scandinavian style popular in Singapore, warm woods and whites make for a clean palette and visually expand the space. In the kitchen, the doors of the upper cabinets are in dusky blue, bringing a shot of colour, while maintaining an airy vibe.
The living area, on the other hand, became more striking with an accent wall painted a buttery yellow. Furniture in brown hues enhance the cosy feel in the lounging space.
The living area, on the other hand, became more striking with an accent wall painted a buttery yellow. Furniture in brown hues enhance the cosy feel in the lounging space.
Apart from colour and material selection, the uncluttered look was achieved by eliminating cabinet handles.
Vinyl flooring: Vinflor; laminates: Lamitak; tiles: Lian Seng Heng
Vinyl flooring: Vinflor; laminates: Lamitak; tiles: Lian Seng Heng
Huang also ensured that every inch of space was put to use. For example, rather than simply keeping the kitchen open, he built an extra tier to the kitchen counter to make a bar/breakfast counter. This way, the owners have the option of a quick bite at the counter, or enjoy meals together in the dining area, just a few steps away.
Allowing light to flow as much as possible was also part of the design agenda. They removed walls in the third bedroom and replaced these with metal-framed glass, creating a study, where light filters in and out with ease.
To enliven the area, Huang designed an asymmetrical wall cabinet lined in bright orange laminate. The desk’s ‘marble’ tabletop is a faux finish.
To enliven the area, Huang designed an asymmetrical wall cabinet lined in bright orange laminate. The desk’s ‘marble’ tabletop is a faux finish.
Two bedrooms were merged to create a master bedroom with a walk-in wardrobe. “We made a floating bed frame, and a half-height bedhead in laminate with groove lines for added texture,” he says.
“In the walk-in wardrobe, we have aluminium-framed glass and mirror as doors so that the owners could have a full-sized mirror,” says Huang. He also designed a vanity in the same marble-look finish as the study desk, and a display counter for their accessories.
The two bathrooms feature two geometric shapes in pleasing contrast: hexagonal tiles on the walls punctuated by a brass-framed round mirror. What gives the master bathroom its unique character is its maroon under-sink cabinet and shelves. The powder room, meanwhile, features a random mix of white, grey and patterned tiles, giving the compact space instant visual interest.
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What do you like best about this home? Let us know in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
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Who lives here: A young couple
Location: Bendemeer Road
Size: 93 square metres (1,001 square feet)
Project duration: 7 weeks
The designer-client discussion on the design was straightforward. “They were quite certain about what they wanted, since they already had reference images on the look they wanted to achieve,” says Huang. The goal then was to bring warmth and modern flair to the space.