Home Tour: $350,000 Renovation for retiree couple’s multi-generation Jumbo HDB flat in Tampines
This retiree couple made the decision to right size while enjoying the luxury of space, convenience, lifestyle and multi-generational living.
By Lynn Tan -
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Who Lives Here: A retiree couple, their son and a helper
Home: A multi-generation jumbo HDB flat in Tampines
Size: 1,800 sq ft (approximate)
Interior Designer: ErStudio Pte Ltd
It was “love at first sight” for 70-year-old Francis Ng and his wife, Stella, who is in her 60s, a retiree couple who used to work in the banking industry. When they viewed this resale Jumbo HDB flat, they knew instantly that it is “the one”. Despite it being over three decades old, it checked every single one of their criteria and then some. The approximately 1,800 sqft size is ideal for the couple, Daniel, their son who is in his 30s, and a helper. There is also ample room to accommodate Francis’ state-of-the-art hi-fi and home theatre systems with a 120-inch anamorphic wide screen along with his art collection.
The Jumbo flat design came with a self-sufficient studio unit that is attached to the main flat with an independent entrance that allows Daniel to live with his parents without sacrificing his privacy. The couple have the option of renting out the studio when Daniel has a house of his own in the future. The home is also conveniently located in close proximity to the MRT station and other amenities such as the supermarket, wet market and shops, while being near an open field and greenery.
Right sizing and coming full circle
Relocating to this Jumbo HDB flat is part of the couple’s move to right size. They were formerly living in a two-and-a-half storey landed home in Kovan, which had a steep staircase. As age caught up with them, it became increasingly challenging to climb up and down the staircase daily. Housekeeping and maintenance of the garden were also proving to be a chore. This Jumbo flat still accords them the luxury of space, but without the inconveniences and challenges of a landed home.
For the couple, it is coming full circle. Their first home was a HDB Executive Apartment in Tampines back in 1985 when the town was newly established. They sold the flat after the Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) and moved to the landed home in Kovan. Now, they are retiring back in Tampines.
Design brief and theme
Francis drafted a meticulous eight-page brief for the team at ErStudio comprising creative director, Eloycois Er and project manager, Josephine Bok. It contained 14 sections detailing what he wanted in terms of the design theme, colour scheme and for each of the different rooms. “The homeowners envisioned a modern luxury home with a hotel-like ambience that would serve as a retreat for their retirement years. The design needed to embody comfort, technology and quiet sophistication,” says Eloycois. A key part of the brief was to create a self-contained studio apartment for Daniel, who works in tech, complete with its own kitchen, bathroom, study and entertainment area.
Entrance foyer
What was formerly the access balcony is now a private corridor with two entrances- one to the main home and one to the studio unit, similar to a dual key apartment. The entrance foyer in the main home is calm, composed and refined.
Soft lighting and layered materials establish a clear sense of arrival and create a welcoming transition into the main living space beyond the sliding glass door. It offers a first impression of the home’s modern, elegant and luxurious style with a beige-cream-white-black colour palette.
Living room and study
The living room is the heart of the home and also Francis’ private home theatre haven. Its design involved a lot of co-ordination between the interior designer and various suppliers and specialists to ensure that the multiple elements, including a recessed 120-inch anamorphic wide screen and Dolby Atmos surround sound system, where every speaker had to be properly positioned and angled to achieve optimal sound performance, come together seamlessly to deliver a cinematic experience. Sound proofing was also taken into consideration in the design so as not to disturb the neighbours and other occupants in the home.
A unique feature in the living room is the faux fireplace that was imported directly from Taiwan through one of Francis’ former colleagues in Taipei. “This fireplace provides a warm, cosy and romantic ambience perfect for listening to soft music and sipping wine or cognac to while away the evening,” he muses.
Dining room
Not only is the dining room directly accessible to and from the living area and kitchen in the main home, a third doorway connects it to Daniel’s studio unit through the laundry area. This makes it very convenient for him to join mum and dad for meals without having to go through the main entrance.
The dining room’s lighting and finishes evoke a boutique hotel ambience that makes it suited for both intimate gatherings and casual meals.
Kitchen
Separated from the dining room by double leaf glass doors, the kitchen is a compact yet highly efficient space with streamlined cabinetry and durable finishes that blend in with the rest of the home.
Master bedroom
The master bedroom embodies restful luxury with soft, neutral tones, minimal built-ins and warm, indirect lighting. The layout maximises comfort while maintaining openness and simplicity. The wash basin has been moved out of the master bathroom enclosure, allowing it to be used independently of the WC and shower. The vanity area makes full use of a window nook with a view of the surrounding greenery.
Master bathroom
The use of large format tiles complemented by warm lighting and modern fittings create a spa-like quality in the master bathroom that marries utility with indulgence.
Son’s studio
The studio unit was part of HDB’s original floor plan, but reconfigured to be even more self-sustaining by introducing a new work-from-home space in between the living area and the bedroom. It also houses an attached bathroom and a kitchenette.
It has its own entrance that is separate from the main apartment, but has direct access to the main home via the laundry area at the rear, which also leads to the studio unit’s own kitchenette. It achieves the best of both worlds for parents-and-son- they practically live under one roof, yet get to enjoy the privacy of their own space.
Renovation cost
The renovation cost came up to about $350,000 excluding furniture, appliances, furnishings, home automation, hi-fi and home theatre system. “Today, space is a luxury and it comes with a high price, but not our house even after factoring in the renovation and other costs. A private condominium of this size would have easily cost more than $3.5 million today, depending on location,” Francis points out.
As the renovation was carried out during the pandemic, there were some delays in terms of site access, material logistics and manpower scheduling. It took about six months from conception to completion and handover to the homeowners, who moved into their new home in January 2022.
It is evident that the home is Francis’ pride and joy after having devoted much time, effort and money into making it what it is today. Friends and relatives who have visited over the years were amazed at the transformation of the old resale HDB flat into “an elegant, warm, cosy and upmarket apartment that can give some condominiums a run for their money”.
One of the most oft heard compliments that Francis has received is that from the inside, you cannot tell that it is a HDB flat. “The house is truly our idea of a perfect retirement home for us. This is our retirement home and we do not think we are going to sell and move on any time soon. But never say never, everything has a price,” he says.