The couple who own this 1,227sqf five-room HDB flat in Havelock clashed from the start – the husband had a nostalgic Peranakan look in mind, while she likes black and white. They eventually met in the middle by agreeing on a black-and-white colonial-inspired theme, in part because he used to take her to look at pre-war houses when they were dating.

To save costs, the couple decided to hire contractors to actualise their design ideas without the aid of an interior designer. They scoured the Internet for images and how-to advice, and visited cafes and furniture showrooms to discreetly take measurements.

Like the rest of the home, the kitchen is a stylish mix of colonial-meets-industrial chic. Exposed red-brick walls walls anchor the space, contrasting with the whitewashed cabinets, subway tiles, and black granite worktops.

All the kitchen shelves are aligned precisely with the lines of the tiles. 

Vinyl flooring in Kentucky Oak throughout the apartment provides a stylish contrast to the white colour scheme. 

The legs of a Singer sewing machine support the vanity and sink in the bathroom…

… while the machine itself is displayed in the living room. 

The simple master bedroom is free of adornments, save for Chinese antique-style side tables juxtaposed with retro lamps. 

The result of the homeowners' hands-on involvement is an abode that is as comfortable as it is inspiring. Besides, they did up their five-room HDB apartment on an impressive sum of just over $40,000, including fixtures.