Home Tour: A semi-retired couple’s colourful 4-room HDB resale in Tampines
A vibrant retreat for a semi-retired couple—where memories, design icons, and playful colour come together in dopamine-charged harmony.
By Gwyneth Goh -
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For homeowners BL and WT, this 4-room resale HDB flat represents more than a change of scenery—it marks the beginning of a thoughtful new chapter. After nearly a decade spent caring for BL’s late mother in their previous home, the couple decided it was time to create a space that reflected their evolving lifestyle and future needs.
“We had originally planned to settle into full retirement in this new home,” they share. “But life had other ideas—so for now, you could call us semi-retirees.” Designed with character, comfort, and longevity in mind, their new resale HDB flat in Tampines offers something they’ve long dreamed of: a home that speaks their language.
Who lives here: A semi-retired couple from the education and training field
Home: A 4-room resale HDB flat in Tampines
Size: 990 sq ft
Interior designer: Dess Chew, Three-D Conceptwerke
This quirky door with a porthole was custom designed to match the rest of the home.
Custom-made main gate
From the very first impression, this home wears its personality on its sleeve. A custom-designed steel gate—punched with two circular cut-outs—offers a peek out without revealing too much. “It’s the brainchild of Dess at TDX. We think it is brilliant,” says BL. “We can see who’s visiting, but not the other way round.”
That same circular motif is echoed throughout the HDB flat, appearing in porthole cut-outs across the bathroom doors, bedroom entry, and even the window of the common toilet. “We created visual harmony through repetition,” explains interior designer Dess Chew. “Circular shapes and primary colours appear in different forms—from doors to handles to windows.”
Instead of hiding the trunking, it's been made into a design feature running through the home.
The colours of the home are bright and complementary, creating a cheerful ambiance.
Bright orange trunking
Just beyond the gate, guests are greeted by a hallway lined with bright orange surface-mounted electrical cabling, running confidently across the ceiling. “We have never seen electrical cabling in orange before,” the couple mused. “It added a fun, unexpected touch—so we thought, why not?”
Originally proposed by the interior design team, the colour was more than decorative: it allowed lighting to be routed efficiently across the HDB flat without hacking. The result is both functional and eye-catching, adding to the industrial edge the couple had envisioned from the start.
The workstation is located within the living room, benefiting from the spacious layout and natural lighting.
Open-plan living
The living and dining zones form the emotional core of BL and WT’s home—a bright, open space that layers bold colour, sculptural furniture, and sentimental meaning with effortless confidence. With a layout that flows seamlessly from one end of the flat to the other, this shared zone is where most daily rituals unfold.
“The main living or sofa area, for lounging and mingling, acts as an anchor for organising the rest of the room,” they explain. “Three-D Conceptwerke designed and kept the entire space fluid for us to organise as we please.”
Eclectic Decor
There’s a joyfully collected quality to the space—what might elsewhere feel eclectic is here held together by rhythm and restraint. In one corner, a giant inflatable Sharpie nods to humour. In another, a Kartell Bubble Club sofa by Philippe Starck sits with its back to a metallic dining table by Italian brand Calligaris.
The table holds significant emotional meaning to the homeowners, and has become a staple in their dining room.
Wheelchair-friendly dining table
That table, homeowner BL notes, carries deep personal meaning. Originally deemed slightly too large for their dining space, the couple only discovered how useful the table was at a later stage—after BL’s mother moved in with them.
“Our mother and mother-in-law passed away about a year and a half ago, so the memories are still fresh,” they share. “After she became wheelchair-bound, she always sat in the same spot at this table. This table was where our family came together for festive celebrations, meals, and games. It was also where her palliative team cared for her and where we received the hardest news about her health. You may say that this table captures both joy and sorrow for us, a witness to family warmth and bliss, yet the painful reality of saying goodbye.”
As creative people, they keep and display their extensive collection of trinkets from various medias.
Old and new decor
BL and WT’s collection is a deeply personal archive of myth, memory, and meaning. From ancient Greek busts and wind-up tin robots to DC superheroes and Star Wars figurines, the mix reflects their lifelong fascination with storytelling, transformation, and the shared patterns across mythology, religion, and pop culture. As students of the arts and humanities, they’re drawn to objects that speak to the universal human journey, in both serious and whimsical ways.
