Home Tour: $100,000 Renovation for a family’s HDB Executive Apartment in Yishun
This home reflects a shift in the homeowners’ sense of aesthetics over the years and has spaces designed to support the active lifestyle and hobbies of the couple and their two boys.
By Lynn Tan -
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After visiting no fewer than 15 properties, homeowners Yusof Ibrahim and Farhana Izyan Anwar finally found their perfect home. This HDB Executive Apartment in Yishun is located in a very private corner beside the lift lobby, away from the main thoroughfare. It has a spacious layout and a relatively good view as the next block is some distance away.
The couple’s younger son’s kindergarten and future primary school are right downstairs. Yusof, who is 47 years old works nearby as a manager and Farhana’s mother’s flat is a few blocks away. “It met all our needs and felt like the right fit for our family,” says 38-year-old Farhana, who is a senior associate.
This is the couple’s second home. Their matrimonial home - a 4-room BTO flat in Punggol, had a darker colour scheme with a lot of black and glass elements. Over the years, they found themselves leaning more towards a softer palette with natural hues that are easy on the eye and lend the home a peaceful atmosphere.
“Our vision was to create a space where we feel relaxed and laid back the moment we step inside. We wanted a home that allows us to unwind and recharge after busy days,” shares Farhana. Their interior designer, Azrul, the creative director of Azrul Yusoff Interior Studio understood this vision and grasped exactly what they wanted and brought it to life.
Who Lives Here: A couple and their two boys
Home: A HDB executive apartment in Yishun
Size: 1,572 sq ft
Interior Designer: Azrul Yusoff Interior Studio
Entrance Foyer
The previous owner had purchased the corridor area outside the main entrance, which then became part of the entrance foyer. The 3D effect floor tiles inject a fun touch while the built-in shoe cabinet keeps things seamlessly integrated.
Living and Dining Areas
The living and dining areas form one large, open space that “allows for easy movement” and ensures that the home “never feels cramped”, which was part of the couple’s brief to interior designer Azrul.
The large format 1200 mm x 600 mm floor tiles also contribute to the feeling of spaciousness, reinforced by the decision to use them throughout the home, except for the family room and bedrooms.
The wooden dining table, linen sofa, stone-look floor tiles, plants on the living room floor and floral centrepiece on the dining table are the couple’s way of bringing the outdoors in and thereby establishing a connection with nature.
Kitchen
Homeowner Farhana considers the kitchen as her favourite space. They retained the existing double leaf French doors that reflects its importance as the heart of the home. The old cabinets were hacked and replaced with top and bottom cabinets clad in laminates with a neutral, earthy tone. The ample countertop space facilitates family bonding over prepping and cooking. As Farhana points out, “It is not just about the food, but the connections made during the process.”
The kitchen has a second entrance beside the laundry area and common bathroom. This frosted glass sliding door is not just a practical addition, but the boys, aged fourteen and four, love it because they can play catching around the two kitchen doors.
Training Room
As folks who lead an active lifestyle, a dedicated training area is one of the highlights of their new home, and definitely Yusof’s pride and joy. It is where he can disconnect and focus on his training without any distractions. Beyond training, it is also his personal sanctuary. “It is where I can challenge myself and recharge, making it the ultimate escape to clear my mind and build strength,” he shares.
A half height parapet wall with glass above separates the training room from the living room and access is through a sliding glass door that allows privacy while still being connected with the rest of the home. Interior designer Azrul incorporated plenty of storage within the training room to ensure that the space stays organised and clutter-free despite the plethora of training equipment and gear.
Homeowner Yusof likes everything neat, so even the air conditioner’s outdoor condenser unit switch is concealed within the built-in cabinet, along with the rest of the pipes and trunking around the home that have been boxed up or hidden within the false ceiling.
Within the room, a memorabilia corner allows the family to express their love for football and motor sports. The family has travelled around the world to visit football stadiums and racing circuits. Homeowner Farhana even volunteers as a senior official and trainer at the annual Singapore Grand Prix and her older son is also quite the motorsport fan.
Study Room
What was originally the dining room is now the couple’s work-from-home space and a family room where they can spend time with their two boys aged 14 and four. The space is kept flexible by furnishing it with loose pieces rather than built-in carpentry.
Master Bedroom
As you enter the master bedroom, you are greeted by a suspended mirror that hangs from the ceiling. It not only serves the dressing table, but also doubles up as a screen that conceals the bed behind.
Master Bathroom
The use of botanical wallpaper in the attached master bathroom gives it resort vibes that feel tranquil and relaxing, elevating the daily ritual of washing up and showering into a rejuvenating experience.
Renovation Cost
The renovation took about three months and they spent about $100,000, excluding furniture and fittings. Here is a breakdown of the cost:
- Hacking: $8,000
- Partitioning/ Plastering/ Painting/ False Ceiling: $15,000
- Flooring: $25,000
- Electrical and Plumbing: $3,000
- Carpentry: $20,000
- Glassworks: $8,000
- Air Conditioning: $8,000
- Vinyl Flooring: $5,000
- Furniture: $2,000
- Bathroom Fittings: $3,000
As the couple regards this as their forever home, they were willing to invest in better quality fittings that will stand up to wear and tear. The family moved into their new home in March 2025.
For homeowners Yusof and Farhana, what makes the house a home is how it has been tailored according to their lifestyle and needs, along with the personal touches. “A house becomes a home when it goes beyond just being a physical space. It is the place where comfort, memories and a sense of belonging are created,” says Farhana.