It’s evident what Marilyn Tan likes when one steps into her home. Every part of the space sparkles with personality, from the modern Peranakan accents to the musical elements adorning the walls. But there’s so much more than meets the eye, hidden just out of sight.
The 700 sq ft condominium apartment in Whampoa is all at once her sanctuary, a space for her hobbies, and an entertaining area for her friends. To make it all work, versatility and creativity were essential, and the marketing manager approached Amanda Pang of AMP Design Co to take up the challenge.
AT A GLANCE
Home: Two-bedroom condominium apartment in Whampoa
Who lives here: A marketing manager in her forties
Size of home: 700 sq ft
ID: AMP Design Co
To make the space more versatile, Amanda made it possible for Marilyn to easily transform the rooms whenever needed. This included plenty of hidden storage and pull-out pieces. For instance, one of the drawer units in the living room TV console is actually a coffee table in disguise. When not in use, it blends in seamlessly with the rest of the units, freeing up more space in the living room. Likewise, the units under the banquette in the adjacent room can be pulled out to form extra stool seats for when her friends come over.
![home-_-decor-house-tour-amp-condo-2-bedroom-whampoa-convertible_living2](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home-_-decor-house-tour-amp-condo-2-bedroom-whampoa-convertible_living2.jpg)
In fact, the entire adjacent room – a small, brightly-lit area off to the side of the living room and kitchen – serves multiple purposes. It’s an area for Marilyn to have her meals, but also functions as the home’s main storage area with plenty of cabinets. It’s where Marilyn keeps her photography dry box, a wine fridge, and even a table for mahjong sessions. “Having enough space for all of my hobbies and interests was very important,” she says.
![home-_-decor-house-tour-amp-condo-2-bedroom-whampoa-convertible_homeowner1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home-_-decor-house-tour-amp-condo-2-bedroom-whampoa-convertible_homeowner1.jpg)
Concealed storage is key for keeping things uncluttered. The raised platform provides plenty of space for Marilyn’s shoes and luggage, and there’s even a hidden workstation tucked away behind one of the cabinets – though one would never guess it from the streamlined look.
![home-_-decor-house-tour-amp-condo-2-bedroom-whampoa-convertible_living3-671x1024-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home-_-decor-house-tour-amp-condo-2-bedroom-whampoa-convertible_living3-671x1024-1.jpg)
Incorporating sliding elements also helped to take up less space, like the barn door leading to the bedroom. When closed, the barn door resembles a feature wall, concealing the entrance. Likewise, a sliding mirror on the built-in bedroom dresser pulls back to reveal the television behind it. “This is one of my favourite features, as it helps to save so much space,” shares Amanda.
![home-_-decor-house-tour-amp-condo-2-bedroom-whampoa-convertible_living1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home-_-decor-house-tour-amp-condo-2-bedroom-whampoa-convertible_living1.jpg)
The look of the home is equally unique. Marilyn wanted modern Peranakan elements in her home as a nod to her heritage, so Amanda incorporated them as accents. The geometric ventilation blocks at the top of the living room wall and in the moveable kitchen island lend the space distinct character, as well as the Peranakan tiles forming the backsplash in the kitchen. Keeping them in shades of calming blue lent them a contemporary update while keeping the overall look unified.
![home-_-decor-house-tour-amp-condo-2-bedroom-whampoa-convertible_kitchen1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home-_-decor-house-tour-amp-condo-2-bedroom-whampoa-convertible_kitchen1.jpg)
Here and there are nods to other aspects of Marilyn’s life. One wall in the living room features a custom-made metal grille with round bronze and black motifs, inspired by music notation. The same feature appears in the bedroom, too, and is one of Marilyn’s favourite features.
![home-_-decor-house-tour-amp-condo-2-bedroom-whampoa-convertible_bedroom1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home-_-decor-house-tour-amp-condo-2-bedroom-whampoa-convertible_bedroom1.jpg)
“A lot of the ideas came about thanks to the homeowner’s ability to communicate her preferences well,” says Amanda. “It’s like how a tailor would measure someone and create an outfit that suits them – I believe good design should also suit a person’s lifestyle and personality perfectly.”
Photography: Veronica Tay
Art Direction: Nonie Chen
![home-_-decor-house-tour-amp-condo-2-bedroom-whampoa-convertible_dining1-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home-_-decor-house-tour-amp-condo-2-bedroom-whampoa-convertible_dining1-1.jpg)