A Victorian-Inspired BTO Flat with Elegant Wainscoting and Classic Shaker Cabinets

Bold yet soothing, this BTO flat incorporates classic Victorian elements for a wholly original redesign.

One of the most iconic elements of traditional British homes, wainscoting is an unusual sight in Singapore, and certainly an eye-catching addition to any HDB flat. A big fan of Victorian design, the lady of the house requested for this unique feature to be incorporated throughout the entryway and living area.

In the hands of designer Irene Lee from Darwin Interior, it was then paired with a soothing shade of pastel blue. Striking yet soft and calming, the final look is testament to the homeowner’s quirky taste and the designer’s delicate execution.

FACT FILE
Space: 4-room BTO flat
Size: 1,001 square feet
Location: Senja Road
Designer: Irene Lee from Darwin Interior
Reno period: 10 weeks
Budget: $32K

Living room

squarerooms darwin interior design home renovation apartment 4 room bto hdb flat victorian style living room blue wainscoting walls

With minimal furnishings, the living area allows the wainscoting to stand out as the room’s true statement piece, the textured feature wall supporting a custom TV console that fronts a spacious sofa and vintage-style patterned rug.

Kitchen

squarerooms darwin interior design home renovation apartment 4 room bto hdb flat victorian style blue kitchen cabinets

Sticking to the traditional style of the entryway and living area, the kitchen incorporates blue shaker cabinets from Jennings, contrasted against pure white countertops with a smooth finish for easy cleaning.

Entryway

squarerooms darwin interior design home renovation apartment 4 room bto hdb flat victorian style entryway wainscoting blue walls dining room

While the wainscoting was originally supposed to be crafted from custom carpentry, the designer proposed changing the material to MDF fibreboard to bypass the rising prices and manpower shortages of the pandemic.

This allowed the homeowners to move ahead with their dream of a Victorian aesthetic without bursting their budget or delaying the renovation.

Main bedroom

squarerooms darwin interior design home renovation apartment 4 room bto hdb flat victorian style bedroom white minimalist simple

Custom-made to connect to the mini TV console as well as the wardrobe with a built-in vanity area, the bed frame also comes with handy drawers for extra storage space.

The colour palette in this room was kept pared-back and soothing for an elegant finish that’s conducive to a good night’s sleep.

About Darwin Interior
Whether you’re looking for a simple design update or a complete home makeover, Darwin Interior has the expertise to meet your needs. Their designs are always “human-oriented,” emphasising innovative ways of catering creative designs to fit your lifestyle. From conceptualisation to conclusion, the Darwin Interior team believes that customers are always the top priority.

Contact
23 Ubi Road 4 #01-06
Singapore 408620
Tel: 6396 8558
darwininterior.com.sg

This post was adapted from an article originally published in Key to Your Home 2023.