SquareRooms Aug 2017 [Preview]

I N T E R I O R S

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www.squarerooms.com.sg

LOCAL STYLE

Stunning yet practical HDB transformations to get inspired by

FULL HOUSE

How a family of 6 transformed their 2-bedroom flat into a functional abode

RENO GUIDE

Read this before you start your HDB makeover pg.58

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IDEAS TO CREATE MORE SPACE AT HOME

SMART HOME ORGANISING TIPS AT SEASIDE RESIDENCES More details on pg.9

AUG 2017

ISSUE 148 S$5.50/RM10

H ME SEARCH 2017 MY

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SquareRooms Home Search is back for the third year, and we are once again on the look out for beautiful homes!

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HOTNEWS

COSY COMFORT

Known for its evocative printed fabrics and wall coverings, soft furnishings brand Villa Nova has launched its first collection of cushions inspired by the hygge lifestyle.

Expect to find ink paintings of Nordic forest landscapes and geometric designs popular in Scandinavian textiles.

The collection includes 25 different options to choose from so you will have the freedom to re-create that sense of Scandinavian cosiness in your own abode.

Available at Tatum, 29B Keong Saik Road, tel: 6221 2524, www.tatumcompany.com

SCANDI CHIC If you love unique furniture, you’d be happy to know that online retailer Bibliotek has brought in new items from Scandinavian furniture brand MENU. With the brand’s trademark simple yet functional designs, such as geometric pendant lights, streamlined chairs, and low-key storage solutions, creating that chic personal haven is now easier than ever.

Available online at www.bibliotek.co

AMPED UP Known for integrating goose bumpinducing sound quality with portability, B&O Play has released the Beoplay P2 – the latest (and smallest) addition to their range of wireless speakers. Designed by Danish designer Cecilie Manz, it eschews buttons and switches for an intuitive user interface, using physical actions such as tapping to play and change sound tracks via the Beoplay App among other functions.

Available at Bang & Olufsen Grand Hyatt and Takashimaya, www.beoplay.com

20 AUG

H E A LT H Y COOKOUT For barbeque aficionados and party hosts who insist on having a cookout (even indoors), the Philips Smokeless Indoor Grill is your perfect kitchen appliance. Its advanced infrared heat technology and reflector system delivers a constant heat of 230°C while making sure that collected grease remains cool for less smoke and minimal splattering.

Available at major department stores and home appliance stores, www.philips.com.sg

PRACTICAL BEAUTY Stationery and organising lovers looking to add a touch of functional design into their home office will appreciate kikki.K’s latest collection, The Time Is Now. Comprising planners, organisers, desk accessories like candles, clocks and glass water bottles, the collection with its cool blue shades and gold accents, will lend your workspace a minimalist yet luxurious vibe while keeping your tasks on track.

Available at kikki.K stores at ION and Raffles City, www.kikki-k.com

CONSTANT IMPROVEMENT

Sporting a refreshed white exterior and a black canopy, Hansgrohe’s new look recalls the colonial architecture of Singapore’s past.

Come here to browse the brand’s extensive array of bathroom and kitchen fittings.

Of note is the new Unica Comfort shower bar. Certified for stability by TÜV Süd and designed to double up as grip handles, the bar provides an extra layer of safety in the bathroom and is able to bear weights of up to 200kg.

69 Mohamed Sultan Road, tel: 6884 5060, www.hansgrohe.com.sg

AUG 21

HOTFADS

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Refresh your personal style with these trendy pastel picks TEXT & COORDINATION Jolene Limuco

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1. Mansur Gavriel leather bag, $1,098 at Net-a-Porter 2. Abstract rug, $1,995 at Atelier Lane 3. Imasu Art Deco jet fan, $320 at Scene Shang 4. Acne Studios ribbed cotton-blend sweater, $482 at Net-a-Porter 5. Groove tealight holder, $30 at BoConcept 6. Pastel vase set, $71.40 at MiaFleur 7. illy x7.1 iperEspresso coffee machine, $628 at HipVan 8. Beoplay H4 headphones, POA at Bang & Olufsen 9. WON Hold sofa, $2,420 at Mountain Teak

24 AUG

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HOTWHO

TIM KOBE,

designer and founder of Eight Inc Meet the designer of Apple Stores worldwide, including the first ever Southeast Asian branch here in Singapore INTERVIEW Md Khairulnizam PHOTOS Eight Inc

program before giving it to him. He then hired us to start working on the retail program. We worked with him every week for 12 years. The things we discussed ranged from the issues that he had around his illness to transforming Apple and the world with the products that he was creating at that point of time. His approach of design being a hybrid of art and science was very much in line with our beliefs, similar to that of the Eames office.

