Home Tour: All-wood 3-bedroom condo in Toa Payoh

Their previous home at Punggol was also full of wood, but the owners of this 1,119 sq ft (103 sqm) 3-bedroom condominium in Toa Payoh love the natural material so much, they couldn’t resist sticking to a similar theme. The warm and inviting ambience created by wooden elements throughout their living space provides a perfect balance between contemporary design and natural aesthetics.

To give it a new spin, however, they engaged interior designer Roy Poh from Prozfile, who they also tasked to maximise the limited footprint of their home and make function a priority. This space-optimising approach showcases how thoughtful interior design can transform even modest square footage into a stylish, practical sanctuary for modern urban living.

Stucco paint feature wall

Opposite the kitchen, a stucco wall – which forms the backdrop for several display and storage compartments – runs the length. This feature wall serves as both a practical storage solution and a stunning visual focal point, demonstrating how multi-functional design elements can elevate a condo’s interior space.

A moody masterpiece in blood orange and smoky grey, it was one of interior designer’s Roy’s biggest challenges as it required several touch-ups from the painters before he was satisfied with the colours – and colour was crucial to the decor. These rich, sophisticated tones create a dramatic contrast against the wooden elements, adding depth and character to the open-concept living area.

Herringbone wooden built-in shoe cabinet

Black trim lends more depth to the design of this herringbone pattern shoe cabinet and closes the gaps between the door panels. This custom storage solution showcases exquisite craftsmanship while addressing the practical storage needs of the homeowners, proving that functional pieces can also be design statements in Singapore’s space-conscious condominiums.

Wooden ceiling beams

Planks of raw solid plywood and laminate flooring are used like beams across the whitewashed ceiling, but their irregular sizes and variegated shades break the monotony, keeping the effect from appearing claustrophobic or heavy. This creative ceiling treatment draws the eye upward, creating visual interest while maintaining the wood-centric design theme throughout the Toa Payoh residence.

Daughter’s bedroom design

Soft, feminine hues give the older daughter’s room a sweet vibe that is more sophisticated than childish. Mounting the study lamp and storage shelves on the wall keeps the floor free of clutter.

Platform bed with storage

Shallow steps allow for her to climb up her platform bed easily, while the integrated storage compartments provide handy niches for books. This innovative bed design optimizes vertical space, a crucial consideration in Singapore’s compact homes, while creating a cozy, elevated sleeping nook that any child would adore.

Study room design

Resting one end of the study table on the bay window ledge maximises the area in second daughter’s room. This space-saving solution cleverly utilizes the architectural features of the condo to create a functional workspace without sacrificing precious floor space, a testament to Roy’s innovative approach to interior design.

Master bedroom design

In the master bedroom, a wooden headboard flanked by shelving injects a touch of nature, as does the tree-patterned wallpaper above it. This thoughtful incorporation of natural elements and motifs creates a serene retreat, perfect for unwinding after a busy day in the city.

Instead of bedside tables, Roy designed the headboard with ledges at its sides to create storage that doesn’t require floor space. This innovative storage solution exemplifies how custom carpentry can address storage challenges in compact Singapore condominiums while maintaining a clean, uncluttered aesthetic.

Condo bay window

The interior designer transformed one of the bay windows into a window seat and ledge for the TV using an asymmetrical box frame; the new shape echoes the “irregular” feel of the wood features in the living area.

This “origami effect”, as he describes it, also allows him to extend the padded backrest’s shoulder area so it’s more comfortable to lie on. A clever design concept also makes the smaller bay window work harder.

This article was first published on Home and Decor in 2018.