Eight years ago, when Kelvin and Adeline moved into their first home as a married couple, it was Colin from Renozone who brought their vision for a four-room BTO flat to life. Nearly a decade later, as their lifestyles evolved and they embraced parenthood with their two-year-old, they turned to the interior designer once again—this time, to renovate their four-bedroom resale condominium into a space suited for their growing family.
“We engaged them because they did a good job with our previous home. Even after 8 years, everything was still functioning and looking great,” says Kelvin.
For Kelvin, what sets Colin and his team apart is their ability to create designs that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional and purpose-driven. This philosophy is evident from the moment you step into their home, particularly in the open-concept kitchen—an essential feature for Kelvin, who does most of the cooking.
“Initially, the kitchen was walled up, so it’s not comfortable for two people to be in the kitchen at the same time, back to back. To maintain the openness that we had gotten used to in our previous BTO, we went for an open kitchen,” he explains.
For many, an open kitchen raises concerns about cooking odours. Instead of installing bulky collapsible glass panels that could disrupt the overall aesthetic, Kelvin opted for a high-quality hood and a corner fan. Even without a yard door—which Colin recommended for child safety—the fumes didn’t linger on the laundry.
Cooking fumes were just one part of the challenge; managing clutter was another. To keep countertops free of appliances, they designed three separate racks, each equipped with power points and pull-out trays for easy access.
“This way, appliances that need to vent steam upwards can be used and stowed without being relocated. Everything is already in its home,” Colin adds.
Another space-saving feature is the retractable dining table, an idea Kelvin picked up from social media. With a lively toddler at home, the ability to free up space for playtime was too tempting to pass up. Once he shared the concept with Colin, they took it a step further.
“We thought, why not make it both retractable, and extendable? Thanks to our ID, the supports for the retractable table are very, very steady. They’re nearly twice as sturdy as needed.”
Next to it is a dining bench Kelvin sourced from Taobao, which looks like a built-in piece but is in fact simply assembled and pushed into place, with an allowance for skirting.
“The inspiration that we got this from was from a cafe that we went to. We saw that cafes typically have these booths and our daughter likes sitting in the booths together with us, side by side,” he explains.
In the living room, Colin helped Kelvin—an audiophile at heart—conceal his sound system within a custom feature wall, with additional space for a liquor cabinet. Below, a subwoofer rests on a custom-built base designed to absorb vibrations.
Soundproofing was also a priority. To the left of the feature wall, a hidden door blends seamlessly into the design, doubling as a sound barrier. This concealed entry leads to the corridor, where it continues the seamless aesthetic along the walkway.
The same attention to detail extends to the bathrooms. In the common bathroom, the vanity cabinet includes built-in power points, making it easy to use electric toothbrushes and hair dryers safely. Part of the cabinet remains exposed for frequently used items, allowing for quick access without constantly opening and closing the mirror door.
But nothing compares to the master bathroom, which could rival those in Japanese hotels.
Outfitted with a bidet toilet and heated towel racks, the inspiration came during their home renovation in the peak of Singapore’s monsoon season. Frustrated by perpetually damp towels, the couple decided that heated racks would keep their towels dry and add a touch of everyday luxury.
“You may think there’s no need for heated towel racks in Singapore, but when you come out of the shower, especially in the morning, having a warm towel is a great feeling.”
To maximise storage, the original shower space was converted into a recessed cabinet, while the bathtub was replaced with a shower and a built-in ledge—an idea inspired by Kelvin’s father-in-law.
“You know how the swordsmen in Wuxia films would meditate under a waterfall? Similarly, the feeling of sitting down and showering is actually quite relaxing and therapeutic,” Kelvin says.
“I try not to think about the utility bills, though.”
Inspired by Kelvin and Adeline’s home transformation? Visit Renozone to discover how their team can design a space that evolves beautifully with your lifestyle.
