Home Tour: A couple’s $70,000 renovation for their 4-room HDB SBF in Tampines

Like many BTO homeowners, Vanessa and Ricardo’s excitement began when they secured a sale-of-balance (HDB SBF) flat in 2019. Over the next five years, as their home materialised, they pored over the floor plans, envisioned the placement of their furniture, and debated over various interior design themes.

Who Lives Here: A married couple, Vanessa and Ricardo
Home: A 4-room HDB BTO SBF flat in Tampines
Size: 1,000 sq ft 

“Initially, we were looking at industrial-themed houses, which are mostly dark and cold. But on second thought, we realised that our personalities are quite colourful, animated, and expressive, and we wanted our space to reflect that,” said Vanessa. 

Eclectic Interior Design

This realisation steered them towards an eclectic style for their matrimonial home, embracing the flexibility to refresh their decor on a whim and the joy of collecting art pieces.

“We also didn’t want to be restricted in terms of colour. I didn’t want to only be able to buy beige-coloured things for the rest of my life.”

When it comes to eclecticism, many homeowners play it safe with monochromatic neutral bases that support their maximalist collections. But Vanessa and Ricardo took a “go big or go home” approach and leaned heavily into the use of colours.

In fact, they told their designers from Jialux Interior that they wanted to emulate a vibrant board games cafe—apt for the frequent game nights they host. After experimenting with several colour pairings, they settled on a lively mix of green and orange, a nod to nature they believed would stand the test of time.

Kitchen Design

Upon entering their home, the kitchen reveals this colorful vision. Green and orange cabinets catch the eye, complemented by a backsplash of glossy, white tiles that add the cartoonish charm they aimed to capture. The colour scheme extends into the kitchen island and mini-bar, which houses their burgeoning cocktail collection, espresso machine, and tea sets. 

Positioned perfectly for social gatherings, the kitchen island and mini-bar are a playful nod to Vanessa and Ricardo’s newfound hobby of cocktailing, which they picked up during the pandemic.

This arrangement invites them to channel their inner bartenders and baristas and treat guests to personalised concoctions, enhancing the interactive atmosphere of their home. 

“Just a few weeks ago, when I made my friend a drink over the island, she said ‘wow, you look so professional.’” Vanessa quipped. 

Dining Room

Although the kitchen island can comfortably seat four people, the couple hacked one of the three bedrooms to expand the dining room and accommodate an extendable table—a move their guests greatly appreciated.

Sliding Shelf Door

Here, a full-height magazine rack, painted in retro turquoise, doubles as a sliding door to a hidden study. 

Eclectic Study Room Design

Originally, the couple planned to place their work desks in the living room, but they’re glad they decided against it, opting instead for a clear separation between work and relaxation.

Now, Vanessa cherishes lounging in the living room, a luxury she didn’t have in her family home.

“When I was living with my parents, there wasn’t really a space where I could just sit and chill in, so I had looked forward to it,” she shared. 

Living Room Design

The living room is where the couple’s favourite things are, starting with a clock by the sofa—a “first-year birthday present for the house.” While Vanessa fell in love with the pop of fire engine red, what sealed the deal was the fact that it was a perpetual clock.

“It’s quite amazing that it automatically adjusts to the different lengths of months and leap years. I just need to change the battery and not care about it for the rest of my life.”

And then there’s the purple, Canele-shaped stool made from toys, which they had purchased and painstakingly lugged home from a museum in Taiwan. This quirky addition, Vanessa admitted, is more about fun than functional. 

“Everybody looks at the stool and says, ‘why would you buy this? It doesn’t look comfortable to sit on.’ All I can say is, it’s quite a cute sensation on your butt,” Vanessa shared. 

HAY TV Console

The centerpiece, however, is the TV console from HAY. They held out for a long time before getting this piece, using crates in place of a TV console until they found one they truly fancied. Designed by Belgian designers Muller Van Severen, this piece was as on-brand for their home as it was practical. Its multicoloured panels anchor the gallery wall, while the reeded glass panels conceal the clutter beneath.

The couple’s attention to detail is not lost on their guests, many of whom marvel at the novelties and conversation starters throughout the home.

“When they first came, they found the house very interesting. These days, they just tell me I have more and more things in the house.”

As with all eclectic homes, minimising clutter and maintaining the carefully curated aesthetic requires intention, which is why Vanessa and her husband had set strict acquisition rules: any new purchase must be unanimously approved and fit within their carefully curated space. And they will only proceed if there’s space to store it. 

$70,000 Renovation

“If there’s no room for it, we won’t buy it. This has made us more disciplined when it comes to buying things and maximising our storage spaces.”

The couple settled into their new home in January 2023 after a four-month renovation costing $70,000.