At A Glance
- Dylan and Candice, early 30s, civil servants, and their 2 children
- Location: Bukit Panjang (resale)
- Area size: 110sqm / 1184sqft
- Renovation duration: 10 weeks
- Cost of renovation: $82,000
- Cost of furnishing and appliances: $20,000
- Interior design firm: Boon Siew D’sign
- Interior designer: Calvin
Step inside this 5-room HDB and you could hardly see anything out of place. Thanks to the nifty design tricks the designer had done, the home transformed into a little storage haven to accommodate the needs of every family member. Find out how the discerning couple, Dylan and Candice worked with an experienced designer, Calvin, below.
Qanvast: What was the brief to Calvin and how did he completed the look?
Candice (C): We wanted lots of storage spaces and a display case for Dylan’s LEGO and other collectibles. Our concern was the living room as its layout is squarish, and I wanted the carpentry for the storage to have a seamless look to run across the walls instead of erecting cabinets and then break the ‘flow’ when the storage ends on a wall. A more seamless look would also make the place open.
To overcome this, Calvin used a consistent colour for the storage across the walls, and ‘hid’ the kitchen entrance in order for the design to look cohesive.
Qanvast: As a couple, how do you both work together?
C: I am very sure of what I want, but Dylan kept an open mind and suggested we listened what the designers propose, and see what works best for us.
Qanvast: How did you begin your search for interior designers?
C: We turned to Qanvast as it’s a very convenient platform and we got in touch with the 5 firm recommendations I’ve shortlisted. The reviews in there were helpful too.
It helps that we did our homework and it’s our second home so we have a clear idea on what to expect and what to do with our home. We weren’t looking out for someone who is strong in design. To me, design are just about colours. Rather, I was looking out for a good concept.
Calvin also emphasised that a place should be functional, not just aesthetically pleasing. It helps that as a parent himself and he could relate to what I was looking for in the design.
Qanvast: And why Boon Siew D’sign?
C: After several discussions and comparing of quotes, the price offered by Boon Siew D’sign was reasonable, and Calvin, I felt he could understand what I envisioned. His confidence in pulling off the design in what I want gained my trust. He also offered practical design advice that cater to our lifestyle requirements, taking into consideration our cleaning habits.
Qanvast: What do you like about Calvin?
C: It was really great working with Calvin. He impressed me on several occasions. The first was when he started sketching out my ideas using pen and paper while we were discussing. It’s through this gesture that I could tell he understood what I wanted.
Another was when we were deciding on tile designs for the master bathroom. We saw one that we really like but we couldn’t commit to the minimum quantity the seller was asking for. The next thing we knew, the tiles were already on our wall! Turns out Calvin managed to improve the design such that we are able to meet what quantity. We were really impressed with his efficiency and initiative.
It really helps that Calvin could visualise which item would fit better in our home. We trust his professional opinion, and at the same time, Calvin is not pushy and he lets us make the decision on our own.
Qanvast: What are the key takeaways from your renovation experience?
C: Be involved in your home design instead of leaving it to the designers to propose. It’s a tedious but meaningful process. Also, don’t skimp on good materials.
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