Home Tour: A bachelor’s 1-bedroom dual-key condo at Mount Sophia

This 700 sq ft dual-key condominium at Mount Sophia has been reimagined by interior designer Darren Tee to cater to a bachelor with a dynamic lifestyle and an appreciation for sophisticated, versatile design.

Originally a 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom unit, the unique dual-key layout presented an opportunity for a creative overhaul beyond typical floor plan constraints. The result is a 1-bedroom, 2-bathroom sanctuary that prioritizes seamless flow, spatial exploration, and purposeful elegance, while preserving the option to revert to its original configuration.

Dual-Key Condo Benefits

The revamped layout offers the owner multiple living arrangements. If the owner no longer wishes to occupy the entire unit, the dual-key configuration can be easily reinstated without compromising privacy. One section of the unit, occupying approximately 30% of the overall floor area, can be used by another occupant seeking additional privacy or even leased out while maintaining complete separation.

In this configuration, the secondary wing will be fully self-sufficient, featuring its own kitchenette, bathroom, and washer-dryer area, with shared space limited to the foyer. Alternatively, if the owner relocates, the unit can be rented out to either one or two separate occupants, enhancing the flexibility and investment potential of the space.

Foyer Design

Stepping into the main entrance, one is greeted by a compact, all-beige foyer. Full-height woodgrain fluted panels conceal the storage, distribution board cabinet, and the door to the second wing. This creates a seamless and minimalist aesthetic. Unlike typical dual-key foyers, which often lack natural light, this space features a large pivot door with frosted and fluted glass panels. Daylight filters through from the living room and kitchen, softly illuminating the foyer even when the doors are closed. The flooring is finished with large-format beige Italian tiles. This detail creates a seamless visual flow that unites the walls, ceiling, and floor, enhancing the unit’s cohesive look.

A striking black bench, custom-made by interior designer Darren Ree from repurposed railway sleepers, anchors the space. It pairs with a sleek wall-mounted mirror in slim black frames, creating a bold contrast against the all-beige backdrop. A small artwork by Malaysian artist Sherwan Rozan, also in shades of beige and black, adds a personal touch.

Kitchen Design

Stepping through the pivot door, one enters an enclosed kitchen. The space features a concealed fridge, washer/dryer, and a minibar, along with a tucked-away nook for making tea or coffee, discreetly hidden behind the pivot door when the door is open. Continuous beige large-format floor tiles paired with light oak carpentry flow seamlessly throughout, uniting the space and complementing the white countertops. Delicately veined, white kitchen countertops subtly reference the intricate patterns of neural networks, adding a dreamlike quality to the design.

To counter the common negative perception of entering a unit through the kitchen, all functional elements are carefully concealed. Integrated appliances, such as the fridge, freezer, dishwasher, and microwave, are seamlessly hidden to create a clean, streamlined look. Everyday items like chopping boards, kitchen towels, dish drying racks, cooking recipes, and cutting boards are stored in dedicated hidden compartments, keeping countertops clutter-free. This design approach enables the owner to effortlessly maintain a tidy kitchen, with daily necessities tucked away and only decorative items on display, ensuring a polished appearance at all times.

This enclosed kitchen, a departure from the open layouts typically found in similar-sized units, helps contain cooking smells and adds a layer of privacy. The design ensures that when service personnel, such as a technician repairing a water filter, are in the unit, their view is limited to the kitchen, keeping the rest of the home private and out of sight.

Living Room Design

At the end of the kitchen, a pair of sliding pocket doors opens to reveal the living room, reimagined as a spacious area by merging the original living room with an adjacent bedroom. Linen curtains drape elegantly along the external wall, covering the full-length windows while also cleverly concealing the TV and bookshelves. This adds a playful element and hides clutter when needed.

The design language flows seamlessly from the foyer and kitchen into the living room with the same large-format beige floor tiles. Walls and ceilings are finished with cement-textured paint in a soft Plaster of Paris shade, featuring travertine-like pinholes for added texture and warmth. Light oak woodgrain carpentry frames the space, with a TV wall and bookshelves on one side and full-height hidden storage on the other, enhancing the cohesive design.

