For one working executive and her mother, they were looking to transform their 550sqf flat. It was dated and the spaces were too dark owing to the lack of natural light flowing into the spaces.
Faced with the challenge, they approached Stanley Tham, Chief Designer at KNQ Associates, to see how his team could bring new life to the spaces.
Stanley decided to reconfigure the spaces and convert it into a stylish semi-bachelorette pad for the daughter and her mother. The design team made a bold move by using mirrored panels to help bring more light into the living area (above).
They also created an entirely new open-concept dining area.
Living Room
The living room of a one-bedroom HDB flat that opens up to the common corridor. The lack of natural sunlight made the HDB flat dark and dated.
![65920-knqt01](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/65920-knqt01.jpg)
Dining Area
While most of the furniture was customised for the home, Stanley also created wall-mounted storage units in sleek white cabinetry around the room and along the ceiling to conceal messy cables and wires.
![65922-knqt03](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/65922-knqt03.jpg)
Previously, the walls were lined with boxes and old furniture. The bare walls also showed signs of age and neglect.
![65923-knqt04](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/65923-knqt04.jpg)
Bright, Airy Interiors
The new living area is bright and airy, instead of boxes the walls are now lined with a banquet upholstered in warm, cosy colours.
![65924-knqt05](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/65924-knqt05.jpg)
Mirror Panels
What really opened up the space here is the newly configured dining area, enhanced with a mirrored panel and a cheerful blue accent wall.
![65925-knqt06](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/65925-knqt06.jpg)
Open Concept Living
The dining area is now combined with the rest of the living room, brought together by the creation of a large feature wall, which doubles as a TV console.
![65926-knqt07](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/65926-knqt07.jpg)
Kitchen
The entrance to the kitchen was narrow and unwelcoming, further complicated by the mismatched floor and wall tiles.
![65927-knqt08](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/65927-knqt08.jpg)
While the space may remain the same, it’s amazing to see how it looks so much bigger and happier with the use of the white cabinetry and a glass sliding door.
![65928-knqt09](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/65928-knqt09.jpg)
Glass Doors
Decorative accents on the glass sliding door help to zone off the area without blocking it out completely.
![65929-knqt10](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/65929-knqt10.jpg)
Rubbish Chute
Notice how the back of the kitchen had this odd corner for the garbage chute and pipe?
![65930-knqt11](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/65930-knqt11.jpg)
It’s been transformed to make space for an additional sink.
![65931-knqt11a](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/65931-knqt11a.jpg)
Study Room
In this room, the space was previously not utilised and left bare.
![65932-knqt12](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/65932-knqt12.jpg)
Now, it is a cosy study area, with a daybed by the side.
![65933-knqt13](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/65933-knqt13.jpg)
Daybed
There was even ample space for a wall-mounted TV at the end of the daybed.
![65934-knqt13a](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/65934-knqt13a.jpg)
Bedroom
The bedroom was in a bad state, with paint peeling off the walls and no proper light placements.
![65935-knqt14](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/65935-knqt14.jpg)
Built-In Wardorbe
The design team decided to install new built-in wardrobe space next to the beds as well as concealed lighting to brighten up the sleeping areas.
![65940-knqt15](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/65940-knqt15.jpg)
Serene Colours
The colours are kept light and comforting, giving the bedroom a peaceful and serene feel.
![65941-knqt16](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/65941-knqt16.jpg)
Here’s another look at the old storage space.
![65942-knqt17](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/65942-knqt17.jpg)
The new storage area is tidy and neat, with plenty of room for the homeowner and her mother.
This story first appeared in Sona Decor in 2017. Photos courtesy of KNQ Associates.
![65943-knqt18](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/65943-knqt18.jpg)