Rare Dual-Key Jumbo Flat Gets Much-Needed Reno for Cosy Family Living

Big on character.

With 3 young kids, Liza and Izuan definitely wanted a bigger space to support their kids’ growth comfortably. At the same time, they also hoped to maintain a source of passive income (after years of renting out a room in their previous home, the extra earnings had become both familiar and financially helpful).

So, thus began their search for a new home, which ultimately led to their introduction to this rare jumbo flat in Woodlands by their property agent (who happened to be none other than Taufik Batisah!).

“I initially wasn’t sold on this house,” Liza says. “As you can see, it was quite dated. But Izuan really fell in love with it and did his best to convince me. I think he could see the potential of the house from the start.”

Clearly, his instincts were right, because what was an outdated home in need of a makeover did a complete 180 with the help of their interior designers from HOFT. Keep reading to see more!

The unit’s overall layout

If you’ve never heard of a jumbo flat, they’re the combination of unoccupied 3-room and 4-room units – this was done back in 1989, when there was an oversupply of smaller, unsold flats.

So, that’s why this home now stands at a whopping total of 163 sqm, with a total of 3 toilets, 4 bedrooms (which includes the study), and 2 balconies.

To create the rental unit, the family sealed off a small section of the home near the entrance, thus turning it into a dual-key unit. While this meant sacrificing the biggest bathroom in the home, it also ensured that both the family and their rentee could maintain their individual privacy.

But even so, the family were still left with ample room to play around with different features and layouts, as you’ll soon see below:

The entryway and dining area

Once dark and closed up, the entryway is now a welcoming transition into the home’s cosy interior.

Wanting a bright and airy interior to emphasise the spaciousness of the home, the family hacked an old store room to elongate the space. Additionally, they kept the colours light, with farmhouse accents and different patterns (like the Spanish-inspired floor tiles and herringbone flooring) keeping things visually interesting.

While the area remains minimally-furnished, Liza mentions that Izuan intends to install an aquarium in the future. “But that would have to wait until we’ve saved up more money,” he says amusedly.

Additionally, as they host family gatherings often, they wanted a space that was big enough to comfortably accommodate them. As such, they got an 8-seater wooden dining table that has plenty of tabletop space for dishes and drinks.

Oh, and the double-leaf doors you see at the back wall? That’s actually the store room, carved out using some of the space from the rental unit behind it – looks way more seamless than your usual store room doors, if you ask us!

The kitchen

Once closed up and dimly-lit, the kitchen underwent one of the most dramatic transformations in the home.

Several walls were hacked to open up the space, creating a bright, airy layout that now flows seamlessly into the dining and living area. Soft pastel green cabinets add a refreshing pop of colour that maintain the home’s light colour palette, while rattan lighting add warmth and texture.

One feature we love? The home’s ‘secret’ pantry, tucked away in a little nook behind the main kitchen area. Filled with tons of storage space, it allows the family to keep the snacks neatly organised (and easily accessible).

In the kitchen, you’ll also find an island that doubles as a casual dining spot – or, as Izuan cheekily puts it, “a spot from where I give my wife moral support while she cooks”. Given the overall look and vibe of the space, it’s no surprise that this is Liza’s favourite room in the house!

The living room

Next to the kitchen, the living room also underwent a significant transformation to become the bright, homely space it now is. The open layout allows light to flow freely through the home, creating an inviting feel that emphasises the space while allowing the family to wind down.

With the kitchen, dining, and living areas now seamlessly connected, it’s easy for Liza and Izuan to keep an eye on the kids.

“Ever since we moved here, the kids have been very happy,” they say. “They have so much more space to run around and play with their toys. And obviously, we love it as well – so it’s really been a dream come true!”

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