A Muji-Inspired Minimalist 5-Room HDB Flat In Bukit Panjang
Check out this self-designed, Muji-inspired monochromatic flat that reflects just the couple’s tastes and aesthetic preferences
Newlyweds Daryl Yang and Candise Tee envisioned their matrimonial home to be one that is calming and restful, a tranquil sanctuary to call their own. It also has to be spacious and flexible as the sociable couple often hosts friends and relatives.
The couple designed the interior themselves, with some advice from Candise’s brother who is an architect.
AT A GLANCE
HOME: A five-room HDB flat in Bukit Panjang
SIZE:1,206 sq ft
WHO LIVES HERE: A couple in their early 30s
To achieve the aesthetics that they wanted, Daryl, who works in the building maintenance sector, and Candise, who is a freelance make-up artist, went for a natural palette comprising off-white colours and wood tones accompanied by clean lines and restrained geometries.
Off-white, cream and ivory colours make the interior feel more cosy and intimate, while avoiding too stark a contrast between pure white colours and darker wood tones.
The decision also arose from a contextual factor- the dark blue glass facade of the residential block directly opposite theirs reflects a significant amount of blue light into the couple’s apartment.
The choice of a warm colour scheme, along with densely-woven blinds and appropriate lighting with a warmer colour temperature help mitigate the undesirable effects.
With some input from Candise’s brother, the original Muji-style concept involving mainly whites and light oak evolved into a more refreshing combination of a creamy beige juxtaposed against a multitude of wood tones.
The layering of dark walnut laminates, light oak flooring, ceiling fans with a beech finish and walnut furniture enriches the scheme while also making it more flexible when mixing and matching pieces in the future.
Complementing the off-whites and wood tones are natural materials that include rustic solid teak stumps used as a lamp stand in-between two chairs in the living room and as a vanity stool in the walk-in wardrobe, a pair of polished granite coffee tables custom-designed by Candise’s brother, and travertine-like bathroom wall and floor tiles.
The intention was to harness the soothing qualities of materials and colours found in nature to create the tranquil ambience that the couple wanted.
As this is the couple’s first home, they did not have any existing furniture to bring to the new apartment. However, instead of having everything in a new and pristine condition, they incorporated elements of aging and wear. They achieved this by combining new carpentry and furniture with pre-loved pieces from various sources.
An old mirror from Hock Siong by the main entrance is a conversation starter and Instagram spot for visitors with its rusty and well-worn wood-and-metal frame.
A 60-year-old timber bench with vintage joinery from Carousell has been given a new lease of life in the guest room after some reupholstering by a local workshop.
The armchairs in the living room used to grace the reception of an office.
The kitchen’s quartz surface features gold veins that resemble Japanese pottery’s kintsugi technique.
And while most homeowners fret over cracks and dents, Daryl and Candise prefer to adopt a wabi-sabi approach.
Crack lines on solid wood, dark red dots on natural granite, rust, scratches and other imperfections are embraced.
The original layout of the five-year-old resale flat underwent extensive reconfiguration and involved moving the existing corridor by 600mm.
This corridor leads to the master bedroom at the end, with two other existing bedrooms on one side, and the household shelter, common bathroom and master bathroom on the other side.
The relocated corridor allows for the addition of built-in display niches to conceal the household shelter door, with enough space for some additional storage on the other side of the door.
The organic-shaped mirror in the common bathroom is a delightful surprise amidst the predominantly rectilinear forms in the apartment.
The shift also created an alcove in the master bedroom for a cosy study corner, as well as a small recess beside the bedroom door.
This serves as an open valet wardrobe for hanging worn-but-not-ready-to-be-washed clothes out of sight when the bedroom door is opened.
The study corner in the master suite takes on a similar formal expression as the walk-in wardrobe.
By relocating the position of the door, the existing bedroom adjacent to the master bedroom is now a walk-in wardrobe within the master suite.
The third bedroom behind the living area has been converted into a glass room. Semi-enclosed by sliding glass doors, it is currently a multi-purpose room that is an extension of the living area.
With the curtains drawn, it can easily be used as a guest bedroom, or converted into a child’s bedroom when the couple start a family.
The renovations took about three months and the couple moved into their new home in March 2021. Interestingly, the entire process- from purchasing the flat, design, renovation and furniture shopping- was co-ordinated across two countries.
Daryl was in Singapore, while Candise was in Malaysia with her parents due to the pandemic.
The couple communicated virtually, discussing options and going through details before arriving at any decision.
Nevertheless, everything went smoothly without a hitch and the couple lived happily ever after.
Text: Lynn Tan/Home & Decor