Here’s a photo of the bubbly host with her interior designer Zoe from Zoe8Design.  Yi Fong’s one request was to make her home appear bigger. 

“I told them: ‘My apartment is small and packed with many things. Is it possible to make it appear more spacious?'”

A bit less brightly-lit, a bit cluttered especially at the piano area.

What a change! Simply swapping out the old curtains for lighter-coloured ones instantly brightened up the space, along with a neutral-grey couch in a friendly fabric material. Cove lighting also adds a warm and inviting feeling.

A decluttered piano top with a few vibrant pieces of art adds a pop of personality to the space. 

Another change we noticed is the addition of a ceiling fan (the fan was previous on the floor), which is a great space-saving idea. 

While the colour scheme and theme would have appealed to Eleanor when she was younger, it definitely doesn’t suit a 19-year-old young woman. 

Click next to see how her room looks like now. 

A much more muted palette of grey and brown is elegant and much more befitting of the 19-year-old, while elements like the graphic bedsheet, ornate table mirror and other decorative items reflect her fun-loving character and tastes. 

One of the biggest changes to her room is the bedframe, which still holds a single mattress but has been reconstructed to hold a double bed if the need arises.  

In her discussions with the interior design firm on renovation ideas, they had boldly suggested that Yi Fong should prepare for the day that Lee would have a boyfriend and eventually get married. But, they added, if she prepares a room that can fit both of them, Eleanor may not have to move out.

While she was initially taken aback by the suggestion, she soon warmed to the idea.

Upon seeing her ‘new room’, Eleanor told her mum: “I can finally bring someone home for a sleepover!” 

But hold on, don’t get the wrong idea. Yi Fong clarified that it was always a dream of her daughter’s to have sleepovers at home with her girlfriends. And now, if her classmates fly over to visit, they won’t have to sleep on a mattress on the floor.

Dark, textured wood is used throughout the room, including her cabinets, table and closet doors, which helps ground the look.

The other big transformation in the home is her balcony. Yi Fong joked: “I hung bamboo blinds here to keep out the sun — I lived like a lonely old person!”

Now fitted with automatic drapes, the space feels more fresh and modern, allowing Yi Fong, who dislikes being cooped up in an air-conditioned space, to get some fresh air. 

The balcony is also where the dining table has been placed, where she can have long chats with her daughter.

READ MORE: 13 Space-Enhancing Balcony Design Ideas From Singapore Homes

The entire balcony is also bordered by grass carpeting, giving the area a garden feel. Yi Fong also own four dogs, so it’s perfect for them to run and play on. 

READ MORE: 11 Super Stylish Home Designs To Make Your Dream HDB Or Condo A Reality

The most surprising thing about Quan’s home, however, is her bedroom, which is awash in girlish hues of pink and lavender, complete with a Minnie Mouse plushie.

Said Yi Fong unabashedly: “That’s who I really am.”

Prior to the renovation, she admitted that her bedroom resembled a hospital ward, crammed with “so many things that one would have to walk on the bed after entering”.

READ MORE: 5 Simple Ways To Turn Your Bedroom Into A Sleep Sanctuary

Now, the bed is clear of anything that shouldn’t be there and looks cosy with a soothing colour palette and a unique chandelier ceiling light. 

She says that the designer created this space where she can sit and read a book, but admitted she uses the lounge chair only when she’s surfing the internet on her iPad. We feel you, girl!

Her closet seemed a little bit cramped, especially with the traditional swing door. 

The designer did away with the top shelf and swapped the swing doors for trendy and modern sliding doors, which help maximise space and make the closet feel bigger. 

What a difference doors can make, who knew?

READ MORE: “I Marie Kondo-ed My Closet & It Changed My Life”

The tiles fitted in her bathroom initially gave Yi Fong a fright, as she thought they were too gaudy. However, she has since warmed up to them. 

An elevated shower space with clear glass panels helps make the bathroom look bigger, too. 

READ MORE: Beautiful Design Ideas For Small Bathrooms As Seen In Local Homes

There’s even a skylight in her bathroom, where “only birds can see me shower”, she jokes. 

Yi Fong cleverly made use of space like this, which could easily have gone forgotten or used to pile clutter, to display little mementos and figurines. It’s a great way to showcase collections and remind yourself of certain items you love and admire. 

Remember these trophies? They used to sit atop the piano in the living room, but now they’ve been given a proper home in a large display shelf. 

Eleanor’s old artwork which she holds dear, was the only thing she told her mother to preserve. 

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Text: Candice Cai, AsiaOne, additional reporting: Elizabeth Liew