He worked with a $150,000 renovation budget for his parents’ new home, excluding furniture and furnishings. He drew inspiration from interior design programmes on HGTV and his visits to apartments for sale. “The plan is for me to move into the apartment eventually, so the contemporary vintage theme is a synthesis of all our preferences,” he shares.

More importantly, it also had to be elder-friendly. The apartment is one level throughout – there are no steps or drops, not even in the bathrooms or wet areas. This makes the entire apartment wheelchair accessible.

Various switches are also mounted at a lower height. All tiles are non-slip and grab bars have been installed in the restroom and shower areas. There is also ample storage so clutter does not obstruct passageways or pose as a tripping hazard. TJ enlisted his friend Jon Poh, founder of Provolk Architects, who assisted him with the mood boards, 3D perspectives and detailed drawings and specifications.

He also worked with contractor Jensen Lim from Premium D’sign. “I am glad I entrusted Jensen with the job because he is reliable and dedicated. It is important to select a contractor with whom you have a good rapport. Things shouldn’t just be based on the cheapest quote,” TJ emphasises.

TJ also managed the project personally and was on-site daily to ensure everything progressed without a hitch. The renovation took about three months and the Chias moved in in March 2020. The couple are truly appreciative of TJ taking care of everything to do with the renovation and the move.

They enjoy sitting out on the balcony and admiring Mrs Chia’s sky garden of air plants and the sea view. She says, “I have a passion for cooking, so I love my beautiful, new kitchen, too.”

She also loves tending to her balcony garden. Shifting the existing wall inwards, has made the extended balcony more usable.

The addition of a kitchen island-cum-bar counter opens up the kitchen space. Its location next to the dining room also makes for easy serving.

Her husband’s favourite spots are the living room and the study. The retired accountant and former footballer enjoys watching programmes on the big-screen TV TJ got for him as well as spending time in his study organising the family accounts and putting together his collection of articles documenting his time at the 1948 Olympics and meetings with the British royal family.

TJ has a room set aside in this home. It’s dubbed “50 shades of grey” after his father’s favourite colour.

Some of the artworks were self-printed and framed while others were sourced from Carousell.

The spacious, wheelchair-friendly bathroom.

Mr Chia has always wanted a study while a walk-in wardrobe has been on Mrs Chia’s wish list. With this study-cum-walk-in wardrobe, they both get what they wished for.

This home is an example of how elder-friendly design need not look clinical or utilitarian. Beyond the obvious considerations such as levelled floors, low switches and grab bars, it is also about the less tangible aspects, like selecting bed frames and mattresses of an appropriate height, and sourcing for a low swivel chair that makes putting on and taking shoes off easier.

And who better to anticipate the needs of elderly parents than their son?

Text: Lynn Tan/Home and Decor
Photography: Tan Wei Te
Art direction: Kristy Quah

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