“Almost everything in this home is bought or made in Japan,” says Melvyn Yap. His home might be located in a typical Singapore high-rise building, but step inside and you’re instantly transported to a traditional inn in Japan.

Eric Chua of Sync Interior gave the cookie-cutter apartment a radical makeover, with a look inspired by traditional Japanese interiors that’s based on the homeowner’s love of Japanese culture and style.

Besides making structural alterations to open up the home, the designer created customised built-in structures and furniture to bring out the theme. Light oak tones, platforms and shoji paper screens are some of the distinctive elements he included. Also, as the Japanese aesthetic is grounded on simple, functional beauty, the home’s overall design minimises the use of conventional furniture, or having defined spaces and fixed-purpose rooms.

The home’s design minimises the use of conventional furniture, with the dining table and chairs being the only pieces.

Melvyn’s love of Japanese culture and aesthetics grew around six years ago, when he went to Japan for work. “It’s the respect for each other, for things, and for nature, that I like,” he says.

Tell me about the concept of your home’s design.

It’s purely Japanese. A lot of people like a fusion style, but not me. I wanted it pure, so that the authenticity is retained. The look is traditional, but there’s modern technology incorporated. Furnishing-wise, I tried as much as possible to get everything from Japan and made in Japan.

How did you translate the look and feel into your space?

I combined the concept of a “drinking hole” and traditional inn. The key element is the idea of getting together with friends, just like how colleagues gather after work at an izakaya; so there are pockets of space with platforms everywhere for my friends to gather.

The home has a palette of white and maple and oak wood tones, as seen in the kitchen.

The bold blue front gate with a design inspired by Doraemon is a playful touch that references Japanese pop culture.

Melvyn’s drinking corner in the living area, where he frequently entertains friends, is his favourite part of the home. 

In terms of the layout and function, what specifications did you have?

The drinking corner was very important! I wanted a comfortable area with a raised table, so hidden in the platform is an automated table that can be raised when I want to use it (in the living area). The drinking area in the living room can become a guest sleeping area, when the table is lowered into the platform and a futon is added. The whole interior was also reworked so I can use the space however I want; sometimes, I dine here, other times, there.

In the front part of the house, visitors can admire the homeowner’s extensive collection of Starbucks mugs in the glass showcase.

Which is your favourite part of your home?

I like my bedroom with the tatami-finished platform and futon, but I think my favourite space has got to be the drinking corner, as I see it as my private sanctuary. There, I do my work, drink, watch TV, chill out and entertain friends. My friends are only so eager to come over – they say my home is even better than some restaurants’ private rooms! Recently, some friends took photos for Instagram and it looked so beautiful in the pictures.