HOW DID YOU APPROACH THE DESIGN OF THE APPLE STORE? We wanted the Apple Store to

be an extension and a touchpoint for the brand.

It’s not just a store. It’s a part of this ecosystem of being able to carry on a conversation with the customers and people you want to connect to.

CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THE DESIGN ELEMENTS OF THE APPLE STORE? The new

BEST IN GLASS The sculptural transparent glass staircase found in Apple Stores combine advanced technology, engineering and art.

stores are an extension of many of the values and systems we’ve created earlier on. The notion of introducing greenery is a way to make the stores a public space because people have taken to the Apple Store almost as a social space as much as it is a retail space. Imagining the stores as an extension of its surroundings helps to connect Apple to the space and the glass walls go back to the very beginning, which was the fact that Steve wanted to stores to be very open and welcoming.

He wanted the stores to be very democratic and not catered to only people who could afford the price tag. And so the humble tables, the openness and the lighting of the product were considered to reflect the values of the brand.

HOW DID YOU DEVELOP YOUR STYLE? Early in

the development of the studio, our main influence was the Eames office in California. Charles and Ray Eames’ studio was a multi-disciplinary studio.

They had people from all sorts of disciplines, from designers to filmmakers. As a studio, we modelled that multi-disciplinary approach not knowing where it was going to lead knowing they produced great work and they consistently challenged the norm, be it traditional designs or traditional disciplines.

READ MORE ABOUT TIM KOBE ON WWW.SQUAREROOMS.COM.SG

CAN YOU SHED SOME LIGHT ON YOUR PARTNERSHIP WITH STEVE JOBS? Steve hired us DESIGN MAVERICK Tim is the main designer

behind all the Apple Stores around the world.

in 1997 when he came back to Apple. He originally hired us to do Apple’s events, and I wrote a white paper on why Apple should do their own retail

INTERNATIONAL STYLE Apple Stores are

designed to be open and welcoming for everyone.

AUG 25

HDB SPECIAL / MAXIMISE YOUR SPACE

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A CLEAN SHEET Keep your small home in order with the SquareRooms cleaning checklist

Living room tidying • Ensure that all furniture is in order • Wipe down all flat surfaces, including tabletops, seats and the TV console • Vacuum the surroundings, especially underneath the sofa and coffee table • Get rid of any old newspapers, pamphlets and letters • Organise the TV console and other media equipment • Vacuum cushions and swap out covers if necessary • Vacuum living room curtains Bedroom declutter • Wash and swap out stale bedsheets for new ones • Clean the base of the bed • Wipe down the bed head and surrounding surfaces (e.g. study desk, side table) • Wipe down any bedroom accessories (e.g. table lamp, ornaments) • Clean and put pillows out in the sun • Vacuum and mop bedroom passageways • Ensure curtains and windows are dust-free Bathroom organising • Wash the bathtub or shower area thoroughly • Change old towels and cloths for new ones • Wipe down the sink area and surrounding surfaces (e.g. mirrors, privacy screens) • Empty out trash cans or swap out trash bags • Check cabinetry for old or expired toiletries • Scrub inside and base of toilet bowl • Restock bathroom essentials (e.g. soap, toilet paper) Kitchen clean-up • Clean the stove, backsplash and countertops • Clear out any expired or stale ingredients from the fridge • Wipe the inside of the oven and microwave • Inspect sink and other wet areas for mould or grime build-up • Organise stored utensils within storage cabinets and drawers • Sanitise trash cans or other rubbish disposal bins • Vacuum and mop floor

32 AUG

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PREP WITH APPS

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DESIGN BY DAN’S WORKSHOP

Design space-efficient homes with these useful smart device apps

TIDY STYLES

Neat decor styles perfectly-suited for small homes

Scandinavian With its hallmarks of simplicity and practicality, Scandinavian decor is at its core a humble style that is all about timeless appeal. An inherent emphasis on lean, refined furnishings as well as plenty of warm details also helps small homes overcome the challenge of a tight visual profile, imbuing them with a light and refreshing quality.

Contemporary Contemporary home decor can run a gamut of looks. From opulent interiors to streamlined spaces that are near-spartan in appearance, this particular design style is largely dependent on current trends and tastes. Tweak it to suit a small home by sticking to tried-and-tested elements that reduce visual noise in a space, namely a restrained colour palette and simple furnishings.

Industrial While the industrial look has its origins in cavernous commercial buildings, such as factories and workshops, it can be adapted for small homes with the help of some clever space-planning and styling. Include plenty of reclaimed materials, exposed details and plenty of neutral colours for a nostalgic home atmosphere.

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GARDEN IN A JAR

If you are a gardening enthusiast, living in a small home does not necessarily mean skipping out on exercising your green thumb. With a terrarium you can engage in your favourite hobby, all without taking up precious space. What’s more, these miniature parks-in-a-jar are self-sustainable eco-systems that can thrive on their own with little maintenance, making them the perfect choice for the modern-day urban gardener.

