Houzz Tours
My Houzz: A Child-friendly Home with Touches of Femininity
This Marine Parade HDB flat oozes girly sophistication in a child-friendly setting
“I grew up in the East and my husband and I have fond memories of going on dates in the Marine Parade neighbourhood,” she explains.
Michelle recently reached out to Singaporean interior stylist and designer Priscilla Tan from Styledbypt to update her home; she tells us how she did it:
The home
Our home is a point block, old style 5-room HDB flat. It’s spacious and the layout is generally square. There are three bedrooms and two bathrooms, but there’s no storeroom or service yard.
Our home is a point block, old style 5-room HDB flat. It’s spacious and the layout is generally square. There are three bedrooms and two bathrooms, but there’s no storeroom or service yard.
The location of our flat is hard to beat. We can walk to several malls, East Coast Park, the wet market and the library plus, there are tons of eating options nearby.
Our style is clean, bright and airy, with a touch of feminine sophistication. I like a neutral palette, with pops of pastel and brass.
I wanted to clear up clutter and introduce purpose-built storage. I also wanted ‘zones’ in the home so everyone could have their own space.
I have two young boys so our home has to be child-friendly but not look like a childcare centre! I did not want it to be overrun by toys in garish colours.
Where did you get your inspiration from?
Online, Instagram and my awesome stylist, Priscilla!
Online, Instagram and my awesome stylist, Priscilla!
Design strategy
I found Priscilla (pictured) on Instagram and she designed and coordinated the entire makeover. She’s a rockstar and I couldn’t have done this without her.
I found Priscilla (pictured) on Instagram and she designed and coordinated the entire makeover. She’s a rockstar and I couldn’t have done this without her.
When it came to doing the actual work we got contractors in; but I cleaned up! Does that count? :)
Priscilla curated and provided a list for furniture and decor that I picked from. She also took me to some local furniture stores for the bigger items such as the sofa.
Favourite features
We spend a lot of time at the dining nook and the kids’ play area. I love these areas because it’s where we create wonderful memories. They are not just functional but also beautiful, and we find ourselves lingering at the table after meals.
We spend a lot of time at the dining nook and the kids’ play area. I love these areas because it’s where we create wonderful memories. They are not just functional but also beautiful, and we find ourselves lingering at the table after meals.
I also feel more inclined to entertain at home, now that I don’t have to haphazardly shove clutter into the cupboards before guests arrive!
Design budget
The plan was to keep the budget under $25,000 and Priscilla was very good at presenting budget options to me. But I decided to pick some higher end options and well, you know the rest…
The plan was to keep the budget under $25,000 and Priscilla was very good at presenting budget options to me. But I decided to pick some higher end options and well, you know the rest…
Initially, I only intended to redo the kids’ room and the study room but I’m so chuffed that I listened to Priscilla’s advice to redo the living area as well.
Bathrooms and the kitchen are next on my list but I’ll take a breather this year!
Bathrooms and the kitchen are next on my list but I’ll take a breather this year!
Decor sources
3 Little Picks
Kikki K
Chelsmade
Kate Fisher Art
Bed Bath N’ Table
Taobao
My Houzz is an ongoing series in which we visit creative, personality-filled homes in Singapore or of Singaporeans, and speak with the people who inhabit them.
TELL US
What do you like about this house? Let us know in the Comments section.
3 Little Picks
Kikki K
Chelsmade
Kate Fisher Art
Bed Bath N’ Table
Taobao
My Houzz is an ongoing series in which we visit creative, personality-filled homes in Singapore or of Singaporeans, and speak with the people who inhabit them.
TELL US
What do you like about this house? Let us know in the Comments section.
Sponsored
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Michelle and her husband, plus their two young children
Location: Marine Parade
Size: 120 square metres (1291 square feet)
When Singaporean professional and mum Michelle was looking for a new HDB apartment with her husband, the East Coast area was their chosen destination.