All loose furniture was carefully selected for its flexibility and mobility, enhancing the space’s clean aesthetic and allowing for easy reconfiguration. The lightweight two-seater Togo couch by Ligne Roset can be effortlessly repositioned to suit various needs and layouts. It pairs with the foldable Cuba Lounge Chair by Carl Hansen & Son, crafted in oak and natural cord, alongside a custom beige marble coffee table on hidden rollers designed by Darren. This setup allows the entire arrangement to be easily moved and adjusted, ensuring the space remains dynamic and adaptable to changing uses and preferences.

Hidden behind the linen curtain is a custom low black bookshelf by local furniture maker Studio Kallang, featuring their signature wood-turned beaded supports inspired by the local dessert Onde Onde. Commissioned by interior designer Darren Tee, the bookshelf fits neatly between the curtain and the glazing, providing a discreet spot for displaying plants and smaller books. This placement creates an interplay of light and shadow, with plant silhouettes softly casting onto the linen curtain, shifting subtly as the curtain moves.

Two large artworks, both commissioned by interior designer Darren Tee, serve as striking focal points in the living room. A beige-based piece by Amsterdam artist Chris Lily James, conveying a sense of masculine empowerment, is elegantly displayed on the wall. In contrast, a black-on-black canvas by Malaysian artist Sherwan Rozan, created to honor Mount Sophia’s rich history, leans casually against the carpentry wall. Its subtle geometric shapes are inspired by the architectural silhouettes of the neighborhood’s historic buildings, adding cultural depth to the space.

Interior designer Darren incorporated these large artworks to create bold focal points, demonstrating that even compact areas can accommodate significant pieces. This approach adds depth and character, drawing the eye upward and making the space feel more expansive and thoughtfully curated.

Open Glass Shower

An open glass shower, unexpectedly placed in one corner of the living room, introduces a surprising twist to the spatial journey, prolonging exploration within the compact layout. This bold design choice challenges conventional ideas of privacy and blurs the boundaries between private and communal spaces, adding an element of surprise that engages and intrigues. Darren intended to create a sense of discovery, where each step reveals something new, enhancing the overall experience of the space with visual intrigue, lightness, and openness.

Balcony Dining Area

The living room extends to a balcony that doubles as a dining area for two to four people. This space can be enclosed with full-height operable louvered screens, enhancing privacy and comfort. An abstract tree artwork by young Singapore-based artist Karina Simon adds a refreshing green accent to the balcony, perfectly complementing the outdoor setting.

The balcony also features a dark grey Palisade Cone table by Hay in a gunpowder finish, paired with Audo Co chairs by Norm Architects in dark grey stained oak. Their muted tones and clean lines create a sophisticated yet subtle contrast against the space’s neutral palette, adding depth without overpowering the existing elements.

Master Bathroom Design

Sliding open a pocket door next to the glass shower reveals the master walk-in wardrobe and bathroom. One side features wardrobes with deep bronze-tinted glass, adding a subtle touch of luxury, while a built-in basin and mirror at the end of the wardrobe feature a white countertop that complements the kitchen design. Opposite the wardrobes, two glass compartments—one with opaque fluted glass and the other clear—separately house the toilet and shower.

The design includes hidden storage solutions to maximize every inch of the space. A flush full-length mirror in the toilet compartment discreetly conceals spare toiletries, while a deeper storage area is cleverly tucked behind the wardrobe, making use of an otherwise unused space to store larger items.

Master Bedroom Design

At the end of the corridor, a pocket sliding door opens into the master suite. The dual access to the master bath, connecting both the living room and the master suite, enhances the apartment’s flow and connectivity while thoughtfully balancing visibility and privacy. This design creates a dynamic interaction with the space, keeping visitors intrigued and engaged as they move through the home.

The master suite also features an additional kitchenette and a second fully-enclosed bathroom, allowing it to function as a separate wing when needed, further enhancing the unit’s flexibility. A door from the master bedroom leads back to the foyer, completing the journey in a loop and bringing visitors full circle to the starting point.