What is an interior designer’s dream home like? For J. G., an interior designer from Earth Interior Design, two words sum it up: modern luxury.
“We only used white, black, grey, and gold throughout the home. There is zero wood because we want the luxurious feel,” he says.
J. G. lives in the executive apartment with his wife and school-going daughter. The family enjoys hosting their family and friends. He has designed it so guests can dine and even stay over.
Who Lives Here Couple with a young daughter
Home Executive Apartment
Size 1,550 sq ft (144sqm)
Interior Designer Earth Interior Design
18 months of renovation
The journey to completion, however, was a long-drawn process. Because of the COVID-19 restrictions, the renovation duration stretched to 18 months. J. G. took it in his stride, using the time to ensure the home fits their needs and wants.
The family finally moved to their new home in September 2022.
Quirky Layout
The unit has its quirks though. With a study that sits close to the windows in the middle of the living and dining area, the communal space presents layout challenges.
The issue of a communal space with an angled shape was compounded by the curved wall that enclosed the study.
The kitchen also had an awkward layout, which funnels into the service balcony. That said, a perk of this space is its two balconies, one connected to the living area and the other to the master bedroom.
Hacked walls
One of the things the couple envisioned was a larger master bathroom. Their daughter would have her room, and the remaining room would become the guest room.
Because the family enjoys spending time with their friends and extended family members, another thing to check off the list is a long dining table.
To make this possible, they hacked the curved wall for the study, remodelling it with straight walls. That way, they could produce a squarish space for the living and dining area.
Soundproof entertainment room
The communal area closest to the bedroom has been converted into an entertainment room.
“By designating the entertainment room to this spot where there are no windows, we don’t need to worry about sound escaping, and there was no need for soundproofing,” J. G. explains.
Glass folding doors can enclose the space where needed, allowing the adults to keep an eye on the children while chatting at the dining table.
Long dining table
J. G. had a long dining table for ten customised with sintered stone surface. The dining table joins with an island unit decked out in the same finish also seen on the kitchen wall.
The dining area now mediates between the entertainment room and living area. However, the spot comes with a structural beam on the ceiling.
Hotel Inspired Interior Design
J. G.’s ingenious design idea was to lower the entire ceiling to hide the structural beam and clad it with mirror panels. The result is a double-volume feel that gives a more spacious feel to the dining area.
He kept to the same palette for a hotel-suite feel throughout the home. His attention to detail can be seen in the television wall, whereby the white marble slabs are bookmatched and aligned.
“It’s the same for the flooring. We did the entire flooring by following these six pieces of marble,” says J. G., recalling the precision needed to ensure continuity.
King-sized bunk beds
The couple’s daughter, who also enjoys having her friends over, had her bedroom designed just for that. She had requested extra bunk beds. Plenty of storage space was worked into the room.
Another bedroom, too, is furnished with customised bunk beds. “This might be the only home in Singapore with king-sized bunk beds,” J. G. laughs.
While there is also a roomy wardrobe in the guest room, the introduction of mirror panels and balanced use of black and white keeps the space cosy yet spacious.
Balcony in master bedroom
More space was also the aim for the master bedroom. To achieve this, they set aside room for some decadent details, including an extended vanity area, long enough to include a chair so that J. G.’s wife could use the space comfortably.
The wardrobe stands between the bathroom and bed area, which opens to a balcony, a rare find in HDB flats.
J. G. adds, “The other thing we did was to install smart features, so that everything from the curtain, lights, fan, television and refrigerator can be controlled even when we are not home.”