Home Tour: $70,000 Renovation for a SAF regular’s 2-bedroom condo in Upper Serangoon
This apartment was designed with spaces that the homeowner can share with friends and where he can enjoy complete privacy.
By Lynn Tan -
Share this article
Jason Tan, a regular in the Singapore Armed Forces, wanted a dark, modern luxe theme for his home. As he shares the apartment with his girlfriend, who stays over mostly on the weekends due to the couple’s busy and disparate work schedules, ample storage and space-saving solutions are important to keep the place looking neat without compromising on the overall aesthetics.
The 30-year-old also wanted an interior that is “unique and uncommon”, with some “elements of surprise”. His brief to Aiden T interior designer, Eileen Teo, also reflects his personality. “As a private person, I value having distinct spaces within my home, especially when entertaining guests. Given the space constraint, I want to achieve a sense of separation without making the space feel cramped,” he says.
Who Lives Here: A SAF regular and his girlfriend
Home: A 2-bedroom condominium at Upper Serangoon View
Size: 680 sq ft (63 sqm)
Interior Designer: Eileen Teo from Aiden T
The landing foyer features a geometric tile pattern, marking the entrance with style and function.
Dark Academia Interior Design
Interior designer Eileen translated Jason’s preference for a modern luxury theme coupled with a dark colour palette into a modern, dark academia style.
“Dark academia is a design style characterised by its moody, intellectual and somewhat mysterious ambience often inspired by classic literature, gothic architecture and scholarly settings. It embraces rich, dark colours and a sense of nostalgia. To modernise this aesthetic, I incorporated clean lines and contemporary elements, balancing the traditional aspects of dark academia with a fresh, updated feel,” she explains.
Foyer Design
The entrance foyer was intentionally designed to create a distinct “landing zone” that provides a clear demarcation of space while conjuring the notion of a larger house by introducing a separate zone.
The most eye-catching feature is the floor where different tiles were combined to create a unique, geometric pattern. Apart from the aesthetics, tiles were also chosen for this high footfall area due to practical reasons as they are more durable and easier to clean.
Kitchen Design
Located right next to the entrance foyer, the kitchen underwent major reconfiguration with new cabinetry and re-routed plumbing to accommodate a new arrangement of appliances, which are concealed as far as possible, according to homeowner Jason’s needs.
“As someone who works out regularly and has a lot of supplements, health products and equipment for meal preparation, I needed ample storage to keep these items organised without cluttering the house,” he shares.
Cabinet doors with a brushed metallic gold laminate are an unconventional, yet striking choice. These are complemented by a dark granite countertop incorporating flecks of reflective stones that add a dash of sparkle amidst the dark palette.
A mix of eclectic furniture and textured wallpaper gives the living room a refined, yet inviting atmosphere.
Living Room Design
The living room charms with its eclectic mix of furniture pieces set against textured wallpaper in blue and gold hues, with just a hint of shimmer that catches the light.
The clean lines of the sofa is juxtaposed against the organic form of the coffee table. The side table with its tree branch legs and birds perched on them inject a nature-inspired and whimsical touch.
The feature wall, with its velvety blue hue and subtle sheen, adds depth while cleverly hiding storage.
Blue Feature Wall Design
Worth of mention is the feature wall, whose deceptively effortless look belies its design complexity. The entire composition was meticulously proportioned and dimensioned and spray-painted in a velvety blue with a subtle sheen. Simple mouldings and brass beading elevate the design without complicating things. More than just a feature wall, it also conceals storage behind tic tac doors, as well as the air-conditioning units above.
A discreet door leads to a hidden corridor, adding an element of surprise to the home’s design.
Hidden Door
One of these panels is actually a hidden door, behind which is a corridor that leads to homeowner Jason’s private sanctuary.
“Often an unassuming and overlooked area, the walkway is transformed into a significant design feature. Despite its small size, it serves as an unexpected highlight that amplifies the overall design concept and adds an element of surprise and uniqueness to the home,” interior designer Eileen points out.
Exquisite, black-white-gold Zoffany Avalonis wallpaper with an Adam and Eve-inspired motif adorns the walls, doors and ceiling to create an immersive experience.
Jason’s bedroom includes a stylish display shelf, perfect for showcasing his watch and bag collection.
Bedroom Design
Beyond these gilded surfaces lie Jason’s private chambers. The two bedrooms have been combined into one large suite comprising a sleeping area and a walk-in wardrobe. In contrast with the darker theme in the rest of the home, interior designer Eileen went with a brighter and lighter colour scheme for the bedroom to foster a peaceful atmosphere that is conducive for restful sleep and relaxation.
A dark, moody bedside setup reflects his style, with a patterned wall and unique trinkets adding character.
A peaceful view from the bed enhances the restful ambiance of the bedroom.
The limewashed walls with a pearl-like finish complement and contrast with the darker, textured wallpaper behind the headboard. The side tables were customised using the same wallpaper to achieve a cohesive look. In addition to built-in wardrobes erected against the wall, the walk-in wardrobe area also features a freestanding island that provides additional storage, as well as a display showcase for homeowner Jason’s collection of watches and bags.
A sleek, modern toilet door complements the bathroom’s elegant finishes.
The master bathroom exudes luxury with its elegant fixtures and refined finishes.
Master Bathroom Design
The attached master bathroom exudes elegance and sophistication. The choice of finishes and fittings, from the brushed silver laminate cabinet, black granite vanity counter and mirrored cabinet, to the vessel basin with a black exterior and brass interior, and brass hardware, inject the utilitarian space with an air of opulence.
The balcony doubles as a dining area, blending indoor and outdoor spaces with versatile, weatherproof furniture.
Balcony Dining Room Design
Relocating the dining area to the balcony not only frees up the internal space, it also fully utilises the semi-outdoor area and capitalises on the view that attracted Jason to this unit in the first place.
The balcony is conceived to extend the outdoors into the interior space and it is envisioned as a tranquil retreat where one can relax, dine, entertain and enjoy nature’s beauty.
In addition, it also addresses his request for a multipurpose space where he can work, lounge and entertain through a careful selection of versatile furniture, including a weatherproof sofa paired with two armchairs that offer additional seating in the living room when required, along with a height-adjustable table.
The bedroom’s dark, moody palette is balanced by sleek furnishings and layered textures.
$70,000 Renovation
Homeowner Jason moved into his new home in November 2023 after a four-and-a-half-month renovation. The cost came up to about $70,000 excluding furniture and furnishings.
He is pleased with the result: “The design beautifully balances my need for privacy and social interaction. It keeps everything easily accessible yet out of sight.”
For interior designer Eileen, “this project exemplifies our commitment to creating bespoke, functional and stylish interiors that go beyond surface-level aesthetics to enhance the daily lives of our clients”.