House Tour: Vintage style interiors for 4-room HDB DBSS at The Peak @ Toa Payoh
Embody Etsy – an e-commerce site for handmade and vintage things – as a home, and it might look very much like this four-room HDB DBSS unit at The Peak @ Toa Payoh.
The homeowners credit the savvy combination of vintage and contemporary features that makes each corner of this home interesting, to interior designer JQ Ong of The Association.
HDB Foyer Design
The foyer is a visual feast of style, texture and colour.
The vintage decor feature unique designs and craftsmanship that can't be easily replicated by contemporary mass-produced items.
Each vintage piece has its own story and character, adding a touch of individuality to the home.
Rustic wood floor
JQ chose to lay rustic-looking wood laminate flooring over the existing tiled floor in the whole flat - even the balcony, which he turned into their dining space.
Black framed prints
The combined height of three smaller frames balances the large frame.
The simplicity of a black frame allows the content within it to shine. Whether it's a vibrant artwork or a black-and-white photograph, the frame doesn't distract from the image but rather emphasizes it.
Re-Upholstered Chairs
The wing-back chair and study chair came from second-hand stores, and were given fresh life with a dark wood stain and new upholstery.
Striped ceiling
The couple's daughter sleeps in an all-white room, and looks up to a grey-and-white striped ceiling.
Striped ceilings can have a significant design impact on a room. They draw the eye upward, adding verticality and a sense of height to the space.
This can be particularly effective in rooms with low ceilings, as it creates the illusion of more space.
Black and white bathroom
There was a need to balance all the prettiness of the home with a "masculine" black and white palette in the master bathroom.
Wainscoting
Wainscoting has historical roots and was originally used to insulate and protect walls from moisture, particularly in older homes. Over time, it evolved into a decorative element that added texture and character to interior spaces.
The wainscoting in the bathroom is made of wood designed for marine use and can withstand moisture.
Whimsical prints
Colour is present at every turn, especially on the walls.
The avid online shopper wife scoured the Web for whimsical, child-like prints, sending her choices to JQ for approval first.
(She recommends www.designsponge.com, a popular design blog, for unique finds.)
The use of standard black frames keeps the art pieces looking cohesive.
Dolly switches
These brass-domed switches, known as dolly switches, are brand new but maintain that vintage look.
Master bedroom
In the master bedroom, JQ doubled the wardrobe space with an L-shaped unit and paired the simple bed with a pair of wooden stools repurposed as bedside tables.
This article was first published on Home and Decor in July 2018.