Home Tour: A 36-year-old fire and rescue officer bachelor’s 2-bedroom condo in Kovan

Purchasing a newly completed unit from the condo developer often presents homeowners with somewhat of a dilemma. On the one hand, they may wish to renovate the interior according to their aesthetic preferences and lifestyles. However, considering that all the built-in carpentry, finishes and fittings are brand-new, hacking them would be a waste and not a very sustainable move. The key is to strike a balance between what to add or remove in order to achieve an interior that reflects the occupants’ personalities and tastes - at least that was what happened for homeowner Abel Sim and his 2-bedroom condo in Kovan.

This was the approach that Don Wong, design director of SqM² adopted for this two-bedroom condominium project in Kovan. The homeowner, Abel Sim, a 36-year-old Fire and Rescue Officer bought the unit from the condo developer in 2019 and took possession in 2023 after TOP. The original interior was in a contemporary luxury style. Abel wanted a modern Peranakan home. Don’s objective was to retain as much of the existing interior as possible, while introducing new elements that would give the home the modern Peranakan flavour. 

Who Lives Here: A civil servant in his 30s
Home: A 2-bedroom condominium in Kovan
Size: 646 sq ft

Peranakan Interior Design

Homeowner Abel also wanted to have sufficient areas to showcase his extensive collection of Peranakan porcelain and Lego builds. This was no mean feat considering the apartment’s compact footprint of 646 sqf.

“Despite the limited space, my goal was to allow Abel to display as many collectibles and artworks as possible,” Don comments. Right beside the main entrance is a series of floor-to-ceiling shelves and cabinets that also include a bench seat that is perfect for putting on and removing shoes. The bright, turquoise laminate adds a pop of colour against the Peranakan-tiled backdrop.

Interior designer nDon meticulously planned the shelves to accommodate Peranakan and Lego pieces of various shapes and sizes. 

Open Kitchen Design

On the other side of the entrance is the open kitchen with an L-shaped configuration that makes efficient use of limited space with plenty of built-in both above and under the counter. Wall tiles in different Peranakan motifs reinforce the theme. Interior designer Don kept the colour palette to a green-turquoise combination that provides a striking composition without competing with the intricate designs of the tiles.  

Living Room

As the living room is rather long and narrow, it calls for a built-in design that is slim, yet manages to integrate space for the wall-hung television set, air-conditioner unit, as well as shelves, drawers and cabinets. The adjacent balcony space is put to good use by transforming it into a dining area. 

Bedroom Designs

One of the two bedrooms has been set aside for Abel’s parents when they stay over. For this room, interior designer Don opted for a more neutral colour palette that is soothing and easy on the eye. A blue colour scheme sets Abel’s bedroom apart from his parents’ room.

Different coloured wallpaper in a similar pattern help to establish a common thread. As with the living room, due to the compact size of the bedrooms, Don was mindful in designing built-in shelves and cabinets that are slim and shallow so as not to encroach too much into the bedroom space or compromise on the circulation area.

$30,000 Renovation

Abel moved into his new home in November 2023 after a one-and-a-half-month renovation, which came up to about $30,000 excluding furniture and furnishings. He feels that the home encompasses all the things that he loves- travel, Peranakan and Lego.

“The Peranakan tiles, in particular, really bring out my desired theme for the home,” he says. For interior designer Don, marrying the functional and aesthetic aspects within a small space was a challenge, but that is what makes every project unique. He says, “I am committed to understanding the homeowners’ needs in order to guide them towards creating not just a house, but a home.”