The homeowners asked for a fun and lively space, and the designers delivered with animal-themed backdrops and a plethora of patterns.
After 19 years of renting in Singapore, Herriot and Sharin finally found a place to call their own in Pasir Panjang.
“I was very keen to finally create a home that worked for us and our lifestyles, but we knew from the get-go that this was going to be a big job,” said Sharin.
The 14-year-old duplex condominium was in desperate need of renovation. Sharin explained that nearly everything, save for a few bathroom tiles, had to be stripped out. The original layout also needed a complete overhaul to better suit her family of three.
“The bones of the apartment were far from perfect. Certain rooms weren’t very big, so old walls had to be torn down and new ones had to be built to make this a practical living space for us all,” she added.
With busy careers in tech, the couple entrusted the mammoth makeover to Ruby and Yueqin from Tofu Design. Their only request? Make it fun—and throw in a dartboard for their teenager.
Such creative freedom is a dream for any designer. Sensing the couple’s willingness to explore new ideas, the designers didn’t confine themselves to a single theme and took an eclectic approach instead. The result is a perfect canvas for the couple’s cherished items, from travel mementos to unique art and furniture pieces.
“It’s not about following a set design rule, but about creating a space that feels alive with their personality. The house feels like an extension of the owners themselves – vibrant, lively, and full of surprises,” said Ruby.
A sight for sore eyes
The first surprise hits as soon as you step through the doors. In the foyer, a rich dark teal palette welcomes visitors, paired with a large, rounded mirror that feels like a portal to another world, adding a whimsical touch. An elongated shoe cabinet separates the foyer from the rest of the home, building anticipation for the grandeur that awaits inside.
The dining room, where Sharin enjoys her morning coffee and unwinds with evening whiskies, is without question the centrepiece of the apartment. Inspired by one of the couple’s favourite restaurants, the space captures the opulence of Art Deco and 1920s luxury. A custom-made, elongated settee—upholstered in burgundy leather— was designed specifically to accompany their lanky dining table, perfect for their frequent dinner parties. Surrounding the set-up, aquatic-themed wallpaper adds a striking backdrop, enhancing the room’s elegant yet playful atmosphere.
“The rich textures and extravagant details create a warm, sumptuous atmosphere that elevates every dinner party into a lavish event, making every gathering feel like an occasion,” Ruby said.
As we venture deeper into the apartment, we arrive at what Ruby and Yueqin describe as the proudest part of their project—the kitchen. Apparently, they had merged the original kitchen with the nearby powder room to create a more expansive countertop area. Due to the latter’s position beneath the stairway, this decision resulted in a partial sloping ceiling. But the designers had just the solution.
“Instead of hiding this feature, we highlighted it with top-hung cabinetry that accentuates the structural form while maximising storage,” said Ruby.
The kitchen is a harmonious blend of matcha laminate, granite countertops, and metallic kit-kat tiles, adding layers of visual interest. To distinguish the kitchen from the dining area, both of which carry bold design elements, an island was installed. Not only does it serve as a visual boundary, but it also provides extra pantry storage and allows the homeowners to engage with guests while preparing meals.
Dialling it down
Carrying the playful theme from the first floor, the stairway features an arched wall adorned with dark, parrot-themed wallpaper, allowing the client’s seven Tala brass pendant lights to shine. While the atmosphere downstairs leans toward maximalism, the party finds its more casual side upstairs.
“The stairway acts as a bridge between the two levels, transitioning you from the dramatic dining room to a darker, more intimate bar-like space,” explained Ruby.
To achieve this rooftop bar aesthetic, they laid black wood tiles in a herringbone pattern and used raw slate finishes for the cabinetry. Two pocket doors add an element of surprise; one reveals a dartboard, while the other opens to a mini bar decked out in the same gunmetal kit-kat tiles seen on the first floor.
Mirroring the kitchen’s design, gold metallic laminate lines the passageway to the bedroom. Paired with a full-length mirror, it adds a sense of visual depth as you approach the private space.
“With fewer colours upstairs, we opted for a royal blue wall, accented with Victorian-style trim that cleverly conceals the entrance to the wardrobe,” explained Ruby.
“Across the room, a printed wallpaper completes the look, creating a striking backdrop for the sleeping area.”
Speaking candidly about the project, Ruby and Yueqin admitted that this project was very much an experiment for them too. Navigating the variety of prints and colours came with its challenges, from harmonising their saturation levels to making sure the different components were complementary rather than clashing.
What truly made this possible, though, was the homeowners’ eagerness to push the boundaries.
“It was a really fun project, with many creative choices to be made on a daily basis for months. Their professional insight transformed the final design while still making sure we got exactly what we wanted. We couldn’t be happier,” Sharin shared.
