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My Houzz: Studio-Style Suite DIYed by Newlywed Groom for Bride
He created a self-contained, industrial-style unit for himself and his wife, while they share the house with his mum
It’s a house-within-a-house for newlyweds Alvin and Gina Hang. They share a two-storey terrace house with his mum and two dogs. Wisely, Alvin has designed a studio-style suite that feels independent of the original house, even as they share the first floor’s kitchen, living and dining rooms with his mum.
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Alvin and Gina Hang; newlywed professionals
Where is it: Upper Bukit Timah
Size: 300 square feet (28 square metres)
Project duration: 2 months
Contractor: CKH Design & Renovation
In his own words, Alvin shares about setting up their first marital space.
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Alvin and Gina Hang; newlywed professionals
Where is it: Upper Bukit Timah
Size: 300 square feet (28 square metres)
Project duration: 2 months
Contractor: CKH Design & Renovation
In his own words, Alvin shares about setting up their first marital space.
Design strategy
The unique thing about the bathroom is that it does not have any doors to maximise space and allow greater air flow. It also mimics old-school toilets where you could enter from either side of a centrally positioned tall wall.
For the materials, we kept the walls simple using white subway tiles that go all the way up to the ceiling to create the impression of space. This allowed us to use floor tiles with elaborate designs – the Peranakan-style tiles we chose create a sophisticated appearance without the walls competing for attention. For the window grills, we used frosted wire glass panels which exude an industrial vibe and provide ventilation. For the soap dispenser, we decided to keep it simple by buying a simple wall bracket to prop up an Aesop gel apothecary style bottle.
The unique thing about the bathroom is that it does not have any doors to maximise space and allow greater air flow. It also mimics old-school toilets where you could enter from either side of a centrally positioned tall wall.
For the materials, we kept the walls simple using white subway tiles that go all the way up to the ceiling to create the impression of space. This allowed us to use floor tiles with elaborate designs – the Peranakan-style tiles we chose create a sophisticated appearance without the walls competing for attention. For the window grills, we used frosted wire glass panels which exude an industrial vibe and provide ventilation. For the soap dispenser, we decided to keep it simple by buying a simple wall bracket to prop up an Aesop gel apothecary style bottle.
Walking out of the bathroom, you enter the walk-in wardrobe which has floor-to-ceiling mirrored doors on both sides of the walkway to create the illusion of space. The two authentic vintage industrial lamps in the closet are the key features in this section of the room – one an industrial wall grey cast iron light with unpolished white glass and the other a ceiling-mounted black enamel industrial hanging lamp with white interior. We got both lamps specially imported from an online store in Amsterdam as we did not want to buy replica industrial style lamps that you find everywhere. This added to the authentic vintage industrial feel of the room.
Decorating style
When we set out to find a design theme, we checked out social media for inspiration. We wanted something industrial yet contemporary, but with a touch of sophistication. That’s when we came across Diane Keaton’s California home. The defining characteristics of her home are red bricks and vintage industrial lamps that give the home a warm and cosy ambience. This was complemented by bespoke furnishings and the use of wood to enhance the sophistication of her house.
When we set out to find a design theme, we checked out social media for inspiration. We wanted something industrial yet contemporary, but with a touch of sophistication. That’s when we came across Diane Keaton’s California home. The defining characteristics of her home are red bricks and vintage industrial lamps that give the home a warm and cosy ambience. This was complemented by bespoke furnishings and the use of wood to enhance the sophistication of her house.
Our mini living-area-cum-bedroom is set against a wall with 3D red brick wallpaper from Japan. The vintage lights and sofa are the key highlights here. The lights comprise a hanging lamp similar to the one in the walk-in wardrobe and a large wooden floor lamp which we bought in a small town called Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic during our honeymoon. We decided to go for a black Chesterfield sofa that was imported from England to complete the sophisticated look. We also purchased two metal cabinets with a ‘distressed finish’ to provide additional storage for knick-knacks.
We looked for things you would typically find in industrial spaces, such as vintage sewing machines in a garment factory, distressed metal cabinets in a steel factory, lamps that you would find in an old-school industrial factory, typewriters in offices of the past.
My wife was my sounding board for the designs and furniture I chose as we want this to be a room we both enjoy being in.
My wife was my sounding board for the designs and furniture I chose as we want this to be a room we both enjoy being in.
Furniture sources
Chesterfield sofa: Nephew & Nieces
Side table: Castlery
Metal cabinets: Carousell (originally from Galanga Living)
Renovation materials:
Bathroom Floor Tiles: An Huat Tiles
3D wallpaper ‘Brick wall’: Japan
Chesterfield sofa: Nephew & Nieces
Side table: Castlery
Metal cabinets: Carousell (originally from Galanga Living)
Renovation materials:
Bathroom Floor Tiles: An Huat Tiles
3D wallpaper ‘Brick wall’: Japan
TELL US
What do you like about this apartment? Let us know in the Comments section. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join the conversation.
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.
What do you like about this apartment? Let us know in the Comments section. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join the conversation.
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.
The home
We converted two separate rooms (on the second floor) into one large one that combines our bedroom, living room, walk-in-closet and en suite bathroom.
We dine downstairs but our room can also be used for light dining if we wanted to in our mini living area.