1) Five-room HDB in Upper Thomson with $70,000 interiors
The home of Xander Lee and Joanne Ng has a floor plan atypical of a HDB flat’s. After its renovation, the 22-year old flat’s layout is organised into three sections — a large studio that occupies the footprint of two bedrooms and a storeroom, the master bedroom formed by merging two bedrooms, and a central open living area that connects to a balcony with a view of the greenery out front.
(Design: JQ Ong of The Association)
“The materials chosen for the home are as honest and simple as possible,” says designer JQ. The doors, designed with diagonal groove lines, are made with raw plywood that was sanded down and lacquered.
Read more about this home here.
2) Industrial-style terrace house in Thomson with $500,000 interiors
Homeowners Daphne Chua and her partner wanted an industrial style for their two-and-a-half storey terrave house in Thomson as it was “easy to clean”; but the raw elements and “authentic” feel soon grew on them.
(Design: Dwell)
“I wanted the industrial style to come through as authentically as possible,” shares Ed, who used construction beams or metal I-beams at the front and back of the ground floor of the home. He also clad the walls on the first floor, as well as the stairwell and staircase, in concrete screed.
Walk through the home here.
3) Stunning architecturally designed multi-generational bungalow in Thomson
For the design of this house, architect Teo Yee Chin opted for natural materials where he could. From the driveway, you're greeted by a facade of never-ending, perforated cream limestone, contrasted with a protruding cube of teak painstakingly assembled with aged teak planks salvaged from old houses in Thailand. Weathered steel trims have been naturally rusted into a burnished copper to accentuate the wood.
(Design: Red Bean Architects)
The house won an Honourable Mention at the Singapore Institute of Architects Design Awards, and a Building and Construction Authority Green Mark Gold Plus Award for its eco-friendly features.
Read more about this home here.
4) Upper Thomson home with 6 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms in 1,636 sqf plot
This house is a narrow but airy, light-filled three-storey home (plus attic and roof terrace) with six bedrooms and six bathrooms, spread throughout the residence. The floors are connected via a central cantilevered staircase as well as a small elevator, for use by homeowner Dr Loh's parents when they stay over.
(Design: Renaissance Planners & Designers)
The main distinguishing feature of the Loh residence is an asymmetrical concrete "cap" that juts out over the two lower floors. The designer says the façade is a tribute to the Brutalist style and would have even "louder" but was scaled back to comply with building regulations.
Read more about this home here.
5) Four-room modern tropical resort-style condominium in Thomson
Spacious, bright and airy, this home has modern elements to give it a luxurious feel.
(Design: Distinctidentity)
Wood elements in this apartment lend the interiors its warm ambience and resort look.
See more about this home here.
6) Three-storey intermediate terrace home with lots of tree-like structures
Aesthetics doctor and mummy blogger Donna Chow describes her home as a "woody wonderland". Her three-storey intermediate terrace home in Upper Thomson has "trees" inside. Not real trees, but rather tree-like structures. "I love nature and the shape and motif of trees," says Dr Chow.
Dr Chow personally designed the entrance to the kitchen — a sliding door with a tree motif on it. "I consider this my masterpiece," she declares. "Since my compound isn't big, and I don't have a big garden for trees, I try to have as many man-made trees indoors as possible," quips Dr Chow.
Read more about this home here.