While the initial design brief for this condominium unit had a straightforward focus on luxurious design and expanding the existing storage space, the renovation ended up taking a more interesting turn. Not only did SpaceOne designer Adrian Heng have to incorporate some of the homeowners’ original furniture into the design, but the two sisters living in this condo unit also wished to make room for their own artwork. This resulted in a vibrant, lively ambience and a particularly personalised space.
“After taking time to understand the sisters’ wishlist and the look that they wanted for the house, I opted for a more neutral colour palette for the living area, warm golden tones for the second bedroom and a cool, green hue for the master bedroom,” Adrian shares. Paired with a wide variety of lighting sources, such as pendant lamps and recessed LED lights, this range of colours turned each room into a unique, visually interesting space to spend time in, avoiding monotony throughout the home.
Most of these rooms were then further accentuated by the homeowners’ artwork, which one of the sisters painted to match the theme of the house. “I told her the size, colours and concept I wanted and she painted a few pieces accordingly,” the designer tells us. A pair of paintings complement the living area in particular, giving the space an urban, dynamic vibe. Adrian’s biggest challenge was then to harmoniously blend the many colours and aesthetic styles of the home, from the sisters’ original artwork and furniture to each room’s individual colour palette—and this without stepping outside of the tight renovation budget. Thankfully, the result is a well-coordinated environment that feels cosy while yet retaining a touch of luxury.
The extra storage space that the two homeowners asked for was of course incorporated as well. “It’s a very small apartment, so wherever there was even the tiniest space that allowed for extra storage, we implemented it,” Adrian explains. The first step to this was to maximise the available space with clever furniture picks, such as the custom-designed modular sofa set and mobile side table in the living area, the latter of which can be moved when the sisters choose to stretch their legs. On a structural level, however, more intensive changes needed to be made. “The kitchen extension is one good example of how we made room for extra storage. By hacking the original kitchen wall, we were able to extend the storage space all the way out from the kitchen to the dining area.” This newly open-plan zone is also much easier on the eyes, letting more light into both areas of the home.
Through the design team’s combination of smart space planning and refined styling, this tiny condominium unit—measuring just a little over 700 sq ft—was transformed into a personalised abode full of brand-new possibilities.
This post was adapted from an article originally published in the September 2020 issue of SquareRooms.
