A Modern Take on Colonial Charm
Film producer Daniel Yun goes back to basics with a black-and-white colonial themed home in this 1,160 sq ft 4-rm HDB flat in Hougang.
By Lynn Tan -
Share this article
Homeowner Daniel Yun is no stranger to dramatic scenes. The former CEO of Raintree Pictures envisioned a home filled with personality for entertaining his celebrity friends as well as family.
For Daniel Yun, the celebrated film producer and life coach, black-and-white isn’t just a colour scheme—it’s a philosophy. “In filmmaking, we start with a white canvas, and at the end, it fades into black,” he muses, drawing a poetic parallel between his craft and his home’s aesthetic. This monochromatic love letter comes to life in his meticulously renovated 40-year-old flat, transformed with the expertise of design director Adrian Heng from Spaceone ID Consultancy and contractor Stack Studio.
A Grand Entrance, Bold First Impressions
A wooden armchair sets the scene for what's to come beyond the elegantly-clad entrance foyer.
Step inside, and you’re greeted by a stunning black metal gate with open latticework, the first of many nods to the colonial era. This visual gateway sets the tone for the home’s design narrative, which plays on contrasts—solid and void, positive and negative. The built-in shoe cabinet, venetian blinds, and pendant lamps in the entrance foyer extend this theme, while the main door continues the lattice motif with a twist, creating a dynamic interplay between strength and subtlety.
A Dining Space Designed to Impress
The design of the living room is simple but far from plain-looking.
Beyond the foyer lies a dining area that exudes sophistication and versatility. An eight-seater, 2.3-metre-long table anchors the space, expandable to seat 12—a perfect arrangement for Daniel’s penchant for hosting. Running the length of the dining room, a sleek built-in sideboard doubles as a display for Daniel’s favourite painting, a vibrant burst of colour that punctuates the otherwise monochromatic palette.
Living Large in a Defined Space
Daniel's shots of memorable scenes from his past, ranging from his childhood home to interesting shots of iconic HDB estates like Tampines and Toa Payoh.
The open-plan living and dining area flows seamlessly, yet Adrian’s thoughtful touches create distinct zones. A bold black-and-white striped rug in the living room delineates the space, complementing a custom-designed sofa, a pair of wooden-backed chairs, and a round coffee table. Eschewing a conventional feature wall, Adrian opted for a freestanding television unit, freeing up wall space for a gallery of Daniel’s black-and-white photography. Each image—of iconic HDB landmarks like the dragon playground in Toa Payoh and Bukit Panjang’s sloping flats—tells a story, reflecting Daniel’s deep connection to Singapore’s heritage.
A Kitchen with Character
Daniel kept the design of the kitchen functional bu just as tasteful as the rest of the home.
The kitchen is a showstopper, reimagined as an open concept with two peninsula islands flanking a central column. These multi-functional islands—one for storage, the other a breakfast counter—create interactive spaces for guests during gatherings. Overhead, three pendant lamps Daniel cheekily calls “Dracula lamps” lend a gothic flair, their skeletal black forms striking against the clean white cabinetry and KompacPlus countertops.
A bar counter separating the kitchen (behind the sliding doors) and the living area offers space for crowds to break into smaller groups during gatherings.
The space is cleverly partitioned by a sliding glass door, separating the kitchen proper from the islands. The cooking zone, helper’s room, and integrated storage for appliances all follow the black-and-white theme, down to the black glass backsplash and the white subway tiles in the adjacent bathroom.
A Master Suite Worthy of a Star
The elongated bedroom separated into two zones, one for resting and the other as a reading nook.
The pièce de résistance is the reimagined master suite, a serene retreat crafted by combining the former master bedroom, an adjacent room, and a storeroom. A double-leaf door opens into this private sanctuary, where Daniel’s sleeping area flows into a cosy lounge complete with a circular daybed, a round rug, and spherical pendant lights. This arrangement softens the sharp angles of the space, creating a sense of calm.
The master bathroom is a playful twist on monochrome, with checkerboard tiles that add a whimsical touch to the extended space. From the vanity to the black-and-white colonial-inspired details, every element feels cohesive yet full of personality.
Elevating the Monochrome Aesthetic
For Daniel, the journey from concept to completion was nothing short of transformative. “My take on the black-and-white colonial style was rudimentary, but Adrian elevated it into something complete,” he reflects. Adrian attributes the success of the design to key elements like latticework, stripes, and skeletal forms, all of which imbue the space with depth and character.
This home isn’t just a tribute to the timeless elegance of black-and-white—it’s a deeply personal narrative of creativity, heritage, and style. For Daniel Yun, it’s a canvas where the story begins and ends in perfect monochrome harmony.