This tiny space was carefully designed to fit the homeowner’s lifestyle and personality – and still have plenty of room left!
HOME
One-bedroom condominium apartment
WHOA
physical education teacher in her 30s
LEFT
Anne didn’t want mainstream design, and deliberately chose a sofa in bold red for contrast with her grey-toned living room. Cushions and yellow table from Make Room.
BELOW LEFT
The designer says the L-shaped kitchen countertop helps marks out the kitchen, without obstructing the walking space. Accessories on shelf and table cloth from Make Room, kitchen flower rug from Journey East.
BOTTOM LEFT
An extendable dining counter that can be kept when unused is a space-saving alternative to a traditional table.
OPPOSITE
Although Anne has a lot of “junk”, these are well-hidden in storage areas under the bay window. A similar concept was used for the bedroom’s feature wall cum television console. Painting from Ode to Art, and accessories on shelf from Journey East.
It took months before Anne Goh, homeowner of this two-storey shoebox unit, officially engaged an interior designer. Anne was enthralled by the edgy and futuristic loft apartment featured in the sci-fifilm, Gattaca, and did not want her home to be “just another Starbucks cafe” – she needed someone who could pull off the specific look she wanted.
“I prefer something dark and edgy, but I also love museums and art. My home has to have a bit of both,” says Anne. She finally decided to engage Distinctidentity for the job, after discussing the concept with one of their designers. The two decided the best way to create this look in a compact space was to go minimalist, and to keep the look streamlined with large storage spaces. This is what they did to customise the home to Anne’s lifestyle, and the look she wanted, with a renovation cost of $28,000.
Decluttered the kitchen Anne doesn’t cook, so the kitchen was kept very basic. The walls to the original study, opposite the kitchen, were hacked away to house appliances such as the refrigerator, washing machine and microwave. Anne also chose a slim and flat induction cooktop for her kitchen. Replacing the traditional dining table is a breakfast countertop, with an extendable surface which she pulls out only when guests come over.
Created a home office
As a physical education teacher, Anne works long hours and often brings paperwork home. As the original study was too small, the designer brought her work area out and created a study table which swivels out from the bay window ledge. There are also pockets of storage under the window seats, where files and books are stored. This home office cum reading nook is dressed in black and white, complementing her grey-toned living room. “The natural light also helps to visually enlarge the space,” says the designer.
Tweaked the colour palette
Although Anne wanted a dark living room, the designer suggested shades of light grey as well as a concrete finish for the feature wall. This allows the space to sport an industrial look but also be bright and airy, making it conducive for Anne to work at home. On the other hand, her bedroom features a deep blue wall. “I love the ocean and used to live somewhere with a sea view. This recreates the therapeutic ambience I love, and need, after a long day at work,” says Anne.
WHERE TO GO
Distinctidentity Tel: 6846-0033
OPPOSITE
With plenty of natural sunlight, the window area is the perfect spot to get some work done. Anne chose a swivel chair without an armrest, to save space. Accessories on bay window from Journey East.
RIGHT
The walk-in closet in the original layout was extremely small, so the designer tore down its walls and extended the space. A full height glass divider with black frames now separates the bedroom space from the closet. Painting from Ode to Art.
LEFT
Unlike her living room, Anne’s bedroom has a darker, cosier feel. She also chose an atypical round mattress, which she bought from Sleeppost.
SMALL - SPACES TRATEGY
Space-saving features such as swing-out and extendable countertops, and wall-mounted storage features make more efficient use of the existing space.