Sign up for a terrarium workshop at www.makeyourown.sg

Roomle Touted as an app that is all about making “interior design for everybody”, Roomle allows its users to simulate different room layouts with interactive 2D, 3D and augmented reality technologies. Taken a fancy to a piece of furniture from Roomle’s catalogue?

This all-round app even lets you shop for it online!

Planner 5D This easy-to-use app has more to it than meets the eye. Apart from being capable of rendering room layouts in both 2D and 3D, Planner 5D also features a design editor that is compatible with virtual reality technologies, such as Google Cardboard glasses and other similar gadgets, for more realistic home simulations.

Stanley Floor Plan App If you are all about precise numbers and accurate measurements, try out hand tool company Stanley’s Floor Plan App. Simply take a couple of snapshots of your home and the program will “draw” a detailed inside map that can be exported in PDF, Excel or JPG formats for future reference.

Neybers The Facebook of spaceplanning apps, Neybers, gives you the ability to share interior mock-ups with the rest of the online world. And not unlike its social media cousins, Neybers allows users to browse, rate and comment on community creations displayed through the app’s feed. Talk about sharing your dream home with your homies.

AUG 33

HDB SPECIAL / MAXIMISE YOUR SPACE

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CLEAR VIEW “The inside of a house or apartment after decluttering has much in common with a Shinto shrine… a place where there are no unnecessary things, and our thoughts become clear.”

Marie Kondo, author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up

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KITCHEN AIDES

Make space in a petite kitchen for small but mighty kitchen gadgets that will help you prep and cook your daily meals

This compact machine will turn out perfectly toasted sandwiches with its cut and seal plates that ensure ingredients stay between slices, allowing you to come up with a variety of sweet and savoury snacks.

Philips Daily Collection Sandwich Maker, $49 at major electronics and home appliance stores

WIN! Philips products

Find out more at www.squarerooms.com.sg

This sleek-looking kitchen appliance lets you create perfectly fried dishes with minimal use of oil. All you have to do is load the machine, press and button and wait for your meal.

Philips Avance Collection Airfryer, $449 at major electronics and home appliance stores

Home chefs will appreciate that this nifty kitchen helper is able to mix, grate, hash and knead at super fast speeds. The updated version now comes with a builtin weighing function and sensor technology, making it even more versatile than ever.

Bosch OptiMUM Kitchen Machine, $1,699 at major department and electronics stores and the Bosch Experience Centre

36 AUG

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THE STORAGE DEBATE

Which offers better storage, open shelves or closed cabinets?

CLOSED CABINETS

IMAGE COURTESY OF SLINGSHOT

PROS Streamlined appearance Traditional cabinets make for a cleaner, finished look in a room as they shield off any clutter from sight. One way to take things to the next level is to opt for cabinets with smooth, featureless doors for a truly minimalist appearance.

OPEN SHELVING PROS Greater accessibility Due to their open nature, shelves not only make for better displays, but also make it easier to access any stored items. Simply lean over, reach out and grab what you need.

Easy identification Unimpeded access aside, open shelves offer the advantage of easy visual identification. This be helpful in busy home environments, such as a kitchen, where speed and convenience matter.

Higher flexibility Shelves can be easily installed in tight corners and awkward spaces as they can be modified without much effort.

All you have to do is cut them down to the right size.

CONS More cleaning needed As open shelves are directly exposed to their surroundings, they are more likely to accumulate dust and dirt on their surfaces. The same applies for any stored items, and this makes frequent cleaning a necessity.

Greater safety Closed cabinets offer greater protection for stored items as they are fully shielded off from the elements.

This makes them a much better option when it comes to storing belongings and food items that are susceptible to heat and humidity.

Low maintenance Compared to open shelves, items stored within closed cabinets generally require less maintenance.

Unless the cabinet doors are left open for extended periods of time, it is unlikely that dust and grime will be an issue, thus reducing the need for frequent cleaning.

CONS More bulky Large cabinets might be useful for storing bulky items, but the ability to do so also means that they are bigger than shelves.

For this reason, they might not be a good fit for tight corners and passageways because of their girth.

More costly As built-in storage options, closed-door cabinets have to be designed to fit your room of choice. As a result, this can make the process of installing cabinets more costly as professional help is needed to ensure that they are of a suitable shape and size.

Visual clutter Shelves might offer greater convenience, but they come with the drawback of increasing the visual clutter present within a room. This can be a major problem, especially for a small bedroom as it can result in a messier appearance.

