Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: This 5-Room Flat Uses Many Patterns to Create Zones
This apartment shies away from being typical with a striking assembly of patterned tiles and bold hues
“In our first meeting, we got the impression that the couple like the ‘Muji’ look. But after a few discussions, the design concept evolved into a fusion of something fun, industrial, and funky,” say designers-in-charge Alvin Ling and Krays Lee from The Scientist. The newlyweds who own this 5-room HDB flat desired to veer away from the cookie-cutter HDB design, and together with the designers, came up with a more daring concept – by employing varied and distinctive the flooring to highlight different zones with punctuations of striking accent colours.
The attention-grabbing kitchen is the first thing that one sees upon entering. The original floor tiles were replaced with art tiles, which complement the deep blue scheme of the cabinetry. “The cement screed finish for the wall was one of the things that the husband wanted. It gives the space an industrial feel,” the designers say.
Having a large space to entertain in was important to the couple and now they have the perfect place at the kitchen island which allows them to interact with guests while cooking.
Having a large space to entertain in was important to the couple and now they have the perfect place at the kitchen island which allows them to interact with guests while cooking.
Using different patterned tiles helps zone the entertaining spaces. While this unique juxtaposition makes for a bold interior, it doesn’t overwhelm as the rest of the surfaces are in neutral tones. The generous stream of natural light also enhances the airy and homey atmosphere.
Brightly coloured chairs add a pop of colour to the dining area. An interesting array of seven pendant lamps bring in that fun character that resonates throughout this home.
The couple wanted a cosy place to unwind and watch TV at the living area. One wall was painted a dark green shade to ground the space and foster a relaxing ambience.
“They do not have many items to store, hence they did not require built-in pieces in the living area,” the designers explain. Streamlined stand-alone pieces combining wood and metal were chosen in keeping with the modern industrial style. Accessories with a flora and fauna theme accentuate the space.
Colourful Moroccan-inspired tiles decking the hallway create a vibrant contrast to the white walls. Retro-looking mosaic tiles lead to the master bedroom.
The owners willingly sacrificed one bedroom in order to create a larger master bedroom with a bigger wardrobe space. Soothing blue and light wood tones create a restful mood in this room. The contrasting mosaic and slate-like tiles echo the funky design from the entertaining spaces, albeit in a much more muted way.
The designers opted to go with a dark colour scheme in the two bathrooms to create a sophisticated boutique hotel look. “The existing bathroom was not bright enough to begin with, so instead of going the usual path of choosing lighter colours, we had this crazy idea to enhance the space with a darker scheme. The lighting brings out the mood, and together with little design elements, they create a space where the owners can shower and relax,” they say.
The same accent tiles seen in the bedroom are used in the master bathroom, creating a visual connection between the two private areas.
Black subway tiles envelop both bathrooms for a cocooning effect, while giving a modern yet timeless look.
Black subway tiles envelop both bathrooms for a cocooning effect, while giving a modern yet timeless look.
One of the bedrooms was converted into a study. The team chose a more subdued grey-striped finish for the floor tiles to allow the vibrant chair and house-shaped shelf to stand out.
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What did you find most striking about this home? Share in the Comments below.
Who lives here: Newlywed dentists
Location: Upper Serangoon
Size: 1,200 square feet (111 square metres)
Project duration: 2 months
The designers looked through the social media photos that the owners had compiled and a few things stood out from the couple’s shortlisted pegs – their penchant for open airy spaces, and their love for greenery and nature.
Ling and Lee translated these ideas into an open-concept layout in the living spaces. The original kitchen wall was taken down to open up the space and create a brighter, fresher look.