Relaxing sea views and soothing splashes of colour give this HDB flat a laid-back feel.
Living room: Loose furniture, curved finishes and wooden textures lend the living room a soft, rustic touch that harmonises nicely with the pops of colour around the flat.
It has been said that the kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s a place where families come together and it’s often the social hub too. Whether it’s for preparing breakfast or relaxing over an evening meal, it’s usually the most-used room in a home. And in this renovation project at Marine Terrace, it was the kitchen that turned out to be the star of the show.
Balcony: Located near East Coast Park, the flat brings natural light, calming views and a fresh sea breeze to the table, all of which the homeowners get to enjoy while relaxing in their new balcony space.
As the 20-year-old HDB flat was in its original condition, the homeowners requested an entire overhaul, complete with a change of flooring—the original marble surface was overlaid with vinyl to enhance the overall look and give warmth to the entire space.
Balcony floors: The couple joined the design team in individually dry-laying Peranakan-inspired tiles across the entire balcony. Looking back now, the designer describes it as “a pain-staking and humbling experience.”
The old-school HDB design came with a closed, rather dark kitchen, the nearest window being located in the service yard. To compensate for the lack of natural light, the designer decided to go for an open-concept kitchen, so the surrounding walls were knocked down.
Kitchen: The true heart and highlight of the home, the open-space kitchen shines in its exuberant colour palette. A bright blue island topped with cheerful yellow pendant lights fronts the kitchen near the entryway, instantly setting an inviting tone for the home.
This resulted in a surplus of natural light, as well as plenty of extra space. The entire kitchen was transformed into a soothing yet functional area, inclusive of playful colours across the carpentry and decor, such as the blue and yellow splashes that add some cheer to the white backdrop.
Beyond the kitchen, one unique renovation task was to incorporate a balcony at the edge of the existing living room. Visually separated from the main living area, this is now a small chill-out zone for the homeowners.
Study: A curved feature wall was added to the study room, softening the rigid lines in the space and concealing the piping behind.
The owners of this home were involved at every step of the renovation journey, from the initial curation of raw materials and samples, down to the entirety of the design and build process. They’re both opinionated designers in their respective disciplines, so they frequently clashed on the creative aspects of the build.
Bedroom: Inspired by a traditional ryokan, the bedroom was fitted out with tatami mats instead of a standard bed frame. The low-hung lamps further add to the relaxed Japandi ambience and round off the “floor culture” setting.
Good communication was ultimately the most important factor to ensure that their needs were met. The constant exchange of ideas and information between the designer from The Local INN.terior and the homeowners led to a seamless flow and skilful execution of the renovation process.
Bathrooms: The bathrooms went through major renovations as the floor was uneven, the tiles were popping out and the pipes were old and rusty. Playful blue tile walls now greet the homeowners in both the ensuite and the common bathroom, accentuated by contrasting gold fixtures and trimmings.
While there wasn’t a theme for the new design, the thought process behind it was inspired by the homeowners’ lifestyle habits as well as their experiences while living abroad, providing the couple and their daughter with a functional and beautiful home they’ll love for years to come.
This post was adapted from an article originally published in the May 2023 issue of SquareRooms.
