Of over 190 posts this year, these were the ones you loved the most.
From the end of pax restrictions to mask-wearing mandates (for the most part), 2022 certainly brought about its fair share of welcomed change here in Singapore. Of course, this included a ton of newly renovated homes.
But not all homes are created equal – here’s a look back at those that really caught your eye on our Instagram page this year.
Most-liked home inspo
1. A 5-room resale flat that could easily pass off as a condo
View this project by IdeasXchange
Boasting an understated luxury that’s commonly associated with condos, the only giveaways that this resale apartment by IdeasXchange is in fact an HDB are its ceiling beams and grilles.
Airy, chic, yet oh-so-homey, it’s easy to see why this has come up top on the list alright.
2. A massive maisonette that’s the perfect blend of contemporary cool and ruggedness
View this project by i-Chapter
Here in space-starved Singapore, large homes are almost always a huge cause for envy. But size aside, this HDB maisonette in Serangoon at a whopping 161 sqm marries the best of both an industrial and contemporary aesthetic.
We also love how the ID from i-Chapter made use of clever layout changes and a foldable glass door to make the open-concept communal area look bigger than it already is. Now this is what it’s like to live large in the Little Red Dot.
3. A resale flat in Bukit Panjang built for indoor-outdoor living
View this project by Key Concept
As this resale flat designed by Key Concept proves, the concept of ‘indoor-outdoor living’ is in no way limited to mansions you see on Selling Sunset.
Here, foldable glass doors open up (fully) to a balcony filled with plants. Then, a cafe-style setup and playpen straddle the living room and balcony, maximising every square inch that a divisive sliding door track would otherwise render unused. Plus, the owners get to enjoy your morning cuppa with a view – what’s not to love?
4. A 5-room BTO in Bedok that will stand the test of time
View this project by Ovon Design
Trends come and go, but neutrals will always be in vogue. Case in point: this 5-room BTO by Ovon Design that we’ll never get bored of looking at.
Throwing greys and floor-to-ceiling mirrors into the mix, the owners were able to add visual depth to the space while differentiating it from every other white-and-wood home there is. Talk about simple but effective change.
5. A 4-room BTO at Punggol Northshore with a walk-in wardrobe that didn’t require any wall hacking
View this project by Swiss Interior Design
Walk-in wardrobes are all the rage, but hacking away walls/sacrificing a room for one may not be the wisest option when it comes to future-proofing.
Consider an alternative that this 4-room BTO by Swiss Interior adopted: divvying up the master bedroom into two halves, with one serving as a walk-in wardrobe. And while you’re at it, consider extending the carpentry to conceal your en suite entrance for a seamless look.
Most-watched home tours
1. A chic pink bachelorette pad overlooking Coney Island
View this project by Happe Design Atelier
One of the perks about having a place to yourself is that you get to do whatever you want.
For this bachelorette living at Punggol Northshore, it meant working with her ID at Happe Design Atelier to create separate wet and dry bathrooms to make way for a bathtub, and converting the entire corridor into a personal walk-in wardrobe.
Bonus: it also has an unblocked view of Coney Island!
2. A quirky 4-room flat in Tampines with a bathtub out in the open
View this project by Ovon Design
It’s no secret that many Singaporeans want a bathtub at home. But to have one completely out in the open? Now that’s unique.
There are also other quirky, attention-grabbing features that the owners of this 4-room resale flat by Ovon Design decided to include in its makeover, like an all-pink corridor reminiscent of the Museum of Ice Cream Singapore, and a recurring motif of striking half walls throughout. Definitely no questions asked as to how it landed the #2 spot on this list.
3. A resale flat in Queenstown that’s both classy and edgy
View this project by Plus Interior Studio
If you can’t decide between a contemporary or industrial interior, the good news is that you don’t have to.
Much like the maisonette example above, this resale flat by Plus Interior Studio marries both styles together by adding concrete accent walls to an otherwise sleek interior. But we’re not sure what’s more impressive: the fact that the designer managed to pull it off so immaculately, or that renovation costs were kept at $60,000.
4. A 4-room resale flat in Yishun after a long overdue makeover
View this project by Medina Design & Interiors
If we didn’t mention it, there was no way you’d have guessed that this 36-year-old resale flat in Yishun was once cockroach-infested – yikes!
Thankfully, though, its new (and current) owners decided to give it a long overdue Arabian-inspired makeover by Medina Design & Interiors, featuring intricate patterns and lavish textiles. We’re happy to say it looks much better now!
Contact Medina Design & Interiors
5. An executive apartment in Tampines that cost a staggering $325K to renovate
View this project by Style Elements Studio
Nope, it’s not a typo. This executive apartment in Tampines really did cost $325,000 to renovate.
According to the ID from Style Elements Studio, the owners specifically requested the use of premium materials like large format tiles (approximately $800 a piece!) and embedded rockwool for soundproofing. Sure takes ‘no expense spared’ to a whole new level, don’t you think?
More to come in 2023
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