House Tour: A retired couple's $110k renovation for the perfect Mid-Century Modern home
Total damage was $110,000
By Lynn Tan -
The clients’ request for a mid-century modern home allowed its interior designer to indulge in one of her favourite styles.
When her clients asked for an authentically mid-century modern style home, Wolf Woof design director Carmen Tang admits that she was already “dreaming up ideas and visualising how it would all come together” even before the three-and-a-half-month project started, because it is one of her favourites styles.
Whilst giving full rein to her wildest Mad Men fantasies, there were a few important criteria that Carmen would not compromise on.
Firstly: that perfect walnut wood tone for the various finishes. She was also very particular about coordinating all the different materials, to achieve a cohesive look for this project, which costs $110,000 with furniture and furnishings. “Every element must work seamlessly together to create that perfect mid-century modern theme,” she stresses.
Who Lives Here? A retiree couple in their 50s
Home A three-turned-two bedroom condominium in Upper Thomson
Size 721 sq ft
Interior Design Wolf Woof
High Ceiling Nook in Wood
Carmen capitalises on the apartment’s high ceiling. The living room is conceived as a nook, clad entirely in wood panelling to create a focal point. She tested numerous colour options to achieve the perfect walnut tone that is not too light or dark.
The rest of the materials - wall and ceiling wood panels, vinyl flooring, carpentry, doors and door frames, were all carefully selected to match that particular wood tone.
Unblocked Views of the Nature Reserve
Apart from drawing the gaze up towards the lofty ceiling, the all-around wood panelling in the living room also frames the adjacent balcony, from which the homeowners can enjoy an unblocked view of the adjacent nature reserve.
Since moving in in October 2022, sightings of monkeys and wild boars have been a regular occurrence.
Exposed Brick Walls Dining Room
The dining room is a simple yet elegant.
The walls are clad in white craft stone to simulate exposed brick walls characteristic of the era.
A retro-style Tulip dining table and chairs further accentuate the theme.
Read Also: House Tour - A Nostalgic Mid-Century Modern 4-Room HDB
Hacked Two Bedrooms
The corridor walls sports the same wood panelling as the living area, establishing a connection between the two. To create some distinction for the circulation, the corridor floor is finished in a light wood vinyl in a herringbone pattern.
Due to the apartment’s modest size, storage is an important consideration. Carmen introduced hidden storage ingeniously concealed behind display niches at the end of the corridor.
By hacking the walls between two existing bedrooms, the homeowners now enjoy one large master suite with a walk-in wardrobe and attached master bathroom. The bedroom walls along the corridor have also been replaced with a full-height glass wall and glass door.
Glass For Natural Light
The use of glass allows natural light from the bedroom windows to filter into the corridor. It also opens up the master bedroom to make it feel even more spacious and to foster a seamless relationship with the rest of the interior. Since the couple has the apartment all to themselves, privacy is not an issue. However, Carmen has provided blinds for when privacy is desired.
Wall Panels with Vent Cut-Outs
The feature wall behind the bed comprises a series of panels with vent block-style cut-outs. “Actual vent blocks are too thick and would encroach into the valuable bedroom floor area. Besides, the clients requested a king-sized bed, so I had to improvise to make room,” she explains.
Study Room with Storage
A third bedroom has been designed as a study. Like the master bedroom, a glass door lets light from the study room window into the corridor. To fully use the high ceiling and maximise the storage area, Carmen designed built-in cabinets that extend to the ceiling.
This is one of Carmen’s favourite projects to date because of the style. “I put a lot of thought into the design, and I am looking forward to working on more such projects,” she says.