Of course, this has had friends and family members mistaking their place for a bar a few times. “I’ve had people coming up for a party and wondering if this was the right bar,” says JP. Beyond that, it hasn’t been much of a bother as they love to entertain. Needless to say, having a large space for hosting gatherings was high on their list of priorities.

Now, the communal area consists of a large den, a sizeable dining space and an open kitchen with an island bar that would look right at home in one of the nearby restaurants with its walnut hue and urban-looking chandelier.

Of these, the couple’s favourite room is undeniably the den – a large, semi-circular room with a generous, squashy sofa and a TV, plus their favourite video games lined up on the console – that they have fondly dubbed the gaming room.

“The layout was quite a challenge, but placing the furniture just so everyone can see the TV was crucial,” says Desmond.

Taking pride of place is a steampunk-style barber’s chair JP purchased on Carousell from an interior design firm that was moving offices. Next to it is a bright pink custom neon sign that says “Glass ½ Full Since 2007” – the year the couple got together as well as a tongue-in-cheek reference to optimism and always having a drink in hand

Although the home has a predominantly dark palette, there are occasional pops of colour, like deep green, that add depth. JP and Daniel were also very hands-on in the selection of the colours throughout the place as well as the furniture that was mostly bought from sites like Taobao and Carousell.

Of course, they were careful to have a good mix of splurges and inexpensive furniture, and the resulting look is luxe with a quirky character. Every feature feels right at home, including the flicker of the wall lamps, which the couple speculates is due to the age of the building.

Their personalities are also introduced through accessories and artworks collected over the years and scattered throughout. JP loves collecting animal figurines from gacha machines, which he places in spots like above the clock, on kitchen shelves and in the ventilation blocks, so guests get delightful little surprises.

Another welcoming touch: the constant, soft and warm tones of the Koshi wind chimes JP bought from France that are just outside the window.

“I believe we should surround ourselves with things that make us happy in a home,” JP tells us.

The overall look is also a nod to local heritage and the character of the neighbourhood. Architectural elements such as ventilation blocks, usually found outdoors, were incorporated indoors via a screen that divides the entryway from the dining area, giving it privacy while allowing air and light through.

Desmond and Serene also added textured glass blocks to the two bathrooms, letting in natural daylight to brighten them up. These heritage-inspired touches give the home a timeless beauty to the home, says Desmond, and the couple concurs.

“We knew we wanted to work with Three-D Conceptwerke very early on. Just like we could feel the apartment was right for us, we also felt Desmond and Serene were the right designers to work with. After all, this is our forever home,” says JP.

Art Direction Nonie Chen
Photography Veronica Tay

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