Houzz Tour: Timber Detailing is Celebrated in This 5-Room Flat
Much-needed storage became the starting point for this flat's visual, natural-material richness
Chiquit Brammall
3 April 2019
Design journalist and freelance editor. Dollhouse architect. Serial renter.
When its new owners acquired this flat, it had damaged timber flooring, plenty of furniture clutter and inadequate storage. They approached Jakarta-based Singapore designer HelloEmbryo, whose project manager Melvin Tan was also their friend, to turn the flat into a home that would work for them.
Photos by ESWQ
House At A Glance
Who lives here: A personal trainer, his wife, who works in PR, and his sister, who is an events-planner. They are all in their 30s.
Location: Clementi
Type of Property: Five-room HDB flat
Size: Approx. 1,292 square feet (120 square metres)
Project Duration: 5 months
House At A Glance
Who lives here: A personal trainer, his wife, who works in PR, and his sister, who is an events-planner. They are all in their 30s.
Location: Clementi
Type of Property: Five-room HDB flat
Size: Approx. 1,292 square feet (120 square metres)
Project Duration: 5 months
“The apartment didn’t have ample storage space and it was cluttered with old furniture. Since the unit was on the top floor, we just wanted to take advantage of the natural light and make the spaces more functional,” Tan says.
While the wood floor was damaged, the marble flooring in the living and dining areas were in good condition, so the design team retained it. A day bed was custom-built along the windows to provide extra seating as the owners regularly entertain.
Tan says: “The husband enjoys reading so that day bed doubles as a reading area.”
The designers took note of the effect that the apartment’s abundant natural light had on the timber flooring, but they stripped off the damaged flooring in the foyer and kitchen and replaced it with cement-look homogenous tiles. Tan explains that this finish is more durable.
While the wood floor was damaged, the marble flooring in the living and dining areas were in good condition, so the design team retained it. A day bed was custom-built along the windows to provide extra seating as the owners regularly entertain.
Tan says: “The husband enjoys reading so that day bed doubles as a reading area.”
The designers took note of the effect that the apartment’s abundant natural light had on the timber flooring, but they stripped off the damaged flooring in the foyer and kitchen and replaced it with cement-look homogenous tiles. Tan explains that this finish is more durable.
The designers took the familiar square basket parquet pattern off the floor to a higher line of sight by cladding the new storage units in richly-hued timber strips that create visual depth.
A TV-and-storage feature was also built along one wall of the living and dining area, with track lights highlighting the timber strips. Blue lines break the monotony of the timber surfaces.
A TV-and-storage feature was also built along one wall of the living and dining area, with track lights highlighting the timber strips. Blue lines break the monotony of the timber surfaces.
The timber finish is also ever-present in the kitchen. Blue cabinets lighten the colour scheme, while geometric-print tiles serve as ‘artwork’.
The kitchen, which is separated from the foyer and living and dining areas by a black framed sliding door (to keep cooking fumes contained), shares its footprint with the laundry and service yard. One of the cabinets conceals the washer and dryer.
The kitchen, which is separated from the foyer and living and dining areas by a black framed sliding door (to keep cooking fumes contained), shares its footprint with the laundry and service yard. One of the cabinets conceals the washer and dryer.
A mini foyer to the bedrooms was created by carving out this reading/display corner from the master bedroom. The common bathroom is on the left and the master bedroom entrance is on the right.
“The previous owners made the balcony part of the master bedroom so that presented an opportunity to create a nice walk-in-wardrobe,” says Tan. “We painted one side of the wall blue to contrast and add warmth to the cold cement flooring.”
The master bedroom has an en suite bathroom, and a blue feature wall (not seen) facing the bed.
Furniture selection was easy-breezy. Tan says: “The owners were involved in every part of furniture and accessories selection, including the plants! It really helped that we have similar tastes.”
Furniture selection was easy-breezy. Tan says: “The owners were involved in every part of furniture and accessories selection, including the plants! It really helped that we have similar tastes.”
The second bedroom belongs to the owner’s sister. Like the master bedroom, it has a cement screed flooring. The headboard is a custom-built one using a lighter-hued timber finish.
Tan shares: “We used track lights with gold fittings as an accent, and pendant lamps with marble cladding for added texture. We were able remove the wall next to the door, allowing us to take up some space that used to belong to the master bedroom to create a nice wardrobe space for her.”
Tan shares: “We used track lights with gold fittings as an accent, and pendant lamps with marble cladding for added texture. We were able remove the wall next to the door, allowing us to take up some space that used to belong to the master bedroom to create a nice wardrobe space for her.”
The bathrooms were also renovated simply, with black accent frames that highlight the glass panels, and that touch of timber in the cabinetry.
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See more of this project
TELL US
What do you love about this home? Tell us 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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nice one
Love this. Great design, combining beauty with function.