At 37, Jerusha considers herself a patron of the arts. By day, she works in the local arts and cultural scene. By night, she might be at the theatre catching a play or dance recital, or curled up at home with her books, films and vinyl records, many of them classics.
“I’m drawn to older sensibilities,” she shared. “It’s not as much about nostalgia as it is about timelessness. I value things that endure because they’re well-made and thoughtfully designed, and I try to live with that same balance of past and present.”
It was this sensibility that drew her to a three-room HDB flat in the neighbourhood of Bedok, whose aged terrazzo flooring immediately caught her eye. Instead of replacing it, Jerusha decided to build the rest of the home around it.
The result, says Verena Lim, interior designer at Niam Studio, is a “mid-century modern home with eclectic vintage twists.”
The tone is set even before one steps in. A nineties-style entrance opens into a vibrant foyer, which Jerusha likens to the trailer of a movie: revealing just enough of the house to intrigue guests, but not so much that it gives everything away.
To demarcate the space, Verena laid Peranakan-style tiles that match the patterned metal gate in colour. It is here that Jerusha kicks off her shoes and unwinds each evening before entering the living room.
“As an introvert, home is where I recharge. I love keeping fresh flowers around the house, drinking tea, and crocheting in my downtime. These small, tactile rituals help soften the edges of a busy day.”
The living room reflects her many interests. Her vinyl collection spans genres and decades, while the wall where a television might usually sit instead displays a portrait by Singaporean artist Rofi Zano.
“I’ve admired his work since I gallery-sat for his first solo show, so having his pieces here is particularly meaningful.”
Further inside, the dining room takes on a livelier mood with more artwork and patterned tiles. Unlike in many 3-room flats, where a rectangular dining table is pushed against the wall to save space, Verena and Jerusha decided to shrink the kitchen slightly to free up room for a round table placed at the centre.
“After all, a dining room is supposed to be a place for people to connect over food. I wanted to show that although this isn’t the norm in such a small space, it’s possible.”
The dining room is separated by the kitchen with ventilation blocks, designed to make one feel like they’re “crossing the gateway to a different dimension”, said Verena. Compared to a solid wall, these blocks also help maintain a sense of openness.
“Visually, you are still able to take in the entire length of the house. The smaller the unit, the more we have to emphasise its spaciousness.”
Within the compact kitchen, every inch has been carefully planned. The left stretch of cabinetry is dedicated to cooking, topped with upper cabinets finished in a bright yellow laminate that Verena selected on a whim.
“It’s a colour not many will pick, so much so that the laminate company is discontinuing this colour soon. I guess that gives this project a ‘limited edition’ quality?”, she laughed.
The right side functions as the service yard, housing the washing machine and cleaning supplies. Here, the ventilation blocks appear again, forming a semi-private pocket that leads to the vanity and common bathroom. But they also serve a practical purpose.
“When guests come over, Jerusha can conveniently push all the laundry hanging on the rack towards the common bathroom and hide them from view.”
While the shared areas lean towards eclectic and expressive elements, the private spaces take a calmer tone that highlights the home’s mid-century modern character. The common bedroom, which is designed as a place for focus, is painted in deep blue, forming a dramatic backdrop for Jerusha’s metallic lamps and dark wooden furniture.
“There’s a lot of wood in the furnishings. Warm tones that give the home a grounded, intimate quality. I gravitate toward natural materials and organic shapes, pieces that feel honest and considered.”
The master bedroom, in contrast, takes on a softer mood meant for rest. Here, Verena kept the palette earthy and the silhouettes simple while going the extra mile to keep things interesting.
On the wardrobe panels, she carved subtle groove lines across the surface to add texture. The finishing touch comes in the form of handcrafted handles that many might remember from their grandparents’ homes, but which are now rarely seen.
“These tiny details bring you back to a slower time, when people took the time to notice and appreciate the craft behind everyday objects.”
Words: Joyce Yang
