Homes with curved walls may not be a common sight, but then again, the building that houses this resale HDB flat is hardly common to begin with. Located in Ang Mo Kio, this is the country’s only existing circular block of flats, which were completed in 1981.
Although this 1,200sq ft resale apartment has the dimensions of a standard five-room flat, having curved walls means that typical furniture composed of straight lines cannot be propped squarely against the edges of the property. This makes furniture placement difficult and a tad awkward, while precious floor and wall space is wasted. Knowing this, the two sisters who own the resale flat tasked designer KC and project manager Lucas Lau from Richfield Integrated to create custom furnishings that would fit their home’s rounded proportions to a T, all the while meeting each of their personal needs.
A relic of the 80s, the grey and brown terrazzo flooring in the living room was not only preserved but also inspired the colour scheme of the home’s redesign. A predominantly warm-toned palette of brown, grey and white is evoked through the various finishes and fixtures newly installed around the home; this colourway even extends to the bathrooms. Previously underused, the curved wall of the living room now sports storage cabinets all along its length. Designed to be a multi-purpose unit, this dynamic design feature serves as a TV console in the living area, as well as a shoe cabinet next to the main door, even boasting a niche fitted with a custom bench.
In the interest of expanding the home’s interior space, the balcony was enclosed with sliding glass windows so the owners can now admire the lush view of Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park in climate-controlled conditions.
Being whisky lovers, the owners wanted their home to have a dedicated space to display their expanding collection of spirits and whisk up fancy tipples for guests. A compact but fully functional whisky bar was built into a cosy corner of the living room. Complete with an integrated sink, wine fridge and plenty of cabinets, it even comes with a unique bar counter that can be folded away when not in use.
As all the bedrooms feature a curved wall as well, most of the furnishings including the bedframes, wardrobes and desk were made to measure for a more precise fit. To maximise storage room, no stone was left unturned—cabinets were even built under the windows, an added challenge since they are on the curved side of the bedrooms. Timber replaced the existing flooring for a cosy vibe and comfortable feel underfoot.
The sisters moved in this July after a two-monthlong overhaul of their newly purchased home. Thanks to thorough space planning and creative design solutions, they both can now enjoy their unique home to the fullest.
This post was adapted from an article originally published in the December 2020 issue of SquareRooms.
