Homeowners Shing and Sam share how they turned their new flat into a peaceful, minimalist retreat, blending functionality with warmth and reflecting their passion for Japanese design and intentional living.
Tell us about yourself.
Hi, we’re Shing and Sam, proud cat parents to our beloved tripawd, whom we rescued eight years ago. After waiting nearly six years for our BTO, we finally moved into our home, which we call “slowhiteflat.” One of us is a coffee lover, while the other has a matcha obsession—so naturally, we dream of creating our own home café where endless cups are always brewing. Our Instagram serves as a mini time capsule, capturing the evolution of our space and the small joys of daily life together.
Can you share with us your home selection journey?
We were fortunate to secure our current home on our fourth try. We had a checklist: privacy, greenery outside the windows, close proximity to the MRT, and a quiet yet vibrant area with food options nearby. This unit checked all the boxes and felt like the perfect fit. We chose a 4-room flat for its flexibility and extra space, which allowed us to each have a home office while keeping future plans in mind.
How did you both decide on the style and theme for your flat?
We are both drawn to Japanese minimalism and the wabi-sabi philosophy. Our travels to Japan inspired us with the serene atmosphere of cafés and ryokans, and we wanted our home to evoke that same sense of peace, warmth, and cosiness for ourselves and our guests. One of our early decisions was to avoid built-in furniture and heavy pieces in the living area, allowing us the freedom to rearrange the space for different activities, like movie nights, yoga, or art jamming sessions. The result is a home that’s not only cosy but also adaptable to our ever- changing needs.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received about home design?
The best advice we received was to allocate a budget upfront for anything that would bother us every time we looked at it. Skimping on certain things can lead to regrets and costly replacements later on. That’s why we decided to overlay both of our bathrooms with tiles we absolutely loved. It felt like a splurge at the time since the bathrooms came with new HDB tiles, but to this day, it’s one of our best renovation decisions.
What was the most significant transformation or upgrade in your flat?
The most significant and meaningful transformation in our flat was hacking the wall between the two common bedrooms to install a round window. It’s more than just a design feature—it’s our way of staying connected throughout the day while working in our separate home offices. It’s our introverted way of staying close while still doing our own thing.
How do you balance aesthetics with functionality?
Through small experiments in our previous homes, both separately and together, we took note of our habits—what worked for us and what didn’t. Over time, we became more selective and intentional with our choices. We gravitate towards clean lines, natural materials, and multifunctional furniture that looks good but also serves a purpose. Working with our interior designer, Wileen, was a huge help. She guided us in balancing beauty with practicality, creating a space that’s both warm and functional.
What are some must-have décor items or furniture pieces in your home?
Our favourite décor piece is the large DIY textured painting we created with our cat. It was a fun memory from when we had
just moved in. A comfortable round dining table is also a must-have, as it’s where we gather with family and friends for coffee and conversation. To keep things lively yet low-maintenance, we have a mix of real and artificial plants. One highlight is our levitating planter by Flyte—it’s so calming to watch the plant rotate slowly, and it never fails to catch our guests’ attention.
Are there any smart home devices you use? What are your recommendations?
Our top recommendations for smart home devices are the smart laundry system, digital door lock, and smart doorbell. We also use a smart pet air purifier in the bedroom since one of us has a sensitive nose, and our cat sleeps with us every night. An unexpected favourite is the Google Nest, which was a housewarming gift. We use it for everything— from setting alarms and playing music to checking the weather and answering random trivia questions. It’s become a fun and functional part of our daily routine.
Have you experienced any significant savings or efficiencies as a result of using smart home devices?
Our smart laundry system stands out—it eliminates the worry of damp, smelly laundry during rainy seasons. The solar drying function keeps everything fresh, and it’s more cost-effective than a dryer, requiring less maintenance. We also time our washer to finish just as we wake up or return home, avoiding the problem of wet laundry sitting for too long. Our digital door lock is another game changer, especially when we go for runs—no more carrying keys! Plus, we can let family or friends in remotely when we’re not at home.
Looking back on your renovation and design journey, is there anything you would do differently?
If we could go back, we would take a slower approach to furnishing our home. In hindsight, we were a little too eager to fill up the space right after moving in. After about a year and a half, we found ourselves decluttering items that no longer suited our needs. Our needs and lifestyle have evolved, and we’ve learned that it’s okay for our space to evolve with us. A good example is the espresso machine we bought early on. It seemed like a great idea at first, but over time, we realised it didn’t suit our daily routine anymore.
Follow their story on Instagram @slowhiteflat
