a fresh TAKE
Squarerooms Magazine, Singapore
The homeowners of this light-filled HDB apartment borrowed elements from the industrial style and combined it with a hint of nostalgia to form a timeless and cosy dwelling.
With the preference for the industrial interior style still going strong, we are starting to see spin-offs from the trend. One such home that borrows elements from the ever-popular aesthetic while exhibiting a completely original look in this five-room HDB unit in Fernvale Link.
ENTRYWAY
Unlike most HDB homes where passers-by can look into the home from the corridor, the position of the door hides the rest of the home from view. To brighten up the dark nook and balance the feng shui "rating" of the space, the homeowners added a series of pendant lamps.
On bench: Cushions from Journey East
On shelf: House-shaped candle holders from Make Room
Homeowners Jeremy and Vivian appreciate the industrial look, but they wanted a home with a style that they can be comfortable with for the next few years. While the couple had a clear idea of what they wished to include in their home, they needed help with executing their vision. So they engaged friend and interior designer Christopher Kwek from ID 50 Pte Ltd to help them realise their ideal space.
When the first-time homeowners bought the resale unit, it featured an early '90s look that favoured plenty of built-ins, false ceiling and floor-to-ceiling cabinets. Preferring an open concept that allows plenty of light to stream in from the generous floor-to-ceiling windows, they asked Christopher to create a spacious home
that includes industrial details. One of the first things that the interior designer suggested was to break down the wall between the living area and the kitchen to free up the space.
KITCHEN
Vent tiles add a touch of retro charm to the otherwise contemporary space. The chest-high counter is also a great spot for a casual meal, and at the same time, serves as extra table space when the family entertains. The rest of the kitchen is kept fairly simple and unobtrusive with a glossy subway tiles backsplash, cement screed walls and woodgrain kitchen cabinets.
On counter: Vase from Journey East
A detail that Vivian wanted to include was vent tiles typically seen in old terrace homes around Singapore. She explains, "I really wanted to have vent tiles because it reminds me of my grandma's house, in which I grew up in." As such, Christopher procured a stack of vent tiles and built an eye-catching bar counter framed by poured concrete between the kitchen and the living space. It's a retro look that adds loads of character to the home.
While most homeowners would request for plenty of storage space to be included in the kitchen, Jeremy and Vivian went against that. The couple opted for a row of floor cabinets in a woodgrain laminate. "I always believe that if there are less storage spaces we will keep less things," Vivian says of their choice. Freeing up the space above the cooking zone allows for the installation of a vertical cooker hood from Elica set against glossy subway tiles that look like it could belong to a showroom.
It's all about the details for Jeremy and Vivian, who are both in the creative industry. In fact, they were very particular about the wiring throughout the whole unit because they chose to go for exposed wiring, which is another nod to the industrial style. Therefore, they took extra care to determine where the electrical wiring ran, and that the switch boxes were sprayed over with silver paint for a cohesive look.
Another industrial aspect in the home is the use of cement screed in the kitchen and bathroom. Christopher advised them to apply this treatment on the walls of the kitchen and bathrooms instead of the floors, as it would be easier to maintain.
Opting for standalone furniture in the living and dining zones, the couple took their time to shop around to select their furniture, visiting places such as The Shophouse, Castlery and Comfort Design. Explaining their choice of using moveable furnishings, Jeremy says that they wanted the option to shift things around and perhaps add more items to their collection when their 10-month-old daughter, Gem, grows bigger.
While most of the apartment features moveable pieces, the master bedroom contains one of the few built-ins in the home. The floor-to-ceiling wardrobe clad in distressed wood laminate was custom-designed by Christopher to complement the parquet floors of the private sanctuary.
It is also in this area that Christopher employed a clever trick to make the en-suite bathroom seem larger. He broke down part of the wall next to the bathroom door to create a small window. For privacy, louvre blinds were added. The designer explains, "This was done to let more light into the bathroom. At the same time, putting up a window here shows off the actual length of the bathroom, making it appear larger when viewed from the bedroom."