Sited within a history-rich neighbourhood, this flat expertly blends old and new with meaningful touches that fill the home with love.

FACT FILE
Space: 5-room HDB flat
Size: 1,300 sq ft
Location: Tiong Bahru
Designer: Senior Designer Jay and Designer Ashlee from Swift Interior
Reno period: 12 weeks
Budget: Undisclosed

Entrance

The clients initially wanted just a black and white colonial aesthetic. Taking inspiration from the home’s location in the heart of Tiong Bahru, the team proposed blending old and new styles to bring in the traditional yet modern vibe of the neighbourhood.

In the bold foyer, the designers wanted a clear demarcation between the entrance and living room without visually closing up the space. To create contrast and separation, they added dark cabinets and black frames with fluted glass then softened up the decor with green plants for texture.

Living room

Building on the clients’ original vision, the team researched old colonial buildings within Seletar Aerospace Park and noticed that they had beautiful beams that framed the interiors. Working with the homeowners’ budget, they crafted the beams with plywood and clad them with dark wood laminates to mimic the look of solid wood.

The colonial style was then enhanced with iconic black and white chick blinds and complemented with a rustic jute rug and a modern custom sofa for a more contemporary look.

Dining room

The dimness of the house made the interiors seem smaller so the designers tore down a partition to open up the space then brightened the room with new paint, light-hued vinyl herringbone flooring from Bovi and large mirrors on the wall.

Together with pieces from Taylor B, nostalgic accents like the wood architraves around the doors and an arched entrance to the kitchen add character and prevent the dining zone from leaning too modern.

Kitchen

Instead of a plain black and white kitchen, the designers particularly wanted this space to have a touch of local heritage. They gave the walls a raw cement screed finish for visual texture which pairs well with the existing and unique glass blocks that are often found in older estates.

Green Magma Malachite tiles from Hafary were arranged in a herringbone pattern for the backsplash, adding a fresh dose of colour. For a sophisticated touch, the cabinets have fluted glass fronts which allow the vibrancy of the homeowners’ tableware to peek through.

Main bedroom

The team wanted to incorporate shades of blue in the bedrooms as it is the couple’s favourite colour. In the main suite, they clad the bottom half of the walls in a rich turquoise hue which goes well with the reddish-brown tones of the furniture and gives the room a restorative and bohemian feel.

Adding a sweet touch to this vignette is a frame by the bed containing the couple’s wedding vows, a lovely idea from the homeowners.

About Swift Interior
Debuting in 2016, Swift Interior continues to dedicate itself to offering a one-stop solution for your interior needs. Comprising an inclusive, professional lineup of design professionals, the firm recognises that the renovation journey is a genuine team effort; when designers help each other learn and strive for excellence, that’s when they can truly do their best for clients!

Contact
33 Ubi Ave 3
#01-17 Vertex Building
Singapore 408868
Tel: 6570 3922
[email protected]
swiftinterior.com

This post was adapted from an article originally published in the May 2022 issue of SquareRooms.