Functionality was a top priority for this family of five when they engaged Collective Designs for the design and renovation of their condominium in Ardmore Park, Tanglin. With a total of seven people living in the house – including their two helpers – it was essential that they utilised every part of the space well.
The team from Collective Designs comprised Selina Tay, the founder and principal designer, and Jane Febrina, interior designer. Together, they worked out the homeowners’ top priorities, which included adding storage to the bedrooms and improving the spatial flow.
“We spent time with the owners in order to understand how they use a particular cabinet, whether in the kitchen, study, or wardrobe, and we plan accordingly,” says Selina. The result is a home that fits the family’s lifestyle to a tee.
AT A GLANCE
Who lives here: A family of five with two helpers
Type of home: A 4+1 bedroom condominium in District 10
Size of home: 2,885 sq ft
ID: Collective Designs
One of the main concerns was an under-utilised space in the corridor leading to the bedrooms. Since the space could not be expanded in any way, the team decided to turn this into a study area for the children instead, installing a custom-made desk with rounded edges for their safety.
![home-_-decor-house-tour-collective-condo-district-10-minimalist-luxe-walkway_01-674x1024-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home-_-decor-house-tour-collective-condo-district-10-minimalist-luxe-walkway_01-674x1024-1.jpg)
To create more room for storage, the master bedroom was reconfigured and a new partition wall added. This created a small entryway with room to house handbags and accessories. The team also added a new wardrobe made of a material similar to the wall cladding, so that it blends seamlessly into the background.
![home-_-decor-house-tour-collective-condo-district-10-minimalist-luxe-bedroom_03-1024x676-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home-_-decor-house-tour-collective-condo-district-10-minimalist-luxe-bedroom_03-1024x676-1.jpg)
A well-designed home is all about the details, and this apartment is no exception. After learning about the homeowners’ habits and lifestyle, the Collective Designs team made sure to incorporate storage for every aspect, including building a settee bench in the foyer to store sports equipment.
![home-_-decor-house-tour-collective-condo-district-10-minimalist-luxe-kitchen_01-1024x667-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home-_-decor-house-tour-collective-condo-district-10-minimalist-luxe-kitchen_01-1024x667-1.jpg)
They also made sure that the room doors were generously-sized for ease of access, and that there were minimal steps or ledges between areas so that the home would remain accessible for the long term.
![home-_-decor-house-tour-collective-condo-district-10-minimalist-luxe-bathroom_02-1024x665-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home-_-decor-house-tour-collective-condo-district-10-minimalist-luxe-bathroom_02-1024x665-1.jpg)
One of the highlights of the home is the built-in bar in the living room, which comes equipped with a wine cooler, drinks refrigerator, water dispenser, and sink. Set into the wall, it provides an ideal space for entertaining guests. “We wanted the bar to look like a piece of art, framed and elevated,” explains Selina.
Clad in neutrals, the living space feels more like an upscale hotel lobby. While the outcome looks effortlessly elegant, the work that went into choosing the colours was quite a challenge for the team, as they needed to create a new look that was in keeping with the original limestone cladding, marble flooring and wood-framed main door that were retained in the foyer.
![home-_-decor-house-tour-collective-condo-district-10-minimalist-luxe-living-room_02-1024x634-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home-_-decor-house-tour-collective-condo-district-10-minimalist-luxe-living-room_02-1024x634-1.jpg)
“While examining the secondary colours of the existing floor, we found an Italian travertine in a parallel colour family,” says Selina. “To complement the pale cream-beige travertine wall cladding and cool-cream floor, we chose two different wood finishes in grey-brown for the TV console.” The ivory leather sofa, round marble coffee table, and custom-made hand-knotted bamboo silk rug were all selected for their complementary hues and soft lines to balance out the look.
![home-_-decor-house-tour-collective-condo-district-10-minimalist-luxe-living-room_01-1024x649-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home-_-decor-house-tour-collective-condo-district-10-minimalist-luxe-living-room_01-1024x649-1.jpg)
The tasteful palette extends to the bedrooms as well. “We needed to create rooms that the children could grow into,” says Selina. As the children are fairly young — all are under 10 — it was essential that the rooms encouraged play, but were also practical with plenty of storage.
![home-_-decor-house-tour-collective-condo-district-10-minimalist-luxe-bedroom_02-1024x689-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home-_-decor-house-tour-collective-condo-district-10-minimalist-luxe-bedroom_02-1024x689-1.jpg)
To do so, the Collective Designs team started with neutrals, adding elements such as an upholstered headboard in dusky pink and gold polka-dotted wallpaper for the daughter’s bedroom, and a quirky terracotta reading nook for the boys.
![home-_-decor-house-tour-collective-condo-district-10-minimalist-luxe-bedroom_01-1024x682-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home-_-decor-house-tour-collective-condo-district-10-minimalist-luxe-bedroom_01-1024x682-1.jpg)
The powder room also features a pop of warm colour, centred around the rare Turkish marble slab. To complement the red-gold veins, the team chose a burnt orange wall covering and copper blown-glass pendant lamp from Italy, creating a chic and intimate space. “We believe that this small functional space can be made impressive, enchanting, and even thought-provoking,” says Selina. “To every project, Collective Designs always applies a timeless design philosophy that will stand the test of time, and this is no exception.”
Photography: Collective Designs
![home-_-decor-house-tour-collective-condo-district-10-minimalist-luxe-bathroom_01-671x1024-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home-_-decor-house-tour-collective-condo-district-10-minimalist-luxe-bathroom_01-671x1024-1.jpg)