Fashion Editor-Restaurateur Duo Breathes New Life into 4-Room Flat

Born from a 95-page mood board.

It's one thing to tell your interior designer you like mid-century modern interiors.

It's another to hand them a 95-page mood board packed with inspirations gathered from years of travelling, complete with ideas on colours, materials and the feeling each space should evoke.

That was exactly what Aaron, a fashion editor, and his partner, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of an F&B group, brought to their interior designer, Sunny from The Local INN.terior 新家室. With careers rooted in creativity, they wanted a home that reflected the experiences and inspirations they'd gathered over the years.

Their vision eventually took shape in this intricately designed 4-room resale flat, where every space reflects a different influence while still feeling unmistakably like home.

About the homeowner and his home

Like many avid travellers, Aaron and his partner have a habit of bringing home more than just souvenirs. Over the years, they've collected design inspirations from the hotels they've stayed in, restaurants they've visited, and countless Pinterest saves, all of which eventually found their way into the mood board for their home.

But despite the wide range of influences, they had a clear vision from the start.

"It had to have colour, but not crazy. Everything had to make sense and tie in together. A good flow. Spaces have to serve a purpose beyond aesthetics," Aaron says.

When they came across this 98sqm 4-room resale flat in Serangoon, it wasn't the dated interiors that sold them. Instead, Aaron saw potential in the quiet neighbourhood and existing layout, knowing that much of the home would be reconfigured to better suit their lifestyle anyway.

Their renovation journey also took an unexpected turn before work even began. After reviewing the extensive mood board, The Local INN.terior decided to hand the project over to Sunny, knowing it would require someone comfortable navigating a more design-led brief.

Instead of being fazed, Sunny simply looked through the references and replied, "Can do." It was exactly the confidence Aaron was looking for in his interior designer.

About the foyer/entryway

First impressions matter, and this home wastes no time setting the tone.

"We wanted spaces to serve a purpose beyond aesthetics," Aaron shares. That mindset shaped every decision throughout the renovation, beginning with the very first space they see when they step through the door: the entryway.

Designed to hold at least 50 pairs of shoes, the cabinetry keeps everyday clutter neatly out of sight without overwhelming the space. Beside it, a fluted panel lets light through while acting as a privacy partition for the communal area.

Combined with warm walnut finishes and subtle lighting beneath, the entrance feels less like a drop zone and more like a gentle transition between the outside world and home.

About the living and dining area

For Aaron and his partner, the communal spaces would become the centre of everyday life, so closing the dining area off in the kitchen (per the original layout) never felt quite right.

Instead, they worked with Sunny to bring the dining area back into the living room. To make room for it, the wall of the adjacent master bedroom was hacked and shifted back, creating enough space for the generous L-shaped sofa they had envisioned, alongside a proper dining area.

Thanks to this reconfiguration, the living and dining areas now feel like one cohesive communal space, with clearer sightlines and a layout that's much better suited to Aaron and his partner’s lifestyle.

About the kitchen and yard

Knowing that they cook frequently, they worked closely with Sunny to explore several possible kitchen layouts before settling on a galley layout that maximised countertop space for food prep.

One feature they were particularly sold on was the stainless steel countertop and backsplash — a choice Aaron describes as "so, so practical for clumsy cooks like me", while adding that it also makes a statement.

An island-style bar counter sits at the centre of the space, creating additional prep space for cooking while doubling as an informal spot for quick meals or a morning coffee.

Paired with warm walnut cabinetry and playful checkered floor tiles, the kitchen feels every bit as inviting as the rest of the home.

Beyond the kitchen, the service yard was designed just as thoughtfully. The checkered tiles give way to terrazzo flooring to subtly distinguish the two zones, while the striped ceiling treatment visually carries the transition overhead.

Custom carpentry wraps neatly around the rubbish chute — a familiar feature in older resale flats — concealing it from view while providing practical storage that better supports Aaron and his partner’s everyday routine.

Even the common bathroom, tucked at the back of the service yard, wasn't treated as an afterthought.

Clad in rich reddish-brown tiles to make it feel more warm and inviting, the common bathroom feels more like a design feature than a utilitarian space, proving that every corner of the home was given equal attention.

About the master suite

Expanding the living room meant sacrificing part of the original master bedroom, but Aaron and his partner saw it as an opportunity rather than a compromise.

Ironically, the master suite proved to be the hardest space to get right. Aaron knew exactly what he didn't want, but not necessarily what he did want, leading to plenty of back-and-forth as Sunny refined his proposals to strike the right balance between design, budget, and the tight renovation timeline.

Instead of forcing the bedroom to do everything, they split the suite into two distinct spaces. The adjacent common bedroom became the new sleeping quarters, while the original master was transformed into a spacious walk-in wardrobe.

Beyond creating room for their growing collection of bags and accessories, the split layout also offers greater flexibility on days when they have different schedules, making it easier for one person to get ready (or wind down) while the other continues to rest.

Framing the transition are boutique-inspired double-leaf doors that open into the wardrobe like the entrance to a retail store, turning an everyday routine into a small experience in itself.

Beyond the wardrobe, the newly enlarged ensuite continues the same design language with deep green tiles, warm walnut cabinetry and a striking glass block partition that separates the vanity from the shower.

The glass blocks soften the natural light streaming in, giving the bathroom a brighter, more open feel while still maintaining privacy.

To sum up

Putting together a 95-page mood board may have given Aaron and his partner a clear direction, but that didn't mean the renovation was without its challenges.

As someone who describes himself as "Type A", Aaron admits the process was often stressful, spending many nights obsessing over styling boards and making sure every colour, material, and detail came together without looking too intentional.

Thankfully, having an interior designer who wasn't afraid to challenge his ideas helped turn that vision into something even better.

"You can hold your ideas, but an open mind will surprise you. I came in with very set ideas... Ultimately, Sunny was the only one who challenged me, and I appreciated it."

Looking back, Aaron says the renovation taught him that having a good design is one thing, but bringing it to life lies in the smallest details. Judging by the thoughtfully curated home they now call their own, we'd say every one of those details was well worth the effort.

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