Home Tour: An elderly mother’s stylish ground floor unit in Tiong Bahru

In a touching testament to filial devotion, four siblings came together to give their mother the perfect gift - a thoughtfully renovated ground floor apartment in Tiong Bahru. This nostalgic interior design project, brought to life by architecture practice Asolidplan, transformed a weathered space into a warm sanctuary that bridges past and present, creating a gathering place for both mother and children.

Flexible home spaces

The Tiong Bahru ground floor home renovation focused on crafting flexible, welcoming spaces that could adapt to both quiet daily life and lively family gatherings. Perhaps the most ingenious transformation is the home’s perimeter - a versatile area that flows between the bedroom and common corridor.

This thoughtfully designed space seamlessly transitions from living room to dining area, and even accommodates overnight guests while doubling as an intimate bar setting for family gatherings.

Timber beams ceiling

When evening falls, this multifunctional space takes on a particularly enchanting character. The siblings often find themselves gathered here, sharing stories over drinks beneath carefully concealed custom light fittings. These fixtures, nestled within what appear to be timber beams overhead, cast a warm, intimate glow that transforms the space into a cozy speakeasy-like setting, perfect for family bonding.

Growing up in Tiong Bahru estate

For this family, the nostalgic interior design carries deeper meaning, as Tiong Bahru isn’t just another neighborhood - it’s the estate where their childhood memories were forged.

Understanding this emotional connection, Asolidplan’s designers took exceptional care to preserve and highlight elements that would evoke those cherished memories while breathing new life into the space. This delicate balance between old and new became the guiding principle of the Tiong Bahru home renovation.

Distressed wall

The interior design team’s attention to detail revealed hidden treasures within the apartment’s bones.

In a particularly poetic touch, they carefully stripped away layers of old paint, unveiling beautifully distressed wall details that tell stories of decades past. These imperfect surfaces became an integral part of the home’s character, serving as physical connections to the building’s history.

Original brick wall

On another wall, the Tiong Bahru home renovation uncovered an original brick wall, previously hidden beneath years of paint. This architectural revelation now stands as a striking feature, its weathered surface adding warmth and authenticity to the space while perfectly complementing the home’s nostalgic design elements.

Tiong Bahru greenery

Step into the rear garden, and you’ll find a verdant oasis that brings life and movement to the home. The new landscaping creates a living tableau visible from the bedroom, offering both mother and visiting children a peaceful view that changes with the seasons. This green space serves as a natural extension of the indoor living area, providing a serene backdrop for daily life.

Minimalist all-white kitchen

The kitchen renovation exemplifies the project’s thoughtful balance between modern functionality and emotional resonance. While sleek, minimalist fittings provide all the conveniences of contemporary living, carefully preserved furniture pieces from their former home maintain a sense of continuity and familiarity. These beloved items, each carrying its own history, ensure that every meal prepared here feels like a homecoming.

Window-facing kitchen sink

In a particularly inspired touch, the washbasin was positioned to create a direct connection with the outdoor greenery. This simple yet effective design decision transforms daily routines into moments of reflection and natural communion, adding another layer to the home’s thoughtful interior design narrative.

Restoring architectural elements

Throughout the Tiong Bahru ground-floor home, original architectural elements were treated as precious artifacts of family history. Window grilles, shutters, and vintage mosaic tiles were carefully restored rather than replaced, preserving these tangible links to the siblings’ childhood memories. Each of these elements carries stories of growing up in Tiong Bahru, making them irreplaceable features of this nostalgic design.