“We try not to throw things away unless they’re beyond repair. For example, a stationery globe with its map peeling off, showing the inside shell, still has a special place in our glass cabinet,” the couple admit. “The saying ‘Old is gold’ is true, both for the beauty of old things and the stories they tell.”
“We did make a few new acquisitions after we moved in. These include the Qeeboo Bonos Bench and the Pappelina Molly rug, both picked up at Journey East—the same place we picked up other accessories by Qeeboo, including the shark killer umbrella stand and baby rabbit chair.”
Simple yet interesting geometric furniture in light colours decorate the house.
The interior design team embraced this mix with open arms. “We created a smart layout that allows the collected pieces space to shine without the home feeling chaotic,” says principal designer Dess Chew. “The home has a strong organic character with refined industrial touches that blend well with the clients’ aging furniture and eclectic collection.”
Their display cabinets house their extensive collection.
Floor-to-ceiling display cabinets
For homeowners BL and WT, the idea of putting their beloved collectibles behind glass wasn’t something they initially warmed to. “We were resistant to the idea…” they admit, “as we thought you only do that for highly valuable items.” In their previous homes, these pieces—ranging from design icons to quirky toys—were displayed openly across shelves and surfaces, “so we could touch them easily,” says BL. But the downside was always the dust and frequent cleaning.
It was interior designer Dess and his team who gently encouraged a new approach. They proposed ceiling-high glass and steel display cabinets to give their collections the visibility they deserve—”without the hassle of constant cleaning,” Dess explains.
Designer furniture
Now, the home’s most iconic pieces—from a Qeeboo Rabbit Chair to a Magis Me Too Puppy and a Vitra Eames elephant—glow like artefacts in a private museum, thanks to integrated RGB lighting. “It seems strange to have them behind glass,” BL admits with a laugh. “But it enables us to enjoy them as display pieces without the need to clean them, for the time being—until we are ready to part with them.”
The colours are eye-catching but not cluttered, offering a soothing visual delight.
The result is a rare mix of utility and emotion—objects framed not for their monetary value, but for the joy they’ve sparked over decades of collecting. “We’re glad Dess and Khai didn’t give in to our resistance,” says homeowners WT. Of all the design features, these display cabinets are now the ones they appreciate most.
The lightbox grounds their devotion to their religion whilst matching the decor of the home.
Neon lightbox decor
At the heart of BL and WT’s home—both spatially and symbolically—is a glowing neon lightbox inscribed with two biblical verses: “His love endures forever” and “My grace is sufficient for you.” The sign, custom-made for this flat, wasn’t chosen for trend or visual impact alone.
“’My grace is sufficient for you’, from 2 Corinthians 12:9, is a reminder that God’s grace is more than enough to meet every need and situation. The words on the other side, ‘His love endures forever’, are found prominently in Psalm 136 and reminds us of His goodness and eternal love.” The couple warmly share, “This neon piece serves as the heart of our home, a reminder to us that all good things come from Him.”
Mounted on a dividing wall visible from key vantage points throughout the flat, the lightbox glows softly, serving as a quiet but unwavering presence—especially in the morning. “The bedroom looks into the entire apartment, and the first thing we see when we get up in the morning is the bible verse on the neon light box,” BL shares. “It’s always a timely reminder. You could say this is our favourite view of the entire apartment.”
In a home defined by bold colours, playful pieces and expressive design, this moment of stillness offers emotional grounding. For all its visual delight, the space remains anchored in intention—a reflection of how BL and WT have always lived: joyfully, and meaningfully.
Their home is adorned with cacti.
Limited edition IKEA cactus
Not every statement piece in the home is expensive or exclusive—and that’s exactly how homeowners BL and WT like it. One of their favourite long-time companions is a towering artificial cactus, part of a limited-edition IKEA collection from over 15 years ago. “It’s still standing tall and looking great,” says BL. Nestled among high-design furniture and colourful collectibles, the cactus adds a dose of cheerful absurdity that perfectly captures the couple’s playful yet grounded aesthetic.
Work and rest spaces
Throughout the home, different zones serve distinct purposes—but nothing feels locked into place. A Kartell Spoon table and office chair form a dedicated work-from-home corner outside the master bedroom, providing just enough seclusion for reading, writing or a productive afternoon.
