While the industrial style is trending right now, it is challenging to achieve a balanced look. A concern that the homeowners of this BTO flat raised was that they needed more space in their home. With the advice of designer Kalyn Guo of Home Journal, they decided to go for an industrial look with CraftStone veneers and “worn-out effect” floor tiles to make their home stylish and welcoming, while being child-friendly. The final look, what the designer calls “colonial-inspired” due to its references to classic colonial black-and-white bungalows, is a joyous marriage of tastes.
The first thing that Kalyn suggested was to knock down a wall between two bedrooms to form a capacious master suite with an L-shaped wall. Distinguishing the bedroom from the corridor is a divider made up of nine iron-framed wire mesh glass panels. Besides giving the space its loft-like appearance, it is also used as a divider to maximise air-con usage. The custom-designed bed frame is made to look like a floating platform with a slanted base support. Another feature here is the customised electrical conduit piping running along the length of the ceiling. Part of the bedroom contains a floor-to-ceiling wardrobe overlaid in wood-effect laminates. The cosy spot doubles up as a reading corner thanks to the installation of warm cove lighting and dark wood-toned flooring.
Complementing the timeless ambiance of the master bedroom, the en suite is a serene space complete with carefully selected fixtures. Colonial influences like the Nyatoh wood-framed ventilation door separates the bathing area with the bedroom, while black-and-white cabinetry and fixtures balance out the space, resulting in a touch of formality.
Just like the private sanctuary, the living and dining areas carry a contemporary charm with their clean layout and neutral colour scheme. Smooth white walls set a neat contrast to the homogeneous floor tiles and CraftStone veneers that give an authentic brick wall look. A standout feature in the living zone is the white PVC stacked blinds with black trimming. This piece of accessory is a nod to both the industrial style and the bamboo chick blinds found in old colonial homes.
Kalyn knows that it is easy to overdo it with an industrial concept so she was cautious in keeping the home simple and functional. The result is a striking and chic home perfect for a young family.
This was adapted from an article originally written by Sharon Salim in the June issue of SquareRooms.
