When homeowners Ng JunJie and Theresa Liow, both 34, purchased this five-room flat in Pasir Ris, they wanted a modern luxury theme with a twist.
Instead of the usual dark material and colour palette that is commonly associated with the style, they were more inclined towards neutral and muted colours, such as whites, creams, light greys and browns. They also wanted the interior to feel like a condominium.
Who Lives Here An IT Specialist, his wife, toddler and mother-in-law
Home A five-room HDB in Pasir Ris
Size 1,216 sq ft (112 sqm)
Interior Designer E+e Design and Build Pte Ltd
MOP 5-Room HDB Unit
The project was entrusted to Cedrick Law, senior interior designer from E+e Design and Build, who also renovated Theresa’s brother’s home.
The flat was past its Minimum Occupation Period and was in relatively good condition, however, the layout and style were not to the couple’s liking and did not suit their family’s needs.
Hence, Cedrick undertook the task of overhauling the flat, which included hacking walls, overlaying floors, new tiles, ceilings, lighting and carpentry works and took about three months.
Entrance Foyer
A reeded glass panel defines the entrance foyer and screens the living area from direct view of the main entrance.
“We used reeded glass because it allows light to pass through and the blurring effect conveys a high-end aesthetic,” Cedrick points out. Varying the ceiling heights within the home helps to define the different areas and also heightens an appreciation of the vertical sense of space.
A reeded glass panel separates the entrance foyer from the living area and screens the latter from the corridor outside.
Hacked Kitchen Walls
Demolishing the existing kitchen walls made it possible to introduce separate wet and dry kitchens, along with an island, which was part of the couple’s brief to Cedrick.
“My mother-in-law loves cooking and Theresa has a passion for baking. This arrangement allows my mother-in-law to do all her meal preparation and heavy cooking in the wet kitchen, while Theresa can bake in the dry kitchen and island,” says JunJie, an IT specialist in the healthcare industry.
The island also doubles up as the family’s dining table, which was one of the reasons why the island was kept at a lower height, same as the kitchen counters, according to the homeowners’ preference.
Sintered Stone Kitchen Countertop
Similar to the counter top and backsplash in the wet kitchen, the island is clad in sintered stone. “The marble look sintered stone elevates the overall look and makes the island a focal point within the home,” says Cedrick.
Sintered stone appears almost identical to natural stone and is easy to maintain. It is touted to be even more hardy than quartz, which makes it suitable for the kitchen, although it also more pricey.
“The island is our favourite element and the centerpiece of our home. It is where our friends gather when they come over,” says Theresa, an IT executive in the Tourism and Resorts industry.
More Living Space
Without a need for a separate dining room, more space is freed up within the home for the couple’s 18-month-old daughter to run around.
This was a consideration that they bore in mind throughout the design and renovation process. It was also why they decided to dispense with a coffee table in the living room.
The living room feature wall incorporates glass display cabinets.
The colour palette comprises mainly neutral and muted shades, such as whites, creams, light greys and browns.
Living Room
The living room is kept clean and simple with a sofa, rug and feature wall. The feature wall incorporates full-height built-in storage and glass display cabinets to cater to the family’s storage needs, especially with a toddler in the house.
Coverlam Laminated Porcelain Tiles
The clients wanted something with a marble look, so Cedrick proposed using Coverlam, a laminated porcelain tile that is available in large format and has a wide range of interior and exterior applications ranging from countertops, floors and walls, to even building facades.
“We chose Coverlam as it looks more realistic compared to marble-look laminates,” Cedrick explains.
Master Bedroom
In the master bedroom, the focus was on creating a softer effect that complements the room’s function. The fluted headboard with gold inlay and a curved divider between the bed and the vanity area sets a restful mood.
The attached master bathroom emulates hotel bathrooms with its glass-enclosed shower compartment and marble-look tiles.
Renovation Cost: $100,000
When selecting the materials and colours for their home, JunJie and Theresa were very mindful about how they would blend in seamlessly with the overall theme. Working closely with Cedrick, they were also conscious about keeping to their budget, which came in at just under $100,000.
The home has already witnessed many happy moments since the family moved in in October 2022 and they are looking forward to creating more happy memories in the years to come.