Some first-time homeowners like to play it safe, but this self-employed couple followed their heart for their BTO design.
To Feng Shui or not to Feng Shui? For this young couple renovating their first home, it was a tough consideration—they loved the look of archways and rounded features but were advised to avoid them in the name of good Feng Shui, making the design process somewhat tricky.
In the end, they followed their heart, the result an understated, classy abode enhanced by deep hues and modest curves.
FACT FILE
Space: 5-room BTO flat
Size: 1,216 sq ft
Location: Tampines Greenverge
Designer: Evelyn Lim from Blend by ImC
Reno period: Nine weeks
Budget: $65K
Entryway
Leaving a sleek and streamlined first impression, the household shelter was concealed using Neutral Katovik Noce laminates from EDL. This feature stretches all the way to the living room, making the light hue a particularly good choice to open up and maximise the brightness of the home.
Wet kitchen
The kitchen was entirely reconfigured through multiple discussions with the homeowners, accommodating multiple appliances, plenty of countertop space and enough room to comfortably host friends and family. The resulting open-concept design is much more inviting than the original layout, which was narrow, dark and unappealing.
Dry kitchen
While the wet kitchen required some reconfiguration, the toughest part was connecting it seamlessly to the dry kitchen without disrupting the flow of movement between the two areas. A lot of thought was put into anticipating the way the kitchen would be used and how the couple might move through the space.
One result of this is the rounded kitchen island, custom-built out of Hermes Marcello Walnut laminates from Lamitak and an Arkstone top, effectively minimising any bumping into sharp corners. The custom whisky shelf and arched settee mimic the curved shape of the island for visual continuity, while the wallpaper and custom-mixed Nippon paint make for a dashing finish.
Bedroom and office
Being self-employed in different industries, the homeowners needed their respective desks, now built into opposite ends of the pared-back bedroom. The wall between the work-from-home space and the sleeping area was only partly hacked to maximise brightness but still provide a sense of separation between work and rest.
About Blend by ImC
An offshoot of design and carpentry firm ImCarpenter, Blend by ImC was first set up in 2019, with a greater emphasis on the design process and allowing each home to tell a unique story. The firm provides a wide range of services, including spatial design consultations, full renovations, project management and customised solutions.
Contact
1C Yio Chu Kang Road
Singapore 545509
[email protected]
blendbyimc.com
This post was adapted from an article originally published in IdealHomes 2022.
