Home Tour: A finance & accounting couple’s $120,000 modern resort renovation for their 4-room HDB BTO in Kallang

Homeowner Jovial has been used to living near the city centre in Singapore. It’s also important to her to stay close to her parents and grandmother. So, when she and her husband Raymond applied for their BTO, these were their priorities. They got their first BTO home, a 4-room flat in Kallang and even managed to get the top floor unit. It came with a plus. “The ceiling is higher than others and it has a more spacious look,” she says.

As with most homeowners, storage is a concern for the couple. Additionally, Raymond’s father would also be staying with the couple. Therefore, the home must have sufficient storage and the design solutions must meet the family’s individual needs. From the beginning, the couple aimed for a resort feel. They were inspired by their past travels to Bali and resorts.

Who Lives Here: A young couple and a senior parent
House: A 4-room HDB flat in Kallang
Size: 1,001 sq ft
Interior Designer: Carmen Tang, the design director of Wolf Woof

Bright Interior Design

For Jovial and Raymond, a bright and airy space was non-negotiable. ‘We have a senior at home, and we wanted to ensure a comfortable and flexible living environment. Bright spaces always give a better feel,’ Jovial explains. Their vision was of a cohesive space with light wood, and a soothing and easy-on-the-eye atmosphere.

They shared this with Carmen Tang, the design director of Wolf Woof. Jovial had been following Wolf Woof on YouTube for years. “Nearer to the date of key collection, we decided to approach her. What drew us to her was the sense of identity. The dark themes are done to perfection, and they incorporate the homeowners’ style,” Jovial shares. “Carmen’s design is more of a unique style to me.”

To create a unique identity for the couple’s home, Carmen gathered information and spent time understanding their needs. Upon seeing the first drawings, the couple loved them. “All along, we wanted a walk-in wardrobe. We were thinking of the standard ones that connect to the master bedroom,” Jovial says.

Walk-In Wardrobe (Beside living room)

Interior designer Carmen offered something different. “The most notable strategy I came up with for this home was to have the walk-in wardrobe not adjoining the master bedroom, but instead be beside the living area,” she says. This move meets several purposes.

Because the couple wanted a workspace, the walk-in wardrobe could become a study too. As a result, the comfort of all family members can be met. “I proposed to have the bedroom for Raymond’s father beside the master bedroom. That way, he wouldn’t need to walk such a long distance to the bathroom at night,” Carmen explains.

Study Room

The walk-in wardrobe and study sits on a platform (pictured above), ensuring they can look out into the living area when seated at the desk. “I work from home two to three days a week, and that’s where I spend a lot of my time,” Raymond says. Both Raymond and Jovial work in the finance sector.

The couple hosts frequently, spending much of their time in the living area. Here, the faux rock effect on the walls and patterns on the vinyl flooring juxtapose against the fluid lines of the furnishings. These curves pick up from the arches throughout the home. Aside from the large arch opening, arches are seen in the recess in the dining area and the details on the furnishings.

Kitchen Design

Likewise, the kitchen is bright with terrazzo patterns on the backsplash. The kitchen space is maximised with the L-shaped configuration and top-and-bottom cabinets. They now have ample countertop space for coffee machine and other appliances.

As for the private spaces, the couple’s bedroom is furnished minimally with a four-poster bed. Now that the wardrobe is out of the bedroom, there is space for a cosy corner with a hanging chair. An artificial green wall gives this nook a refreshing feel perfect for resting with music or a good read.

Resort Bedroom Design

The master bedroom’s resort feel is rustic with the use of stone wall finishes. The shower area is decked out with dark wood-looking floor tiles and bathroom faucets in warm metal. Artificial plants overhead add to the back-to-nature feel. The common bathroom, on the other hand, is light and bright.

Father’s Bedroom Design

As for Raymond’s father’s, his bedroom is furnished with a custom headboard with storage solutions on both sides and above the bed. A shelf overhead works in place of a bedside table and can be used to display items.

Jovial says, “Raymond and I have a hectic work life. In finance and accounting, we can work pretty long hours. It’s important for us to prioritise the resort theme to balance a stressful lifestyle with a safe and relaxing space to relax in. We used to visit cafes and go out to shopping malls, but now we spend more time at home.”