Home Tour: A 32-year-old man's $48,000 modern farmhouse renovation for his 5-room HDB in Tampines Ave 8

As city dwellers who lead fast-paced lives many of us are inevitably drawn to the slow country life and harbour dreams of living in a cosy and rustic farmhouse. This 32-year-old homeowner, who is self-employed, decided to create his very own modern farmhouse right at home in the city, so that he can unwind and indulge in its idyllic embrace after a hard day’s work. 

Who Lives Here: A 32-year-old self-employed male
Home: A 5-room HDB flat at Tampines Avenue 8
Size: 1,184 sq ft (110 sqm)

21 Interior Studio

A friend referred him to design director, Sammy, from 21 Interior Studio, who believes firmly in creating happy spaces for clients while prioritising practical space planning. Shaker-style television console, cabinets and shelves in the living room not only reflect the farmhouse theme, but also factor in practical considerations.

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Black Kitchen Design

The initial plan was to have the entire kitchen decked out in black, but Sammy and the client eventually went with a light, cream laminate for the cabinets at the top and limit the use of a black laminate to the cabinets at the bottom for a more classy and balanced composition.

“We added open shelves because they are well-suited for displaying decorative items, which are an excellent way to infuse personality and style into a living space,” she explains. 

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Shaker Style Kitchen

In the kitchen, more shaker-style cabinets complete with a farmhouse sink reinforce the interior design theme without compromising on practical aspects.

As black laminates are prone to fingerprints and marks, interior designer Sammy took extra care in selecting a black laminate that is less susceptible to fingerprints.

“The easy-to-clean surface not only improves the aesthetic appearance, but is also easier to maintain,” she points out. 

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Kitchen island dining table

On the homeowner's wish list was a freestanding kitchen island cum dining table where he can host friends and family. He originally wanted it to be oriented parallel to the kitchen cabinets.

Rattan Dining Chairs

However, Sammy studied the layout and advised him that positioning it perpendicular to the kitchen cabinets is a more efficient arrangement and would allow him to have more space to manoeuvre. The addition of rattan dining chairs and a pair of matching pendant lamps infuse the space with an organic charm that is synonymous with farmhouses.

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Blue bed headboard wall

A dark blue bedhead wall sets the tone in the master bedroom by creating a rich and striking contrast that adds depth and character to the space. The wainscoting feature creates visual interest while being thematically-appropriate.

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Master bathroom

The eye-catching master bathroom comprises black-and-white floor tiles juxtaposed against white subway wall tiles. Gold bathroom accessories lend an air of elegance and sophistication to the overall rustic and cosy ambience.

$48,000 Renovation Cost

The project, which included tiling, ceiling, plumbing, carpentry, electrical and glass works took two months and the cost came up to $48,000 excluding furniture and furnishings. The owner moved into his new home in August 2023.

The practical space planning and interior design for this home reflects the client’s preferences, needs and lifestyle. “Creating happy spaces involves designing environments that stimulate positive emotions, enhance the well-being and instil a sense of joy in our clients. The most important thing is that the client must be happy and satisfied with the end result,” interior designer Sammy emphasises. 

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