Creative Couple Turns Old 5-Room HDB into a Chic ‘Organic Modern’ Home

December 4, 2024

Every corner is an Insta-worthy spot.

Despite its cluttered and worn down state, Cassandra (@cforcassan) and her husband saw the potential in this 5-room resale flat in Bukit Panjang – and took on the challenge of turning it into a bright and airy sanctuary that speaks of their personalities and creative professions.

And for Cassandra, a part-time content creator (who works full-time in marketing), the makeover was a game-changer. With its aesthetic appeal, the home is perfectly suited for her content creation work with fashion and home/living brands, so she no longer has to spend on renting pricey studios.

Follow us as we explore the couple’s home and how they revamped the home!


Reinvented glass block entryway

The pre-renovation entryway and living area

Prior to the renovation, the kitchen was right next to the entrance – something that Cassandra and her husband weren’t too keen on.

The pre-renovation living area with the glass blocks

Taking inspiration from the glass block feature that originally existed in the flat (a rare and unique find!), the couple decided on a chic glass block entryway that houses a full-length mirror for fit checks – and doubles as a stylish OOTD spot for Cassandra’s content.

Image source: @cforcassan (left)

Bright and airy living room

The living area, prior to the renovation

Prior to the renovation, part of the living room was sectioned off as a bedroom.

With the wall hacked away to open up the area, the living room now boasts an abundance of space and natural light. This is where the couple hang out, and also host friends and family when they come over.

Spot the quirky clock in Cassandra’s OOTD? The dog motif can be spotted all around the home and reflects her love for dogs – and the couple are planning to have one in the future.

Image source: @cforcassan

According to Cassandra’s husband, the interior is an organic modern one – an interior style that you might not have heard of, alongside the likes of “coastal grandmother”.

It features a mix of modern and minimalist elements like warm, earthy accents and cosy textiles plus pops of greenery – certainly a great combination for a warm and inviting look, with varying textures for visual interest.

One highlight is the coffee counter built into the niche and equipped with top-of-the-range equipment for Cassandra’s husband who religiously prepares coffee every morning.

‘Hidden’ kitchen with retro elements

Image source: @cforcassan

The kitchen entrance is camouflaged in a fluted panel feature wall – something Cassandra has always wanted, especially since it makes for an interesting background when she’s filming content at home.

The kitchen, prior to the renovation

Though the kitchen had an L-shaped counter before the renovation, everything was hacked away to make more walking room.

Now, there is an aesthetic mix of cream and green cabinetry, and retro floor tiles that complement the palette – and, as Cassandra shared, it was a completely coincidental find.

Image source: @cforcassan

To free up the limited floor space, the couple also went with an overhead laundry rack.

This compact foldable table serves multiple uses, such as when the couple do their laundry.

Mixed-use study room

As a freelance photographer and videographer, Cassandra’s husband works from home a fair bit and needed a study corner.

Besides his study desk and open storage cabinet for both his equipment and some knick knacks, there’s a cosy corner with a caterpillar chair and a vinyl record player where he can play some records and unwind.

As you might’ve already noticed, the space is free of built-ins so that the couple can reconfigure it as their needs evolve.

Reconfigured master bedroom and walk-in wardrobe

Though simple, the master bedroom is not less stylish than the rest of the home – especially with a custom fluted panel headboard that both matches the one in the living room for continuity and serves as a subtle focal point.

Image source: @cforcassan (right)

The bedroom is connected to the adjacent junior bedroom, which was converted into a walk-in wardrobe and dressing area.

To get this space, the couple sealed the original junior bedroom entrance and created a connecting opening, as pictured, for a seamless flow.

The result is a really spacious walk-in wardrobe, with plenty of room for Cassandra’s outfits and another Insta-worthy spot for her content creation.

Of course, the renovation wasn’t without its challenges: for Cassandra and her husband, these included finding someone on Carousell to do up a 3D render before they connected with a contractor.

They took on a rather hands-on approach with their home too, which extended to assembling Taobao furniture themselves.

Every detail in the home reflects the couple’s personalities and interests, and after some three months of renovating, their first home has become a haven for hosting friends, work and simply spending time together.

Special thanks to Cassandra and her husband for letting us tour their home!

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Looking to renovate?

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Get started by requesting a quote via the button below, and we’ll match you up with interior designers who fit your budget and style needs, for free!

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