Detail Oriented

Wood accents and distinctive design features lend style and character to this bachelor pad.

Woodgrains feature prominently in the public areas of this apartment, and they lend the space a warm and cosy feel.

WHO: A bachelor in his 30s.

HOME: Three-bedroom condo in Serangoon.

SIZE: 1,300sqf .

It’s one thing to make a space practical, but another to make it stylish and sophisticated. For Joey Khu of Joey Khu Interior Design, the first step to achieve this is to understand the homeowner’s lifestyle.

In this case, the owner wanted a bar counter and bespoke details for the interiors. With this in mind, the designer set out to create standout features for the apartment. The renovation cost $40,000, excluding furnishings.

The wooden “feature wall” facing the foyer at the entrance is clad in wood-look laminate and is actually the door to the shoe cabinet. The tinted mirror panels mounted on the surface make the look less “overbearing” and give the illusion of a wider space.

The laminated feature wall in the living room is kept basic and simple. Discreet shelving for books and knick-knacks is incorporated into the wall.

Tinted mirrors are mounted onto the cabinetry surface for a sleek look, and to provide the illusion of a bigger dining space.

The wood ceiling with recessed lighting also makes for a striking feature the minute you step into the home, creating a warm, harmonious look for the foyer and dining area.

In place of a separate bar counter is a structure that Joey cleverly designed as part of the dining table. The “bar area” is made up of a suspended shelf with metal bars – a feature that is both sleek and smart. “One structure that performs two functions saves space; it’s also an interesting feature which becomes the centrepiece of the home,” says Joey.

The designer kept the laminate feature wall in the living area simple and uniform so that the space wouldn’t look too “busy”. Slim, discreet shelving is incorporated within the false wall to display and store books and knick-knacks.

As the master bedroom is a tight space, Joey took care not to overaccessorise it. Attention is centred on the concrete-look laminated wall behind the wooden headboard.

Instead of a bulky bedside lamp or pendant lamp from the ceiling, the designer had a vertical strip of recessed lighting built into the false wall. “I went for recessed lighting as it’s less harsh and makes the bedroom feel cosy and less cluttered,” he says.

WHERE TO GO

Joey Khu Interior Design, www.joeykhu-id.com

The multi-level bar is designed as part of the dining table. This way, precious space is saved without the need for a separate bar counter.

As with most of his interior design projects, Joey chose some of the accessories and artworks as he enjoys putting on the finishing touches.

Instead of using a bulky side table lamp, recessed lighting was built into the wall to reduce clutter in the master bedroom.

The master bedroom sports a concrete-like laminate wall, which makes for a striking backdrop in this intimate space.