Inspired by their holidays in Australia, this family turned their resale flat into a bright and restful haven.

The son of a carpenter and the owner of a furniture store bring plenty of skills to the table when it comes to tackling a home renovation. In fact, Jasmine and Weikang (@tjas) decided to self-design their resale flat, engaging the husband’s father as a builder to execute their dream home. Being a stay-at-home mum as well as an experienced curator for chairs n decor, Jasmine was equipped to supervise the process from start to finish.

“As our family grew in size, we needed a bigger space and somewhere nearer to my husband’s workplace,” Jasmine shares. “We chose this unit because of the square-ish layout and the amount of natural light.” As the flat was 25 years old and outdated in its design and functionality, it was in need of a major overhaul.

Artwork from Spotlight

The couple knew what they wanted to prioritise from the get-go. They placed great emphasis on using long-lasting materials, such as new tiles throughout the entire home, and designs that would stand the test of time, staying away from trends. To streamline the look, a false ceiling was installed to hide all of the electrical trunking.

The thick of it

Stools from chairs n decor

“Our first home had a small galley kitchen. I knew I wanted to have an island in this house. I also wanted to get rid of all the unsightly popcorn walls and remove the cornices that came with the flat.”

Having ensured these must-haves, the next step was to make the family’s dream design happen—a modern take on the Australian style, evoking timeless, laid-back vibes. It’s no wonder that the kitchen is now one of Jasmine’s favourite areas, with its airy, down-to-earth aesthetic. The large glass door ensures that the home’s natural lighting can travel freely between the living, dining, kitchen and balcony, brightening the space considerably and bringing out the sunny oasis that this family was aiming for.

A child-friendly home

Bed frame from IKEA

A mum of two won’t have the same priorities for a home makeover as child-free newlyweds. For other parents out there looking to redesign their home sweet home, Jasmine has a few tips and tricks to share.

“Opt for furniture that can be wiped down and moved easily,” she advises. “We also purposely didn’t get any built-in cabinets for the kids’ playroom but used low shelves from IKEA to store their toys instead. This way, the playroom is more flexible and can be turned into a study room when they grow up!

This post was adapted from an article first published in IdealHomes 2022.