Home Tour: An Indian expat couple’s $200,000 renovation for their 3-bedroom condo in Woodlands

After years of living abroad, the homeowners were ready to plant roots in Singapore. For their first permanent residence here, they chose a 1,516 sq ft low-rise apartment in Woodlands—a rare find that offered both space and serenity. “We were looking for a calm and serene neighbourhood,” they shared, “but also something close to amenities and schools for our daughter.” The Woodgrove Condominium development was ideal with its lavish space and proximity to daily conveniences including a FairPrice Finest.

More than a home, it was a blank canvas to weave in pieces of their past. “We have a good collection of antiques and curios and wanted those to blend in with our interior.” They also wanted to incorporate design features reminiscent of their Southern Indian childhood homes—a subtle echo of terracotta tones, cane textures, and layered nostalgia.

To bring their vision to life, they turned to interior designer Anmarita Sijish of The Manor Designs. “We already knew her personally, but seeing her work as an architect and interior designer, it felt like the perfect match—like the right door opened at just the right time. We didn’t think twice.”

Who Lives Here: A HR director, his homemaking wife, and their 6-year-old daughter
Home: 3-bedroom condo in Woodgrove Condominium 
Size: 1,516 sq ft
Interior Designer: Anmarita Sijish, The Manor Designs

A Feeling of Home 

“When the family first approached me, they didn’t come to me asking for trends or Pinterest boards—they came with a feeling. It was about home, in the truest sense,” interior designer Anmarita recalls. “They longed for a space that quietly carried echoes of where they came from. They spoke about the texture of old teakwood furniture, the way sunlight filtered, quiet corners that invited afternoon chai and long conversations. This home became their bridge between their past and present.”

The couple continued: “When we first looked at the space, we didn’t just see what was there—we saw what it could become. We envisioned a home that felt inviting, grounded, and intentional. It had to be beautiful, yes, but also deeply liveable. I wanted each room to feel like it had a purpose, a soul.”

Living Room Design

“Now that we’ve moved in, the home has become a true foundation for our daily lives. Each space has found its rhythm with our family’s routines, making daily tasks more efficient and meaningful. Our living room is the hub of activity—it’s where we gather to watch movies, have conversations, and enjoy our meals together.” 

They continue, beaming with pride, “Our home is our haven, where we spend our best moments together, often gathered in the company of our friends and family. We both love experimenting with our culinary skills and entertaining our friends. Cooking isn’t just a chore here—it’s our shared love language, a daily celebration of flavours, and the heart of our family time.”

Dining Room Design

To create a shared space that felt both cosy and welcoming where family and friends could gather, interior designer Anmarita adopted an open-plan layout that allowed a fluid connection between the kitchen, dining and living areas. This necessitated the repositioning of the kitchen entry—which was previously near the main door—to the dining area, making it easier to serve food and interact with guests while cooking. 

The diverted kitchen entry also may way for a seating niche and shoe storage near the home’s entrance.

Kitchen Design

One of the biggest layout interventions—and one interior designer Anmarita is particularly proud of—was the kitchen’s transformation. Given the homeowners’ incredible passion for cooking and entertaining, it was essential that the space be well-ventilated, bright, and connected to the rest of the home.

“Initially, the kitchen layout featured an entry from the main corridor near the main door and was divided into two separate sections. This configuration limited functionality and made the space feel dark and confined,” interior designer Anmarita explained. 

She reconfigured the layout by hacking away a dividing wall, merging the kitchen and the yard into a unified space.

This transformation not only improved ventilation, but also created a more open and efficient layout—integrating the washing machine, dryer, and sink into a streamlined, custom-built linear arrangement that maximises space while maintaining a clean, cohesive aesthetic.

“The kitchen has been a huge relief compared to our previous house—more functional and enjoyable to use. Just the feeling of being in our own home has made it easier and more motivating to take care of daily chores. Hosting guests has also become more exciting and comfortable, and we love sharing this space with friends and family.”

Treasured Keepsakes

“Whenever we travel, we make it a point to collect curios and antiques. My husband has a special passion for discovering unique and charming ceramic figurines and antique pieces, and over time, our home has become a reflection of both of our collections. It was quite a challenge for interior designer Anmarita to thoughtfully design the space to accommodate and highlight all these treasures, but she managed to do it beautifully.”

Recognising that their travel memorabilia were more than just decorative accents, but items of rich sentimental value that represented cherished memories, interior designer Amnarita diligently planned from the outset to integrate them into her design so that the home would reflect their personal journey.

Grandfather Clock

“Early in the design process, I created a detailed inventory of the key pieces they wished to showcase in their new home. One of the most significant was their grandfather clock, which I positioned as a central feature in the living room, recognising its potential as both a visual anchor and a conversation starter.” 

“We love the antique grandfather clock we got from Jakarta, during our time in Indonesia. The clock has travelled with us to US and back to Singapore, it has become a part of the home and the chimes of the clock makes us feel we are home.”

Master Bedroom

“We shared our ideas with Anmarita from the very beginning — how we wanted the home to look and feel. We always dreamed of adding an Indian traditional touch, wallpaper details, and rattan elements in the master bedroom.

Whenever an idea came to mind, we’d send it to her as a voice note—and her replies would often surprise me, because it felt like she had already thought of it. I honestly wondered how she could read my mind like that!”

Guest Bathroom

The second major layout modification—another creative inspiration of interior designer Anmarita’s—involved relocating the guest bathroom door from the main living corridor to the guest bedroom.

“This not only enhanced privacy but also allowed us to repurpose the central area of the home into a serene prayer nook,” shared Amnarita, “To emphasise its significance, we introduced an arched threshold, adding both architectural interest and a sense of quiet reverence.”

Prayer Room Design

“Every space in our home holds its own special charm, but one feature that truly stands out is the partition between the prayer room and the living room. It adds a unique visual appeal and sense of serenity to the space.

The creative brilliance behind this design was Anmarita, whose vision brought it to life. The combination of the wallpaper, lime-finish layering, and subtle sealing work evokes a cozy, nostalgic feeling—almost like a joyful memory brought into the present.”

$200,000 Renovation Cost

The entire renovation took merely around three months, which both homeowner and interior designer attributed to the help of their contractor from Jiashan Construction. “There were some materials and fixtures that we couldn’t find easily in Singapore, and we were lucky that Terence Oh, our contractor was able to find local carpenters and artisans who could create many of the design ideas that Anmarita had.”

Interior designer Anmarita agrees, “His deep industry knowledge and steady guidance were invaluable throughout the project. Together, we formed a strong and efficient team, and his support played a crucial role in bringing the vision to life successfully.” 

“This project holds a special place in my heart, as it was my first independent freelance assignment in Singapore,” Anmarita shares. “Seeing the family enjoy and thrive in the space we created together continues to be a source of pride and a reminder of why I love what I do.”