Ryan First Built it in The Sims

Which one of us hasn’t built our dream house in The Sims?

Ryan took it a step further and designed his real home in the game, using his floor plan to ensure that the dimensions were as accurate as possible.

The Designer Inn then built on his ideas to create something that was unique to Ryan’s personality.

This method enabled him do virtual walkthroughs of his home and “interact” with the furniture, so he could make adjustments before confirming the furniture placement in real life.

He wanted a single integrated space where the living and dining areas flowed into each other seamlessly. The placement of the dining table (from Grey & Sanders) just behind the sofa also meant he could watch television during mealtimes, too.

Ryan’s father is an architect

Ryan’s father is an architect specialising in wood, so Ryan grew up knowing the material inside and out. He also loves surrounding himself with greenery and nature, so wood was the natural choice for the main look of his home.

“I love to spend time at home so I wanted it to be aesthetically pleasing to me. It doesn’t matter if others may think it’s too woody, I’m living in it!” laughs Ryan. “I also like the fact that it has many plants and flowers to soften the look.”

Upon entry, visitors are greeted by a spacious entryway with a live-edge console table by Grey & Sanders, complete with plants by Pollyanna Concepts. A built-in shoe bench by TM Design Associates is lit from beneath by lights from Sol Luminaire, adding a touch of luxe.

The bedroom’s generous windows overlook an expanse of greenery outside. Ryan can also sit up in bed, thanks to the adjustable bed frame and mattress by Woosa on a platform.

He doesn’t have to sacrifice entertainment time for the view, though — a projector system by Viewsonic and a screen ensure that he can still watch movies when he wants to.

Ryan wanted a Bali-resort feel for his outdoor terrace, which is done in a wood composite by Namsoon Decking for durability.

The outdoor furniture for the balcony is by Rooma, which Ryan had stumbled upon at Tan Boon Liat Building when shopping for sofas. Here, a live-edge table complements the outdoor greenery and prevents the space from looking too boxy.

Bathroom hacked for bigger kitchen

“As a single man… I honestly don’t need three bathrooms,” says Ryan. The original layout of the penthouse had plenty of separate spaces — including four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and two balconies – but that left only a narrow space for the kitchen, which was not ideal for cooking. It was a no-brainer to sacrifice one of the bathrooms in order to make way for a larger kitchen.

“Although I’m not a great cook, I do enjoy cooking from time to time, so my priority was a bigger kitchen,” shares Ryan. He made sure to outfit all his kitchen cabinets and drawers with Blum’s automatic open-and-close system, which always impresses his guests whenever he demonstrates how he can open a cabinet with a simple push.

The wood-accented theme continues in the remaining two bathrooms, lending them a distinctly luxe-resort feel. Here, plants by Pollyanna Concepts help to enliven the space.

A window lets natural light through to brighten the master bathroom. The choice of wood in the shower area was inspired by Japanese bath houses, since Ryan wanted to differentiate the main bathroom area from the shower. Here, Evorich vinyl is used instead of real wood, which can warp in wet environments.

Home was planned around his career and pet Shih Tzu

As a Youtuber, Ryan does a lot of filming for work. While he used to borrow friends’ houses for shoots, he now has a dedicated space in his own home.

This meant that his design choices had to be conducive for filming — so mirrors and other reflective surfaces were a no-no, even though they are a common option for visually expanding space. “I had to make sure none of my materials used were reflective, so my lights won’t spill and we won’t see the camera man in the video,” shares Ryan.

Accessibility for his pet Shih Tzu, Mantou, was also a priority. Every single door in the house is outfitted with a dog flap, which allows the pup access to every part of the home.

Entirely smart home

A Samsung fan from a young age, Ryan decided to invest in a Family Hub refrigerator — which has features such as a meal planning app, food expiry reminders, and the ability to receive calls from a Samsung smartphone.

From there, he began looking into the other electronics and appliances by the brand.

One of his favourites was their Cassette air-conditioner, which resembles a discreet speaker affixed to the ceiling instead of the traditional boxy unit.

As a cinematographer, Ryan wanted a TV that had bright, true-to-life colours for the best viewing experience, so he decided on the Samsung 4K Smart Qled TV.

The rest of the home is configured for smart control, including the lighting system by Home A Genius and Sol Luminaire. This enables him to use a single voice command to change the lights and switch on or off electronics as needed. For example, saying the line “photo time!” turns off all direct spotlights and switches on cove lighting, so as to avoid casting shadows. Other smart features include a Wifi-enabled heater by Ariston, which he can turn on and set the temperature for with his phone.

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This story first appeared on Home and Decor in 2020. Photos: Isabelle Quek, Kher Chyn, Natalie Lim.