A Bold Style And Open Spaces Marks This HDB On Haig Road

When Dr Wong Chen Seong bought this flat with his researcher partner Rayner Tan, he could not think of a better person to take on the interior design than his long-time friend Wong Liang Wei. The two have known each other since they were 13.

A lawyer by training, Liang Wei joined Haven Lifestyle, his family’s business, five years ago as business development manager. The regional home lifestyle group distributes premium bed and bath products and have a boutique furniture factory.

Chen Seong’s brief to Liang Wei was straightforward but specific as they had clear ideas about what they wanted. He is an accomplished cook while Rayner is a trained pastry chef, so the kitchen is an important space. An avid reader and book collector, Chen Seong also wanted a library for his collection that includes many cookbooks.

AT A GLANCE

Who lives here: A doctor and researcher couple in their 30s
Home: A five-room HDB flat on Haig Road
Size: 1,270 sq ft
ID: Wong Liang Wei, Haven Lifestyle

https://www.womensweekly.com.sg/gallery/style/bold-style-open-spaces-hdb-haig-road/

A Bold Style And Open Spaces Marks This HDB On Haig Road

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Floor tiles laid in a herringbone pattern welcome visitors into the home. The same pattern defines the living area while the darker-coloured palette meets with Chen Seong’s preference. The brass accents are a cool counterpoint to the warm tones.

The original balcony is now part of the living room. Cheng Seong shares: “I originally toyed with the idea of retaining the balcony so I could grow some plants, but I like it the way it is now.”

Kristy Quah/Tan Wei Te

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When starting on the renovation, Liang Wei suggested having sliding glass panels to close the kitchen off when they were cooking but they were adamant about having an open kitchen, so the wall separating the kitchen from the dining and living areas had to go. “There were no compromises for this,” Chen Seong emphasises.

Kristy Quah/Tan Wei Te

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With the living room distinguished by the herringbone floor tiles, Liang Wei used colour to spatially define the dining area. “It was partly because I did not want to have too many different flooring treatments,” he explains. The wall and ceiling are a shade of deep blue similar to the laminate on the kitchen cabinets. This creates a cosy, well-defined space that ties the dining and kitchen spaces together.

Kristy Quah/Tan Wei Te

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The walls to one of the existing bedrooms were removed to turn it into an open study that’s separated from the living and dining areas by glass windows and full-height sliding and folding glass panels. Removing the walls has also made the adjacent dining area brighter as the natural light from the existing bedroom windows can go all the way through.

Extending the entire length and height of one wall are bookshelves for Chen Seong’s collection. “It is my ideal library with lots of open shelves holding volumes and volumes of well-thumbed tomes!” Their work desks form an L-shape along the other walls.

Kristy Quah/Tan Wei Te

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In-between the two remaining bedrooms is an inviting breakfast nook with a well-stocked bar. As it is right beside a window, the diffused light that filters in through the blinds casts a soft glow that imbues the space with a relaxed and welcoming ambience.

Kristy Quah/Tan Wei Te

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To one side of the nook is a guest room for Chen Seong’s parents when they visit. The room has a lighter colour palette with white and off-white furniture, other soft furnishings and light wood to suit their tastes.

On the opposite side is the master bedroom. It has an understated design with a controlled palette of different wood tones and various shades of grey juxtaposed with brass elements.

Like the outside bathroom, the en suite master bathroom is functional, well-detailed and aesthetically pleasing. All unsightly pipes are nowhere to be seen.

Kristy Quah/Tan Wei Te

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Renovation started back in February 2020, but was suspended because of the circuit breaker and other restrictions during the various phases of reopening. Works eventually resumed in September that same year. Despite the disruptions, it took about three months to complete before they could move in November 2020.

Kristy Quah/Tan Wei Te

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The costs came to between $110,000 and $120,000, including furnishings but excluding appliances. Except for minor elements such as the placement of switches above the bar counter and in the master bedroom, which Chen Seong, Rayner and Liang Wei feel can be improved upon, all three were pleased with how the interior turned out.

More importantly, they thoroughly enjoyed the entire process. Dare we say it? No relationships were harmed in the making of this home.

Art Direction: Kristy Quah
Photography: Tan Wei Te

Text: Lynn Tan/Home & Decor

Kristy Quah/Tan Wei Te

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A Bold Style And Open Spaces Marks This HDB On Haig Road

This 40-year-old flat gets a makeover with rich hues and a reconfiguration that includes a breakfast nook and library.

Privacy Menu

A Bold Style And Open Spaces Marks This HDB On Haig Road

This 40-year-old flat gets a makeover with rich hues and a reconfiguration that includes a breakfast nook and library.

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