Whether it’s for hosting private parties or as a showflat for prospective clients, this industrial-meets-oriental weekend oasis does it all – with flair.
HOME A three-room HDB flat in the east
WHO A 40-year-old bachelor
LEFT
As privacy was not a concern, the walls of the bedroom were replaced with glass panels. The homeowner added both false horizontal and vertical beams to give the space a more symmetrical look.
A 645sqf apartment conjures up an image of cramped, uncomfortable shoebox living. But for private chef Chris Huang, that’s plenty of space to cook, serve, work and rest in. Far from being dreary or uninspiring, the sunny weekend retreat combines modern industrial decor – or what Chris dubs “rough luxe” – with a jolt of Chinois chic. And it all started with a tribal jacket Chris bought in China.
Worn by older folk from the Hmong ethnic minority during weddings, the exquisitely embroidered blue-grey robe was mounted against concrete-look wallpaper from Japan and displayed in the dining area. The adjoining wall of cabinets, which frame a window, is covered in a concrete-look laminate. The effect is minimalist, akin to a Chinese take on Zen. Chris explains: “Every home needs a focal point. The aesthetics of the robe, as well as its story, captivated me. It served as a muse for the home’s design''.
First, he had to reshuffle and resize the original spaces of the flat to turn what he says was a dark, gloomy apartment into a home that met his needs. His priorities included having a functional kitchen and an expansive dining area. So, he moved the kitchen and the dining area to the front of
ABOVE
The mismatched seats give the dining area a laid-back air. The “concrete screed” wall is actually a wallcovering!
OPPOSITE
Chris repurposed cabinets from a restaurant for his wardrobe, and added stainedwood shutter doors. They now take up the space previously occupied by the kitchen.
the home, in an open-concept design, as his guests enjoy watching him whip up their meals. The bedroom and storage were then shifted behind the dining area, and the bathroom to the back.
The heavy-duty kitchen usage dictated the need for low-maintenance materials such as concrete screed for the floor, which is covered with epoxy so dust and oil won’t seep through. The colour scheme is predominantly a mix of grey, white and black. “It’s a timeless palette – I’m not into fads,” says Chris.
As there aren’t many windows, he replaced the bedroom walls with glass panels, allowing light to flow through. A dark-coloured wallpaper and carpet make the space more conducive for sleep, while a hand-painted bench from China keeps the look consistent. In the black-and-white bathroom, a marble countertop with storage space below adds a hint of luxe.
Following the $40,000 renovation, the apartment – which is also a showflat for Chris’ interior design business – no longer bears much resemblance to a typical HDB unit. “I love to show my clients the unexpected,” he says.
WHERE TO GO
Bowerman Interior Planner, TEL: 9487-9324 bowermaninteriorplanner@gmail.com
LEFT
The concrete screed backsplash in the pantry-style kitchen makes it easy to clean up oil splatters. The countertop is marble.
RIGHT & BELOW
The bathroom features granite and homogeneous tiles on the floor and walls. A laminate cupboard under the vanity provides unobtrusive storage space.
ABOVE
This cosy corner in the kitchen is where Chris does his paperwork, and draws.
LEFT
The homeowner exposed the raw metal of the main door to sun and rain, to rust it. He then treated it to prevent further rusting and applied varnish for a more polished look.
SMALL - SPACES TRATEGY
Completely reorganising spaces, by placing the kitchen and dining area in front, and replacing entire walls with glass.
