Transforming a 510 sq ft HDB flat to accommodate a couple's eclectic passions

This article highlights the transformation of a 510 sq ft three-room resale HDB flat in Crawford Lane, Singapore, designed by Ean Chu of Happe Design Atelier. The homeowners, Zen and Evie, desired a timeless, retro-colonial aesthetic while accommodating their active lifestyle, passion for entertaining, and growing plant collection. The renovation prioritized maximizing communal space and incorporating ample storage solutions within the compact footprint. To achieve the desired spaciousness, one of the apartment's two bedrooms was removed, and its walls were reconfigured to expand the living area. The wall between the kitchen and dining area was also eliminated, creating an open-plan L-shaped layout that seamlessly connects the living area, dining area, kitchen, and the service yard. This re-layout fosters a sense of flow and openness, essential for entertaining guests. The interior design employs a subdued, earthy color palette of white, black, grey, teak brown, and olive green to evoke a timeless elegance. Colonial-era materials such as glass, brass, tropical hardwood, and rattan are strategically used as accents, adding visual warmth and character to the space. Medium grey marble floor tiles, with delicate white veining, are consistently applied throughout the living, dining, kitchen, and master bedroom areas, establishing design continuity and an understated sophistication. The marble surface was chosen to complement and neutralize the wooden accents. Upon entering the apartment, a built-in shelf displaying vintage encyclopedias and a half-height cabinet with an hourglass and potted fern greet visitors, providing immediate storage for shoes and rollerblades. A prominent feature is the teakwood wainscoting that spans the length of one side of the apartment, extending almost to the ceiling. This design element provides a 'gentleman’s club' ambiance and cleverly conceals extensive built-in cabinetry, addressing the critical need for storage. An additional row of white laminate cabinets above the wainscoting blends with the ceiling, creating an illusion of height. A recessed alcove within the wainscoted cabinets offers extra bench seating without encroaching on the floor plan. This area also includes open shelves and drawers for storage and a backlit nook for displaying artwork and decor, forming a symmetrical focal point for the dining area. The dining area is illuminated by three pendant lamps made of wood, brass, and blackened steel. The large oval marble-topped dining table, reminiscent of old kopitiam tables, can seat up to ten people and also functions as a spacious work-from-home area for two. The dining chairs are a mix of black wood and natural rattan, adding a quirky yet cohesive touch. The living area, adjacent to the dining space, is defined by black half-height wainscoting and bronze-tinted mirror panels, which enhance light distribution and create the perception of a larger room. Furnishings in rich tones and textures, such as a moss-green vintage leather sofa, a brass coffee table, and a mid-century-styled teak TV console, along with strategically placed potted plants, contribute to a warm and inviting atmosphere. Decorative items like a red telephone and leather-bound books add to the retro charm. Gymnastic rings are installed in the living room, catering to the couple’s fitness routine. White metal-framed and glass sliding French pocket doors allow for the segregation of the dining area from the kitchen during heavy cooking, without obstructing light or visibility. Similar doors separate the kitchen from the bathroom/utility area. The galley-style kitchen features teak cabinets, marble-look countertops, and backsplashes, echoing the design elements of the dining area. The bathroom/backyard setup, while maintaining a traditional layout with separate shower and WC stalls, is transformed into a sophisticated space with antique white terracotta floor tiles featuring a moss-green sunburst design, an oversized vintage sink, black-steel and glass doors, shiplap-clad cabinets, and tropical plants, exuding an "old-world" charm. The master bedroom is expanded to include a walk-through wardrobe with minimalist white laminate cupboards. The sleeping area features a custom-made teak-stained bamboo platform and a semi-circular bronze-tinted mirror as a headboard, which also reflects light. Wall sconces on either side of the mattress provide lighting and symmetry, eliminating the need for bedside tables. The platform incorporates drawers and a flip-top lid for additional storage. Frosted glass pendant lamps and old-school steel window grilles complete the nostalgic aesthetic of the room. #SmallSpaceDesign #HDBFlatRenovation #RetroColonialStyle #OpenConceptLiving #SpaceSavingSolutions #InteriorDesignSingapore #EclecticHomeDecor #CompactLiving #SmallSpaceDesign #HDBFlatRenovation #RetroColonialStyle #OpenConceptLiving #SpaceSavingSolutions #InteriorDesignSingapore #EclecticHomeDecor #CompactLiving