Home Tour: $170,000 Renovation for a Creative Director & Head Marketing couple’s 3-bedroom condo in South Buona Vista

Despite having purchased the condo unit brand new from the developer, homeowners Andrew Cheong and Vivien Chia decided to completely retrofit the apartment and for good reason because the existing layout did not suit their lifestyle. They wanted a larger kitchen with separate wet and dry areas. As the couple hosts often, they preferred to have more open spaces that can accommodate larger groups. Storage was another concern, especially in the master bedroom where the existing wardrobe was insufficient to meet their needs. 

Style was another consideration. The existing finishes and materials provided by the developer were not to their liking. “We wanted a mid-century modern theme that embraces a mix of materials from wood and aluminium to stone and glass,” says Andrew who is in his 50s and works as a creative director. Vivien, who is a head of marketing in her 40s adds: “We love colours and were leaning towards a palette from that era comprising pastel shades of blue, dusty pink and yellow.”  

Who Lives Here: A couple, their helper and their dog 
Home: A 3-bedroom condominium at South Buona Vista Road
Size: 1,044 sq ft
Interior Designer: Artistroom

Artistroom Reviews

To achieve the interior that they wanted, the couple turned to Artistroom, who happens to be Andrew’s neighbours at work. The team gutted out the apartment and reconfigured the layout according to the clients’ lifestyle, needs and preferences.

Dry & Wet Kitchen Design

Starting with the original kitchen, which used to be an enclosed space located immediately to the right of the main entrance. The existing kitchen walls were hacked to make way for a dry kitchen and an island, which are separated from the wet kitchen by a sliding door that helps to contain the smoke and grease. 

A third bedroom that was adjacent to the living and dining rooms has been opened up and transformed into the new living area. Together with the dining area, both enjoy direct access to the balcony and a view of the lush forest right beside the development.

“We love nature and decided to hack walls to ensure that we have a full view of the greenery,” Vivien explains.

The two areas now read as one large, inviting space with carefully selected furniture from BoConcept and Grafunkt that not only complement the mid-century modern style, but also reflects the couple’s appreciation for designer pieces. The Louis Poulsen PH 5 pendant lamp above the dining table is one of their favourites.

“It has always been a lamp that my wife wanted and it was the first piece of furnishing that we bought even before engaging Artistroom,” says Andrew. 

Living Room Design

The location of the television set on the wall across the corridor is unconventional, but intentional. Doing so frees up the peripheral envelope and its adjacent walls so that the focus is on the external greenery. The choice of a framed art television set also makes it look like an art piece that adorns the wall along the corridor, flanked by two standing speakers as Andrew is quite the audiophile.

The wood cladding on this wall is a nod to nature and can be found on various other walls around the apartment - from the entrance foyer and dry kitchen to the study and in the master bedroom, establishing a sense of continuity from one space to another. 

Study Room Design

The second bedroom is now a study room. Its wood-clad walls and timber flooring give it a sense of warmth, which is an important consideration as it also doubles up as the helper’s bedroom. The design team incorporated a foldable bed that looks like part of the built-in cabinets when stowed during the day. 

Walk In Wardrobe

A new walk-in wardrobe was added within the master bedroom according to the couple’s brief and it is concealed behind flushed doors.

Master Bathroom

The wood veneers are carried through even to the vanity cabinet in the master bathroom to tie the spaces together. 

$170,000 Renovation Cost

The renovation cost about $170,000 and the couple moved into their new home in September 2024 after a six-month renovation. This project showcases the Artistroom team’s knack for marrying design aesthetics and space planning, keeping the design elements simple, but with meticulous attention to proportion and materials.

For Andrew and Vivien, it is about creating a home that is not just cosy, but also lively by maximising the view of the lush greenery outside and compliment it with lots of wood and colours.