Home Tour: $164,000 Parisian renovation for a HDB Executive Maisonette in Tampines

41-Year-old content strategy lead, Ronald Wan and his wife, Rachel Ong, an assistant marketing director who is 34 years old love travelling. When searching for inspiration for the design of their new home, they instinctively found themselves referencing the aesthetics of Parisian apartments that they came across during their sojourns. Rachel, who used to be a fashion blogger, loves the style of the fashion capital and wanted this to be reflected in their home interior as well.

The couple put together a detailed brief and mood board and it conveyed very specifically what they wanted. “Our vision for the home was to reflect our lifestyle and principles, embodying a touch of je ne sais quoi and that little bit of Parisian charm,” shares Ronald. Typical of the colour palette of Parisian apartments, the couple found themselves circling back to white, off-white and cream, which was their starting point and became the dominant colour in the home. “A lot of Parisian apartments and houses are in either cream or pastel tones, which looks elegant, chic and timeless. We wanted to replicate that in our home,” he says.

Who Lives Here: A couple, their baby boy and two cats
Home: A HDB Executive Maisonette at Tampines Street 12
Size: 1,679 sq ft
Interior Designer: Douglas, co-founder of The Merry Men Interiors

The Merry Men Interior Reviews

As one of the early clients of The Merry Men Interiors back when the couple was renovating their first home, they had a very pleasant experience and the team has earned their complete trust. “When we bought our second home, we knew we had to go with The Merry Men Interiors. We did not even consider anyone else,” says Rachel.

French Interior Design

Although the direction from the clients was very clear right from the beginning, it wasn’t simply about replicating the French style lock, stock and barrel. “The interior theme is a contemporary take on the classic French villa reimagined through an Asian understanding of the style and adapted to the specific materials, resources and construction methods available in Singapore,” explains Douglas, the co-founder and project manager of The Merry Men Interiors.

The focus for the first storey was to open up the spaces by hacking a few of the existing walls mainly around the main entrance, utility and kitchen areas. The former access corridor now forms part of a dedicated entrance foyer, which serves as a formal welcome gesture that establishes a sense of arrival. It also gives the impression of a larger, French villa-style residence.

Homeowners Ronald and Rachel distinctly recall the wainscoting detail that they saw in Parisian apartments back in 2014. They knew there and then that it was something which they wanted in their own home one day. The wainscoting in the living room has been flawlessly executed to introduce a sense of symmetry to the space and adds a touch of architectural refinement juxtaposed against a herringbone wood vinyl flooring.

“The minimalist application of the wainscoting rendered in a crisp white to blend seamlessly with the wall color ensures that this detail enhances, rather than diminishes the room’s spaciousness,” interior designer Douglas elaborates. A bouclé sofa complements and augments the French theme while softening the overall effect and makes the living area look absolutely très chic.

With the walls between the living room and balcony removed, the two adjacent areas are now one seamless space. As the balcony faces west, the afternoon sun gives the room a warm and welcoming glow. Bathed in a golden light, the Japanese Everfresh tree in the balcony exudes a magical quality. “I love sitting here, watering the tree, trimming its leaves and sometimes chatting with it. It is very therapeutic,” Ronald admits.

French Kitchen Design

Opening up the spaces on the first storey also made it possible to introduce a new kitchen island that serves as a focal point around which the rest of the spaces flow. “The strategically placed island functions as both a culinary workspace and a bar height dining area, allowing guests to comfortably engage with the hosts during meal preparation. The homeowners also use the island for quick meals,” interior designer Douglas points out.

Glass Staircase Railing

The all-white staircase and clear glass balustrade was a deliberate move that elevates it into a feature worthy element rather than being mere utilitarian. The sculptural pendant light fixture accentuates the vertical volume and gives the whole installation an art gallery feel. The couple admits that the staircase has been the cause of some anxiety among visitors with young children, but they are adamant about it. “The staircase stays, even with a new baby in the house. It is really safe with double layer glass panels.”

Wainscoting Walls

More wainscoting can be found on the wall beside the bed in the master bedroom on the second storey. Together with the fluted panels behind the headboard, they add visual interest and a sense of depth to the white colour palette.

French Bathroom Design

The common and master bathrooms have been combined into one large bathroom equipped with a spacious shower compartment and a freestanding bathtub. The minimalist, all-white aesthetics aptly captures the refined luxury of a French villa. The spa-like retreat was designed for the homeowners to relax and recharge.

“Self-care is important and our bathroom is our sanctuary. Merging two existing bathrooms into one creates a new bathroom that is spacious, open and inviting, perfect for unwinding after a long day,” says Rachel.

Since moving into their new home in August 2022, the couple has welcomed a new addition to the family. Despite being first-time parents, they remain very chill and the home reflects this lifestyle and philosophy. “Home is a place where we embrace ourselves fully and let loose,” Ronald affirms.

$164,000 Renovation Cost

The renovation took three months to complete and cost $164,000. For the interior design team, translating the essence of a French villa into the context of a Singapore HDB flat posed a unique creative challenge that required a careful balance between their design ethos with the client’s vision.

“Successfully navigating this balance is always a rewarding aspect of our work. It was particularly gratifying to see how the inherent elegance of French villa design could be effectively interwoven with the spatial realities of smaller urban living,” interior designer Douglas comments.