The layout remains open and flexible.
Kartell LCP lounge chair
Not far from that is a Kartell LCP lounge chair, another design classic that’s been with them for years. “It’s our relaxing corner for short naps, relaxing, and daydreaming,” says BL. The design may lean bold and expressive, but the layout remains fluid—supporting the many ways they live, work, and unwind each day.
The master bedroom.
Master bedroom design
Behind another double porthole cut-out sliding door, the master bedroom offers a serene counterpoint to the home’s bolder communal zones. It’s where BL and WT have embraced restraint—a space designed not to impress, but to restore.
“The bedroom is deliberately clutter-free to facilitate rest,” the couple says. The wall behind the bed is painted a soft baby blue, a suggestion by the design team at Three-d conceptwerke. “We went along with their advice,” WT adds, “to foster a tranquil vibe.”
There’s just one decorative object in the entire room: a painting of a deep blue sky by a local artist, something the couple has held on to for more than 25 years.
The bathrooms are easy to clean and future-proof.
Master bathroom design
The bathrooms, like the rest of the HDB flat, were designed with long-term living in mind. Though compact, both spaces were reconfigured to allow for ease of movement and potential elderly-friendly upgrades in the years to come. “The two bathrooms were designed without shower partitions to facilitate movement and easy cleaning,” says homeowner BL, “and for future installation of elderly-friendly features, if needed.”
The lighting and even the mirror in one of the bathrooms were recycled from their previous home—another thoughtful gesture by the design team. “Thanks to Three-d conceptwerke for thinking out-of-the-box in reusing them,” says BL. Rather than starting from scratch, the couple chose to carry forward what still worked, layering familiar elements into their new environment.
The common bathroom.
Common bathroom design
The common bathroom carries through one of the home’s most distinctive design motifs: the circular porthole. Here, it appears as a window—framed like a ship’s hatch—bringing in borrowed light from the service yard while maintaining privacy. That same circular shape is echoed in the doors to both bathrooms, where porthole cut-outs create visual consistency while lightening the look of what might otherwise be bulky slabs.
“Since our home décor and styling is eclectic, repeating the porthole cut-outs creates an element of consistency,” says homeowner WT. “You’ll see them on the main gate, both bathroom doors, the sliding door to the master bedroom, and here in the common toilet.”
The circle motif.
In the common bathroom, the porthole window not only softens the space visually but also adds an unexpected moment of delight in an otherwise utilitarian room. Much like the rest of the home, it’s a small detail that reveals the larger design philosophy at play: thoughtful, cohesive, and full of character.
Kitchen design
The kitchen, though compact, is cleverly planned for everyday practicality. It’s where homeowners BL and WT enjoy most of their meals. “Both of us usually eat our simple home-cooked meals or packed food in the kitchen,” they share. Designed with clean lines and durable materials, the space balances function and personality.
Even amidst all that industrial grey and brushed steel, splashes of colour still peek through—from quirky kitchen accessories to cheerful utilitarian pieces that double as art. “To us, many of these items are more like plastic and metallic art rather than utility objects,” says WT. “We enjoy being surrounded by ‘art’ that we can use.”
Dopamine Decor
“We leaned into dopamine décor and expressive colour, but intentionally avoided anything overly minimalist or trend-driven,” says interior designer Dess. “The goal was timeless joy, not temporary hype.” In the kitchen, as in the rest of the flat, practicality and personality are inseparable.
3-Month renovation
The entire renovation took approximately three months—remarkably swift, considering how much character and customisation was packed into just 990 square feet. From reworking the layout and knocking down walls, to devising clever storage and integrating decades’ worth of collected furniture and accessories, the team at Three-D Conceptwerke delivered a home that feels cohesive, expressive, and unmistakably personal.
Throughout, the design followed one quiet but consistent principle: form follows emotion. “A space should feel right before it just looks right,” says interior designer Dess. “Design must connect to the way people live and feel in it.”
For BL and WT, that connection is everywhere—from the joyful shapes that echo through the space to the comforting glow of scripture that greets them each morning. “Our home is definitely personal—some might even say a little eccentric,” the couple admit with a smile. “Many of the items hold sentimental value, and some choices may not make sense to others, but they bring us comfort and joy.”