Previously, we featured the minimalist, resort-inspired home of Daniel Fung and Sandra Ong. Just a couple of floors above live Jeffrey Peng and Nicholas Longstaff, another set of homeowners occupying a unit in Eastville Apartments, a walk-up residence in Joo Chiat with a history that dates back to the 1960s. Each of the estate’s 16 homes is just as unique as their occupants.
Across the span of Eastville Apartments’ lifetime, many of its residents have altered their homes to better suit their tastes and needs. However, due to the development’s age, this sometimes meant that a simple makeover alone would not suffice.
“We weren’t planning for it, but the apartment had to be fully gutted,” says third-floor resident Jeffrey. “There was mould growing in the one of the bedrooms and when we peeled off the wall plaster, the wires just came tumbling out!”
A mix of rustic textures, stylish furnishings and an expanded space now redefines the apartment’s appearance. In the living room, a significant upgrade can be found in its durable woodgrained ceramic tile flooring, arranged in a stylish herringbone pattern.
Even so, sections of the apartment’s original architecture were retained to create the feel of a New York-style loft, specifically 2 unexpected finds – the dining room’s exposed brick wall and a structural column. Nicholas says: “We had knocked down the original kitchen entrance and there the column was!”
Pristine Shaker-style cabinetry and a marble backsplash give the kitchen a refined look whereas a multipurpose island – which comes with an in-built sink, dishwasher and a wine fridge – makes entertaining and cooking fuss-free.
As for the master boudoir, grey walls create a cosy backdrop for a simply-furnished room. “We placed the bed in front of the inner window for a symmetrical appearance, and replaced the en suite with a less obtrusive sliding barn door,” says Nicholas, revealing the thorough planning behind the apartment’s transformation.
With its bold industrial-style exposed brick wall and characterful architectural details, this 1,001-square foot apartment is quite a departure from the minimalist-chic aesthetics of its neighbour.
This was adapted from an article originally published in the September 2017 issue of SquareRooms. Photo credits: Wong Weiliang