AUG 37

HDB SPECIAL / MAXIMISE YOUR SPACE

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WIN! Martlewood stool

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Find out more at www.squarerooms.com.sg

TREAD LIGHTLY

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These timeless pieces with their pale hues and simple forms have the effect of visually enlarging your space

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A. Edmund pendant light, $29 at HipVan B. Cupertino console table, $995 at BoConcept C. Hobbit stool, $250 at Martlewood D. Mizuji one-seater sofa, $99 at HipVan E. Plantation butterfly chair, $1,199 at Atelier Lane F. Zoe pouf, $279 at Castlery G. Belinda lounge chair, $699 at HipVan H. Dryden two-seater sofa, $3,199 at Crate & Barrel

38 AUG

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CONVERT YOUR TECH

If you have a small kitchen it doesn’t make sense to invest in a large refrigerator. But sometimes you may need more space to store additional ingredients and produce. Being able to convert your freezer into additional refrigerator space would help, wouldn’t it? This is exactly what the top-mounted Samsung RT6000 Refrigerator with Twin Cooling Plus Technology can do. Equipped with two independent evaporators that produce two separate airflows in the fridge and freezer, the compartments in the smart appliance can switch between five modes to suit your particular needs. For instance, the Fridge Max mode lets you convert the top freezer compartment into a fridge, essentially expanding your refrigerator when the need arises.

Samsung RT6000 Refrigerator with Twin Cooling Plus Technology, from $1,399 at major electronics and home appliance stores

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PLAY AROUND

When it comes to saving space in a compact boudoir, nothing beats an all-inone solution that combines multiple bedroom fixtures into a single structure.

Get inspired by this customised bunk bed that incorporates partition shelves, under-bed drawers and even a wardrobe on the side! A plywood peg wall completes the multipurpose structure, serving as a modular storage option that can be configured according to the needs of its young occupants.

With its integrated downdraft ventilation hood and unobtrusive 80-cm frame, the Gaggenau Flex induction cooktop frees up space above your cooking station for storage or display units.

What’s most impressive, though, is that it allows for free positioning of cookware and the regulation of temperature within heating zones, allowing multitasking home cooks to whip up satisfying meals in no time.

Gaggenau Flex Induction Cooktop with Ventilation Hood, POA at the Gaggenau Experience Centre

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HIDDEN GEMS “Use furniture that has built-in storage.

Look for desks or tables with multiple drawers, a storage ottoman, or a bed with stowaway space underneath!”

DESIGN BY A.W.A DESIGN OFFICE

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ONE-TWO PUNCH

Justina Blakeney, founder and chief creative officer of The Jungalow

AUG 39

HDB SPECIAL / MAXIMISE YOUR SPACE

The personal tale of a stay-at-home mother of four, her family and life in a compact three-room HDB apartment

PHOTOS BY WONG WEILIANG

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SMALL SPACE, BIG LIVING

“I was never comfortable with the idea of living in a small house. So when I saw the tiny, cramped BTO apartment that would become my family’s home for the first time in January, I immediately broke down. I simply could not fathom the thought of a 730-square foot space being sufficient for my husband, our daughter and her triplet siblings.

Up till then, I had lived with my husband in his childhood home in Tampines, which he inherited from his parents. It made no sense to move (the house was fully paid for, after all), but the place was in really bad shape and my husband’s commute to and from his workplace at Tuas took up four hours of his time every day. And so we decided to ballot for a three-room BTO flat at Bendemeer Light in 2012.

The location was great, being next to the MRT with plenty of amenities close by.

Then came the triplets in 2014. My husband and I had planned to have a second child after our first daughter, Livia, but never in our wildest dreams

52 AUG

did we expect the addition of three new members to our family at once. To say the least, it was a great shock for us both.

Fast forward to March this year, Lysbeth, Lucia and Liora (now two years old) joined us in our move to Bendemeer. By this point, I was prepared to make the most of every inch of room we had.

We hired an interior designer, Ryan Lin, from Dyel Design to help us with the makeover and he played no small role in transforming our home.

First up was space-planning, which was tricky due to the flat’s size restrictions. What I had in mind was a minimalist open-concept studio apartment layout; the kids would have their own bedroom, while my husband and I would occupy the joint living room and kitchen space.

For that, we opened up the kitchen by having the walls torn down. We also installed a new kitchen counter that we use for almost everything: as a prep surface, a dining table and even an ironing board.

Play area Inspired by Montessori learning concepts, Ermita had a special activity area constructed within the children’s bedroom as a way of honing their senses and critical-thinking skills. The play area also comes outfitted with practical storage units, including child-height shelves, storage trays and a play table.

Children’s bedroom The former master boudoir now features a pair of matching beds, one a bunk with a bottom pullout berth and the other a standalone unit. For colour consistency, Ermita stuck to mostly white fittings that would complement a minimalist backdrop.

