Home Tour: $85,000 Wabi-Sabi renovation for an interior designer’s 4-room resale HDB in Canberra
By Brenda Lim -
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From the moment you step into Crystal and Ben’s home, you get the sense that this isn’t just a carefully renovated 4-room resale HDB flat — it’s a deeply personal space that reflects their shared routines, tastes, and quiet creativity.
Originally a 7-year-old 4-room HDB flat in the Northeast, the home underwent a full transformation over 4 to 5 months. Crystal shares that they didn’t keep anything from the previous owner — who had a number of cats and fairly dated finishes. “We just started fresh,” she explains, “and because it’s our own place, we could take our time with it.” The couple moved in around October 2025, just after their wedding.
Let’s take a look around their light-filled space.
Who Lives Here: An interior designer and his wife
Home: 4-room HDB resale in Canberra
Size: 969 sq ft
Interior Designer: Homeowner Benedict Tan from Inizio Atelier
All rooms are fitted with frameless doors from 8 Doors.
Entrance Foyer Design
Step through their front door and you’re greeted with a calm palette of wood tones and warm neutrals. Just behind the door sits a cleverly disguised bomb shelter — hidden by full-height built-ins that double as shoe cabinets and extra storage. “We just wanted to conceal it because it’s a bit unsightly,” homeowner Crystal laughs. “I mean, everybody’s bomb shelters are.”
Subtle metal inlay strips were added to the floor tiling — not just for style, but to help create a visually aligned walkway. “From the main door, your eyes are naturally drawn inwards. It’s like a little catwalk,” Crystal says.
Living and Dining Room Design
Originally, the living room was meant to be in the space closest to the windows — but Crystal had other ideas. “It felt too small as a living area, so I asked him if we could flip the layout,” she explains. That former living room now functions as a study space, with the potential to become a future nursery.
The actual living area now sits beside the dining space, and is furnished in soft wood tones and warm whites. Their neutral-toned sofa and matching coffee table were from local brand Castlery, while two air-conditioning units keep the space cool and guest-friendly.
The kitchen peninsula island was "hand-painted with a texture paint on a cement base. It was meant to have a tabletop originally, but we changed plans and left it exposed — gives it a very raw, worn look. We really like that kind of imperfect, lived-in aesthetic," says homeowner Ben.
“We host quite often,” says Crystal, gesturing toward the peninsula island that defines the kitchen area. “That’s why we wanted a big dining table.” The sturdy solid wood table and bench came from Johor Bahru, while the custom dining chairs allowed the couple to choose their preferred seat fabric.
The kitchen countertop is a Vulcan sintered stone. "We picked it to match the neutral tone of the house and complement the peninsula. The countertop and backsplash are one seamless piece," says homeowner Ben.
Kitchen Design
The couple decided on an open-concept kitchen, given that they don’t cook all that frequently. But it’s still a beautiful space, lined with clean, flat cabinetry and neat surfaces.
“We do most of our entertaining around here,” Crystal says. “So we made sure to include a dry pantry area — for coffee, breakfast, and the water dispenser.”
They went with induction cooking for easy maintenance, and tucked most appliances out of sight to keep things tidy. Every line feels intentional.
Service Yard Design
Just beyond the kitchen lies the yard, which Crystal calls “a bit messy,” but it’s where most of the laundry gets done. The couple chose to keep things low-tech, opting for a manual drying rack fitted with lightweight aluminium poles instead of bamboo. “It gets enough heat here — even though we don’t get direct sun, things dry well,” she says.
The fluted doors used in this area tie in with the rest of the home’s calming design.
Common Bathroom Design
The common bathroom was kept in its original layout but redone in a palette of wood tones and soft neutrals. “We didn’t move anything around,” says Crystal, “but we wanted it to feel like the rest of the house — nothing too stark.”
Master Bedroom Design
Inside the couple’s private quarters, the space opens up generously. “We were quite lucky,” Crystal smiles. “We had just enough room to create a proper walk-in wardrobe.” The wardrobe consists of six tall panels — three for each of them — and keeps everything hidden behind clean flushed doors.
The bed area is styled like a boutique hotel — a deliberate design move by the couple. “Most people place their beds facing this way or that,” Crystal says, pointing around the room, “but we wanted something with more of a vibe. Something you’d see in a hotel.” A vanity nook nearby gives Crystal a comfortable place to get ready in the mornings. “This chest of drawers’ from IKEA — but it works!” Crystal stained the wood on the chest of drawers herself.
"Here’s the vanity area where I usually get ready. It’s a nice setup — oh, and I bought this from IKEA," says homeowner Crystal.
Master Bathroom Design
What truly stands out is their master ensuite, which features double basins, fluted glass, and streamlined black fixtures. “He didn’t want it to seem like we only had one sink,” Crystal jokes. “So we made space for two.”
The couple opted for grey tiles with texture, and a sleek rain shower that blends seamlessly into the ceiling. “A lot of rain showers look so bulky, but we wanted one that looked more integrated,” she adds.
$85,000 Renovation Cost
When asked how much the renovation cost, Ben hesitates — not because he’s shy, but because the final number doesn’t reflect the full story. “I wasn’t really keeping track,” he admits. He estimates the final cost at about $80,000, though he’s quick to point out that it’s the “married rate.” If you’re doing your own math, market rate might be higher.
Still, it’s clear they made every dollar count — from the carefully chosen tinted mirror finishes, to the contrast between the vinyl floors inside and tiled flooring outside.
It’s been half a year since they moved in, and Crystal is honest about the experience: “Maintaining your own home is really tiring. You suddenly realise how much your parents used to do for you!”
But despite the chores and the learning curves (she laughs about not knowing how to use a washing machine before), there’s also a deep sense of pride.
Every part of this home speaks of two people building something — not just a flat, but a life — together.