Home Tour: $180,000 Renovation for Tay Kewei and Alfred Sim’s $903K HDB executive apartment in the East

Singer-songwriters Tay Kewei, 40, and Alfred Sim, 42, have offered a glimpse into their new home, a HDB resale executive apartment located in the East of Singapore. With their eldest son, nicknamed Shen Momo, set to enter primary school, the couple opted for a place close to their preferred school, Kewei’s alma mater, to boost the six-year-old’s chances of enrolling.

Given Kewei’s alumni status, they qualify for two phases of the P1 registration process. But being within 1km also gives them admission priority for Phase 2C (if they cannot secure registration through the alumni Phase 2A). Additionally, they also wanted a larger place to accommodate their family of five — they have two other sons, Xiao Pian Pian, four, and Qiu Qiu, who’s nearly two (both of which are their nicknames) — as well as their helper.

The 1,540 sq ft HDB Executive Apartment flat cost them $903K and overhauling the 40-year-old apartment chalked up a renovation cost of nearly $180,000, according to 8days. They recently showcased their new crib with a house tour video on entertainment channel Just Swipe Lah, and here’s a look.

Who Lives Here: Tay Kewei, Alfred Sim, and their 3 children
Home: 40-Year-old Resale HDB Executive Apartment in the East
Size: 1,540 sq ft
Interior Design: ID.eology Interior

Modern Luxe Interior Design

Collaborating with local interior firm ID.eology Interior, the couple envisioned a modern luxe interior design for their home. At the heart of it is a statement grey sintered stone island that anchors the space, and which Kewei confesses was at the top of her wishlist.

She decided on sintered stone, which is easier to maintain (especially with three kids!) instead of marble, as the latter’s more porous and less resistant to stains. The same sintered stone can also be seen in different areas around the house, including the backsplash for their dry kitchen, for a cohesive look.

Concealed doors

The doors are mostly concealed and integrated into the walls, making for a seamless flow and clean look throughout the home. “Even the baby can’t find them. He pushes every wall,” Kewei laughs.

Concealed storage

It isn’t just the doors that are concealed — clever storage is abundant throughout the home. Got school-going kids? Here’s an idea to cop from Kewei and Alfred: Hidden storage in the foyer, which doubles as a mudroom. “When the kids come home, they tend to leave their school bags lying around,” Kewei says.

Every family member has their own designated cupboard for storing personal items like bags upon entering the home. It’s also the designated spot for delivery packages.

Murphy bed

Here’s another storage idea for those short on space: A Murphy bed. Alfred shares that they installed a bed that can be flipped up and stored vertically in the helper’s room to fully utilise the available space.

Master bedroom

The master bedroom is doused in earthy neutral hues and natural finishings such as a textured grey wall and wood-look accents, which add to a calming ambience. Smart furnishings have been implemented, including motorised curtains that draw open with a gentle hug, and a kinetic wireless light switch.

The wardrobes are also located in the master bedroom. Like the rest of the storage in the house, they are discreetly tucked away behind large panels, maintaining the sleek aesthetic of the space. Kewei shares that this is also where her vanity table is concealed.

Study room

The couple’s study room sits across the master bedroom. Here, the space sports a darker, more masculine vibe with dark hues and rich wood tones. “We wanted it to be a cosy space where we can work and create music. We also want to fill this space with our work achievements,” Kewei adds.

Children’s bedrooms

Inside the children’s bedroom, especially on Momo’s side of the room, there are space-themed elements, including a dark blue wall and a moon-shaped lamp with an astronaut figurine. “I like astronauts,” he declares. There’s also a cosy reading corner under Momo’s bunk bed. “This is where Kewei reads to the kids,” Alfred shares.

Pian Pian, on the other hand, has a cute teepee-style bed. There’s also a pull-out bed intended for Qiu Qiu to sleep on when he’s older. He now sleeps with Kewei and Alfred.

The young ones also have their own study room (which doubles as a toy room). No built-in carpentry here, Kewei says. Instead, she bought loose furniture that can be replaced when the kids grow up. Good thinking.

All-white living room

In contrast to the luxurious, darker ambiance of the dining area, the remainder of the living room boasts a brighter aesthetic. It’s clad mostly in white, with marble-look finishings playing up the luxe vibe. There’s no coffee table, too, to allow for more space for the kids to play.

Instead of a balcony, there’s a music corner adorned with various musical instruments. “A keyboardist friend visited previously, and he played the keyboard while we sang. So we found it a good place to relax,” Kewei says. “We should invite more musician friends over!”

The couple reveals another intelligent addition to their home: a Google Home system enabling them to control the lights and fan using voice commands. “Having a hands-free voice-controlled system is the best, as we often come home carrying the kids in our arms,’ Kewei explains.

While the interiors seem clean and minimalist, it’s evident how meticulously every detail has been thought through to maintain a cohesive ambience. “Why the renovations took so long is because we discussed a lot of details with them,” she adds.

This article was originally published in Singapore Women’s Weekly.