Prioritising spaciousness and plenty of room to display their treasured Bearbrick collection, these homeowners received a streamlined, modern unit that ticks every box.
Luxurious from top to bottom, the living area boasts a marble-look feature wall from Hafary and specially imported fluted panels. The latter don’t just conceal the bedroom doors from visitors but also provide extra soundproofing thanks to a layer of rock wool. For the floors, large-format tiles were picked to create a more seamless appearance and reduce bothersome grout lines.
Sensing great potential in this executive resale unit as soon as they stepped into it, the family of five didn’t hesitate to make an offer. It was love at first sight and the perfect foundation for their grand renovation plans. Handing over the layout, a generous budget and stating some requirements for storage space, they engaged Shawn Kazuya from Style Elements Studio to execute their vision.
Originally started out of sheer curiosity, this Bearbrick collection quickly became the homeowners’ most-loved interest and has steadily grown in size over the years. Incorporating a display that does the collection justice was one of the family’s top priorities for the renovation.
“They needed a lot of storage space, especially for their wardrobe, as their previous one never seemed big enough,” the designer shares. “A large kitchen was requested as well. They used to stay in a four-room BTO flat with a tiny kitchen, which was also never big enough when preparing meals for the whole family.”
The kitchen was clad in white laminates for an extra bright work area. Even the walls were painted white, instead of covered up with tiles or panels, to avoid over-tiling the house. Outdoor paint was used to ensure a long-lasting finish that can withstand heavy cooking. Chic appliances from SMEG and a powerful cooker hood from Mayer round off the design—a real statement pieces that yet blend in seamlessly with the overall look.
But not all of the storage space was dedicated to the practicalities of everyday life. In fact, various cabinets were set aside for the homeowners’ precious Bearbrick collection, now proudly displayed across the unit. Considering all of these large-scale needs, the designer started by reorientating the layout of the home to make the most of its square footage.
Mostly conceptualised by the homeowners, the playroom is a highly personalised space that fits the kids’ requirements to a T. Using Pinterest as a guide, they sourced furniture from IKEA and decorated the room with prints and frames to make it more inviting and playful.
The family was happy to step back and let the design team do what they do best at this stage, trusting the process as the professionals worked out the ideal layout. The common bathroom experienced one of the major changes in the unit, shifted away from the edge of the kitchen to accommodate a small laundry area.
Used as a karaoke room by the whole family, the entertainment room needed some extra soundproofing, hence the “wet grass” rug from IKEA X OFF WHITE, which helps to absorb some of the singing and additionally matches the Bearbrick style. A mini fridge from SMEG is a thoughtful touch that serves as a makeshift bar to keep everyone hydrated while singing.
As functionality always remained at the forefront of this project, smart technology wasn’t neglected either. “The house is rather large, so having that smart tech built into the space is really handy because you can control everything from your phone, without needing to walk around,” the designer shares. “It gives the family a sense of comfort and convenience.”
Paying close attention to low-maintenance design, the wardrobe doors were crafted out of Lamitak’s Protak laminates to keep them free of fingerprint marks, while a mix of Lamitak panels and velvet fabric was used for the bedhead for an effortlessly sleek look all around. On the right-hand side of the room, a framed Balenciaga scarf makes for a unique focal point above a lush Dorso armchair from HAY
Aesthetically, the living and dining areas got a streamlined and spacious makeover to facilitate hosting, while the bedrooms are now concealed by a textured feature wall to ensure any unmade beds are hidden from guests. Everything is nicely tied together by the overarching modern luxury theme, which moreover complements the striking Bearbrick collection perfectly.“
Like the living room floors, the homogenous bathroom tiles were chosen in a larger-than-usual format to reduce grout and evoke a more luxurious ambience.
I aimed to design a house that doesn’t feel like your cookie-cutter HDB flat,” the designer explains. “Even at the main entrance, I used a Combi Door instead of the standard gate and main door. This allows them to control both with just a single digital lock, no matter if they want everything open or closed or just the main door open while the gate is locked,” he elaborates. “
The main bathroom boasts an eye-catching double door with a nostalgic, arched silhouette and fluted glass panes, once again taking inspiration from landed homes and straying from typical HDB elements.
The digital thumbprint lock makes things really convenient too, as they can come home with groceries and not have to fiddle with their keys!”
Despite a delayed timeline due to the pandemic, the project was completed to the homeowners’ delight, forming the perfect nest for hosting their friends and displaying their favourite collectables.
This post was adapted from an article originally published in the August 2022 issue of SquareRooms.
