Home Tour: $130,000 Renovation for an engineer’s 5-room HDB at Fernvale Road

Homeowners Ngu Ping Seng and Grace Tan knew exactly what they wanted when they embarked on the renovation of their first home. “We had a clear understanding of the functionality and practicality aspects such as a good-sized kitchen and bedroom,” says 34-year-old Ping Seng who is an engineer. 

What they were not so sure about was the style for the home. That was where Joann, a senior design consultant at Ovon Design came in. “We needed guidance on discovering a design style that resonated with both of us. We shared with Joann about the styles and looks that we did not prefer, such as Scandinavian, Wabi-sabi, Muji, wood elements and a dark theme to help narrow down the creative direction while exploring ideas,” says Grace, a chiropractor who is 33 years old. 

As full-time working adults without a live-in domestic helper, the couple also wanted a home that is easy to clean and upkeep. A family-friendly environment is important too, for when they have children in the future. 

Who: A couple in their 30s
Home: A 5-room HDB flat at Fernvale Road
Size: 1,216 sq ft
Interior Design: Joann, senior design consultant at Ovon Design

Ovon Design Review

For interior designer Joann, the design process revolves around getting to know the clients. “I listen and observe what the clients like before coming up with appropriate proposals. We do not follow trends,” she says. 

The existing layout was not ideal, especially the line of sight from the main entrance, through the kitchen, all the way to the yard where any laundry was in full view. The previous flat owner did some overlays to the bathroom tiles, which were rather dated looking.

With young children in the house, there were also doodles and stickers all over the walls. They also modified the original layout, but as it did not suit the needs and lifestyle of the new owners, interior designer Joann reconfigured it further by combining two bedrooms into one larger master bedroom and relocating the bedroom entrance to accommodate a walk-in wardrobe alongside a study and relaxation corner. 

Stepping into the home, you get the sense that everything has its place. Right beside the main door, neatly concealed behind doors are a shoe cabinet and the DB box. The full-height, built-in unit even incorporates storage for work bags and umbrellas. 

Living Room

The living room is where you discover more about the homeowners. An L-shaped sofa takes centrestage against large format, gold grain marble flooring and a floor-to-ceiling display backdrop with a combination of shelves and drawers that can be concealed behind two sliding panels. On display are the couple’s books, figurine collection, trophies and other personal memorabilia.

Taking pride of place are Hers and Hers golf bags that reveal their mutual love for the sport.

“We initially wanted to have everything hidden away for a clean look. However, after discussing with Joann, we decided to leave some shelves open. It allows us to showcase a little about ourselves, such as our golf bags, which is not only a unique feature but also practical as it provides easy access to the bags during our weekly games,” homeowner Ping Seng points out. 

Dining Room

As avid cooks, the kitchen and dining area are also priorities. The dining room is located adjacent to the kitchen and integrates a pantry where the couple can store their supplements and appliances.

In their brief, “a good-sized kitchen is a must.” With some careful planning, interior designer Joann managed to fit in two small hobs- one gas and one induction, as well as a dishwasher and oven within a very efficient work triangle layout.  

Master Bedroom

The black-grey-white colour palette in the master bedroom creates a calming atmosphere that is conducive for rest and relaxation. The pair of side tables are a bespoke design.

“The clients could not find pieces to their liking, but they still wanted loose furniture instead of built-in, so we got them custom-designed and I reviewed the drawings before approving them for fabrication by the vendor,” interior designer Joann explains. 

Master Bathroom

Large format tiles lend a luxurious and pampering feel to the master bathroom together with an integrated basin design. Interior designer Joann looked into every little detail, including how the tiles were set out and the visual implications of the grout lines to try and achieve a “hotel aesthetic”.   

Gold accents reinforce the luxurious feel in the walk-in wardrobe and study space. The wardrobe doors, with their vertical lines and recessed panels are elegant and sleek. The bay window provides a cosy corner where the couple can relax.

$130,000 Renovation Cost

The renovation cost about $130,000 and the couple moved into their new home in February 2024 after a three-month renovation. Having seen the project from inception to completion, Joann has this to say: “The clients were open to ideas and they loved everything that was proposed. They enjoyed the renovation journey and seeing it all come together. It is a timeless design that they can appreciate for a long time.” 

For the homeowners, the home is everything that they wanted and more.

“We love everything in the house. It fits so well into our lifestyle habits- a living room big enough to host gatherings, a good-sized kitchen to enjoy our cooking, a design that is low profile and unique, bedrooms and bathrooms that are perfect for unwinding and smart devices that make life easier.”