Home Tour: A 50s couple’s Modern Oriental 3-bedroom condominium in River Valley
By Brenda Lim -
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For homeowner Ronald and his wife, this 1,270 sq ft condominium marks a new and tranquil chapter. “My wife and myself are in our early 50s and we enjoy spending time together as much as we can despite our busy schedules,” says Ronald. “Whilst I have recently retired after 27 years of professional life, my wife continues to seek and enjoy new experiences and challenges on the work front.”
After years spent building their careers and living in a modest HDB home, they wanted a new space to enjoy a more balanced lifestyle, one that was well-located, had great facilities, and was large enough to be a comfortable sanctuary for them and their loved ones.
What they found was a home that perfectly blends contemporary luxury with the warmth of their heritage, with the help of interior designer Adrian Heng of SpaceOne ID.
Who Lives Here: Husband and wife in their 50s
Home: 3-Bedroom Condominium in Irwell Residences
Size: 1,270 sq ft
Interior Designer: Adrian Heng from SpaceOne ID
Accent seating in muted blue adds contrast while maintaining the refined, modern Oriental aesthetic.
Modern Oriental Living Room Design
The home’s most striking transformation took place in its central hubs - the living room and dining area. A key challenge of the condominium’s typical condo developer layout was a television wall that created a visual barrier.
To solve this, interior designer Adrian re-engineered the space by relocating the television to a new custom cabinet. This allowed the living room to feel significantly more open and connected, offering unobstructed views from the living room, dining area, and even the balcony, which is ideal for the couple who enjoy entertaining guests.
“The new layout creates a more open, connected atmosphere, making the space feel larger and far more inclusive for entertaining guests,” Adrian adds.
This sophisticated space is built on a foundation of warm, tactile materials, including dark grey fabric laminate and black timber laminate, complemented by textured wall coverings.
A bespoke sofa in neutral tones enhances the warm, tactile palette of the living space.
Antique Chinese Plates Collection
As a central focal point, a series of antique Chinese plates, sourced from homeowner Ronald’s father-in-law’s collection, are elegantly framed and displayed.
“I remembered that that my father-in-law had a collection of antique vases and plates. I was thinking that in the spirit of introducing Oriental elements - besides using the antique vases - if we could have some of the antique plates framed and hung in our new home as well,” homeowner Ronald recounts. “I brought this up with the interior designer and he had asked to see the items so he is able [to] evaluate if it would fit with the design theme.”
Interior designer Adrian built on this element with subtle touches like gold-accented cabinet handles and a trio of Chinese Oriental-style pendant lights hung at varying heights over the dining table, subtly drawing the eye upwards.
“In this contemporary-oriental space, carefully selected accessories play a key role in establishing the right atmosphere and visual balance,” Adrian explains. “Framed Chinese plates in elegant gold frames, a pair of celadon ceramic table lamp, and throw cushions featuring oriental crane motifs all add layers of cultural richness.”
Custom-made cashew-shaped seating and a matching ottoman anchor the living room with soft, flowing lines.
Custom-Made Sofa
The bespoke, cashew-shaped sofa and its multi-purpose ottoman were custom-made for the client to provide both soft, flowing lines and practical functionality. Homeowner Ronald is particularly fond of this space, which also features a cherished butterfly tree oil painting.
Black-and-white travel photographs personalise the corridor, extending the home’s narrative.
Modern Oriental Interior Design
The interior design’s refined blend of heritage and modernity is carried seamlessly into the private quarters of the home. Along the corridor leading to these spaces, a series of black and white photographs from the couple’s travels adds a personal touch.
The study’s warm palette and Oriental-inspired details balance elegance with practical function.
Custom shelving and a multifunctional desk double as both study and dressing table.
Modern Oriental Study Room Design
The study room is designed to be both elegant and functional, featuring the same warm aesthetic as the main living area. The oriental-inspired handles on the cabinetry is a quiet nod to the home’s overall theme.
“The study room also reflects this [modern oriental] blend, featuring oriental-inspired handles and a multifunctional layout that incorporates a dressing table into the study desk,” interior designer Adrian adds.
The layout is a clever, space-saving solution, with the multi-functional desk perfectly suited to the couple’s lifestyle.
A linear headboard framed by Oriental wall lamps, textured wallcoverings, and green accents create a serene retreat.
Elegant Oriental wall lamps and soft furnishings add layers of warmth and sophistication to the master bedroom.
Modern Oriental Master Bedroom Design
A true retreat, the master bedroom continues the home’s cohesive look. “The master bedroom continues the theme with two elegant oriental wall lamps that frame a linear headboard,” Adrian explains.
The bedroom is anchored by a linear headboard framed by the two elegant Oriental wall lamps. Luxurious textured wallcoverings add depth and warmth, while custom-designed throw cushions and a bed runner in varying shades of green complete the serene and elegant feel of the room.
Soft green-toned walls and a pull-out sofa bed make the guest room cosy, calm, and multifunctional.
Modern Oriental Guest Room Design
Designed with visitors in mind, the guest room offers a calm and inviting atmosphere. Its soft green-toned walls create a cosy mood, and a pullout sofa bed ensures the space is multi-functional, doubling as a seating area when not in use.
Interior designer Adrian’s design philosophy of creating spaces that stand the test of time is evident in every detail, from the carefully selected accessories to his avoidance of fleeting trends.
2-Month Renovation
The 2-month renovation successfully delivered a home that is not just beautiful, but also deeply personal and functional.
Homeowner Ronald shares that what makes the house truly a home is not the design, but simply his “wife and our wonderful life together,” a sentiment that perfectly captures the heart of this home.