The husband and wife, who are in their thirties, had moved into their flat in August 2020 and engaged Melvin Tan of Hello Embryo for the design and renovation. As avid collectors of both sneakers and toys, their priority was to have sufficient display and storage space for what they had amassed over the years.

For the toys, Melvin suggested hacking away the walls of the outermost bedroom and replacing them with glass-backed shelves, creating a display where the toys can be viewed from both inside the room and outside. “We wanted the hobby room to be the focal point, so we placed it next to the living room where the homeowners and their guests can see the toys from the communal areas of the house,” explains Melvin.

Each shelf is illuminated with LED strip lighting, and Melvin had to take extra care to conceal the electrical wiring. “That was one of the biggest challenges,” he says. The resulting look is worth it – with warm wood laminate and black metal supports, it’s both mid-century modern and intimate, displaying each toy beautifully.

Another challenge was having enough space for the couple’s extensive collection of sneakers. To address this, a full-height shoe cabinet with timber strips on the façade was incorporated into a dedicated corner of the living room, right next to the television. Partially open shelving and LED lighting allows the homeowners to see their favourite sneakers while lounging in the living room.

To add visual interest, Melvin used terrazzo flooring for the kitchen area. As the couple likes to entertain and cook, the kitchen area was segregated into wet and dry kitchens. Most of the heavy cooking is done in the wet kitchen, which is closed off by means of a sliding door, and the dining area is set in the dry kitchen itself, together with the refrigerator and other appliances. An island, clad in the same terrazzo, gives the couple extra meal prep space.

It’s the details that like this that help a home stand out. “The busy look of the terrazzo represents the vibrant energy in the kitchen where the homeowners are busy whipping up meals for their guests,” says Melvin. “The change in flooring shows the contrast between the living and dining areas – one is more for relaxation and the other is a hive of activity.”

Photography: Hello Embryo

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