Inside a Young Family’s Breezy Bohemian-Inspired Maisonette in Hougang

Definitely NOT cookie-cutter.

Wabi-sabi and Japandi interiors may be trending, but Stuart (who hails from the UK) and his wife Janice felt a pull towards something more vibrant and truer to Singapore’s tropical climate.

Leaning into Stuart’s fondness for the bohemian look, the couple eventually landed on a palette of burnt orange, earthy greens, and warm browns. Then, they engaged Shun Li and Royston from Jesigns Interior Design to transform a dated, 42-year-old maisonette in Hougang into a bright and airy haven — one that’s equal parts aesthetic and practical, with just the right amount of quirky.

Keep scrolling to take a closer look!

Entryway

Upon entering, a stunning entryway ushers you in with strong leading lines.

Patterned tiles on the floor hint at the bohemian-inspired aesthetic the rest of the home follows, while retro gradient-coloured glass blocks at the end allow light to pass through. This prevents the kitchen behind it from feeling cramped, and also affords the owners (who like to keep the front door open for ventilation) a degree of privacy.

Don’t be fooled by the floor-to-ceiling carpentry though; only the outermost section closest to the door serves as actual, functional cabinets. The innermost section is actually a concealed entrance to the store-turned-helper’s room, while the middle section comprises faux cabinet fronts that are, in fact, the back of their helper’s wardrobe on the other side.

On that note, Stuart and Janice share that the main reason they moved from a 4-room flat was so that each of their two young kids as well as their helper can have a space of their own.

But since HDB doesn’t allow carving out extra windows along the common corridor, ventilation slits were incorporated above their helper’s room door.

Kitchen, dining area and storage units

Beyond the glass blocks, an L-shaped open kitchen has been merged with the service yard for a smooth, continuous flow.

Notably, the rubbish chute is concealed with carpentry, while patterned tiles above it turn a once-utilitarian corner into a stylish feature — something Stuart and Janice were intentional about in every room.

Next, stepping out of the kitchen leads you to the heart of the home: the dining area where the couple loves to host.

“When my side of the family comes over, we have about 10 people, and we wanted it to be comfortable for everyone,” Janice shares.

To make this possible, the couple invested in a large live wood dining table, and had a settee with under-seat storage built-in. Practicality aside, elements like striking coloured cushions, wicker-look chairs and a hanging rattan lamp come together to lend a boho-chic-meets-resort charm to the space.

And since the original store room was converted to their helper’s room, maximising storage space elsewhere became a priority in the renovation.

This included cladding an entire stretch of wall in the communal area with floor-to-ceiling cabinets that integrate with the TV feature wall.

To break it down, the section facing the dining area serves as what Stuart and Janice affectionately call a “party pull-out” — a pull-out cabinet housing wine and cocktail glasses for evening parties.

The mornings, on the other hand, start with a pour over cuppa (a calming ritual for Stuart) at one of the middle sections that conceal a coffee counter behind pocket doors.

Meanwhile, even the area under the staircase is optimised for storing bulkier items like luggages, along with pull-out compartments that allow easy access to smaller items stored at the back, thereby minimising dead space.

His-hers workstation and living area

With both Stuart and Janice on hybrid work arrangements, a his-hers workstation was a must. And because Janice wanted natural light, placing it next to the balcony became the obvious choice.

Here, its teal blue accent wall along with the owners’ collectibles lend a vibrant, quirky vibe to the space.

Additionally, Stuart also specially sourced for extra long HDMI cables that run across the ceiling to connect his PC to the TV, which allows him to play PC games on his HD TV screen. Who needs a man cave when you’ve got the entire living room for your games?

Double-volume balcony

But the pièce de résistance — the very thing that sold the couple on the unit — is the soaring double-volume balcony overlooking a park and a mini amphitheatre where community events take place.

To preserve that panoramic view while keeping the rain out, the couple installed a custom oversized Ziptrak. Its beam-free design means nothing interrupts their million-dollar vista.

And if the view wasn’t enough of a wow factor, a striking double-height feature wall was built to further accentuate the balcony as the star of the show.

Up close, the meticulous detailing becomes clear — from its sculpted curves to the organic, non-uniform tiles, all bound together with terracotta grout for an earthy, handcrafted finish.

Staircase and common areas on the second floor

Heading up to the second floor, the walls and ceilings at the staircase are painted in limewash, while ‘bird’s nest’ pendant lights (as Janice jokingly calls them) from Taobao hang from a laminate panel that conceals electrical wiring.

Personal touches here include a gallery wall depicting precious family memories, as well as display shelves filled with Janice’s collectible figurines.

And rather than have their washing machine at the service yard, the couple worked with Shun Li and Royston on plumbing to have the laundry area on the second floor, next to the entrance of the common bathroom.

That way, the family doesn’t have to constantly bring the laundry down after each shower, nor does their helper need to carry freshly done laundry back up to their bedrooms.

(P.S. The setup even comes with a pull-out slit at the top to hang any clothes that remain damp after a drying cycle, or delicates that can’t go in the dryer.)

Master bedroom

Lastly, storage was likewise a priority in the master bedroom. As such, an entire stretch of wall was fitted with full-height cabinetry.

What stands out for us, though, is the secondary ‘walkaround’ wardrobe strategically placed in the middle of an empty space in front of the bed.

“Since we had so much space left, we thought why not? Instead of a regular walk-in wardrobe that only has one opening, we can access this wardrobe from all sides, and the space is kept open and airy,” Stuart and Janice explain.

And they even let us in on a little secret: the back has a TV mount and wiring done up — currently hidden by the painting in the middle — should the couple eventually decide to have a TV in their bedroom.

All in all, it’s a unique and practical idea that keeps with the home’s airy vibe — befitting of a home as unique as theirs.

Special thanks to Stuart and Janice for letting us tour their home!