Beyond the Tour: This 5-room HDB reflects a newlywed couple’s humour & childlike whimsy

Homeowner Zoey found this blue Taobao chair really funky and figured that having a pop of blue would be nice. It sits in the entrance foyer, right beside the main entrance, with a yellow pillow that travelled across Europe with her. The chair is soft and smooth on the outside and spongy when you sit on it. “If the chair is not too comfortable, it would not be a problem because people only sit on it for a short while to wear their shoes,” she comments. 

Having a large mirror leaning against the wall (pictured above) has always been Zoey’s dream ever since she saw an image of it once on Pinterest when she was younger. The oversized 2.2 m x 1.6 m mirror is a rare find that she is extremely proud of. It is made of solid teak wood and she got it on Carousell for only about $400 from someone who was moving out of a GCB.

It was a steal, even considering the additional $200 that she paid for the movers to transport the mirror and to lug it up six floors to her home. “It was 10/10 worth it and truly the mirror of my dreams. It makes the space look bigger and grand, and it is great for selfies with friends,” she shares. 

Entrance foyer knick knacks

This collection of knickknacks by the entrance foyer sideboard is like a snapshot of the couple’s personalities and lifestyle. Zoey is an avid reader and bought this book titled, “The Book of Disquiet” by Fernando Pessoa as it had a 4.40 rating on Goodreads. “I did not understand it, so I decided to repurpose it as a décor since the cover looks like an art piece and I think it goes well with the red sideboard,” she explains. 

They have a tendency to forget their rings and watches when heading out, so a tray and cat ring holder by the door, both from Taobao, is a great place for these accessories. “I love cats, but it is hard to keep a pet with Terence being away so often. Plus, I will feel jealous if he gives the cat attention. So, I buy cute and functional cat ring holders instead,” she jokes.

Back to top

Dining room backdrop

The couple decided on green as an accent colour in the home and they wanted it manifested through plants or paintings. Since they already had many frames up on the walls, they decided to find something with a different texture, but with green in it.

It took some effort to find this husband “Terence-approved” 2 m x 1.5 m piece of cloth on Taobao, which they hung up on the dining room wall as a backdrop. 

Back to top

Books and “shelves”

With most of the things around the home hung on walls or placed at shelf height, they wanted something decorative yet functional at a slightly taller height of about 1.5 m. This freestanding shelf from Taobao stands in between the doors leading to the master bedroom and the home office.

Besides books, a plant and a lamp, it also displays Terence’s Pokémon ball and Zoey’s figurine of The Little Prince. “The Little Prince story has a special place in my heart. I love the teaching point behind the elephant and the cobra- to be childlike and never belittle a child’s point of view,” she shares. 

The “wall shelf” is actually an air-conditioner trunking in disguise. “Since we could not hide it, we decided to make it stand out by putting books on it,” she points out proudly.

Back to top

Globe lamp

“Nothing deep here. Saw this lamp and fell in love with it and knew that I wanted it as a statement piece in my future home,” Zoey says.

Back to top