$250,000 Renovation for a couple’s 3-bedroom condominium along Holland Road
Making sense of space and function does not always require extensive hacking and reconfiguration, as illustrated by this project.
By Lynn Tan -
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Who Lives Here: A couple in their 40s and 50s
Home: A 3-bedroom condominium at Ridgewood Close
Size: 1,080 sq ft
Interior Designer: Studio Makal Pte Ltd
After renting a home for 11 years, Julian Wong, 58 and his 49-year-old wife, Fiona, felt that it was time to start looking for a property of their own. The search took three years before they finally found “the right place” in 2021. “Price is important and I need three rooms plus a maid’s room,” says Julian.
Studio Makal Interior Design
Their brief to Mak Ai-Ling, the founder and principal designer of Studio Makal Pte Ltd, was to design a contemporary interior with subtle Japanese influences, expressed through warm wood accents and a calm and restrained aesthetic.
The couple had full confidence in her ability and appreciated her credentials as an architect who is registered with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and an associate member of the Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA). Julian also likes things clean and concealed.
“A careful balance between storage and display was important, allowing the home to feel both functional and personal without appearing cluttered,” Ai-Ling points out.
Living and dining rooms
Despite being part of an older condominium development, the unit was well-maintained. The marble flooring in the living areas was retained and given a polish to restore its shine and finish. The space enjoys plenty of natural light and warm wood accents give it a cosy feel. The air-conditioner units in the whole apartment have been concealed behind timber screens that complement the rest of the wood elements in the home.
Ai-Ling has deliberately kept the living and dining areas open and seamlessly connected, using cabinetry to achieve spatial definition. A copper mirror- a specific request from Julian, creates the impression of space. A custom extendable Omnia dining table from Calligaris is compact enough for the dining area while offering the flexibility of being extended to accommodate a larger group.
Reading nook
As the clients are avid readers, Ai-Ling designed a dedicated reading nook beside the living area, which also serves as additional seating when the couple have guests over.
“It embodies the efficient use of space within a minimalist framework, showcasing the clients’ interest in reading and transforming the home into a sanctuary for rest and leisure,” Ai-Ling highlights. A Vibia Dots wall lamp elevates the space with its sculptural and functional qualities.
Kitchen
The clients preferred to have the kitchen enclosed for practical reasons, but without cutting off the natural daylight. Ai-Ling designed a breakfast bar with a sliding glass partition that can be closed during cooking while still allowing light to filter through.
Master bedroom
There are many bay windows in the bedrooms and bathroom and the clients naturally wanted to make the most of them. In the master bedroom, the bay window has been transformed into a seating area with integrated storage and a two-in-one desk and vanity unit.
Master bathroom
The master bathroom went through the most extensive reconfiguration. The original vanity counter was relocated to the bay window to facilitate the expansion of the bathroom in order to make space for His and Hers basins. This was important for the clients in terms of improving the spatial efficiency and day-to-day usability.
Light grey tiles were chosen for the master bathroom floor and walls to keep the space bright and clean looking, paired with storage cabinets with wood laminate doors to create a warm and comfortable feeling.
Guest bedroom
The bay window design in the guest bedroom adopts a similar approach as the master bedroom, integrating seating and storage. An open shelf on the wall behind the bed adds a personalised touch for guests to make them feel right at home.
Study room
In the study room, the bay window seating abuts the study desk to make the most of the space without compromising on the aesthetics.
This is an example of an older condominium renovation project that did not involve major reconfiguration as the existing layout suited the new owners’ lifestyle. The couple moved into their new home in 2022 after a four-month renovation that cost about $250,000.