A Home of Colour, Character and a Very Loved Duck
How one couple built a vibrant, memory-filled space that celebrates colour, travel and the unexpected—featuring their pet duck, Dopey.
In a sea of beige and neutrals, this home stands unapologetically bright. Every corner is expressive, personal and joyfully unrestrained—an aesthetic the couple behind @darkdakhouse embraced from the very beginning. “We’ve always been fans of colour,” they share. “In our clothes, in our décor—everywhere. When we stopped limiting ourselves to minimalism, it felt like opening the door to collect pieces from all over the world and make them part of our story.”
Designing a Home That Feels Cohesive amidst Chaos
Their secret to managing colour? A curated palette. Red, green, blue and silver anchor the space, guiding everything from furniture choices to styling moments. By pairing complementary tones—like blue with orange, or red with soft pink—the home stays intentional and vibrant rather than overwhelming.
The living room best captures their spirit. A full wall of custom cabinetry displays cherished objects collected over years, each one tied to a memory. It sets the tone for the rest of the home: expressive, sentimental and delightfully eclectic.
Meet Dopey, the Duck Who Stole the Show
Yes—there’s a pet duck. “I’ve loved ducks since I was young,” she says. “I even stopped eating duck years ago.” For her birthday, her husband brought home Dopey, who has since become an energetic (and occasionally mischievous) presence in their everyday life.
Dopey has influenced the home in small but meaningful ways. The couple keeps windows closed more often and naturally spends more time at home. “Honestly, we don’t mind. She brings us so much joy.”
Accommodations for Dopey are practical but minimal—more mindful airflow, more supervision—but the couple has fully embraced these changes. They’re even dreaming of creating a cosy corner just for her in the near future.
Pinterest, Lemon8 and Communa are the digital mood boards behind their home. They’d crop different parts of inspiring rooms and stitch them together for contractors, creating a clear visual blueprint for their renovation and styling.
Despite the home’s colour and personality, the couple keeps it lighthearted. “We don’t overthink it. If something doesn’t work, Carousell exists.” This ease keeps their space dynamic and always evolving.
Not everyone understands their aesthetic—her father often jokes, “Why your house so dark? Why everything not matching leh?” But the couple takes it in stride. “It’s our home and our style. That’s what matters.”
Their personalities meet in the middle. She’s always loved colour and quirky finds (even printed toilet paper and cherry-shaped brushes), while he preferred minimal, black-toned interiors. Over time, their styles blended, but the home today undeniably leans bold and colourful—a testament to gentle influence and shared evolution.
What’s Next for Their Home?
Even now, the home is a work in progress. They’re perpetually hunting for new décor and dreaming of adding more greenery. And of course, a special nook for Dopey is on the wishlist.
Explore more of their playful, colour-driven world on Instagram @darkdakhouse.
