Home Tour: $90,000 Renovation for a creative couple’s 2-bedroom condo at Cantonment Road

In the world of interior design, simplicity need not equate to sterility, a truth beautifully embodied by this art gallery inspired Cantonment Road condo belonging to Maggie and Dennis Cheok. When the creative couple first moved into their two-bedroom apartment, their vision was crystal clear: to craft a living space that would serve as a pristine canvas for their most cherished possessions.

Art gallery inspired home

“Our Cantonment Road condo is conceptualized to function almost like an art gallery - a deliberately bare backdrop that allows our art, objects, and personal narratives to take center stage,” explains Mr. Dennis Cheok, founder and creative director of design studio Upstairs_, who personally orchestrated the home’s design. His approach transforms their living space into an art gallery inspired sanctuary that speaks volumes about their personal journey.

Cubbyhole storage ideas

Alongside his wife, Maggie Cheok, a graphic designer for broadcast television, the couple has meticulously curated a collection of books, art pieces, and meaningful trinkets over time. In the living room, a stunning set of floor-to-ceiling cubbyholes becomes their personal museum, showcasing their most beloved items with intentional care and artistic precision.

These ingeniously designed cubbyholes frame a large bay window, complete with a cushioned seat, creating an expansive display wall that serves multiple functions. This art gallery inspired nook is flooded with natural light, offering a comfortable reading sanctuary and a communal gathering spot where the family converges to enjoy television time together. 

Cantonment Road condo

Purchasing their 1,000 sq ft apartment in 2010 and investing approximately $90,000 in renovations, the Cheoks initially designed their Cantonment Road condo without anticipating children. However, the arrival of their daughter Trevi in 2011 beautifully transformed the space. Playful elements like a nostalgic baby mobile and a charming Wall-E toy figure now inject vibrant splashes of color into their art gallery inspired home.

Wall hacking

In a bold design move, Mr. Cheok removed one of the bedroom walls to create a more expansive communal area. Their daughter, Trevi’s bedroom now nestles into a corner of this space, delicately separated from the living room by thick, elegant curtains. Her bed, a testament to her father’s creativity, was personally crafted from plywood, ingeniously incorporating slats from her original baby crib – a poignant fusion of past and present. He says: "Although she's outgrown the cot, I wanted to retain parts of it because it has sentimental value." 

Master bedroom design

The master bedroom reveals another deeply personal, memory-laden display. Approximately 60 toys and items stud the wall above their bed, each piece carefully selected to represent Trevi’s journey. “According to Dennis, I'm a hoarder,” Mrs. Cheok says with a laugh, “"I get attached to things and find it hard to throw them away, especially Trevi's toys. So I was more than happy when he decided to take some of these special pieces to fill the wall of our bedroom.”

Among the treasured items are a scale model of a volcano, a collaborative piece of kindergarten homework, and a tiny red heart – a cake mould from an old cooking playset. “Every single item on display,” Mrs. Cheok emphasizes, “is a fragment of our memories, our shared experiences.”

This Cantonment Road condo stands as a profound testament to the power of intentional design – a living, breathing art gallery that doesn’t just showcase objects, but tells the intimate story of a family’s love, creativity, and connection.

Original article by Sabine Chen, first appeared in The Straits Times.