Old school Charm

A personal collection of vintage furniture and memorabilia dictated the style of this flat.

The elaborate Victorian-style leather sofa and armchair are a contrast to the simple mid-century armchair.

WHO

A couple in their 40s.

HOME

Serangoon Avenue.

SIZE

1,300sqf.

Overt embellishment meets austerity in the living room.

Antiques small and big amassed over the years take pride of place on a sideboard.

A commanding buffet laid out with pretty tea-time accoutrements counters the industrial vibe of the brick wall and exposed wiring.

The retro lines of the utilitarian plastic stacking chair complement the antique wood furniture.

The only area with embellishment is in the living room, where a faux mottled brick wall forms a feature. This is not too far from the balcony (this “walled” balcony is typical of point block flats from the mid-70s), which has floor to wall ornate tiles. While the glazed ceramic and porcelain tiles of the 70s were glossy and textured, these modern incarnations are matt and flat. They bring a strong geometric pattern to counter the dark-wood vintage furniture and a touch of modernity.

Daylight streams into the “classroom”,which is large enough for six students. Original architectural drawings from Mobler.

The kitchen is another throwback to the past when kitchen cabinets were cast in poured concrete and affixed with wooden doors. This style of construction meant the couple could only have bottom cabinets, which they feel are sufficient for their needs. The kitchen walls have square powder-blue tiles laid diagonally, while the floor is tiled black-and-white mosaic style.

In keeping with the period look, there are no built-ins in the flat apart from the kitchen. Clothing is stored in two antique armoires. Pot and plant is from Galanga Living.

Mix-and-match pairings and a variety of materials bring an eclecticism to the elegant industrial backdrop.

Copper piping cleverly matches the wood wall cabinet and mirror. Stainless steel or PVC would have jarred with the vintage styling of the space. Basin top accessories are from Galanga Living.

As home tutors with no children of their own, the owners could free up two bedrooms to serve as classrooms. The old-school (pun intended) styling of the home befits the sparse “classroom” furnished with simple wooden desks, moulded plastic chairs and a whiteboard.

<b>Photo</b> THE SCIENTIST. The kitchen is true to the period style – from the colour of the wall tiles to the ceramic knobs and, of course, the concrete base.

“Many of our students comment that our home is unique, and some feel that it has a Peranakan feel,” offers one the owners.

The foyer has mosaiclook ceramic tiles to demarcate it from the parquet flooring in the rest of the flat. Pot and plant is from Galanga Living.

The other owner is keen to indulge her taste of the vintage and flex her design aesthetics: “Vintage stuff has this timeless appeal, which can somehow can be juxtaposed with any other style. I find this versatility very unique and one of a kind,” she says.

WHERE TO GO

The Scientist, 706A Geylang Road, Tel: 6743-0363

PHOTOGRAPHY VEE CHIN / ART DIRECTION LIM YI LING.