When two people build a home together, it can be disastrous if their tastes are polar opposites. Eng Kwee - or EK as he prefers to be called - is partial to contemporary styles with lots of colour, while his wife Hwee Min prefers vintage. So when they moved into their Joo Chiat shophouse this year, they had to reach a happy compromise on the style of the home.

They couldn't decide on one style, but this couple both have fierce DIY streaks - turning seemingly worthless junk (abandoned chairs and empty LPG tanks) into chic new items for their home.

The couple, who handled the renovations themselves, made the space homely by dotting it with family heirlooms, travel buys and lovingly restored vintage purchases. Most of them grace the spacious open-plan second floor, which houses the living and dining areas.