Luxury Of Space

Choice materials, such as some very large floor tiles, went into creating the posh and contemporary look of this apartment.

Large marblelookalike tiles are used throughout the home, creating a seamless flow of space. Strong wood accents, as seen on the cabinetry, and a neutral colour palette, were chosen to keep the interiors looking warm and cosy. Armchair, rug and cushions, from Blafink.

WHO: A couple with two teenage children.

HOME: Five-room HDB flat in Tampines.

SIZE: 1,335sqf .

Creating a condo look and feel for an HDB flat is a common brief that interior designers get from homeowners. Faced with this request from his client, Ls’tudio principal designer Francis Leong set out to “open up” the layout of this five-room HDB flat – putting in place a seamless flow of space from the foyer to the dining area, living room, and kitchen.

The storage room next to the entrance was removed to make way for the dining area. And to create the illusion of more space, a mirror was installed next to the customised marble-top dining table. Marble is a recurring feature throughout the home – it lends a posh appeal, and a cool, airy vibe, to the interiors.

The storage unit below the TV set is wallmounted, to provide a “floating” effect, which lends a clean,clutter-free feel to the living room.

Marble is a recurring feature in this home, with the most prominent display of Volakas marble behind the TV set in the living room. Candlestand, from Lifestorey.

Marble-look quartz is used for the island top in the kitchen for a decidedly posh look. The tinted grey glass of the top row of cabinets adds a sleek touch. Metal vase, and candles, from Lifestorey.

A panel of luxurious book-matched Volakas marble backs the TV set, and the storage unit is “lifted off” the ground to keep the living room looking clean. To provide a further sense of spaciousness, Francis used unconventionally large tiles measuring 180cm by 80cm for the flooring.

The porcelain tiles, with a marble-like surface, “are easy to maintain and look almost as polished as real marble,” he explains. The original dining space was turned into a study room, partitioned from the living area by tinted grey glass panels that help to make the room look roomy. Using the same flooring for the four spaces – living, dining, kitchen, and study – also creates the impression of a larger space.

The sleek walk-in wardrobe in the master bedroom, created by taking space from an adjacent bedroom, is fitted with tinted grey glass panels for a “magic door effect”.

“You can’t see what’s behind the glass doors when the lights are switched off, but when they are switched on, the walk-in wardrobe appears,” explains Francis. The problem of fingerprints marring the glass door is minimised by installing a metal handle imported from Japan.

In this $100,000 renovation, unique materials and exclusive fixtures, plus a furnishings budget of around $60,000, certainly contributed to building that exclusive condo look.

WHERE TO GO Ls’tudio, lstudio17@gmail.com

A large mirror was installed next to the dining table to create the illusion of a larger dining area.

The study, which was the original dining area, is partitioned from the living room by tinted grey glass for a cool, airy look. Lamp, from Lifestorey.

Tinted grey glass is used for the door of the walk-in wardrobe in the master bedroom, creating a “magical door effect” – the wardrobe “appears” when the lights are switched on. Bedsheets and cushions, from Laura Ashley; armchair, from Blafink; and lamp from Lifestorey.