Living room & sleeping area Clad in washed-out wood tones, the living room is a tranquil space that doubles up as the apartment’s master bedroom. This is made possible by a Murphy bed, which can be neatly and easily tucked away into a multipurpose storage-cum-feature-wall.

Kitchen Formerly a narrow space with insufficient elbow room, the kitchen was opened up by tearing down its exterior walls. Here, a sturdy kitchen counter was installed along the kitchen’s length to serve as a convenient prep surface and dining area.

In the living room, Ryan proposed building a storage wall to maximise the space. This was a suggestion that I rejected initially as I really didn’t want any built-in furniture because the kids are still growing up. However, he convinced me otherwise, telling me that ‘it will make your house look really big'. And he was right. My family now stores about 80 per cent of our belongings there. We also chose not to have a TV, simply because there is hardly any time to breathe with four kids around.

As for the kids' room, we opted to replace the external walls with glass bifold doors. Adopting an open concept made the space feel a lot more spacious, plus we could still easily zone off the rooms with the doors if need be. The room also has a play area and sleeping zone that we outfitted with a bench, a bunkbed with a pullout and a matching twin bed. With that done, my family and I finally had a comfortable home that we could call our own.

Just recently, I was asked if we would ever consider moving into a larger home when the kids are older and my reply was: 'It depends'. I am not sure if my family and I will ever find a home at this location, plus it would make more financial sense to have a second renovation than buying a new place.

Living in a small home has its advantages.

For one, the increased physical proximity has encouraged us to develop closer relationships. It is much easier to clean up too, I take less than an hour to tidy up the place daily – and that is definitely a plus in my book.” – Ermita S.

AUG 53

HDB SPECIAL / FACTS & FIGURES

CRITICAL MASS

73%

(Or 1,011,000 units) The percentage of Singapore’s total housing stock that comprises HDB flats

1.26 million The number of recorded resident households in 2016

HDB

BY THE NUMBERS

3.35 persons

The average resident household size as of 2016

(*According to the latest data, published by the Singapore Department of Statistics)

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT OUR BELOVED HEARTLANDS THAT WE CALL HOME TEXT Stanley Lim

1964 The year that the government introduced the Home Ownership for the People scheme to increase home possession rates among Singaporeans and to foster a sense of belonging. (*According to latest figures for 2016 Q4, published by the HDB)

54 AUG

1971 The year when the HDB first allowed sales of public flats in the open market.

Owners had to stay in their homes for a minimum of three years before they could sell them.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF PUBLIC HOUSING IN SINGAPORE

2- to 5-room flats

• From 36 to 110 square metres, depending on number of rooms • Lease period lasts for 99 years, save for two-room flats that have an alternative lease period of 30 years.

• Minimum Occupation Period of five years applies for all unit types.

Executive Flat (apartments & maisonettes) QUEEN IN THE TOWN Queenstown is one of the first housing centres built by the Singapore Investment Trust (SIT) – the predecessor to the HDB that we know today. The town was given its name to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation.

• 130 square metres • Bigger than the average HDB apartment to cater to large families.

• Since 1999, executive condominiums have taken the place of executive apartments, which are only available on the resale market now.

3-Generation (3Gen) flats

• 115 square metres • Launched in 2013 to meet the needs of multi-generational families living in the same home.

• Only Singaporean couples who are applying with at least one of their parents can qualify for 3Gen flats.

1982 The year that HDB started focusing on creating spaces with barrierfree access throughout its public housing towns.

1992 The year that Yishun, formerly Nee Soon, was given its new name in a nationwide bid to replace dialectbased street names.

2030 The year that 85% of Singapore’s residents and their families will live within 400m of a park, according to the Ministry of National Development (MND).

AUG 55

HDB SPECIAL / FACTS & FIGURES

LAUNCHING IN AUGUST! New Build-To-Order (BTO) projects consisting 1,410 new flats in Bukit Batok, and 2,440 units in Sengkang will be made available this month.

SINGAPORE’S TALLEST HDB BLOCKS The Pinnacle@Duxton Year of completion: 2009 No. of floors: 50 Height: 156m Location: Cantonment Road This towering development has the world’s longest sky gardens on its 26th and 50th floors, each measuring a whopping 500m! Notably, it is also developed on the original plot of the very first two 10-storey HDB blocks in Tanjong Pagar.

56 AUG

SkyVille@Dawson & SkyTerrace@Dawson Year of completion: 2015 No. of floors: 43 to 46 Height: Approx. 148m Location: Dawson Road SkyVille@Dawson comprises three 46-storey blocks, whereas SkyTerrace@Dawson has five towers, ranging from 40 to 43 floors each.

Commonalities between the two include eco-friendly features such as solarpowered lights and green communal spaces.

