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Homeowners Jasvin Kaur and Jasdep Singh wanted their 1,000 sq ft four-room HDB BTO flat in Telok Blangah to showcase a few things: A contemporary-meets-luxe aesthetic, hubby Jasdep’s burgeoning whisky collection, and their Indian heritage. And their ingenious DIY tweaks with some teak wood plays a role in realising all three. It wasn’t easy, given their different style preferences. “I always liked luxury. Jasdep likes things more contemporary,” explained Jasvin, an assistant manager in a company. But “this was a chance to express ourselves with what we have always wanted,” added Jasdep, who is a general manager at Originals, a furniture store that specialises in unique and authentic home decor pieces sourced from all over the world. “The fact that I work in a furniture store played an important part in what you see in our home. We thought about how we were going to do it and decided, maybe we’ll do it ourselves!” he added. The very first thing they did was … [Read more...] about A couple’s stylish 1,000 sq ft BTO flat with a DIY whisky bar and teak wood touches

Most home buyers in Singapore who purchase an old resale HDB flat opt to give their new home a complete makeover in order to bring it up to speed with the times, but not Kaleb Loh. “It’s more about being functional. I don’t want a home to be a showroom. For me, it’s about living comfortably, efficiently, easily,” he said. The creative director wanted a space with character, and thus sought to preserve the circa-1970s feel of the flat . Much of it was still in its original condition, from the speckled terrazzo floor in the dining area, to the retro-looking half-height tiled walls of the kitchen, and the cement flooring in the living area. “Those details are really nice; it reminds one of what the old place was like, while respecting it,” said Kaleb. This practical approach also helped reduce renovation costs. READ: An 850 sq ft condo in Joo Chiat goes for a ‘Japandi’ look with a Peranakan touch As a dedicated plant parent, he needed lots of space to flex his … [Read more...] about Transforming a 775 sq ft HDB flat into a garden paradise – in the balcony and bathroom

Tucked away in the heart of Joo Chiat, this 850 sq ft apartment is a peaceful oasis that provides the female homeowner much-needed respite from her high-pressure banking job. “The homeowner had an interesting combination of styles that she wanted. She had lived in Japan, so she would like a bit of the Japanese influence. She was also drawn to the whole Scandi kind of look and feel,” said Arjan Nijen Twilaar, the Dutch-born founder and principal designer of interior design firm Aiden T. So, he decided to infuse the apartment with “Japandi” design, which mixes Japanese and Scandinavian influences. “The underlying design philosophy is clean spaces, neat lines, and light colours. Combining these two styles together works,” he explained. READ: How this 722 sq ft HDB flat combines tropical colonial charm with industrial chic Arjan added: “But because we’re in the historic centre of Singapore, Joo Chiat, we wanted to bring in a bit of that Peranakan vibe as well. It’s … [Read more...] about An 850 sq ft condo in Joo Chiat goes for a ‘Japandi’ look with a Peranakan touch

Civil servants Chong Shi Yan and her husband Wilson love going on holidays around Southeast Asia – especially on trips where they can kick back and relax in a resort. So naturally, they wanted that same blissful, tropical vibe for their 990 sq ft BTO flat in Bukit Batok. “We decided to create a cosy pad that we can come home to at the end of a tiring day of work. We wanted to feel that we are on a holiday every day, although we are in Singapore,” said Shi Yan. To turn their dream into reality, they engaged interior design firm Design Zage – and also made sure they were on the right track by taking a trip to Bali to source for furnishing and home decor inspiration, so that every single element was perfect. READ: Transforming a 990 sq ft HDB flat into a ‘little Japan’ – complete with an onsen Their keen attention to detail certainly paid off, resulting in a bright, breezy, rustic-modern, tropical Asian home that feels stylish yet comfortable, luxurious yet cosy — … [Read more...] about How a couple turned their 990 sq ft BTO flat into a Bali resort staycation home

When Lynn Yang and her husband Ronald got the keys to their BTO four-room HDB flat in Whampoa, they envisioned a timeless-looking home inspired by a minimalist design. Another must-have on their wish list: “To open up the home, and let the living, dining and kitchen areas be one space”. “We also really liked the city view from the kitchen, so we requested that things continue to be visible for us whether we’re cooking or hosting,” said Yang. But at the same time, they wanted privacy and clear demarcations of the various spaces throughout the home. These two criteria might seem like a contradiction in terms, but interior designer Low Chee Kiang of 932 Design Consultants helped them achieve their vision. The walls between the original kitchen, living/dining area and the third bedroom were removed, and the flat’s layout was smartly reconfigured in a series of clean lines that make the space look larger and create a beautiful flow.​​​​​​​ READ: How a small … [Read more...] about Transforming a 4-room BTO flat into an open-plan home with city views everywhere