What began as a minor renovation evolved into something more major in order to realise the full potential of the property.
Lawyers Tom Greene and Vanessa Lim’s initial brief to space planner, CY, from Bowerman Interior Planner was to just do a minor touch up for the home. However, as the previous renovation was about two decades ago, the three-storey house was looking “dated, worn out and uninspiring”, according to CY.
Who Lives Here A lawyer couple and their three daughters
Home A semi-detached home at Sennett Drive, Siglap
Size 3,800 sq ft (or 353 sqm)
Interior Designer CY from Bowerman Interior Planner
![bowerman_2506220298-copy-1-819x1024-1 New Crittall-style arched doors and panels around the living room fill the space with abundant natural light.](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/bowerman_2506220298-copy-1-819x1024-1.jpg)
Walls Hacked, Layout Reconfigured
As such, the homeowners were receptive to her proposal that involved more extensive works, such as reconfiguring the existing layout and hacking of walls.
A King Living sofa, Nasser Nishaburi rug, and rattan floor lamp from Beuro
![bowerman_2506220339-1-882x1024-1 The King Living sofa, Nasser Nishaburi rug and rattan floor lamp from Beuro give the living room a laid-back quality.](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/bowerman_2506220339-1-882x1024-1.jpg)
Newly-installed Crittall-style arched doors and panels around the living room contemporise its look. The metal-framed glazing lets in plenty of natural light while connecting with the outdoor terrace.
![bowerman_2506220393-1-852x1024-1 A pair of Petal lamps from Maison Flaneur is the perfect embellishment to the dry kitchen.](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/bowerman_2506220393-1-852x1024-1.jpg)
Modern Barn Farm Kitchen
Elevated a few steps higher than the front of the home, the former dining area and back terrace in the rear have been reconfigured into a new dry kitchen. The existing wet kitchen wall has also been hacked to create more space for the dry kitchen.
This is Vanessa’s domain, hence the distinctly feminine feel. It reflects her preference for modern farm chic with some colour accents against a white backdrop. “The client did not want everything to be all ‘perfect-perfect’, so we used handmade tiles as the backsplash,” CY adds.
![bowerman_2506220423-1-1024x772-1 The dry kitchen extends to an outdoor patio breakfast area and lounge.](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/bowerman_2506220423-1-1024x772-1.jpg)
Kitchen Island
More Crittall-style windows and doors tie the dry kitchen to the living area. Taking centrestage is a generously-sized kitchen island. Here, CY took the opportunity to incorporate the green colour that the couple loves in the marble that was selected for the island.
The wet kitchen is Tom’s territory. He is drawn to homes in Arizona and Utah, with cleaner lines and a more minimalist edge. This is reflected in the choice of red slate tiles that are more commonly used in external areas, which injects an outdoor cooking ambience to the wet kitchen. An extra tall Crittall-style door reinforces the connection with the exterior.
![bowerman_2506220564-1-830x1024-1 Wall stones accentuate the dining area’s semi-outdoor feel.](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/bowerman_2506220564-1-830x1024-1.jpg)
![bowerman_2506220604-1-862x1024-1 The powder room adds an element of surprise to the home with its Cole & Son wallpaper in a riot of colours.](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/bowerman_2506220604-1-862x1024-1.jpg)
Guest Powder Room
Located off the staircase landing, the powder room is an expression of the clients’ wild streak. The Cole & Son wallpaper depicts lush foliage in a riot of colours. Together with mosaics on the floor, the powder room design is unexpected and definitely a pleasant surprise for guests.
![bowerman_2506220585-1-689x1024-1 The study room enclosure continues the Crittall-style theme, but with a little twist at the top](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/bowerman_2506220585-1-689x1024-1.jpg)
Study Room
What used to be a family area and terrace on the second storey are now the reading corner, also known as “The Greater Room”, and a semi-open dining area that overlooks the front of the house.
The existing courtyard air well was enclosed and converted into Tom and Vanessa’s shared study room. Crittall-style doors and fixed panels allow the couple to keep an eye on the girls when they are hanging out in The Greater Room, which is diagonally across the corridor from the study.
![bowerman_2506220092-1-1024x656-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/bowerman_2506220092-1-1024x656-1.jpg)
Master Bedroom
The master bedroom is a light-infused and fun space that is filled with colour, from the mustard yellow drapes, turquoise headboard and green armchair, to the rust-coloured wallpaper, blue-and-red Nasser Nishaburi rug and colourful abstract painting.
The existing balcony wall and window have been replaced with floor-to-ceiling Crittall-style doors that flood the interior with an abundance of natural light.
![bowerman_2506220155-1-826x1024-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/bowerman_2506220155-1-826x1024-1.jpg)
Master Bathroom
Borrowing some space from the adjacent guest bathroom, the expanded master bathroom is a luxurious, marble-clad sanctuary juxtaposed with a touch of the rough as conveyed by the use of textured, dark green slate.
Unlike many homes where the guest room may be little more than just an extra room, Tom and Vanessa put a lot of thought into their guest room as it is where their parents will stay when they visit. CY went for a resort concept that would give the parents a vacation experience with an interesting rattan ceiling.
![bowerman_2506221544-1-784x1024-1 Tall, velvety curtains not only serve a practical purpose as sunshade, but also mimic theatre curtains that transform this corner in the girls’ bedroom into a little performance area.](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/bowerman_2506221544-1-784x1024-1.jpg)
Children’s Bedroom
The bedroom and a playroom on the third storey are dedicated to the three daughters with a pink and princess-y theme. Two pairs of bunk beds are separated by steps and have integrated bookshelves and drawers.
Although this is a sizeable piece of furniture within the room, its bulk is well-tolerated by the spacious footprint of the room and the lofty pitched roof. An existing balcony has been enclosed with glass that gives it a cosy, dormer quality that makes it the perfect play corner for the girls.
![bowerman_2506220026-1-788x1024-1 The luminous sheen from the mother-of-pearl mosaics in the girls’ bathroom lend a dreamy vibe to an otherwise utilitarian space.](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/bowerman_2506220026-1-788x1024-1.jpg)
Children’s Bathroom
The attached bathroom takes the princess theme up a notch with walls cladded with economically-farmed, mother-of-pearl mosaics.
![bowerman_2506220542-1-1024x947-1 Bookshelves from Taobao in the reading area help to keep the furnishing budget in check without compromising on style.](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/bowerman_2506220542-1-1024x947-1.jpg)
Total Renovation Cost: $600,000
The renovation costing $600,000 took about six months, which was no mean feat considering the original condition of the property, the scope of works, and manpower shortage and other restrictions during Circuit Breaker Phase One and Two.
Nevertheless, CY and team managed to pull it off and the family of five moved into their new home in July 2021.