Toa Payoh Block 79A – E Year of completion: 2008 No. of floors: 40 Height: 136.10m Location: Toa Payoh Central Toa Payoh is the site of Singapore’s very first 40-storey HDB blocks, which consist a total of 1,158 four- and five-room units. An interesting fact: due to their height, the blocks are frequently used for training by local mountaineering enthusiasts.

5 UP-AND-COMING NEIGHBOURHOODS

Bidadari New Town

It is no surprise that Bidadari was one of the most subscribed locations for BTO launches last year. Apart from being in close proximity to Woodleigh MRT, future developments in the neighbourhood include Singapore’s first underground bus interchange, which will be completed by 2019.

WHAT IS THE BTO SYSTEM? The BTO system is a housing scheme that was introduced in 2001 to give HDB greater control of new flat stocks. By building flats according to applicant demand, HDB can either scale back or ramp up construction of new apartments across Singapore.

Kallang River precinct THE YOUNGEST NEIGHBOURHOOD

11.1 %

of Punggol’s 130,000 residents are aged four and below, earning it the moniker of Singapore’s “Baby Town”.

35,515

HDB flats – the number of public residential units in Punggol as of March 2015.

This number is set to increase with new developments in the area, such as the Punggol Coast MRT station and the Punggol Digital District.

Aside from the planned development of a lifestyle hub and seamless park connectors linking it to Gardens by the Bay, the URA also hopes to add another 100,000 new homes to the areas surrounding the Kallang River over the next 20 years.

Dakota Breeze & Pine Vista

Upcoming residential developments in Geylang have proven to be highly popular. The Dakota Breeze BTO project drew over 3,400 applicants for its 670 four-room units during its May sales exercise. Three-room apartments at the estate and its sister development, Pine Vista, were similarly oversubscribed with 425 applicants for 300 units.

Sembawang Neighbourhood 1

Other than new apartments at the EastDelta@ Canberra BTO development, launched last August, Sembawang residents will see an influx of new retail and dining options with the completion of its neighbourhood centre, Canberra Plaza, in 2019.

Joining it is Canberra MRT Station, which will shorten travelling times towards Jurong East or the city centre.

Tengah Town

Described as a “Forest Town”, Tengah will be the country’s 24th HDB estate and the first one that integrates smart technologies, such as an automated waste collection system and environmental sensors. Close to 30,000 HDB apartments will be built there, with the first batch in the Plantation district to be launched from 2018 onwards.

AUG 57

HDB SPECIAL / RENO TIPS

SUCCESS STOREY Industry experts dish out tips on renovating our heartland’s cherished icon, the HDB home TEXT Fidz Azmin

THE UBIQUITOUS HDB FLAT has been a source of housing for our general populace since the ‘60s. It has evolved over the years with different form and facade, flat types and layouts – and lately, altering Singapore’s urban landscape with high rise Build-To-Order (BTO) buildings that cater mainly to new homeowners. These

58 AUG

new Housing Development Board (HDB) dwellers are changing the way local home interiors look, working dynamically with contractors to implement their ideas and brand of aesthetics into their abode.

Unfortunately, renovating an apartment – whether it’s a resale or a new BTO unit

– isn’t exactly a walk in the park. Hiccups happen and unforeseen circumstances arise, delaying renovations. To keep you smiling in anticipation of your dream home, we’ve roped in some experts from the interior design industry to help navigate the detours and roadblocks for a smooth ride ahead.

PLAN AHEAD

IMAGE COURTESY OF POETUS

Doing a bit of soul searching for the right interior designer to work with is important. Think of it as building the foundation for a solid working relationship. First, you need to identify those contractors with projects that match your style. Then make it a point to set up a meeting and chat with them. Apart from taking this chance to elaborate more about your expectations, you’re also able to assess his or her working style and creativity and find out how well you can communicate with each other.

“Look for an interior designer that you’re comfortable with because you’ll be working very closely with that person for the next few months.

What’s more, the designer needs intimate information about the homeowners’ lifestyle needs to churn out a fitting design. So, you have to feel at ease with the person to be able to share that fact,” advises Leon Luo, associate director at interior design firm Free Space Intent.

Derrick Lim, design principal at D’Marvel Scale stresses the importance of clear communication right from the start of – and throughout – the renovation period.

“It’s essential that you first decide your preferred look and feel as well as budget, and thereafter, share and discuss this with your designer,” he says.

According to Wilson Deng, co-founder of Studio FortyFour, the initial design stage is an important part of the renovation because designers need to understand the lifestyle and habits of the people living within the space to create the right ambience for them. “We’d usually request our homeowners to submit some ‘homework’. It can be a write-up or compilation of images of objects that they like or dislike, or a snippet of their lifestyle needs and living habits,” he explains.

