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Houzz Tour: Scandi-Style Flat a Stage for Star Wars and Kittens
White punctuated by graphic black lines – not unlike stormtrooper uniforms – gave the look they wanted and within budget
Chiquit Brammall
28 December 2016
Design journalist and freelance editor. Dollhouse architect. Serial renter.
Interior designer Jeremy Tan of Fifth Avenue Interior identifies his clients as a couple who enjoy music, entertaining friends and family, and spending time with their three kittens. The thirty-something homeowners have a sizeable collection of Star Wars figures, but a limited renovation budget. “The biggest challenge (here) was to keep the budget low without compromising the overall design,” Tan says. “We needed to use quality materials in areas like the bathrooms and kitchen so that they can withstand wear and tear over time.”
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their three kittens
Location: Punggol Drive
Size: 93 square metres (1,001 square feet)
Project duration: 2 months
Tan says that the homeowners met him, armed with inspiration photos of the Scandinavian style they liked. “They were heavily involved in the design process. They described and showed me many of their decorative pieces and how they would like these items to stand out. My job was to create a clean blank canvas for them to add their personality to,” he says.
Who lives here: A couple and their three kittens
Location: Punggol Drive
Size: 93 square metres (1,001 square feet)
Project duration: 2 months
Tan says that the homeowners met him, armed with inspiration photos of the Scandinavian style they liked. “They were heavily involved in the design process. They described and showed me many of their decorative pieces and how they would like these items to stand out. My job was to create a clean blank canvas for them to add their personality to,” he says.
As the homeowners had a new four-room flat, there was adequate space for their lifestyle needs – a home office and room to lounge in, guest bedroom and play space for the cats. Tan retained the original layout, altering only a bit of the kitchen and the master bathroom to maximise space.
The designer deemed the original flooring of the flat to be ideal as well: “Parquet in the bedrooms and off-white tiles in the living hall (open-plan living and dining area) were perfect.”
Tan worked on a new look for the kitchen walls and the bathroom floor and walls. “We knocked down one of the walls in the kitchen to open up the space and to allow more natural light in from the living room,” he says.
Flexible furniture arrangement and multi-functional furniture were a key consideration. “Without spending too much, we settled for a simple light wooden tone for the dining set and the TV console. I introduced them to Castlery, a furniture store that carries simple and minimalist furniture. It was important for us to get a sofa that could blend with the overall design without sacrificing on comfort. We settled on a grey tone fabric cover that would appear softer than its leather counterpart,” Tan says. Even the cat accessories were chosen in pale colours that blend with the furniture.
Tan worked on a new look for the kitchen walls and the bathroom floor and walls. “We knocked down one of the walls in the kitchen to open up the space and to allow more natural light in from the living room,” he says.
Flexible furniture arrangement and multi-functional furniture were a key consideration. “Without spending too much, we settled for a simple light wooden tone for the dining set and the TV console. I introduced them to Castlery, a furniture store that carries simple and minimalist furniture. It was important for us to get a sofa that could blend with the overall design without sacrificing on comfort. We settled on a grey tone fabric cover that would appear softer than its leather counterpart,” Tan says. Even the cat accessories were chosen in pale colours that blend with the furniture.
Kitchen cabinets were likewise a budget-friendly choice. Tan says that fortunately the homeowners were big fans of Ikea, which had cabinetry in matt white and accessories that complement his design perfectly.
White quartz countertops and white subway tiles add gloss and visual depth to the all-white kitchen.
A spare bedroom was converted into a quiet, cosy lounge for the owners to relax in. Tan selected a sofa bed so that this room can easily be used as a guest bedroom if needed.
“As the husband is a graphic designer, I wanted to create a comfortable and inspiring room where he is able to express himself creatively. Ikea’s open concept shelving was perfect as it is modular, which gave us a lot of flexibility in terms of storage as well as a platform for the homeowners to freely decorate with their accessories,” Tan says.
This room features a simple desk that can accommodate both husband and wife. As there were no built-ins in this room, the room can easily be converted into a bedroom in the future, the designer adds.
This room features a simple desk that can accommodate both husband and wife. As there were no built-ins in this room, the room can easily be converted into a bedroom in the future, the designer adds.
“The homeowners are huge Star Wars fans, and have many collectibles which they hold dear,” Tan says. He created a special display area for these, so that they would become the decorative centrepiece for the room.
The master bedroom is simply furnished. Tan kept to loose furniture (rather than built-ins) for flexibility.
The bathrooms are decked in white subway tiles with black grouting, complemented by all-white storage units, also from Ikea.
“The key to designing this home was to create something clean and minimalist without sacrificing the flexibility of the home,” Tan says. “We used furniture to complement the space, and a palette without too much contrasting tones and colours. Lastly, the home only needed the homeowners’ personal touches to complete the look.”
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