In today’s economy, splurging on a flat white only feels worth it if the ambience makes you want to stay. For a young couple in Clementi, that café comfort is now part of their daily routine — no queue, no crowd, just the warm hum of home.
Designed by Keith and Reyen of Key Concept, the renovation was built around a single brief: a space that feels like your favourite café, layered with personality, warmth, and an easy, lived-in charm.
A Curved Entry That Sets the Tone
Instead of the usual straight-lined HDB foyer, the designers introduced a gentle curve that subtly shields the interior from the main door.
“The curved feature breaks away from the typical rigid lines of an HDB layout,” the designers shared. “It creates a sense of privacy upon entering the home and softens the look of the entrance.”
Crafting this arc required careful space planning so it didn’t affect the flow of adjacent zones. The finishing also needed precise detailing to keep the curvature smooth and seamless.
The materials immediately cue the café mood: maroon metro tiles line the entryway like a bakery counter, while glass blocks diffuse soft light and bring a hint of nostalgia. A suspended cement bench completes the foyer, turning it into a mini waiting area — only, of course, much more comfortable.
A Coffee Bar at the Heart of the Home
Right between the foyer and kitchen, the couple carved out a dedicated coffee bar using off-the-shelf furniture.
“The homeowners have very good taste,” Keith and Reyen said. “Most of the furniture was sourced by them without consulting us.”
This corner, styled with mid-century touches, sets the aesthetic direction for the rest of the home.
Living and Dining: Warm, Moody, and Incredibly Inviting
In the living room, low-profile dark walnut furniture, cream textiles, and accents of forest green build a palette that feels equal parts modern and cosy. At night, table lamps take over, casting a soft, moody glow that gives the space its signature warmth.
The dining area continues the blend of textures and styles. A sculptural akari paper lamp floats above a curved built-in settee, paired with mismatched dining chairs for a casual, collected-over-time feel.
“We integrated the settee with the peninsula so the kitchen and dining feel unified,” the designers added. “It also lets the homeowners interact with guests over the counter.”
A Light-Filled Kitchen with Artisan Touches
To make the most of the kitchen’s daylight, the homeowners chose textured artisan alabaster tiles for the backsplash. While lighter tones tend to show dirt more easily, the designers noted that sealing and regular cleaning make maintenance manageable — a trade-off the couple was happy to accept for the look they wanted.
Bathrooms That Carry the Café-Inspired Warmth
The common bathroom mirrors the home’s palette, repeating the curves, metro tiles, and timber finishes. In the master bathroom, deeper wooden tones and soft lighting create an onsen-like atmosphere within the shower, while calming blue wall tiles add a cooling counterpoint.
A Rethink of the Sleeping and Dressing Zones
To give each partner their own rhythm in the morning, the designers reconfigured the bedrooms: the bed sits in the common bedroom, while the wardrobe and vanity occupy the master bedroom. This separation allows one partner to get ready early without disturbing the other.
An L-shaped wardrobe with an integrated vanity, clad in textured laminate, maximises storage while keeping the room visually light. With the master bathroom just steps away, the entire dressing area forms a smooth, unhurried morning routine.
