Home Tour: $100,000 Renovation for an interior designer’s 2-bedroom condo at Hillview Rise

Who Lives Here: An interior designer, his mother and a helper
Home: A 2-bedroom condominium at Hillview Rise
Size: 840 sq ft
Interior Designer: Kelvyn Lim, director of Happe Design Atelier

Space has always been a premium in land-scarce Singapore. With some clever design and space planning, it is possible to maximise every square foot and make the most out of a limited footprint. 

This was exactly what interior designer Kelvyn Lim, director of Happe Design Atelier set out to do for his own apartment, which he shares with his mum, a retiree, their helper and two dogs. “My approach was to maximise the space while being minimalist in aesthetics. Always think big about the function and how the spaces can be creatively crafted to meet our individual lifestyles,” says the 45-year-old.   

Condo with high ceiling

What the apartment lacks in horizontal floor area, it makes up for in vertical height. The 840 sq ft Hillview condo has a 3.2-metre-high ceiling, which naturally led to the idea of introducing a loft.

Working within the 5 sqm limit for loft additions, homeowner and interior designer Kelvyn managed to erect the loft above the kitchen. He put a considerable amount of thought into its design and even did a few mock-ups and test fits to ensure that it would complement the overall look and feel of the place.

Dry kitchen

Hidden door

Hidden loft stairs

Access is via a hidden door at one end of the kitchen, beyond which is a flight of stairs leading up to the loft. He arrived at this solution after much exploration.

“I was thinking about how I could make the loft easily accessible. Initially, I considered using a ladder to save space. Then I had the idea of turning the little nook in the kitchen into a staircase, which is so much more practical,” he explains. 

The addition of a loft also enhanced the spatial dynamics of the apartment. With the main entrance beside the kitchen, you now enter into a space with a lower ceiling below the loft. Moving further into the apartment towards the living room and balcony, the ceiling opens up. This progression creates a sense of anticipation and heightens the spatial experience.  

Versatility was also a priority when designing the loft so that it can serve as a guest room, chill-out spot, as well as for extra storage. Homeowner and interior designer Kelvyn was mindful about addressing ventilation issues. A series of panels that can pivot open allow air to circulate through the loft. These openings also act as windows that offer a visual connection with the living room below.  

Maximising space

It was important to have sufficient room in the kitchen as they love cooking for family and friends. “We spend a lot of time together in the kitchen pondering over and experimenting on new recipes and planning our meals,” shares Kelvyn.

Although he had the kitchen size reduced to align with the loft footprint above, he ensured that a smaller kitchen did not compromise on its practicality by adding a peninsula island. This not only increases the countertop space but can double up as a breakfast counter and a work area. He even managed to integrate more storage below the island. 

Master bedroom design

The floor plan of the hallway and two bedrooms was reconfigured to maximise the usability. By enclosing the existing hallway leading to the two bedrooms with a concealed door that looks like part of the living room feature wall, the hallway now serves as a walk-in wardrobe complete with a washer. It even has a built-in desk at one end that provides another work-from-home space within the apartment.

Master bathroom

The master bedroom can still be accessed by opening the concealed door, while the entrance to the second bedroom has been relocated to the balcony. This move also allows the existing common bathroom to function more like an attached bathroom.

“Interesting, this layout change was partly motivated by the pandemic. With both bedrooms now having attached bathrooms, it is more convenient if there is a need for isolation. Of course, it is also great for privacy,” Kelvyn points out. 

Balcony dining area

Moving the dining area to the balcony not only frees up space in the kitchen and living room, but also makes better use of an area that is often under-utilised in many homes. The 2.4-metre-long dining table is just the thing for hosting. Pairing a custom-made oval tabletop with an off-the-rack table elevates the look. With the addition of Ziptrak blinds and day curtains, the balcony has been transformed into an extension of the living room that also offers alfresco-style dining and unobstructed views.

$100,000 Renovation budget

Kelvyn and his family moved into their new home in May 2022 after a two-and-a-half-month renovation costing about $100,000. As an interior designer himself, he refers to his own home as a “laboratory” because he did a lot of experimenting with space planning, materials and functional programming. With clients’ homes, he tends to exercise more restraint so as to ensure a successful outcome. 

The renovation was carried out during the pandemic, which made it extra challenging as he had to juggle both his own home, as well as clients’ projects. There were instances where he had to prioritise clients’ homes and put his own home on the back burner so that they could move in on time. But looking at the end result, he considers it all worthwhile. “The home is a product of the perfect balance between style, function and our lifestyle. The minimalist style encompasses myriad details that may appear effortless at first glance, but in reality, a lot of effort has gone into creating the spaces,” he highlights.