After years of living in a larger unit within the same condominium in Simei, homeowners Dennis and Lilian decided to right-size their space for their new stage of family life. With their children gradually becoming more independent, the move into this three-bedroom unit presented the perfect opportunity to configure a layout to meet their changing needs.
Working with lead designer Jonas Lee from Grid Collective, the married couple refined their 1,227 sq ft home with a calm, contemporary design suited to both everyday routines and social gatherings.
“The home had to be adaptable. They enjoy hosting, but they also wanted flexibility for hobbies like golfing and working from home.”
In the living area, wood-look fluted laminate panels frame the TV feature wall as a key design highlight, and continue beside the island counter to visually connect the different zones. A mirror insert at the base of the TV feature wall bounces light gently across the space.
“Once you enter the house, the TV feature area is the first thing you notice,” says Jonas. “It sets the tone for the entire palette through the fluted panels and grey laminate tones.”
With generous windows but limited wall space in the living area, the layout required careful planning. The half-height island behind the sofa doubles as a visual divider and hosting surface, and also houses a wine chiller requested by the homeowners.
“We didn’t have a lot of wall space to work with because of the windows,” says Jonas. “So the island became both a backing for the sofa and a multipurpose surface for drinks and catering when they host.”
A tinted mirror panel along the dining wall further enhances the sense of openness by reflecting natural light around the shared zones.
Although the kitchen footprint is relatively compact, the homeowners cook regularly, so storage planning became especially important. Overhead cabinets maximise usable space while keeping appliances neatly integrated.
Sintered stone countertops and backsplashes provide durable work surfaces, and wood-look laminates maintain continuity with the rest of the home. Vinyl overlay flooring refreshed the space without extensive hacking.
Each bedroom was customised according to the needs of the couple’s two sons.
In one common bedroom, a concealed projector replaces a conventional television setup, freeing up valuable wall space for storage. It also reflects the older son’s interests as an audiophile, with a growing collection of audio equipment neatly displayed.
“There wasn’t enough wall space for a TV with the wardrobes, so we concealed the projector inside the false ceiling instead.”
The other common bedroom was planned with flexibility in mind for the youngest son. Built-in wardrobes keep the compact space neat, while a custom bed with a raised side table and a pull-out guest bed make room for visiting friends during sleepovers.
In the master bedroom, layered lighting within the false ceiling and at the headboard allows the homeowners to adjust the mood easily between brighter task lighting and softer evening ambience.
Lilian’s interest in styling and greenery was also carried into the bathroom, where the existing sunken bath became a natural feature to build around. Jonas made use of the wall niches by adding shelving for plants and decorative ornaments.
“She enjoys decorating with plants and small objects,” Jonas adds. “So we integrated storage within the existing wall recesses and even introduced hidden storage beneath the bay window.”
Rather than dramatically altering the original layout, the renovation centered on enhancing the home around the family’s evolving routines. The smooth-sailing renovation process was also made possible through Grid Collective’s collaboration with Homeez, where contractors are engaged through the integrated renovation platform.
“Working with Homeez helped keep the renovation process straightforward and costs transparent for the homeowners, while allowing us to focus on guiding the design and overall direction.”
This approach helped keep everything on track, resulting in a home ready for the family’s next chapter.
