The first impression of monochromatic palettes may not always convey a sense of warmth, but rather, it borders on a sterile and cold look. Approaching this resale flat unit with a modern and predominantly white colour scheme, Design Manager Veronica Laborte from Richfield Integrated managed to strike an intricate balance between the minimalistic aesthetic, homely accents, and design practicality. She says: “The homeowners wanted a ‘clean slate’ look combined with functionality. So, we utilised brushes of black against white to project a play of thin design lines.”
Following a strong uniformity in design, they set the scene with a curated palette of black and white tones spread amongst the communal zones and private areas. Matte white laminates outlined by black laminates make up the main material palette and this classic colour contrast flows in unison throughout the entire HDB unit.
In the shared living and dining zones, they paired the existing travertine marble flooring with the monochromatic palette to good effect. The lustrous and textured finish of the tiled flooring punctuates the black-and-white palette with a warmer and richer ambiance. A different flooring application has been used for the connecting balcony, which creates a visual demarcation between the communal zones. She explains: “The homeowners wanted the balcony to be integrated with the living and dining zones, and we decided to furnish it with different tiles to put emphasis on the length to create the distinction of space.”
As the homeowners enjoy hosting at home, the balcony of this 5-room HDB was then fitted with a bar counter which expanded the seating options in the living area. Privy to a window view, it also lets the homeowners use this space as a relaxed breakfast nook.
Heading into the enclosed kitchen, the carefully considered pairing of surfaces characterises the kitchen with a sleek monochromatic setting. They used black laminate trimmings to line the white cabinetry with finely-crafted details and additional depth. A grey-hued quartz stone slab tops the counters and graces the kitchen with its gorgeous speckled finish. Clear tempered glass for the backsplash completes the picture of sleek modernity.
Monochromatic poise and practicality reign in the two bedrooms as the designers worked hard in carving out functional spaces of rest. In the master bedroom, a pristine shade of white dominates the space with a spacious and serene ambiance. A custom-built ensemble comprising the bed frame and bedside table is integrated with a compact workstation to maximise the functionality of the space.
For the other bedroom which belongs to the homeowners’ son, a raised platform takes centre-stage. It hosts a queen-size bed and the base is fitted with hidden storage. Concealed behind mirror-finished cabinet doors are pull-out drawers, and the reflective surfaces emit a lightweight and floating illusion for the bed.
Exploring the minimalistic theme beyond its pure abstract meaning, the designer has worked this theme to maximum style impact in this HDB unit. With the storage-minded home projecting a timeless and modern elegance, it is indeed a balance between immaculate and practical.
This post was adapted from an article originally published in the January 2020 issue of SquareRooms.
