Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Terrazzo and Tiles Add a Flourish to This White Flat
The versatility of a clean, all-white design is infused with character by cleverly selected materials
The newlywed owners of this Build-To-Order (BTO) flat engaged design firm Team Interior Design to transform their cookie-cutter apartment into a cosy home-for-two yet versatile enough for when they decide to have a family. Designer and project manager Debbie Lim says: “They also wanted a larger living area and requested for quite a change to the original layout of the home, this included taking down walls of the kitchen and third bedroom to enlarge the living space.”
Lim talks about the renovated flat in her own words:
There wasn’t a specific design theme that they laid out for me initially. After multiple discussions, they were drawn more to the idea of a clean, white space that serves as a good backdrop, which they could decorate and style or even change up later on with elements that they love. We went with such a concept, and I introduced pops of colour, like the scallop tile backsplash and the terrazzo laminates on the carpentry.
There wasn’t a specific design theme that they laid out for me initially. After multiple discussions, they were drawn more to the idea of a clean, white space that serves as a good backdrop, which they could decorate and style or even change up later on with elements that they love. We went with such a concept, and I introduced pops of colour, like the scallop tile backsplash and the terrazzo laminates on the carpentry.
My favourite part to design was the open concept kitchen space.
As the original kitchen is really small, we had to maximise the storage available through the use of open shelving and drawers where available. I found these quirky scallop tiles by accident and I’m glad my clients trusted my instincts to go ahead with it on the backsplash. I decided to use the terrazzo laminate on the island counter to add a subtle and interesting dynamic to the space. Paired with the white marbled quartz countertops, this is a space I’ve created that I feel my clients would genuinely enjoy as the centrepiece of their home.
Tiles: Hafary; Terrazzo laminate: Panaplast; Quartz countertops: Aurastone
As the original kitchen is really small, we had to maximise the storage available through the use of open shelving and drawers where available. I found these quirky scallop tiles by accident and I’m glad my clients trusted my instincts to go ahead with it on the backsplash. I decided to use the terrazzo laminate on the island counter to add a subtle and interesting dynamic to the space. Paired with the white marbled quartz countertops, this is a space I’ve created that I feel my clients would genuinely enjoy as the centrepiece of their home.
Tiles: Hafary; Terrazzo laminate: Panaplast; Quartz countertops: Aurastone
No built-ins were customised for the common areas of the home; instead we curated key pieces of decor and furniture to furnish the place. The polished marble lookalike floor tiles were laid across the whole living area. To add to the luxe factor, we went with a dark wood console with brass finishings to anchor the space.
The owners had a pretty free rein in the selection of furniture and furnishings. As we all had a similar aesthetic in mind from the start, I trusted them to update the space with key pieces of furniture they sourced and shared in the group chat. I was pleasantly surprised to see that they also had a keen eye and the end result of the furniture pieces they sourced together with a little styling help was very well put together. The sofa was a little stained from the pets, therefore we decided to cover it up.
Tiles: Hafary; Furniture: Commune
The owners had a pretty free rein in the selection of furniture and furnishings. As we all had a similar aesthetic in mind from the start, I trusted them to update the space with key pieces of furniture they sourced and shared in the group chat. I was pleasantly surprised to see that they also had a keen eye and the end result of the furniture pieces they sourced together with a little styling help was very well put together. The sofa was a little stained from the pets, therefore we decided to cover it up.
Tiles: Hafary; Furniture: Commune
The dining table and standalone console were made with the same finishings. The black and white venetian blinds, which are an easier alternative to curtains for maintenance, ties in the whole look together.
As they are a young couple enjoying their first couple of years of marriage together, we left the living room space clean and simple. When kids come in the near future, they could easily change up this corner of the home and restore the spare bedroom without much damage to the wallet.
As they are a young couple enjoying their first couple of years of marriage together, we left the living room space clean and simple. When kids come in the near future, they could easily change up this corner of the home and restore the spare bedroom without much damage to the wallet.
In the master bedroom, the bedside lights change from blue to pink.
In the master bedroom, the bedside lights change from blue to pink.
Directly beside the master bedroom, but separated by bi-fold swing doors is a walk-in closet that houses my clients’ extensive collection of shoes, bags and clothes. To add a sense of drama, I proposed to have double glass pivot doors with black anodised aluminium frames and handles for the entrance. The wardrobe is clad in a luxurious marble laminate finishing which exudes a luxurious ambience for the fashion-forward lady.
Laminate: Panaplast
Directly beside the master bedroom, but separated by bi-fold swing doors is a walk-in closet that houses my clients’ extensive collection of shoes, bags and clothes. To add a sense of drama, I proposed to have double glass pivot doors with black anodised aluminium frames and handles for the entrance. The wardrobe is clad in a luxurious marble laminate finishing which exudes a luxurious ambience for the fashion-forward lady.
Laminate: Panaplast
Both the master and common bathrooms were fully laid over with marble-lookalike wall tiles to create a luxurious vibe to the space. I paired each bath with interesting Moroccan-inspired patterned floor tiles to add visual drama to the otherwise monochromatic space. My resourceful clients managed to snag the black accessories like mirrors, towel rails, and toilet roll holders from Taobao.
Tiles: Hafary
Tiles: Hafary
Tell us
What do you love about this home? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, save the story, and join in the conversation.
What do you love about this home? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, save the story, and join in the conversation.
Who lives here: A young couple in their 30s with two adorable dogs
Location: MacPherson
Type of property: 4-room HDB flat
Size: Approx. 93 square metres (1,001 square feet); 3 bedrooms
Project duration: 10 weeks
Designer: Debbie Lim of Team Interior Design