Home Tour: Jade Seah’s vintage-inspired Tanjong Katong shophouse

Step into the home of the beautiful Jade Seah! Check out how she and her then-fiance filled this loft-style shophouse in Tanjong Katong with vintage and country-style decor. 

Their conservation property stands as a testament to their shared passion for heritage architecture and unique design sensibilities, creating a sanctuary that feels both nostalgic and deeply personal. Each carefully selected piece tells a story of their relationship journey—from friends to partners in creating this distinctive home that has become their cherished retreat from Singapore’s bustling urban landscape.

Furniture collection

Here in the living room, the standout furniture collection of Jade Seah and her fiance fits perfectly in this unorthodox space. Original wooden beams stretch across the ceiling, framing the eclectic mix of vintage finds and contemporary comforts below. 

Late afternoon light streams through the tall windows, casting a golden glow across the plush sofa and rugs that anchor the space with warmth and texture.

Barn-inspired wardrobe sliding door

Inspired by old barnyard entrances, Jade had the sliding door to her wardrobe and shoe cabinet crafted in a similar fashion. This statement feature serves as both practical storage and architectural focal point in their bedroom corridor. 

Taylor B bureau

The large bureau from Taylor B holds mostly memorabilia from the couple’s university days. Filled with trophies and decor pieces, this vintage furniture piece serves as both functional storage and emotional touchstone in their uniquely personal shophouse interior.

Unique Internet finds

The couple scoured the Internet for unique pieces such as this typewriter and a table made from an old sewing machine. Their dedication to finding one-of-a-kind items extends beyond mere decoration—it reflects their shared philosophy about home creation. These thoughtfully repurposed vintage items bring character to their home that no contemporary piece could match, creating a living space that feels curated rather than designed.

Artificial hanging plants

To bring some greenery into the apartment, artificial hanging plants were added to the ledge in the dining room. This clever solution addresses the challenging light conditions in certain areas of their heritage property while maintaining the lush, organic feel that balances their collection of vintage furniture.

Vintage Etsy drink trolley

The liquor connoisseurs store their bottles on this vintage drink trolley bought from Etsy. The brass trolley, with its slightly tarnished patina and delicate wheels, adds a touch of old-world glamour to their entertaining space. Like many elements in their shophouse interior, this piece combines form and function in a way that reflects their lifestyle and values.

Mint-green kitchen storage unit

The couple built their kitchen around this mint-green storage unit, using a muted palette for the rest of the space to give the piece prominence. The contrast between the statement piece and sleek contemporary appliances creates a kitchen that honors the past while embracing modern convenience.

Mirrored window

Camouflaging a mirror, the “window” reflects the colourful shower area, bringing an interesting depth of space to the bathroom. This clever design trick effectively doubles the perceived size of the compact space while creating an unexpected visual delight.

Vintage toilet roll holder

This toilet roll holder was made from metal pipes attached to a piece of wood. Such seemingly small details reflect the couple’s commitment to carrying their vintage-industrial aesthetic into every corner of their home.

Peranakan toilet counter tiles

Brightly coloured Peranakan-style tiles were added to the counter to bring some life to the raw concrete. This thoughtful nod to Singapore’s architectural heritage creates a visual bridge between the building’s past and present. 

The vibrant hues provide a striking contrast to the deliberately understated concrete walls, creating a balance between minimalism and ornate decoration that defines their unique approach to shophouse living. 

Bedroom with custom skylights

Bright sunlight from custom skylights stream into the couple’s country-style bedroom. Although it gets a little warm in the daytime, it’s a small price to pay for the night view. 

The space feels intentionally separated from the bustle of their public lives, a sanctuary where heritage architecture frames their most private moments. During monsoon season, the rhythm of rainfall against the skylights creates a soothing soundtrack that lulls them to sleep.

Handpicked home lighting

Jade handpicked all the lights in the home, including these beautiful Turkish lamps she found overseas. Each lighting fixture tells a story of their travels and adventures, creating constellations of memory throughout their living spaces. 

These statement pieces become focal points after sunset, transforming practical rooms into enchanted spaces filled with warmth and color.

Upcycled wine barrel

Using a pane of glass, Jade turned an old wine barrel into an accessories table for her bedroom. This ingenious upcycling project perfectly encapsulates her approach to interior design—finding beauty and function in unexpected places. This thoughtful blend of raw materials and refined elements has become a signature of their shophouse style, where every piece tells a story of discovery and transformation.

Custom built-in wardrobe

Jade made full use of the slanted space underneath the rafters to house her extensive wardrobe. What might have been awkward architectural constraints in less creative hands have become one of the home’s most charming features. 

The custom built-in wardrobe follows the pitch of the roof, creating a storage solution that feels both efficient and whimsical.

Tanjong Katong shophouse renovation

The stairs have been shifted away from the wall to make space for a wardrobe. This bold structural intervention demonstrates how the couple’s vision for their home transcended simple decoration to reshape the very architecture of the space.