Rare HDB Maisonette in Hougang is a Cosy Family Home After $300K Reno

Behold this executive maisonette in all its glory – including a six-metre high ceiling!

At nearly three decades old, this HDB executive maisonette was in need of a refresh.

Now, it’s a modern contemporary haven that Ivoly and her husband – the homeowners – envisioned, with striking features like a winding staircase and a light-filled balcony with massive windows.

Follow us as we tour this home to uncover how the couple worked with Fifth Avenue Interior to change up the spaces.

Classic stairs with a contemporary upgrade

At 27 years old, this maisonette was in dire need of a refresh, from its popcorn walls that required plastering to the stairs that the Fifth Avenue Interior team had to level the steps to an even height for safety – a big part of what added to the hefty $300,000 renovation cost (including furniture).

Much of these works which contribute to the cost are not visible, since they include things like plumbing, rewiring and updating the condition of the old flat.

Since Ivoly and her husband loved the original curvature, they retained it and turned it into a more modern, ribbon-esque staircase. The bright faux skylight counters the lack of natural light and brightens the otherwise dark stairwell.

Living room with partitioned space for cats

Past the stairs, you’ll find the cosy living area. Since the maisonette didn’t come with a household shelter, the couple did up storage wherever possible – including in this TV feature wall with tic tac cabinet doors that hide their kids’ toys.

While you can’t have a peek at it here, the living area was partitioned to create a glass-walled room of sorts for their pet cats to rest.

Making an airy activity space out of the balcony

One of the most striking spaces in the home is the balcony right behind the living room.

If it wasn’t impressive enough that the ceiling is a whopping six metres high, Ivoly and her husband got their ID’s help to create a curve that frames their huge balcony windows and creates the illusion that the windows themselves are curved.

Though they had considered getting curved windows, their ID advised them against it because of the potential costs and the time it would take to get HDB’s approval – if it would even get approved at all.

Now, this bright and airy space is perfect for their kids to play.

A more compact yet functional kitchen

Both Ivoly and her husband cook, but only occasionally since work keeps them busy. That drove them to reduce the original kitchen size to a tighter, yet functional space while the remaining space was converted to the laundry area that connects directly to the balcony.

With a double-layered cabinet setup for storage, and under-cabinet strip lights for a softer ambience at night, they’ve got all they need.

Cosy, reconfigured bedrooms

As for the rooms on the second floor, the the couple reduced some of the second junior bedroom and common bathroom square footage to create a vanity that sits outside – their way of planning for when their kids grow up and need to use the vanity and shower at different times.

The master bedroom, while simple, is dressed in neutral tones and soft, warm lights like the rest of the home.

Though there were originally windows that used to look out into the balcony, the couple decided to remove them and cover up the area with a handy partition wall for an elongated dresser/vanity ledge and a mounted TV.

Much like for the rest of their home, Ivoly and her husband made thoughtful decisions that suit their lifestyles and balance functionality and aesthetics – all for a result that is comfy and perfect for their young kids to play and grow in.

Special thanks to Ivoly and her husband for letting us tour their home!

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