Home Tour: $124,000 Renovation for an interior designer couple's 5-room HDB in Tampines
An interior designer’s self-designed home is always an interesting project.
By Lynn Tan -
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Homeowner of this Tampines 5-room HDB, Winnie Bak, had no qualms about giving her 37-year-old HDB flat, who is of the same age as her, a complete overhaul. As an interior designer, the director of WA Dexign possessed the expertise and know-how, not to mention the bonus of being married to 44-year-old Aaron Wong, who is also an interior designer and project manager in the firm. The couple share the home with Aaron’s father.
Who lives here: A family of three
Home: A 5-room HDB flat in Tampines
Size: 1,303 sq ft
Interior design: Homeowners (WA Dexign)
$124,000 Renovation cost
She literally left no wall untouched, with most of the bedroom walls demolished to reconfigure the whole layout. The ceiling, flooring, built-in cabinetry and feature walls are also all brand new. The renovation cost amounted to $124,000 excluding furniture and furnishings.
A curved wall with wallpaper in the living room in this 1,303 sq ft Tampines 5-room HDB.
Curved interior design
The interior design language is all about curves. Stepping into the home, you are greeted by a curved feature wall that homeowner and interior designer Winnie conceptualised to “let people have a ‘wow’ feeling when entering the home”. It comprises multiple curved cutouts set against floral wallpaper that gives the composition a layered, multi-dimensional quality.
Recessed LED strip lights embedded within the curved wall in this 1,303 sq ft Tampines 5-room HDB.
Curved LED light strip
Recessed strip lighting is embedded within the curves and delineates its organic profile. A pair of elegantly wall-mounted shelves with ornaments adds a finishing touch that feels deliberated and purposeful without being contrived.
Glass display shelf in the living room in this 1,303 sq ft Tampines 5-room HDB.
Curved living room platform
Below is an elevated curved platform on which sits a massage chair with its back against the window in the corner, creating the perfect spot in the living room for rest and relaxation.
Homeowner and interior designer Winnie admits that the feature wall is one of the most challenging aspects of the project.
“We took the trouble to visit the carpenter’s factory in Malaysia where I drew out the exact shape that I wanted. We also had to ensure that the profile is correct and that it is perfectly aligned,” she recalls.
Curved arch wall beam along the corridor in this 1,303 sq ft Tampines 5-room HDB.
Curved arch wall
Apart from the feature wall, other curved forms abound. Curved beams sweep across the living room to form a sort of arch.
Inverted curved wall behind the TV console in this 1,303 sq ft Tampines 5-room HDB.
Curved TV feature wall
The television console backdrop has an inverted curve that conveys an embracing gesture around both the television set and the space.
Curved dining table pendant lamp in this 1,303 sq ft Tampines 5-room HDB.
Dining room
The dining room is now a properly defined space behind the living area. A rectangular wooden dining table creates a nice contrast with the curvilinear light above that resembles the light trail left by a sparkler.
Curved kitchen cabinets in this 1,303 sq ft Tampines 5-room HDB.
Curved kitchen cabinets
The original kitchen wall has been replaced by a bar counter that connects the previously enclosed space with the rest of the home. The kitchen has an efficient galley layout with shaker style cabinets along its length. The kitchen’s neutral colour scheme reflects the rest of the home- earthy and soothing.
Shaker style kitchen cabinets in this 1,303 sq ft Tampines 5-room HDB.
Shaker style kitchen cabinets
Winnie comments: “The right earth tone can create an almost spa-like ambience that fosters relaxation and allows our family and guests to feel comfortable and safe.”
Master bedroom with wardrobe in this 1,303 sq ft Tampines 5-room HDB.
Master bedroom
The master bedroom has been extended into the existing storeroom so that homeowners and interior designers Winnie and Aaron can have a little more space for generously sized wardrobes and a dressing table on either side of the bed. Once again, curves rule.
Master bedroom with LED strip lights above the bed headboard in this 1,303 sq ft Tampines 5-room HDB.
Bed headboard
The bed headboard wraps all the way up to the ceiling, incorporating smart LED strip lights. A leather laminate for the wardrobe and bedside shelves, ledges and cabinets softens the overall feel.
Timber-look tiles in the master bathroom in this 1,303 sq ft Tampines 5-room HDB.
Timber-look bathroom tiles
The attached master bathroom has a distinctly zen atmosphere with its timber-look tiles juxtaposed against neutral grey ones at one end of the shower compartment.
Home office in a 1,303 sq ft Tampines 5-room HDB.
Home office
Homeowner and interior designer Winnie has one more trick up her sleeve - a home office “hidden” behind the curved living room feature wall. With some clever spatial planning and design, she managed to carve this space out from the former living room, while still having three bedrooms and one storeroom although their configuration and sizes are now altered.
“I managed to create this office space with just a storage cabinet and a fluted door, without using any concrete walls,” she points out.
The renovations took about three months and Winnie and her family moved into their new home in June 2023. She is a firm believer of “beauty in simplicity”.
“By combining functionality and aesthetics, I ensure that the pieces that I choose make sense within the space and allow me to move the way I like in my environment,” she explains.