Walk-up apartments possess a certain je ne sais quoi. Their low-rise structures and the small number of units within each development give them an inherently more human scale. As many older units also tend to have larger spaces, they attracted Dr Lam Ying Keat, a dentist, and civil servant Jeanine Tan.
They purchased this walk-up along Keng Lee Road because of its central location, functional layout, abundance of natural light and freehold tenure.
“Initially, we were not sure because, like all other walk-ups, it didn’t have a lift, but the central location sealed the deal. We figured that we would rather take one minute to climb a few flights of stairs than spend 30 minutes dealing with traffic,” says Ying Keat.
AT A GLANCE
HOME: A one- (formerly three-) bedroom walk-up apartment in Keng Lee Road
SIZE: 1,060 sq ft
WHO LIVES HERE: Two professionals in their 40s
Despite being reasonably well-maintained for over 30 years, they wanted to start from a clean slate. “The rectangular layout was very efficient, but we wanted to open up the spaces. We also did not like some of the existing finishes,” Jeanine explains.
“We figured that we would rather take one minute to climb a few flights of stairs than spend 30 minutes dealing with traffic.”
Lam Ying keat, homeowner
Indulging her passion for interior design, Jeanine took charge of the transformation while Ying Keat assisted with space management. Both wanted a home that would make them feel like they are “living in a staycation”, with art deco elements lending a touch of glamour.
The overall colour scheme is monochromatic – predominantly blacks and greys – with deep blue and green accents.
The entire interior was gutted and overhauled. After hacking its walls, the kitchen and the adjacent dining room are now an open concept kitchen, complete with an island.
A bedroom beside the living room is the new dining area, while a second one next to the master bedroom is now a walk-in wardrobe.
![home_decor-house-tour-walk-up-apartment-modcon-self-designed_livingroom_1-1024x601-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home_decor-house-tour-walk-up-apartment-modcon-self-designed_livingroom_1-1024x601-1.jpg)
It has always been Jeanine’s dream to have a kitchen island and, as the open kitchen sits on an old plinth, the raised floor’s pedestal-like effect gives it the quality of a visual showpiece.
It’s also been designed such that the side facing the living and dining areas serves as a dining counter with a recess for three bar stools.
![home_decor-house-tour-walk-up-apartment-modcon-self-designed_living_2-1024x690-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home_decor-house-tour-walk-up-apartment-modcon-self-designed_living_2-1024x690-1.jpg)
Windows that extend the entire length of the kitchen fill it and the living and dining rooms with plenty of natural light. And, although the wall space is limited, they chose built-in cabinets and drawers below counter height instead of floor-to-ceiling cabinets for aesthetic reasons.
“As the kitchen wall is visible from the main entrance, we did not want visitors to be greeted by a wall of cabinets the minute they enter our home,” Jeanine explains.
![home_decor-house-tour-walk-up-apartment-modcon-self-designed_homeowner_1-747x1024-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home_decor-house-tour-walk-up-apartment-modcon-self-designed_homeowner_1-747x1024-1.jpg)
Of course, with an extended family of 16, planning the spaces was crucial.
The open-concept zones allow different groups to gather or move from the kitchen and into the living or dining areas. Connectivity was key.
In the dining room, a framed scarf with cheery colours stands out against the grey wall.
![home_decor-house-tour-walk-up-apartment-modcon-self-designed_dining_1-729x1024-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home_decor-house-tour-walk-up-apartment-modcon-self-designed_dining_1-729x1024-1.jpg)
Thanks to the windows on three sides, the master bedroom and the adjoining walk-in wardrobe get lots of light.
The sliding doors leading to the small balcony have arched top lights that lend an old-world charm while the controlled colour palette creates a calming ambience.
![home_decor-house-tour-walk-up-apartment-modcon-self-designed_bedroom_1-1024x749-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home_decor-house-tour-walk-up-apartment-modcon-self-designed_bedroom_1-1024x749-1.jpg)
Ying Keat and Jeanine admit that the project, which cost about $120,000, excluding furnishings, was not without its challenges, especially since neither has a design background.
“It was a very steep learning curve, but it has made us appreciate what goes into the execution of such a project,” Jeanine reflects.
![home_decor-house-tour-walk-up-apartment-modcon-self-designed_bedroom_3-1024x683-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home_decor-house-tour-walk-up-apartment-modcon-self-designed_bedroom_3-1024x683-1.jpg)
The soft furnishings and art reflect their unique personalities.
![home_decor-house-tour-walk-up-apartment-modcon-self-designed_bedroom_2-735x1024-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home_decor-house-tour-walk-up-apartment-modcon-self-designed_bedroom_2-735x1024-1.jpg)
Even the bathroom reinforces the notion of the home as a space for personal respite, according to the homeowners.
![home_decor-house-tour-walk-up-apartment-modcon-self-designed_bathroom_1-1024x688-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home_decor-house-tour-walk-up-apartment-modcon-self-designed_bathroom_1-1024x688-1.jpg)
The master bathroom’s custom terrazzo basin matches the dining table.
![home_decor-house-tour-walk-up-apartment-modcon-self-designed_bathroom_2-888x1024-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home_decor-house-tour-walk-up-apartment-modcon-self-designed_bathroom_2-888x1024-1.jpg)
The renovation took 13 months. Although this is considerably longer than most apartment renovations, they are thankful that they had the luxury of time.
“We were not in a hurry to move in. Everything had to be right. We also took our time to source the various materials, furniture and everything else we wanted,” shares Ying Keat.
![home_decor-house-tour-walk-up-apartment-modcon-self-designed_details-682x1024-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home_decor-house-tour-walk-up-apartment-modcon-self-designed_details-682x1024-1.jpg)
Another conscious decision was keeping built-in furniture to a minimum. They moved in three years ago, but still consider their home a work in progress and are always looking for artwork and other pieces that complement it.
Whenever they do find something they love, they add it on or switch out existing pieces. This is so the spaces can evolve with them over time.
photography TAN WEI TE art direction KRISTY QUAH
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