And it looks almost-whimsical.
Ask any homeowner in Singapore about the interior style of their home, and you’re likely to hear one of the usual suspects like Scandinavian, modern luxe, and most recently, Wabi-Sabi.
But homeowner Phoebe and her husband (@knella.sg) knew from the get-go that they wanted something a little more unique.
From a gallery comprising pieces from their travel adventures to a kitchen inspired by a comedy set in the 50s, we tour their quirky but classy Executive Apartment in Tampines.
Entryway and gallery
The entryway before (left) and after (right) the renovation
The first thing you’ll notice upon entering is a gallery-style feature wall. Besides being an absolute attention-grabber, this wall also holds sentimental value to the couple, as it's filled with art pieces and souvenirs from their travels.
Meanwhile, a vintage sideboard from Hock Siong and Indochine-inspired tiles from Hafary set the tone for the home’s retro influences.
The true highlight of the home though, as Phoebe tells us, is the open-concept kitchen and dining area:
The kitchen, pre-renovation
The open-concept kitchen and dining area, post-renovation
Inspired by The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (a period comedy drama set in the 50s and 60s), Phoebe shares that designing the kitchen began with choosing the pink floor tiles, followed by the cabinets’ wood veneers.
In fact, even the cabinets’ knobs were customised so that they’d be in the exact same shade as the floor tiles, while rounded edges give them a vintage/retro look.
Thereafter, a pinkish-orange fridge and sintered stone countertop with a slight pink tinge were chosen to match the concept.
The couple also knew that they wanted an open kitchen. So, practically, it made sense to have an island for sufficient storage and food prep space.
But in order to do so, they had to combine the original kitchen with its adjacent study:
Pre-renovation floor plan
Post-renovation floor plan
Service yard and guest bathroom
Further in, the service yard was likewise given a makeover, with a custom-fabricated door made of steel and glass – inspired by cargo lifts – while a sink was added for ease of scrubbing away stains on clothes, or to hand wash them when necessary.
The service yard before (left) and after (right) the renovation
Like the entryway gallery, the service yard features souvenirs from the couple’s travels (stained glass from Switzerland)
But what really caught our eye was the common bathroom decked out in what Phoebe affectionately describes as “brat green”.
The common bathroom before (left) and after (right) the renovation
Striking choice of colour aside, the mosaic wall tile patterns and stainless steel fittings are reminiscent of a diner in the 60s, almost like you’re being transported back in time!
Living room turned guest room
As you may have noticed in the before-and-after floor plans, part of the original living room was repurposed into a guest room – and even this was done with a great deal of thought.
Part of the original living room (left) repurposed into a guest room (right)
Conceptualised to look and feel like a hotel, the guest room sports wallpaper as classic hotel rooms do, coupled with glass-topped cabinets that Phoebe fills with essential amenities when she has guests staying over.
It’s not pictured here, but there’s even a large desk across the bed, like those you’d find in an executive suite!
Master bedroom and en suite bathroom
The master bedroom before (left) and after (right) the renovation
Needless to say, the master bedroom is no less glamorous, complete with wainscoted walls, elaborate sconces and an intricate pendant light.
The highlight of its transformation, however, is how its en suite was redesigned.
Firstly, the vanity was shifted out. Secondly, the bathroom was split into separate wet and dry areas; Phoebe then explains that it’s because she doesn’t like her feet to be wet every time she steps into the bathroom after some takes a shower.
As a bonus, Phoebe and her husband no longer have to jostle for the bathroom in the morning again, given that there are distinct areas for brushing their teeth, using the toilet and showering.
Plus, we’d be much more motivated to get out of bed if this was the view we woke up to every morning, don’t you agree?
Special thanks to Phoebe and her husband for letting us tour their home and sharing the photos above with us!
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