IMAGE COURTESY OF FREE SPACE INTENT

UTILITY BASICS According to Isabelle Oh, assistant manager with Hansgrohe, an increasing number of style savvy owners are now paying a lot more attention to the bathroom, as it has become an increasingly important area for rejuvenation.

“As a result, they’re placing higher emphasis on high quality and aesthetically pleasing products to create their dream designer bathroom,” she explains, “After all, the right fittings can successfully shape the look and feel of a space that the owner yearns for.”

Here are some essential things homeowners should look out for when procuring fittings and accessories for the smallest but most visited part of the home: 1. Site conditions Before the shopping begins, check the existing site conditions in the bathroom to prevent unnecessary purchase of unsuitable products. For example, water pressure is an important factor which determines the suitability of shower products. A big overhead shower would not perform at its optimal with a weak water pressure.

2. Space constraints You can still have the designer bathroom of your dreams despite space constraints.

Opt for space-saving products that look as good as it performs.

3. Safety first With an increasing trend of different generations staying together, it is important that the needs of the elderly and the young especially in the shared bathroom are catered for.

Consider installing comfort shower bars that double as sturdy grab handles and blend with the bathroom’s aesthetics.

AUG 59

SHOP

IN GOOD ORDER

KEEP YOUR SMALL SPACES NEAT AND TIDY WITH THESE NIFTY ORGANISING ESSENTIALS STYLING Yong Woei Na ART DIRECTION Ken Koh & Linda Setiono PHOTOGRAPHY Wong Weiliang SHOT ON LOCATION The Ewins Home

62 AUG

L AY E R E D EFFECT Stow away odds and ends in small storage boxes to keep your display shelf looking neat.

WELL CONTAINED Store all your essential ingredients in designated containers and jars so that you will have them all within easy reach.

(From top, left to right) Small cutting board, $19, and big cutting board, $20, from Muji. Pear ornament, $23.90, and apple ornament, $22.90, from kikki.K. Clamp canister with chalkboard, $34.50, white spatula, $9.95, olivewood saute paddle, $26.95, silicone whisk, $11.95, farmhouse honey pot with dipper, $34.95, and ceramic salt cellar, $19.95, from Crate & Barrel. Wooden bowls, $13.90 each, from Muji. Delica Sacha tray, from $23, from The Ewins Home. Teacup and saucer, $22.90, from kikki.K. Bree teapot, $50.50, and striped napkin, $19.95, from Crate & Barrel.

(Opposite page, clockwise from left) Hirata WITH side chair, $599 and Puravia Terra shelf, $599, from The Ewins Home. Scented candle, $39.90, pencil cup, $24.90 and gold scissors, $16.90, from kikki.K. Wooden storage box, $49, from Muji. Potted boxwood, $62.95, from Crate & Barrel. Wooden pen stand, $23 and carry box, $13.90, from Muji. Journal, $44.90 and stapler, $12.90, from kikki.K. Urban text sculpture, $75, from BoConcept. Wooden clock, $49.90, from kikki.K.

AUG 63

SPACES

66 AUG

against

THE GRAIN Quirky, chic and original, this five-room HDB home proves that different styles can co-exist in one well-planned space TEXT Jolene Limuco PHOTOS The Scientist

AT A GLANCE

SPACE

5-room BTO unit

LOCATION

Upper Serangoon Crescent

RENO PERIOD

2 months

HOME TO

2 adults

AUG 67

SPACES

L Demain stool from Commune DINING AREA (above)

A six-seater dining table paired with a series of pendant lamps in varying lengths give the dining zone its cafe-like quality, especially with the abundance of light streaming through the generously-sized windows nearby.

68 AUG

ooking for the right interior designer can sometimes be an arduous journey. You’d want to find one that understands your needs and share your aesthetic values as much as being reliable and trustworthy.

For newly-weds Justine and Liyong, the journey to find the right partners to renovate their home was a relatively easy one. They came across interior design firm The Scientist online when researching for their renovation and liked what they saw. After the initial meeting with designers Alvin Ling and Krays Lee, the couple was delighted to discover that they were all on the same wavelength.

Liyong recalls, “After meeting up with the designers, we noticed that the chemistry was there, and we decided to trust them in their professionalism and aesthetic tastes. So our design brief was that we simply wanted something different and not cookie-cutter.

We also told them that we were receptive to anything and keen to try any fun ideas they might have.”

LIVING ROOM

An amalgamation of the two homeowners’ tastes, the living room is an open and airy space simply furnished with eclectic elements like mid-century modern pieces complemented by nature-inspired details.

