Family’s $180K Reno Gives 5-Room BTO Boutique Hotel/Art Gallery Vibes

Moody, striking, and functional.

Most homeowners want a home that looks good, but still feels cosy and comfortable. And looking at this 5-room BTO flat in Bartley, it’s clear that it’s achieved both – but in a way that is way more striking and distinctive than others.

Designed for a young family of three, the home boasts a moody, architectural aesthetic, all while feeling inviting. And getting the inspiration for the look comes naturally to Alex (the founder of interior design firm Inizio Atelier) and his wife, who works in a high-end interior fit-out studio – both of whom are exposed to good design every single day.

Focusing on craftsmanship, materials, and structure, these influences resulted in a home that also feels like an art gallery or boutique hotel:

About the homeowners and their home

Working in creative industries, both Alex and his wife are naturally drawn towards design and architecture. This was why they found themselves inspired by various boutique hotels, contemporary art galleries, and fashion retail spaces – places that relied on a combination of lighting, textures, and materials to shape the atmosphere.

“We liked how these spaces felt immersive, calm, and moody,” Alex explains. “So, when we secured our home, we wanted our home to emulate a similar vibe. Essentially, we wanted a space that feels soothing and atmospheric, with lots of deep tones, textures, and different architectural elements.”

“But at the same time, it’s still very much a family space where we unwind after long work days and spend quality time together. So, despite the strong design identity we were going for, we want the home to remain comfortable and practical, with adaptable spaces and easy-to-maintain materials.”

About the communal area (living room, dining area, and kitchen)

As Alex and his wife frequently host guests and value a space that was open and easy to navigate, they designed the communal area as one big, seamlessly-connected space.

Here, walnut surfaces – intentionally chosen for the rich, deep tone – run across the walls and ceiling of the living room and kitchen, creating a strong sense of visual continuity, while curves add soft, rounded lines that soften the look. The limewash surface of the TV feature wall finishes the look by introducing depth and texture.

One key requirement the couple had was to hide as many utilitarian elements as possible. “It’s not just because we’re very particular,” Alex says amusedly, “but it’s mainly because we wanted the materials and architectural details to take centre stage. So things like appliances and storage were carefully integrated into the built-ins.”

The result: a communal area that retains its clean, gallery-like feel without sacrificing functionality.

The couple also wanted a kitchen island that can double as both a functional and social space.

“The kitchen is my wife’s space, so she designed most of the things here,” Alex says. “The traditional kitchen island design tends to be blocky and straight, so she did ours differently by re-configurating it into a T-shaped build, and including more curved surfaces to break up the overly rigid look.”

About the master bedroom

Like the communal area, the master bedroom carries a similar boutique hotel look as the communal area. Behind the king-sized bed, a green suede headboard is set against limewash walls and walnut panelling, creating a layered backdrop that looks straight out of a suite.

On the opposite side, a full-height wardrobe maintains the sleek, streamlined look. But the feature we’re particularly impressed by is actually above: the curved ceiling. Initially meant to cover up an existing (unsightly) beam, Alex also used it as an opportunity to amp up the soothing vibe.

By lowering the ceiling height at the entrance, the room has a cosier, more intimate quality upon entering – but after walking in further, the higher ceiling height of the main area opens up the space and introduces an airy, expansive feel.

Beyond the aluminium double-leaf French doors lie the master ensuite. Travertine tiles line the dry zone, while the shower area is lined with tiles with a special textured surface that add a tactile quality to the space.

Of course, a large part of the mood boils down to the lighting. While most homeowners are content with one ceiling light, Alex incorporated six (!) different layers of indirect lighting here, including cove lights and even a spotlight that draws attention to the tiles in the shower area.

It sounds like a lot, but seeing the calm, softly dramatic look, the results are truly undeniable.

To sum up

For Alex, the biggest takeaway was to design around real life and what they love. “Instead of just following trends, you should know what you like and what you need from a space,” he says. “Only then will your home feel timeless.”

This thinking was precisely what shaped the things they invested in. Elements like the walnut ceiling canopy, limewash walls, and curved details may be unimpressive on their own – but together, they define the home’s atmosphere and create the moody, atmospheric look that the couple really wanted.

Because of that, they have few regrets. “I’d advise homeowners to invest in materials and craftsmanship to the best of their spending ability,” Alex says. “It’s not just for functionality purposes – because over time, these will be the key elements that make a significant difference in how a space feels.”

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