For this family of six, being near the kids’ paternal grandparents was the priority when they moved to their Choa Chu Kang apartment in November 2018. The flexibility of space was also important as they wanted to reconfigure the space to comfortably house everyone.

When one steps into their five-room apartment, though, it’s hard to tell that there are four children, aged 2 to 11, living there. Lovingly designed by TS Wong, also the homeowner who runs design firm MOW Interior with business partner and co-founder Shermaine Ong, the home feels more like an elegant restaurant or art gallery.

Storage space was key in hiding the bric-a-brac that comes with the day-to-day life of a large family. TS completely reconfigured the kitchen so there’d be more space for the main storeroom. He also made sure to incorporate plenty of cupboard space along the walls that is nicely hidden away behind continuous panelling.

Rather than blending into the rest of the home, though, the panelling – also known as French moulding – is a feature in itself. Done in the same deep blue as the kitchen cabinets, and accented by brass handles, the panelling adds a distinctively classic yet contemporary look.

TS also did away with the service yard to make space for both wet and dry kitchens. “Our family cooks a lot, so we needed to make sure the grease didn’t get into the rest of the house,” he shares.

Most of the appliances, including a wine cooler, are stored in the open-concept kitchen with a breakfast counter. An essential part of the design process was knowing when to splurge and where to save.

The counters features an elegant Calacatta Gold quartz surface from Silestone’s Eternal Collection, while some of the home accessories, including the abstract painting that dominates the dining room, were purchased from Taobao.

These pop against the neutrals and deep blue of the home’s palette, lending an elegant touch. The attention to detail continues throughout the house.

The wardrobes in the master bedroom feature the same French molding in white, for instance, and all the switches in the home have the same champagne hue from wiring specialist Legrand’s Galion series.

The bunting in the children’s rooms lends a playful touch that rounds out the home.

These accents were part of the design input from Wong’s wife Sharon and partner Shermaine, also an interior designer who specialises in home styling and incorporating finishing touches. “We wanted the design to be a fusion of both designers’ ideas, not just mine,” TS shares.

Photography: Vee Chin
Art Direction: Kristy Quah

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