AUG 69

SPACES

uncommon PRACTICE A pair of home dwellers turned a timeworn apartment around with a few unusual ideas TEXT Fidz Azmin PHOTOS D’Marvel Scale

AT A GLANCE

SPACE

4-room HDB unit

LOCATION

Clementi Avenue 2

RENO PERIOD

Approx. 12 weeks

HOME TO

2 adults

82 AUG

AUG 83

SPACES

Entrance hallway floors

Peranakan tiles E N T R Y W AY

Peranakan tiles lining the entrance hallway welcome visitors in with their striking good looks.

DINING AREA (opposite page)

Who says the common room needs to fit a stereotype? Mismatched chairs exude eclectic charm, while an out-ofthe-ordinary light fixture made of recycled bottles encourages the effort to go green and makes a great conversation starter here.

84 AUG

D

rab and dated, the interior of this 20-year-old resale flat belonging to a pair of newlyweds just didn’t suit their personalities. Moreover, the young owners had their own unique ideas for their dream home and were eager for its facelift.

Together with Derrick Lim, their interior designer from D’Marvel Scale, they came up with creative ways to transform it into a contemporary haven laced with a heritage vibe.

Like most homeowners, plans were in the pipeline for major space restructuring catered to the couple’s creature habits. But what set them apart was the decision to forgo the customary living room alongside its entertainment system and squishy sofa. Instead, the pair decided to assign the dining area as their new, albeit unconventional, communal zone. This uncommon school of thought is refreshing, not lacking.

“The homeowners wanted their dining room to be the centre for social gatherings. As opposed to sitting on the couch watching television, being seated around a table allows everyone to face one another and interact easily,” explains Derrick.

“They meant to use this space for work as well.”

It’s of no surprise that this request came from the man of the house, an individual who’s enjoying a career in the teaching industry. As with any well-designed room, this part of the home boasts a prominent focal point. A massive bookcase covers the entire wall on one side of the dining area, clad in dark wood and echoing the texture of the timber floors and dining table. The cement plastered wall facing the bookcase balances wood’s rustic look and harmonises with the industrial style lighting on the ceiling.

Flanking this new communal area is the entrance hallway that’s bedecked in Peranakan

AUG 85

SPACES

the

BOHEMIAN

life

Colours, patterns and flexible styling express the free-spirited vibe of this apartment for four TEXT Rossara Jamil PHOTOS Free Space Intent

AT A GLANCE

SPACE

5-room HDB unit

LOCATION

Pasir Ris

RENO PERIOD

12 weeks

HOME TO

2 adults, 2 children

88 AUG

Entryway flooring

Homogeneous tiles E N T R Y W AY

A pink door and an orange ceiling bring a jolt of contrast against the pastel hues of the tessellated Moroccan-style floor tiles.

AUG 89

SPACES

B LIVING ROOM

Accessories and fabrics allow for the freedom and spontaneity to change things up. So, furniture and finishes in the living area come in neutral colours while multi-hued soft furnishings jazz up the setting. Of note here, too, are sliding doors to close off the study and entryway.

90 AUG

right, colourful and free flowing, this home is more than about being cheery. Home to a family of four, the five-room HDB flat reflects the passions and values that the occupants possess. “The husband is a musician. He plays in a local band specialising in reggae music. His wife has a deep passion in DIY handicrafts,” says Leon Luo. The associate director of interior design firm Free Space Intent added that the couple’s brief was to have a bohemian concept.

Coming from a lineage of artistes, the husband and his wife wanted to cultivate a love for the arts in their children. As such, the family required room for creative activities, as well as day-to-day matters. This being their second home, they were

searching for a space to meet all their needs.

The space, with a larger layout than standard five-room HDB flats, fits the bill.

Given all that, they were receptive to the unconventional ideas proposed by the design team. Of the carefree ambience, Leon says, “The main challenge was to put tiles with different patterns and shapes into one home yet make it feel harmonious.” The interior designer shares that the tiles were sourced from different suppliers to find the right combinations.

In addition, colours were applied carefully in small doses. When applied on large areas, the designer was careful to include muted tiles in various textures so that the colours do not look flat or overwhelming.

Dixon side table from Crate & Barrel MASTER BEDROOM

Simple as it is, the master bedroom is not short on style. Details added by the Free Space Intent team include the newly constructed niche above the bed and an arch that separates the sleeping area from the wardrobe.

Reminiscent of Moroccan interiors, the arch evokes a different time and place.

Interior designer Leon extended the bedroom slightly to accommodate the wardrobe area.

AUG 91

SHORTCUT

ROOTED IN PLACE Display your potted greens and keep things organised at the same time with modular shelving IMAGE COURTESY OF MENU

120 AUG

Vertical indoor gardens are a space-friendly alternative to their free-standing counterparts as they make use of oft-underused vertical space in a home. But instead of creating a board to mount your greens on the wall, an easier way is to place your plant collection atop modular shelves, which can also be used to store other knicks-knacks.

Simply omit the shelf bases to allow your potted pets to grow freely!